Allah is the Unique One and His Message was and is one
i.e. Islam. The message of Islam was sent for all humanity not restricted to
the Muslims only. In the Glorious Qur’an, Allah has addressed “The Humanity” in
about twelve Ayahs e.g. “People, worship our Lord Who created you and those who
lived before you so that you may become pious.” (2:22) “People, have fear of your
Lord Who has created you from a single soul…” (4:1) “People, We have created
you all male and female and have made you nations and tribes so that you would
recognize each other. The most honorable among you in the sight of Allah is the
most pious of you.” (49:13) “People, the promise of Allah is true. Let not the
worldly life deceive you…” (35:5) “People, you are always in need of Allah and
Allah is Self-sufficient and Praiseworthy” (35:15) “People, I have come to you
all as the Messenger of Allah, to whom the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth
belongs.” (7:158) “People, listen to this parable: Those whom you worship
instead of Allah do not have the power to create even a fly…” (22:73) “People,
remember the bounty of Allah that He has granted to you.” (35:3) “Mankind, have
fear of your Lord and the day when a father will be of no avail to his son, nor
will a son carry any part of the burden of his father.” (31:33) “Mankind, the
Messenger has come to you from your Lord in all Truth.” (4:170) “People, eat of
the good and lawful things on earth.” The last Surah is named “Mankind”
Saum means to abstain from those things which break the fast
from true dawn (Subh al-sadiq) till Maghrib, in obedience to Allah. All the
Holy Scriptures were revealed in the month of Ramadan; Torah (Tawrait) on the 6th,
Bible (Injeel) on the 12th, Psalms (Zuboor) on the 18th
and the Glorious Qur’an (most probably) on the 23rd.
The laws governing “Saum” or fasting are described in the
following Ayahs:
Surah al-Baqarah (Cow) Ayah 183 to 185, “O believers, fasting
has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for the people before you, so
that you may guard yourselves (against evil). Fasting is only for a certain
number of days. One who is sick or on a journey must fast the same number of
days at another time. Those who can afford redemption should feed a poor
person. Good deeds performed on one’s own initiative will be rewarded. However,
fasting is better and will be rewarded. The month of Ramadan is the month in
which the Qur’an was revealed; a guide for the people, the most authoritative of
all guidance and a criterion to discern right from wrong. Anyone of you who
knows that the month of Ramadan has begun must start to fast. Those who are
sick or are on a journey must fast the same number of days at another time.
Allah does not impose any hardship upon you. He wants you to have comfort so
that you may complete the fast, glorify Allah for His having given you guidance,
and perhaps you give Him thanks.”
The voluntary abstention from Halal foods and drinks for the
Pleasure of Allah is an exercise to abstain from Haram food and drinks for the
next year. It elevates man from the kingdom of animals to the kingdom of
angels. Fasting is prevention and which is the separation and detachment and
detachment is the heart and reality of servitude to God.
Fasting is the longest worship without any action, not
interrupting daily life, it is the sincerest and if deliberately missed has
penalty. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “For every good deed there
are ten to seven hundred times reward, save fasting. For fasting is for Me and
I am the reward of it.” (Mahajjatul Baydha v.2 p.121 by Mohsen Kashani)
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said about the rewards of
fasting: Allah will melt Haram from his body, nearness to His Mercy, rectify the
mistake of Adam, will ease the stupor of death, secure him from the hunger and
thirst of the Day of Judgement, liberate him from Hell Fire, and will provide
pure things in Paradise.
Sources: The Glorious Qur’an (Urdu
translation)-Tafsir-e-Namoona by Ayatullah Nasir Makarem Shirazi, Elements of
Islamic Studies by Allama Sayyid Saeed Akhtar Rizvi, Fasting and Ramadan by Mansour
Leghaei
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