FASTS

There are many kinds of fasts in Islam, but the fast during the month of RamzAn (Ramadan) is considered the most important.  Enjoined in the QurAn, it is compulsory.  �When there comes the month of RamzAn, the gates of mercy are opened, and the gates of Hell are locked and the devils are chained� (2361).

Fasting in the Muslim tradition is rather different from fasting in many other religious traditions.  In Islam, there is no uninterrupted fasting (saum wisal), because Muhammad forbade this practice (2426-2435) �out of mercy� for his Companions (2435).  During fasts eating is prohibited in the daytime but permitted at night.  This has its disciplinary role, but nonetheless there is an attempt to make things easy.  One is advised to eat as late as possible before sunrise, and to break the fast as soon as possible after sunset.  �Take meal a little before dawn, for there is a blessing in taking meal at that time� (2412); and �the people will continue to prosper as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast� (2417).

This approach distinguished the Muslims from the Jews and the Christians, who ate early and broke their fasts late, waiting for the stars to appear.  �The difference between our fasting and that of the People of the Book is eating shortly before dawn,� says Muhammad (2413).  The translator explains the advantages that accrued to the ummah from maintaining this difference.  It �distinguishes the Ummah of the Islam from other Ummahs,� and �hammers� into its consciousness the sense of �its separate entity which is the first step towards prosperity of any nation.� In addition, �taking a meal late in the dawn and breaking fast early at the sunset indicate the fact that one feels the pangs of hunger. . . . This feeling inculcates in one a spirit of humility rather than of stoic pride� (note 1491).

author : ram swarup