The Meaning of Fasting According to Language is an Important Worship in Islam, Know the Requirements and Pillars

Kapanlagi.com - Fasting in the language sense is something very important to know. This is because fasting is one of the worship practices that can be found in various religions. Especially in Islam, fasting is one of the pillars of Islam. Therefore, we must know the meaning of fasting according to language and sharia. With that, we can carry out this worship with full devotion.

In general, fasting is known as worship that is carried out by refraining from hunger, thirst, and carnal desires starting from dawn until sunset. But it's not just that, of course, there are deep meanings and important wisdoms in fasting worship. Therefore, for every Muslim, understanding fasting in terms of language and sharia is a must.

Summarized from various sources, here is an explanation of the meaning of fasting in terms of language and other important explanations.

1. Explanation of Fasting in the Language Meaning

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Fasting has become part of the Indonesian language vocabulary. According to the Great Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), fasting in the Indonesian language means intentionally abstaining from eating, drinking, and so on for religious reasons.

Whether acknowledged or not, fasting is indeed synonymous with Islam. This is because during the month of Ramadan, Muslims are obliged to fast. Therefore, the KBBI also explains the meaning of fasting according to Islam, which is one of the pillars of Islam in the form of worship of restraining oneself or abstaining from food, drink, and everything that invalidates it from the dawn until the sunset.

2. Fasting According to Islam

As explained in the explanation of fasting in the language meaning, fasting is an act of worship performed by Muslims by refraining from hunger, thirst, and carnal desires from dawn until sunset. In the Quran, the commandment of fasting is found in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 183, which means:

"O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous."

Based on the meaning of the above verse, Allah SWT has commanded fasting to His believing servants. The translation meaning is often interpreted that fasting is not just an act of worship. Fasting is also a sign that someone believes and is righteous to Allah SWT. That is why fasting becomes the third pillar of Islam.

3. Conditions and Pillars of Fasting in Islam

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Like other worship in Islam, fasting also has a number of conditions and pillars that must be fulfilled. Without the fulfillment of these pillars and conditions, the fast may lose its value or even be considered null. Therefore, besides understanding fasting in the language meaning, it is also important to understand the conditions and pillars of fasting in Islam. Here are the conditions of fasting for a Muslim. 1. Being a Muslim. To carry out the obligatory fasting according to Islamic teachings, a person must be a Muslim. 2. Puberty. A person who is obligated to fast must also have reached puberty, which means they can distinguish between good and bad. For males, it is marked by the release of semen, and for females, it is marked by menstruation. 3. Being of sound mind or not insane. A person who is not of sound mind or insane is exempted from the obligation to fast. Because they cannot understand the essence of fasting itself.

4.Able to Fast

Someone who is unable to fast, for example due to illness or old age, is not obliged to fast.If they are still able to make up for it at another time, they are allowed to do so.But if not, then they are obliged to make up for it by paying fidyah.

Meanwhile, here are the pillars of fasting for a Muslim.

1.Reading the Intention of Fasting, which is Nawaitu sauma ghadin an'adai fardi syahri ramadhani hadzihisanati lillahita'ala (meaning: I intend to fast tomorrow to fulfill the obligation in the month of Ramadan this year, because of Allah Ta'ala.)

2.Restraining Oneself or Avoiding Things that Can Break the Fast

As for things that break the fast, they are: eating, drinking, marital relations during the day, intentional vomiting, intentional ejaculation, menstruation, postpartum bleeding, as well as apostasy or leaving the teachings of Islam.

4. Types of Fasting

In Islam, there are many types of fasting. Some are obligatory while others are recommended. Therefore, to fully understand the meaning of fasting, you also need to know the types of obligatory and recommended fasting in Islam.

It wouldn't be complete for a Muslim to learn the meaning of fasting in language without knowing the types of obligatory and recommended fasting. Here are some explanations and examples of obligatory and recommended fasting in Islam.

Obligatory fasting is a type of fasting that must be performed by every Muslim. If a Muslim performs obligatory fasting, then he or she will be rewarded, but if he or she leaves it, then he or she will be punished. Examples of obligatory fasting include Ramadan fasting, vow fasting, and penalty fasting.

Meanwhile, recommended fasting is a form of fasting that is not mandatory. However, performing recommended fasting will make a Muslim receive abundant rewards. Some types of recommended fasting include Shawwal fasting, Monday-Thursday fasting, Arafah fasting, and so on.

5. Things That Invalidate Fasting

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In carrying out the fasting worship, there are several things that must be avoided because they can cause it to be invalidated.Therefore, besides the meaning of fasting, we also need to know what things can invalidate the fast.Here are some of those things.

1.Eating, Drinking, and Smoking Intentionally

As we know, the meaning of fasting in general is to restrain hunger, thirst, lust, and anger.So, it is clear that eating, drinking, and smoking intentionally will invalidate the fast.

2.Intentional Vomiting

Not only eating and drinking, intentional vomiting can also invalidate the fast.However, if vomiting is unintentional, it will not invalidate the fast.

3. Intercourse and Ejaculation for Men

During fasting, sexual desire must be controlled, including the desire for intercourse. In addition, men are not allowed to intentionally ejaculate.

4. Postpartum Bleeding and Menstruation

Postpartum bleeding and menstruation are also reasons why a Muslim woman's fasting can become invalid. Instead, a woman who experiences postpartum bleeding and menstruation must make up for it on another day outside of Ramadan.

5. Losing Sanity

One of the things that invalidate fasting is losing sanity. Just as being sane is one of the requirements for fasting.

6. Apostasy

Someone who apostatizes or leaves Islam is also exempt from fasting.

7. Inserting Objects into the Body

Inserting foreign objects such as food into the body through openings other than the mouth can also invalidate fasting. The body parts in question include the nasal cavity, both ears, mouth, qubul, and anus.

8. Breaking Fast with Haram

Eating haram food is forbidden in Islam. Therefore, another thing that can invalidate fasting is breaking fast with something haram. Not only does this invalidate fasting, it is also sinful.

6. Groups Exempted from Fasting in Ramadan

Ramadan fasting is a mandatory worship for every Muslim. Ramadan fasting is done as explained in the meaning of fasting, which is by refraining from hunger, thirst, lust, and anger. However, Islam is a fair religion. Therefore, some groups who are unable to fast are not obligated to perform this worship. Here are some groups of people who are not required to fast during Ramadan. 1. Little children, especially those who have not reached puberty. Nevertheless, every Muslim parent is still encouraged to teach fasting to their children. 2. People who have lost their minds or are insane. 3. People who are sick or elderly and unable to fast are also not required to do so. 4. Women who are menstruating or in postnatal bleeding. 5. Pregnant or breastfeeding women. 6. Someone who is traveling or on a journey. Those are some explanations about fasting in the language meaning and in the teachings of Islam. Hopefully, it is useful, can increase knowledge, and increase faith as a Muslim in particular. Amen.

(kpl/gen/psp)