Sawm/ Roza/ Fasting In Shia Islam

Topic 35:

Sawm/ Roza/ Fasting is obligatory in Shia Islam, in ninth month ‘Ramadan’ of Lunar Islamic Calendar (Hijri). Sawm/ Roza/ Fasting is second in the 'Furu Deen' or Branches of Faith. A very special night, mentioned in Holy Qur'an as 'Laylatul Qadr' occurs in Ramadan.

Fasting is obligatory in Shia Islam on sane adult Shia Muslims both men and women. However, there are people on whom fasting is not obligatory. A Musafir/ Traveller who must Qasr/ shorten his Salah/ Namaz/ Prayers cannot fast. Old age people to whom fasting causes extreme hardship are exempted from fasting. Any other person is also exempted from fasting to whom it causes extreme hardship. Any person who suffers from a disease which causes Polydipsia (suffer from excessive thirst) or under extreme hardship is exempted from fasting. Pregnant ladies are exempted from fasting. Suckling mothers whether biological mothers or suckling mothers are exempted from fasting.

Shia Muslims are required to fast from dawn, when the whiteness in the sky starts to spread (before sunrise) and continue to till redness after sunset passes the top. Holy Qur’an ask us to fast from Fajr/ Dawn up to Layl/ Night, Holy Quran did not used the word Maghrib/ Sunset as time to end the fast rather asks us to continue fasting till Night/ Layl.

The difference between Shia and Sunni Sawm/Roza/ Fasting is that Sunni end the fast with Maghrib/ Sunset, while Shia Muslims continue the fast till the Night/Layl approaches, which differ from place to place.

Niyyah/Intention is required in Shia Islam for fasting. Without Niyyah/ Intention fasting is void. In Shia Islam Niyyah/ Intention is intention in mind, thus one is not required to say it with mouth, just intending in mind is enough. Also, one is not required to make daily intentions during month of Ramadan, if one intends to fast the whole month right at the start of month, it will suffice. There will be no problem if person doesn’t observe all fasts with that Niyyah/ Intention. Taharah/ Spiritual Purity is required in Shia Islam, this is major difference between Shia Islam and other sects.

There are some Non-Shia, who preach fasting as alternate dieting. They say best dieting is fasting. If you fast you will have double benefit it will help you in dieting and also earn you divine rewards of fasting. This concept is ridiculous and stupid in Shia Islam, because intention in Shia Islam should be solely worship of Allah (God), the moment any other intention joins it like dieting etc, fasting will become null and void in Shia Islam. Thus in Shia Islam Sawm/ Roza/ Fasting is solely worship of Allah (God), for a Shia Muslim he/she is free to diet for whole other eleven months of year but when a Shia Muslim must fast in month of Ramadan etc, that is solely worship of Allah (God).

During Fasting Shia Muslim are required not to indulge into any of these nine things or acts. The person who fasts cannot eat or drink. The person who fasts cannot have sexual intercourse (mere penetration). The person who fasts cannot voluntarily ejaculate (Masturbate leading to ejaculation). The person who fasts cannot attribute any lie (false things) to Allah (God), Prophet Mohammed or Twelve Imams (Aimmah). The person who fast cannot inhale or swallow thick dust in throat (ie: smoking cigarette). The person who fasts cannot immerse his/her entire head in water. Remaining Najis/ Spiritually Impure till the time of Fajr/ Dawn prayer. The person who fasts cannot use liquid enema. Vomiting by a person who is fasting makes his/her fast void.  Doing any of these things or if any of these things happens the fast will break.

In Shia Islam, swallowing one’s saliva, salivating at smell of food, involuntary ejaculation (nocturnal emissions), pre-cum, erections in men etc doesn’t break one’s fast.

There are things which one does or happens that does not break Sawm/ Roza/ Fast in Shia Islam. Although these thing won’t break fast but are not preferred in fasting and must be avoided. The person who fasts should not use eye drops or cosmetic eye stuffs, if its taste or smell is felt inside. The person who fasts should not perform an act which causes excessive weakness, should not extract blood, or have hot bath etc. The person who fast should not snuff when one is sure it might reach throat. The person who fasts should not use stimulants for bowels. The woman who fasts should not sit immersed in water. The person who fasts should not wet one’s dress which one is wearing. The person who fast should not extract tooth or allow any other action causing bleeding in mouth. A person should not use a wet toothbrush, in Shia Islam one cannot use Miswak/ Siwak (thin branches or thin root of several trees used as tooth brush) while one is fasting, this is a major difference between Shia and Sunni. The person who fasts should not put water or any other liquid in mouth without an appropriate cause (ie: gargle). The person who fasts should not indulge in foreplay, romance, kissing etc with one’s partner without the intention of ejaculation, if intention is there fast as a precaution would be considered broken.

Suhur/ Sehri/ Pre-fast meal is a meal which is taken before commencing the fast, it is taken in such a manner that by the time one finishes the meal, Fajr/ Dawn, the time for commencing the fast should begin. Suhur/ Sehri/ Pre-fast meal is recommended to be eaten in last part of night, like a morning breakfast. It is not a compulsive meal but highly recommended; at least a date and water will suffice.

When Layl/ Night approaches, it is recommended to formally end the fast by date, water, salt, fruits etc. This post-fast meal is called Iftar. Iftar/ post-fast meal is recommended not to be delayed on the Layl/Night has arrived.

Both Suhur/ Sehri/ pre-fast meal and Iftar/ post-fast meal are Sunnah/ Traditions of Prophet Mohammed and are highly recommended. One is free to eat, drink, have sexual intercourse and any other legal activity forbidden during fast.

If anyone is not observing fast due to several conditions, or the fasting person breaks the fast in middle with eating, drinking or sexual intercourse etc, the person must offer Kaffarah/Compensation (ie: feeding poor), observe Qadha Fast/ Observe pending fast or both depending on conditions which varies from situation to situation, details are lengthy and thus, avoided here, as this is just a brief information.

Apart from Obligatory fasts of Ramadan, there are other preferred fasts in Shia Islam on other special days also; their details are available in Shia religious books/sites. A married woman is required to take permission of her husband for such preferred fasts. One is required to take permission of one’s father before observing such fasts, whether one is independent or not, son or daughter, except in case of married ladies. It is forbidden to observe such fasts if it causes emotional suffering to parents.

There are several days when fasting is Haram/ Forbidden or Makrooh/ Disliked in Shia Islam. The day of Eid al Fitr, Eid al Adha. A major difference between Shia and Sunni is that Shia don’t fast on Ashura (10^th Moharram) while Sunni do fast on that day. Ashura (10^th Moharram) is the day tragedy of Karbala (Iraq) happened, and for Shia Muslims it is a day of sorrow and mourning.

The content on Sawm/ Roza/ Fasting in Shia Islam over here is brief explanation; details could be had from further reliable sources.

O Allah! Peace and Salutation be upon Mohammed and House-hold of Mohammed.

Taharah/ Spiritual Purity in Shia Islam

Topic 34:

Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity) in Shia Islam is a state of being, when certain conditions are met the person is said to be having Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity). There are a lot of religious obligations ie: Salaah/ Namaaz (Prayers) which could not be done unless the person is having Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity). Thus, to be eligible to perform those religious obligations one must acquire Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity). Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity) is acquired through Ghusl (Ceremonial Bath), Wadhu (Ablution) and Tayammum (Dry Ablution) depending on type of Najaasah (Spiritual Impurity) and Situation.

Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity) in Shia Islam is not to be confused with hygiene or cleanliness, both are very different. A person may be very clean and hygienic but that does not mean the person is having Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity) as well. Urine, blood, semen, pigs, dogs etc are not unclean and unhygienic from biological and physical point of view, but from spiritual point of view they are considered Najis (Spiritually Impure). Likewise, no matter what much amount of dirt and filth are poured in sea or in  a lake, they are considered as having Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity).

Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity) is an act of worship in itself, and to acquire it Niyyah (Intention) is required, else mere performance of acts to acquire Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity) would not make the person Taahir (Spiritually Pure). Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity) is initial level of worship, with which the person performs higher order worships. If Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity) was all about cleaning then there would never be specific repetitions of acts; say once, twice; in Ghusl (Ceremonial Bath), Wadhu (Ablution) or Tayammum (Dry Ablution), rather it would have been asked to continue till the dirt is removed.

Cleanliness or Hygiene are rather pre-requisite for Ghusl (Ceremonial Bath), Wadhu (Ablution) or Tayammum/ Dry Ablution. Shia Muslims are required to wash or remove all the dirt and filth before beginning Ghusl (Ceremonial Bath), Wadhu (Ablution) or Tayammum (Dry Ablution).

One thing which differentiates Shia Muslims from others is that Niyyah (Intention) for Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity) should be solely worship, the moment any other intention joins it the whole act of Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity) will become mere washing. Thus, for a Shia Muslim Ghusl (Ceremonial Bath) and  Wadhu (Ablution) are not washing or cleaning of face and body. Shia Muslims do not consider Wadhu (Ablution) as having secondary benefits that it keeps our face and hands clean and fresh. Shia Muslim would rather wash face and hands or have a normal bath if he/ she wants to keep face and body clean and fresh. But when a Shia Muslim performs Ghusl (Ceremonial Bath), Wadhu (Ablution) or Tayammum (Dry Ablution) it is just an act of worship and not washing, cleaning or a part of beauty/ fashion etc.

Non-Shia Muslims who claim that: look performing Wadhu (Ablution) five times a day would please Allah (God) and the by-product of Wadhu (Ablution) is that it will keep your face, hands clean, shiny, moisturised and help us in beautification, dual benefits; for a Shia Muslim these claims are ridiculous and perfect stupidity. When a Shia Muslim performs Wadhu (Ablution) he/ she does not intend to clean or beautify rather the intention or aim is solely and solely just worship of Allah (God). Thus, Shia Muslims are required to wash or scrub till one is satisfied that all dirt, dust or filth are removed from face, hands or clothes before beginning Ghusl (Ceremonial Bath) or Wadhu (Ablution).

Najaasah (Spiritual Impurity) for a Shia Muslim is a state of being which prohibits one from performing several acts of worship, although the person would be very clean or had just taken normal bath, the person may still be Najis (Spiritually Impure). Najaasah (Spiritual Impurity) is all about ineligibility for performance of several religious obligations.

Najaasah (Spiritual Impurity) has two levels major Spiritual Impurity and minor Spiritual impurity. To simplify, if a person looses major Spiritual Purity he/ she looses minor spiritual purity along with, he/she become totally Najis (Spiritually Impure), but if a person who is having major Spiritual Purity looses minor Spiritual Purity he/she would not loose major Spiritual Purity and may easily re-acquire minor Spiritual Purity easily.

Major Spiritual Impurity is acquired by several higher level Spiritually Impure actions or incidences ie: Sexual Intercourse. One looses total Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity) after those actions or incidences. One becomes Najis (Spiritually Impure) and that Najaasah (Spiritual Impurity) could only be removed by Ghusl (Ceremonial Bath).

Minor Spiritual Impurity is acquired by several lower level Spiritually Impure actions or incidences ie: Urination. One does not loose total Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity) after those actions or incidences. One becomes minor Najis (Spiritually Impure) and that minor Najaasah (Spiritual Impurity) could be easily removed by Wadhu (Ablution).

Minor Spiritual impurity is lower level Spiritual impurity due to Urination, Excretion, Passing Gas, Sleep, Bleeding from wounds, Intoxication and Unconsciousness. One does not loose Major Spiritual Impurity because of these, and can easily acquire Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity) by mere Wadhu (Ablution).

Major Spiritual impurity is higher level Spiritual impurity due to: Sexual penetration no matter whether ejaculation happens or not both man and woman would become Spiritually Major Impure, Voluntary or involuntary ejaculation in men would make them Spiritually Major Impure, Menses or Post-Partum Bleeding would make women Spiritually Major Impure, physical touch or coming in physical contact with an unwashed Human Dead Body no matter how slightly would make living person Spiritually Major Impure. One can acquire Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity) with Ghusl (Ceremonial Bath).

Foreplay, Precum, Erection, Lubrication, Kiss has no effect on Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity) in Shia Islam, thus, one loose neither minor Spiritual Purity nor Major Spiritual Purity.

Minor Spiritual Impurity prevents Shia Muslims from: Touching Holy Qur’an, names of Allah (God), names of Prophet Mohammed, names of twelve Imams (Aimmah), names of Lady Fatima Zahra. Minor Spiritual Impurity also prevents Shia Muslims from: performing Salaah/ Namaaz (Prayers), Performing Tawaf (Circumbulation) of Holy Ka’ba.

Major Spiritual Impurity prevents Shia Muslims from: All preventions of Minor Spiritual Impurity, also from: Entering Masajids (Mosques), Recitation even out of memory those particular chapters of Holy Qur’an which require obligatory prostrations (Sajdah), Observe Sawm/ Roza (Fasting), Undertake Hajj/ Umra (Pilgrimage).

Tayammum (Dry ablution) is an alternative ablution for both Ghusl (Ceremonial bath) and Wadhu (Ablution) to acquire both Major and Minor Tahaarah (Spiritual Purity) in following cases: If one cannot find water, If using water for Ghusl (Ceremonial bath) or Wadhu (Ablution) can cause severe hardship i.e. sickness, extreme fever, extreme water shortage etc, or If performing Ghusl (Ceremonial bath) or Wadhu (Ablution) would take so much time that time for Salaah/ Namaaz (prayers) get over.

As a pre-requisite of Wadhu (Ablusion) one may wash dirty foots, hands, gargle, clean nostrils with water etc. With Niyyah (Intention) Wadhu (Ablution) is performed in following manner in Shia Islam:

1. Using right hand’s cup of palm water is poured on forehead; using right hand entire face is washed with that water. One may repeat the step for second time but not thrice.

2.1. Using left hand’s cup of palm water is poured on right elbow, using left hand entire right hand is washed down to fingers with that water. One may repeat the step for second time but not thrice.

2.2. Using right hand’s cup of palm water is poured on left elbow, using right hand entire left hand is washed down to fingers with that water. One may repeat the step for second time but not thrice.

3. Using remaining wetness on tips of right finger or right palm, front head is wiped from top of head down to hairline, covering an area of nine digits on fingers, once.

4.1. Using remaining wetness on right palm, upper side of right foot is wiped from toes up to ankles, once.

4.2. Using remaining wetness on left palm, upper side of left foot is wiped from toes up to ankles, once.

As a pre-requisite of Ghusl (Ceremonial Bath) one may have a normal bath with soap, shampoo etc to remove dirt from body, gargle, clean nostrils with water etc. With Niyyah (Intention) Ghusl (Ceremonial Bath) is performed either Irtimasi Ghusl (Immersive Bath) or Tartibi (Sequential Bath) in Shia Islam.

In Irtimasi Ghusl (Complete Immersion), whole body is immersed in water like in lakes, sea, pools etc.

Where as in Tartibi Ghusl (Sequential Bath), first the head above neck is poured with water to make it completely wet, later body below neck is poured with water to make it completely wet.

With Niyyah (Intention) Tayammum (Dry Ablution) is performed in following manner using Dry Earth, Sand, Stones, Dust on wall etc in Shia Islam:

1. Both palms are placed on the object ie: Dry Earth, Sand, Stones, Dust on wall.

2. Using both palms forehead from hairline down to eyebrows is rubbed upon, once.

3.1. With left palm upper right hand is rubbed from wrist down to fingers.

3.2. With right palm upper left hand is rubbed from wrist down to fingers, once.

Optionally one may, place both palms on the object once again and repeat 3.1. and 3.2 steps second time.

The content on Taharah/ Spiritual Purity in Shia Islam over here is brief explanation; details could be had from further reliable sources.

(ie: http://www.islamic-laws.com/WudhuTayammumGhusl.htm)

O Allah! Peace and Salutation be upon Mohammed and House-hold of Mohammed.