What Is the Ruling on Fasting, and What Is the Wisdom Behind It?

Answered By Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Fayez Awad

Question

What is the ruling on fasting, and what is its wisdom?

Answer

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. Blessings and peace be upon the most noble of the prophets and messengers and upon his Family, his Companions, and his followers.

Verily, Allah, in His majestic wisdom, created everything for a profound purpose, including the legislation He has decreed. He is the Wise in His creation and in His laws. He did not create His servants in vain, nor did He leave them without guidance, nor did He legislate His laws aimlessly.

Rather, He created them for a significant purpose, prepared them for grave matters, showed them the straight path, and legislated laws to increase their faith and perfect their worship. There is no act of worship decreed by Allah for His servants except that it is for a profound wisdom known to those who know it and unknown to those who are ignorant of it.

Our ignorance of the wisdom behind any act of worship is not evidence that it lacks wisdom, but rather it is evidence of our incapacity and our limitation in understanding the wisdom of Allah, as He said: “And you (O humanity) have been given but little knowledge.” [Quran, 17:85]

Among the laws that Allah Most High has ordained for His servants is fasting. Allah, the Exalted, has informed us that nations cannot do without it due to its role in refining morals and purifying souls. He (Most High) said:

“O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you—so perhaps you will become mindful (of Allah).” [Quran, 2:183]

Definition of Fasting

Linguistically, fasting means to abstain. Allah, the Exalted, said:

“I have vowed silence (صَوْمًا) to the Most Compassionate, so I am not talking to anyone today.” [Quran, 19:26], meaning abstention and silence from speaking.

Technically, it is to abstain from things that break the fast in a specific manner. [Shirbini, Mughni al-Muhtaaj]

Or it is the act of a sane, adult Muslim abstaining from all things that break the fast from the true dawn (the second dawn) until sunset, accompanied by the intention from the night, provided that one is free from legal impediments such as menstruation, postnatal bleeding, and the like.

What Is the Ruling on Fasting?

Fasting during Ramadan is an individual obligation upon every sane adult Muslim capable of fasting.

Fasting can also be recommended, such as voluntary fasting on Mondays and Thursdays of each week, the day of ‘Arafa for those not performing Hajj, and the day of ‘Ashura.

It may also be prohibited, such as fasting on the two Eids and the day of doubt. Some fasting may be disliked, such as singling out Friday or Saturday for fasting and fasting on the Day of ‘Arafa for the pilgrim.

Merits of the Month of Ramadan

It includes:

Ramadan, the Month of the Quran’s Revelation:

Allah (Most High) said: “It was in the month of Ramadan that the Quran was revealed as guidance for mankind, clear messages giving guidance and distinguishing between right and wrong.” [Quran, 2:185]

He also said, “Indeed, (it is) We (Who) sent this (Quran) down on the Night of Glory.” [Quran, 97:1]

He said, “Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night.” [Quran, 44:3]

Ibn ‘Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) was the most generous of people, and he was at his most generous in Ramadan when he met Gabriel.

Gabriel used to meet him every night of Ramadan to revise the Quran with him. So, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) was more generous in doing good than a sent wind” [Bukhari; Muslim]

Ibn Rajab said: “The hadith indicates the desirability of studying the Quran in Ramadan and gathering for that purpose, presenting the Quran to those who are more memorized, and it is evidence of the desirability of increasing the recitation of the Quran in the month of Ramadan.” [Ibn Rajab, Lata’if al-Ma‘arif]

Ramadan, the Month of Qiyam, Tarawih, and Tahajjud

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Whoever stands (in prayer) in Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

Ramadan, the Month of Expiation of Sins

Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of faith and in hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Ibid.]

Imam Khattabi said: “Out of faith and seeking reward means with intention and determination, and it is to fast with belief and desiring its reward, being content with it, not disliking it or feeling it burdensome, but seizing its days for the immense reward.” [Ibn Hajar, Fath al-Bari]

Ramadan, the Month When the Gates of Paradise Are Opened, and the Gates of Hell Are Closed, and It Is the Month of Emancipation from the Fire

Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported from the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), who said:

“When the first night of Ramadan comes, the devils and rebellious jinn are chained, the gates of Hell are closed and not a single gate is opened, the gates of Paradise are opened and not a single gate is closed, and a caller calls: ‘O seeker of good, come forward, and O seeker of evil, desist, and Allah has those whom He redeems from the Fire, and that happens every night.” [Tirmidhi; Ibn Maja; Ibn Khuzayma]

اعمل لدار غداً رضوان خازنها
الجار أحمد  والرحمن  بانيها

قصورها ذهب والمسك طينتها
والزعفران حشيش نابت فيها

Work for the abode of tomorrow, whose keeper is Ridwan
The neighbor is Ahmad, and the Rahman is its builder

Its palaces are made of gold, and musk is its clay
And saffron is the grass growing in it

Ramadan, the Month of Doubled Rewards

The multiplication of rewards for deeds is due to several factors, including the nobility of the place where the deed is performed, like the Haram, for prayer there is multiplied more than in other mosques, and the nobility of the time, such as the month of Ramadan and the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijja.

Therefore, performing ‘Umra in Ramadan is equivalent to performing Hajj, as in the hadith from Ibn ‘Abbas (Allah be pleased with them both), who said: When the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) returned from his Hajj, he said to Umm Sinan al-Ansariya,

“What prevented you from performing Hajj?” She said that Abu Fulan (referring to her husband) had only two camels; he performed Hajj on one, and the other was used for irrigating our land. He said, “Performing ‘Umra in Ramadan is equivalent to performing Hajj.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

Merits of Fasting

It includes:

Fasting Individuals Enter Paradise through the Rayyan Gate

Sahl Ibn Sa‘d (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“In Paradise, there is a gate called Rayyan through which the fasting people will enter on the Day of Resurrection, and no one except them will enter it. It will be said, ‘Where are the fasting people?’ They will get up, and no one except them will enter it. After they enter, it will be closed, and no one else will enter.” [Ibid.]

Fasting Is a Shield against the Fire and Desires

‘Abdullah Ibn Mas‘ud (Allah be pleased with him) said: We were with the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), and he said: “Whoever among you can afford to get married, should do so, for it helps lower the gaze and guard modesty, and whoever cannot, should fast, as it will be a shield for him.” [Ibid.]

Mutarrif said: I entered upon ‘Uthman Ibn Abi al-‘As, and he ordered for me milk of a she-camel. I said: I am fasting. He said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) saying, “Fasting is a shield from the punishment of Allah, like one of your shields in battle, and fasting three days of each month is good.” [Ibn Khuzayma; Ahmad]

Munawi said in “Fayd al-Qadir”: It’s a protection in this world from sins by breaking desires and safeguarding the limbs, and in the Hereafter, from the Fire.

Fasting for the Sake of Allah Most High Distances a Servant from the Fire

Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“No servant fasts a day in the way of Allah except that Allah distances his face from the Fire by that day, seventy autumns (years).” [Bukhari; Muslim]

Fasting Is Unparalleled and a Path to Paradise

Abu Umama reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, command me to do something that will admit me into Paradise (or something similar).” He said, “Take to fasting, for there is nothing like it.”

It was said that Abu Umama was seldom seen with smoke (from cooking) in his house during the day unless he had a guest. [Ibn Khuzayma; Ibn Hibban; Ahmad; Ibn Abi Shayba]

And Abu Hurayra reported: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) asked, “Who among you is fasting today?” Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) said, “I am.” He asked, “Who among you followed a funeral procession today?” Abu Bakr said, “I did.” He asked, “Who among you fed a needy person today?” Abu Bakr said, “I did.” He asked, “Who among you visited a sick person today?” Abu Bakr said, “I did.” Then the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “These qualities are not combined in a person except that they will enter Paradise.” [Muslim; Ibn Khuzayma; Nasa’i]

Fasting Intercedes for Its Observer on the Day of Judgment

‘Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn al-‘As (Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

“Fasting and the Quran will intercede for the servant on the Day of Judgment. Fasting will say, ‘O Lord! I prevented him from food and desires, so let me intercede for him.’ And the Quran will say, ‘I prevented him from sleeping at night, so let me intercede for him.’ Then they will be allowed to intercede.” [Ahmad; Tabarani]

Fasting is Exclusively for Allah Most High, an Honor and Recognition of Its Value

Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

“Allah (Most High) said: ‘Every deed of the son of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for Me, and I will reward for it. Fasting is a shield, so when it is the day of fasting for one of you, let him not speak obscenely or shout. If someone abuses him or fights with him, let him say, “I am fasting, I am fasting.”’

By Him in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the smell coming from the mouth of a fasting person is better with Allah than the scent of musk. For the fasting person, there are two joys: when he breaks his fast, he is joyful with his breaking, and when he meets his Lord, he is joyful with his fasting.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

The Smell from the Mouth of a Fasting Person Is More Pleasant to Allah than the Scent of Musk

Ibn Rajab said: “The smell from the mouth of a fasting person – the odor that comes from the stomach being empty of food due to fasting, which is an unpleasant smell in the nostrils of people in this world, is actually pleasant to Allah since it arises from His obedience and seeking His pleasure.”

Imam Munawi said, “The smell coming from the mouth of a fasting person is more pleasant to Allah than the scent of musk. So, if this alteration in the scent of his mouth is so honored, imagine what about his prayers, his recitation, and all his other acts of worship.” [Munawi, Fayd al-Qadir]

Fasting Elevates Ranks

Hadith qudsi mentions: “It is for Me, and I will reward for it.”

Hafiz Ibn Hajar said: “What is meant by His statement, ‘It is for Me, and I will reward for it,’ is that Allah exclusively knows the extent of its reward and the multiplication of its good deeds. As for other acts of worship, their rewards have been revealed to people and are known to be multiplied from ten to seven hundred times to whatever Allah wills, except for fasting, for which Allah rewards without limit.” [Ibn Hajar, Fath al-Bari]

Fasting Serves as Expiation for Sins and Disobedience

Hudhayfa Ibn al-Yaman (Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) say: “The fitna (trials) of a man in his family, wealth, and neighbor are expiated by prayer, fasting, charity, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan out of faith and in hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Ibid.]

He also reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “The five daily prayers, from one Friday to the next, and from Ramadan to Ramadan, are expiations for the sins committed in between them, provided one avoids major sins.” [Muslim]

The Supplication of the Fasting Person Is Not Rejected

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Three people’s supplications are not rejected: the fasting person until he breaks his fast, the just ruler, and the supplication of the oppressed.” [Tirmidhi; Ibn Majah; Ahmad; Ibn Hibban]

Allah and His Angels Send Blessings on Those Who Eat Suhur

‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon those who eat Suhur.” [Ibn Hibban; Tabarani]

Suhur only occurs in the context of fasting, and only those who intend to fast and desire it partake in Suhur. From this, the virtue of fasting becomes evident because it is the reason why AllahMost High the Blessed and Exalted, and His noble angels, send blessings on those who partake in Suhur.

Fasting in the Summer Leads to Being Quenched on the Day of Judgment

Ibn ‘Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) sent Abu Musa on an expedition at sea. While they were sailing one dark night with the sail up, a caller above them called out: “O inhabitants of the ship! Stop, I will inform you of a decree Allah has made upon Himself.” So Abu Musa said: “Inform us if you are indeed to inform.” The caller said: “Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, has decreed upon Himself that whoever thirsts himself for His sake on a hot day, Allah will quench his thirst on the Day of Thirst.” [Haythami, Kashf al-Astar ‘an Zawa’id al-Bazzar]

Fasting in the Winter Is the Easy Reward

Jabir Ibn ‘Abdullah (Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Fasting in the winter is the easy reward.” [Ibn Khuzayma]

‘Umar (Allah be pleased with him) said: “Winter is the devout’s booty.”

May Allah guide us and you to all that is good and obedient, and avert from us and you every evil and harm. Indeed, He is the guardian of that and the one capable of it.

May Allah send peace and blessings upon our Master Muhammad, his Family, and his Companions.

[Shaykh] Dr. Muhammad Fayez Awad