The Pillars of Fasting
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Excerpts from the ‘Jurisprudence of Worship’
By Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih ibn Uthaymeen رحمه الله تعالى

Question: Oh Noble Shaykh, What are the pillars of fasting?

Answer:
Fasting has one pillar, it is to worship Allāh عز وجل by abstaining from it’s invalidators from dawn (Al-Fajr) until sunset (Al-Maghrib). The meaning of Al-Fajr here is Al-Fajr At-Thani (the second dawn) as opposed to Al-Fajr Al-Awwal (the first dawn).

The differences between Al-Fajr Al-Awwal (the first dawn) and Al-Fajr Ath-Thani (the second dawn) are 3:

1) The first difference is that Al-Fajr Ath-Thani transverses the horizon, and Al-Fajr Al-Awwal protracts and outspreads from the East to the West. However, in the case of Al-Fajr Ath-Thani it is (spread out) from South to the North.

2) The second difference is Al-Fajr Ath-Thani has no darkness after it. Rather, light continues to grow until the sun rises. However, in the case of the Al-Fajr Al-Awwal, there is darkness except for a beam or streak (of sunlight).

3) The third difference is Al-Fajr Ath-Thani is it’s setting is connected to the horizon. However, in case of Al-Fajr Al-Awwal between it and the horizon there is darkness. Also Al-Fajr Al-Awwal has no ruling (related to it) in the Sharia (Islamic Legislation). There is no Fajr Salāh (morning prayer) ordained due to it. Nor is there any food made impermissible for the fasting person due to it contrary to the Al-Fajr Ath-Thani.

Jurisprudence of Worship- Fatwa Regarding Sâum (Fasting). By Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih Ibn Uthaymeen (pg.248)

Translated by: Abu Uwāis, Muhammad Abdullahi Elmi