FASTS IN RAMADHAN
Q. What virtue is there in fasting during
Ramadhan?
Fasts during Ramadhan hold the promise of
great reward from Al-lah. The Hadith speaks of a number of virtues
associated with them.
For instance, the Prophet
(peace be on him) has said that all previous sins are forgiven of a man who
fasts to please Al-lah.
Another Hadith says
that the smell (sticnt) coming out of the mouth of a person on fast is better
even than the perfume of the musk. From a third Hadith we learn that Al-lah
says: “fasting is specially for Me and I will give the reward for it.” Many
other similar traditions speak of great virtues of fasting.
Q. Which people are commanded to fast during
Ramadhan?
Fasting is a command for every Muslim man
or woman who is a major and whose senses are intact. Any one denying the
commanded nature of these fasts is an unbeliever and those missing such fasts
without a valid excuse are sinners and transgressors.
Although minors are not duty bound to
fast and pray, we are directed to make them do so even before they attain to
the age of puberty in order to acclimatize them to these holy acts. The Hadith
says that we should get the child to offer Salat under command even when he is
seven. But if he gets ten years of age, we may even thrash him, if necessary,
to make him say the prayers. Similarly, when a minor becomes strong enough to
endure the righteous of fasting, let us make him do it as much as he can.
Q. What are the grounds that permit one to
miss the fasts?
The grounds are as follows:
i. A person on journey is permitted to miss
the fast. But if it does not cause undue hardship, it is preferable for him to
fast;
ii. Sickness i.e., an aliment or disease
which runs the risk of getting aggravated as a result of fasting;
iii. One’s being very old;
iv. Pregnancy, especially if fasting is
likely to cause harm to the mother or to the baby in the womb.
v. Suckling the baby, especially if fasting
is harmful to the baby or the woman who is giving suck;
vi. Hunger or thirst being so acute as to
pose a danger to life;
vii. No fasting is permitted for women during
their period of menstruation.
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