When should I fast?

[realitykid]

Assalaamu Aleykum brothers and sisters! I have a quick question regarding fasting. When do we, as Muslims, fast? I already know about Ramadan. But are there times other than that? And please show support from the Qur'an. Or a translation of one.

I appreciate any answers that I get. Thanks.

May God guide us.

[Eikonoklastes]

Peace realitykid,

Check out the two top stickied threads in this topic section. Those along with the traditional times seem to be the leading ideologies around here. Be sure to investigate them thoroughly and ask Allah for guidance.

May peace be with you.

[Wakas]

Use www.studyquran.org

click on topics index on left

click on F and look up "fasting"

it lists every occurrence in Quran


read and study

simple.


If you want extra accuracy, look up any verse with "fast" in it here: corpus.quran.com

click on the "fast" Arabic word, e.g. sawm

it shows every occurrence in Quran

[realitykid]

I appreciate it Wakas, but I need to know what times of the year to fast. That is all.

[Wakas]

I already know about Ramadan. But are there times other than that?

Hence my reply.

[Layth]

Salam Realitykid,

I fast for 10 days during the month of Ramadhan - which happens to always occur in/around December 21/22.

Here is an article on a calendar derived from the Quran: http://free-minds.org/calendars-and-time

And another on th "Night of Decree": http://free-minds.org/night-decree

[farida]

Salaam

To Ayman: A follower of Qur?an only, living in the far north of Sweden would like to know  how he is supposed to fast during the peak of summer. The full moon is visible during the summer months, however the sun never sets there, in that season, so how is he supposed to start and finish his fast and when; after he witnesses the full moon?

To Layth: In winter there is constant night, as the sun never rises so, according to your theory, he would have a very long Leilat ul Qadar, but when does that night start and and how, and when is he supposed to fast according to the Qur?an?

As I understand it, according to traditonal Ramadan practice he can fast when he is able to witness the month of Ramadan when it falls during those years when there is a clear division of day and night, ie in spring and autumn, but cannot fast at all on the two occasions given by Ayman and Layth

May God guide us.

[Layth]

Salam Farida,

"Laylat Al-Qadr" is tied to the month of Ramadhan, and the month of Ramadhan is tied to being "witnessed".

So, if a person is unable to "witness" this month, then he is not required to fast.

To answer the "endless night" question, a person would only know if he/she were to monitor the longest night in the northern hemesphere and allign himself/herself to that time.

[farida]

Salaam Layth

Thank you for your response which adress the questions legalistically, but could you please give a reference from the Quran for your above reply.

[S29]

Peace,

"Laylat Al-Qadr" is tied to the month of Ramadhan, and the month of Ramadhan is tied to being "witnessed".

So, if a person is unable to "witness" this month, then he is not required to fast.

Witness as physical senses/sensors; sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste does not account for when it is cloudy or other obstructions or the blind or those with poor sight. More precise is شهد affirmation as used below; an intent made in the present to fast in the future.

2:185 شهر shr رمضان ramadan الذي the one which أنزل sent down فيه in it القرآن the Qur?an هدى guidance للناس to the mankind وبينات and clear signs من from الهدى the guidance والفرقان and the criterion فمن so who شهد affirms منكم from you الشهر the shr فليصمه so he should fast it ومن and from كان is مريضا illness أو or على on سفر journey فعدة so count من from أيام days أخر other يريد intends الله Allah بكم for you اليسر the ease ولا and not يريد intends بكم for you العسر the hardship ولتكملوا and you complete العدة the count ولتكبروا and to magnify الله Allah على on ما what هداكم He guided you ولعلكم and that you may تشكرون give thanks