4th Pillar
SIYAM (FASTING-THE MONTH OF RAMADAN) (Click Here To Download PDF)
1 DEFINITION OF FASTING :
. LINGUISTICALLY: TO ABSTAIN FROM SOMETHING. . JURIDICALLY: SIYAM (FASTING) IS A WAY OF WORSHIPING ALLAH
BREAK ONES FAST; FROM DAWN TO SUNDOWN.
2 ISLAMIC RULING ON FASTING THE MONTH OF RAMADAN :
1- FOURTH PILLAR OF ISLAM (OBLIGATORY/ MANDATORY).
2- ALLAH (SWT) SAYS IN THE QURAN:
(O YOU WHO BELIEVE! FASTING IS PRESCRIBED TO YOU AS IT WAS PRESCRIBED TO THOSE BEFORE YOU THAT YOU MAY ACHIEVE TAQWA) (AL-BAQARAH (2):183)
3- ALLAH (SWT) SAYS IN THE QURAN:
(THE MONTH OF RAMDAN IN WHICH WAS SENT DOWN THE QURAN, A GUIDANCE TO MANKIND AND CLEAR PROOF OF THAT GUIDANCE AND THE STANDARD (FOR DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG); WHOSOEVER OF YOU WITNESSES THE MONTH SHOULD FAST IT) (AL-BAQARAH (2):185)
4- IBN-OMAR REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH ( SAW ) SAID:
“ ISLAM HAS BEEN BUILT ON FIVE (PILLARS).. “AND HE MENTIONED “FASTING THE MONTH OF RAMDAN. “ (COLLECTED BY BUKHARI & MUSLIM)
. NOTE : IF SOMEONE DENIES THE OBLIGATION OF FASTING THE MONTH OF RAMADAN, THEN HE IS OUTSIDE OF ISLAM.
IF SOMEONE DOES NOT FAST THE MONTH OF RAMADAN, KNOWING ITS OBLIGATION, THEN HE IS GUILTY OF COMMITTING A MAJOR SIN.
3 MERITS OF SIYAM :
a- ABU-HURAYRAH REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAW) SAID:
“EVERY GOOD DEED OF THE SON OF ADAM IS MULTIPLIED IN REWARD 10 TO 700 TIMES (DEPENDING ON ONE’S INTENTION AND SINCERITY),
ALLAH (SWT) PROCLAIMS:
‘EXCEPT FOR FASTING: IT IS FOR ME AND I WILL GRANT THE REWARD’
THE FASTING PERSON HAS TWO MOMENTS OF JOY; ONE WHEN HE BREAKS HIS FAST AND THE OTHER WHEN HE MEETS HIS LORD, AND THE SMELL THAT COMES FROM THE MOUTH OF THE FASTING PERSON IS MORE PLEASANT TO ALLAH THAN THE SMELL OF MUSK.”
(COLLECTED BY BUKHARI&MUSLIM)
b- ABU-HURAYRAH REPORTED THAT THE PROPHET (SAW) SAID:
“ WHOEVER FASTS RAMADAN OUT OF SINCERE FAITH AND HOPING FOR ITS REWARD FROM ALLAH, WILL HAVE ALL OF HIS PREVIOUS SINS FORGIVEN.” (COLLECTED BY BUKHARI&MUSLIM)
c- ABU-HURAYRAH REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH(SAW) SAID:
“WHEN RAMADAN BEGINS, THE GATES OF THE HEAVENS ARE OPENED AND THE GATES OF THE HELLFIRE ARE CLOSED AND THE DEVILS ARE CHAINED.” (COLLECTED BY BUKHARI & MUSLIM)
4 BENEFITS OF SIYAM :
a- SPIRITUAL / MORAL BENEFITS:
. ABOVE ALL IT IS AN ACT OF OBEDIENCE TO ALLAH.
. TRAINS BELIEVERS IN TAQWA :
(BEING MINDFUL OF ALLAH & FEARING HIM BY DOING ALL THAT HE ORDERED & AVOIDING ALL THAT HE FORBADE).
. TEACHES PATIENCE & SINCERITY.
. DEVELOPS ENDURANCE & SELF-RESTRAINT.
. RESTRICTS THE MOVEMENT OF THE SHAITAN (DEVILS).
b- SOCIAL BENEFITS:
. STRENGTHENS UNITY & EQUALITY BETWEEN MUSLIMS.
. TEACHES SYMPATHY TOWARDS THE POOR & NEEDY.
c- MEDICAL BENEFITS :
. RESTS THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS AND GETS RID OF ACCUMULATED WASTE.
. USES UP STORED CHOLESTEROL (FATS) IN THE BLOOD SYSTEM, WHICH IS ONE OF THE CAUSES OF HEART DISEASE.
. TEACHES SELF-CONTROL FROM OVER-EATING, SMOKING, etc..
5 MOON SIGHTING
a- SIGHTING THE NEW MOON OF RAMADAN (MONTH 9),
EVEN JUST ONE RIGHTFUL MUSLIM.
. NOTE :TWO RIGHTFUL MUSLIMS ARE REQUIRED TO SIGHT THE NEW MOON OF SHAWAL (MONTH 10)
b- COMPLETING THE MONTH OF SHAABAN (MONTH 8 ) AS 30 DAYS.
6 PILLARS OF SIYAM :
a- NEEYAH (INTENTION) : FOR FASTING SHOULD BE AT NIGHTTIME BEFORE FAJR.
. NOTE : INTENTION FOR OPTIONAL/DESIRABLE FASTING COULD BE AT ANY TIME, EVEN DURING THE DAY, IF ONE HAS NOT DONE ANY ACT THAT INVALIDATES SIYAM.
b- ABSTENTION: FROM THINGS THAT BREAK ONES FAST FROM DAWN TO SUNDOWN.
7 CONDITIONS/EXEMPTIONS OF SIYAM :
CONDITIONS EXEMPTIONS
ISLAM NON-MUSLIM
PUBERTY CHILDREN UNDER PUBERTY
SANITY INSANE- OR -SENILE ELDERLY PEOPLE
CAPABILITY UN-CAPABLE
^
SICK ELDERLY(FEEDS)
^
CURABLE UN-CURABLE
( ex. INFLUENZA) (ex. CANCER)
LACK OF PREVENTION MENSTRUATING WOMEN-OR- WOMEN
WITH POST-BIRTH BLEEDING.(MAKES-UP)
RESIDENCY TRAVELER (IF NOT FASTING, MAKES-UP)
8 ACTS THAT INVALIDATE (BREAK) SIYAM :
a- EATING, DRINKING OR SMOKING.
b- ANYTHING THE SAME AS EATING OR DRINKING.
c- INTENTIONALLY VOMITING.
d- TAKING OUT BLOOD IN LARGE AMOUNT.
e- MENSTRUATION OR POST-BIRTH BLEEDING.
f- SEXUAL DISCHARGE.
g- SEXUAL INTERCOURSE.
h- INTENDING TO BREAK YOUR FAST.
. IMPORTANT RULE : THE FAST IS STILL VALID IF A PERSON WAS:
1- IGNORANT:
. OF ISLAMIC RULING.
. OF THE TIME.
2- FORGETFUL / UN-INTENTIONAL.
3- UNDER-COMPULSION.
. NOTE : EXCEPT FOR MENSTRUATION OR POST-BIRTH BLEEDING.
9 COMPENSATION / EXPIATION FOR BREAKING SIYAM :
1- IF ONE BREAKS HIS FAST WITHOUT A LEGITIMATE EXCUSE, HE HAS COMMITTED A SIN AND SHOULD REPENT (TAWBAH); AND MUST MAKE-UP THE MISSED DAY(S) BEFORE THE NEXT RAMADAN.
2- IF ONE BREAKS HIS FAST WITH A LEGITIMATE EXCUSE, HE MUST MAKE-UP THE MISSED DAY(S) BEFORE THE NEXT RAMADAN.
3- IF ONE IS UN-CAPABLE OF FASTING DUE TO OLD AGE OR HAS AN UN-CURABLE DISEASE, HE MUST FEED ONE NEEDY MUSLIM (handful SA’A) FOR EVERY MISSED DAY(S) DURING RAMADAN.
4- IF ONES FAST IS BROKEN BECAUSE OF SEXUAL INTERCOURSE:
. HE HAS COMMITTED A SIN AND SHOULD REPENT (TAWBAH).
. HE MUST MAKE-UP THE MISSED DAY(S) BEFORE THE NEXT RAMADAN.
. HE MUST MAKE A KAFFARAH (EXPIATION) BY EITHER:
. FREEING A SLAVE. (IF NOT POSSIBLE)
. FASTING TWO CONSECUTIVE MONTHS. (IF UN-ABLE)
. FEEDING SIXTY NEEDY PEOPLE.
. NOTE: THERE IS NO KAFFARAH ON THE WIFE IF SHE WAS FORCED.
5- IF ONE DIES BEFORE HE COULD MAKE-UP THE MISSED DAY(S), AN HEIR RELATIVE CAN FAST OR FEED ON HIS BEHALF.
10 MUSTAHAB (DESIRABLE) THINGS TO DO :
1- PRE-DAWN MEAL (SUHOOR).
2- HASTENING IN BREAKING THE FAST:
. MAKING DUA’A WHEN BREAKING THE FAST.
. EATING ODD NUMBER OF FRESH DATES.
3- BEING GENEROUS.
4- STRIVING TO DO MORE GOOD DEEDS.
5- READING / STUDYING THE QURAN.
6- NIGHT PRAYERS (TARAWEEH):
. ESPECIALLY DURING LAYLATUL-QADR
(ONE OF THE LAST TEN NIGHTS OF RAMADAN).
7- SECLUSION IN A MASJID (I’TIKAF):
. ESPECIALLY DURING THE LAST TEN DAYS OF RAMADAN, BY REMAINING IN A MASJID AND FREEING ONESELF FOR THE WORSHIP OF ALLAH.
8- MAKING UMRAH DURING RAMADAN.
1 1 THINGS THAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED :
1- OBSCENE LANGUAGE AND IMMORAL BEHAVIOR.
2- LYING, BACK-BITING, SLANDERING.
3- ACTS THAT LEAD TO SEXUAL AROUSMENT.
1 2 ZAKAT UL-FITAR :
1- ISLAMIC RULING: OBLIGATORY/MANDATORY.
2- PERSONS: GIVEN BY EVERY MUSLIM (MALE & FEMALE / OLD & YOUNG).
3- AMOUNT & TYPE: ONE SA’A (4 HANDFULS) APPROXIMATELY 2.5 kg. OF BASIC FOOD OF COUNTRY ( WHEAT, RICE, CORN, etc..)
4- RECIPIENTS: POOR & NEEDY MUSLIMS.
5- TIME: PREFERABLY GIVEN JUST BEFORE ‘EID PRAYER AND IS PERMISSIBLE TO GIVE ONE OR TWO DAYS BEFORE.
1 3 MUSTAHAB (DESIRABLE) DAYS FOR SIYAM :
1- EVERY OTHER DAY :
ABDALLAH BIN-‘AMR REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAW) SAID:
“THE SALAAH DEAREST TO ALLAH IS THE SALAAH OF DAWOOD ( A.S.); AND THE FAST DEAREST TO ALLAH IS THE FAST OF DAWOOD. HE WOULD SLEEP HALF OF THE NIGHT, GET UP TO PRAY A THIRD OF IT, THEN SLEEP THE REMAINING SIXTH; AND HE USED TO FAST A DAY AND EAT ON THE NEXT.” (COLLECTED BY BUKHARI & MUSLIM)
2- MONDAYS & THURSDAYS :
ABU-HURAYRAH REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAW) SAID:
“DEEDS OF PEOPLE ARE PRESENTED (TO ALLAH) ON MONDAYS & THURSDSYS, SO I LIKE THAT MY DEEDS ARE PRESENTED WHILE I AM FASTING.” (COLLECTED BY AT-TIRMIDHI)
3- 3 DAYS FROM EVERY MONTH :
ABU-HURAYRAH SAID:
“MY FRIEND (SAW) ADVISED ME TO DO 3 THINGS AND I SHALL NOT LEAVE THEM AS LONG AS I LIVE; TO FAST 3 DAYS FROM EVERY MONTH, TO MAKE SALAAT AD-DUHAA, AND NOT TO SLEEP BEFORE MAKING SALATUL-WITR.” (COLLECTED BY BUKHARI&MUSLIM)
. NOTE : IT IS PREFERED TO FAST THE 13TH, 14TH & 15TH DAY OF THE MONTH.
4- SIX DAYS FROM SHAWWAL (MONTH 10):
ABU -AYYUB REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAW) SAID:
“WHOEVER FASTS RAMADAN THEN FOLLOWS IT WITH SIX DAYS FROM SHAWWAL, IS LIKE FASTING THE WHOLE YEAR.” (COLLECTED BY MUSLIM)
5- THE DAY OF ‘ARAFAH (9TH OF DHUL-HIJJAH) FOR NON-PILGRIMS:
ABU-QATADAH SAID: “THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAW) WAS ASKED ABOUT FASTING ON THE DAY OF ‘ARAFAH’ HE (SAW) SAID: IT ERASES THE SINS OF THE PAST YEAR AND THE CURRENT YEAR.” (COLLECTED BY MUSLIM)
6- THE DAY OF ‘ASHOURAH (10TH OF MUHARRAM):
ABU-QATADAH SAID: “THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAW) WAS ASKED ABOUT FASTING ON THE DAY OF ‘ASHOURAH, HE (SAW) SAID: “IT ERASES THE SINS OF THE PAST YEAR.” (BY MUSLIM)
IBN-ABBAS REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAW) SAID:
“IF I REMAIN (ALIVE) TILL THE NEXT YEAR, I SHALL FAST THE NINTH.” (COLLECTED BY MUSLIM)
7- MOST OF THE MONTH OF MUHARRAM (MONTH 1):
ABU-HURAYRAH REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAW) SAID:
“THE BEST (MONTH FOR) FASTING AFTER RAMADAN IS THE MONTH OF ALLAH, THE MUHARRAM.” (COLLECTED BY MUSLIM)
8- MOST OF THE MONTH SHAABAN (MONTH 8):
‘AISHAH (R.A.) SAID:
“ I NEVER SAW THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAW) FAST A COMPLETE MONTH OTHER THAN RAMADAN, AND DID NOT SEE HIM FAST (IN ANY MONTH) MORE THAN IN SHAABAN.”
( COLLECTED BY BUKHARI)
1 4 HARRAM (FORBIDDEN) DAYS FOR SIYAM :
1- THE DAYS OF ‘EID UL-FITAR & ‘EID UL-ADH-HA:
ABU SAEED AL-KHUDRI REPORTED THAT THE PROPHET (SAW) SAID:
“THERE IS NO FASTING ON TWO DAYS, AL-FITR AND AL-ADH-HA.”
(COLLECTED BY BUKHARI & MUSLIM)
2- THE DAYS OF TASHREEQ (11TH ,12TH & 13TH OF DHUL-HIJJAH):
‘ AISHA (R.A.) AND IBN-OMAR (R.A.) SAID :
"HE (SAW) DID NOT ALLOW THE DAYS OF TASHREEQ TO BE FASTED, EXCEPT THOSE (PILGRIMS)
WHO COULD NOT AFFORD A SACRIFICIAL ANIMAL.” ( COLLECTED BY BUKHARI)
3- WOMEN WHO OPTIONALLY FAST WITHOUT PERMISSION OF HUSBAND:
ABU-HURAYRAH REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAW) SAID:
“IT IS NOT LAWFUL FOR A WOMEN TO FAST WHILE HER HUSBAND IS PRESENT, EXCEPT WITH HIS PERMISSION.” ( COLLECTED BY BUKHARI)
1 5 MAKROOH (DISLIKED) DAYS FOR SIYAM :
1- ONE OR TWO DAYS BEFORE RAMADAN :
ABU-HURAYRAH REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAW) SAID:
“DO NOT PRECEDE RAMADAN BY FASTING A DAY OR TWO DAYS, EXCEPT FOR SOMEONE WHO IS FASTING HIS USUAL FAST.” (COLLECTED BY BUKHARI & MUSLIM)
‘AMMAR BIN-YASER SAID: “HE WHO FASTS ON THE DAY HE IS DOUBTFUL OF, HAS DISOBEYED ABAL-QASIM (THE PROPHET (SAW) .” (COLLECTED BY AT-TIRMIDHI & AN-NASAAI)
2- EXTENDING THE FAST BEYOND ONE DAY :
IBN-OMAR SAID:
“THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAW) PROHIBITED FASTING BEYOND ONE DAY.”
3- EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR :
“HE DID NOT FAST, WHO FASTS FOREVER ( EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR ).”
(COLLECTED BY BUKHARI & MUSLIM)
4- FASTING ONLY ON FRIDAY :
ABU-HURAYRAH REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAW) SAID:
“NONE OF YOU SHOULD FAST FRIDAY, UNLESS (HE FASTS) A DAY BEFORE OR A DAY AFTER.”
(COLLECTED BY BUKHARI & MUSLIM)
5- FASTING EXCLUSIVELY ON SATURDAY:
AS-SAMMA REPORTED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAW) SAID:
“DO NOT FAST ON SATURDAY, EXCEPT WHAT IS OBLIGATORY ON YOU.”
(COLLECTED BY ABU-DAWOOD & AT-TIRMIDHI)
. NOTE: IT IS PERMISSIBLE TO FAST SATURDAY & A DAY BEFORE OR AFTER.