Shaykh Abu Abdir Rahmaan Yahyaa Bin Alee Al-Hajooree was asked:

Question:

What is the wisdom behind fasting, along with the mention of its pillars and conditions?

Answer:

As for the wisdom, then it is mentioned in His statement exalted be He:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious – see V.2:2).

[2:183]

Thus Allah clarified in his book that he prescribed fasting upon us as it was prescribed upon those before us. It doesn’t mean that Ramadan (specifically) was prescribed upon those before us. Rather, upon them was to fast.

As for (fasting the month of) Ramadan, it wasn’t prescribed except upon this nation, the nation of Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم

The conditions of obligation (of fasting):

  • Islaam
  • Puberty
  • Having sound intellect
  • Capability

As for the conditions of its correctness, then they are six:

  • Islaam
  • Having sound intellect
  • Having the intention
  • Reaching the age of distinction
  • The non presence of menstrual blood
  • The non presence of post partum blood

Translated by

Majid Jawed Al-Afghanee
Abu Layl