Fasting according to the Quran

Salam,

There are many circumstances in which fasting is done in the Quran, some are compulsory and some are voluntary. The compulsory fasting is done on the month of Ramadhan. The other kind of compulsory fasting is due to certain offence one made by accidently killed a believer, divorce his wife by zihar (or by calling them mothers) and when one cannot afford to sacrifice an animal during the pilgrimage to Makkah and when making deliberate oath he can only redeem himself by fasting. However the voluntary fasting is done out of vowing when achieving something to fast three days or other numbers of days or he may just wish to fast voluntary to experience how the poor feel when without food and at the same time make repentance to God. In the Quran God said fasting is good for you if you only but knew. So if you wish to know start fasting.

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may learn self-restraint. Fasting for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number should be made up from days later. For those who can do it with hardship, is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew.

Ramadhan is the month in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear Signs for guidance and judgment between right and wrong. So every one of you who is present during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period should be made up by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. He wants you to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.
(Surah 2:183-185)

The time span to do the fast is specific in the Quran and it is to be done during the day when there is light. As long as one can see tangible things he is to fast until it is night time or darkness then only he is free to eat and drink.

It is a common mistake that most Muslims break their fast at the time of sunset but the time of sunset is still bright and it is part of the day and according to the Quran it is still fasting time and not until it is night or total darkness can they break their fast. They should change their attitude not only by controlling their temptation to rush for the food but also restraint the influence of the devil who will not hesitate to entice them even a piece of date to see them fail to make it to the night which is the correct time to break according to the command of God.

Sunset is part of the day and the following evidence proved that it is still not the time to break the fast.

And established regular prayers at the two ends of the day (nahar) and at the approaches of the night (layli) (Surah 11:114).

Since two ends of the day is fajar and maghrib, therefore sunset or maghrib is part of the day in the Quran and not part of the night as nighttime prayer is Ishaa’ in the above verse.

And the Quran defined what the night (layli), it is when you can see the stars
which you cannot see during the day

…..When the night outspread over him, he saw a star….(Surah 6:76).

And the night is where there is darkness

…..And the sign for them is the night. We withdraw the day from it and behold they are plunged in darkness (Surah 36:37).

And that is the time of fasting and it is also defined in the Quran:

…..and eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast till the night (layli) appears….(Surah 2:187).

So from the evidence shown in the Quran it is clear if we were to follow the example of the Prophet (Pbuh) he will do his Maghrib prayer first then read the Quran. He will never break his fast at maghrib even with a few dates as it is still bright with the light of daytime still prevail. It is only when the darkness of the night appears he will break his fast.

Thus there is clear distinction that the azan is not the call to break the fast but it is the call to establish the prayer! The Maghrib prayer is done during part of the day but to break the fast it is done only during early part of the night. It is therefore sinful for those who failed to make it to the night when he is able to it by waiting a little longer after the Maghrib prayer.

The other form of compulsory fasting is the result of not able to comply with the punishment of accidently kill another Muslim. This verse do not differentiate the woman and the man whoever accidently killed a believer and if it is beyond their means to pay compensation, they will have to fast consecutively for two month running. If the woman is made compulsory to fast for two month running then there is no excuse for them not to fast on the month of Ramadhan running for one month as it is also made compulsory for all to obey.

Never should a believer kill a believer; but if it so happens by mistake, compensation is due: If one so kills a believer, it is ordained that he should free a believing slave, and pay compensation to the deceased's family, unless they remit it freely. If the deceased belonged to a people at war with you, and he was a believer, the freeing of a believing slave Is enough. If he belonged to a people with whom ye have treaty of Mutual alliance, compensation should be paid to his family, and a believing slave be freed. For those who find this beyond their means, (is prescribed) a fast for two months running: by way of repentance to Allah: for Allah hath all knowledge and all wisdom. (Surah 4:92)

Another form of compulsory fasting is the expiation of not able to afford to sacrifice an animal or not able to feed the poor during the pilgrimage season to Makkah.

And complete the Hajj or 'umra in the service of Allah. But if ye are prevented from completing it, send an offering for sacrifice, such as ye may find, and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice. 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; and when ye are in peaceful conditions (again), if any one wishes to continue the 'umra on to the hajj, He must make an offering, such as he can afford, but if he cannot afford it, He should fast three days during the hajj and seven days on his return, Making ten days in all. This is for those whose household is not in the precincts of the Sacred Mosque. And fear Allah, and know that Allah Is strict in punishment
(Surah 2:196)


Fasting is also prescribed for those who divorce their wives by “zihar” or by calling their wives their mother and when they wish to remarry they have to free a slave and if they cannot afford or do not have any slave they have to fast for two months consecutively.

If any men among you divorce their wives by Zihar (calling them mothers), they cannot be their mothers: None can be their mothers except those who gave them birth. And in fact they use words both iniquitous and false: but truly Allah is one that blots out sins, and forgives (again and again). But those who divorce their wives by Zihar, then wish to go back on the words they uttered; It is ordained that such a one should free a slave before they touch each other: Thus are ye admonished to perform: and Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do. And if any has not the wherewithal, he should fast for two months consecutively before they touch each other. But if any is unable to do so, he should feed sixty indigent ones, this, that ye may show your faith in Allah and His Messenger. Those are limits set by Allah. For those who reject Him, there is a grievous Penalty. (Surah 58:2-4)


The expiation in fasting is also prescribed when one make an oath and he is unable to fulfill for deliberate oath he has sworn he is allowed to fast only if he is unable to do the following:

Allah will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths, but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths: for expiation, feed ten indigent persons, on a scale of the average for the food of your families; or clothe them; or give a slave his freedom. If that is beyond your means, fast for three days. That is the expiation for the oaths ye have sworn. But keep to your oaths. Thus doth Allah make clear to you His signs, that ye may be grateful? (Surah 2:89)


In the case of Mariam the mother of Jesus she was made to vow to fast and at the same time she refused to talk to any one and this is an indication when any one fast it is better for him to do less talking and make repentance to God and He will put them in the following category of believers:

"So eat and drink and cool your eye. And if thou dost see any man, say, 'I have vowed a fast to (Allah) Most Gracious, and this day will I enter into not talk with any human being'" (Surah 19:26)

For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward. (Surah 33:35)


Asar