The Book of Fasting - كتاب الصيام

Welcome to this comprehensive course on the Rulings of Fasting, based on the scholarly explanation of Manar al-Sabil titled Madar al-Dalil by Dr Ahmed Hutiba. This course is designed to provide you with a deep understanding of one of the five pillars of Islam: Siyam (Fasting).
What is Siyam?
In the Arabic language, Siyam simply means to withhold or abstain. Legally, within the Islamic tradition, it is defined as abstaining from the desires of the stomach and the private parts from the break of dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib), performed by a Muslim who meets specific criteria, with the sincere intention of worship.
The Purpose of the Course
The primary objective of fasting, as outlined in the Qur'an, is the attainment of Taqwa (Piety). Throughout this course, we will explore how fasting serves as a shield (Junnah) that protects the believer from sins and refines their character. We will examine five dimensions of Taqwa fostered by Siyam:
1. Breaking physical desires to curb arrogance.
2. Strengthening hope in Allah's mercy.
3. Training the soul to leave permissible things (food/drink), making it easier to leave prohibited things.
4. Preventing the neglect of religious obligations.
5. Aligning oneself with the ranks of the righteous.
Course Structure
This course is divided into several key modules to ensure a complete legal and spiritual understanding:
• Foundation and History: We will trace the obligation of fasting from its early stages, including the transition from the fast of Ashura to the mandatory fast of Ramadan in the second year of the Hijra. We will also discuss the "abrogation of hardship," illustrating how Allah eased the initial, more difficult rules of fasting to the manageable practice we follow today.
• Conditions of Obligation and Validity: You will learn the four requirements that make fasting mandatory—Islam, puberty, sanity, and physical ability. Additionally, we will cover the six conditions for a fast to be considered valid, such as the cessation of menses and the necessity of forming an intention during the night for obligatory fasts.
• The Mechanics of Fasting (The Nullifiers): We will provide a detailed breakdown of the twelve factors that invalidate a fast, ranging from intentional eating and drinking to more complex issues like the use of certain medical treatments and the rulings on voluntary vomiting.
• Exemptions and Special Cases: A significant portion of the course is dedicated to those with valid excuses, such as travellers, the elderly, the sick, and pregnant or nursing women. We will explore when these individuals should break their fast and whether they owe a compensatory fast (Qada) or a fidyah (feeding the poor).
• The Sunnahs and Etiquettes: Beyond mere abstention, we will study the recommended acts that perfect the fast, including the blessing of Suhoor, the virtue of hastening the Iftar (breaking the fast), and the importance of guarding the tongue from gossip and ill-speech.
The Merit of Fasting
To motivate your studies, the sources highlight that fasting is a unique act of worship for which Allah Himself specifies the reward. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught, fasting for one day sincerely for Allah can distance a person from the Hellfire by seventy years.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge to observe your fast with certainty, legal accuracy, and spiritual focus, seeking the ultimate goal of having your previous sins forgiven