Does fasting mean no eating?
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Here's a question for those who don't follow the hadith...
I have not been able to find in the Qur'an a definition of what constitutes "fasting"... I have found the reference to abstaining from "approaching your wives" during the day during the time of fasting, with a reference to eating and drinking thrown in (2187). Strangely though, the reference to eating and drinking is mentioned INSIDE a passage about "approaching your wives"... so could it refer to eating and drinking with your wives? Now, some people say that this abstention from "approaching your wives" refers to sexual activity, but that seems unlogical given the prohibition to do the same "while you are in devotion at the mosque" - I doubt God would seriously tell us not to have sex while having sex with out wives.
In addition, there is a reference to fasting as not talking to anyone, all while eating and drinking (1926), 3335 talks of it as if it were something continuous like believing or being truthful, obedient and charitable. 584 talks of fasting in a sexual context.
So could fasting actually mean staying away (to what extent is not certain) from one's family (or wife) during the daytime of Ramadan, instead of not eating during the daytime? Or perhaps it could be understood as a more general period of withdrawal where all unnecessary contact with others is avoided during the day? This would logically coincide with the fact that Muhammad withdrew away from his family when the revelation came to him, and fasting during Ramadan is prescribed because that's when Muhammad received the revelation.
The Qur'an gives exemptions (or delays) for the sick and the travelling. This makes sense, as a sick person would be cared for by his family, and a travelling person could not be expected to split from his travelling party due to safety concerns.
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Peace Claurianta,
A good analysis. I am still convinced, however, that the not-eating/drinking thing applies.
- (A)It has been made lawful for you during the night of fasting to approach your women sexually. They are a garment for you and you are a garment for them. God knows that you used to betray your souls so He has accepted your repentance, and forgiven you; now you may approach them and seek what God has written for you. (B) And you may eat and drink until the white thread is distinct from the black thread of dawn; then you shall complete the fast until night; (C) and do not approach them while you are devoted in the temples. These are God?s boundaries, so do not transgress them. It is thus that God makes His revelations clear to the people that they may be righteous.
IMHO Fasting/Abstaining can mean all those things you mentioned. Abstaining from talking while eating, vice versa or both. Abstaining from sex, etc. In this case, however, in this verse... I think (B) is clear. Eat/Drink until dawn then abstain until night. If it's just not eating with the wife during the day, then I pretty much 'fast' 5 days a week all year long!
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Peace Claurianta,
A good analysis. I am still convinced, however, that the not-eating/drinking thing applies.
- (A)It has been made lawful for you during the night of fasting to approach your women sexually. They are a garment for you and you are a garment for them. God knows that you used to betray your souls so He has accepted your repentance, and forgiven you; now you may approach them and seek what God has written for you. (B) And you may eat and drink until the white thread is distinct from the black thread of dawn; then you shall complete the fast until night; (C) and do not approach them while you are devoted in the temples. These are God?s boundaries, so do not transgress them. It is thus that God makes His revelations clear to the people that they may be righteous.
IMHO Fasting/Abstaining can mean all those things you mentioned. Abstaining from talking while eating, vice versa or both. Abstaining from sex, etc. In this case, however, in this verse... I think (B) is clear. Eat/Drink until dawn then abstain until night. If it's just not eating with the wife during the day, then I pretty much 'fast' 5 days a week all year long!
The reason I wonder about the eating/drinking part is that it seems that there are cases other than being sick/travelling where it may be dangerous. For example someone doing manual labour out in the sun... seems it would be dangerous to go without drink all that time. A menstruating woman (unless you consider that a sickness) is not excepted either, and I think it would be dangerous for her too (I know the hadith makes an exception, but the Qur'an doesn't).
Also, 1926 talks about how Mary "fasted" after giving birth to Jesus, but that she was still allowed to eat. Not eating or drinking after giving birth seems particularly dangerous to me, while keeping an emotional distance does not. So could fasting maybe mean giving up something that you're used to, be it food, or emotional contact, or something else, as long as it doesn't create a risk for you? -
The reason I wonder about the eating/drinking part is that it seems that there are cases other than being sick/travelling where it may be dangerous. For example someone doing manual labour out in the sun... seems it would be dangerous to go without drink all that time.
If I'm not mistaken, there are provisions for that, the individual doesn't have to be sick/travelling to be exempt.God wants to bring you ease and not to bring you hardship...
- A few number of days. Whoever of you is ill or traveling, then the same number from different days; and as for those who can do so but with difficulty, they may redeem by feeding the needy. And whoever does good voluntarily, then it is better for him. And if you fast it is better for you if you knew.
Also, 1926 talks about how Mary "fasted" after giving birth to Jesus, but that she was still allowed to eat.
I agree, which is what I mentioned before, abstaining could be any of those things. Before Mary got pregnant, she was fasting/abstaining, even though she had provisions and ate the food.So could fasting maybe mean giving up something that you're used to, be it food, or emotional contact, or something else, as long as it doesn't create a risk for you?
That's why I think abstain fits better, because it could apply to anything.Peace be with you.
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Perhaps the purpose can shed some light as well?
2183
Transliteration Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo kutiba AAalaykumu alssiyamu kama kutiba AAala allatheena min qablikum laAAallakum tattaqoona
Literal You, you those who believed, it is dictated/ordered on you the fasting , as it is dictated/ordered on those from before you, maybe you fear and obey (God).
Free-Minds O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you perhaps you may be righteous.
Rashad Khalifa O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you, as it was decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation.
Yusuf Ali O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,-
Shakir O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard (against evil).Peace
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(A)It has been made lawful for you during the night of fasting(abstaining) to approach your women sexually. They are a garment for you and you are a garment for them. God knows that you used to betray your souls so He has accepted your repentance, and forgiven you; now you may approach them and seek what God has written for you. (B) And you may eat and drink until the white thread is distinct from the black thread of dawn; then you shall complete the fast until night; (C) and do not approach them while you are devoted in the temples. These are God?s boundaries, so do not transgress them. It is thus that God makes His revelations clear to the people that they may be righteous.
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A few number of days. Whoever of you is ill or traveling, then the same number from different days; and as for those who can do so but with difficulty, they may redeem by feeding the needy. And whoever does good voluntarily, then it is better for him. And if you fast it is better for you if you knew.
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Peace all. I believe fasting in the quran refers to refraining from unnecessary argumentative dialogue in an attempt to reduce friction and to quieten ones own mind in order to think of a way to improve and/or explain a difficult situation.(ie you may not be able to explain an event or situation through normal verbal intellectual conversation in the present moment,note; maryam not talking,just pointing to jesus in the quran.)
Eg take 5,and step back to re-assess a difficult situation,then try to explain it in any decent way you can.(see maryams and zachariyas stories in the quran,plus surah 2;185 and following/preceding verses.) -
As Salaam Alaikum,
You know I was thinking about fasting and being on my period. I fasted on my period last Ramadan but I remember wondering how safe/healthy is it for me to be fasting while loosing so much blood... at least on my heavy days.
Yea, yea, I know that we are exempted if we have any difficulty but I dont have "difficulty" per se while on it.... but I am wondering if this is good and should I be eating something? Comments?
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Salam NP
Fasting during periods depend on the individual. Some many do not have any difficulty doing so, some do.
As for fear of losing much blood, physiologically the blood you loose is diluted. Have you noticed that your body swell a few days before the periods? This is because the body retain much water so that when you have the period, or become pregnant, as little blood cells as possible are lost (period or delivery), with a lot of water. Moreover, this blood was kept there to feed the "baby" , so it is not all directly from your vessels.