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Fasting on Behalf of Someone

 

     Question: What does the following Hadith mean?:

 

Narrated by ‘A’ishah (rta): Allah’s Messenger (sws) said: “Whoever died and he ought to have fasted, then his guardians must fast on his behalf.” (Bukhari , Kitab al-Sawm)

 

More specifically: Why should the guardians be responsible?

     Answer: If all the texts of this Hadith and other similar Ahadith are collected and analyzed, it comes to light that here the fasts of Ramadan are not implied. The fasts mentioned here relate to vows. In other words, the Hadith means that if a person had pledged to keep some fasts and was unable to keep them because he died before he could, then one of his heirs should do so. This is much like a debt outstanding in a person’s name, which, we all know, is passed on to the heirs if the actual person dies. Consequently, the Prophet (sws) is reported to have said to the daughter of a deceased who had died and had left avowed fasts:

 

“Had she had an outstanding debt in her name, would you not have paid it.” She said “Yes”. At this the Prophet replied: “It is more befitting to fulfillwhat is outstanding to Allah.” (Muslim, Kitab al-Siyam)

 

 (Shehzad Saleem)

 

 

 

 

Sighting the Moon

 

     Question: Why do we have to sight the moon for starting Ramadan? Why is the lunar calendar followed in Islamic rituals? Is there any advantage in following this calendar? Also, why is it that‘id happens one day after it is celebrated in Makkah?

     Answer: ‘Id al-Fitris observed at a particular day of the Islamic Calendar, which is based on the movements of the moon. According to this calendar, the beginning of each month is marked by the appearance of the moon above the horizon. This appearance can be observed by the naked eye. If accurate mathematical calculations can help in this sighting, physically observation is not required. Consequently, just as clocks have helped man in accurately determining the time of the five prayers and one no longer needs to measure one’s shadow for this, if at some point of time (if not already) scientific advancement is able to determine the exact time of the appearance of the moon, then, on similar grounds, one can benefit from this.

The lunar calendar was followed by the Arabs more out of necessity than choice. In the absence of clocks, the easiest way to measure time was through stars and the moon. The Arabs like their contemporary nations were well versed in finding out time through the passage of the heavenly bodies. Moreover, since the lunar calendar falls on different dates of the solar calendar, the lunar months fall in different weathers each year making the inhabitants of the earth experience ‘id and other religious rituals (like hajj) in different seasons. This of course is a great advantage.

Because ‘id is dependent on moon sighting, which is at different dates in different areas, ‘id day at Makkah and other places is likely to be different.

 

(Shehzad Saleem)

 

 

Fasts Missed during Menstruation

 

     Question: How should we make up for the fasts left due to menstruation? Is it obligatory to observe them later, and when?

     Answer: Fasting is a worship that Allah has made obligatory in order to make us pious. It is a once in a year opportunity and therefore, Allah has made the Ramadan fasts compulsory for men as well as women. Having to leave these fasts due to menstruation should, in no way, be interpreted as a loss of bounties that could have been obtained. Women are required to make up for those fasts after the month of Ramadan. This should make them feel that they are not missing any part of that worship which ought to help them become pious.

One can ask why this rule is not the same for the prayer? The answer is very simple. Allah does not want to make His religion difficult for anyone. It is very easy to understand how difficult it would be to offer about thirty to fifty prayers each month, in addition to the five daily prayers.

You can keep the fasts that are left because of your menstruation whenever it is easy for you, but it is better to keep them as early as possible. At least, you should try your best to do this job before the start of the next Ramadan.

 

(Muhammad Ibrahim)