THE INJUNCTION OF FASTING AND RELEVANT VERSES

Out of these sublime considerations and for the realization of the lofty aims, spiritual as well as temporal, which are beyond human comprehension, as also for the emancipation of the soul from the domination of fleshly appetites and the fulfillment of the Divine mission of Vicegerency, for which the qualities of moderation, temperateness and fortitude are indispensable, God has enjoined fasting upon Muslims. But it was done after Migration when the clouds of gloom had lifted and the period of poverty and privation ended and the Muslims were leading a life of peace and contentment probably because if the command of fasting had been sent down during the days of distress it could be interpreted as an act of desperation and people would have though that it was related to conditions of oppression and despondency and was, therefore, binding only on the poor and the distressed while the privileged and well-to-do members of the community were excluded from its application.

Besides, the verse enjoining fasting upon Muslims was revealed when they had attained firmness and maturity of faith and Salaat had become an integral part of their being and they had arrived at a stage when it was easy for them to submit willingly to what they were commanded to by God and His Apostle.

To quote from Allamah ibn Qayyim:

"Since to liberate man from the clutches of sensuality is a most difficult task and it take a lot of time the command of the obligatoriness of fasting was not revealed till such time after Migration as it had become clear that the creed of  Monotheism and the duty of Salaat had sunk deep into them and they had become a thoroughly oriented to the injunctions of the Qur'aan. The command of fasting, was, thus, revealed in the second year of Migration and the holy prophet kept the fasts of Ramadhaan for nine years before he departed from the world."

The Qur'aanic verses containing the command of fasting are as follows:

"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you, as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may ward off evil. Fast a certain number of days; and for him who is sick among you, or on a journey, the same number of other days, and for those who can do it (with hardship) is a ransom, the feeding of a man in need. But who doeth good willingly, it is better for him, and that ye fast is better for you if you did but know. The month of Ramadhaan in which was revealed the Qur'aan, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, i.e. alive in the month of Ramadhaan, let him fast the month and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, let him fast the same number of other days. Allah desireth for you ease, He desireth not hardship for you, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful. (Baqarah 183 - 185)

The above verses, through which fasting was enjoined for the first time, do not belong to the category of prosaic and unimaginative laws that are enacted on the strength of the social and political relationship between the State and the individual. These verses appeal immediately to one's faith, conscience and intellect and show a due regard to all the aspects of the human personality. They not only enforce a commandment but also prepare the ground for its willing acceptance and, in all respects, bear an eloquent testimony to the marvellousness of the Qur'aanic method of teaching, exhortation and legislation.

Falsehood cannot come at it (the Qur'aan) from before it or behind it. It is a revelation from the Wise, the Owner of praise. (Qur'aan xli:42)

To begin with, God addresses those to whom fasting is prescribed in these word, 'O ye who believe!' The believers are, thus, made ready beforehand for the fulfillment of the command that is going to be sent down, however hard it may be, for it is a primary requirement of faith that once a person has affirmed his belief in God as the Lord and Creator, the Worshipped One and the Arbiter of what is lawful and what is forbidden, and surrendered the control and management of his affairs to Him, he should, faithfully and without reluctance, submit to all the laws and regulations Allah may be pleased to proclaim.

The saying of (all true) believers when they appeal unto Allah and His Messenger to judge between them is only that they say, 'We hear and We obey.' And such are the successful (Qur'aan xxiv:51)

And it becometh not a believing man and a believing woman, when Allah and His messenger have decided an affair for them, that they should (after that) claim any say in their affair. (Qur'aan xxxiii:36)

O ye who believer! Obey Allah, and the messenger when he (the messenger) calleth you to that which quickeneth you.' (Qur'aan viii:24)

The Qur'aan, then, declares that fasting is enjoined upon Muslims and adds that it is not a unique event in the history of religions. It was the same with the adherents of revealed faiths and possessors of the Divine Law before them. In this way, it lessens the degree of depression which is usually caused by the though of isolation. If a person knows that what he is called upon to do is nothing new and so many peoples communities have done it already he takes heart from it and the task begins to look easier.

The believers, again, are assured that the purpose of fasting is not to put them to unnecessary hardship but it is for their own betterment and purification. It is a moral discipline which makes a man perfect. After going through it he begins to rule over his evil desires instead of being ruled by them. If a believer can forgo clean and legitimate things, including fresh water and wholesome food, at the behest of God, will he not do his best to keep away from what is impure and forbidden? This is precisely what the verse, that ye may ward off evil signifies.

Later, the believers are told not to consider the period of one month excessive since it is only a matter of a limited number of days which follow one another in regular order and come to an end quickly. Moreover, what relation does a month (in which fasting is done only during the day) bear to the days and nights of a whole year that are spent in ease and enjoyment? The old, the sick, the travelers and other persons especially circumstanced are further exempted from fasting.

And, finally, while dwelling upon the significance of the month in which fasting is prescribed it is emphasized that it is the month in which the holy Qur;aan was revealed and a new message of faith and hope was vouchsafed to mankind. What could be more fitting and beneficial for a Muslim that he quickened himself with new life through fasting and prayer during the blessed month of Ramadhaan?

This, in brief, is the Islamic fast or spiritual fare which is endued with every kind of virtue and free from any hardship or severity that may be beyond the endurance of man.

Allah desireth for you ease. He desireth not hardship for you, and He desireth that ye should complete the prescribed period (of fasting), and they ye should glorify Allah for having guided you, and perchance ye shall be grateful. (Baqarah 185)