Fasting

“O Ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may become Al Muttaqoon (pious, God fearing) "(Albaqarah 183)

[Observing Saum (fasting)] for a fixed number of days, nut if any of you is ill and on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those, who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), , they have (a choice either to fast or ) to feed a Miskeen(poor person) (for every day). (Al Baqarah 184)

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. present at his home), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days which one did not observe Saum (fasting) must be made up) from other days. Allah intends for you ease and He does not want make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah (i.e. to say Takeer (Allahu Akbar; Allah is the Most Great) )” for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him. ( Al Baqarah 185)

Definition of Fasting (saum)

In Arabic language: abstaining, refraining

In Islamic Terminology: abstinence from nullifiers from the start of fajr to sunset with intention.

Virtues of Fasting

Several hadeeth have been narrated pertaining to its benefits from which are the following;

1. Narrated Abu Huraira (R ): Allahs Apostle (PBUH) said, “Allah said, ‘All the deeds of the sons of Adam are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.

Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relations with his wife and quarrelling and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say “I am fasting”. By Him in Whose hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in sight of Allah then the smell of the musk.

There are two pleasures for fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; the he will be pleased because his fasting” (Agreed upon Bukhari & Muslim)

2. Narrated Sahl bin S’ad (R ): The prophet said, “There is a gate in Paradise called Ar – Raiyaan, and those who observer fast will enter thorugh it on the day of resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will get uo, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it”

Rules Relating To Fasting In Ramadan

The ummah (Community of believers) is agreed hat fasting the month of Ramadan is obligatory, it is a pillar from the pillars of Islam and the evidence for this ruling comes from the Qur’aan, sunnah and Ijmaa’ (consensus o the scholars).

Evidence from Qur’aan

The statement of Allah:

“O Ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may become Al Muttaqoon (pious, God fearing) (Albaqarah 183)

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan), he must fast that month……” ( Al Baqarah 185)

Evidence From Sunnah

The statement of the Prophet (PBUH)

1. from the hadeeth of ibn Umar (R ): “Islam is built upon five pillars: testifying that there is no God except Allah and that Muhammad is his Messenger, the establighment of salaat, the giving of Zakaah, the pilgrimage to Makka and the fast of Ramadan” (Agreed Upon – Bukhari & Muslim)
   
   
2. from the hadeeth of Talha bin ubaidilah (R ):

“… The Bedouin further asked, Inform me what Allah has made compulsory for m as regards fasting. “ He replied, you have to fast during the whole month of Ramadan, unless you want to fast more as mawaafil (supererogatory)….” (Agreed upon and the words are from Bukhari)

IJMAA’ (Consensus of the scholars)

The scholars are unanimous on the compulsion of fasting in Ramadan and anyone rejecting it (compulsion of fasting in Ramadan) is a kaafir who has deserted Islam.

How is The Month Confirmed

The start of the month is confirmed by sighting the crescent even by one Aadil (Just) individual or by completion of 30 days in Sha’baan.

Pillars of Fasting

Fasting has two pillars

1. Abstinence from nullifiers from the start of fajr till maghrib(sunset)

Evidence

1. “… And eat and drink until the white thread (light of dawn) appearsto you distinct from the black thread (darkness of the night), then complete your fast till the nightfall…” (Al Baqarah 187)

2. Intention

Evidence

1. “ And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him)” ( Al Bayyinah: 5)
2. “… all actions are but by intentions, and every man shall have that which he intended.. “ (Agreed upon)

Time of Intention (NIYAH)

The intention is made on the night before the rise of fajr and for every night of fasting in the whole month. The evidence for this is the hadeeth of Hafsah.

“Whoever does not determine to fast before fajr will have no fast (i.e. it won’t be accepted)." (Ahmad, an Nasaaee, at Tirmidhi, Abu Daud, ibn Majah, and ibn Hibban eho classified it as saheeh – authentic)

On Whom is Fasting Compulsory

Fasting is compulsory on every Muslim who has reached the age of puberty, is not insane, is healthy and is a resident (not a traveler)

1. As for the kaafir, his fasting is not accepted. This is because fasting is an ibaadah(worship) and all acts of worship by the kuffar are rejected until they embrace Islam.
   
   
2. As for the child who wasn’t reached the age of puberty, although fasting is not compulsory on him/her, its is preferred that he/she be trained.
   
   
3. As for the insane, he is not under any obligation.
   
   
4. As those who cannot endure fasting from amongst the old men and women (due the weakness) or those who are suffering from chronic illness and do not expect a recovery, they are permitted to break their fast and upon tem is to feed for every day of missed fast. One poor or needy person. And as those who can fast with difficulty (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or ) to feed a Miskeen(poor person) (for every day). (Al Baqarah 184)
   
   
5. As for the pregnant or breast feeding, if they fear for themselves or their children, they are permitted to break the fast but are to make up for the missed days.
   
   
6. As for the menstruating or those who are in post natal bleeding, they must break their fast and make up for the missed days later when they are in a state of cleanliness.

Preferable Deeds For One Who is Fasting

Pre dawn meal (suhoor)

Narrated Anas bin Maalik (R ):
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Take suhoor as there is blessing in it” (Bukhari and Muslim)


Delaying suhoor

Zaid bin Thabit(R ) said; “We tool the suhoor with the Prophet (PBUH) then he stood for the prayer.”
I asked; “What was the interval between the suhoor and adhan?”
He replied; "the interval was sufficient to recite fifty verses of the Qura’an.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Narrated Abu Dhar (R ): The Prophet (PBUH) said, the people will remain on the right path as long as they delay the suhoor and hasten in breaking of the fast (Ahmad)

Hastening to break the fast

Narrated Sahl bin Saad ( R ) “
Allah apostle (PBUH) said: “The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast” (Agreed upon – Bukhari and Muslim)

What to break fast with?

Break fast with ripe dates but if cannot find that then dried dates and if he can’t get then he breaks fast with water.
This is from the hadeeth of Anas ( R ) who said, “ The prophet (PBUH) used to break fast with ripe dates and if these were no tavailable then dried dates and if it was also not available he used to drink water after which he prayed.” (Abu Daud, alhaakim eho recorded it as saheeh (authentic) and tirmidhi)

Supplication at the time of breaking fast (and while fasting)

This comes from the hadeeth of ibn Umar(R ) who said, “The prophet (PBUH) at the time of breaking fast would say; “dhahab adhdhmao wab tallatil orooqo wa thabatal ajru in sha Allah” ( The thirst has gone, the glands are wet and Allah willing, the reward is confirmed)
(Abu Daud, alhaakim and Baihaqi)

If Someone fights him or abuses him

Abu Huraira (R ) that the Prophet (PBUH) said; “ … So the person observing fast should avoid sexual relations with his wife and should not behave foolishly or impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should say “I am fasting…” ” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Siwaak

It is preferred for the fasting person to use tooth stick or a brush as narrated by ‘Aamir bi Rabee’aah (R ) (Ahmad, Abu Daud and Trimidhi)

Generosity and the Qur’aan

They are recommended at all times but in Ramadan it recommended more strongly.
Narrated ibn Abbas (R ) : “The Prophet (PBUH) was the most generous amongst the people and he used to be more so in the month Ramadan when Jibreel visited him and jibreel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. "

The Prophet (PBUH) used to recite the Holy Qur’aan to Jibreel, and when Jibreel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (Which causes rain and Welfare)

Striving in worship during the last ten days of Ramadan.

Aisha (R ) reported, “The Messenger of Allah would wake his wives ip during the night and then remain apart from them (i.e) being busy in acts of worship) (bukhari and Muslim)

Feeding the fasting people

Zaid bin Khalid (R ) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said “he who feeds one who fasting will have a reward equal to him (one who is fasting – saaim) without any reward of the latter (one who is fasting – Saaim) being reduced.” (Tirmidhi)

What Invalidates Fast?

Classified in to Two categories.

1. Requires that the day be made up later
2. Requires the day to be made up later together with an act of expiation (kaffarah)

The details explained in below post;

1. That Which Invalidates Fasting And Requires The Day To Be Made Up

a. Intentional eating or drinking

As for the one who does it out of forgetfulness, then he/she does not have to make up for that day later according to this hadeeth of hurairah (R );
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever forgets he is fasting, and he eats or drinks, is to complete his fast as it was Allah who fed him and gave him something to drink”
(The Group-Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Daud, ibn Majah, Annasaaee)

b. Intentional vomiting

If one is overcome and vomits unintentionally, he/she doe not have to make up for that day according to a hadeeth bu Abu Hurairah (R ) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Who ervr is overcome and vomits is not to make up for the day.Whoever, vomits intentionally must make up day.” (Ahmad, Abu Daud, attirmidhi, ibn Majah, ibn hibbaan, addaraqutni, and alhakim who declare it saheeh – authentic)

c. Menses and Post Natal Bleeding

Even if such bleeding occurs before the sunset. There is an ijmaa’(consensus of scholars) on this issues.

d. Ejaculation of sperm (non sexual intercourse)

This could be due to kissing, hugging, etc. As for the wet dream, it does not void the fast.

2. That Which Invalidates The Fast And Requires The day To Be Made Up Later Together With An Act of Expiation.

The only act that falls under this category is sexual intercourse (while fasting).

Abu Hurairah ® reported that a man came to messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said: “I am destroyed, O Messenger of Allah!”
The Prophet (PBUH) asked: “What has destroyed you?”
He said: “I had intercourse with my wife (during the daylight) in Ramadan”
The Prophet (PBUH) asked: “Are you able to free a slave?”
He said; “No”.
The Prophet (PBUH) asked: “is it possible for you to fast for 2 consecutive months?”
He said: “No”
The Prophet (PBUH) asked: “Is it possible for you to feed sixty poor people?’
He said: “No”
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Then Sit”

A Basket of dates was brought to the prophet (PBUH) and he said to the man: “Give this in charity”
The Man said: “To someone poorer than us? there is no one in the city who poorer than us!”
The Prophet (PBUH) laughed until his molar teeth could be seen and said: “Go and feed your family with it”
(Related by the group – Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Daud, ibn Majah, annasaaee)

The expiation must be in the above order as mentioned in the hadeeth according to the majority of the scholars.

Zakaat

Definition
Islamic terminology: The portion of an individual's wealth that has exceeded nisaab (minimum of oned wealth liable to Zakaah) and is designated for the 8 recipients as mentioned in the Qur'aan.

Ruling of Zakaah

It is the third pillar of islam after shahaadah and salaat and is compulsory as mentioned in the Qur'aan and Sunnah. Anyone rejecting Zakaah as compulsory is a kaafir(disbeliever) and a murtad (one who rejects Islam after acceptance).

Qur'aan:

"And establish prayer and give zakaah..."(24:56)
"Take sadaqah from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it..."(9:103)
"Pay the due (zakaah) thereof on the day of its harvest..."(6:141)
"And those in whose wealth there is a known right. For the beggar and the deprived (one who lost his property and wealth)" (70:24-25)

Sunnah:

a. When Allah'a Apostle (PBUH) sent Muadh to Yemen, he said (to him) "You are going to people of a (Divine) Book. First of all invite them to worship Allah (alone) and when they come to know Allah, inform them that Allah has enjoined on them, the Zakaah. And it is to be taken from the rich amongst them and given to poor amongst them...." (Hadeeth of ibn Abbas recorded by the group - Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Daud, ibn Majah, and annasaaee.)

b. Ibn Umar (R) heard the prophet (PBUH) say: "I have been ordered to fight people until they say that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is his Messenger, and they uphold the prayers, and pay the zakaah. If they do this, their lives and properties will be safe, except for what is due to Islam, and their accounts are with Allah (Bukhari and Muslim)

Upon Who is Zakaah compulsory?

Zakaah is compulsory on every free Muslim who possesses the nisaab (minimum of ones wealth liable to Zakaah). However, there are conditions for the nisaab.

a. complete year (Islamic year ( based on the lunar calendar)) should pass except in the case of crops for their zakaah becomes due on the harvest day (pay the due (zakaah)) thereof on the day of its harvest..."(6:14)

b. should be on any wealth remaining after meeting expenses for the basic requirements such as accommodation, food, clothing and travel.

Wealth that is subject to Zakaah and nisaab amount

Islam has enjoined zakaah on trade, crops, plants, honey, fruit, livestock, merchandise, minerals, gold (including cash), silver, bonds, banknotes, treasures, and wealth extracted from the sea. However, in order to be concise, we will look at those that relate to majority of Australian Muslims.

Zakaah on gold and silver:
Evidence of compulsion of giving zakaah for the above categories from

• Qur'aan: "and those who hoard up gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah, - announce onto then a paintful torment. On the Day when that (kanz-money, gold and silver etc) will be heated in the fire of Hell and with it will be branded on their foreheads, their flanks(side of the body between ribs and hips) and theirs backs: (and it will be said unto them): - "This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you Hoard"



• Sunnah: Ahmad, bukhari and Muslim narrated from Abu Hurairah (R) that the Messenger of Allah said; "No owner of a treasure who does not pay zakaah will be spared, for his treasure will be heated in the fires of Hell and then made into plates. His flanks and his forehead will be branded with them until Allah pronounces judgment on His servants during a day lasting fifty thousand years...."

The nisaab amounts are as follows:

Gold: if it reaches 20 mithqaal and full year (Islamic - based on lunar calendar) passes, then it becomes compulsory to take zakaah out on it 20 mithqaals weigh up to 85 grams approximately.

Silver: If it reaches 200 dirham and full year (Islamic) passes, then it becomes compulsory to take zakaah out on it. This is according to the hadeeth of Abu Saeed Alkhudry (R) who said that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said, "... and also there is no Zakaah on less than five Awaq (of silver)...." and five awaq is equivalent to 200 dirhams as one awqiyah (singular of awaq) is 40 dirham.

Cash also falls under this category. The rate is 2.5% according to a hadeeth of Ali recorded by Abu Daud.

The recipients of zakaah:

The recipients of zakaah have been specified by Allah in his book:
"the alms(zakaah) are only for the poor and needy, for those who collect them, for those who are captives and in debt, for the cause of Allah, and for the wayfares; it is a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is the Knower, the wise" (at-taubah 60)

• 1. alfuqaraa (poor) - it is plurar of faqeer and it implies to someone who has no wealth
  
  
  
• 2. almasaakeen (needy) - it is the plural of miskeen. A miskeen is one who has wealth but it is not sufficient for him/her.
  
  
• 3. al'aamiloona alaiyha (Collectors of Zakaah) - Zakaah collectors are entitled to take their wages from it (for collecting it) even if they are rich.
  
  
• 4. almuallafati quloobuhum (Reconciliation of hearts) - This applies primarily to that group of people whose hearts, due to their weak Islam, need to be reconciled for strengthened for Islam. In this case, zakaah is distributed to rid Muslims of their harm.
  
  
• 5. arriqaab(freeing captives) - Freeing a person (from bondage) and redeeming a slave.
  
• 6. algaarimoon(debtors) People burdened ny debts and unable to pay them are of several kinds: those who tookupon themselves responsibility to discharge a debt; those who guaranteed debts of others and therefore, upon default, the debts have become their obligation; those who mis managed their finances, those who borrowed money becouse they had to for necessity; or those who were involved in sinful acts and then repented, and who had to pay a fine for repentance (penalty for withdrawing from loan agreement due to repentance). All of them may take Zakaah to meet their debts. *It is advisable that those who are paying interest discuss their case for in many cases they are not eligible to receive zakaah
  
  
• 7. fi sabeelillah (for the cause of Allah) - sepnding in the path of Allah e.g educating poor and needy students, establishing hospitals, orphanages, welfare support centres, etc. Another important item is the preparation of Muslim da'wah workers (du'aah) (Islamic studies students).
  
  
• 8. ibnus sabeel (wayfarer) - He is the stranded traveller who is in a place and is without anything that can assist him to his destination. Scholar agree that such an individual should be given enough zakaah that will enable him to get to his destination or his country.
  

Zakaatul Fitr ( Fitrana )

It is fard according to ibn Umar (R) who related that "the Prophet (PBUH) made obligatory the payment of zakaah at the end of Ramadhan on all Muslims - one saa'a (approximattely 3 kg) of dates, or cheese, or barley - free and slave, male and female. (Agreed upon) and Bukhari adds "on the young and old from the Muslims."

Abu Saeed Alkhudry (R) relates. "We used to give one saa'a of food, or one saa'a of dried cottage cheese, or one saa'a of barley, or one saa'a of dates, or one saa'a of raisins as zakatul fitr..."

Wisdom behind zakatul fitr.

It is generosity to the poor and assisting them againts beggind in the days of Eid, so that they can participate with rich on this joyous occasion and so that it is an Eid for all Muslims - Rich or Poor.
It also purifies one who fasted the month, from any indecent act, speech, or sin that may have taken place.

Who Must Pay Zakatul Fitr?
Zakat ul-fitr is incumbent on every free muslim who possesses one saa'a(arround 3 kg) of dates or barley which is not needed as a basic food for himself or his family for the duration of one day and night. Every free Muslim must pay zakat ul-fitr for himself, his wife, children and servants.

Amount and time of payment

For every individual, the amount of payment is one saa'a(arround 3 kg) of dates, rice or similiar items considered as basics foods.

Zakatul Fitr becomes due fro, Maghrib on last day of Ramadhan and it is preferreed to delay it to before the Eid prayer. However, there is no harm if it is paid a few days prior to Eid

ZAKAAT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR INCOME TAX AND VICE VERSA