The meaning and rules of fasting

The word Sawm means literally in Arabic to refrain. Thus fasting in Arabic means to abstain, refrain from... This is indicated by the word of Allah, exalted is he: " If you see someone of humans, say [him:]" certainly, I dedicated a most gracious young: I will therefore now speak to any human being ". . (S19/V26)

Applied to religion, fasting has taken the meaning of: refrain, by piety, to drink, to eat, to have sexual relations and what is considered likely to break the fast, since the appearance of dawn until the sun sets.Allah says in this sense: "so cohabiting with them now, and seek what Allah has prescribed in your favor; eat and drink until it stands out, for you, the white wire from the dawn of the black of the night. Then complete the fast until night. ' (S2/V187)

The categories of young

Fasting is divided into two categories:

1. The blush or compulsory fasting which includes:

Fasting of Ramadan

The Kaffara or redemption

Nadhr or young as a result of a vow accomplished.

2. The Tathawwu' or optional young includes additional days throughout the year that the Prophet, Salla Allahu Allahi wa Sallam, had the habit of fasting.

Who needs fast?

Fasting of the month of Ramadan is mandatory for all Muslims, male or female, adult (i.e. having reached the age of puberty), sane, and being neither sick nor travel.

If the disease is temporary, so that the person hope to restore quickly, then it is authorized to not to fast during his illness, but must later fast after Ramadan to make up the missed days. Sufferers of incurable diseases and who hope not recovery are also authorized to not fast, but they must pay compensation, which means that they must feed a poor person for each day missed. Women in menstrual period or during periods of layers are not allowed to fast, but they must make up for the days missed after Ramadan. Pregnant women or nursing may postpone their fast after Ramadan if they find it difficult to fast.

According to Islamic law, the journey is a trip out of the city of residence of a minimum distance of 80 kilometres. It is also from this distance that it is permissible to shorten prayers. The trip must have valid reasons. Indeed, it is forbidden to travel during the Ramadan only to not have to fast. The Muslim should try to modify his program during Ramadan, to fast and to travel only if necessary. The traveller missing days of Ramadan must catch them later after the Ramadan as soon as possible.

Fast in accordance with the Sunnah

Take the Souhour, which is a meal before dawn. We recommend that you take this meal, due to the great reward and the blessings it brings. The ideal time for the Souhour is the last half hour before dawn and the dawn prayer.

Take the Iftar, which is the fast-breaking meal, immediately after sunset, without delay. For the Islamic law, the sun sets when the Sun's disk disappears on the horizon.

Refrain during the young of all words and bad actions: not to quarrel, do not argue, not to say bad words, short do nothing that is prohibited. He should try to observe moral and ethical discipline alongside training and physical discipline imposed by fasting. Do not show it fast by not stopping to talk about or attracting attention to dry lips and on an empty stomach or with a bad mine. The person who fasts must be a nice person, good spirit and good mood.

During the fast, should make acts of charity and kindness to others, just as it is desirable to increase his works of worship and read more about the Koran. Every Muslim should strive to complete at least once the reading of the Holy Quran during the month of Ramadan.

Category: Fasting