SAWM - The Great Tool of ALLAH

[herbman]

Hi all,

Here is my contribution regarding the topic of SAWM.

1-Introduction
2-Definition
3-List of occurrences
4-Verses analysis and Context
5-Conclusion

1-Introduction

To make the topic short I did not copy all the verses mentioned, but I invite you to read them all.
To have an explanation of 2:187 please read http://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9607602.0


2-Definition

2.1 Lane Lexicon
**********************************************
He abstained, (Mb, TA,) in
an absolute sense: (Mqb:) this is the primary
signification: (TA:) [or] this is said to be the
signification in the proper language of the Arab:

(Mb and in the language of the law, (MNb,
TA,) he observed a particular kind of abstinence;
(Msb;) i. e. (TA) he abstained from food (S,
M, , TA) and drink (M, , TA) and Coit wu:
(M, ] and (8,* M, &c.) by a tropical applica.
tion, (TA,) ?from speech: (g,* M, Mgh, Mqb,-
1g, TA:)

or.,-" in the proper language of the
Arabs signifies a man's abstaining f rom eating:
and by a secondary application, a particular
serving of God [by fasting];

 (Mgh;) [i.e.] the
abstaining from eating and drising and coitus
from daybreak to sunset: (KT:)

accord. to Kh,
it signifies [properly] the standing without work.
Etc etc

**************************************************

3. List of occurrences

2:184, 2:187, 2:196, 3:41, 4:92, 5:89, 19:10, 19:26, 33:35, 58:4

4. Verses analysis and Context

-2:184 to 2:188
*Shows the aim of syam is to become righteous (and definition of righteous= mutaqin is in 2:177)
*Shows a compensation for not doing sawm is to feed poors (strange cause in sunism you should not eat and drink but you have to feed poor people)
*Shows in 2:188 "to not eat" properties among yourselves wrongfully

- 4:92
*Shows if you kill someone, pay blood money, or free a captive, if you cannot you have to SAWM 2 consecutive "full moon"

- 5:87 to 5:89
*Shows again if you commit a fault you have either to feed 10 needy people, or free a slave or if you cannot make a SAWM during 3 days

- 19:26
*Shows about the SAWM of Mary not talking to people

- 58:3 to 58:4
*Show the same as above if you commit a fault you have to free a captive or do a SAWM of 2 consecutive full moon.

5-Conclusion

what we know
- Sawm helps to get righteous (2:183) and definition of righteous is in 2:177 (mutaqeen)
- Sawm is a compensation when not possible to free a captive or to feed a poor (4:92, 5:89, 58:4)
- At the opposite when you can not SAWM then you can compensate with feeding poor people ( feeding is the opposite of fasting)

So all in all SAWM is clearly a means of compensation when you can not afford to pay financially for a fault.

I have my conclusion and this is clearly stated in 2:177.

So what is your mean when you can not financially afford to pay for a fault?

Peace

[herbman]

Salam,

by the way for those you like to find the confirmation in the Bible, you can find it in the Book of Isaiah 58:3-7

   3    ?Why have we fasted, and you see it not?
Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it??
Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,1
and oppress all your workers.
   4    Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to hit with a wicked fist.
Fasting like yours this day
will not make your voice to be heard on high.
   5    Is such the fast that I choose,
a day for a person to humble himself?
Is it to bow down his head like a reed,
and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
Will you call this a fast,
and a day acceptable to the Lord?
   6    ?Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
   7    Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

Peace

[Timotheus]

Salam,

by the way for those you like to find the confirmation in the Bible, you can find it in the Book of Isaiah 58:3-7

   3    ?Why have we fasted, and you see it not?
Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it??
Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,1
and oppress all your workers.
   4    Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to hit with a wicked fist.
Fasting like yours this day
will not make your voice to be heard on high.
   5    Is such the fast that I choose,
a day for a person to humble himself?
Is it to bow down his head like a reed,
and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
Will you call this a fast,
and a day acceptable to the Lord?
   6    ?Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
   7    Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

Peace

Peace, this is very much appreciated by me.
Praise be to god, the lord of the universe, and may he guide us all to the straight path.

[herbman]

Just a reminder,

Instead of looking when is Ramadan, people should first understand what is SAWM!!!
We did the same mistake with SALAT, before looking HOW MANY SALAT, the one should first understand WHAT is the SALAT.


Peace

[imrankhawaja]

Just a reminder,

Instead of looking when is Ramadan, people should first understand what is SAWM!!!
We did the same mistake with SALAT, before looking HOW MANY SALAT, the one should first understand WHAT is the SALAT.


Peace

exactly i agree..
peace

[noshirk]

Salam,

by the way for those you like to find the confirmation in the Bible, you can find it in the Book of Isaiah 58:3-7

   3    ?Why have we fasted, and you see it not?
Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it??
Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,1
and oppress all your workers.
   4    Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to hit with a wicked fist.
Fasting like yours this day
will not make your voice to be heard on high.
   5    Is such the fast that I choose,
a day for a person to humble himself?
Is it to bow down his head like a reed,
and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
Will you call this a fast,
and a day acceptable to the Lord?
   6    ?Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
   7    Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

Peace

Salaam Bro

just to notice that the book called bible is a collection of books and that is absolutely not sure that all correspond to true prophets. Moreover, many of these books were probably written by other(s) that the "prophet" to who they were attributed.


Peace

[The Sardar]

Salaam Bro

just to notice that the book called bible is a collection of books and that is absolutely not sure that all correspond to true prophets. Moreover, many of these books were probably written by other(s) that the "prophet" to who they were attributed.


Peace

Salam human brother NoShirk if i remember correctly nowhere in the Bible does it call it self The Bible. (Unless im am mistaken)

[A Submitter]

Bible is a collection of all books that Jews and Christians consider holy.

Bible would be like including Quran and hadithbooks in one collection and calling it something.

From what I understand,Bible includes the Gospel and many fabrications (quite equivalent to hadiths). I think they also include the Psalms.
Im yet to find the Gospel though. Each time I search, I get something else.

Anyway, the whole thing is a big mess. Some texts are shared between Jews and Christians, and some arent. There are hundreds of terms such as old testament, new testament, tanakh. Then this tanakh is just another collection which includes the Torah.

Confusing

[HP_TECH]

Salam

Did you deliberately leave out 2:185 Herbman?

That's like the most important part regarding fasting in Ramadan.
It clearly shows that we should fast in Ramadan not as expiation but as a means to magnify Allah to what He has guided us to, meaning the Quran which as 2:185 explains was revealed in the month of Ramadan.

Sure fasting has other purposes in other situation or circumstances but it is undeniable that is a right which must be observed as indicated during Ramadan as a means of being grateful to your Lord for guiding you. It is a commemoration of the revelation of His Quran.

In that respect your contribution was severely lacking

That is my contribution to your contribution

Peace

[herbman]

Salam

Did you deliberately leave out 2:185 Herbman?

That's like the most important part regarding fasting in Ramadan.
It clearly shows that we should fast in Ramadan not as expiation but as a means to magnify Allah to what He has guided us to, meaning the Quran which as 2:185 explains was revealed in the month of Ramadan.

Sure fasting has other purposes in other situation or circumstances but it is undeniable that is a right which must be observed as indicated during Ramadan as a means of being grateful to your Lord for guiding you. It is a commemoration of the revelation of His Quran.

In that respect your contribution was severely lacking

That is my contribution to your contribution

Peace

Dear HP_Tech,

Sorry for the late reply,

2:185 is the verse we use to define when is the SAWM.

My concern in this topic is what is the SAWM, and conclude that the "when" will be answered when we understand and know the "what".

To help the reader understand my view I will clarify:

Why do we have to SAWM?
2:187
It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset. And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques. These are the limits [set by] Allah , so do not approach them. Thus does Allah make clear His ordinances to the people that they may become righteous.


What is righteousness?

2:177
Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in]
one who believes in Allah ,
the Last Day,
the angels,
the Book,
and the prophets
and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help],
and for freeing slaves;
[and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah;
[those who] fulfill their promise when they promise;
and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle.
Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

This is clear confirmation of what is written in Book of Isaiah 58:3-7.
2:177 clarify as well that personal meditation e.g. turning toward east and west is not what is righteousness thus will not help for SAWM.


In conclusion:

SAWM as per the Quran would mean "volunteering", help community, do good actions etc...
Volunteering is also a "financial alternative" when someone have no money to give!

The basic basic idea as I understand it is if you cannot give money, give your time.
And apply (act) what you have learned during your "learning process" (salat) and self development.

Peace.