By G .M. Shakir  (Advocate)

According to Islam certain duties and obligations have been imposed on every Muslim. The maximum duties and obligations are to be discharged collectively, in order to have effect on the society in general. For instances in case of the prayers much stress is to offer those collectively in the places provided for it, i.e. mosque. Much reward has been promised for those who go for the prayers collectively. Similarly the Hajj is to be dome at a particular time and that too collectively. The case of Poor due is not different, it has also been declared very important duty and during the time of the Prophet(SAW) it was collected collectively and the practice was same during the period of Khilafat i Rashida.All the Zakat was collected by the state and given to deserving by the state. During the time of first Khalipha certain tribe denied to pay it and Abu Bakar (RA) attacked it and obtained it forcibly. Same is the case 0f fasting. The fasts of Ramzan, which are obligatory in nature, are to be observed collectively by the Muslim society all over the world. The fasts start at a particular time and end at a particular time, in all areas having situated in the same geographical position. (However there is exception for the fasts which are expiatory in nature or fasts of Ramzan delayed due to ill health or journey).

This collectivism in the worship is a blessing if seen properly. Since the whole of the atmosphere is having effect of Ramzan, every person tries to observe the fasts. Even the sick persons, though having concession ,feel ashamed of their not observing the fasts, A general trend of remaining away from the sins prevails all over the society, Even the habitual offenders feel ashamed of doing some wrong. Instead, there seems a competition of gaining the virtue and doing good deeds like prayers, fasting and giving the alms. (Though this trend does not remain unabated after the Ramzan)Had there been no collective system of fasts and the individuals free to observe at any time they liked, a chaos would prevail and the general atmosphere conducive for observing the fasts will come to an end, None could be snubbed for not observing the fasts, as he will definitely claim that his days of fasts have come to end already or have not started. Consequently the practice of observing the fasts will come to an end except in those who are more devoted.

Since the object of the fasts is to control those sentiment in human nature as lead a person astray and save them from the wrongs and at the same time ,face all those situations and all seasons of the year the Fasts of Ramzan are not stationery i.e. are not according to Solar colander but according to lunar calendar. It comes in scorching heat and freezing cold, in long days of summer and small nights of the winter, so that human beings face the pangs of hunger and thirst in every season. Besides had it been according to Solar Calendar, it would have been not justice as people living in North Pole would have to face the long days always and South Pole people would have to face Ramzan in short days. Thus people near the sun would have to face very difficult time always. Then another object of the fasts is to glorify and thank god for his grant of guidance and criterion to human beings in the form of Quran .Accordingly the fasts of Muslim is not punishment for him. Instead high hopes of Allah’s mercy and reward has been given to him. The fasts have been declared acts of the noble and pious nature. It has been reported that Prophet (SAW) said “Allah said “Every good deed will be rewarded by ten times to seven hundred times, but the fasting is especially for me and I will pay for it my self-Bukhari”‘. The reason for such reward is due to the fact that for fasting one needs firm belief as he has to restrain himself from eating or doing anything against the discipline of fasts when he is not observed or watched by any other human being. It is very difficult to exercise self control when none is watching a person. Similarly the fasting has been declared a shield and safety against the sins. Baihaqi in a long tradition has reported the Prophet (SAW) saying “The beginning part of this month is blessing, in the middle is forgiveness and in the last part is freedom (safety) from hell.”Ahmad has reported the Prophet (SAW) saying “the fasting is shield and fort of the forts from fire” i.e. a strong fort. So once a person observes fasts he has hope of reward from Almighty besides obtaining the Taqwa he glorifies as well as thanks Allah. He makes every effort to save himself from any and every indiscipline during the fasts. This fast is not denying or causing hardship as it is in some religions. For instance” This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: on the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work” Leviticus 16-29.The same days has been declared as day of Atonement and denying one’s self has again been directed 23-26 (same book). This text prohibits every thing during the fasts as denying “involves” every thing and not only food. On the other hand Islam allows every legal work and business during the fasts.

Since in Islam this month of fast is very sacred and a chance for a Muslim to get his sins pardoned by almighty, every Muslim more or less, more, I think feel sad when this month comes to an end. At the same time there are many facilities during the fasts available. Many concessions have been provided which do not make it a burden. For instance, that who are not physically fit and that in journey have been given facility of delaying the fasts till they recover or journey comes to an end. There is provision of expiation for those who are completely unable to observe the fasts (though there is disagreement among the scholars on this issue. It is not keeping the person total hungry but there is provision for eating during the night i.e. before the beginning of the fast Sehri). From the time of break in fasts till the beginning of fasts he is at liberty to eat. It has been declared an act of pious nature if the Sahari is delayed and the Iftar is done in hurry; this all has been done to give maximum concession to the person observing the fasts. This has also been declared by the Quran in Chapter 2 nd “Ramzan is the month in which was sent down the Quran as a guide to mankind ,also clear (sign) for guidance and judgment(between right and wrong) so every one of you who is present (at his home) during this month should spent in fasting ,but if any one is ill or on a journey ,the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you: He does not want to put you in difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify him .In that he has guided you and perchance ye shall be grateful”. It may also be relevant that this concession does not apply only to eating the food but sexual needs of the human being have been kept in view. In the beginning people refrained from the sex also during the night but it was very difficult for them to control their desires. Consequently certain persons had sexual intercourse with their spouses during the night, at the same time they felt ashamed of it .Almighty Allah made the following declaration in the Quran “ It has been made lawful to go in your wives during the night of the fast. They are your garments and you are theirs. Allah knows you betrayed your selves and he mercifully relented and pardoned you. So you may now associate intimately with your wives and benefit from the enjoyment of Allah has made lawful for you chapter 2 nd…….. ( Continued)