|
|
Saum
/ Roza
A Pillar of Islam
Fasting
During the Holy Month of Ramadan
|
Fasting is called Saum in Arabic and
Roza in Urdu. It means to refrain or to keep away from something.
In the Sacred Islamic Law it means to refrain from eating,
drinking and sex from dawn to dusk. Fasting during the whole month
of Ramadan has been made obligatory by Allah the Most High for
every Muslim, Man or Woman, who has reached puberty, and who is
capable of bearing the Fasting. It is one of the five pillars of
Islam. It not only
purifies the body but also purifies the soul of the believers and
keeps them away from all kinds of sins.
The Book of God says:
“O you who believe!
Fasting
is prescribed for you,
As it was
prescribed for those before you,
So that you may
guard (against evil).
For a
certain number of days;
But
whoever among you is sick or on a journey,
Then (he shall
fast) a (like) number of other days
And those
who are not able to do
It may
effect a redemption by feeding a poor man;
So
whoever does good spontaneously
It is
better for him, and that you fast
Is
better for you if you know.
The month
of Ramadan is that
In
which the Qur’an was revealed,
A guidance to mankind and
Clear
proofs of the guidance and the distinction,
Therefore
whoever of you is present in the month,
He shall
fast therein, and whoever is sick or upon a journey,
Then
(he shall fast) a (like) number of other days;
Allah does not desire for you
difficulty,
And
(He desires) that
you should complete the number
And that
you should extol the greatness of Allah
For His having guided you and that you may give
thanks."
(183-185/2 Al-Baqara)
|
The
conditions of a valid Fasting are:
(a). The Intention for Fasting
(b). Refraining from things which break the Fasting
(c). While fasting one should avoid slander, lying and
foul language.
For a seeker of God and God’s pleasure, Saum (Roza) of
Ramadan are a highly rewarding form of worship.
Performing this form of worship gives us training in
patience, purification and perseverance. The rewards in
the life hereafter are far more valuable.
There are a number of sound traditions (Ahadith)
of the Messenger of God (God bless him and give him peace)
which indicate how much God is pleased with his humble
slave when he sincerely observes fasting.
He said that whoever observes fasting faithfully and
whole-heartedly all his previous sins would be forgiven.
|
|
|
|
