Provisions of Fasting According to the Maliki School
Definition and Types of Fasting
In the Maliki perspective, fasting is defined as “abstaining from the desires of both the stomach and the genitalia throughout the day, from dawn until sunset, with the intention of drawing closer to Allah Almighty.” There are several categories of fasting, including:
- Obligatory Fasting: This refers to the fast of Ramadan.
- Sunnah Fasting: An example is fasting on the tenth day of Muharram.
- Recommended Fasting: Such as fasting during the sacred months.
- Voluntary Fasting: Any fast that is not mandated by specific religious reasons.
- Prohibited Fasting: For instance, fasting on the first day of Eid Al-Fitr.
- Discouraged Fasting: An example is fasting continuously throughout the year.
Conditions of Fasting
The conditions for fasting can be divided into two main categories, pertaining to obligation and validity:
- Conditions of Obligation:
These include:
- **Puberty:** A child who has not reached puberty is not required to fast, nor are they commanded to do so.
- **Ability:** Individuals experiencing severe illness, such as pregnant or nursing women, are exempt from fasting.
- **Presence:** Absence from one’s home (traveling) allows for the option to break the fast, provided that the journey meets necessary conditions for dispensation.
- Conditions of Validity:
These involve:
- **Islam:** Fasting is not valid for non-Muslims.
- **Timing:** Fasting is not valid on days when fasting is prohibited, such as the first day of Eid.
- Conditions for Both Obligation and Validity:
These stipulations include:
- **Sound Mind:** Individuals who are insane or unconscious cannot fast; once sanity returns or consciousness is regained, they must observe the fast.
- **Purity from Menstruation:** A woman in her menstrual cycle or postpartum cannot fast, but if she purifies before dawn, she is required to fast. In cases of uncertainty regarding purification, she must fast and make up for it later.
- **Establishing Time:** Fasting during Ramadan cannot commence without confirmation of the month’s beginning.
Pillars of Fasting
Fasting is not valid unless two essential pillars are fulfilled:
- **Intention (Niyyah):** It is essential to have the intention to fast from sunset until dawn. Additionally, specifying the type of fast and its purpose is necessary; however, a single intention suffices for multiple days.
- **Abstinence from All Breakers of the Fast:** This includes refraining from food, drink, and anything else that invalidates the fast.
Recommended Practices in Fasting
The Maliki school outlines several recommended practices for fasting, which include:
- Refraining from all food and drink on the day of doubt.
- Muslims are encouraged to abstain from food and drink during Ramadan’s daylight hours.
- Continuity in fasting for those required to make up missed fasts.
- Guarding the tongue and limbs against idle talk, harm, and all that is forbidden.
- Promptly breaking the fast at sunset, preferably with dates, fresh fruit, or a little water.
- Delaying the pre-dawn meal (Suhoor) until just before dawn.
- Increasing acts of worship, including prayer and the recitation of the Qur’an.
Discouraged Actions during Fasting
There are ten actions that fasting individuals are advised to avoid:
- Putting anything in the mouth or tasting food solely to check its condition, such as the saltiness of a dish.
- Chewing baby food, as this may lead to ingesting something that breaks the fast.
- Engaging in actions leading to intimacy.
- Applying or sniffing perfumes during the day.
- Continuous fasting without breaking the fast at night.
- Excessive gargling and inhalation.
- Treating dental problems while fasting unless absolutely necessary; it is preferable to postpone such actions.
- Excessive sleeping during the day; the fasting individual should utilize this time for acts of worship.
- Engaging in frivolous speech or unnecessary actions; thus, the fasting person should refrain from idle talk.
- Cupping.