FASTING IN ISLAM, A NEW PERSPECTIVE.

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Fasting is a practice that has been present in almost all major religions worldwide. Since ancient times people desirous of attaining higher spiritual status practiced it. Especially in Buddhism and Hinduism, Monks and Rishis have fasted to improve their concentration by keeping their bodies hungry, staying away from the hustle and bustle of routine life, and staying close to nature in the forests and caves. They still have a fasting routine followed with some exceptions, like having a grainless meal once a day. Hindus associate the fasting day with different stages of the Moon along its cycle. 

 

If we look at the Abrahamic religions, all three have a tradition of fasting with some variance. Jews fasted on all significant days of achievements or depression in the time of Moses and after him. These days they fast on their new year's day, Rosh-Hashanah, and keep on fasting for ten days till Yom-Kippur, which is a fast of 25 hours joined with religious services. Yom-Kippur signifies the day of the destruction of the Temple. They also fast on other occasions but not continuously for more than ten days. Christians have Lent, a period of fasting for forty days except for some days, which differ in different sects. Christians are allowed to have drinks or meatless days in some denominations. Both Christians and Jews observe fasting in certain Lunar months.

 

Now let's look at Islam. Muslims are rather strict in following this ritual in the ninth month of the Lunar cycle, which they call Ramadan, followed by a day of feist, Eid-ul-Fitr. They also say that this practice is for spiritual elevation. They refer to the Quran for following this practice. Verses 2:184-187. But we should remember that there are various approaches to the Qur'an. Since this is a Divine scripture, human beings can only give what they understand by applying extracted knowledge through different sources. The best approach does not restrict to one basis:

1. We should appreciate that Qur'an deals with human psychology at the individual level. It refrains from generalizing.

2. It emphasizes to use of reason, and it does not ask for heavy loads of books to read to get its meaning; only we have to keep continuous and contemplate.

3. It describes a concept in many different ways.

 

The question is whether we are following this ritual and getting those results in the required sense.

 

For this, let's choose the key questions to answer:

 

ü Which word in the Qur'an means fasting?

ü Is this meaning concurrent with the sense of the Qur'an?

ü Seeing the meaning of fast, what is the practical approach?

ü Discussing the Lunar cyclic Hijri calendar.

ü What steps will change Fasting into a practical training system for spiritual and psychological growth?

ü Possible outcomes of this training system are to Fast in a real sense or be steadfast.

ü Current state of affairs of Muslim countries

ü Conclusion

 

WHICH WORD IN THE QUR'AN MEANS FASTING?

 

Scholars usually refer to verses 2:183-187 for following the ritual of Fasting. Here they take the word Siyam as the plural of the word Sawom to mean fasting, and from the word Ayam they infer the meaning of days.

If we look at the word Sawom, it is the product word of the proto root SM or SMM, which means deafen, determine, intend, etc. According to the Dictionary

                                              

So the word Sawom means to be determined without listening to anyone. This meaning is inferred after due consideration of grammar rules. If we look at the famous lexicons, they, too, are influenced by the changes made by the Persians. For example, take the word Ayaman Ma'dudaat in the next verse. This screenshot will make it clear.

                                                     

 

The word Ayam has a Hebrew origin and means scorching or intense. This screenshot will make it clear.

                                              

 How could this word mean days? There are rules for the formation of words. This screenshot makes it clear.

                                               

According to the rule, the word Ayaman is singular, so who changed it to mean the plural of another word?

 

Verse 2:183 has this meaning:

 

"O you who have chosen to believe, steadfastness is made obligatory for you, as it was made obligatory for people before you, so that you may become successful."

Look at the history of religions, and you will find a nation getting the command to fast for a consecutive period of one month. Qur'an says there has always been the same Deen. So how could God be inconsistent? 

 

Now let's look at the term Ayaman Ma'dudaat in 2:184. We have already seen the meaning of Ayam as scorching or intense. Consider Ma'dudaat. It is a product of proto root Ma'ad.

                                           

This term means critical judgment, and the verse says:

 

"There is critical judgment for you all, so whoever remained steadfast, he remained with full preparation of it, and whoever was insufficient, he must bear the sustenance of less provided to make him aware of the need of steadfastness, so whoever makes more effort in the way of God, it will be better for him."

 

The word Ramadan in 2:185 clarifies the conspiracy of mischief makers. Here two things are noticeable:

 

ü Ramadan is from the word Al-Ramadhi meaning the first drop of rain on the hot ground, so this month should always come at the end of summer. At the same time, we get it in rotation according to the Lunar calendar, which the prophet never followed. The second caliph Umar ibn Alkhatab initiated it in 638 CE. This calendar clearly violates Qur'an 9:37. We are rotating the months.

ü The verse mentions the revelation of the Qur'an. Was it revealed at once? No, we know it took 23 years to complete. Better to follow it than to make soulless celebrations.

 

Verse 2:186 is telling a reward for steadfast people. Let's take verse 2:187. The topic of sex was dragged in this verse to satisfy the lust that comes to mind on hearing the word Nisa. The sexually obsessed Mullahs ignored the fact that the Qur'an never talks in terms of bawdy literature. Nisa, according to Qur'an, is a less privileged person. The verse means:

 

"There was a prevailing darkness of conduct because of less abstinence and training, and you had made it lawful for you to oppress the less privileged, while the fact is this they are compulsory for you, and you are compulsory for them in society, God knows that you had been dishonest with them, with providing this guidance (Qur'an), God has turned to you in kindness and forgave you. So now treat them well and desire from them what is lawful (do not deprive them of their rights to satisfy your longings) and make yourselves aware of their needs and fulfill them in such a way that you would be able to distinguish between good and evil in the light of this guidance." 

 

So it is clear that there is no fasting mentioned in these verses. Still, there is a mention of Sawom in 19:26, and there it describes a kind of practice God advised Maryam to save her from the indecent argumentation of her people, which they would do on seeing the newborn Jesus. Here God says to Maryam, 

 

"Eat and drink and be calm. If somebody asks you about the child, only signify that you have intended to keep quiet for contemplation, for God's sake, so I would not talk." 

 

It was a clear injunction from God to clarify the meaning of Fast. Let's think here, what is the use of restraining from eating and drinking without any involvement in serious thinking, which needs to keep silent? I shall address this question in the proceeding paragraphs.

 

SEEING THE MEANING OF FAST, WHAT IS THE PRACTICAL APPROACH?

 

We have come to know the meaning of Fast, and it is clear that we are practicing this ritual incorrectly. We must keep quiet, and it is to think about any matter. It can be any matter related to our personal lives, and the range goes to thinking about the Universe made by God, His attributes, and commands. I believe God prescribed Fasting for these purposes:

                                             

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ü There are two kinds of relationships in our intimate life; blood relations and relationship of marriage that we set in the name of God. Let's take marriage first; we need to keep quiet for thinking about our spouse's nature and mood. If a misunderstanding occurs, it is high time to observe the Fast (remember that we must break it after some time). It will help us to compose our ideas, and we shall be less likely to make mistakes and ultimately reach a conclusion. Since we are fasting in the name of God, He will guide us(directly and through Qur'an).

                                                

Image:Pixabay

ü Taking blood relations, although we connect with our parents, children, siblings, and ancestors, we are different. We have distinct personalities, and we need time, patience, and seriousness to understand and carry these relations successfully, which we can learn from Fasting (real sawom or Fast).

                                      

Image:Pixabay

ü Taking it to a broader level, we all are connected in one relationship of Humanity. We must serve others to serve God. Remember, there is no worship in Qur'an. God never wants our rituals. He asks for a behavior that will suit our role as His second and protectors of this earth. If we're going to serve, we can not choose from the people we would like to help, we have to help them by ignoring their shortcomings, and this needs patience and consistency, which comes with the training of steadfastness in the form of Fasting.

                                                            

Image:Pixabay

ü There are always higher goals set for Humanity to achieve; for example, the scientific progress shown by humans in the fields of Physics, chemistry, medicine, astronomy, geography, and so many others is a direct result of contemplation or, in other words, Fasting. You would agree to it without getting into a childish argument about whether these scientists were Muslims. Einstein and Newton were Muslims of better conduct.

                                                

Image:Pixabay

ü  Coming on a common level, we all have some cause of life in our minds. It may be attaining success in marriage, parenting, sports, arts, leadership, and spirituality. All these causes need training to think and think seriously. Fasting or Sawom can provide that training. Remember, it is real Fasting and not the ritual guided by the Mullah. We shall now discuss how to implement Fasting practically, but before that, let's discuss the Moon or the Lunar cyclic calendar followed by Muslims.

 

THE HIJRI CALENDAR IS BASED ON LUNAR CYCLES.

                                                    

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Moon is one of those manifestations of nature that has been attached to human inspiration since ancient times. There were Moon goddesses and deities. Poets and lovers felt their surge of ideas and feelings influenced by the cycles of the Moon. The face of the beloved nearly always resembles the full Moon, and so on.

 

Scientists have been researching the effects of Lunar cycles on different species, including human beings. They found:

                                    

Image:Pixabay

 

ü Moon, in different stages of its cycle, can cause changes or even improve the quality of metabolism, aggression, and sexual behavior in all kinds of animals, birds, and ocean life.

ü Human cycle of fertility is connected with it, as it affects the menstrual cycle in women and different phases of moods in men.

ü Even crops can give better yields if planted at the right time in the lunar cycle, and animals, including humans, can experience better fertility following the right time for mating.

 

No doubt that the Moon is a servant of humans as God has made the elements of nature sub-subservient to humans, but there are problems:

 

ü Deciding on the first date of a lunar month is a scientist's job. He has a reliable system of calculating the birth of a new moon. It is not a Mullah's job.

ü The date and its specific time rotate in different seasons, and it is not fixed like the sun.

ü It can not work for a reliable and plan an able schedule of human beings to move faster.

ü Even if it is taken for religious and spiritual purposes, it should coincide with solar dates to make it practical. It should be Luni-solar rather than only lunar or only solar. Making a combination of solar and lunar dates can bring more harmony to our lives. The solar calendar is good to follow in societal life and life during the day, and the Lunar calendar is good for our psychological health and life during the night. We can easily plan our work schedules and romantic life if we pay attention to this.

                                           

Image:Pixabay

ü I think the future of Humanity lies in following a Luni-Solar calendar, so why not use the sun and Moon for our benefit? After all, God has made them for our service!

 

Let's see what practical steps we can take to observe a good system of Fasting.

 

WHAT STEPS WILL TURN FASTING INTO A SYSTEM OF TRAINING FOR SPIRITUAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL GROWTH?

 

At the time of the exalted prophet, the months came in the order of seasons, like Rabi-ul-Awwal means the start of spring, and it fell in March and April. Similarly, Jamadi-ul-Awwal and Jamadi-ul-Akhir stand for the hot months of Summer. Ramadan came at the end of the extreme heat of Summer. If we shift ourselves to the Luni-Solar calendar, we can easily work on these points:

                                     

Image:Pixabay

ü The soul of a fast is to keep quiet on some matter and think about it in God's guidance, and what is better than Qur'an to think about? So this month can serve the purpose of making the Qur'an understandable. Muslims go through many readings of the Qur'an this month, but I am sorry to say they are only parroting it. It is an advisable practice to gather more than one translation of the Qur'an this month and read them and think about them and do research as much as possible. At the end of the day, instead of wasting time in the useless ritual of Taraweeh, make it a discussion where people can express, with freedom and courtesy, what they have learned in the day while keeping fast.

ü Since thinking needs to get ourselves free of carnal desires for some time, it is quite practical to abstain from food and other indecencies during the day. The day in the month of the end of extreme heat is not too much to bear. There is no need to disturb the cycle of sleep and food. We can Fast with our usual routine.

ü Here, a point comes to mind about those people who cannot read the translations or do not know Arabic. For them, it is the right time to learn reading and writing, as there is less burden of eating, drinking, and working. I do not want to go into the details of what people usually do. We all know that, and while knowing that, we have to try to change ourselves.

ü These points were about the Qur'an, but we have a busy life other than that. There is no restriction from God on what to think; it's OK as far as it is decent and serious and aimed at a better future for human beings.

 

POSSIBLE OUTCOMES OF THIS TRAINING OF FASTING OR BEING STEADFAST.

 

We shall see how this training will influence our lives. Consider these points:

 

ü Keeping quiet and serious for some time will turn our thoughts into a more organized form, and we shall have a practical approach.

ü We shall think before we speak. (No argument is needed to prove this point, we know it)

ü Teenagers and grown-up people will have more knowledge of Divine guidance and will be in a better position to apply it.

ü We can learn to Fast in various kinds of situations to save ourselves from faulty decision-making.

ü More people will take an interest in the Qur'an, and a positive face of Muslims will emerge.

ü Our lives will manifest Qur'an.

 

CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS OF MUSLIM COUNTRIES

                                   

Children in Afghanistan
Image:Pixabay

                       

    Before we conclude, let's look at the state of affairs in Muslim countries. Take notice of these points:

 

ü Muslims fast with full zeal, but no long-lasting effects are visible. The poor remain poor, and the rich grow their wealth by more profiteering.

ü Although Muslims around the world feel extra generous this month, the problem of poverty is not solved.

ü There is no visible improvement in thought or conduct in Muslims even after following this ritual for almost one and a half millennia.

ü Muslims are as far from understanding and following the Qur'an as they were a thousand years before.

 

               CONCLUSION

 

The above discussion is enough to show that we have taken the concept of Fasting upside down. This practice was introduced to increase the faculties of thinking in human beings. God had never meant us to afflict ourselves with useless hunger and thirst, and neither He wanted to disturb our cycle of sleeping and working and eating. The essence of Fasting is to keep quiet to avoid unneeded argumentation and to think deeply about the matters of life in common and matters of faith in particular. It has nothing to do with sex or food and drink. Charity is always obligatory, so why wait for Ramadan? We can always work on the betterment of our character and conduct. There is no need to specify one month for that. In case we take it, the above-mentioned practical steps can guide us to get more advantage of it. We have discussed the Lunar calendar and its implications in detail. It is the right time for Muslims to show their shift from orthodoxy to progressiveness. They should stop this ridiculous tradition of Moon sighting by the Mullahs and should adopt a sensible approach if they want to move with the world into the 21st century. We have to become serious in our following the Qur'an. If we do not want to leave the ritual, at least we should change it into a practical system of training, the one I have suggested. I wish good luck and a better understanding to everyone.

 

REFERENCES

 

 (2022, April 1). Fasting in Different Religions. IslamOnline. https://islamonline.net/en/fasting-in-different-religions/

 The meaning of Sawom. Dr. Kashif Khan.   https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/quranic-word-%D8%B5%D9%88%D9%85-sawom-dictionaries-dr-kashif-khan/https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/quranic-word-%D8%B5%D9%88%D9%85-sawom-dictionaries-dr-kashif-khan/

  No Fast but Steadfast.Dr.Kashif Khan.NO “FAST” BUT “STEADFAST” TRUE MEANING OF QURANIC VERSES 2:180 TO 2:184 & 2:80, 2:203, 3:24, SPECIAL FEATURE ON “صِّيَام” AND "أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَات" (linkedin.com)

 No Fast but Steadfast.Dr.Kashif Khan.NO “FAST” BUT “STEADFAST” TRUE MEANING OF QURANIC VERSES 2:180 TO 2:184 & 2:80, 2:203, 3:24, SPECIAL FEATURE ON “صِّيَام” AND "أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَات" (linkedin.com)

Akhtar, N. (n.d.). Aurangzaib.Yousufzai_A Purely Quranic Discussion on the Ritual of Fasting-UR.pdf - Free eBooks download Library.https://ebooks.rahnuma.org/1497214645-Aurangzaib.Yousufzai_A%20Purely%20Quranic%20Discussion%20on%20the%20R itual%20of%20Fasting-UR.pdf.html

The Quran NME, God’s Message to Mankind, Paigham Mustafa, pp:108Henry, D. (2018). Voices of Modern Islam: What It Means to Be Muslim Today. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

The Blessings of Lunar calendar.https://islamonline.net/en/the-blessings-of-the-lunar-calendar/https://islamonline.net/en/the-blessings-of-the-lunar-calendar/