The Fiqh and Philosophy of Fasting

Part 1 of 2

ISIA of EdmontonJune 26, 2016

FROM RITUAL TO SPIRITUAL

ين من قبلكم لعلذكم يام كما كتب عل الذ ين آمنوا كتب عليكم الص ها الذ ييذاما معدودات فمن ك .تتذقون يا أ

ن أ

ين يطيقونه فدية طعام مسكي خر وعل الذيذام أ

ة من أ سفر فعدذ و عل

ع خيا ف منكم مريضا أ ن فمن تطوذ

وأ هو خي ل

تصوموا خي لكم إن كنتم تعلمون O you who have faith! Prescribed for you is fasting as it was prescribed for those

who were before you, so that you may become conscious of God. For a certain

number of days; but whoever among you is sick or on a journey, then (he shall fast) a

(like) number of other days; and those who are not able to do it may effect a

redemption by feeding a poor person; so whoever does good spontaneously it is better

for him; and that you fast is better for you if you know. ( 2:183-184)

FASTING IN THE QUR’AN

“…one must begin abstaining [from 8 things] from a

short period before the time of subh prayers and

must also refrain from doing anything that

invalidates the fast for a short period after

maghrib [in obedience to the commands of Allah

and seeking His pleasure].”

WHAT IS FASTING - RULE #1529

A person can make the intention every night of the

Month of Ramadhan that he would be fasting on

the following day, however it is better to make the

intention on the first night of Ramadhan that he

would fast throughout that month.

THE INTENTION (NIYYAH)

Eating and Drinking

Sexual Intercourse

Masturbation to the Point of Ejaculation

Falsely Ascribing Things to Allah, Prophet or Successors, Fatima

Zahra or ANY Prophet or Successor

Swallowing Thick Dust

Staying in state of Janabat, Haidh or Nifas

until Fajr Time

Having a Enema With Liquids

Vomiting

EIGHT FAST-BREAKERS

QADHAA – CARRYING OUT THE FAST TO FULFILL THE OBLIGATION

• When a person intentionally or intentionally misses a fast of the Month of Ramadhan.

FIDYA – FINANCIAL OR MATERIAL COMPENSATION

• When a person is not able to perform the fast of the Month of Ramadhan due to legitimate reasons.

KAFFAARAH – SELF-INDUCED RELIGIOUS PENALTY

• When a person intentionally invalidates a fast of the Month of Ramadhan through permissible or impermissible means.

THE RELIGIOUS PENALTIES

In certain circumstances, give a Kaffaarah (penalty) for acts done intentionally ANDmake up the fast:

1.Eating;

2.Drinking;

3.Sexual Intercourse;

4.Masturbation;

5.Staying in the state of Janabah until the time for the Adhan of Fajr.

Penalty (Kaffaarah):

1. Free a Slave; OR

2. Fasting for two months (31 days straight and then staggered);OR

3. Feeding 60 poor people to their fil l or give ¾ Kg of food-stuff to each of them. (45 KgPER FAST or for rice it totals ~$172.78 per fast or $5,183.40 for 30 DAYS ofRamadhan)

PENALTY FOR INTENTIONAL BREAKING

THE FAST BY “PERMISSIBLE” MEANS

If a person commits any of the below using HARAM means OR by means of somethingwhich is NORMALLY PERMISSIBLE but is dangerous to his overall health, then one mustPERFORM ALL THREE penalties:

1.Eating something haraam (impermissible food);

2.Drinking (alcohol);

3.Sexual Intercourse (adultery or with wife during her monthly cycle);

4.Attributes a false statement to Allah or the Prophet.

Penalty (Kaffaarah):

1. Free a Slave; AND

2. Fasting for two months (31 days straight and then staggered);AND

3. Feeding 60 poor people to their fill or give ¾ Kg of food-stuff to each of them. (45 KgPER FAST or for rice it totals ~$172.78 per fast or $5,183.40 for 30 DAYS ofRamadhan)

PENALTY FOR INTENTIONAL BREAKING OF

THE FAST BY IMPERMISSIBLE MEANS

Senior citizens who can not fast.

People who are on medication or have illness and cannot

fast.

Those who will go through extreme

difficulties.

People who suffer from sickness of excessive thirst.

Women in advanced stages of pregnancy for whom fasting is

harmful.

Woman who is nursing a child and fasting is harmful to

her or child.

THOSE EXEMPT FROM FASTING

Compensation (Fidya) for not being able to fast

Elderly, sick, pregnant women, women who are feeding, etc… and cannot fast in

Ramadhan have up until the next Ramadhan to make the fast up.

1.Need to make up the fast before the next Month of Ramadhan;

For those who cannot fast, need to give Fidya which is ¾ kg of food to needy Shia - ~$2.88 PER

FAST (OR ~$90.00 for the ENTIRE MONTH).

If sick person becomes capable of fasting later, he should, on the basis of recommended precaution,

perform the qadha’ .

Pregnant women, nursing women, etc… MUST pay the Fidya and then fast when they are able to.

It is not sufficient to give the value of Fidya. Rather, the FOOD must be given.

THE “FASTING-EXEMPT”

REASON for not FASTING Qadhaa Fidya Kaffaarah

Elderly Person

Temporary Illness (Fever, etc…)

Within One Year

If after one year

Long-Term Illness (Diabetes, etc…)

Pregnancy

Nursing a Child

Travelling beyond your city limits – from the outer most boundary of the city (44 KM one way or 22 KM both ways)

Leaving before Zuhr from home

Leaving after Zuhr from home Fast as Normal N/A N/A

Staying at destination for less than 10 days

Staying at destination for more than 10 days Fast as Normal N/A N/A

Frequent traveler Fast as Normal N/A N/A

Negligence

OVERVIEW OF THE RULINGS

EDMONTON CITY LIMITS

Travelling outside of these

boundaries – either 44 KM one way

or 22 KM both ways – from the

boundary TO the destination means

that you are a “traveler” according to

Islamic rulings and that you must

observe specific rulings for fasting

and praying.