Abdullah Espanol
Junior Member
:salam2:
Definition of Siyaam (fasting)
(1) Siyaam in Arabic means abstaining; in Islam it means abstaining from things that break
the fast, from dawn until sunset, having first made the intention (niyyah) to fast.
Ruling on fasting
(2) The ummah is agreed that fasting the month of Ramadaan is obligatory, the evidence for
which is in the Qur’aan and Sunnah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Observing al-sawn (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was
prescribed for those before you, that you may become al-muttaqoon (the pious).” [al-
Baqarah 2:183]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Islam is built on five
[pillars]…” among which he mentioned fasting in Ramadaan. (Reported by al-Bukhaari, al-
Fath, 1/49). Whoever breaks the fast during Ramadaan without a legitimate excuse has
committed a serious major sin, The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said, describing a dream that he had seen: “… until I was at the mountain, where I heard
loud voices. I asked, ‘What are these voices?’ They said, ‘This is the howling of the people
of Hellfire.’ Then I was taken [to another place], and I saw people hanging from their
hamstrings, with the corners of their mouths torn and dripping with blood. I said, ‘Who are
these?’ They said, ‘The people who broke their fast before it was the proper time to do so,’
i.e., before the time of iftaar.” (Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/420).
Al-Haafiz al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, “Among the believers it is
well-established that whoever does not fast in Ramadaan without a valid excuse is worse
than an adulterer or drunkard; they doubt whether he is even a Muslim at all, and they regard
him as a heretic and profligate.” Shaykh al-Islam [Ibn Taymiyah] (may Allaah have mercy
on him) said: “If a person does not fast in Ramadaan knowing that it is haraam but making it
halaal for himself to do so, kill him; and if he does it because he is immoral [but believes it
is haraam], then punish him for not fasting.” (Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 25/265).
The virtues of fasting
(3) The virtues of fasting are great indeed, and one of the things reported in the saheeh
ahaadeeth is that Allaah has chosen fasting for Himself, and He will reward it and multiply
the reward without measure, as He says [in the hadeeth qudsi]: “Except for fasting which is
only for My sake, and I will reward him for it.” (al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, no. 1904; Saheeh al-
Targheeb, 1/407). Fasting has no equal (al-Nisaa'i, 4/165; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/413), and the
du’aa’ of the fasting person will not be refused (reported by al-Bayhaqi, 3/345; al-Silsilat al-
Saheeh, 1797). The fasting person has two moments of joy: one when he breaks his fast and
one when he meets his Lord and rejoices over his fasting (reported by Muslim, 2/807). Fasting
will intercede for a person on the Day of Judgement, and will say, “O Lord, I prevented him from his food and physical desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.” (Reported by
Ahmad, 2/174. Al-Haythami classed its isnaad as hasan in al-Majma’, 3/181. See also Saheeh al -
Targheeb, 1/411). The smell that comes from the mouth of a fasting person is better with
Allaah than the scent of musk. (Muslim, 2/807). Fasting is a protection and a strong fortress
that keeps a person safe from the Fire. (Reported by Ahmad, 2/402; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/411;
Saheeh al-Jaami’, 3880). Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will remove his
face seventy years’ distance from the Fire. (Reported by Muslim, 2/808). Whoever fasts one
day seeking the pleasure of Allaah, if that is the last day of his life, he will enter Paradise.
(Reported by Ahmad, 5/391; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/412). In Paradise there is a gate called al-
Rayyaan, through those who fast will enter, and no one will enter it except them; when they
have entered it will be locked, and no-one else will enter through it.” (al-Bukhaari, Fath, no.
1797).
Ramadaan is a pillar of Islam; the Qur’aan was revealed in this month, and in it there is a
night that is better than a thousand months. “When Ramadaan begins, the gates of Paradise
are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are put in chains.” (Reported by al-
Bukhaari, al-Fath, no. 3277). Fasting Ramadaan is equivalent to fasting ten months (See Musnad
Ahmad, 5/280; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/421). “Whoever fasts Ramadaan out of faith and with the
hope of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Reported by al -Bukhaari, Fath, no. 37).
At the breaking of every fast, Allaah will choose people to free from Hellfire. (Reported by
Ahmad, 5/256; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/419).
To be continued inshallah