Prescription Of The Fasting

LESSON # 186 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

Prescription Of The Fasting

Verse –183  of 286, Section – 23 (Part  - 2)

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that ye may ward off (evil)-

Yaaa-‘ayyu-hallaziina  ‘aamanuu  kutiba  ‘alay-kumus-Siyaamu  kamaa kutiba  ‘alallaziina  min-qablikum  la-‘alla-kum  tatta-quun.

Lesson

‘As-Siyaamu – (act of Fasting, abstain from food and drink for a particular time) like Sawm (Fast) it has also infinitive mood. As per Divine’s law of religion act of Fasting means to abstain from drinking, eating and sexual friendship or enjoyment with effect from the dawn to sunset.

Fasting is prescribed for the Muslims during the month of Rama-zaan. In the Sayings of the Holy Messenger (may glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) it has been emphasized again and again to escape from the sins at the time the fast is kept, that is to say back biting, indecent talks, shamelessness, bad tempering etc.

It has been mentioned in the physiology that the best treatment to remove the physical diseases is Fasting. In addition to it self control and military life grows in the human being. As though, the Fasting is spiritual remedy on one side, and to correct the physical powers and to cure the diseases on the other side. 

  ‘Alallaziina  min-qablikum – (the people before you) the The Fasting has been found in each religion and nation of the world in any shape. It had very special importance in the Divine’s law of the religions of Prophets Abraham, Moses, Jesus and other prophets (peace be upon them). So signifying towards the ancestors the God Almighty commanded that ‘Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you’. Intention is that the person who keeps the Fast should abstain to complete his lawful and physical wishes till a particular time.

La-‘alla-kum  tatta-quun – (so that you may ward off (evil)). The God Almighty has also commanded even about the purpose of Fasting that is to say the Fasting is hence prescribed, so that the filth and dirt of the spirit may be removed, the fear of God and abstinence is grown. As physical health becomes fit due to abstinence from the use of harmful things likewise the spiritual ability of the human being develops due to abstinence from all the injurious to spirit and morality habits. This characteristic is called ‘Fear of God’ and piety. Second purpose of the Fast as mentioned in this Section is gratefulness which will be discussed later in the forthcoming verses.

The Fasting is the best useful recipe for health and spirit, individually as well as collectively. We should perform this duty extremely with honor and punctuality. Apparently there is much labour and difficulty in Fasting but if we see its advantages then we shall feel that these difficulties have no position comparing to its benefits.      

Transliteration in Roman Script & English Translation of Holy Qur’an written by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore and Paraphrase collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated by Muhammad Sharif)