Fasting is an Obligatory Duty in Ramadan

Fasting is Obligatory Duty (Fard) in Islam

Ramadan Mubarak to You all

In the Era of Covid-19 Pandemic

Dr. Mozammel Haque

I have been writing and saying Ramadan Mubarak to you all for more than 40 years, whether I am in Masjid al-Haram or in the United Kingdom. But this year in 2020 corresponding to 1441 Hijri; the Ramadan this year is different due to Covid-19 Pandemic crisis. There are some changes of course both in the Masjid al Haram and Masjid-al-Nabawi and also in the United Kingdom. But the principles and compulsory fasting remain the same. Let me start which I used to do for so many years, telling about fasting and what to do during this month of fasting, the month of the Qur’an. In the course of telling about fasting, I will Insha Allah mention wherever changes are taking place.

Fasting starts with the sighting of moon

Muslims all over the world still stick to the tradition of looking to the sky to start their fasting and ending. The fasting month of Ramadan starts with the sighting of the Ramadan crescent in the horizon with the naked eye. Under the Shari’ah, if the new crescent was seen by any trustworthy person supported by two witnesses his testimony would be documented and the whole nation would accept that testimony. Whatever be the case, the holy month of Ramadan started this year on Friday, the 24^th of April 2020, the first day of Ramadan. I am extremely sorry, instead of saying Ramadan Mubarak, I am writing after a week. This is due to the changes took place in the first week of Ramadan. Still we are in the midst of Ramadan and still this is the best time to say my readers RAMADAN MUBARAK.

Ramadan Mubarak and Ramadan Greetings to all of you, especially to all the readers of this website: May this holy month bring barakah, and Allah's boundless mercy upon the believers and harmony and tolerance for the world

Fasting is Obligatory Duty (Fard)

I welcome Ramadan, the month of Mercy and Repentance, the month of the Qur’an, of Lailatul Qadr (the Night of Power) and of repentance and forgiveness. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Pillars of the Islamic faith. It was declared an obligatory duty (Fard) in the second year of the Hijrah upon each and every mukallaf (one capable of carrying out religious duties, i.e. a sane adult).

Allah the Almighty made Ramadan fasting compulsory for Muslims. Allah said, “O those who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as were enjoined upon those before so that you be God-fearing.’ [Surah Baqarah, 183]. Literally, Sawm means ‘to abstain’. In the terminology of Islamic law, Sawm means ‘to abstain from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse: with the conditions that one abstains continuously from dawn to sunset, and that there is an intention to fast.’ Therefore, should one eat or drink anything even a minute before sunset, the fast will not be valid. Similarly, if one abstained from all these things throughout the day but made no intention to fast, there will be no fast here too.

Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an “…And eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from its black thread…” (Al-Qur’an, 2:187) Literally defined, fasting means to abstain “completely” from foods, drinks, intimate intercourse and smoking, before the break of the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year.

Fasting in Islam is based on the lunar calendar and is tied to the sightings of hilal, the crescent, or new moon. Allah the Almighty stated: “They ask you concerning the new moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time… (Al-Qur’an, 2:189). And the Traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Eat until you see the crescent and break not until you see the crescent. If it is cloudy calculate the period of the month.” (Muslim and others).

Fasting in Ramadan is compulsory upon every Muslim, male or female, who has these qualifications, e.g. mentally and physically fit, adult full of age which is normally fourteen and fairly certain that fasting is unlikely to cause any harm, physical or mental, other than the normal reactions to hunger, thirst etc.

The said qualifications exclude the following categories: children under the age of puberty and discretion; men and women who are too old and feeble to undertake the obligation of fast and bear its hardships; sick people whose health is likely to be severely affected by the observance of fast; travellers may break the fast temporarily during their travel;  pregnant women and women breast-feeding their children may also break their fast and women in the period of menstruation (of a maximum of ten days or of confinement (of a maximum of forty days. They must postpone the fast till recovery and then make up for it.

The holy month of Ramadan is the month of mercy, forgiveness, and seeking release from the Hell-fire. It is the month of repentance and acceptance of prayers. It is the month when the devils are chained, the gates of Hell are looked and the gates of Paradise are opened.  That’s why; Muslims welcome Ramadan each year with energy and happiness, and are saddened only when the month departs. Fasting is for the living, not for mourning.

Ramadan is a month of worship. Muslims should welcome the month with repentance and seeking Allah’s pardon. We should keep away from committing sins; worship Allah sincerely and spending the night and day in prayer, supplication and recitation of the Holy Qur’an.

Fasting is a shield which helps prevent many sins and with which Muslim protects himself from Hell-fire. Fasting is more than abstaining from food and drink. It also means to abstain from any falsehood in speech and action, from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing and quarrelling. Therefore, fasting helps to develop good behaviour.

Fasting inculcates a sense of brotherhood and solidarity, as a Muslim feels and experiences what his needy and hungry brothers feel. This gives Muslim a new sense of togetherness and association.

Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an: The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (between right and wrong). (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 185) As Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an, every Muslim should prepare himself to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan by strengthening his relationship with the Qur’an. A Muslim is encouraged to complete one recitation of the Holy Qur’an during Ramadan.

We should engage more and more in the recitation of the Qur’an, in dhikr (remembrance of Allah), perform extra Salah (ritual prayers) at night and renew identity with one another in our obedience to Allah.

Please read some parts of the Holy Qur’an everyday in this blessed month of Ramadan with translation in a language you speak and understand better in order to follow the Guidance of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala.

Ramadan is called the month of charity and sympathy; a month of giving in charity and sharing meals to break the fast together. Many Muslims also pay Zakah in the month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is an excellent opportunity to bring about permanent improvement into our lives. We can do this by making a goal to remove a harmful trait from our character or speech, whether it be argumentation, backbiting, making false promises, or resentment against a fellow Muslim, or a sinful matter from our lives. Insha’Allah by the baraka of this month, this effort will result in change that will benefit us in this world and the next.

I would again like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a blessed Ramadan. May this blessed month bring unadulterated peace to everyone in the world. May Allah make this Ramadan a month of increasing nearness to Him, and May He accept all of our fasts and worship. Ameen.

Thus Ramadan becomes a blessed month of physical, moral and spiritual renewal through fasting, charity and worship. This is the moral and spiritual gifts of Ramadan. “We can say that Ramadan gives us the great gift of Taqwa (Piety). Taqwa is the sum total of Islamic life. It is the highest of all virtues in the Islamic scheme of things. It means God-consciousness, piety, fear and awe of Allah and it signifies submission to Allah and total commitment to all that is good and rejection of all that is evil and bad,” said Dr. Muzzammil H. Siddiqi, former President of Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).

Changes due to Covid-19 Pandemic:

Self-isolating and social distancing

Before concluding I would like to mention the changes that take place in the congregational prayers, Jumah prayers, Taraweeh prayers and mass gatherings due to Covid-19 pandemic crisis; i.e- preventive measures: self-isolating and social distancing.

The Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques (Masjid al-Haram in Makkah al-Mukarramah and the Masjid al-Nabawi in Madinah al-Munawwarah), Dr. Abdul Rahman al-Sudais has made the following Plans for Ramadan 1441Hijri in the Haramain:

The following Plans have been made for #Ramadan1441 in the Haramain:

Following latest updates are made on 28 Sha’ban – 21 April by the Haramain info:

1. Taraweeh will be held without public attendance, mainly with staff.

2. Taraweeh has been reduced to 10 raka’ah 6+4+witr.

3. 1^st Imaam will lead 3 tasleemat and the 2^nd Imaam will lead 2 tasleemat & Shafa + witr. The Qunoot will be shortened.

4. Iftar services cancelled in both Harams, instead, baskets will be distributed around the cities of Makkah & Madinah.

5. Itikaf has been cancelled in both Harams.

6. Umrah will remain suspended until further notice.

7. The completion of the Qur’an will be recited between the Taraweeh and Qiyaam (Tahajjud). Khatam will be on 29^th night in Qiyaam (Tahajjud).

8. Continued health checks will still be administered for all workers and attendees for the funeral prayers upon their entry into the Haram. 

As regards congregational prayers, Friday Jumah prayers and Taraweeh prayers, the Islamic Cultural Centre & the London Central Mosque Trust announced Ramadan at Home.

Ramadan at Home

“Dear Honourable Muslims: This year, we will welcome the blessed month of Ramadan in a very difficult time as the world is facing an unusual challenge i.e. the spread of coronavirus [COVID-19], a pandemic disease. 

Therefore, mosques are closed and Muslims will not be able to attend congregational prayers during this blessed month. However, they can still do these prayers and worships with the family at home. They will hopefully get the same reward. In Islam, difficulties and calamities are destined by God Almighty. The Messenger of God [pbuh] said, "There is no trouble that comes to a believer except that it removes some of his sins..." 

Amid the current global crisis the world is facing, it is important for Muslims to counter this pandemic through undertaking the necessary policies and following medical instructions announced by NHS for protection and treatment. It is important to stay at home, keep the required distance when you pray at home in order to protect yourself and others. 

Finally, adhering to all medical procedures and health protective measures is required and Muslims must put their trust in God that He will remove the harm, cure the patients and immensely reward them in this world and the hereafter. There is no need to panic, it is better to occupy yourself with making worship as much as you can.”

Ramadan Announcement of the

ICC & the London Central Mosque

Dr. Ahmad al-Dubayan, the Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre & The London Central Mosque Trust categorically said in his Ramadan Announcement: “Ramadan as we all know is the month of care and the month of generosity. So it is the month we are socially isolating seriously; let everybody to stay at home and to focus, actually to concentrate more care about our family members especially our parents, children, wives, husbands when we are together.”

Dr. al-Dubayan said, “It is also important to remind everybody – Islamically, we are asked to follow the instructions done by the authority everywhere, wherever we are because these instructions are made for protections – and protections of life in Islam is a priority of course. And it is the month that we try to extend help to all those who are around us regardless who they are Muslims or not who needs our help and can give that help during this month and also in any other time – it is really a duty of every Muslim who believe in the Qur’an and also in the Prophet peace be upon him.”

He added, “Now in this month there are some points very important; one of them is, of course, Mosques are closed now, almost everywhere; so that means we are going to do prayer and Taraweeh at home.”