Conditions regarding Fasting and Restraining
Surah ‘Al-Baqarah (The Cow) – Chapter – 2)
Stage – 1, Verse – 187b of 286, Section – 23 of
40 (Part - 2)
BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim
In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful
|
And eat and drink until the white thread becometh distinct to
you from the black thread of the dawn. Then strictly observe the fast till
nightfall.
|
Wa kuluu wash-rabuu hattaa
yata-bayyana lakumul-khaytul-‘abyazu minal-khaytil-‘aswadi
minal-Fajr. Summa ‘atimmus-Siyaama ‘ilal-layl.
|
Lesson
Al-Fajr – (the dawn) it does not mean the false dawn but
that is the light of early in the morning which can be seen some time later
than just before daybreak, while the light begins to spread towards east and
the west, that is called ‘dawn of the day’. Till that time food may be taken
for fasting. Taking meals has been much appreciated in the Sayings of Messenger
(Grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) during the last time. The
Messenger of Allah Almighty (peace be upon Him) commanded that Bilaal (May
Allah be pleased on him) calls very early (during false dawn) for preparing the
people for prayer, so don’t stop eating on his call (Azaan) or looking only light in the north and south. Moreover
consider reliable spreading of the light.
Once Omar (May
Allah be pleased on him) instructed that care to eat and drink at the time of
fasting is necessary when morning light becomes clear on the paths and peaks of
the hills.
‘Al-layl – (the nightfall), night in Arabia begins
immediately at the end of the day and sunset, so the next date of Islamic
Calendar begins immediately after the sunset. On the contrary, the date of
solar year is changed after passing the midnight. ‘ilal-layl (till
nightfall) means “break the fast as soon as the night enters”. It does not mean
to keep the fast till spreading the darkness of the night.
Before this order
the Muslims used to sleep after breaking the fast. Then they did not use to eat
anything till next evening. They have been permitted to eat, drink and sleep
with their wives after breaking the fast till the light of early in the
morning.
It is another
concession and facility which was bestowed afterward that it is permitted to eat
and drink till the time the white thread becomes distinct from the black thread
of the dawn and then the fast will be observed the entire day after finishing
the time of taking meals for fasting till the sun sets and the darkness begins
to spread.
It is found also
from this command that without taking meals for fasting and breaking it
continuously is odious. Islam teaches us the path of temperance, does not like
severity and strictness. So we should follow the manner which has been established
by Allah strictly and which concessions have been given we should reap
advantage from them.
|
And touch them not, but be at your devotions in the mosques.
|
Wa laa tubaashi-ruuhunna wa ‘an-tum
‘aakifuuna, fil-masaajid.
|
Lesson
Laa tubaashi-ruuhunna – (touch the wives not) here
the word ‘to go in unto the wives’ has been used in the spacious meanings, that
is to say, not only to stop committing a sexual intercourse but kissing and
bugging is also forbidden during curbing one’s passion from religious motives
continuing in the mosque (Restraining in the mosque and thinking of God
Almighty) particularly during the third Ashrah of the month of
Ramadan.
‘Aakifuuna – (to be at devotions) its
literal meanings are “to keep oneself preventing from the use of anything or
make something necessary over oneself. Technically it means ‘endowing oneself
for worship, Restraining in the mosque’
Another command has
been revealed regarding the fasting: Don’t go in unto your wives while you are
being at your devotions in mosque. Some more necessary commands regarding “e’tikaaf”
(being at devotions in mosque) are stated below:
It is necessary for
the people who have to be at devotions, that they should remain in the mosques
every time during that period, also eat, drink, sleep and wake there. They may
come out from the mosque only at the time of bodily and lawful needs. The
minimum period for the devotions is one day and there is no limit for excessive
period. It is declared from the word fil-masaajid that
the Restraining should always be in the mosques. However it can be observed by
the women in any corner of the home instead of the mosques.
Conversation is
lawful during the Restraining on the condition that it should not be against
the reverence of the mosque and the respect of the devotions.
It was the habit of
the Messenger of God Almighty (peace be upon Him) that He used to be at His
devotions in the mosque complete ten days during the last Ashrah of
the month of Ramadan and broke His entire relation from the worldly matters. So
Restraining in the mosque is reasonable practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace
be upon Him), which means that if anyone individual out of a ward observes this
practice then this responsibility ends from others.
Restraining has
many advantages – there is no other method to become fresh for the purpose of
belief and to achieve the spiritual strength, because during that period the
mankind passes his time continuously in worship and obedience. He remains in
solitude and loneliness.
We should follow
this practice of the Messenger of God Almighty (Grace, glory, blessings and
peace be upon Him), get the light of faith, achieve the vicinity of God
Almighty, be entitled of pleasure of the Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon Him)
and purify ourselves completely at the very least a few days, break the
relation with worldly matters for some time and attend to the Real
Worshiped.
No comments:
Post a Comment