Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I read your reply but non of the ayaah's you quoted describes what is the definition of fasting  how long should the fast last (sunrise to sunset or may be few hours etc).  If main purpose of fasting is self restraint and worship of Allah then I am sure there are many ways to satisfy the intent.  Please explain.

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Answer:

Definition of fasting

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: I read your reply but non of the ayaah's you quoted describes what is the definition of fasting  how long should the fast last (sunrise to sunset or may be few hours etc). 

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verses 183-185:

183 O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that ye may (learn) self-restraint.

184 (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill or on a journey the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship) is a ransom the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more of his own free will it is better for him and it is better for you that ye fast if ye only knew.

185 Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an as a guide to mankind also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So everyone of you who is present during that month should spend it in fasting but if anyone is ill or on a journey the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 187:

187 Permitted to you on the night of the fasts is the approach to your wives. They are your garments. And ye are their garments. Allah knoweth what ye used to do secretly among yourselves; but He turned to you and forgave you; so now associate with them and seek what Allah hath ordained for you and eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast till the night appears; but do not associate with your wives while ye are in retreat in the mosques. Those are limits (set by) Allah; approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth Allah make clear His signs to men that they may learn self-restraint.

In light of the above absolutely clear Aayahs of the Glorious Quran, it is absolutely evident that the duration of the fasts are to be observed from just before dawn to at the completion of sunset.

Your Question: If main purpose of fasting is self restraint and worship of Allah then I am sure there are many ways to satisfy the intent.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 183:

183 O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that ye may (learn) ‘taqwa’ (self-restraint).

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 187:

187 Permitted to you on the night of the fasts is the approach to your wives. They are your garments. And ye are their garments. Allah knoweth what ye used to do secretly among yourselves; but He turned to you and forgave you; so now associate with them and seek what Allah hath ordained for you and eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast till the night appears; but do not associate with your wives while ye are in retreat in the mosques. Those are limits (set by) Allah; approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth Allah make clear His signs to men that they may learn ‘taqwa’ (self-restraint).

Indeed one of the purposes of the worship of observing fasts as ordained by Allah Subhanah is so that the believers may develop or learn ‘taqwa’. Although the Arabic term ‘taqwa’ is translated as self-restraint, piety, God-consciousness, etc., the truth is that there is just no word in the shallow English language which could possibly do justice to expanse of the Arabic term ‘taqwa’.

Beloved brother in Islam, although we do agree with you that there might be other ways one may come up with to develop this all-important element of ‘taqwa’ or self-restraint; without an iota of a doubt, fasting is absolutely one of the best ways to develop ‘taqwa’ for it is ordained by the One Alone who is the All-Knowing, All-Wise. Allah is our witness brother, if there was a better way than fasting, the Lord All-Wise would have made it known and ordained it for His believing slaves.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verse 36:

It does not behove a believing man and a believing woman that when Allah and His Messenger have given their decision in a matter, they should exercise an option in that matter of theirs. For whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, has indeed strayed into manifest error.

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan