Fasting ('Sawm') during the month of Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam and Muslims from all corners of the planet are required to fast as it is mentioned in the verses 183-185 of Surah Al-Baqarah: 183. "O' you who have Faith! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard yourselves (against evil)."

184.    "(Fast for) a certain number of days. But whoever among you is sick or on a journey, then (he shall fast) the same number of other days, and for those who are hardly able to do it, (there is) a redemption by feeding an indigent. But whoever volunteers to do good, it is better for him; and it is better for you that you fast, if you did (only) know."

185.    "The month of Ramadan that wherein the Holy Quran was sent down to be a guidance for mankind, and as clear signs of guidance and a criterion (between right and wrong). Therefore, whoever of you is present (at his home) during the month, he shall fast therein and whoever is sick or on a journey, he shall then (fast) the same number of other days; Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire hardship for you; so you should complete the number (of days decreed), and exalt Allah for His having guided you, and that haply you might be grateful (to Him)."

It appears clearly from these verses that fasting is a compulsory act of worship; it lasts only one month (29 or 30 days), the ninth month of the lunar year. This holy month is called Ramadan; it is the month when the Holy Quran was sent down to mankind as a reference and guidance for life. Ramadan's beginning and end are based on the visual sightings of the crescent as it was narrated by Abu Hurairah who said that "the Messenger of Allah said, 'Fast when you see it and stop fasting when you see it, and if it is obscured from you (too cloudy), then count it as thirty (days)."'

Fasting is obligatory for Muslim adults except those who are sick (physically or mentally unable) or travelling; they can make up the fast later or, if they are chronically ill, they can feed a fasting person for each day they miss. Fasting is from dawn to sunset; it is about 16 hours this year in Kuwait. During these hours Muslims must not eat, drink, smoke or engage in any physical intimacy. They have also to avoid sinful behavior that may reduce the reward of fasting, such as fighting, telling lies, insulting, backbiting, and so on.

Fasting is an opportunity for soul purification: in Ramadan, Muslims make great efforts to be closer to Allah by increasing worship, reciting the Holy Quran, giving charity to the poor, performing additional evening prayers, and all sorts of good deeds.  It allows Muslims to also share the needs and sufferings of deprived families and to appreciate the gifts that Allah offers them.  Spiritual rewards for fasting are magnified, according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim, who reported that Allah the Most High said, "Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, since he leaves off his desires and his food for Me."

The Holy month of Ramadan is closed by the festival of Eid ul-Fitr as a reward for Muslims who spent it in worshipping, fasting, praying and obeying Allah.

Courtesy of the TIES Center: The TIES Center is a social and educational hub for expats in Kuwait whose motto is: Tolerance, Information, Empowerment, Solidarity.  For more information, please call 252301015/6 or log onto: www.tiescenter.net

Thekra Azouzi