Fasting
Siyaam
Al Siyaam = Fasting
(The "A" is pronounced as the a in "Calm")
Fasting is decreed for us on the
month of Ramadaan, the 9th Hijri lunar month according to the Submission's
calendar, it has a TGV of (AlSiyaam = 318) which is the same TGV as the statement
"There is no God except He",
[3:18] GOD bears witness that there is no god except He, and
so do the angels and those who possess knowledge. Truthfully and equitably,
He is the absolute god; there is no god but He, the Almighty, Most Wise.
Fasting details are in verses 2:183-187 in Quran.
Added on 9/25/2007 (Ramadan, 1428 AH)
Correction of the time of Fasting
in Ramadan:
Nowadays Muslims fast from Fajr
(Dawn) till Maghrib (Sunset), this practice has been distorted long ago,
and a generation handed it down to the next till this day that God has revealed
to us the correct method. Fasting should be practiced from Fajr to Isha or
literally from the first appearance of twilight in the sky to its complete
disappearance at night.
The following verse makes it clear:
[2:187] Permitted for you is sexual intercourse
with your wives during the nights of fasting. They are the keepers of your
secrets, and you are the keepers of their secrets. GOD knew that you used
to betray your souls, and He has redeemed you, and has pardoned you. Henceforth,
you may have intercourse with them, seeking what GOD has permitted for you.
You may eat and drink until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable
from the dark thread of night at dawn. Then, you shall fast until night. Sexual intercourse is prohibited if you
decide to retreat to the masjid (during the last ten days of Ramadan). These
are GOD's laws; you shall not transgress them. GOD thus clarifies His revelations
for the people, that they may attain salvation.
The underlined word above was translated
by Rashad Khalifa into (Sunset) while in Arabic the word is "Al Layl = The
night" which is the same word mentioned in verse [11:114] referring to the
night prayer. This is not a mistake on the messenger's part, but at his time
God hadn't had revealed yet the correct practice, so Rashad kept the distorted
one which is fasting till sunset.
So Fasting shall be from the start of dawn till the end of dusk.
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