By G.M.Shakir (Adv.)

In Islam an important worship is observing the fasts during the month of Ramadan. Though it is on the fourth number still it has great significance and importance due to it ‘s effects of the moral and spiritual side of life. The system of Worship in Islam is such as the number goes of the worship goes up ,the worship involves more courage ,time , energy and money of it’s followers.Tawheed, though base of Islam ,is declaration by tongue and attestation of belief in monotheism and the prophet hood of Prophet Mohammad (SAW ) along with all it’s essentials by the heart. As in this no physical or economical involvement is caused. But soon after the declaration of the faith ,the time of prayers i.e. second worship comes. In this worship there is involvement of time as well as the body. The earning is also stopped for some time. After this comes the third type of worship i.e. Poor due. In this worship a portion of wealth is to be spent compulsorily on the needy and deserving persons. On the fourth number is observance of the fasts. This worship involves time ,sleep as well as body. Not only the involvement of body and sleep, he has to abstain from such things as are allowed during the days other than observing the fasts,i.e. permitted relations with one’s spouse, eating and drinking during the day.

On the fifth number comes Haj.This is more involvement of time, soul,money and what not of the life of a Those sexual relations allowed during the fasts in the night are also prohibited. This shows the gradual involvement of individual in worship. At the same time human nature has certain weaknesses and the Satan attacks him through the gates of these weaknesses. It is due to this attach human being commits acts of indiscipline /deviations during the fasts. The more valuable and rewarding any worship may be the more are chances of attack and indiscipline. This rule also holds good during the observance of the fasts and usually this indiscipline goes to very roots of this worship. At the same time, it is not correct to say that this discipline is tolerated by Islam in the days when fasts are not observed.

Among the blessing showered on human beings is power to express his statements and ideas by means of tongue i.e. articulation, but unbridled speeches are always discouraged by Islam as has been declared that the trait of succeeded believers “ And who shun vain conversation and one of the forms of the vain conversation is back biting technically called “Gheebat”.According to Islam back biting is not only a heinous sin but also a heinous penal offence in certain cases.Moralllly it has been condemned to the highest extent “neither back bite one another, would one of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother, that ye abhor it”. The Ghee bat is a statement about a person, in his absence as may annoy him if told in his presence, even if the statement is true. Similarly the statements against a person which are false are also prohibited and even sometimes punishable. Since it is eating the flesh of brother so much pleasure is drawn by this act especially during the fasts. The Prophet (SAW) has told that the person who keeps the fasts is in fact offering devotion to Allah from morning till evening, unless of course he commits backbiting against somebody, when he indulges himself in back biting his fast is broken. Same is the case all other sins concerning the speech are to be restrained from. These include obscene language, lie etc.The Prophet (SAW) has been reported by Abu Huraira (RA) to have said “Whoever does not give lying speeches (false) statements and acting on those false statements

And evil action, Allah is not in need of his giving up his food and drink. (Does not accept his fasts)”.

It is a blessing of Allah otherwise in some previous Ummah during the fasts there was prohibition on talking also.Quran supports this. After delivering the child Marry was in a fix as to what answer she would give regarding the fatherless child. She was advised to show that she was on the fast and therefore can not talk.Had there been no fast covering the speech definitely people might have asked her as to what kind of the fasts she was observing as it was not known to them. The main difference 21-Apr-09 between human being and angel is hunger. Human beings leave no stone unturned to appease the hunger. It is cause of most of the crimes and sins. Accordingly the fast helps to overcome the hunger. This hunger is subject of discussion and many thinkers have been trying through out their lives to solve the problems. Even some consider it basis of moral and religion. Islam never any person to die due to hunger. However, every effort has been made so that it does not become the aim and object of the life. It is considered a means to keep the body and soul together. Eating and tasting is not and end itself. Food is eaten to live but one does not live to eat. It has been declared by the benefactor of Humanity (SAW), “A non believer eats in seven intestine and believer eats only in one.”. The idea under lying this is that a believer eats lesser than non believer. It has been reported that the Prophet SAW has said, “ food of a person will suffice for the two”. The Quran never mean that one must die due to starvation, but only certain limits are prescribed “be not prodigal Lo Allah does not love the Prodigals”. It has also been provided “ eat and drink but be not prodigal” This rule is to be adhered to the fasts very strictly. Instead many do spent whole of the day thinking and arranging the variety of food and at evening consume so much that not only the deficit caused during the fasts is achieved but some thing more is consumed than in ordinary days.

Hence the purpose of the fasts i.e. to feel the torture of hunger which in turn prompt a person to spend his wealth for needy is gone. At the same time the purpose of the fast to control the animal lust .The Prophet SAW has recommended the fasts for those who could not afford marry to save themselves from satisfying animal lust by Illegal means. When there is no effect on the body by the fasts how can the animal desire be controlled. The whole of the Ramadan or at least the whole day is devotion and worship .Therefore remaining cautious in spending the time is also essential. The time is to be spending in such deeds as may be good and conducive for the purpose of the fasts. The Quran says, “The month of Ramadan is in which was revealed the Quran, The guidance for mankind and a clear proof of guidance and the criterion of (right and wrong), and whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month.” The best acknowledgement of this blessing (Quran) is to read and understand it. Gabriel AS used to read over the whole Quran to Prophet SAW in this m0onth and maximum companions RA of Prophet spent their time in reading the Quran during this month. Instead the time presently is spent in music and other pastimes, which have been prohibited or at least disapproved by the Islam. These deeds not only are against the sprit of the fasts but also come within the ambit of sins. Hence such practice is to avoided, At least in the fasts.

The motive behind the act is very essential for achieving the good result. Whatever we do must be done with the object of seeking the pleasure of Allah. If motive is to get one self called a good worshiper and to be respected by the public he will definitely get that but the aim of achieving some reward from the Almighty can not be fulfilled. Making the show of any deed before the people is technically called the “Riya”.The Quran strictly forbids it and warns of dire consequences “And woe unto worshiper who are heedless of their prayer, who only make show (of worship) to people. Thus show has been condemned. This show may be direct or indirect. In both cases it is very harmful for this worship.

Mirror 31 st oct 2003