The Qura’n on fasting [Archives:2003/683/Culture]
By Bushra Gailan
For The Yemen Times
Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased upon him) has narrated that: I heard the holy prophet (peace and bleesings of Allah be upon him) saying that you should start fasting when you see the moon for the moon of Ramadhan and stop fasting when you see the new moon” (Sahih Bukhari).
Ramadhan started on Shaban in the second year of Hegra’a. the Holy Prophet, Mohammed (Peace and bleesings of Allah be upon him) fasted nine Ramadhans before he died in the eleventh year of Hegra’a. He said, if some mistakenly eats while fasting he should complete till the evening because surely Allah made him eat and drink.
Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him said: “ the difference between our observance of the fast and that of the people of the book is eating breakfast” (Muslim). “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for these before you, so that you may become righteous.
The month of Ramadhan is that in, which the Quran was sent down as a guidance mankind with clear proofs of guidance and discrimination.
Therefore, whosoever is present at home in this month let him fast therein. But who is sick or is on a journey, shall fast the same number of other days, Allah desires to give you facilities and he desires not hardship for you, and that you may complete the number, and if you may exalt Allah for his having guided you and that you may be grateful.
“And when My servants ask thee about me, say: I am near. I answer the prayer of supplicant when he prays to me. So should hearken to me and believe in me that they may follow the right way. It is made lawful for you to go in unto your wives on the night of the fast. They are garments for you, and you are a garment for them.
“Allah knows that you have been acting unjustly to yourselves, wherefore he has turned to you with mercy and affectionate you relief. So you may now go in unto them and seek what Allah has ordained for you; and eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the thread of the dawn.
“Then complete the fast till nightfall and do not go in unto then while you remain in the Mosques for the devotion. These are the limits fixed by Allah, approach them not. Thus Allah make his commandments clear to men that they become secure against all evil.” (2: 183-187).
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