I hear Muslims fast every day for 30 days. What is the purpose of fasting?
Do they eat or drink any thing during their fasting period?
2010-07-13T00:45:27Z
Susan U R right. I do not need to know about fasting. Usually I do not ask questions but only answer questions. Today this section didn't show me page of questions and forced me to ask questions. This is the reason I asked two questions on Ramadhan. So many good writers can explain Islamic fasting for Non-Muslims. Najia and many other brothers and sisters explained Fasting in the month of Ramadan very beautifully.
najia (convert =revert to Islam)2010-07-12T18:16:56Z
Favorite Answer
Muslims fast for the month of Ramadan. It is 29 or 30 days, it just depends on when the next new moon is sighted.
The purpose of the fast is for many different reasons. One reason is that it is an order from Allah. That is the most important reason. We do it to obey Him. Another reason is that science has recently proven that the body actually needs this type of fast once a year in order to maintain a healthy balance (don't you see the wisdom of Allah!). We, as Muslims, are ordered to care for the poor and provide them with things they need such as food. The fasting (from sunrise to sunset) helps us realize how much they suffer although our hunger pains are only for a few hours compared to those less fortunate than us.
Fasting is done daily in Ramadan (except for women that are on their menses as they cannot fast because they need extra nutrients. Again the wisdom of Allah is shown). It is done from sunrise to sunset. We do not eat, drink, ingest anything, we do not have sexual relations, we try to avoid things like cursing and anger, etc.
If a person has a valid medical reason not to fast, they are excused. Allah does not make something difficult for them. Most of the scholars – including the four imams – are of the view that the sick person is not allowed to break his fast in Ramadaan unless the sickness is severe.
What is meant by severe sickness is:
1- The sickness will be made worse by fasting
2- Recovery will be delayed by fasting
3- Fasting will cause intense hardship, even if it does not make the sickness worse or delay recovery
4- The scholars also included those who fear that they may become sick because of fasting." First link
"There are seven things that break the fast, as follows:
1- Intercourse
2- Masturbation
3- Eating and drinking
4- Anything that is regarded as coming under the same heading as eating and drinking
5- Letting blood by means of cupping and the like
6- Vomiting deliberately
7- Menstruation and nifaas" Second Link
"This hadeeth was narrated by Abu Dawood, 2408; al-Tirmidhi, 715; al-Nasaa’i, 2315; and Ibn Maajah, 1667. It says that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has relieved the traveller of half of the prayer and of the duty to fast, and He has relieved pregnant and nursing mothers (of the duty to fast).” It was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.
This hadeeth is general in meaning and applies to every pregnant woman, but the scholars limited it to cases of hardship, based on the reason for which this ruling – namely pregnant women not fasting – was prescribed.
Abu Dawood (2318) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said, concerning the verse “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 2:184]: This is a concession granted to old men and old women who are able to fast, allowing them to break the fast and to feed one poor person each day instead of fasting. (And this concession is also granted to) pregnant and breastfeeding women, if they fear (harm). Al-Nawawi said: Its isnaad is hasan.
So here Ibn ‘Abbaas restricted the concession granted to pregnant and breastfeeding women to cases where they feared harm, whether the harm was to themselves or to their children." Third link
If the person breaks fast, or for some reason does not fast, he is required to make the day up after Ramadan is over. Please note that it is haram to fast the first of Eid al-Fitr (the day after the last day of Ramadan). There are only certain people that are allowed to feed a poor person a day instead of fasting (please look at the paragraph directly above).
Edit: Oh! And another plus is the shaytaan is locked up all month. Any sin we commit is directly on us, not from any encouragement from the shaytaan.
Fasting is a fourth pillar of Islam . Allah prescribes fasting for all able, adult Muslims during the whole of the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar, beginning with the sighting of the new moon. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are menstruating, pregnant, or nursing are permitted to break the fast, but must make up an equal number of days later in the year Yes ,Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) fast for 30 days.Also he fast six days in Shawwal, Mondays and Thursdays, and the ninth and tenth, or tenth and eleventh of Muharram. But except ramadan the other fasting days r not compulsory if muslim want he can if he doesnt want he can leave it.
Salam.Yes in the Qur'an surah 2 Al Baqarah verse 183 Allah says that all people who have eeman they should fast (during ramadan) as have been performed by people before you (muslim people) in order you will have taqwa (obedience to Allah) And in verse 184 Allah says on certain days but if any of you are ill or in travelling they could miss the fasting but it should be replaced all missed days in another days (after ramadan) And for people who are very heavy to do fasting,they should pay a fidyah e.g giving meals to the poor people but you must remind that fasting is better for you if you know it. In verse 185 Allah gives the firm statement that ramadan is a month where the Qur'an has been dropped as the guidance for all humans and also to show the difference (between truth and batil or untrue),that is why you must do fasting The total of days during ramadan is 30 days or 29 days.Besides those reasons which have been disclosed above,in hadith is explained that ramadan will give us easiness in control our desires or lust,and fasting would give positive impact to our healthiness and fitnessThe digestion process is stopped everyday for more than 10 hours There are many diseases which can be cured by fasting The fasting period is starting from fajr time(before sunrise) up to maghrib(sunset)time.During that period we could not eat and drink anything,We are not allowed to make sexual relation and we are prohibited to smoke during fasting period... But at night after breaking the fasting we can eat,drink and make sexual relationship between husband and wife..
Jesus will rule with the Qur'an2010-07-12T22:50:26Z
Salam Sir Majeed
He means Fasting for 30 days(Month of Ramadan) so dont you fast during this month every day
Yeah susan may you dont know him all Old users know him well as his profile shows he a teacher since 99 and he is an elder user here in Ramadan Section his Qs are just to increse the knowledge of Islam