Islam_in_Focus_text

as forbidden for him as his mother - an old pre-Islamic cus-
tom- he must pay for his carelessness and irresponsibility. To
expiate for this sin he has, as an alternative, to observe the
fast of two consecutive months (Qur'an, 2:183-185; 5:92;
58:l-4). (!])
Who Must Fast?
The Fasting of Ramadan is obligatory upon every Mus-
lim, male or female, who has these qualifications:
1
.
sane and able;
To be mentally and physically fit, which means to be
2. To be of full age, the age of puberty and discretion,
which is normally about fourteen. Children under this age
should be encouraged to start this good practice on easy lev-
11) It is interesting to note that expiation for breaking an earnest oath is
the feeding, or clothing of ten indigent persons. If that is not possible the
oftender must emancipate a slave or ransom his freedom. I f that also i s not
possible then the fasting of three days is the last resort (Qur'an, 5:89). In
the case of that thoughtless use of words, that distasteful pre-Islamic
custom, the offender's first obligation is to emancipate a slave or ransom
his freedom. If he cannot afford that, then he must observe the fast of two
consecutive months before he resumes intimacy with his wife. If he
cannot fast, then he must feed sixty needy persons or distribute sixty
average meals among the poor. There are other occasions where fasting i s
either required or recommended to substitute for unmanageable tasks
(Qur'an, 58:1-4, cf. 2:196).