The Quran

184

Preface

أَيّامًا مَعدوداتٍ ۚ فَمَن كانَ مِنكُم مَريضًا أَو عَلىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِن أَيّامٍ أُخَرَ ۚ وَعَلَى الَّذينَ يُطيقونَهُ فِديَةٌ طَعامُ مِسكينٍ ۖ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيرًا فَهُوَ خَيرٌ لَهُ ۚ وَأَن تَصوموا خَيرٌ لَكُم ۖ إِن كُنتُم تَعلَمونَ

Yusuf Ali

(Fasting) for a fixed¹ number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey², the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it³ (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew.

This verse should be read with the following verses, 185-188, in order that the incidents of the physical fast may be fully understood with reference to its spiritual meaning.
The Muslim fast is not meant for self-torture. Although it is stricter than other fasts, it also provides alleviations for special circumstances. If it were merely a temporary abstention from food and drink, it would be salutary to many people, who habitually eat and drink to excess. The instincts for food, drink, and sex are strong in the animal nature, and temporary restraint from all these enables the attention to be directed to higher things. This is necessary through prayer, contemplation and acts of charity, not of the showy kind, but by seeking out those really in need. Certain standards are prescribed, but much higher standards are recommended.
For journeys, a minimum standard of three marches is prescribed by some Commentators; others make it more precise by naming a distance of 16 farsakhs, equivalent to 48 miles. A journey of 8 or 9 miles on foot is more tiring than a similar one by bullock cart. There are various degrees of fatigue in riding a given distance on horseback or by camel or in a comfortable train or by motor car or by steamer, aeroplane, or airship. In my opinion the standard must depend on the means of locomotion and on the relative resources of the traveller. It is better to determine it in each case according to circumstances. (R).
Those who can do it with hardship; such as aged people, or persons specially circumstanced. The Shafi'i school would include a woman expecting a child, or one who is nursing a baby, but on this point opinion is not unanimous, some holding that they ought to put in the fasts later, when they can.