University of Central Punjab

COURSE TITLE: ISLAMIC STUDIES

Assignment#01

Topic: To write about obligations and importance of fasting in Islam.

Submitted to:
Sir Abid Islam
Submitted by:
Tooba Noor
L1F19BSAF0180
Section:
“C”
Dated as:
29th April, 2021
 Fasting
Fasting is abstinence from food or drink or both for health, ritualistic, religious,
or ethical purposes. It is one of the Five Pillars of the religion of Islam and one of the highest
forms of Islamic worship. Abstinence from earthly pleasures and curbing evil intentions and
desires is regarded as an act of obedience and submission to Allah as well as an atonement for
sins, errors, and mistakes. Fasting is also seen as a way to learn patience and break bad habits.
Ramadan is the holy month of fasting.

Obligation of Fasting
It is considered as the Muslim’s third practical duty to Allah. It was made obligatory in the
second year of Hijrah (Migration of the Prophet S.A.W to Madinah). Fasting is a commandment
and a clear order from Allah upon us and we have no other choice but to obey our Lord Allah
and please Him out of Love and Fear at the same time. It is a means by which the true extent of
the servant’s love for his Lord is revealed and by which the servant can truly exalt him. Fasting
is a compulsory act of worship for all Muslims, though there are exceptional circumstances,
which exempt people from fasting. The evidence of observing fast as a part of Faith is indicated
in Allah’s words:

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it w prescribed for those before you, that
you may Muttaqoon (the pious)”. (Al-Baqarah, Verse: 183).
He also said:
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear
proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights
(the crescent on the first night of the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must
observe Saum (fasts)”. [Surat Al-Baqarah: Verse 185]

Fasting is mandatory to:

Fasting is obligatory for a person if he fulfils five conditions:

 He is a Muslim.
 He is accountable.
 He is able to fast.
 He is settled (not travelling).
 There are no impediments to fasting.
If these five conditions are met, then it is obligatory for a person to fast.
Kaafirs are excluded from the first condition. The kaafir is not obliged to fast and his fast is not
valid. If he becomes Muslim he is not obliged to make up fasts from before.
The evidence for that is the verse in which Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And nothing prevents their contributions from being accepted from them except that they
disbelieved in Allah and in His Messenger (Muhammad) and that they came not to As-Salah (the
prayer) except in a lazy state, and that they offer not contributions but unwillingly”
[al- Tawbah 9:54]

Fasting is non- mandatory for:

o Non-Muslim (Kafir)
o Insane (Majnun)
o Minor (Sabiyy)

Benefits of fasting:
 Detoxifying
 Appetite Suppressant
 Metabolism
 Weight Loss
 Immune System
 Blood Pressure- A decrease in the body’s salt intake and loss of salt through urine lowers
the body’s blood pressure.
 Improved Cardiovascular Function
 Mental Health
 Blood Sugar- During the fasting process, glucose levels are stabilized which can lead to
the prevention of type 2 diabetes as a result.
 Healthier Brain and Cognitive Function.

Importance of Fasting

Fasting is a shield from

the Hellfire just like the shield of any of you in battle.

[Sunan Ibn Mājah 1639]

There are three levels of fasting that correspond to its outward and inward components:
abstaining from food and drink, abstaining from sins, and abstaining from bad thoughts.
“Know that there are three degrees of fasting: the fasting of common people, the fasting of the
elite, and the fasting of the elite of the elite. As for the fasting of the common people, it is
retraining  the stomach from fulfilling its desires as has been mentioned. As for the fasting of
the elite, it is restraining one’s hearing, sight, tongue, hands, feet, and all limbs from sin. As
for the fasting of the elite of the elite, it is the fasting of the heart from unworthy concerns and
worldly thoughts and to restrain it entirely from everything besides Allah the Exalted.”

[Iḥyāʼ Ulūm al-Dīn 1/234]

In another narration, the Prophet said:

“Verily, fasting is not only from eating and drinking. Rather, fasting is from vanity and
obscenity. If someone abuses you or acts foolish against you, then say: Indeed, I am fasting.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān 3561]

To keep away from sins, we can use the exercise of fasting as a means to develop self-control
over our low desires. Fasting generates will power within the heart that can be transferred to
other situations in which we need to overcome temptation.

“If one of you is invited to a meal while he is fasting, then let him say: Indeed, I am fasting. ”

[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1150]