Fasting Rules from Islamic Laws by Ayatullah Seestani --Lectures on Fiqh by Maulana Sadiq Hasan

Fasting Rules from Islamic Laws by Ayatullah Seestani

Click here to Download a comprehensive word document (ZIP file) with
the below mentioned content and related Question & Answers

Niyyat for Fasting	Things which make a Fast void
I. Eating and Drinking	II. Sexual Intercourse
III. Istimna (Masturbation)	IV. Ascribing Lies to Allah and His Prophet
V. Letting Dust Reach One’s Throat	VI. Immersing One’s Head in Water
VII. Remaining in Janabat or Haidh or Nifas Till Fajr Time	VIII. Enema
IX. Vomiting	Rules Regarding Things which Invalidate a Fast
Fasting (Part II of II)
Things which are Makrooh for a Person Observing Fast	Obligatory Qadha Fast and Kaffarah
Kaffarah for Fast	Occasions on which it is Obligatory to Observe the Qadha Only
Rules Regarding the Qadha Fasts	Fasting by a Traveller
People on Whom Fasting is Not Obligatory	Method of Ascertaining the First Day of a Month
Haraam and Makrooh Fasts	Mustahab Fasts
Mustahab Precautions	Lectures (by Maulana Sadiq Hasan)

NIYYAT FOR FASTING

Niyyat for fasting during the month of Ramadan must be done before Dawn (Fajr), unless there are special cases as discussed above (e.g. Yamul Shak). Niyyat for fasting for the whole month of Ramadan can be done once at the beginning of Ramadan.
Niyyat for Qaza fast of Ramadan can be done before Dawn or anytime before Zawal time (Islamic mid-day) on that day provided you have not done anything from Dawn to niyyat time which breaks fast.
Niyyat for any Mustahab fast can be done before Dawn or anytime before Maghrib on that day provided you have not done anything, which breaks fast.

Notes of Lectures on Fiqh by Maulana Sadiq Hasan Lecture # 31 (Thursday 16 October 2003)

HARAM FASTS

Ten types of fasts are haram (forbidden) in Islam:
1. Fasting on Eidul Fitr Day
2. Fasting on Eidul Adha Day
3. Fasting on Tashreek Days (11 to 13 Zilhijj for those who will be in Mina)
4. Fasting on Yaumul Shak (30th Shaban)
5. Fasting by a Traveller in Ramadan
6. Fasting by a Sick Person in Ramadan
7. Fast of Silence
8. Fast of Visal (Fasting intentionally for 2 consecutive days including the night in between)
9. Fasting of thanks (shukr) for Haram Acts
10. Mustahab fast without permission from those of whom permissions are necessary

FASTING ON YAUMUL SHAK

30th day of Shaban is called Yamul Shak (doubtful day) if you do not receive news about Ramadan moonsighting on 29th evening or before the end of 30th day.
It is haram to fast on 30th Shaban with the intention of 1st of Ramadan.
It is Mustahab to keep fast on 30th Shaban but the Niyyat (intention) should be either
(a) with the Niyyat of Mafiz-zimma (to discharge my responsibility), or
(b) with the Niyyat of any Qaza fast of previous Ramadan, if any, or
(c) with the Niyyat of Mustahab Shaban fast.
If you do a double Niyyat of fasting (i.e. 30th Shaban or 1st Ramadan), then such a Niyyat is wrong according Ayatullah Khui, but it is OK according to Khomeini and Seestani.
If you are fasting on 30th Shaban, and if, at any time on that day, you get the news of moon sighting of 29th Shaban, then you must immediately change Niyyat to Niyyat of 1st of Ramadan.
If you have fasted on 30th Shaban (with any Niyyat), and afterwards you come to know that it was 1st of Ramadan, then your fast will automatically be counted as fast of 1st of Ramadan.
If you are not fasting on 30th Shaban, then following actions are necessary on you:
(a) If you get the news after sunset of 30th Shaban or later that the moon had been actually sighted on evening of 29th Shaban, then you have to keep Qaza of 1st Ramadan after the month of Ramadan.
(b) If you get the news of moon sighting after Zawal time (Islamic mid-day), then it is haram to eat or drink or do anything, which is not allowed during fasting from that time onward until Iftar time on that day, and you have to do Qaza of 1st of Ramadan later on.
(c) If you get the news of moon sighting before Zawal time (Islamic mid-day), then
(i) if you have not eaten or drunk anything or done anything which breaks fast, you must immediately do the Niyyat of fasting of Ramadan for that day,
(ii) if you have eaten or drunk something or have done anything which breaks fast, then you have to act as if fasting for the rest of the day, and then do Qaza of 1st of Ramadan later on.

FASTING OF A TRAVELLER IN RAMADAN

According to Islamic sharia, a traveller is normally a person who travels from his home to another town or place with the intention of staying there for less than 10 days.
Fasting by a traveller during the month of Ramadan is haram.
If you start your journey after Zawal time (Islamic mid-day) in Ramadan, then it is wajib to complete fasting for that day.
If you start your journey before Zawal time in Ramadan, then it is wajib to start fast on that day, and then your fast will automatically break after you have travelled a certain distance from your home town.
If you were travelling, and you return to your home (or arrive at a place where you are going to stay for 10 days or more) after Zawal time (Islamic mid-day) in Ramadan, then you can not fast on that day, but it is Mustahab to respect fasting on that day. You have to do Qaza fast for that
day and all fasts missed during travelling.
If you were travelling, and you return to your home (or arrive at a place where you are going to stay for10 days or more) before Zawal time (Islamic mid-day) in Ramadan, and if you have not done anything which breaks fast, then it is wajib to keep fast for that day. However if you have
done anything which breaks fast, then you can not fast on that day, but it is Mustahab to respect fasting on that day, and you have to do Qaza fast for that day afterwards.
If you are a traveller during the month of Ramadan, and staying somewhere for less than 10 days, then you can not keep even any other fast (Mustahab fast or Qaza fast of previous Ramadan) during those days.

The Sermon Given By The Prophet (s) On The Last Friday Of Sha’ban On The Reception Of The Month of Ramadhan

The Sermon Given By The Prophet (s) On The Last Friday Of Sha’ban On The Reception Of The Month of Ramadhan O People !

“Indeed ahead of you is the blessed month of Allah. A month of blessing, mercy and forgiveness. A month which with Allah is the best of months. Its days, the best of days, its nights, the best of nights, and its hours, the best of hours. It is the month which invites you to be the guests of Allah and invites you to be one of those near to Him. Each breath you take glorifies him; your sleep is worship, your deeds are accepted and your supplications are answered. So, ask Allah, your Lord; to give you a sound body and an enlightened heart so you may be able to fast and recite his book, for only he is unhappy who is devoid of Allah’s forgiveness during this great month. Remember the hunger and thirst of the day of Qiyamah (Judgement) with your hunger and thirst; give alms to the needy and poor, honor your old, show kindness to the young ones, maintain relations with your blood relations; guard your tongues, close your eyes to that which is not permissible for your sight, close your ears to that which is forbidden to hear, show compassion to the orphans of people so compassion may be shown to your orphans. Repent to Allah for your sins and raise your hands in dua during these times, for they are the best of times and Allah looks towards his creatures with kindness, replying to them during the hours and granting their needs if he is asked…

“O People! Indeed your souls are dependant on your deeds, free it with Istighfar (repentance) lighten its loads by long prostrations; and know that Allah swears by his might: That there is no punishment for the one who prays and prostrates and he shall have no fear of the fire on the day when man stands before the Lord of the worlds.

“O People! One who gives Iftaar to a fasting person during this month will be like one who has freed someone and his past sins will be forgiven.

Some of the people who were there then asked the Prophet (s): “Not all of us are able to invite those who are fasting?”

The Prophet (s) replied: “Allah gives this reward even if the Iftaar (meal) is a drink of water.”

“One who has good morals (Akhlaq) during this month will be able to pass the ‘Siraat’…on the day that feet will slip…

“One who covers the faults of others will benefit in that Allah will curb His anger on the day of Judgement…

“As for one who honors an orphan; Allah will honor him on the day of judgement,

“And for the one who spreads his kindness, Allah will spread His mercy over him on the day of Judgement.

“As for the one who cuts the ties of relation; Allah will cut His mercy from him…

“Who so ever performs a recommended prayer in this month Allah will keep the fire of Hell away from him…

“Whoever performs an obligator prayer Allah will reward him with seventy prayers [worth] in this month.

“And who so ever prays a lot during this month will have his load lightened on the day of measure.

“He who recites one verse of the holy Quran will be given the rewards of reciting the hole Qur’an during other months.

“O People! Indeed during this month the doors of heaven are open, therefore ask Allah not to close them for you; The doors of hell are closed, so ask Allah to keep them closed for you. During this month Shaytan (Saten) is imprisoned so ask your Lord not to let him have power over you.”

Lo! Here once again is the blessed month of Ramadhan

Lo! Here once again is the blessed month of Ramadhan
Once again some of us find it difficult to fast
Once again we are fortunate to hear the Adhaan
Once again we could try and do better than last O Companions, this month comes but once a year
Wake up my friends let us make it ever dear
Fasting is good for health, it chastens the mind
Beware Muslims! This glamorous world is making you blind

Remember the Holy Qur'an! Our book of guidance
The blessed Prophet received it this month, yes
It contains Laws, thoughts that make it ever radiant
Lo! It emphasizes fasts and prayers to keep us out of mess

O you who believe! Are we to neglect the words of Almighty Allah?
No, no, it should not be, come on Muslims, let us face the Kaaba
Forget the pie, forget the drinks, let them lay
Fasting is but a few hours a day

O ye faithful! Leave aside smoking, vices
This is Ramadhan, clean your hearts of vanities
Fast, pray, remember Allah and recite the Holy Book
Allah is Merciful, yes, He can give us all a new look.

Every year the month of Ramadhan comes and goes; every year we fast, yet without proper appreciation of the potentials of character building that the fasts hold for us. We find ourselves as spiritually backwards after the fast are over as when the month began. In fact our lack of knowledge of the real objectives of fasts often tends to produce an adverse effect in us, for, as is well known, the best of medicines could have ill effects if not taken in accordance with the physician's directives and instructions.

Thus it is, that the fast tends to make many of us irritable and quick tempered (expecting, as we do, VIP treatment from others, especially our subordinates and family members because of our fast) while the fast was in fact meant to mellow us into exhibiting the finer tracts of human character as illustrated by our Imams.

Imam Zaynul Abidin (a) would record the lapses of his servants during the month of Ramadhan, without telling them anything at the time. As the month would draw to its close, he would gather the servants before him and apprise them of their mistakes, for giving them at the same time and beseeching the Lord to forgive him, even as he had forgiven them. The holy Imam, Masoom that he was, only sought by this practical demonstration to draw attention of his followers to the fact that they would be accountable to God for their actions and should they desire His forgiveness, they would have to forgive their subordinates as well. This practical lesson taught by the Imam ought to be rigorously pursued during the month of Ramadhan by the followers of the Imam.

As in this case, so in other spheres of life, our attitude to fasts ought indeed to be radically changed. We ought to welcome fasts as a practical means of reforming ourselves rather than nearly consider them as an inevitable religious bondage, eagerly awaiting to free ourselves there from at the month end to resume our ways of old again.

Besides of course being a means to acquiring the pleasure of God, for which all acts of devotion are basically meant, fasting could be used as a stepping stone to build up the various traits of character in accordance with the clear injunctions of the Qur'an itself that fasts have been prescribed with a view to developing piety in man.

In the hurry and bustle of the present day life, man often finds himself ill-equipped to battle through life's odds if he is not equipped with the proper attitude to face the various problems. While we find ourselves frustrated or look to other directions in such difficulties, we have most unfortunately overlooked the character building force that the fasts provide us every year.

Ramadhan is a month of fasting and prayers for the Muslims. The fast consists of total abstinence from food and drink from dawn to dusk. There is however, a greater significance to fasts than mere abstinence from eating and drinking. The real objective of fasts is to inculcate in man the spirit of abstinence from sins, and cultivation of virtue. Thus the Qur'an declares that the fasts have been prescribed with a view to developing piety in man. How are the many facets of piety sought to be cultivated through fasts? This article tries to list as concisely as possible, the various benefits the fasts would confer upon Muslims.

1. The most important consideration in undertaking a fast, as in any act of devotion, is to seek nearness to God, and seek His pleasure and Forgiveness. This itself generates a spirit of piety in man.


2. Creating the conditions of hunger and thirst for oneself, simply in obedience to the Divine order, measures the faith of man in God and helps strengthen it by putting it to a severe test.


3. Fasting enhances through creation of artificial non-availability, the value of the bounties of God which man often takes for granted. This inculcates in man a spirit of gratitude and consequent devotion to God. Nothing else can bring home to a man the worth of God's bounties than a glass of water and a square meal after a day long fast. This also reminds man that the real joy in enjoying God's bounties lies in moderation and restraint and not in over indulging.


4. Fasting makes us deeply conscious of the pangs of hunger and discomfort suffered by the less fortunate among our brethren. They have to put up with difficult conditions all through their lives. It thus kindles in man a spirit of sacrifice leading to change towards his suffering brethren.


5. Fasting gives man an unfailing training in endurance, a spirit of acceptance. This could well prepare him to put up with the unchangeable situations in life in the same spirit of resignation as cultivated during the fasts.


6. Fasting develops courage, fortitude, and a fighting spirit in man to surmount the heavy odds in life with a cool and tranquil mind. It sharpens his power of concentration to overcome obstacles through a vigorous exercise all throughout the month, leading to a steeling of his will power and resolve, that could help him in challenging situations in life. It is seen than many an undesirable habit which is difficult to give up, is more easily given up during the days of fasting.


7. Fasting teaches man reliance on God, and confidence in Him. Just as the vigorous state of fasting for a whole month is undertaken with His assistance, bitter situations in life could also be surmounted with His help.


8. Fasting develops a spirit of patience in man, with the realization that the days of fasting, though seemingly unending, do have a successful and happy end. Thus is life. All bitter situations pass, and come to an end.


9. Fasting is meant to conquer anger and develop self-control in man. The vigorous effort required to put up with hunger and thirst can well be extended to conquer other infirmities of human character that lead man into error and sin.


10. Fasting inculcates a spirit of tolerance in man to face unpleasant conditions and situations without making his fellow beings the victim of his wrath. Many people, when facing discomfort and deprivation, become irritable and annoyed. This anger is then vented on those around them. Fasting helps a man become more tolerant despite his own discomfort.


11. Fasting mellows a man and enhances his character, giving a jolt to the human instincts of pride, haughtiness, jealousy and ambition. Fasting softens his character, and clears his heart and mind of many negative emotions.


12. Fasting exposes the weakness of man in the event of his being deprived of two basic bounties of God; food and drink. It infuses into him a spirit of weakness and submission, generating humility and prayer in an otherwise arrogant being.


13. Fasting breathes the spirit of forgiveness in man towards others, as he seeks God's forgiveness through fasts and prayers.


14. Fasting gives lessons in punctuality. Man has to adhere to a strict schedule of time in the observance of the fast.


15. Fasting could affect the economy of the individual as he is less wasteful on food and meals.


16. Fasting demands a rigid sense of discipline, mental, spiritual and physical. This forms characteristics which are an essential ingredient to success in life.


17. Fasting creates spiritual reformation in man, infusing him with a spirit of enthusiasm and zest to change and become a better human being in the eyes of God. This is an excellent opportunity, given to believers each year, to change themselves and consequently their destinies.


18. On the physical side, fasting cleanses the human system of the accumulated impurities of uninterrupted eating throughout the year. It prepares the body to face diseases or conditions of scarcity. The rigid abstinence of a fast regulates man's health, sharpens his intellect and enhances the qualities of his heart.

Fasting is thus a bounty in itself, encompassing within itself many bounties. It instills a spirit of reformation in man, creating a wide awakening in him to fulfil his duties towards God and man, and towards himself. (Adapted from an article by Marhum Ahmed Sheriff Dewji, published in the Light Magazine)

Ramadan Mubarak!

Ramadan MubarakThe Month of Ramadan is upon us. During this special time, we should all reflect on the many blessings God has bestowed upon us.

Imam Sajjad (A) Welcomes The Month Of Ramadhan

• Welcoming the Month of Ramadhan

Moon-sighting Dua

Lo! Here once again is the blessed month of Ramadh...

Dua-e-Saher and Niyat

Dua after every Wajib prayer during Ramzan

• PEOPLE ON WHOM FASTING IS NOT OBLIGATORY DURING TH...

• Amaal shab e qadr Arabic

• Common Health problems during fasting – Preventing...

• Aamaal for Laylatul Qadr

• SHAB-E-QADR

• Selected Qiraat from Around the World Quran

• Fasting Rules from Islamic Laws by Ayatullah Sees...

• The Sermon Given By The Prophet (s) On The Last Fr...

• Method of Salat Along with Pictures

• Dua’a Khatmul Quran- after finishing Quran

-------------------------------------------
Assist Us
Imam Zaynul Abidin (a): The right of charity is that you know that it is a storing way with your Lord, and a deposit for which you will have no need of witnesses. If you deposit it in secret, you will be more confident of it than if you deposit it in public. You should know that it repels affliction and illnesses from you in this world and it will repel the fire from you in the next world. REF: Risalatul Huqooq by Imam Zaynul Abidin (a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ramadan Mubarak!
Your Brother in Islam