The Importance Of Fasting In Human Life

JAKARTA - Fasting is the second part of worship after praying in the pillars of Islam. The fasting service referred to here is the fasting of Ramadan. In Arabic fasting is the same as shaum. The fasting word is defined as preventing oneself from doing or saying anything. The word shaum and shiyam means the same, while the word shauman (fasting) in surah Maryam verse 26, meaning is mute, not speaking.

Buya Hamka explained that fasting is an effort to control a servant's self-control over two of his female students, namely sexual relations and stomach lust that aims to educate and curb lust.

Ramadan is one of the lunar lists in the year of the hijriyah. Ramadan has a special meaning in the journey of the Prophet Muhammad's celebration. Quoted from Agus Arifin's book Fiqih, Ramadan comes from the word ramide which means burning, hot or very hot. Ramadan occurs when the air in Jazirah Arab is very hot. Ramadan itself has several other names, such as Syahrul Qur'an, Syahrush-Shiyam and Syahrush-Sabr.

In addition to its meaning in terms of heat or heat and drought. The law of fasting in the month of Ramadan is passed down in stages, such as Islamic law which was passed down to the Prophet SAW. The goal is that Muslims are not surprised and feel heavy in carrying it out.

Fasting in the month of Ramadan has a very special value for Muslims. By fasting, it is believed to be able to perfect the inner state of every human being who performs it as a servant who is devout to Allah SWT. The fasting order is described firmly in the letter Al-Baqarah verse 183. And the word taqwa is the end of the verse.

"O you people who believe, it is obligatory for you to fast as required by those before you so that you are devout. (QS. Al-Baqarah: 183).

The month of Ramadan is also described in the Qur'an in surah Al Baqarah verse 185. "The month of Ramadan is (the month) in which the Qur'an is derived as a guide for humans and explanations of the instructions as well as the differentiator (between rights and batile ones). Therefore, whoever of you is present (at his residence or not a messenger) that month, fast. Whoever is sick or on a trip (then does not fast), then (the obligation to replace it) is as many days (which he left behind) on other days. Allah wants ease to favor him and does not want trouble. You must fulfill his number and glorify Allah for the instructions given to you to be grateful."

The words of Allah SWT in the letter (2:185) were followed by the sabda of the Prophet Muhammad SAW narrated by Wailah bin Asqa'. "The Prophet Ibrahim was revealed at the beginning of the night of Ramadan, and passed down on the 6th of Ramadan, and he passed down the Bible on the 13th of Ramadan, and passed down Zabur on 18 Ramadan, and passed down the Qur'an on 24 Ramadan." (HR Ahmad and Al Baihaqi in Syu'abul Iman).

Fasting orders are given in stages

The scholars said that the Muslims used to be given the choice of fasting or giving fiddies. Then when their belief is strong and their souls have calmed down and they are used to fasting, they are required to fast only. This is also explained in the Quran,

"And it is mandatory for people who are hard to run it (if they don't fast) to pay fidiah, (that is): feed a poor person. Whoever voluntarily does good, then that's better for him. And fasting is better for you if you know." (QS. Al Baqarah: 184).

Before there was an order to fast in the month of Ramadan, the Quraish people were already familiar with the fast called Assyura. And the Prophet Muhammad also had time to fast the Assyura. Even when he moved to Medina, the Prophet also fasted Ashura. This is narrated by the wife of the prophet, Aisyah,

"There were Qurans during the Jahhiliyah era fasting on Aysuro day, and Rasulullah Shalallahahu alaihi wa sallam also fasted on that day during the Jahhiliyah era, when he came to Medina he fasted (on that day) and ordered (his friend) to fast, when it was obligatory to fast in the month of Ramadan then Aysuro's fasting was abandoned, whoever wanted to fast then fasting who didn't want to then could leave him . (HR Bukhari no: 202, Muslim no: 1125).

Ashura fasting is considered a great and holy day for the Arabs during the Jahhiliyah era. Therefore on that day, they covered the Kaaba, as told in hadiths: "It was the people of the Jahhiliyah era, they fasted on Ashuro day, before the mandatory Ramadan fasting, and coincided with that day Ka'bah was covered with a kiswah cloth.." (HR Bukhari no: 1952).

An expert on interpretation from Cordoba (Spain), Imam Qurthubih, said that fasting on Ashura day was well known among them, for its position and pilgrimage (to fast), the possibility of them fasting because they thought it was part of the Shari'at of the Prophet Ibrohim and his son Ismail.

Based on information from several hadiths above, fasting on Ashura Day is the first time mandatory before the pilgrimage of the Prophet Muhammad to Medina. When fasting is mandatory in the month of Ramadan, namely in the second year after the hijriyah of the Prophet Muhammad, the obligation to fast on the day of Ashuro is abolished, and the law remains but becomes sunnah.

Muslim Difficulties At The Beginning Of Fasting Sharia

According to Muhammad Quraish Shihab in his work entitled 'Creating the Quran'an explains from the side of religious teachings, all religions are equal in the principles of faith, sharia and morals. In other words, all religions teach the existence of God's trueness, piety and the existence of the next day. So why is fasting an obligation for Muslims and the previous people?

The obligation to fast in the month of Ramadan cannot be separated from the events of the Prophet Muhammad's move to the land of Yatsrib (Madinah). This hijrah event is a point of departure for the improvement of Islamic law in the future. Ramadan fasting began to be mandatory to the Prophet Muhammad and his people during the month of Syaban 2 Hijriyah.

Compiled from the book 'Risah Ramadhan' (2008) by Affandi Mochtar and Ibi Syatibi that before a verse requires fasting down, Muslims used to fast on 10 Muharram or Hari Ashura. Jews fast on 10 Muharram, on that date Allah SWT saved Prophet Musa and his people from the attack of the King of Pharaoh. As a form of gratitude, Prophet Musa fasts every 10 Muharram.

At its inITIAL time, the fasting of Ramadan for Muslims was only allowed to eat, drink and have a husband and wife relationship after breaking the fast until the Isha prayer and sleep. After the Isha prayer and sleep, Muslims are no longer allowed to do these things until the time of breaking the fast. Because it is very difficult, many violate the prohibition. Then Allah SWT sent a letter from Al-Baqarah verse 187 stating that Muslims are allowed to eat, drink, and have sex with their husbands from the start of the dawn.

"It's lawful for you on the night of fasting mixed with your wife. They are clothes for you, and you are clothes for them. Allah knows that you can't hold back yourself, but He accepts your token and your body. So now mix them and look for what God has set for you. Eat and drink it until it's clear to you that is dawn. Then perfect fast until (comes) night (QS.Al Baqarah:187).