Fiqh of fasting Ramzan kareem.

Q.2: What is the importance of fast in Islaam?

Ans. The importance of "Saum" (fast) can be gauged from the fact that:

1. It is the fourth of five pillars of Islaam.

2. Fasts help maintain health and develop the body well.

3. Fasts cleanse and purify the heart, mind and soul.

4. Fasts acquaint the rich with the plight of the poor.

5. Fasts help promote equality among community members by bringing the well-to-do and poor at par.

6. Fasts firm up spiritual strength and weaken carnal forces.

7. Fasts help one become used to difficulties and hardships.

8. Fasts provide one with forbearance, patience and endurance against hunger and thirst.

9. Fasts provide mental and spiritual concentration and peace.

10. Fasts serve as sentinel against evils and sins.

11. Fasts inspire Islamic spirit and zeal to do virtuous deeds.

12. Observance of fast is a secret and quiet worship which is free from show and hypocrisy.

13. Fast is an effective source of warding off calamities and disasters.

There are many other benefits and advantages of fasts as defined by Quraan-o-Hadees.

THE QURAAN ON FASTING

The first step for a Muslim to realize is the fact that fasting the month of Ramadaan is obligatory and that Allaah Almighty has prescribed it for us in His Mubaraak Holy Book:

Allaah [Subhanhu Wa Ta'alaa] has told us about Fasting in Ramadaan on several places in the Qur’aan Al Hakeem.

"Fasting for a fixed number of days is prescribed for you, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know."

Allaah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allaah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him"

Ramadaan Mubaarak-2016