Ṣaum (صوم) - Fasting in Islam
Fasting in Islam, known as Ṣaum (صوم) in Arabic and Rozah (روزه) in Persian, is a significant act of worship highly commended by the Prophet Muḥammad as a means of atonement for sins, spiritual purification, and closeness to God. This entry delves into the multifaceted aspects of fasting as mandated and exemplified by Islamic teachings.
Etymology and Translations
- Arabic: Ṣaum (صوم)
- Persian: Rozah (روزه)
- Turkish: Oruç
Types of Islamic Fasting
1. Ramaḍān Fasting (صوم رمضان)
The most prominent and obligatory fast is the daily fasting throughout the month of Ramaḍān. This fast is explicitly prescribed in the Qurʾān (Sūrah al-Baqarah 2:183-185), reflecting its divine ordinance and necessity for all adult Muslims.
2. ʿĀshūrāʾ (عاشوراء)
Observed on the 10th day of Muḥarram, this voluntary fast carries significant reward. According to Abū Qatādah, the Prophet hoped that fasting on ʿĀshūrāʾ would atone for the sins of the preceding year.
3. Six Days of Shawwāl (صوم ستة من شوال)
Prophet Muḥammad recommended fasting for six days in the month of Shawwāl following Ramaḍān, asserting that such practice would bring the rewards equivalent to fasting throughout the year.
4. Weekly Fasts: Mondays and Thursdays
The Prophet endorsed fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, highlighting that these are the days when the actions of God’s servants are presented to God.
5. Shaʿbān Fasting
A voluntary fast during the month of Shaʿbān, with ʿĀyishah narrating that the Prophet would sometimes fast part, and occasionally the entire month.
6. Al-Ayyāmu Al-Bīż (الأيام البيض)
Refers to the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month. These days are particularly recommended for fasting, inspired by the Prophet’s own practice.
7. Fasting on Alternate Days
This rigorous form of fasting, said to be practiced by David, King of Israel, was also commended by the Prophet.
Significance and Rewards of Fasting
The Prophetic traditions (Hadith) emphasize multiple aspects and benefits of fasting:
- Exponential Rewards: “Every good act that a man does shall receive from ten to seven hundred rewards, but the rewards of fasting are beyond bounds, for fasting is for God alone, and He will give its rewards.”
- Divine Pleasure: “There are two pleasures in fasting, one when the person fasting breaks it, and the other in the next world when he meets his Lord.”
- Protection: “Fasting is a shield.”
- Behavioural Conduct: “When any of you fast, utter no bad words, nor raise your voice in strife. If anyone abuses one who is fasting, let him refrain from replying; let him say that he is keeping a fast.”
Suggested Books for Further Reading
- “Fasting in Islam and the Month of Ramadan” by Ali Ünal
- “Rites of Islam: Temple of the Heart” by Gai Eaton
- “The Book of Fasting (Kitab al-Siyam)” from Imam Nawawi’s “Riyad-us-Saliheen”
- “Purification of the Heart” by Hamza Yusuf
Takeaways and Conclusion
Fasting in Islam is an extensive and profound act of worship encompassing more than mere abstention from food and drink. It embodies notions of self-purification, heightened spiritual awareness, and solidarity with the less fortunate. Rooted in divine instruction and prophetic practice, fasting serves as a powerful ethical and spiritual tool for Muslims to draw nearer to God.
Fasting, or Ṣaum, transcends the periodic and obligatory observances, fostering an enduring ethos of discipline, empathy, and spiritual elevation in the lives of Muslims. The diverse types of fasting and their associated rewards underscore the profundity and pervasive nature of this practice within Islamic tradition.
By delving into the depths of Ṣaum, one discovers not only a religious obligation but also a means to refine the human soul, align with divine will, and cultivate a compassionate and just society.
