Let's Not Overlook the Inner Dimension of Fasting

20/06/2018| IslamWeb

There are certain juristic issues and spiritual matters related to fasting in Ramadan that most people are either unaware of or have no knowledge about, which may affect the outcome of their fasting. Thus, it is desirable to gain knowledge about these issues in order to avoid making mistakes out of ignorance or negligence.

Purifying one's intention and making it sincere for the sake of Allah The Almighty alone, since actions are judged by one's intentions.

The Muslim should only fast out of faith, hoping for the reward from Allah The Almighty, not to boast or imitate others in his family or town. His intention that should spur him to fast should be his belief that Allah The Almighty has ordained fasting upon him and his hope to be rewarded by Him alone.

Similarly, while standing for Qiyaam al-Layl (night prayer) during this month, one should purify the intention and focus only on gaining the pleasure of Allah The Almighty, and should not stand in prayer to show off in front of others. This is why the Prophet emphasized this inner dimension of fasting and said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and anticipation for the reward of Allah, then all sins prior to that will be forgiven; and whoever prays the Ramadan (night prayer) out of faith and anticipation for the reward of Allah, then all sins prior to that will be forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

A fasting person may get injured, have a nosebleed, vomit, or accidentally get water into his throat; all these things do not nullify his fast, but intentionally vomiting does nullify the fast. The evidence for this is the statement of the Prophet : “He who vomits unintentionally does not have to make up his fast, but the one who intentionally vomits must make the day up.”

Some fasting people might delay their Ghusl (obligatory ritual bath) until after dawn. For example, some women may delay their Ghusl after finishing their menstrual period or post-natal bleeding until after dawn if they discover that they have finished bleeding (and are subsequently ready to fast) before dawn. In this case, such a woman must fast and there is no harm in her bathing after dawn, but she may not delay it until after sunrise because she must purify herself and pray the Fajr prayer before sunrise. Likewise, a person who must bathe because he/she had sexual intercourse with their spouse, may delay bathing until after dawn, but must bathe before sunrise in order to pray on time. Men should bathe immediately in order to perform the prayer with the congregation.

Blood tests, injections and vaccinations which are not intended to replace food do not nullify one's fast, but if one can delay taking them until night, then this is safer. This is because the Prophet said: “Leave (performing) the act which you doubt (its permissibility), for that which does not cause you to doubt (its permissibility).” The Prophet also said: “He who abstains from doubtful matters has safeguarded his religion and honor.”

 A Muslim should experience tranquility while praying and should pray with complete humility and presence of mind. Many texts prove that tranquility during prayer is one of the conditions of prayer, and that one's prayer is nullified without it. Tranquility is to not rush during prayer, humble oneself to Allah The Almighty and pause in each position until each joint and bone returns to its original position. Many people pray Taraaweeh (night prayer) in Ramadan without being attentive, and they pray so fast that their motions during prayer resembles the pecking of a rooster. Such a way of performing prayer is unacceptable, and the person who does that has committed a sin.

Allowing oneself to be distracted by TV programs, surfing the internet for many hours or attending lengthy sports matches, idle gatherings and hanging about in the streets or in coffee shops and malls, driving around aimlessly – all these acts detract from the purpose of fasting. In fact, for many people Ramadan becomes the month of sleeping in the day so as to avoid feeling hungry, thus missing their prayers and the opportunity to pray them in congregation, then spending their nights in entertainment and indulging their desires (we seek refuge in Allah The Almighty from this).