Fiqh of Siyaam: Fasting is a pillar of Islaam

1. Fasting is a pillar of Islaam

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islaam. The precise definition of a pillar also known as rukn (in Arabic) is “that without which the thing itself is not there.” An example in daily life would be a house. A house is usually built upon pillars which support its roof, if one of them is not there then the house does not stand alone or in other words does not exist. Similarly without as siyaam (fasting) there is no Islaam or Islaam is not complete. This is derived form the hadeeth of the Prophet (sall Allâhu’ alayhi wa sallam) narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (radi Allâhu’ anhu) who said that Allah‘s Apostle said, “Islam is based on (the following) five (principles): To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah‘s Apostle, To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly, To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity), To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca), To observe fast during the month of Ramadhan.” Therefore every Muslim has to fast and one who denies one of the pillars of Islaam, he has no Islaam, and has chosen a way of life other than Islaam. And as Allah has said in the Holy Quraan:

وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الإِسْلاَمِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِي الآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ

And whoever seeks a religion other than Islaam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.[Surah Aal Imran (3) V. 85]

The practice of fasting during the month of Ramadaan was prescribed upon the Muslims two years after the Hijrah of the Prophet (sall Allâhu’ alayhi wa sallam). The Prophet (sall Allâhu’ alayhi wa sallam) lived for 9 more years after that.

(Chapter 4 & 5 – Insha’Allah comming soon around Eid al Fitr)

IBN AL HYDERABADEE