Assalamu Alaikum,

Today's talk is about Fasting in Islam. The talk will include the significance as well as the types of fasting.

Significance of Fasting:

The reasons why Muslims fast can be found directly in the Qur'an, the divinely revealed scripture of Islam, and the Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Muslims fast to fulfill a religious obligation and to earn the pleasure of Allah

It has also been reported that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Anyone who fasts the month of Ramadan with good intention for the pleasure of Allah, his/her sins are forgiven (or oblitereated)."

Muslims believe that Ramadan confers great blessings. The revelations of the Qur'an began during this month, and the Qur'an is considered to be a guide to mankind. (2:184). In this month, the doors of the Heavens are said to be widely open while those of Hell are tightly closed. The supplication of the fasting person is accepted by Allah. There is a special night in the latter part of Ramadan which is better than a thousand months of a a person's life.

Fasting is also considered to be a training in controlling one's needs and desires, in restraining oneself from from self-indulgence, and in deepening one's spiritual life. The Qur'an concisely states that fasting is prescribed for Muslims, "so that you may remain conscious of God" (2: 183)

Muslims also fast to improve their health, as the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "If you fast you will have better health," and also, "Eat less; you will be healthier." The hunger which Muslims experience while fasting also enables them to appreciate the hunger of the poor and the needy.

Types of Fasting

Although there are s considered to be a controlled or partial type of fasting. Muslims abstain from food, drinks and coitus during the hours from dawn to sunset. They resume their normal life thereafter, until before sunrise.

Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory for every adult Muslim. It is stated in the Qur'an (2: 183) "O you who believe! Fasting is ordained for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you may learn self-restraint."

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam (the other four are: the declaration of faith, prayers: five times a day, zakat and making the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Depending on the phases of the moon, it begins eleven or twelve days earlier each successive solar year.

(1) Fasting in Shawwal. Muslims are encouraged to fast six days in Shawwal, the month following Ramadan, after enjoying the Feast of Fast-Breaking (Eidul Fitr) during the first three days after Ramadan. According to the Qur'an (6: 160), one good act is equal to ten. Hence, a thirty-day fast during Ramadan plus a six day period in Shawwal makes thirty-six days, equal in merit to fasting 360 days.

(2) Fasting in Muharram. Muslims are encouraged to fast the tenth day of the month of Muharram (the first month of the Islamic calendar). It has been reported that on this day Moses helped

the Jews migrate from Egypt to Palestine and, therefore they were saved from persecution and torture, for which the Prophet Muhammad encouraged Muslims to fast during this day in thankfulness to God.

(3) Fasting in Zul Hijjah. Muslims are also expected to fast the ninth day of Zul Hiijah (the twelfth month) if not on pilgrimage. This day precedes the Feast of Sacrifice. As far as pilgrims are concerned, they are not to fast the day preceding the Feast as it would be an added hardship to fulfill the spiritual rites and rituals during the pilgrimage.

These include all types of voluntary fasts, which may be observed any day throughout the year. It is reported that a Muslim may fast three days a month or twice weekly, preferably on Mondays and Thursdays. On the other hand, it is not recommended that they fast for long periods, except for the seventh and eighth months, Rajab and Sha'ban, preceding Ramadan.

Forbidden Fasts

Muslims are forbidden to fast on the first day of Eidul Fitr (the Feast of Fast-Breaking) and the first three days of Eidul Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice). These are days of happiness and joy, as well as of thanks and appreciation to God, and it is recognized that fasting may involve hardship. It is undesirable for Muslims to fast continuously every day of the year and to single out Fridays.

Fasting for Atonement-

There are occasions when a Muslim must fast as penance: when a Muslim travels to Mecca during the pilgrimage season, he/she may choose to perform first the Minor Pilgrimage called "Umrah" before the special days of the Major Pilgrimage known as "Hajj" in order to enjoy the relief during the intervening period from the prohibited acts during pilgrimage. Accordingly, he/she must sacrifice an animal on the first day of the Feast of Sacrifice. If the pilgrim cannot afford it, he/she must fast three days while still in the vicinity of Mecca and another seven days on returning home. Allah says in Qur'an:

"…And if any of you is ill, or has an ailment in his scalp, (necessitating shaving), (he should) in Compensation either fast, or feed the poor or offer sacrifice;…"

The continuation of the verse in Arabic is:

"... But if he cannot afford it, he should fast three days during the Haii and seven days on this return, making ten days in all." (2: 196)

"Whoever breaks a valid oath becomes liable to the penalty of paying the cost of feeding ten poor persons. If a person cannot afford it, he/she must fast three days in atonement." (Qur'an 5: 92)

If a Muslim breaks his fast on Ramadan during the day by committing coitus or for any intentional breaking, he must atone for that day by fasting one day, and, in addition, sixty consecutive days. If his physical condition does not permit him to do so, then he must give food to sixty needy people.

Let us ask Almighty Allah for forgiveness.