Does Allah want us to fast 20 hour a day?

[Hussein14]

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but  does Allah want us to fast 20 hours a day? What does the Quran say about this?  Allah says in Quran 5:6 that he don't want to place us in difficulty so why are we fasting 20 hours a day? Please help me understand this. 

 

 

Edited June 6, 2016 by Hussein14

[certainclarity]

1 hour ago, Hussein14 said:

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but  does Allah want us to fast 20 hours a day? What does the Quran say about this?  Allah says in Quran 5:6 that he don't want to place us in difficulty so why are we fasting 20 hours a day? Please help me understand this. 

 

 

Fasting is not limited to Islam. All spiritual practises have fasting.

The issue lies in habits and mind conditioning, if you are used to eating 20 hours a day, naturally you will see and feel it as difficult not to eat 20 hours a day.

On the the other hand you see poor people who barely have anything to eat thru out the year, yet barely fall sick!

Human being adapt to situations, specially if you have no choice.

Most of us have conditioned ourselves to LIKE to eat not NEED to eat, as the saying goes the majority of us, LIVE TO EAT NOT EAT TO LIVE.

*******

This is from a non biased person on spirituality:

6. Fasting

Most spiritual religions and traditions practice some sort of fasting, a practice that generally means going without food for a certain period of time. According to the Bible, Jesus fasted for 40 days.  As did Siddartha Gautama, the first recorded Buddha.  The Islamic holy period of Ramadan requires fasting, as does Judaism during Yom Kippur.  But why is a food fast so important to spirituality?

It’s quite simple and logical, really. Because food is a necessity for life, it is a habit that we MUST indulge in, several times a day. Thus, it becomes a sort of a “God” to us. By depriving yourself of this food God for a specified period of time, you become closer to the one true God. You begin to rely on the spiritual sustenance of God rather than the physical sustenance of food.

To meditate, pray and/or read spiritual books frequently during fasting has sometimes helped practitioners to initiate enlightenment experiences.

Schedule as much spiritual contemplation as possible during a fasting period; after all, from a traditional perspective (although there are health benefits to fasting from food), spiritual enlightenment is the reason for your fast. Many people have reported spiritual breakthroughs during prolonged fasting periods.

http://iamspirituality.com/top-10-ways-to-achieve-spiritual-enlightenment/

 

Edited June 6, 2016 by certainclarity

[Ibn Al-Shahid]

Quote

If a Muslim lives in a city that has daylight for six months and night for six months [e.g., the northern part of Europe or Canada], it is obligatory for him to move during the month of Ramadhãn to a city with ‘normal’ day and night so that he can start fasting, if not, he should move after that month to fast as qadhã (making up the missed fast). However, if it is not possible for him to move, then he has to pay compensation (fidya) instead of fasting; that means giving 750 grams of food [rice or flour] to a poor person per day.If a Muslim lives in a city where daylight in some seasons is for 23 hours and the night is only for one hour or vice versa, it is still obligatory on him to fast, if he has the ability to do so. But if he is not able to fast, the obligation is forfieted. If it is possible for him to do qadhã later on [e.g., in other seasons or] by moving to another city, it is wãjib for him to do the qadhã. If he is unable even to do the qadhã, it is obligatory on him to pay fidya in lieu of fasting.

http://www.sistani.org/english/book/46/2035/

[mina]

So in the case of 23hours daylight,it's only obligatory to do the qadha but not to pay fidya for each day?

 

[Ibn Al-Shahid]

6 minutes ago, mina said:

So in the case of 23hours daylight,it's only obligatory to do the qadha but not to pay fidya for each day?

 

If you are not able to then you must do Qadha in another season. If you still aren't able to do it in another season, pay the fidya.

[mina]

Where I live it's 22 1/2 hours daylight so the rule doesn't apply...It's interesting, i didn't know that there is such a rule.Thank you.

[Hussein14]

 

1 hour ago, certainclarity said:

Fasting is not limited to Islam. All spiritual practises have fasting.

The issue lies in habits and mind conditioning, if you are used to eating 20 hours a day, naturally you will see and feel it as difficult not to eat 20 hours a day.

Here in Sweden we fast more than 20 hours a day and many people complain about this. It is very difficult for us if you live here in Sweden.

If we can break the fast according to Mecka time it will be great for us.  Allah says in Quran:

"Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship"

So we shouldn't fast 20 hours a day. Is this logic correct?

 

 

 

Edited June 6, 2016 by Hussein14

[certainclarity]

1 hour ago, Hussein14 said:

 

Here in Sweden we fast more than 20 hours a day and many people complain about this. It is very difficult for us if you live here in Sweden.

If we can break the fast according to Mecka time it will be great for us.  Allah says in Quran:

"Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship"

So we shouldn't fast 20 hours a day. Is this logic correct?

 

 

 

I think it depends on your level of faith also. People have fasted for 18- 19 hours in very hot climates.

Also it is normally harder to fast 15 hours in under developed countries with scorching hot climates than moderate climates.

And as I mentioned, many people, have to actually be in a compelled fasting state for years due to poverty, so it's a good way to understand what those people have to go thru, atleast for one month.

Sweden  relatively has moderate climate .

People in under developed countries fast, work in the heat , and come back to cramped houses without proper cooling system , and don't think it is unfair, and are only too happy to observe the month of Ramadan.

The more you are used to comfort the more you will feel it is unfair.

Would you trade places with a person who lives in an under developed humid and hot country without proper cooling system and fasts for 15 hours ? Or fast in a developed country with cooling facility and moderate climate?

Edited June 6, 2016 by certainclarity

[notme]

The number of hours of the fast is not mentioned in Quran. Fasting during daytime hours is. Therefore if you are able to fast the 20 hours of daytime you must. If it causes you unbearable hardship or harms your health, you are not obligated but you must feed a poor person and make up the missed fasts at another time if you are able.

It wouldn't make sense to use the timings of another part of the world because people haven't always had access to that information.

 

[Akbar673]

4 hours ago, Hussein14 said:

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but  does Allah want us to fast 20 hours a day? What does the Quran say about this?  Allah says in Quran 5:6 that he don't want to place us in difficulty so why are we fasting 20 hours a day? Please help me understand this. 

Allah in his infinite mercy does not place a burden in front of us which we do not have the ability to overcome.

Now, that burden may not be the easiest to overcome nor the most fun but it is a burden that we have the ability within ourselves to overcome.

That being said, if there is a 20 hour fast (in Chicago we have a 17 hour fast and getting longer as we go forward into the month) then is it really that hard a challenge? If you think about it, its more psychological than anything else (granted you don't have a medical need that requires you to eat). The thing that gets us into the most anguish is not the fact that we're not eating, but moreso the fact that we CAN"T eat.

How much do we really eat/drink over a 20 hour spread?

1. Breakfast (which we blow off most of the time anyway)
2. Lunch (ok, so nobody said Fasting is easy)
3. Dinner (see #2)
4. Useless snacking (unless you have a need to keep your blood sugar up this is where we really spoil ourselves unnecessarily)

Bear in mind also that Ramadan only comes by once a year for only about 28/29/30 days out of the whole year. I approach it from the perspective that I really don't know how many more Ramadan's I have left in my life and try to maximize what I can, while I can.

Besides afer about 10 or so fasts you just get used to the fasting and its no biggie.

[icherub]

there's no way that fasting for 20 hours is healthy for acive body a day is satisfactory for Allah. I do not understand how is this allowed by Sharia in day and age that everyone are looking to the nearest existthere's no way that fasting for 20 hours is healthy for acive body a day is satisfactory for Allah. I do not understand how is this allowed by Sharia in day and age that everyone are looking to the nearest exist

[random7]

It's quite odd that you're not even allowed to take medication... I dont get the reasoning. (Medication that itsnt for a threatening disease). Also i bodybuild fasting for 20 hours isnt gonna help me build muscles, and fight alongside imam mahdi (as) when he arrives. 

[monad]

11 minutes ago, random7 said:

It's quite odd that you're not even allowed to take medication... I dont get the reasoning. (Medication that itsnt for a threatening disease). Also i bodybuild fasting for 20 hours isnt gonna help me build muscles, and fight alongside imam mahdi (as) when he arrives. 

are you going to stack 14pounds in one month?.. Not possible. Unless you have genetics like kevin levrone and stack that much, which would also mean, taking a month of and staking on muscle mass the rest of the 11 months would not make a difference. You may lose a few pounds of body fat, as long as you eat enough protein in that short period you have, you wont lose any muscle mass.

[random7]

7 minutes ago, monad said:

are you going to stack 14pounds in one month?.. Not possible. Unless you have genetics like kevin levrone and stack that much, which would also mean, taking a month of and staking on muscle mass the rest of the 11 months would not make a difference. You may lose a few pounds of body fat, as long as you eat enough protein in that short period you have, you wont lose any muscle mass.

 

 

Well how would i eat enough protein in those 2 hours. Also not being physically active decreases strength. I'm away from the gym for a week, and i can feel how much weaker i've become. 

Edited June 6, 2016 by random7

[monad]

it just means you are not training properly. Its not possible to take a week off and lose strength or feel weak.  And if you do, it just means you have over trained are not sleeping properly.  many variables, and it is not always food.

you just eat 30grams per 1hour. its 1g per pound is what we have been told. But you just need to maintain, 60grams should be enough. You dont need chicken, there are many other foods out there that are light and give enough protein in small amounts. As I mentioned earlier, you wont lose that much muscle mass, and even if you did, with a good diet, you will gain it all back again. I am sure you have seen how Mr 5% went from 260 to 315 in 3months.

I use to do labour work for 12h shifts, and many other people, both non-muslim and muslims do hard labour work, while fasting and non - neither do they become skinny or even get big, the semantics are different. Not sure how you assume you will become a weakling in 30 days...... from losing out around 15hours of weight training.....

Edited June 6, 2016 by monad
Cause i am the boss.

[notme]

16 minutes ago, random7 said:

Well how would i eat enough protein in those 2 hours. Also not being physically active decreases strength. I'm away from the gym for a week, and i can feel how much weaker i've become. 

Unless you're a professional bodybuilder, is it really that important? Your physical beauty is more important to you than obedience to Allah?

[DigitalUmmah]

Im pretty sure this isnt the first ramadhan to occur during the height of summer in the last 2000 years.

Fasting for less than a day for a month wont kill anyone. obviously if you are elderly/ ill/ infirm etc you do not fast.

some people look for reasons to fast, others look for excuses not to. its obvious what group OP belongs in. OP grow a pair of balls and man up. your Allah demands you fast, so you fast. its that simple.

[Wing]

You don't fast for 20 hours unless you never sleep. I have the "20 hours" aswell but the actual hours depend on when you wake up. It's 15 for me. Waking at 7 am, iftar at 10 pm.  I eat once a day, no hunger whatsoever.

If you have a healthy body, you fast. You just have to schedule your daily activities. S[Edited Out]ping hobbies such as bodybuilding can do wonders. It's just 1 month after all. And besides, the longer the fast the better the reward.

 

 

[2:183]O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous -

[2:184][Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.

[2:185] The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.

[2:187]It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset. And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques. These are the limits [set by] Allah , so do not approach them. Thus does Allah make clear His ordinances to the people that they may become righteous.

 

[Hussein14]

Quran 2:185 says;

"Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship"

Every humanbeing with sound logic says that fasting 20+ hours a day is very hard, that means fasting 20+ hours a day is not what Allah wants.

 

Secondly, verse 2:187 which says  "Then complete the fast until the sunset" was revealed in Medina therefore could not be applied worldwide. There is no proof that this verse could be applied for example in Sweden. In some places the sun will never go down, so this verse could not be applied every where on earth.

 

So there is no proof that we should fast 20+ hours a day. 

 

 

 

Edited June 7, 2016 by Hussein14

[Akbar673]

It all basically comes down to the fact that a 20 hour fast (or 17, or 18, etc...) is nothing short of a test of your faith. Plain and simple. Nothing else to be said for it.

Weak faith = reasons to find not to fast

Medium faith = likes to complain and nag about it but is still fasting

Strong faith = Allah wouldn't place a burden that is beyond human completion so will fast without a complaint and put their fate in the hands of Allah.

Do you think the 12th Imam (AS) is sitting around trying to find a loophole to get out of fasting simply because its hot and sunny? I doubt he is.

Edited June 7, 2016 by Akbar673

[Wing]

2 hours ago, Hussein14 said:

a) "Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship"

Every humanbeing with sound logic says that fasting 20+ hours a day is very hard, that means fasting 20+ hours a day is not what Allah wants.

 

b) Secondly, verse 2:187 which says  "Then complete the fast until the sunset" was revealed in Medina therefore could not be applied worldwide. There is no proof that this verse could be applied for example in Sweden. In some places the sun will never go down, so this verse could not be applied every where on earth.

 

So there is no proof that we should fast 20+ hours a day. 

 

 

 

a) I've seen many muslims cling to this type of verse to justify their laziness. I've heard someone quote it even for the daily prayers! You should try reading the Quran in this month, it will clear the misconception you have. For Allah will surely test you with hardship in many, many ways. You have to remember this is only 1 month out of the 12. Thank Allah that He blessed you with the ability to eat whenever you want because there are plenty of people who starve to death on a daily basis.

b) The Quran was not sent to Medina or Mecca or Arabia. It was sent to the whole world.

Good night.

 

[notme]

Look, if you can't fast don't fast. You know your own body. But don't try to convince others to go along with you. You aren't qualified to derive Islamic laws for others.

[random7]

On 2016-06-06 at 11:46 PM, notme said:

Unless you're a professional bodybuilder, is it really that important? Your physical beauty is more important to you than obedience to Allah?

 

The expectation are many and highly contradictory. 
Take care of your health he says, fast for 20 hours he says. 

[hasanhh]

On ‎6‎/‎7‎/‎2016 at 8:07 AM, DigitalUmmah said:

Im pretty sure this isnt the first ramadhan to occur during the height of summer in the last 2000 years.

1437...1437

[hasanhh]

On ‎6‎/‎7‎/‎2016 at 3:34 PM, Hussein14 said:

Quran 2:185 says;

"Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship"

Every humanbeing with sound logic says that fasting 20+ hours a day is very hard, that means fasting 20+ hours a day is not what Allah wants.

 

Secondly, verse 2:187 which says  "Then complete the fast until the sunset" was revealed in Medina therefore could not be applied worldwide. There is no proof that this verse could be applied for example in Sweden. In some places the sun will never go down, so this verse could not be applied every where on earth.

 

So there is no proof that we should fast 20+ hours a day. 

 

 

 

But, to counter your assertion, the Quran is revealed for the whole World. Ergo, you can't limit it to Medina geography.

[DigitalUmmah]

8 minutes ago, hasanhh said:

1437...1437

Pshhhhht 2000 sounds way cooler

[certainclarity]

Salam,

Did any one know the initial laws for fasting was breaking fast at maghrib and starting to fast again at isha ! In the desert of Arabia 1400 years ago ! 

Since the people found it tough in the middle of the desert 1400 years ago without proper cooling system etc.., the law was made easy from maghrib to Sahar prayer!

What would you guys have done if you lived 1400 years ago in the middle of Arabia? Would you even become Muslim and believers ?

[Renaissance_Man]

17 hour fasts can admittedly be pretty brutal sometimes.  But let's put it into perspective.  A 12 hour fast in the scorching Arabian desert a millennia ago was no walk in the park either.  

We only have to do it for a month.  For many impoverished people around the world, that's a way of life.  The point of fasting in Ramadan is to feel the pain of our brethren and develop some empathy.  

Edited June 9, 2016 by Renaissance_Man

[Hussein14]

12 hours ago, hasanhh said:

But, to counter your assertion, the Quran is revealed for the whole World. Ergo, you can't limit it to Medina geography.

But you can't use verse 2:187 globaly because the  sun will never go down on some place. Therefore verse 2:187 was not revealed to the whole world.

[certainclarity]

On June 6, 2016 at 10:20 PM, icherub said:

there's no way that fasting for 20 hours is healthy for acive body a day is satisfactory for Allah. I do not understand how is this allowed by Sharia in day and age that everyone are looking to the nearest existthere's no way that fasting for 20 hours is healthy for acive body a day is satisfactory for Allah. I do not understand how is this allowed by Sharia in day and age that everyone are looking to the nearest exist

Yes anyone can choose the nearest exist.

Many people are happy not to choose Islam as their religion.

Arguments to Islamic life style:

- Why pray 5 times a day, it is too hard and does not make sense, you only have to be a good person

- Why halal food and not eat pork and drink alcohol now adays everything is hygenic, cows and chickens are even filter than pigs now adays  and drinking wine can prolong your life span.

- Why fast, for long hours once a year,it is cruel to the body.( not to say even humans take weekends off-without fasting we are enforcing organ slavery to work for us in our body factory,thru out the year non stop)

- Why pay charity, it is my hard earned money, the poor can pray to God.

- Why hijab and lower your gaze, beauty is supposed to be revealed and enjoyed by all.

*****

There is no compulsion in Islam as a religion.

******

The very same thing a non believer can dedicate to for worldly gains.

Gold winner Athlete:

- I don't consume junk food and am under strict diet.

- I wake up fajr to train for 1 - 2 hours in the morning.

- I retrain in the evening 

- I try to meditate and focus so, I don't slip.

- I try to gain more knowledge by studying the tactics of my opponents instead of watching useless programs with loads of sexual content.

-I try not to indulge in too many social entertainment so, I should not accidently fall under the influence of a crowd who don't have a goal,and have a drink or two and loose my balance in the competition. 

The vocational gymnast who does not care to be the best, 

- won't wake up on time every day to practice

- will complain of strict diet and say it is harmful for the body

- will go partying and have a drink or two .

Will fail in the competion.

There was no complusion in being a gymnast.

 

Edited June 9, 2016 by certainclarity

[certainclarity]

Quran:

Or do you EXPECT to enter Paradise, before Allah has DISTINGUISHED  those among you who STRIVE , and before He has DISTINGUISHED the STEADFAST? (3:142)

Edited June 9, 2016 by certainclarity

[icherub]

15 hours ago, certainclarity said:

Yes anyone can choose the nearest exist.

Many people are happy not to choose Islam as their religion.

Arguments to Islamic life style:

- Why pray 5 times a day, it is too hard and does not make sense, you only have to be a good person

- Why halal food and not eat pork and drink alcohol now adays everything is hygenic, cows and chickens are even filter than pigs now adays  and drinking wine can prolong your life span.

- Why fast, for long hours once a year,it is cruel to the body.( not to say even humans take weekends off-without fasting we are enforcing organ slavery to work for us in our body factory,thru out the year non stop)

- Why pay charity, it is my hard earned money, the poor can pray to God.

- Why hijab and lower your gaze, beauty is supposed to be revealed and enjoyed by all.

*****

There is no compulsion in Islam as a religion.

******

The very same thing a non believer can dedicate to for worldly gains.

Gold winner Athlete:

- I don't consume junk food and am under strict diet.

- I wake up fajr to train for 1 - 2 hours in the morning.

- I retrain in the evening 

- I try to meditate and focus so, I don't slip.

- I try to gain more knowledge by studying the tactics of my opponents instead of watching useless programs with loads of sexual content.

-I try not to indulge in too many social entertainment so, I should not accidently fall under the influence of a crowd who don't have a goal,and have a drink or two and loose my balance in the competition. 

The vocational gymnast who does not care to be the best, 

- won't wake up on time every day to practice

- will complain of strict diet and say it is harmful for the body

- will go partying and have a drink or two .

Will fail in the competion.

There was no complusion in being a gymnast.

 

the point that I was trying to make is that there must be a way around that. The imams didn't issue a fatwa for the lengthy fasting days in other parts of the world because that was irrelevant at the times. I think fasting 20 hours a day for 30 days must contradict with the tenet that "Allah want to ease for you and he doesn't want hardship for you". Fasting 20 hours a day and having 4 hours to eat is very difficult and unhealthy to sustain over 40 days for most of people. That is not the same as the regular fasting which would extend maximum to 16 hours a day in any middle eastern countries when the Imams lived. 

[hasanhh]

22 hours ago, Hussein14 said:

But you can't use verse 2:187 globaly because the  sun will never go down on some place. Therefore verse 2:187 was not revealed to the whole world.

You are not correct. Above the Artic Circle and below the Antarctic Circle, there is one-solar-day-per-year ---6 months light and 6 months darkness,

[Abdul-Hadi]

I wish I could fast at any point again. There was a time earlier in life before I had to take this stupid prescription that must be taken with 250c of food x2 a day and I used to be able to do a good 18 hours during Lent as a youth.

Now it's like, my blood sugar crashes and I become dizzy, disoriented, confused... It actually was impacting my work long before I ever became interested in Islam. I'm going to talk to my Doctor at my appt next month to see if he might be able to scale me down and change me to something that doesn't require you take it with food.

[Abdullah1400]

The number 23 (23 hours) doesn't have any significance, it's just an example.

(ref. Ibn al-Shahid quote from Seestani)