- What
do you mean by the observation of Fasts ?
- On
whom is the observation of fasts obligatory?
- Under
what circumstances can one defer the observation
of fasts ?
- Under
what circumstances should a woman postpone the
observation of fasts?
- Why
is the observation of fasts obligatory during
the month of Ramadan ?
- Can
we spread our the period of fasting and complete
the observation of fasts for the required number
of days -29 or 30, as the case may be - at any
time during the year ?
- What
is the real significance of fasting ?
- What
should be done if one does not observe a fast
without any cogent reason on any day during the
month of Ramadan ?
- What
are the main obligatory factors for the proper
observation of fasts ?
- What
is the usual form of Niyyat for fasting during
the month of Ramadan ?
- When
should one conceive the Niyyat or give utterance
to it ?
- What
are the main optional for (Sunnat) for the observation
of fast ?
- What
is the penalty for doing anything that makes a
fast void without any cogent reason ?
- Is
fast made void if by mistake one does something
that makes it so under the impression that one
is not observing a fast ?
1
What do you mean by the observation of Fasts ?
By
observation of Fasts I mean the act of abstaining
from eating, drinking, smoking anything whatsoever
to enter into what is understood to be the interior
of the body, as also voluntary vomiting, self-pollution,
sexual intercourse, etc.
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2
On whom is the observation of fasts obligatory?
Men
and women too old and feeble to bear the hardships
of a fast are exempted, but they should feed a poor
and needy Muslim to satiation twice a day, or pay
the amount of one Sadaq-ul-Fitr for every day.
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3
Under what circumstances can one defer the observation
of fasts ?
One
can defer the observation of fasts if:
- One
is so sick that the observation of fast is likely
to increase his or her sickness.
- A
woman who is suckling a child, and there is a
danger of reduction in the supply of milk if she
observes fasts.
- a
traveler who has reason to fear that observing
of fasts will make him or her unable to prosecute
the journey.
Note:-
As soon as one is relieved of the respective disabilities,
one must observe the fasts immediately.
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4
Under what circumstances should a woman postpone
the observation of fasts ?
A
woman should postpone the observation of fasts during
the period of menses and when she is in the family
way.
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5
Why is the observation of fasts obligatory during
the month of Ramadan ?
The
observation of fasts is obligatory in the month
of Ramadan because it is the blessed month of the
year during which Holy Quran was revealed.
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6
Can we spread our the period of fasting and complete
the observation of fasts for the required number
of days -29 or 30, as the case may be - at any time
during the year ?
No.
The Holy Quran enjoins upon Muslims to observe the
fasts consecutively for 29 or 30 days, as the case
may be, during the month of Ramadan alone. Besides,
the main purpose for which the observation of fasts
has been made obligatory will not be served if the
period were spread out, for the training that one
receives for fearing with thirst and hunger, and
incidentally realizing the distress of the starving
poor and sympathizing with and helping them would
not be acquired.
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7
What is the real significance of fasting ?
The
real significance of fasting consists in the habit
of self control that it fosters and develops and
thus enables one to save oneself from being an easy
victim to temptation, and consequently minimizing
the chances of committing sins. This in its turn
turn will make the practice of virtue easier and
lead one nearer to the Kingdom of Allah.
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8
What should be done if one does not observe a fast
without any cogent reason on any day during the
month of Ramadan ?
If
one does not fast on any day during the month of
Ramadan without any cogent reason, one will be committing
a sin, but all the same he or she must fast on some
other day to make up for the omission.
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9
What are the main obligatory factors for the proper
observation of fasts ?
The
main obligatory factors for the proper observation
of fasts are:
- Conception
or utterance of Niyyat, i.e., intention to fast.
- Abstinence
from all things that would nullify the fast from
break of dawn to sunset.
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10
What is the usual form of Niyyat for fasting during
the month of Ramadan ?
The
usual form of Niyyat for fasting during the month
of Ramadan is:
Nawaitu
sauma ghaidin 'an ada'i fardi Ramadana hazihis-sanati
lillahi ta'ala.
i.e., 'I intend to fast for this day in order to
perform my duty towards Allah in the month of Ramadan
of the present year.'
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The
Niyyat, (i.e., the intention) should be conceived
or given utterance to for each day preferably before
the break of dawn, if not, at any time before the
midday, if in the meanwhile one has maintained the
state of fasting from the time of dawn.
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12
What are the main optional for (Sunnat) for the
observation of fast ?
The
main optionals for the observation of fasts are:
- Partaking
of meals before the break of dawn.
- Eating
of three dates and drinking of water after sunset
for signifying the end of the fast
- And
reciting, prior to breaking the fast, the du'a
:
Allahumma
laka sumtu wa 'ala rizqika aftartu.
i.e., 'Oh Allah! for Thy sake have I faster, and
(now) I break the fast with the food that comes
from Thee !
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13
What is the penalty for doing anything that makes
a fast void without any cogent reason ?
The
penalty for doing anything that makes a fast void
without any cogent reason is to observe sixty consecutive
fasts or feed sixty persons besides observing the
fast in place of one which he or she has deliberately
made void.
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14
Is fast made void if by mistake one does something
that makes it so under the impression that one is
not observing a fast ?
No.
If anyone by mistake does something that makes
a fast void under the impression that one is not
observing a fast, the fast in not nullified, provided
one stops doing it the moment one recollects the
same.
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