Fasting is one of the commandments of Al-mighty Allah on Muslims and it is not identified with the Muslim world alone but with other faiths as well.Fasting, according to Muslim scholars, has literal and technical meanings. In the book, Minhaj-l- Muslim, authored by Sheikh Abubakar Jaabir AlBuha, fasting is defined as 'abstainance'in literal Arabic language while in technical parlance, it means abstainance with intention of servng Almighty Allah, from eating, drinking, sexual intercourse with one's wife and from the likes, from the appearance of dawn till sunset.Fasting is divided into two categories, that is, voluntary and obligatory. Allah has some purposes for enjoining fasting on people of faith from generation to generation.One of these purposes, and the most important, is piety (taqwa). Allah says in the Holy Quran, chap 2 verse 1 & 3. 'O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that ye may ward off (evil). 'In another translation of Yusuf Alli, 'that ye may learn self-restraint'. It is important to note that service to Almighty Allah (Ibadah) has taqwa as its soul. No service to Almighty God can be accepted when it lacks this important element of taqwa. This is because the summary of what Allah wants from human being in life is to live a life full of piety. This piety will transfer to a self-driven acts that reveal this element, acts emanating from fear of Almighty Allah. The life of the person with this element would be one liveable to Allah and would be in the best interest of the actor and fellow human being.Almighty Allah says in the holy Quran: 'And whoever fears Allah, Allah will appoint a way out for him And will provide for him from (a quarter) whence he hath no expectation. And whoever fears Allah, He makes his course easy for him.'From the above verses, fear of Almighty Allah secures a way out in case of difficulty, it guarantees a life of fulfillment from a source unexpected and it makes a course of struggle an easy one. All these are required from every Muslim from time to time and place to place and that is why fasting is not restricted to month of Ramadan alone. Every lunar month of the year has a period of fasting although it is forbidden to fast everyday of the month apart from the month of Ramadan. The analogical deduction one can make from obligation of Ramadan is to train the body to get used to fasting in all other days prescribed or enjoined by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).However, scholars have explained that if a person could not observe other fast apart from Ramadan, the person would still derive some benefits, apart from being exonorated from Allah's punishment. These include spiritual, health, economic and social benefits.Another rationale of fasting is equality in social aspect of life. Human beings are not created equally. There is social status, economic status and political status. This classification is rooted from the fact that fingers are not equal. However, fasting aims at closing the gap in those status, a fasting person sympatises with himself and others who are in fasting. He feels for others what himself feels when he is fasting. Sense of belonging is very high, likewise moral feeling. The rich and the poor feel alike and the affection between them is like that of twins. In fact, the calmness and orderliness the society witnesses durng Ramadan fasting cannot be accomplished at any other period during the year. The reasons for this are not far fetched. Fasting is an act of discipline as a result of endurance, patience and forbearance it connotes.It has been reported that it is of no use, the fast of a fasting person who cannot control his tongue from vain talks or who cannot disengage himself from social vices. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upn him) said on the authority of Abu Huraira that 'if one does not abandon falsehood and actions in accordance with it and foolishness, Allah has no need that he should abandon his food and drink.'In summary, fasting is ordained to purify the society from vices, corruption, disorderliness and all acts that are dangerous in order that one becomes closer to Allah and it enhances total submission to the will of Allah.It can then be realised that fasting in Ramadan in particular, in a task for all Muslims. The wise people say one who fails to plan, plans to fail. The first preparation is to refer to the past fasting so as to be able to adjust and be ready for amendment on some mistakes one might have committed in the last Ramadan.The need for this is borne out of the word of Prophet Muhammad earlier cited that fasting of a person who cannot control himself from vices would amount to nothing, but ordinary starvation.Another important thing is to know what to do during the period that would earn one a lot of rewards. These include spending in the course of Allah, feeding fellow fasting persons, Quran recitation, participation in Quranic lecture (Tafsir), public lecture attendance, night prayer and a host of others.However, one can be able to ascertain whether or not those deeds are acceptable to Allah. This can be done if after Ramadan, one is able to continue engaging himself in those good deeds which were practised during the blessed month. This is in line with the opinion of scholars.May Allah endow us with faith and strength to perform good deeds during this month of Ramadan.It is unfortunate that Muslim brothers and sisters found in different places across the country today, who hold offices in government institutions, companies and others are very conversant with the fasting in the month of Ramadan only. However, the teachings of fasting are nowhere to be found in them after Rammadan except for a few.This calls for a sober reflection and it is for us to examine ourselves vis-a-vis our action. Let us adjust by allowing the beauty of Islam to reflect in our conducts. This is a real Jihad of our time.'Isa Oyewole Abdul-Azeez is the coordinator of Islamic Centre of Nigeria for Preaching and audience, Ibadan.
Click here to read full news..
