Kitab Hukum Puasa

Understanding Fasting

Fasting can be interpreted as refraining from something. While fasting in Ramadan is refraining from anything that can break the fast and followed by intention and carried out from sunrise to sunset.

Fasting also refrains from hunger and thirst as well as from bad deeds and things that can break the fast. The implementation of Ramadan fasting is an effort to perform worship.

Fasting According to the Teachings of Islam

The definition of fasting according to Islam is to refrain from two desires (namely the stomach and genitals) and from everything that enters the throat including drugs and so on. Fasting is done from sunrise to the time of fasting, namely the setting of the sun. Which is also accompanied by a sincere intention with the aim of getting the pleasure of Allah SWT.

Differences in Fasting Based on the Law

According to the law, there are 4 types of fasting, namely obligatory fasts such as Ramadan fasts, kifarah fasts, qadla fasts, and votive fasts. Sunnah fasting, such as fasting the six days of Shawwal, Arafah fasting, Tasu'a and Ashura fasting, Ayyamul bidh fasting, Monday Thursday fasting, David fasting, and so on. Then there is also makruh fasting such as specializing in the month of Rajab for fasting or specializing Friday for fasting. Finally, fasting is forbidden, such as fasting on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha and fasting on tasyrik days.

Meaning of Ramadan Fasting

Ramadan fasting is the implementation of worship that has been ordered by Allah SWT to all His faithful servants. Allah has said in Q.S. Al-Baqarah verse 183, which means:

"O you who believe, it is prescribed for you to fast as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may be pious."

Based on the word of Allah SWT, it can be concluded that carrying out Ramadan fasting is obligatory where it is a form of human responsibility to its creator. As well as directly related to the aspects of fasting hablum minallah.

However, when carrying out the fasting of Ramadan, sometimes humans become better beings towards each other. Being human beings creates a sense of sympathy and togetherness, a spirit arises to help each other, and cares more for orphans and the poor.

In addition, fasting is a form of God's provision that must be carried out by every believer, where in Islamic law the purpose of fasting is to increase our piety.

In Q.S. Al-Baqarah verse 185 is also very clear about the obligation for Muslims to fast during Ramadan, which means:

"The month of Ramadan, the month in which the Qur'an was revealed (beginning) as a guide for mankind and explanations regarding that guidance and the difference (between the right and the wrong). Therefore, whoever among you is present (in the country where he lives) in that month, let him fast in that month, and whoever is sick or on a journey (then he breaks his fast), then (it is obligatory for him to fast), as many days as left it, on other days. Allah wants ease for you, and does not want hardship for you. And you should be sufficient for the number and you should glorify Allah for His guidance that is given to you, so that you will be grateful” (QS. Al Baqarah: 185)

Terms of Ramadan Fasting

Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory for Muslims, not for non-believers. Then the condition for implementing Ramadan fasting is being able to distinguish between good and bad. Sanctity of menstruation and childbirth for women, meaning that if a woman is in a state of menstruation or childbirth, then she is not allowed to fast, but she is obliged to replace it on another day as much as she has missed fasting in that month.