The Pillars of Fasting: Quranic Verses, Authentic Hadiths, and Classical Fiqh References
Understanding the Pillars of Fasting
Fasting in Islam is a sacred act of worship that requires adherence to specific pillars to be considered valid. These pillars define what it means to fast and ensure that the act is performed in accordance with Islamic teachings.
1. Intention (Niyyah)
- Explanation: Fasting must begin with a sincere intention in the heart. For obligatory fasts like Ramadan, the intention should be made before dawn (before Imsak). The intention differentiates fasting as an act of worship from merely abstaining from food and drink.
- Hadith Reference: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
"Whoever does not form the intention to fast before dawn, his fast is not valid." (Sunan Abu Dawood: 2098, At-Tirmidhi: 662, An-Nasa’i: 2293)
2. Abstaining from Acts That Invalidate Fasting
- Explanation: From dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib), fasting requires refraining from food, drink, sexual relations, and other actions that nullify the fast, such as intentional vomiting or deliberate breaking of the fast.
- Quranic Reference:
“And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black thread (of night), then complete the fast until sunset.” (Qur’an 2:187)
3. Meeting the Conditions of Accountability (Mukallaf)
- Explanation: To be obligated to fast, a person must:
- Be a Muslim
- Have reached puberty
- Be of sound mind (not mentally incapacitated)
Although this is more of a prerequisite rather than a pillar, fulfilling these conditions ensures that a person is accountable for fasting.
Quranic Verses on Fasting
-
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:183):
"O you who have believed, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those before you, so that you may attain piety." -
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:187):
This verse outlines the fasting hours and the prohibition of eating, drinking, and marital relations during the fasting period.
Authentic Hadiths on Fasting
Apart from the hadith on intention mentioned earlier, the authentic collections of Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim contain numerous hadiths highlighting the virtues of fasting and the importance of refraining from actions that could invalidate it.
Classical Islamic References on Fasting
- Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim: These collections contain several hadiths on fasting, including rulings and virtues.
- Sunan Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhi, and An-Nasa’i: These collections provide additional narrations regarding the conditions and principles of fasting.
- Fiqh Books such as "Risalah fi Ahkamis-Sawm": A traditional Islamic jurisprudence book detailing fasting regulations, particularly in the Shafi’i school of thought.
Conclusion
The essential pillars of fasting are:
- Having a clear intention (Niyyah), which must be made before dawn.
- Abstaining from anything that nullifies fasting from dawn until sunset.
Additionally, a person must be accountable (Mukallaf) to be obligated to fast. These fundamental principles ensure that fasting is performed correctly in accordance with Islamic teachings.
May this guide provide clarity and deepen our understanding of the sacred practice of fasting.
Wallahu a’lam (Allah knows best).
Komentar
Posting Komentar