Tracing the Origin of the Commandment of Fasting "The History of Ramadan Fasting of Muslims"

Ramadan fasting is one of the pillars of Islam, meaning Ramadan fasting is one of the pillars of Islam. Every Muslim who has faith must carry it out for a full month each year. However, did you know that from the historical point of view the origins of Ramadan fasting were not immediately ordered? Previously, fasting was not immediately ordered to fast from the dawn to the sunset. In history, Ramadan fasting has several steps so that it becomes a binding level of Sharia for Muslims.

According to the hadith narrated by Mu'adz bin Jabal, the history of Ramadan fasting does not just appear. In his narration, before the Prophet received the fasting order of Ramadan, the Prophet had carried out fasting y Ashura and fasting three days each month. In short, the history of Ramadan fasting itself began to be compulsory (to perform Ramadan fasting) in the 2nd year of Hijriyah or 624 AD after the Prophet moved to Medina, along with the prescription of Eid prayer, zakat fitrah, and sacrifice. This means, that fasting is a worship that is of universal value and worship that is perfected from previous peoples.

Ramadan Fasting Is Special Fasting for the People of the Prophet Muhammad

The history of Ramadan fasting can not be separated from the time of implementation as long as required to fast. According to Imam As-Sawi in the book of interpretation, that the fasting obligations set by Allah in the month of Ramadan is carried out for a full month. That refers to the interpretation of the word ma'dudat in the prefix Q.S al-Baqarah: 188, which is less than 40. That is because, the habits of the Arabs of the past when using the word ma'dudat are less than forty. Meanwhile, according to Ali As-Shabuni, the purpose of the specified days is as relief and mercy for the people of the Prophet Muhammad. Therefore, Allah does not require fasting to the people of Muhammad at all times.

2. Commandments and Prohibitions When Fasting

In the early days of Ramadan fasting, the procedure for fasting in the early days was required to be different from now, such as the prohibition to eat, drink, and have intercourse with his wife at night, the prohibition of sleeping before breaking the fast if it is violated should not break the fast until it is time to break the fast again. This is in accordance with the hadith of Bukhari who experienced a similar experience, that is Qais Sharmah al-Anshary's friend who fainted during the day because he fell asleep before breaking the previous day. Finally, he had to hold back eating and drinking for another day.

In another narration, still in the hadith narrated by Bukhari, Umar bin Khattab's best friend also experienced this. In fact, when he fell asleep beside his wife in the evening, Umar's best friend came to his wife and then fulfilled his intention because he could not hold back his desires. After completing his intentions, Umar felt guilty about himself why he was not strong enough to withstand his desire. He could not sleep for two to three days, until finally he told the Prophet. Upon this incident, the Prophet answered with the word of Allah Q.S. al-Baqarah: 187, so Allah gives forgiveness for allowing that.

أحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ إِلَى نِسَآئِكُمْ

It is permissible for you on the night of the fasting month to be mixed with your wives ..., "(QS. al-Baqarah: 187).

The friends are more happy with the dispensation of reduced fasting time, which is the abolition of fasting at night after breaking the fast. So after that, the Shari'a fasting and Ramadan fasting rules apply as we feel now. As said by Allah, which is to limit the time of fasting from sunrise to sunset:

وَكُلُواْ وَاشْرَبُواْ حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَْْ

... And, eat and drink until it is clear to you that the white thread of the black thread, that is the dawn ..., "(QS. al-Baqarah: 187).

That is the history of Ramadan fasting that we should know about. Indeed from the wisdom of the history of Ramadan fasting, we can feel the ease of Allah for all His servants to worship Him as well as being the specialty of the people of the Prophet Muhammad himself. Therefore, we must always be grateful for His gifts to us Muslims. Thus the writer, hopefully useful. God knows best

Source: https://abiummi.com