MUSLIM VILLA - QURAN ONLY

Category 5 => Commentary / Tafsir of specific Quranic Verses or Quran topics with detailed discussions => Topic started by: Zainab_M on February 27, 2010, 05:58:36 am



Title: The Noble Quran on Fasting
Post by: Zainab_M on February 27, 2010, 05:58:36 am
 BismEm


(https://i.imgur.com/ZuJGOsR.jpg)


A very surprising question that was put to me by a gentleman (or should I say, an 'ulema' in his own way) who had studied Islamic Studies in an university at Malaysia. His query was, "How do we fast and when to break our fast? please give an evidence from the Koran."  You must have guessed his purpose.  He was trying to challenge me that all information on how to fast comes from Hadith because according to him, the Quran says virtually nothing about how to observe fast and its timings.  Please don't ask me what he learned while he was a student of Islamic Studies, because that question is still buzzing in my mind.  I'm at a loss to figure out how a certificate holder in Islamic Studies never knew that the Noble Quran gives every necessary information required for us to fast in a very straight-forward and simple manner, without making it complicated at all.  But I suppose the present syllabus of Islamic Studies is all about making matters complicated with irrelevant details.  Therefore, nothing in their curriculum is from the Quran.  And that's why this person was totally blank regarding Quranic information on fasting.

Here's what the Noble Quran states regarding fasting - complete, simple and upto the point.



Verse 2:187

وكلوا واشربوا حتي يتبين لكم الخيط الابيض من الخيط الاسود من الفجر ثم اتموا الصيام الي الليل

"Eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black. Then fast to the night."

The above verse is so easy and clear to understand that it doesn't even require an explanation. 
 
Allah Almighty mentions that fasting begins from dawn (when the earliest light of dawn starts getting visible) and we are to end our fast after maghrib (sunset), when darkness has fully taken place. 
 
The time to end the fast is "leil." The term 'leil' is specifically used for 'night.' In fact, 'leil' means the 'darkness of the night.'  It doesn't means 'sunset.'  The term used in the Quran for sunset is 'dulook al-shams.' 
 
Therefore, in the month of Ramadan, we begin our fast each day when the white thread of dawn starts appearing until night has fallen, that is, we break (or end) our fast approximately 20 to 25 minutes after the Maghrib prayer, when it's dark by definition. 
 
Whatever changes people have made to this system based on either Hadith or fatwas, that's their responsibility.  What the Noble Quran says is VERY CLEAR and it's this Divine instruction  that's mandatory.


Also please read:

Reasons why the Noble Quran doesn't mention our present method of Salaah
http://muslimvilla.smfforfree.com/index.php?topic=2302.msg6405#msg6405

Noble Quran on Zakah
http://muslimvilla.smfforfree.com/index.php?topic=2309.0

What does the Quran say about Hajj?
http://muslimvilla.smfforfree.com/index.php?topic=2418.0
 


Title: Re: The Noble Quran on Fasting
Post by: N. Truth Seeker on May 28, 2018, 03:08:38 am


Quoting Verse 2:184
'Ayyāmāan Ma`dūdātin ۚ Faman' Kāna Minkum Marīđāan   Aw `Alá Safarin Fa`iddatun Min 'Ayyāmin 'Ukhara ۚ Wa `Alá  Alladhīna  Yuţīqūnahu Fidyatun Ţa`āmu Miskīnin ۖ Faman Taţawwa`a KhayrāanFahuwa Khayrun Lahu ۚ Wa 'An TaşūmūKhayrun Lakum ۖ 'In Kuntum Ta`lamūna   

Translation:
(Fast) a certain number of days; and (for) him who is sick among you, or on a journey, (the same) number of other days; and for those who can afford it there is a ransom: the feeding of a man in need - but whoso doeth good of his own accord, it is better for him: and that ye fast is better for you if ye did but know -


As we know the word "Fidyah" is referred in the Noble Quran Verse 2:184 which means 'ransom.'  It alludes to charity in the form of food to a needy person as a penalty if you miss your fast because of an illness or travelling.  But within our clerical circles the word "kaffarah" is used more often as charity for missed fasts.  Is there a difference between Fidyah and kaffarah?



Title: Re: The Noble Quran on Fasting
Post by: Ruhi_Rose on May 28, 2018, 04:04:01 am


No, not really.  Both terms carry much the same meaning in the practical sense as we use them in connection with charity.   The word "fidyah" as you mentioned is contained in Verse 2:184.   Following is the word by word reading.

Ayyāmāan Ma`dūdātin  = (Fasting for) days numbered. 

Faman' Kāna Minkum Marīđāan  = So whosoever among you is sick

Aw `Alá Safarin  = or on a journey

Fa`iddatun Min 'Ayyāmin  'Ukhara = then a prescribed number of days other.

Wa `Alá  Alladhīna  Yuţīqūnahu Fidyatun Ţa`āmu Miskīnin  = and on those who can afford it, a ransom (of) feeding a poor.

The literal meaning of the Arabic term Kaffarah ( كَفّارَة   ) is erasing or wiping off.   It refers to atonement or penitence as a manifestation of repentance for one's transgression or mistake.   This word occurs in Verse 8:29, Surah Al-Anfal.   Following is the word by word reading.

yāayyuhā =  O you

alladhīna = who

āmanū   =  believe

en = if

tattaqū  = you fear

l-laha  = Allah,

yajʿal  = He will grant

lakum = you

fur'qānan =  criterion

wayukaffir  = and will remove

ankum =  from you

sayyiātikum =  your evil deeds

wayaghfir  =  and forgive

lakum =  you.


In the Quran,  "Fidyatun" or "ransom" refers to charity in the form of food given to the poor during Ramadan by someone who is not fasting.   But nowadays fidyah is commonly referred to charity either as food or money given for the same purpose.   I've heard many people refer to this as "kaffarah" as well, which is also charity in the form of money or food given to the needy in Ramadan by those not fasting.   But some jurists have unnecessarily brought in a difference between fidyah and kaffarah.  They view fidyah as charity by a person unable to fast because of old age or chronic/terminal illness from which the person will likely never recover;  they view kaffarah as charity given by a healthy person who missed a fast or fasts for some reason.  However, the Quran does not elucidate on such lines.  The Quran says in V. 2:184 that if someone is travelling or is sick (that is, sick for a while and then recovers) must make up for missed fasts later on.  If they can afford, they can feed a poor person for their missed fasts.   The fact that chronic or terminally people cannot fast is accepted, and if they can afford to pay fidyah, then that would be good for their souls.






Title: Re: The Noble Quran on Fasting
Post by: N. Truth Seeker on May 29, 2018, 02:17:44 am



However, the Quran does not elucidate on such lines.  The Quran says in V. 2:184 that if someone is travelling or is sick (that is, sick for a while and then recovers) must make up for missed fasts later on.  If they can afford, they can feed a poor person for their missed fasts.   The fact that chronic or terminally people cannot fast is accepted, and if they can afford to pay fidyah, then that would be good for their souls.

Many thanks Sister.  That was very articulately explained.  So, when the Quran says in V.2:184 that those who are sick or on a journey to fast same number of other days (that is, nafl fasts);  and then, if they can afford it, to feed the poor (fidyah).  Is fidyah in addition to the nafl fasts?  Or, is it either or?



Title: Re: The Noble Quran on Fasting
Post by: Ruhi_Rose on May 29, 2018, 02:30:12 am


In my opinion  it's either, or.  Penalties in the Noble Quran for mistakes and oversights have options.  Generally, as far as I know, one has to pick one of those options as penalty.  For those who are chronically sick have just one option, to give fidyah .... and again if they can afford.  After all, some chronically or terminally sick persons can also be poor who may not be able to afford fidyah.  In that case obviously Allah Almighty will never burden them for no fault of theirs nor judge it as a violation if they don't pay fidyah .... right? 

     


Title: Re: The Noble Quran on Fasting
Post by: N. Truth Seeker on May 29, 2018, 02:37:19 am


Right, get it.


Title: Re: The Noble Quran on Fasting
Post by: Heba E. Husseyn on March 16, 2023, 04:15:36 pm


According to another traditional invention unsupported by the Noble Quran, fidya is paid when someone cannot fast or breaks a fast for a valid reason such as illness, age, travel, extreme thirst or hunger, coercion.  Kaffarah is charity paid for deliberately breaking a fast for no valid reason.  However, this difference between fidya and kaffarah is not in the Quran. 

In both cases the penalty is to provide food to a poor person for a single day.  This is generally taken as providing Iftar to a fasting person or paying enough money to that person to buy his / her Iftar for one day.  So, if you miss all 30 days of Ramadan for a valid reason, you provide food or money to a poor person for 30 days.   This is in accordance with the Noble Quran. 

Another concoction of traditionalists NOT stated in the Noble Quran is, if you are paying fidya or kaffarah for the needy, you must give enough food or money to feed 60 persons each day!  The Quran never gives any  numbers such as "60" days nor anything similar.  If you have to feed 60 persons each day for 30 days, then even if you calculate on the basis of $10/person (which is usually taken as the minimal amount), it would come to $600/day.  That would be $18,000 for 30 days (for those who cannot fast at all for a valid reason).    I don't think I even need to say that this calculation is absurd and impractical.  Not to forget, this misinterpretation is being peddled by organizations that are donation centers, mentioning fidya & kaffarah as "donations" to be given to outlets such as zakat.org, IDRF, Islamic Relief etc.   In regard to our Masjids, several of our scholars are saying that since inflation has spiked, so the rate of fidya (or kaffarah) must also increase.  From $10/person they have raised it to $50/person.  This means, instead of paying $300 for 30 days, they now demand 50 x 30 =  $1,500 for 30 days.   Despite the price hike of food, let me be honest.  No one eats $50 worth of Iftar for a single day.   Ridiculous and self-centered mindset.  Taking everyone's financial resources for granted, not even leaving a margin for many of those who cannot even afford one-quarter of this amount. 

As compared to all of this traditional guesswork and money gouging by our organizations and the so-called scholars, Verse 2:184 of the Noble Quran is straight-forward and simple, that is you have missed some or all of your fasts then make up by fasting on other days or if you can afford then feed someone for each missed fast .. taken for granted that you feed them with as much food or give them as much money for food as you can afford. 


Title: Re: The Noble Quran on Fasting
Post by: N. Truth Seeker on March 16, 2023, 04:43:57 pm


It’s mind boggling how much something as simple and needful as charity has been manipulated by our circles.  Though I would like to mention, such rip-off policies are rife in Muslim organizations based in the West.  As most Muslims settled in the West lead a busy life and don’t have much time to find charity recipients on their own, the charity organizations go haywire in the name of ‘donations.’

Your analysis is quite an eye-opener.   Thanks sister.


Title: Re: The Noble Quran on Fasting
Post by: Ruhi_Rose on March 17, 2023, 04:28:03 am




Another concoction of traditionalists NOT stated in the Noble Quran is, if you are paying fidya or kaffarah for the needy, you must give enough food or money to feed 60 persons each day!  The Quran never gives any  numbers such as "60" days nor anything similar.  If you have to feed 60 persons each day for 30 days, then even if you calculate on the basis of $10/person (which is usually taken as the minimal amount), it would come to $600/day.  That would be $18,000 for 30 days (for those who cannot fast at all for a valid reason).    I don't think I even need to say that this calculation is absurd and impractical.  Not to forget, this misinterpretation is being peddled by organizations that are donation centers, mentioning fidya & kaffarah as "donations" to be given to outlets such as zakat.org, IDRF, Islamic Relief etc.   In regard to our Masjids, several of our scholars are saying that since inflation has spiked, so the rate of fidya (or kaffarah) must also increase.  From $10/person they have raised it to $50/person.  This means, instead of paying $300 for 30 days, they now demand 50 x 30 =  $1,500 for 30 days.   Despite the price hike of food, let me be honest.  No one eats $50 worth of Iftar for a single day.   Ridiculous and self-centered mindset.  Taking everyone's financial resources for granted, not even leaving a margin for many of those who cannot even afford one-quarter of this amount. 
 

I never knew fidya and kaffarah must be impacted so much by inflation.  The impractical ideas and decisions of our ulemas and teachers leave me baffled.  They are assessing from their view point because they live a good life and somehow can afford everything without working.  It is very likely that our 'teachers' and their families in their households do have $50 for each person for each Iftar.  So they assume the same for all and apply the same for charities.  They compel people to ignore them.

One doesn't require to give uber food for fidya nor calculate money from those cost levels .. something we cannot afford for ourselves every day.  With her several health issues, my mom is now too old to fast. So we prepare a lunch-box kind of food tray for one person and deliver it to the mom of a family that resides in the upper floor of our condo .. a mom and her working son from Iraq.  They are very nice folks, very particular about fasting in Ramadan and aren't too well off financially.  We make a lunchbox tray for the mom so she won't have to pay for her evening Iftar meal.  In a styrofoam  box we put 2 sandwiches (sometimes veggie, sometimes cheese with 2 slices of bread overlapping and cut into halves), 1 cupcake, 1 apple, 1 orange, about 6 or 7 dates, and 2 samosas (2 for a $ or sometimes 2 Halal frozen samosas fried).  Sometimes variations like samosas replaced with a 2 or 3 pakoras or a little chickpea salad.  Then in a smaller styrofoam box, we put a little of whatever we have cooked for ourselves, either at my place or my sister's place .. like some chicken qorma or minced meat and potatoes etc. with one nan wrapped in alu foil paper.  Now if you calculate how much all of that food would cost, the total comes to hardly $20 and it's more than enough for her, she keeps saying not to give so much as she can't eat all.  Of course we don't need to add taxes; if you purchase you will have to add a bit of tax so you can add a couple of dollars more.

But our imams and ulemas have their own mysterious incomes without working with horse-like appetites so each one needs $50 for a single person's single Iftar. 

It's a lot better to give to the needy directly ourselves than through them. 


Title: Re: The Noble Quran on Fasting
Post by: N. Truth Seeker on March 17, 2023, 05:24:11 am


Excellent idea of that lunch box for fidya, Sister Ruhi.  Very well managed, for minimal cost a good homemade Iftar meal.   May Allah Almighty reward all of you.
 


...

But our imams and ulemas have their own mysterious incomes without working with horse-like appetites so each one needs $50 for a single person's single Iftar. 

😆




It's a lot better to give to the needy directly ourselves than through them. 


Exactly.


Title: Re: The Noble Quran on Fasting
Post by: Heba E. Husseyn on April 09, 2023, 08:34:37 am



...... In regard to our Masjids, several of our scholars are saying that since inflation has spiked, so the rate of fidya (or kaffarah) must also increase.  From $10/person they have raised it to $50/person.  .......



There was quite a lot of shock and noise over this declaration by that scholar in our community Masjid.  So the guy now says he said $15 and not $50, though not only me and my husband but at least six other people also heard it as "$50." 

Anyhow, even if he said $15 ... feeding 60 people each day for 30 days comes something like this.

15 x 60 = $900 for 1 day.

900 x 30  = $27,000 for entire 30 days of Ramadan.

This is certainly not the Quranic method of fidya.


Title: Re: The Noble Quran on Fasting
Post by: N. Truth Seeker on April 09, 2023, 08:41:14 am


That bit about "60 persons" each day of feeding is something I still haven't been able to figure out, why and how "60 persons" ??


Title: Re: The Noble Quran on Fasting
Post by: Zainab_M on April 09, 2023, 08:45:31 am


Also I don't know how far this is true, according to the website Quran.Islam.org (https://www.quran-islam.org/main_topics/misinterpreted_verses/fasting_(P1239).html) some traditionalists are misinterpreting the words “and for those who can afford it there is a ransom: the feeding of a man in need –“  of V.2:184  by claiming that those who have the money can skip fasting by feeding a needy person.  Excuse me?  This is not at all the right interpretation.  Feeding of the needy is an alternative in case the person who has missed their fasts are unable to make it up by fasting on other days.  This usually happens with people with chronic illnesses.   This certainly does NOT mean that the rich can buy themselves out of fasting. 


Title: Re: The Noble Quran on Fasting
Post by: Heba E. Husseyn on April 09, 2023, 08:47:48 am


There are some traditionalist circles for whom no amount of ridiculousness is too much.


Title: Re: The Noble Quran on Fasting
Post by: N. Truth Seeker on April 09, 2023, 08:50:02 am




.. some traditionalists are misinterpreting the words “and for those who can afford it there is a ransom: the feeding of a man in need –“  of V.2:184  by claiming that those who have the money can skip fasting by feeding a needy person.  .. .......

Total and crazy misinterpretation!