Assalamu alaikum wa-rahmatullahi wa-barakatuhu. The fourth pillar of Islam is Siyam. It means fasting in the month of Ramadan.
What Is Siyam?
Ramadan is a blessed month and month of fasting filled with religious and spiritual fervor. Ramadan day 1 to 30 duas for all Muslims across the globe, refrain themselves from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. In addition, Muslims perform special prayers and indulge themselves in special Ibadaats including the hugely rewarded deeds to ensure they make the maximum out of this holy month. Fasting and Zakath are comes under the 5 pillars of Islam, those are performing maximum by this blessed month. Here is the list of ramadan daily dua.
Definition of Fasting
- Linguistically: To abstain from something.
- Juridical: Siyam (fasting) is a way of worshiping Allah.
By intentionally abstaining from food, drink, sexual intercourse and other things that break ones fast; from dawn to sundown.
Islamic Ruling on Fasting the Month of Ramadan
- Fasting in the month of Ramadan (Siyam) is the fourth pillar of Islam (obligatory / mandatory).
- Allah (SWT) says in the Quran
َـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
(البقرة: 183)
Meaning:
(O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may achieve taqwa) (al-baqarah (2):183)
- Allah (SWT) says in the Quran
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًۭى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ
(البقرة: 185)
Meaning:
(The month of Ramadan in which was sent down the quran, a guidance to mankind and clear proof of that guidance and the standard (for distinguishing between right and wrong); Whosoever of you witnesses the month must fast it) (al-baqarah (2):185)
- Ibn-Omar reported that the messenger of Allah (SWT) said
“بني الإسلام على خمس…” إلى أن قال “وإيتاء الزكاة”
(رواه البخاري ومسلم)
Islam has been built on five (pillars)..” and he mentioned “fasting the month of Ramadan.”
(Collected by Bukhari & Muslim)
Note:
- If someone denies the obligation of fasting the month of Ramadan, then he is outside of Islam.
- If someone does not fast the month of Ramadan, Knowing its obligation, then he is guilty of committing A major sin.
When to Perform the Siyam (Fasting)
Knowing The Beginning of Ramadan
- Sighting the new moon of Ramadan (month 9), even by just one rightful Muslim.
- Completing the month of Shaaban (month 8) as 30 days.
Pillars of Siyam
- Neeyah (intention): for fasting should be at night time before Fajr.
Note:
- Intention for optional/desirable fasting could be at any time, even during the day, if one has not done any act that invalidates siyam.
- Abstention: from things that break ones fast from dawn to sundown.
Allah knows the best. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) guide all of us to His Truth and purify of our intentions, and allow us to enter Jannah together. And may Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) accept all our good deeds and help us in the cause, forgive our mistakes and make us amongst the Muntaqeen & By His Mercy make us all Inhabitants of Jannah. Ameen ya rabbal’alameen.
Subscribe to The Islamic Studies channel on YouTube, and press the bell icon to get notifications on new uploads. Kindly share with your friends and family members. Jazakkallahu khair!
