Who is obligated to fast in Ramadaan? What are the virtues of fasting in that month

﷽

➖➖➖

*QUESTIONS ON FASTING IN RAMADAAN*

➖➖➖

*QUESTION 1️⃣*

➖➖➖

Who is obligated to fast in Ramadaan? What are the virtues of fasting in that month?

Fasting in the month of Ramadaan is obligatory upon every legally responsible adult; males and females. However, it is recommended for a child that has reached the age of seven to fast, if they can do so. The parents must command their children (who have reached the age of seven) to fast as they would the obligatory prayers.

The main proof of this is the statement of Allaah:

*يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ*

*O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may obtain piety and righteousness.*

*أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَٰتٍ ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُۥ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ ۖ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُۥ ۚ وَأَن تَصُومُوا۟ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ*

*[Observing Saum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskin (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.*

*شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَٰتٍ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ*

*The month of Ramadaan in which the Qur'an was revealed, as a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So, whoever from amongst you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadaan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not fast, must be made up from other days.*

(Al Baqarah, 2:183–185)

➖➖➖

*On the virtues*

➖➖➖

Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

*_“Whoever fasts the month of Ramadaan out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) hoping for a reward from Allaah, then all his past sins will be forgiven”_*

(Al Bukhārī, 2014; Muslim, 760)

It has been reported from the Prophet (ﷺ) that Allaah (ﷻ) said:

_*“Every act of the son of Adam is for him except fasting. It is done for My sake, and I will reward for it. He gives up his desires and his food for My sake. Fasting is a shield, and the fasting person has two moments of joy; one when he breaks his fast and another when he meets his Lord. And the smell that comes from the mouth of the fasting person is better to Allaah than the fragrance of musk.”*_

(Agreed upon: Al Bukhārī, 1894, 1904; Muslim, 1151. Reported by Abī Hurayrah, رضي الله عنه)

In conclusion, the narrations regarding the virtues of fasting, in general, are plenty and known and from Allaah is aid and guidance.

#Ramadan #Fasting #IsamicReminder

Share: