MUSLIM VILLA - QURAN ONLY

Category 13 => Guest book 🍨 Muslim Villa Q&A => Topic started by: Cherry Khanoom on June 09, 2016, 08:16:13 pm



Title: Is fasting valid without offering prayers?
Post by: Cherry Khanoom on June 09, 2016, 08:16:13 pm
If I offer all my fasts the prescribed way as commanded in the Qur'an, but I don't regularly offer prayers. Would my fasts be valid?


Title: Re: Is fasting valid without offering prayers?
Post by: N. Truth Seeker on June 10, 2016, 03:27:40 am
To what extent precisely fasting may or may not be valid without the daily prayers is known to Allah alone.  But personally I think fasting without prayers won't serve the full purpose of the month of Ramadan.  After all, fasting doesn't mean only refraining from food and liquids.  It must be accompanied with good deeds that include reading of the Quran, offering prayers, good conduct, deep reflection, charity and whatever else we can do for the benefit of our souls.  Of course these good deeds are important at all times, but the month of Ramadan particularly illuminates the concept of taking care of our spiritual duties for the betterment of our conduct.  Obligatory prayers are mandatory throughout the year.  So how can they be omitted in a month as important as Ramadan?  I think, even if one doesn't get the time to offer extra or nafl rakats, the obligatory or fard rakats must be offered.  Prayer or salat is the heart of monotheistic worship and must be implemented with other forms of worshiping Allah, such as fasting and Hajj.


Title: Re: Is fasting valid without offering prayers?
Post by: Zainab_M on June 10, 2016, 04:02:41 am
Very correct Brother TS.  I've heard and read many of our jurists say that fasting and prayers are two separate forms of worship and each carries its own blessings, implying that the sawab or blessings of fasting won't diminish without salat.  But I don't agree with this view at all.  Your explanation is far more logically valid.

Ramadan is a Holy month.  It's a time when we are required to curtail many of our worldly activities that can wait, and devote our time to Allah.  Ramadan is a period when we're supposed to take a break from worldly activities and give more time to Allah through fasting and remembering Him.   It's a universal dictate from the Divine Power for all humanity.  The fact that most segments of humanity don't obey it is a different matter and a very sad one.   

Allah Almighty mentions in V.2:187 to strictly observe fast from dawn to nightfall, to avoid physical intimacy with spouses and instead to "be at your devotions in the mosques."  This line is a clear indication that offering additional prayers in Ramadan is very important.  If for some reason that's not possible, then at least the fard salaat are a must.  If for some unavoidable reason fard salaat is missed, it should be made up by offering Qaza.


Title: Re: Is fasting valid without offering prayers?
Post by: N. Truth Seeker on June 10, 2016, 04:06:03 am
Exactly sister Zeynab.  Thanks for adding Verse 2:187 which makes the topic much clearer.