The command to Fast with its Postulates

Author: Mohammad Medani Bahagianda*

Suaranaknegerinews.com – Ramadan fasting is one of the pillars of Islam that is an obligation for every eligible Muslim. This command to fast is contained in the Qur’an and the hadith of the Prophet SAW which is a guideline for Muslims.

In addition, there are several important events behind the descent of the fasting commandment, which shows how important this worship is in shaping the piety and piety of a Muslim.

1. Evidence of the Fasting Command in the Qur’an

The command to fast is clearly mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:183-185). These verses are the main basis of the obligation to fast for Muslims in the month of Ramadan:

Al-Baqarah (2:183):

يٰٓـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا كُتِبَ عَلَيۡکُمُ الصِّيَامُ کَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِيۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِکُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُوۡنَۙ

“O you who believe! It is obligatory for you to fast as it is obligatory for those before you to be pious,.”

This verse shows that the command to fast was not only intended for the people of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), but also became an obligation for previous people, such as the Banu Israel. The main lesson of fasting is to train oneself towards piety, which is full awareness of Allah in every action.

Al-Baqarah (2:184):

اَيَّامًا مَّعۡدُوۡدٰتٍؕ فَمَنۡ كَانَ مِنۡكُمۡ مَّرِيۡضًا اَوۡ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنۡ اَيَّامٍ اُخَرَ‌ؕ وَعَلَى الَّذِيۡنَ يُطِيۡقُوۡنَهٗ فِدۡيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسۡكِيۡنٍؕ فَمَنۡ تَطَوَّعَ خَيۡرًا فَهُوَ خَيۡرٌ لَّهٗ ؕ وَاَنۡ تَصُوۡمُوۡا خَيۡرٌ لَّـکُمۡ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ

“(Namely) a few specific days. So whoever among you is sick or on the way, then he is obliged to replace it, as many days as he left on the other days. And for those who are hard to carry it out (if they do not fast) it is obligatory to pay fidyah, that is, to feed the poor. But whoever willingly does good, it is better for him. And your fast is better for you if you know.”

This verse provides relief for people who are sick or on the way. They may not fast, but are obliged to change on another day. In addition, there is also the option of paying fidyah for people who are really unable to carry out fasting, for example due to old age or chronic illness.

Al-Baqarah (2:185):

شَهۡرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِىۡٓ اُنۡزِلَ فِيۡهِ الۡقُرۡاٰنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَ بَيِّنٰتٍ مِّنَ الۡهُدٰى وَالۡفُرۡقَانِۚ فَمَنۡ شَهِدَ مِنۡكُمُ الشَّهۡرَ فَلۡيَـصُمۡهُ ؕ وَمَنۡ کَانَ مَرِيۡضًا اَوۡ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنۡ اَيَّامٍ اُخَرَؕ يُرِيۡدُ اللّٰهُ بِکُمُ الۡيُسۡرَ وَلَا يُرِيۡدُ بِکُمُ الۡعُسۡرَ وَلِتُکۡمِلُوا الۡعِدَّةَ وَلِتُکَبِّرُوا اللّٰهَ عَلٰى مَا هَدٰٮكُمۡ وَلَعَلَّکُمۡ تَشۡكُرُوۡنَ

“The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an is revealed, as a guide for people and explanations of those instructions and the distinction (between the true and the false). Therefore, whoever among you is present in that month, let him fast in that month, and whoever is sick or on the way, then he shall fast as many days as he left on the other days. God wills ease for you, and does not want difficulty for you. And be sufficient in number, and glorify Allah for the instructions he has given you, that you may be grateful.”

This verse explains the special month of Ramadan as the month of the Qur’an, and emphasizes the obligation to fast for those who are able to carry it out. Allah SWT also emphasizes the ease of carrying out this worship, providing dispensation for those who have special conditions.

2. Hadith about the command to fast

In addition to the evidence from the Qur’an, there are many hadiths that strengthen the command to fast. One of the famous hadiths that is often used as a reference related to the obligation to fast is:

A hadith from Abdullah bin Umar RA, the Prophet SAW said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): Shahada that there is no God other than Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, establishing prayers, paying zakat, performing hajj, and fasting in the month of Ramadan.” (HR. Saheeh al-Bukhari and HR. Saheeh Muslim)

This hadith was delivered by the Prophet Muhammad SAW to explain to his people about the five main pillars in Islam that must be carried out by every Muslim. The five pillars include:

Shahadat: A testimony that there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.

Prayer: Establishing the five-time prayer.

Zakat: Paying zakat.

Hajj: Performing the hajj for those who can afford it.

Fasting: Fasting in the month of Ramadan.

This hadith is considered very important because it summarizes the main points of Islamic teachings and the obligations of a Muslim in practicing his religion.

4. The Event of the Descent of the Fasting Command

The command to fast came down in the 2nd year of Hijri in Medina. At that time, Muslims had formed a community under the leadership of the Prophet SAW, and the command to fast came as a form of testing their faith and patience. The event of the descent of this fasting command coincided with the zakat command, both of which aimed to purify the soul and property.

In the early days of Islam, Muslims fasted in a slightly different method. At that time, they were allowed to eat and drink until the Isha prayer. However, after sleeping at night, they are no longer allowed to eat or drink until the next day.

This method was then updated by Allah with a simpler command as written in

Al-Baqarah (2:187),

اُحِلَّ لَـکُمۡ لَيۡلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ اِلٰى نِسَآٮِٕكُمۡ‌ؕ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّـكُمۡ وَاَنۡـتُمۡ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّ ؕ عَلِمَ اللّٰهُ اَنَّکُمۡ كُنۡتُمۡ تَخۡتَانُوۡنَ اَنۡفُسَکُمۡ فَتَابَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَعَفَا عَنۡكُمۡۚ فَالۡـــٰٔنَ بَاشِرُوۡهُنَّ وَابۡتَغُوۡا مَا کَتَبَ اللّٰهُ لَـكُمۡ وَكُلُوۡا وَاشۡرَبُوۡا حَتّٰى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَـكُمُ الۡخَـيۡطُ الۡاَبۡيَضُ مِنَ الۡخَـيۡطِ الۡاَسۡوَدِ مِنَ الۡفَجۡرِ‌ؕ ثُمَّ اَتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ اِلَى الَّيۡلِ‌ۚ وَلَا تُبَاشِرُوۡهُنَّ وَاَنۡـتُمۡ عٰكِفُوۡنَ فِى الۡمَسٰجِدِؕ تِلۡكَ حُدُوۡدُ اللّٰهِ فَلَا تَقۡرَبُوۡهَا ؕ كَذٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللّٰهُ اٰيٰتِهٖ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَّقُوۡنَ

“It is permissible for you on the night of the fasting month mixed with your wives; They are clothes for you, and you are clothes for them. Allah knows that you cannot restrain your lust, so He forgives you and forgives you. So now intervene with them and seek what Allah has ordained for you. Eat and drink until it is light to you the white thread of the black thread, which is the dawn. Then complete the fast until the evening, but do not interfere with them, while you are doing itikaf in the mosque. That is Allah’s prohibition, so do not approach it. Thus Allah explains His verses to people, so that they may be righteous.”

This verse makes it easier for Muslims to carry out fasting, so it is lighter and easier to do.

4. The Wisdom Behind the Fasting Command

Ramadan fasting has profound wisdom in the life of a Muslim. Apart from being a form of obedience to Allah’s commands, fasting trains self-control, patience, and increases spiritual awareness. By refraining from eating, drinking, and anything that breaks the fast, Muslims are reminded to always guard themselves from sinful acts. This is in accordance with the main purpose of fasting mentioned in QS. Al-Baqarah (2:183): “so that you may be righteous.”

Piety is the peak of faith and obedience of a Muslim, which is the goal of all worship, including fasting. Fasting can bring a person closer to God, feel spiritual pleasure, and ask for forgiveness for his sins.

Conclusion

Ramadan fasting is a worship that is obligatory by Allah to Muslims through the postulates in the Qur’an and hadith.

This command came down in the 2nd year of Hijri in Medina and brought great wisdom in forming awareness of piety and self-purity. Fasting is not just about suppressing hunger and thirst, but also a spiritual exercise to strengthen the faith and morals of a Muslim. (Arsiya Oganara)

*Author Profile:

Mohammad Medani Bahagianda (MMB) was born in Teluk Betung, April 9 1964. He completed his undergraduate studies in Civil Engineering at Medan Area University in Medan City, North Sumatra.Currently, Medani is with his beloved wife, Nurhikmah, who always accompanies him in his joys and sorrows. As well as his beloved Dhyna Annisa Maghfira Bahagianda. ST, Mohammad Syafiq Halim Bahagianda S.H, and Ghina Salsabila Qotrunada Bahagianda, S.Sos., like reading and writing. For correspondence, please contact e-mail: saibatinsukamarga@gmail.com.