Fasting and Salaat on other Planets!
بسم الله
الرحمن
الرحيم
الحمدلله
رب العالمين
والصلوة
والسلام على اشرف
الانبياء
وسيدالمرسلين
نبينا محمد صل
ا لله عليه
وعلى آله
واصحابه
وازواجه
اجمعين -
امابعد
All the praises and thanks be to
Allaah, Sustainer of the Universe, and blessing and salutation to be the most
distinguish of the Messengers and foremost among the Prophets, our Prophet Muhammad,
peace and blessings of Allaah be on him and on his wives, children and
Companions.
The issue of Fasting (Suam) and
performing Salaat at other planets many be thought provoking for some and mind boggling to others,
but answers are not that difficult. Since the Glorious Qur’aan has not
overlooked this kind of issues. Islaamic Shariah شريعه rules are simple and
without any hardship on the Believers. Therefore, whether the question is about
moon, mars or some other planet, Qur’aanic
injunctions that apply to the Shariah شريعه rules are as follows
for Fasting and Salaat.
Glorious
Qur’aan has made it very clear and said.
فَمَن
شَهِدَ
مِنكُمُ
الشَّهْرَ
فَلْيَصُمْهُ
FA-
MAN SHAHIDA MIN -KUM ASH- SHAHR FA- LI- YAS.UM
So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the
first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must
observe Suam (fasts) that month, [Glorious Qur’aan
2:185]
Thus,
when the opportunity of Ramadaan رمضان
does not arrive, and the month of Ramadaan is not
seen at all, then there is NO obligation to fast. The same applies to Prayers (Salaat) at such places because Allaah (SWT) says,
إِنَّ
الصَّلاَةَ
كَانَتْ
عَلَى
الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
كِتَاباً
مَّوْقُوتاً
'
Verily,
the prayer is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours. [Glorious Qur’aan
4:103]
So, when
these hours are not found, no prayer is prescribed. The month
of Ramadaan رمضان
is according to *Lunar* calendar. Allaah (SWT) after prescribing
fasting,
شَهْرُ
رَمَضَانَ
الَّذِيَ
أُنزِلَ
فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ
SHAHR RAMAD.AAN 'ALLADHE UNZILA FE -HI
AL- QUR'AAN
The month of Ramadan رمضان
in which was revealed the Qur’ân, [Glorious Qur’aan 2:185]
It is
clear that Ramadaan رمضان
is a Lunar month. Each lunar month is made up of twenty-nine days and twelve
hours and twenty-four minutes (29 days, 12 hours, 24 minutes), therefore, WHERE
THE *LUNAR* MONTH IS NOT FOUND THERE IS NO FASTING!
Salaat is a time related obligation; so, when these hours
are not found on
other planets no prayer is prescribed.
Let me give an example:
It is a prescribed punishment that
the hand of a thief must be amputated. A Muslim and/or one who converted to
Islaam may be subject to this punishment for the theft crime he or she
committed; resulting in no hands at all or one hand due to punishment or
because of some accident, but he or she can pray, since there is no exemption
from prayers. The Glorious Qur’aan tells
us that both hands must be washed and/or wiped when performing ablution or Tayyamum. But, if a person does not have hands or a hand,
how will he/she wash them? In the same way, when there is no Ramadan رمضان,
what it means to observe fasting in Ramadan رمضان? This is
the opinion of some Ullama, other opines that the
underlying purpose is fasting and prayer time is appointed where it is
possible. If it is not possible to determine the timetable then the
required worship will be omitted. Worshipers will have to reckon a timetable
and then observe fasting and prayers. It is safer to go by this opinion.
In
conclusion, if Muslims are confronted with such questions, they should now know
how to deduce the ruling and/or what is the Shariah شريعه
ruling in this regard.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005