Ramadan-2

 

There was a tradition of fasting in Mecca or Medina even before the propagation of Islam. But initially fasting was not observed like today.  Despite Prophet of Islam Hazrat Mohammad fasting intermittently, in the initial period it was not mandatory for his companions or followers to observe 30 fasts. In the year 624 AD, in the second year of Hazrat Mohammad's Hijrat i.e. moving from Mecca to Medina (622 AD), fasting in the month of Ramadan was made Farz or mandatory in Islam. Since then, Roza has been observed all over the world without any change.

Despite not being the same as Ramadan, the religious tradition of not eating or drinking for the entire day is also seen among many other ethnic groups.  But fasting is one of the five main religious pillars of Islam. The remaining four are faith in one God, Namaz, Zakat and Hajj respectively.  In the year 622, two years before the year in which fasting was made Farz (obligatory), the Prophet of Islam had moved from Mecca to Medina with his Sahabhis (companions).  In Islam it is called Hijrat. The counting of the years of Muslims started from the date of Hijrat.  Islamic experts say that fasting in the month of Ramadan during the second year of Hijri was made farz or mandatory by the Quran, the religious scripture of Muslims.

Dr. Shamsul Alam, a teacher at the Department of Islamic Education at Scholar University, told BBC Bangla, "The verse of the Quran through which fasting has been made mandatory, says that earlier fasting was also mandatory for the caste group. From this it can be understood that fasting was already prevalent among different castes, although perhaps its form was different. At that time, people living in Mecca or Medina used to fast on some special dates. Many people used to keep fast on Ashura i.e. the tenth day of Moharram month. Apart from this, some people used to keep fast on 13th, 14th and 15th of the lunar month."

The Prophet also used to fast for three days in the lunar year during his stay in Mecca. This happens 36 days in a year. This means that there was already a tradition of fasting there.

Referring to Islamic history, he said that during the time of Adam, fasting was observed every three days in a month and during the time of Prophet, fasting was observed at an interval of one day each. Prophet Musa had initially fasted for 30 days on the hill of Tura. Later, adding ten more days, he fasted for 40 consecutive days.

After migrating from Mecca to Medina in the year 622, Hazrat Mohammad saw the people of Medina fasting on the day of Ashura (tenth of the month of Moharram). After that he also started fasting in the same way.

Dr. Mohammad Abu Saleha, Deputy Director of the Islamic Foundation, told BBC, "It was not obligatory on the earlier prophets to fast for 30 days. On some prophets, it was obligatory to fast on Ashura, while on others it was obligatory to fast on the 13th, 14th and 15th of the lunar month."

After migrating to Medina, when he saw that the people of Medina keep fast on the date of Ashura, he asked why do you people keep fast.  Their answer was that on this day Allah freed Musa ali from the clutches. That is the reason we started to keep fasting.

Hazrat Mohammad said, "I am more deserving than you people in being there for Musa." Then he also kept fast and asked his companions to keep it too. He also said that if I survive next year, I will fast for two days.

Experts in the religion of Islam say that during the time of Prophet Adam, fasting was observed for three days of the lunar month.

Ashura fast was observed during the time of Prophet Musa. There was a trend in Arab countries to keep fast on these two dates. But fasting for 30 days was made mandatory only during the time of Prophet of Islam Mohammad.

Why Is Fasting in Ramadan So Strict?

Fasting in Ramadan is a deeply spiritual practice that requires discipline, self-restraint, and devotion. While it may seem strict, it is designed to help Muslims develop patience, gratitude, and closeness to Allah.

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Ramadan Fasting is So Strict? why ?

1️⃣ Obedience to Allah’s Command

• Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, making it a religious duty.
• The Quran states:
  “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may attain Taqwa (piety).” (Quran 2:183)

2️⃣ Testing Patience & Self-Control

• No food, drink, or other physical needs from dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib).
• Helps control desires, negative habits, and distractions.

3️⃣ A Lesson in Gratitude

• By experiencing hunger and thirst, Muslims learn to appreciate food and the blessings they have.
• Encourages generosity and charity towards the less fortunate.

4️⃣ Spiritual Purification

• Fasting is not just about avoiding food but also bad behavior, including lying, arguing, or gossiping.
• Focuses on prayer, Quran reading, and self-improvement.

5️⃣ Equalizing the Rich & Poor

• Regardless of wealth or status, every fasting Muslim goes through the same experience.
• Strengthens compassion and empathy for those who struggle daily with hunger.

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📜 Exceptions – Who is Exempt from Fasting?

Islam does not impose fasting on those who cannot handle it due to valid reasons:

✅ Children – Not required to fast.

✅ Elderly & Sick – If fasting harms health, they are exempt.

✅ Pregnant & Nursing Women – If fasting may affect health, they can postpone.

✅ Travelers – Can delay fasting and make up for it later.

✅ Menstruating Women – Do not fast but make up for it later.

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💡 How Do Muslims Cope with Strict Fasting?

✔ Eating a nutritious Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) to stay energized.

✔ Avoiding excessive physical exertion during fasting hours.

✔ Breaking fast with dates and water, which provides instant energy.

✔ Focusing on the spiritual benefits rather than the difficulty.

Even though it is strict, fasting is seen as a blessing and an opportunity for growth. The challenge itself makes the rewards of Ramadan even more meaningful! 🌟😊

Would you like tips on making fasting easier?

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Deputy Director of Islamic Foundation, Dr. Mohd. Abu Saleh Patwari says, "In the primary situation, fasting was gradually made bearable. If someone found himself unable to keep the fast despite fasting, then he could donate a fixed amount of charity in exchange of fasting per day as per his wish."

''This went on for a few days. But after that it was made mandatory for everyone that everyone will have to fast in the month of Ramzan."

Dr. Patwari says, "After this, Allah again instructed that eating, drinking and other work would have to be done only between the Azaan of Isha (night prayers) from the evening onwards. After the Azaan of Isha was over, no one could eat or drink till the evening of the next day."

But this was also hurting many of Mohammad's companions. Isha's Azaan would end before she finished eating.

After two such incidents, Allah understood their plight and instructed that henceforth fasting would be observed between dawn and sunset. This tradition further became final

Historians say that all these changes took place in the month of Ramadan in which fasting was made mandatory in the second Hijri. At that time, basically dates, water, meat and milk could be consumed before and after starting the fast.

Dr. Shamsul Alam says, "Arab people used to eat the same food during Sehri and Iftar. These included dates and Zamzam water. Sometimes they used to drink the milk of camel or dumba and also eat meat."