Presented By: Dr.Rabia Shaikh Asst Prof Islamic Studies For: Class XI –Year Arts DA College for Women Phase VIII

 The Arabic synonym of Fasting: “SAUM”  The Literal meaning of Fasting: To refrain, to abstain  In the Islamic Terminology, meant by: “to refrain from sunrise to sunset from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse”.

Importance of Fasting: According to the Holy Quran it had been declared for the earlier Ummah’s as well. The Holy Quran says: Translation: “O’ you who believe, Fasting is written down for you as it was written down for others before you, so that you may be pious.” (Chapter of the Cow: Verse No: 183) In the terminology of Quran and Hadith and as a common Arabic Idiom “written down “ is used to express not only the importance but also the obligatory nature of a thing. Verse No.185 of the surah’ referred to above has the following clause. Translation: “It is necessary for the person, who gets this month, to fasting.”

Philosophy of Fasting: From the above verse (2:183)”.…….So that you may be pious(heedful)” It is clear that Fasting has been made Obligatory for man in order to make him truly pious ( attain”Taqwa”). The Holy Prophet (SAW) has correctly said: “There are many persons who gain nothing from Fasting except the hardships of thirst and hunger.” It is for this reason that people has been discouraged from commission of sins on one hand, as for example, by performing Salaat-e-Taraweeh, Recitation of Quran, Ai’takaf, payment of Fitrana etc.

Types of Fasting: There are eight type of Fasting. They are as follows: Farz-e-Moaiyyen (Obligatory & fixed) Farz-e-Ghair Moaiyyen Waajib(Compulsory) Moaiyyen Waajib-e-Ghair Moaiyyen ( Nazar & breaking one’s Oath) Sunnat (Actions of Prophet SAW ) Mustahab (All Fasts besides Obligatory,Compulsory & Sunnah are Mustahab). Makruh (Fasting only on the 9 th of Moharram or Saturdays) Harram ( Religously unlawful things) People Exempted from Fasting in the Ramadhan: Sick people: When their health is likely to be badly affected by Fasting. A Musafir: One who is undertaking a journy of more than 77 km and does not intend staying more than 14 days at his destination. If it is feared that hunger or thirst will lead to death, it is permitted to break one’s Fast. It is Wajib(Compulsory) to keep Qaza of Nafl Fast that was broken before completing it.

Fidiya (Compensation) for Fasting: A very old person who does not have the strength to Fast or a very sickly or diseased person, who has no hope of recovering after Ramadhan, should give Fidiya for each fast missed in Ramadhan. The Kaffarah, Atonementin respect to the one who has copulated with one’s spouse is to emancipate (set free) a slave, if she or he has one. If not, then two consecutive month of Fasting must be done, if Fasting two consecutive months is detrimental to one’s health then he or she is required to feed sixty needy people. One who falls sick during the month of Ramadhan and a year passes before being able to fully recover is of course not required to make up but t5o pay the compensation which is providing the needy and deserving poor; or providing one such person, with 3.2 quarters of a kilogram of food for each day missed. No one is allowed to Fast for another (sick or fit) person.

Benefits/Purpose of Fasting: Fasting, like Prayers, is another basic religious duty, which the Muslims are required to observe. Piety Training of Self- Control Inducement for Human Sympathy Sincerity and unpretentiousness Reward for Fasting Quran a gift of Ramadhan Commemoration of the revelation of the Quran Pakistan a gift of Ramadhan Fruitless Fasts

Summary (Major Points): Fasting in the Month of Ramadhan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Fasting in the Month of Ramadhan is obligatory upon every Muslim, male & female who is sane and mature. Fasting became obligatory in Islam in 2 A.H. Quran also indicates that Fasting had been made obligatory in some form or other in the earlier religions too. Almighty Allah has promised great reward for those that Fast, whilst severe punishment is in store for those that do not Fasting in the month of Ramadhan. Fasting has many physical, moral and social benefits. However Allah has made Fasting obligatory so that we become pious God fearing and God Conscious. Taqwa as the Key to all spiritual progress. We also seem to lack faith in the Almighty as we do not Fast to seek His pleasure, one of the basic essentials for this religious exercise. We thus not achieve the desired results because our Fasts, like our Salaat (Prayers), are merely or formality. Quraan-e-Majeed is the gift of Ramadhan for those who believe. This is why they pay more attention toward Quraan in this month.