History and types of
Fast
Imam al-Hasan ibn Ali
ibn Abu Talib, peace be upon them, is quoted on p. 49, Vol. 2 of al-Saduq's
book Man la Yahdarohu al-Faqih saying that a group of Jews once visited
the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and the most learned man among them asked
him about several issues one of which was: "Why did the Almighty enjoin
fast upon your nation during day-time for thirty days after having
required previous nations to fast for a longer period of time?" The
Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: "When Adam ate of the forbidden fruit,
food remained in his stomach for thirty days; therefore, Allah enjoined
Adam's offspring to spend thirty days suffering from hunger and thirst,
and what they eat during this period of time [during the night] is due
only to His own favor upon them just as it was His favor upon Adam. This
is why Allah enjoined my nation to fast." Then the Messenger of Allah (pbuh)
recited this verse: "Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed
for those before you, so that you may guard (yourselves) against evil.
(Fast) for a certain number of days" (Holy Qur'an, 2:182). The Jew,
therefore, said, "You have, O Muhammad, said the truth; so, what is the
reward of one who fasts?" The Prophet (pbuh) answered, "No believer
fasts during the month of Ramadan seeking nearness to Allah without the
Almighty granting him seven merits: 1) anything haram (prohibited) in
his body will be compressed and extracted; 2) he becomes closer to
achieving the mercy of Allah; 3) he will have atoned the sin of his
father Adam (as); 4) his death agony will be reduced; 5) he will receive
an assurance against undergoing the pain of hunger and thirst on the Day
of Resurrection; 6) Allah will grant him a clearance from hell; and 7)
Allah will feed him of the good things in Paradise." The Jew said, "O
Muhammad! You have surely said the truth." This tradition has been
recorded on page 378, Chapter 109, of al-Saduq's book 'Ilal al-Sharai'.
As regarding its types, these vary. They differ according to the
differences among the creeds, sects, nations and their respective
customs. Its objectives, too, vary, although the most significant of
them and the most outstanding is to purify the body and the soul from
material and non-material venoms. Among its types is one referred to by
the Holy Qur'an as silence and abstention from any vain discourse. An
example is the address of the Almighty to Virgin Mary (as) in which He
commanded her, when confronted by others who resented the birth of
Christ (as), to say: "I have surely vowed [to observe] a fast to the
Beneficent God, so I shall not speak to anyone today" (Holy Qur'an,
19:26). Muslims have learned from their Lord, the Praised and the
Exalted One, that fast is one of the atonements for: 1) shaving the head
during the pilgrimage (while one is still wearing the ihram) due to a
valid excuse such as sickness or a head injury, 2) the inability to
offer sacrifice (hadi), 3) killing an ally by mistake, 4) violating an
oath, 5) hunting while still wearing the ihram, 6) in the case of zihar.
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