FASTING AND ABSTENTION FROM ALL SIN

Allah Ta'ala commands us in the Qur'an-e-Kareem: "O believers, fasting has been made obligatory for you." (2:183)

The Mufassireen (commentators of the Qur'an) explain that from this verse, we can deduce that fasting is obligatory for all parts of the body. Therefore, fasting means:

• The fasting of the ears entails refraining from listening to forbidden things.
• The fasting of the eyes means refraining from looking at forbidden things.
• The fasting of the hands means refraining from touching forbidden things.
• The fasting of the feet means refraining from walking towards forbidden things.
• The fasting of the heart means refraining from yearning for worldly things.
• The fasting of one's nafs (self) means refraining from obeying one's passions and desires.
• The fasting of the mind means refraining from evil thoughts.

FASTING AS A SHIELD

Fasting serves as a shield for the Mu'min (believer), protecting them from the fire of Hell. It guards the individual from their base desires, temptations, and the influence of Shaytaan. This is why Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"Fasting is a shield."

Moreover, fasting strengthens the resolve of the Mu'min to seek the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala.

THE SHAME OF NOT FASTING

Anyone who deliberately neglects the fast without a valid reason is considered a great sinner in the eyes of Shari'ah and is regarded as a Fasiq (sinner). The Fuqaha (jurists) of Islam go so far as saying that someone who eats publicly during Ramadhan should be punished by death. While we do not live in an Islamic state where such punishments are enacted, this does not prevent us from expressing our disapproval and anger at such behaviour. This is the very least that our Imaan (faith) demands of us.

THE EYES AND FASTING

At all times and in all situations, the Shari'ah commands us to control our gaze. This control must be even stricter during Ramadhan, especially while fasting. To observe the fast correctly and attain the desired benefits, it is essential to control one's gaze.

During and outside of Ramadhan, it is Haraam (forbidden) to look at anything that is prohibited. A Hadith states that whoever controls their gaze because of their fear of Allah Ta'ala, Allah will grant them immense sweetness and joy in their heart through faith.

The Auliya-Allah (friends of Allah) of Islam explain this Hadith by advising that one must guard against looking at anything that distracts from the remembrance (Zikr) of Allah.

THE TONGUE (AND GHEEBAH) AND FASTING

As with the eyes and ears, one must also control the tongue. In addition to limiting unnecessary conversations, one must also avoid harmful speech, such as insults, lies, slander, and gossip (Gheebah).

Regarding Gheebah, the Qur'an compares it to eating the flesh of one's brother's corpse. An incident from the time of Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) demonstrates how Gheebah affects the fast:

At the time of Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), two women were reported to be on the verge of death from hunger, likely due to fasting. Their situation was so dire that the Sahabah (Radiyallahu anhum) informed Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam). He sent someone to ask the women to vomit into a bowl. Upon doing so, they vomited pieces of flesh and fresh blood. Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) explained that while they had refrained from Halaal (permissible) food, they had engaged in Gheebah. This incident shows that Gheebah can make fasting physically and spiritually burdensome.

In another Hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) compared Gheebah to Riba (usury), stating that even the smallest form of Riba is worse than fornication with one's own mother, and the vilest form of Riba is slandering one's Muslim brother.

THE EARS AND FASTING

Listening to forbidden things ruins the spiritual benefits and rewards of fasting. It is, therefore, essential to avoid listening to anything Haram (forbidden), such as music, lies, backbiting, and slander.

THE RATE OF SADAQAT-UL-FITR

Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is approximately equivalent to 1638 grams or 3 pounds 1384 grams, which is slightly more than 3 ¼ pounds of wheat or wheat flour.

[English version of "Mentir pendant le jeûne" – Al Haadi – Vol. 2 No. 3]