ইসলামী রাষ্ট্রঃ শুরুর কথা

শুরুর কথা

রাসুল হিসাবে দায়িত্ব প্রাপ্ত হবার পর মুহাম্মদ (সাঃ) সর্বপ্রথম আহবান জানালেন তার সহধর্মিনী খাদিজা (রাঃ) কে এবং তিনি তাঁর উপর বিশ্বাস স্থাপন করলেন। তারপর তিনি তাঁর চাচাতো ভাই আলী (রাঃ) কে ইসলামের দাওয়াত দেন এবং তিনিও তাঁর উপর বিশ্বাস আনেন। এরপর তিনি তাঁর ক্রীতদাস যায়েদ (রাঃ) কে আহবান করলে যায়েদও (রাঃ) তাঁর উপর ঈমান আনেন। তারপর তিনি তাঁর বন্ধু আবু বকর (রাঃ) কে আহবান জানান এবং তিনিও বিশ্বাস স্থাপন করেন। এরপর তিনি জনসাধারনকে ইসলামের দিকে আহবান করতে থাকেন, এদের মধ্যে কিছু মানুষ ঈমান আনে আর বাকীরা তা গ্রহন করতে অস্বীকার করে।

আবু বকর (রাঃ) ইসলাম গ্রহন করার পর তার কাছের মানুষদেরকে তার বিশ্বাসের কথা জানান এবং তাদের আল্লাহ তা’আলা ও তাঁর রাসুলের (সাঃ) দিকে আহবান করেন। আবু বকর ছিলেন তার আপন লোকদের মধ্যে উচ্চ মর্যাদা সম্পন্ন। লোকেরা তার সাহচার্য উপভোগ করত এবং বিভিন্ন বিষয়ে তার সাথে পরামর্শ করত। সমাজে তার এ সমস্ত প্রভাব কাজে লাগিয়ে তিনি উসমান ইবনে আফফান (রাঃ) কে ইসলামের ছায়াতলে নিয়ে আসেন। এভাবে পরবর্তীতে যুবাইর ইবন আল-আওওয়াম (রাঃ), আবদ আল রহমান ইবন আওফ (রাঃ), সা’দ ইবন আবি ওয়াক্কাস (রাঃ), তালহা ইবন উবাইদুল্লাহ ইসলাম গ্রহন করেন। এদের সকলকে তিনি মুহাম্মদ (সাঃ) এর কাছে নিয়ে আসেন, তারা সকলে তাদের ঈমান আনার ঘোষনা দেন এবং নামাজ আদায় করেন। এরপর, আমির ইবন আল-যাররাহ (আবু উবাইদাহ নামে পরিচিত) ইসলাম গ্রহন করেন এবং আবদুল্লাহ ইবন আবদ আল-আসাদ (আবু সালামাহ নামে পরিচিত) ও তার সাথে আল-আরকাম ইবন আবি আল-আরকাম, উসমান ইবন মাজ’য়ুন এবং আরও অনেকে ইসলাম গ্রহন করেন। এভাবে একের পর এক বহুসংখ্যক মানুষ ইসলামের ছায়াতলে চলে আসে যে পর্যন্ত না এ বিষয়টি কুরাইশ সম্প্রদায়ের মাঝে আলোচনার বস্তুতে পরিণত হয়।

প্রথম দিকে মুহাম্মদ (সাঃ) বাড়ি বাড়ি গিয়ে মানুষকে ইসলামের দাওয়াত দিতেন। তাদের বলতেন যে, আল্লাহ তা’আলা তাদের তাঁর ইবাদত করতে এবং তাঁর সাথে কাউকে শরীক না করার জন্য আদেশ দিয়েছেন। এরপর তিনি কুর’আনের নিম্নোক্ত আয়াতের পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে মক্কার মানুষকে প্রকাশ্যে ইসলামের দিকে আহবান করতে শুরু করেন, যেখানে আল্লাহ আদেশ করছেনঃ

“হে বস্ত্রাবৃত! উঠো এবং সতর্ক করো।” [সুরা আল-মুদ্দাছিরঃ ১-২]

পরবর্তীতে আল্লাহর রাসুল (সাঃ) দ্বীন ইসলামের দলভুক্ত মানুষেদের নিয়ে গোপনে একত্রিত হতেন এবং তাদের দ্বীন শিক্ষা দিতেন। প্রথমদিকে রাসুল (সাঃ) এর সাহাবীরা কুরাইশদের আড়ালে মক্কার প্রান্তসীমায় অবস্থিত পাহাড়ে নামাজ আদায় করতেন। যখনই নতুন কেউ ইসলাম গ্রহন করতো, আল্লাহর রাসুল (সাঃ) তাকে কুরআন শেখানোর জন্য পূর্বে ইসলাম গ্রহনকারী একজনকে পাঠাতেন। তিনি (সাঃ) ফাতিমা বিনত আল-খাত্তাব ও তার স্বামী সা’ঈদ কে কুরআন শেখানোর কাজে খাব্বাব ইবনে আল-আরতকে নিযুক্ত করেছিলেন। একদিন যখন তারা দু’জন এভাবে খাব্বাব (রাঃ) এর কাছে কুরআন শিখছিলেন, তখন সেখানে উমর ইবন আল-খাত্তাব আকষ্মিকভাবে উপস্থিত হন এবং সাথে সাথে ইসলাম গ্রহন করেন। পরবর্তীতে আল্লাহর রাসুল (সাঃ) অনুভব করেন এভাবে শিক্ষা দান যথেষ্ঠ নয়, তাই তিনি আরকাম ইবনে আল আরকামের বাসগৃহকে তাঁর দাওয়াতের কেন্দ্র হিসাবে মনোনীত করেন এবং এখান থেকেই তিনি মুসলিমদের কুরআন শিক্ষা দিতেন, ইসলাম সম্মন্ধে আলোচনা করতেন, তাদেরকে কুরআন তিলাওয়াত ও কুরআন নিয়ে চিন্তা করার জন্য উৎসাহ  দিতেন। যখন কেউ ইসলাম গ্রহন করতো, আল্লাহর রাসুল (সাঃ) তার সাথে দার-উল-আরকামে সাক্ষাৎ করতেন। তিন বছর পর্যন্ত তিনি এভাবে মুসলিমদের শিক্ষা দেন, নামাজে ইমামতি করেন, শেষ রাত্রে তাদের সাথে তাহাজ্জুদ আদায় করেন, তাদের চিন্তা চেতনাকে উদ্দীপ্ত করেন, নামাজ এবং কুরআন তিলওয়াতের মাধ্যমে তাদের ঈমানকে আরও মজবুত করেন। কুরআনের আয়াত ও আল্লাহর সৃষ্টিকে গভীরভাবে পর্যালোচনার মাধ্যমে নও মুসলিমদের চিন্তাধারাকে আলোকিত করেন। এছাড়াও তিনি তাদেরকে আল্লাহর কাছে নিজেকে পরিপূর্ণভাবে সর্মপনের মাধ্যমে সকল কষ্ট ও বাধাঁ অতিক্রমের উপায় শেখান।

মুহাম্মদ (সাঃ) তাঁর দলভুক্ত মুসলিমদের সাথে এভাবে দার-উল-আরকামে সময় অতিবাহিত করতে থাকেন যে পর্যন্ত না আল্লাহ সুবহানাহু ওয়া তা’আলা নিম্নোক্ত আয়াত নাযিল করেনঃ

“অতএব তোমাকে যে বিষয়ে আদেশ করা হয়েছে, তা প্রকাশ্যে ঘোষনা কর এবং মুশরিকদের থেকে মুখ ফিরিয়ে নাও।” [সুরা আল-হিজরঃ ৯৪]

ইসলামী রাষ্ট্রঃ ভূমিকা

ভূমিকা

বর্তমান প্রজন্ম সেই ইসলামী রাষ্ট্রের স্মরণ থেকে বিস্মৃত হয়েছে, যা সত্যিকার ভাবে ইসলাম কায়েম করেছিল। আর ইসলামী রাষ্ট্রের (উসমানী খিলাফত) সমাপনী বছর গুলোতে যারা এখানে বসবাস করেছে, যখন পশ্চিমা বিশ্ব এ রাষ্ট্রের বিরুদ্ধে সর্বাত্মক যুদ্ধ ঘোষনা করে, তারা মূলতঃ একটি ক্ষয়ে যাওয়া ধ্বংসোম্মুখ রাষ্ট্র ব্যবস্থার সাক্ষী যেখানে ইসলামী বিধিবিধানের খুব ক্ষুদ্র একটি অংশই কার্যকর ছিল। তাই আজ অধিকাংশ মুসলিমদের পক্ষেই ইসলামী শাসন-ব্যবস্থার সত্যিকারের স্বরূপ নির্নয় করা খুবই কঠিন। সমস্ত মুসলিম জাতির মনমগজ আজ বর্তমানে বিরাজমান পরিস্থিতির বেড়াজালে বন্দী। আর তাই, রাষ্ট্র-ব্যবস্থা বলতে কেবলই তাদের মানসপটে ভেসে উঠে নীতি বিবর্জিতহীন গণতান্ত্রিক ব্যবস্থার স্বরূপ, যা মূলতঃ মুসলিমদের উপর জোরপূর্বক চাপানো হয়েছিল।

বস্তুতঃ মুসলিম জাতির এই দূর্ভাগ্যজনক অধ্যায়ের এটিই একমাত্র সমস্যাযুক্ত দিক নয়। বরং এর চাইতেও কঠিনতম সমস্যা হলো সেইসব মুসলিমদের মন-মানসিকতার আমূল পরিবর্তন ঘটানো, যা পশ্চিমা সংস্কৃতির মোহে আবিষ্ট। আর পশ্চিমা সংস্কৃতি হচ্ছে পশ্চিমা বিশ্ব কর্তৃক প্রয়োগকৃত এমন এক অস্ত্র, যা দ্বারা তারা ইসলামী রাষ্ট্র-ব্যবস্থাকে করেছে ভয়ংকরভাবে রক্তাক্ত আর ক্ষতবিক্ষত। তারপর সেই রক্তাক্ত খঞ্জর হাতে গর্বিত ভঙ্গিমায় এ রাষ্ট্রের সন্তানদের ডেকে বলেছেঃ ‘‘আমি তোমাদের রুগ্ন জননীকে হত্যা করেছি। যার ব্যবস্থাপনা আর অভিভাবকত্ব অতিশয় দূর্বল, তারতো নিহত হওয়াই উচিত। এছাড়া আমি তোমাদের জন্য সংরক্ষিত করেছি এমন এক জীবন ধারা, যেখানে তোমরা পাবে সুখ আর সমৃদ্ধির নাগাল।’’ তারপর তারা সেই দূর্ভাগা জননীর সন্তানদের উদ্বুদ্ধ করেছে সেইসব খুনীদের সাথে হাত মিলাতে যাদের খঞ্জর তখনও ছিল তাদের জননীর রক্তে রঞ্জিত। এ যেন হিংস্র হায়েনার ইপ্সিত শিকারের সাথে আচরন সদৃশ। শিকার যেখানে নিশ্চল, হতবিহবল আর কিংকর্তব্যবিমূঢ়। এক প্রচন্ড রক্তক্ষয়ী আঘাত কিংবা ভোজের জন্য কোন উপত্যকার পাদপ্রান্তে টেনে হিচঁড়ে নিয়ে যাবার পূব পর্যন্ত সে যেন চেতনায় ফিরে আসে না।

সুতরাং কিভাবে এইসব মোহাবিষ্ট হতবিহবল মানুষেরা অনুভব করবে, যে বিষাক্ত খঞ্জর তাদের জননীকে হত্যা করেছে, সেই একই মারনাস্ত্রের মুখে আজ তাদের অস্তিত্বও বিপন্ন। এই একই অস্ত্র তাদের জীবনও নাশ করবে যদি না তারা এর থেকে নিজেদের মুক্ত করতে পারে। জাতীয়তাবাদ, ধর্মনিরপেক্ষতা (ধর্মকে রাষ্ট্র থেকে পৃথক করা) সহ আরো অনেক ইসলাম বিরোধী ধ্যান ধারনা যা আজ মুসলিমরা বয়ে বেড়াচ্ছে, এসবই হচ্ছে বিষাক্ত গরল যা পশ্চিমা সংস্কৃতি মুসলিমদের ধমনীতে প্রবাহিত করেছে। এই বইয়ের মিশনারীদের আগ্রাসন সম্পর্কে আলোচিত অধ্যায়ে উপযুক্ত তথ্য প্রমানসহ এ সকল হত্যাকারীদের প্রকৃত উদ্দেশ্য, তাদের অপরাধের পেছনের কারন এবং উদ্দেশ্য সাধনে গৃহীত পদ্ধতি ও উপায় উপকরন সম্পর্কে বিস্তারিত আলোচনা করা হয়েছে। বস্তুতঃ তাদের সকল কার্যক্রমের এক এবং একমাত্র উদ্দেশ্য ছিল ইসলামকে এই পৃথিবীর বুক থেকে চিরতরে নিশ্চিহ্ন করে ফেলা। আর এ লক্ষ্যে তাদের সবচাইতে কার্যকরী অস্ত্র ছিল পশ্চিমা বিশ্বের সংস্কৃতি, যা তারা ঢালাওভাবে প্রচার করেছিল এবং এর ফলে মুসলিমরা ক্রমশঃ পরিণত হয়েছিল তাদের স্বেচ্ছা প্রনোদিত শিকারে।

মুসলিম জনগোষ্ঠি  ভিন্নধর্মী এ সংস্কৃতির সম্ভাব্য বিপদ সম্পর্কে ছিল সম্পূর্ন অজ্ঞ। তাই যদিও তারা একদিকে পশ্চিমাদের সামরিক আগ্রাসনের বিরুদ্ধে প্রতিরোধ যুদ্ধ গড়ে তুলেছিল, কিন্তু অপরদিকে তাদের সংস্কৃতিকেই সাদরে বরণ করে নিয়েছিল, যা ছিল পশ্চিমাদের দখলদারিত্ব শেকড় গেড়ে বসার মূল কারন। নির্মম বাস্তবতা হলো, মুসলিমরা কোনও গভীর পর্যালোচনা বা যুক্তি প্রমান ছাড়াই বিদেশীদের পৃষ্ঠ প্রদর্শন করেছিল ও তাদের দখলদারিত্বের বিরুদ্ধে যুদ্ধ করে যাচ্ছিল এবং একই সাথে তাদের আলিঙ্গন করতেই নিজ বাহু উন্মুক্ত করে দিয়েছিল, পান করছিল তাদেরই এগিয়ে দেয়া বিষের পেয়ালা থেকে যে পর্যন্ত না তারা প্রাণহীন, নির্জীব আর ছিন্নভিন্ন হয়ে পড়ে। কেউ কেউ হয়তো ভেবে থাকবে, এসবই হচ্ছে যুদ্ধের স্বভাব সুলভ ধ্বংসাত্মক ফলাফল, কিন্তু বাস্তবতা হচ্ছে মুসলিমরা ছিল অজ্ঞানতা আর ভ্রান্ত নির্দেশনার অসহায় শিকার।

কিন্তু প্রশ্ন হলো, আসলে মুসলিমরা কি চেয়েছিল? তারা কি চেয়েছিল এমন একটি রাষ্ট্র যার ভিত্তি হবে ইসলাম ছাড়া অন্য কিছু? নাকি তারা চেয়েছিল মুসলিম ভূখন্ডে বহু সংখ্যক রাষ্ট্রের উপস্থিতি? পশ্চিমা বিশ্ব মুসলিম ভূখন্ডে শাসন কর্তৃত্বের অধিকারী হবার পর, ইতিমধ্যেই মুসলিমদের উপহার দিয়েছে অনেকগুলি রাষ্ট্র। তারপর এ রাষ্ট্রগুলোর সরকারকে প্রকৃত ইসলাম থেকে দূরে সরিয়ে, মুসলিম ভূখন্ডগুলোকে খন্ডে খন্ডে বিভক্ত করে এবং সর্বোপরি ইসলামী শাসনকে প্রয়োজনহীনতায় পর্যবসিত করে তারা তাদের পরিকল্পনার চূড়ান্ত বাস্তবরূপ দান করেছে। এভাবে যতই সময় যেতে থাকে, তারা মুসলিম বিশ্বে তৈরী করতে থাকে নতুন নতুন রাষ্ট্র এবং এ প্রক্রিয়া চলতেই থাকবে যতদিন পর্যন্ত মুসলিমরা তাদের প্রস্তাবিত নীতি এবং  ধ্যান-ধারনার উপর প্রতিষ্ঠিত থাকবে।

বস্তুতঃ এখানে মূল বিষয় বহু সংখ্যক রাষ্ট্র নয় বরং সমস্ত মুসলিম বিশ্বে একটি একক রাষ্ট্র প্রতিষ্ঠা করা। আবার শুধুমাত্র একটি রাষ্ট্র প্রতিষ্ঠা করাও নয় এবং নয় প্রতিষ্ঠা করা একটি নাম সর্বস্ব ইসলামী রাষ্ট্র - যার শাসনব্যবস্থা আল্লাহ তা’আলার নাজিলকৃত বিধান অনুযায়ী পরিচালিত নয়। কিংবা এমন একটি রাষ্ট্র প্রতিষ্ঠা করাও নয়, যা ইসলামী বিধিবিধান বাস্তবায়ন করে কিন্তু একটি বুদ্ধিবৃত্তিক বলিষ্ঠ ইসলামী নেতৃত্ব ছাড়াই যা সমস্ত বিশ্বে ইসলামের বার্তা পৌঁছে দেবে। বরং সবচাইতে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ কাজ হচ্ছে, এমন একটি একক রাষ্ট্র রাষ্ট্র প্রতিষ্ঠা করা যা ইসলামী আকীদার (বিশ্বাস) ভিত্তিতে পুনরায় ফিরিয়ে নিয়ে আসবে ইসলামী জীবন-ব্যবস্থা, মানুষের হৃদয় এবং মানসিকতার গভীরে ইসলাম প্রোথিত করে সমাজের সর্বস্তরে প্রতিষ্ঠিত করবে ইসলাম, এ বিশ্বের প্রতিটি প্রান্তে পৌঁছে দেবে ইসলামের আহবান।

ইসলামী রাষ্ট্র কোনও স্বপ্ন নয়, নয় এটা কারও মগজ প্রসূত আকাশ কুসুম কল্পনা। বরং এটা এমন এক রাষ্ট-ব্যবস্থা, যা পৃথিবী শাসন করেছে দাপটের সাথে আর দীর্ঘ তেরশত বছর ধরে প্রভাবিত করেছে এ বিশ্বের ইতিহাস। এটা এমন এক বাস্তবতা, যা সবসময় ছিল এবং থাকবে। ইসলামী রাষ্ট্রের অস্তিত্ব প্রমানের অপরিহার্য উপাদানগুলো কোন ব্যক্তি বা অন্য কোনকিছুর উপেক্ষা অথবা আক্রমনের বহু ঊর্ধ্বে। আলোকিত মানুষেরা এটাকে তাদের জীবনে বাস্তবায়িত করেছে এবং সমস্ত মুসলিম উম্মাহ অধীর আগ্রহে অপেক্ষা করছে সেদিনের, যেদিন ফিরে আসবে ইসলামের সেই হারানো গৌরবমন্ডিত অধ্যায়। ইসলামী রাষ্ট্র কোনও ব্যক্তির আপন খেয়ালের অভিলাষ নয় বরং এটা আল্লাহ তা’আলার পক্ষ হতে মুসলিমদের উপর অর্পিত দায়িত্ব, যা পালনে তারা অঙ্গীকারাবদ্ধ। এ দায়িত্ব পালনে অবহেলাকারীদের জন্য অপেক্ষা করছে শাস্তি। আর যারা নিষ্ঠার সাথে পালন করবে এ দায়িত্ব, তাদের জন্য রয়েছে প্রতিশ্রুত উত্তম পুরস্কার।

কিভাবে এই মুসলিম উম্মাহ তাদের রবের সন্তুষ্টি অর্জন করবে, যদি না তাদের রাষ্ট্রে সম্মান ও মর্যাদা না আল্লাহ তা’আলা, না তাঁর রাসুল (সাঃ), না ঈমানদারদের জন্য নির্দিষ্ট হয়? কিভাবে তারা তাঁর শাস্তি থেকে নিজেদের রক্ষা করবে যদি না তারা এমন একটি রাষ্ট্র প্রতিষ্ঠা করে, যা প্রস্তুত করবে এর সামরিক শক্তি, রক্ষা করবে এর সীমানা, বাস্তবায়িত করবে আল্লাহ প্রদত্ত আইন কানুন এবং শাসন করবে আল্লাহর নাজিলকৃত বিধান অনুযায়ী? সুতরাং, মুসলিমদের অবশ্যই ইসলামী রাষ্ট্র প্রতিষ্ঠা করতে হবে, কারন ইসলামী রাষ্ট্র ব্যতীত দ্বীন ইসলাম প্রভাবশালী অস্তিত্ব হিসাবে আত্মপ্রকাশ করবে না এবং তাদের ভূখন্ড কখনই দার-উল-ইসলাম হিসাবে বিবেচিত হবে না, যদি না তা শাসিত হয় আল্লাহর নাজিলকৃত বিধান অনুযায়ী।

ইসলামী রাষ্ট্র কোনও অবস্থাতেই একটি সহজলব্ধ প্রচেষ্টা নয়। তাই এ রাষ্ট্র প্রতিষ্ঠার ব্যাপারটি সুবিধাবাদীদের মনে জ্বালায় না মিথ্যা আশার আলো (রাষ্ট্র ক্ষমতায় আরোহন করাই যাদের প্রকৃত উদ্দেশ্য)। প্রচেষ্টার এ পথে বিছানো রয়েছে কন্টক, অপেক্ষা করছে ভয়াবহ বিপদ, রয়েছে শত বাঁধা এবং কঠিন কষ্ট। এছাড়া ইসলাম বর্হিভূত সংস্কৃতি, অগভীর চিন্তাধারা এবং পশ্চিমা বিশ্বের তাঁবেদার শাসনব্যবস্থা যা তৈরী করেছে লক্ষ্য অর্জনে ভয়ংকর বাঁধা, এগুলোর কথা বলাই বাহুল্য। ইসলামী রাষ্ট্র পূর্নগঠনে যারা সত্যিকারভাবে এ আহবানের পথে পা বাড়িয়েছে, তাদের লক্ষ্য হওয়া উচিত এমন এক শাসনব্যবস্থা যা মুসলিম ভূখন্ডগুলোতে আবার ফিরিয়ে নিয়ে আসবে ইসলামী জীবনব্যবস্থা এবং ইসলামের বার্তা পৌঁছে দেবে সমস্ত বিশ্বে। আর এজন্যই তারা শত প্রলোভনের পরও প্রত্যাখান করবে অন্য কারও সাথে ক্ষমতার অংশীদারিত্ব। ততক্ষন পর্যন্ত তারা রাষ্ট্র ক্ষমতায় আরোহনও করবে না, যতক্ষন পর্যন্ত  না তারা ইসলামকে মৌলিক, তাৎক্ষনিক এবং সর্বতোভাবে প্রয়োগ করতে পারে।

পরিশেষে এটা বলা যায় যে, ইসলামী রাষ্ট্র সর্ম্পকিত এই বইটির উদ্দেশ্য নয় এ রাষ্ট্রের অতীত ইতিহাস বর্ণনা করা। বরং, আল্লাহর রাসুল (সাঃ) কিভাবে ইসলামী রাষ্ট্র প্রতিষ্ঠা করেছিলেন এবং অবিশ্বাসী সাম্রাজ্যবাদীরা কিভাবে এটাকে ধ্বংস করেছিল, তা ব্যাখ্যা করাই এর মূল উদ্দেশ্য। এই বইটি পরিস্কারভাবে বর্ণনা করেছে মুসলিম জনগোষ্ঠি কিভাবে তাদের রাষ্ট্র পুনঃপ্রতিষ্ঠা করবে, যেন যে আলো গভীরতম অন্ধকারে একসময় তাবৎ বিশ্বকে পথপ্রর্দশন করেছিল, সেই একই আলো যেন প্রত্যাবর্তিত হয় আবারও সমগ্র মানবতাকে আলোকিত করতে।

Q&A: The Impact of America on India’s Policy to Confront China

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Question and Answer

The Impact of America on India’s Policy to Confront China

(Translated)

Question:

On 07/04/2014 the general election in India was launched, which will continue until 12/05/2014 and the results will be declared on 16/05/2014. The elections are contested by two large political blocs; the American-linked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with its alliance, and the pro-British, the Congress Party, which since its return to power through winning the 2004 election, showed a sluggish relationship with the United States because of its association with Britain, and showed fear in confronting China... The question is what is the impact of America on India’s policy in confronting China? And what is the relationship of that with the American Asia-Pacific Strategy and its motivation to Australia and Japan to enter into this confrontation? Will this policy be greatly affected by the type of the ruling party in India, whether the BJP or the Congress Party wins? Does India have the ability to deal with China? How is the balance of power between China and India?

Answer:

The answer to these questions will be clarified by reviewing the following points:

1. The United States is working to curb China by the surrounding countries in the Pacific region, particularly in the Eastern and Southern China Seas. So it builds various forms of alliances and partnerships and it strengthens relations with countries in the region for this purpose. This began more than a decade ago and with earnest when America realized that the policy of containment of China reached the end or the saturation level; that is, it cannot contain China more than it had. It drew closer to it by allowing it to join the WTO, it increased trade relations with it, and a U.S.-China Strategic Dialogue became no longer sensitive as it was before... However, China did not come into the orbit of America, not even an ally according to this policy, and it has been unable to limit its ambitions to find its dominance on the East and South China Seas which is an important and vital area, rather a fateful one to it. China remained a state that maintains its integrity, coherence and independence as a major regional country working to strengthen its power, militarily and economically. Therefore, it began to exploit its economic power in some areas for political influence, and not just for profit, and is working to strengthen its influence in the region, which is contrary to the American policy or puts the American influence at risk. China has regional ambitions to dominate the region it deemed fateful, and is not sufficed by the landmass territory that its land stretches to remain confined in this territory as an economically large country only... America as well considers China's maritime area vital to it. And out of its arrogance, America is not content to be a regional state within the Americas, but it considers the whole world as its region! Therefore it rivals China in its region in order to expand the American international dominance... Thus, the policy of containment by drawing closer to China in trade relations and strategic dialogues; this policy did not make China to spin in the orbit of America, not even to become an ally in the known sense, but its regional policy became worrying to America. Thus the policy of containment became no longer effective alone, and America began to put its new plan that relates to the Asia-Pacific region, which requires the mobilization of about 60% of its naval force in the region. This is in addition to the policy of encirclement that America followed on China by occupying it with its regional issues... America has focused its efforts to mobilize countries of the region towards this policy of encirclement; the most prominent of these countries that can effectively influence in this cordon are three: India, Japan, and Australia...

2. As for India, it has a border with China of 3488 km long, and there are unresolved problems between them relating to this border. For a quarter of a century, rounds of talks have been held; the latest was the fourteenth round of border demarcation between the two countries. Then they stopped, and the fifteenth round was not hold due to what happened on the 15/4/2013 when Chinese soldiers stormed the border with India and entered the Indian territory of the Ladakh region. They erected their tents, but then they withdrew after three weeks. This was a display operation by China, which wanted to send a message to India that China is ready to cross the border and enter a war with it as happened in October 1962, where the Chinese army launched an attack on the Arunachal Pradesh area and expelled Indian troops. After a month of this operation, Chinese forces launched a second attack on Indian lands, killing about 2,000 Indians. This issue remains unsolved and is called the "The Line of Actual Control". It is a hotly contested issue between the two countries, creating a constant tension. This is in addition to the tension caused by the problem of the Tibet region, occupied by China in 1950, which is adjacent to the Indian border. Thus, India cooperates with America in raising this problem by embracing the Buddhists of this region and their leader Dalai Lama where India has established the Central Tibetan Administration for him as a government in-exile. All these factors hardly make the tension between India and China remains calm...

3. America tried to exploit these tensions between China and India by driving India to confront China or stir up trouble between them in order to occupy China with this issue. Nonetheless, India fears facing China overland and the Chinese offensive messages on the outskirts of India reiterates this. Hence, America needed to find temptations for India to encourage it to continue aggravating China and occupying it with the border conflicts... So America held a strategic partnership with India as well as it held a nuclear cooperation agreement between them... In addition, the United States signed several economic and security agreements with India. So it concluded a defence pact in 2005 and a civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2008. All this expands the horizon of security cooperation between them. As a result, the two countries are currently engaged in several unprecedented joint military exercises, as well as the large sale of U.S. arms to India continues to grow... So when the Chief of Staff of the Indian Army General Deepak Kapoor stated at the end of December 2009, that, "The Indian army is preparing to fight a two-front war" (The Economic, 15/2/2010), America went on pressing Pakistan to reduce its forces on the Eastern front with India, and to focus its forces on the Western front to fight the Mujahideen who are fighting against America in Afghanistan and in the tribal areas. All this is so that India can focus on the northern front with China... America has also worked to increase trade with India, as the volume of U.S. exports to India has quickly increased in the past five compared to any other country. According to estimates by the Confederation of Indian Industry, the bilateral trade in services is likely to rise from 60 billion dollars to more than $150 billion in the next six years... However, India fears too much land conflict with China, in addition to that, the rulers of India from the Conference Party are loyal to Britain more than their loyalty to America they are unwilling to venture into a losing confrontation with China for the interests of America...!

4. Then America saw to detract the attention of India towards the East Pacific, specifically in the South China Sea and lured it by the presence of energy sources of oil and gas in this region to compete with China, and to confront within its Asia-Pacific Strategy. And so it was; India has agreed with Vietnam to off-shore drilling for oil and gas in the ocean off the disputed Spratly Islands with China. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Weimin stated after that: "We do not hope to see outside forces involved in the South China Sea dispute, and do not want to see foreign companies engaging in activities that will undermine China's sovereignty, rights and interests". (The Middle East 28/11/2011). Earlier, the People’s Daily Newspaper that speaks on behalf of the Communist Party, accused both India and Vietnam for their irresponsible confrontation attempts with China. America continued its attempts to encourage India towards direction into that area. Thus, on 22/07/2013, the U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden visited India and made remarks in Washington before his visit; paving and tempting India to go to the east in the Pacific. He said, “…that India is increasingly looking east as a force for security and growth in Southeast Asia and beyond. To us that's welcome news.” He also said, "We welcome India’s engagement in the region and its efforts to develop new trade and transport links by land and by sea in the area." (IIP Digital 23/07/2013). A month earlier, i.e. on 24/06/2013, Kerry met with his Indian counterpart Shri Salman Khurshid in New Delhi where they jointly chaired the fourth round of the US-India Strategic Dialogue. They reaffirmed their shared vision on peace and stability in Asia and the Indian and Pacific Oceans, as well as they emphasized the continued support to strengthen regional communication and reaffirmed the importance of maritime security..." (IIP Digital 24/06/2013). All of this clearly demonstrates the interest of America to push India to the East in the Pacific Ocean, specifically to the South China Sea... Nevertheless, India did not respond with the response America required during the past two years after America laid out its new plan regarding the Asia-Pacific region and pushed it towards the East. This is due to reasons related to the policy of the ruling Congress Party loyal to Britain, as well as to India’s fear to confront China...

5. As for Australia, the United States began working on activating the role of Australia, which spins in its orbit, and promoting cooperation with it in the fields of economic and security to face China within the US Strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. For this purpose, U.S. officials at the highest levels, and in particular Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defence Secretary Leon Panetta, and former Chief of Staff Martin Dempsey have travelled to the city of Perth, Australia, for a meeting with their Australian counterparts. Clinton said on the day during the launch of the Asian American Centre at the University of Western Australia in Perth, "Australia is a gateway to the vibrant trade and energy routes that connect the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, energy resources produced in Australia are flowing through those routes to the entire world." And she said, "It is not surprising that foreign investment is souring in Australia, including more than 100 billion dollars from the United States, because these increasingly waters are at the heart of the global economy and a key focus U.S. expanding engagement in the region, what we sometimes call our pivot to Asia". She also said, "The United States never actually left Asia, the United States is still a Pacific power, which is here to stay." She added, "The way of thinking of the United States about the Asia-Pacific and the Indo-Pacific region will be crucial to the future of the United States as well as to Australia." (IIP Digital 11/15/2012). At this Centre, Clinton also mentioned America’s view of India and what it wants from it, she said, "One of the United States strategic priorities is to support India’s look East policy and to encourage New Delhi to play a greater role in Asian institutions and affairs." Furthermore she said, "The United States welcomes the joint Australia-India naval vessel exercises in the future, and is eager to work together the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation which Australia will chair in 2013, and which the United States has now joined as a dialogue partner". (ibid.) These ideas demonstrate the American way of thinking concerning the region; it wants to harness Australia as an active player in addressing China’s moves in the region. It also shows that it did not achieve its objectives through India, the country neighbouring to China by land, and it wants Australia's engagement with India in the waters of the South China Sea. As Australia is closer to implement the U.S. policy than India, since it is considered a Western country that adopts capitalism, and is eager to colonize like any other Western capitalist country. Therefore it works and cooperates with America in the colonial invasions as it worked with Britain, and continues to work with them both because it spins in the orbit of these two countries...

6. As for Japan, America is working to boost its strength in Japan and give it a greater role in defending the region against China. America announced on 6/4/2014 its sending of additional missile defense ships to Japan in a statement by the US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, “the United States is planning to forward-deploy two additional AEGIS ballistic missile defense ships to Japan by 2017 and this step is a response to provocations from North Korea that threatened to carry out a new form of nuclear tests.” He also warned China from abusing its great strength saying, “Great nations must not use coercion and intimidation, because this leads to conflict.” He also said that he “wants to hold talks with China about its use of military power and to encourage transparency” (Reuters 6/4/2014). He pointed to what Russia did in Crimea to warn China of its similar actions in the contested islands with Japan saying:

"You cannot go around the world and redefine boundaries and violate territorial integrity and the sovereignty of nations by force, coercion or intimidation, whether it's in small islands in the Pacific, or in large nations in Europe." He also said, "Something else... that I will be talking with the Chinese about is respect for their neighbors. Coercion, intimidation is a very deadly thing that leads only to conflict." The American Secretary of Defense met last week with Defense Ministers of the South-East Asia states where he warned of the increased American concern over the South China Sea. (The same source) Japan’s Kyodo News mentioned on 5/4/2014, “It is likely that the US Secretary of Defense and the Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera will discuss the issue of allowing Japan to exercise the right of self-defense by modifying the Japanese constitution. In addition Onodera will discuss the issue of transferring arms and defense equipment in his meeting with the US Secretary of Defense, and the two sides could reach an agreement to strengthen their cooperation in the area of defense equipment.” This means that America wants to give Japan a role in defending the region against China to ease the burden on it and to arouse the nationalistic emotions of the Japanese who aspire to have self-power in their name and protect themselves independent of America.

7. As for the influence of American policy in the victory of the Congress Party or the Janata Party pertaining to its plan dealing with Asia – The Pacific Ocean, it no doubt has an effect, because the Congress Party is a party that has long been loyal to the English, and it has political wit that is somewhat taken from its old lady Britain. Therefore, it is troubling to America, and at the same time it is elusive to it as Britain is. Hence it carries out some military agreements and trade relations but it disrupts some political relationships and strategic issues. For example, the Congress Party issued a statement in its election campaign, in which it won power in 2004, clarifying its stance on America, and criticizing the policy of the Janata Party that was previously in power. This is what came in the statement: “It is sad that a great country like India has declined to the level of having a relationship of adherence to the United States of America, where the government of the United States of America considers the adherence of India a given. This has led to the BJP government being prepared to adapt to the priorities and policies of the United States of America without due consideration to India’s vital foreign policy and national security interests.” It is clear from this statement just how troubling it is to America. Nevertheless, it did not cut off strategic dialogue and returned to it in June 2010, which had begun in the era of President Bush in 2004. It described the Secretary of State Clinton, the head of the United States delegation at the India dialogue forum, as “an indispensible partner and a trusted friend.” Therefore, since the Congress Party’s rise to power after the defeat of the Janata Party that is loyal to America, it has become difficult to keep India in line with the implementation of America’s plan to confront China except if America puts forth great temptations as we previously mentioned. However, India’s reluctance to contend with circumstances is nothing new, it happened in the time of the Janata Party, and nevertheless the Party did not raise the issue while implementing American policy. It should be known that Britain had made the Congress Party completely loyal to them, and handed power over to it when it departed, and had not budged from it, not even partly, except for a short time from 1998 to 2004 when the Janata Party loyal to America won, and then the Congress Party won in the elections of 2004-2009.

As for the current elections, which began on 07/04/2014, the results are to be announced on 16/05/2014. It was reported by various pollsters that their results indicate that the BJP and its allies are expected to win in this election, if the expectations of public opinion are true, and the electoral opinion monitoring institutions in India, and Janata wins, whether by a majority to form a government alone. And that is unlikely to some extent, or the results were significant for it to impose conditions on any government formed, if so, the policy of America to harass China through India will be possible more than the time of the Congress party rule, but it also makes it easier to implement the policy as was the case during the reign of the Janata Party, loyal to America, it breathed a sigh of relief at the time after the Congress Party ruled for decades before that. When the Congress Party came to power in 2004 they began a policy to distort the American policy in India, but the Congress Party was dodging America to achieve advantageous agreements with it before took steps to help America in its policy.

8. When comparing between China and India, China is advantaged in many ways:

China although it does not carry its ideology and waives it in its foreign, economic and financial policy, as well as waiving it in many areas of life. Except it maintains it in its ruling by the Communist Party name only to maintain the interests of the party and that of its followers and for the cohesion of the state and its independence. All of this enabled it to move independently and developed resistance from becoming a subordinate state or an orbit state that revolves in the orbit of a major country. It became a state that aspires to become a major power in the world. Liu Mengo, a Chinese colonel, professor at the National Defence University, who trains young officers, expressed it in his book, which he called "the Chinese dream". He called his country China to develop the strongest armies in the world, and to move quickly to overthrow the hero of the world, America. He invited them to give up humility with respect to the global objectives and to jump, in order to become number one in the world. He said if China is incapable of being number one in the world in the twenty-first century and being a super power in the world, it will inevitably become marginalized... China possesses a sense of strength and challenge, and if China’s objective is not limited only to maintain its territory, and accept to confront America only as a response to the movements of America towards its territory, China does not venture out to challenge America in their respective areas of influence... and if it did not begin to adopt capitalism in many areas, particularly in economy... it would have had a loud voice internationally, and its impact on the interests of America's would be most powerful. China in any case has a strong sense of force, and is working to maintain its region’s self-sovereignty, even if in its own territory.

As for India, it holds no ideology and does not have ideas emanating from an ideology even though capitalism is implemented to ensure their subordination to the West, especially Britain and not for its revival and making it an independent state. It is like the other countries in the region that have capitalism imposed on it through the force of colonial power, and is still imposed by force. That is why they are not rushing to become independent and have no motivation to work strongly, swiftly, and self- consciously and self-direction. It remains a subordinate state; its policy is not independent, and it is noted that it is moving slowly in the political arena which is always under the influence and neither influential nor initiative and it is under the influence of either Britain or its first master America, which wraps its arms around it and there it established a strong political force for it. That is why it is different from China in this regard, intellectually backward and are undisciplined by any specific intellectual basis, and those working in the political field are not disciplined by any basis therefore financial and political corruption is rife and moves to include all the politicians. It is difficult to become a major international or even a regional power, and the most it can become in the future is an orbit state orbiting other major country, whether America or Britain or both.

This is in political terms, but in economic terms, China's economy is four times India's economy. While China has been able to reduce the level of poverty in the country, the 66% of the world's poor are from India. India cannot compete with China economically. China has developed a large industrial sector, which led to the possession of large cash reserves that allowed it to affect the global economy. Manufacturing in India is still far from the level of China in terms of the production, processing, and in particular, heavy machinery and modern technology, this does not mean that India is free of these things, but they are lagging behind the level of China...

As for the military aspect, China's official military budget amounts to $119 billion representing more than three times the defence budget in India which amounts to 38 billion dollars. China has made significant progress in modernizing its armed forces, they are now creating their own storage (massive warehouses for military equipment industry such as ships, tanks and fighter planes) and the expansion of its fleet, as its active steps to control the region. However, India has recently begun to develop their capacity to finance military modernization program which still suffers from many problems. As India is still one of the largest importers of military equipment in the world. Despite two decades of efforts to develop its internal military capability, it failed to develop the shelves of value. Said Peter D. Wiseman, a senior researcher at the Institute for International Peace Research in Stockholm said, “I do not think that there are other countries in the world tried seriously to manufacture weapons and failed entirely, such as India." (“The biggest importer of weapons in the world, India would like to buy local”, The New York Times, March 2014).

Thus, the comparison between China and India sees China outweighs India several times over...

9. In conclusion, the United States has worked to direct India towards the northern front of the conflict with China after it secured its western front with Pakistan; which pro-American rulers there offered major concessions to India in the reign of the BJP’s pro- America party. When the Congress Party returned to power, there was a decline in the work on this front, also called the Actual Line of Control because of India’s fears of confrontation with China with the recent one threading it. Also because this party which is loyal to the British which does not encourage it to follow in the American outline. America directed India to what it calls the trend towards East or towards the Pacific region and specifically towards the South China Sea and tempted it with the presence of energy sources of oil and gas there and convinced it that it has the right from its share, and made it cooperate with Vietnam that claim it is also entitled to take a share and it has the dispute with China over the Spratly Islands there... The United States has also encouraged Australia towards it in an attempt to form a conglomerate of several countries to counter China... America worked to give a more active role for Japan to ease the burden off its defence. If the BJP is successful in the elections, which are currently underway and it reaches power once again, it is likely to see an increase in the activity of India with America in the East, the area of the South China Sea. As for the comparison between the strength of China and India, there is a major difference in the advantage of China that is exponential to India... and if China’s objective is not limited only to maintain its territory, and accept to confront America only as a response to the movements of America towards its territory, China does not venture out to challenge America in their respective areas of influence... and if it did not begin to adopt capitalism in many areas, particularly in economy... it would have had a loud voice internationally, and its impact on the interests of America's would be most powerful.

12 Jumada II, 1435 AH

12 April, 2014 CE

The four Sunni schools statements about Fasting (As-siyam)

Fasting (As-siyam)

As-Siyam generally means “to abstain from something.” For example, a verse in the Qur’an says: “I have vowed to the Merciful to abstain–that is, from speaking.

What is meant here is abstaining from food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn until sunset with the explicit intention of doing so (for the sake of Allah).

Fasting, according to Five Schools of Islamic Law by ‘AIlamah Muhammad Jawad Maghniyyah. Translated from the Arabic by Mujahid Husayn From: Al-Tawhid Vol. IX No. 4 April – June 1992

Fasting in the month of Ramadhan is one of the ‘Pillars’ of the Islamic faith

It was declared an obligatory duty (fard) in the second year of the Hijrah upon each and every mukallaf (one capable of carrying out religious duties, i.e. a sane adult) and breaking it (iftar) is not permissible except for any of the following reasons:

1.   Hayd and nifas: The schools concur that fasting is not valid for women during menstruation and puerperal bleeding.

2.     Illness: The schools differ here. The Imamis observe: Fasting is not valid if it would cause illness or aggravate it, or intensify the pain, or delay recovery, because illness entails harm (darar) and causing harm is prohibited (muharram).

Moreover, a prohibition concerning an ‘ibadah (a rite of worship) invalidates it. Hence if a person fasts in such a condition, his fast is not valid A predominant likelihood of its resulting in illness or its aggravation is sufficient for refraining from fasting. As to excessive weakness, it is not a justification for iftar as long as it is generally bearable. Hence the extenuating cause is illness, not weakness, emaciation or strain, because every duty involves hardship and discomfort.

The four Sunni schools state: If one who is fasting (saum) falls ill, or fears the aggravation of his illness, or delay in recovery, he has the option to fast or refrain. Iftar is not incumbent upon him; it is a relaxation and not an obligation in this situation. But where there is likelihood of death or loss of any of the senses, iftar is obligatory for him and his fasting is not valid.

3.     A woman in the final stage of pregnancy and nursing mothers.

The four schools say: If a pregnant or nursing woman fears harm for her own health or that of her child, her fasting is valid though it is permissible for her to refrain from fasting. If she opts for iftar, the schools concur that she is bound to perform its qada later. They differ regarding its substitute (fidyah) and atonement (kaffarah). In this regard the Hanafis observe it is not at all wajib. The Malikis are of the opinion that it is wajib for a nursing woman, not for a pregnant one.

The Hanbalis and the Shafi’is say: Fidyah is wajib upon a pregnant and a nursing woman only if they fear danger for the child; but if they fear harm for their own health as well as that of the child, they are bound to perform the qada only without being required to give fidyah. The fidyah for each day is one mudd, which amounts to feeding one needy person (miskin).

4. Travel, provided the conditions necessary for salat al-qasr, as mentioned earlier, are fulfilled as per the opinion of each school. The four Sunni schools add a further condition to these, which is that the journey should commence before dawn and the traveller should have reached the point from where salat becomes qasr before dawn. Hence if he commences the journey after the setting in of dawn, it is haram for him to break the fast, and if he breaks it, its qada will be wajib upon him without a kaffarah.

The Shafi’is adds another condition, which is that the traveller should not be one who generally travels continuously, such as a driver. Thus if he travels habitually, he is not entitled to break the fast. In the opinion of the four Sunni schools, breaking the fast is optional and not compulsory. Therefore, a traveller who fulfils all the conditions has the option of fasting or iftar. This is despite the observation of the Hanafis that performing salat as qasr during journey is compulsory and not optional.

5.   Old people, men and women, in late years of life for whom fasting is harmful and difficult, can break their fast, but are required to give fidyah by feeding a miskin for each fast day omitted. Similarly a sick person who does not hope to recover during the whole year. The schools concur upon this rule excepting the Hanbalis, who say: Fidyah is mustahabb and not wajib.

Disappearance of the Excuse:

If the excuse permitting iftar ceases such as on recovery of a sick person, maturing of a child, homecoming of a traveller, or termination of the menses – it is mustahabb in the view of the Imamis and the Shafi’is to refrain (imsak) from things that break the fast (muftirat) as a token of respect. The Hanbalis and the Hanafis consider imsak as wajib, but Malikis consider it neither wajib nor mustahabb.

The Intention

Allah instructs in the Qur’an: “And they are ordained nothing else than to serve Allah, keeping religion pure for Him.” The Prophet, upon whom be peace, said: “Actions are judged according to the intention behind them, and for everyone is what he intended.”

The intention must be made before fajr and during every night of Ramadhan. This point is based on the hadith of Hafsah which reported that the Prophet said: “Whoever does not determine to fast before fajr will have no fast” (that is, it won’t be accepted). This is related by Ahmad, an-Nasa’i, at-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, and Ibn Majah. Ibn Khuzaimah and Ibn Hibban have classified it as sahih.

The intention is valid during any part of the night. It need not be spoken, as it is in reality an act of the heart which does not involve the tongue. It will be fulfilled by one’s intention to fast out of obedience to Allah and for seeking His pleasure.

If one eats one’s pre-dawn meal (sahoor) with the intention of fasting and to get closer to Allah by such abstinence, then one has performed the intention. If one determines that one will fast on the next day solely for the sake of Allah, then one has performed the intention even if a pre-dawn meal was not consumed.

Muftirat:

The muftirat are those things from which it is obligatory to refrain during the fast, from dawn to sunset.

They are:

1. Eating and drinking (shurb) deliberately. Both invalidate the fast and necessitate qada in the opinion of all the schools, though they differ as to whether kaffarah is also wajib. The Hanafis and the Imamis require it, but not the Shafi’is and the Hanbalis.

A person who eats and drinks by an oversight is neither liable to qada nor kaffarah, except in the opinion of the Malikis, who only require its qada. (Included in shurb [drinking] is inhaling tobacco smoke)

2. Sexual intercourse, when deliberate, invalidates the fast and makes one liable to qada and kaffarah, in the opinion of all the schools.

The kaffarah is the manumission of a slave, and if that is not possible, fasting for two consecutive months; if even that is not possible, feeding sixty poor persons. The Imamis and the Malikis allow an option between any one of these; i.e. a mukallaf may choose between freeing a slave, fasting or feeding the poor. The Shafi’is, Hanbalis and Hanafis impose kaffarah in the above-mentioned order; i.e. releasing a slave is specifically wajib, and in the event of incapacity fasting becomes wajib. If that too is not possible, giving food to the poor becomes wajib.

As to sexual intercourse by oversight, it does not invalidate the fast in the opinion of the Hanafis, Shafi’is and Imamis, but does according to the Hanbalis and the Malikis.

3.    Seminal emission (al-’istimna’): There is consensus that it invalidates the fast if caused deliberately. The Hanbalis say: If madhy is discharged due to repeated sensual glances and the like the fast will become invalid.

The four schools say: Seminal emission will necessitate qada without kaffarah.

4. Vomiting: It invalidates the fast if deliberate, and in the opinion of the Imamis, Shafi’is and Malikis, also necessitates qada. The Hanafis state: Deliberate vomiting does not break the fast unless the quantity vomited fills the mouth. Two views have been narrated from Imam Ahmad. The schools concur that involuntary vomiting does not invalidate the fast.

5.     The intention to discontinue the fast: If a person intends to discontinue his fast and then refrains from doing so, his fast is considered invalid in the opinion of the Imamis and Hanbalis; not so in the opinion of the other schools.

Fasting, using the tooth stick [brush]

It is preferred for the fasting person to use a tooth stick or a brush. There is no difference if he uses it at the beginning or the ending of the day. At-Tirmidhi affirms that: “Ash-Shafhi did not see anything wrong with using a tooth stick [brush] during the beginning or the ending of the day.” The Prophet would use his tooth stick [brush] while fasting.

Fasting, the fasting person can eat, drink until just before Fajr

If someone has food in his mouth when fajr is beginning, he should spit it out. If he is having intercourse (with his wife) at that time, he should immediately stop. If he does so, his fast will still be valid. If he continues in these actions at that time, he will have broken his fast. Al-Bukhari and Muslim record from Aishah that the Prophet said: “Bilal makes the call to prayer while it is still night; therefore, eat and drink until Ibn Umm Maktum makes the call to prayer.”

Sniffing up and blowing out water three times

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said: “When one of you performs ablution, he should sniff water up his nostrils and then blow it out.” (Related by al-Bukhari, Muslim and Abu Dawud.).

The sunnah is to put the water into the nostrils with the right hand and blow it out with the left. ‘Ali once called for water for ablution, rinsed his mouth, sniffed up water into his nostrils and blew it out with his left hand. He did that three times and then said, “That is how the Prophet, upon whom be peace, would purify himself.” (Related by Ahmad and an-Nasa’i.).

This sunnah is fulfilled by putting water into the mouth and nostrils in any way. The practice of the Prophet was to do both acts at the same time. ‘Abdullah ibn Zaid said, “The Prophet would rinse his mouth and nose with just one hand (at one time, together). He did that three times.” In one narration it says, “He would rinse his mouth and nose with three scoops of water.” (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.). It is also sunnah to be plentiful (with water) while performing this sunnah, except if one is fasting. Laqit asked the Prophet, “Inform me about your ablution.” He replied, “Complete and perfect the ablution and (put water) between your fingers. Use lots of water while sniffing it up your nostrils, unless you are fasting.” (Related by “the five.” At-Tirmidhi said it is sahih.)

Hastening in breaking the fast

It is preferred for the fasting person to hasten in breaking the fast when the sun has set. Sahl ibn Sad reported that the Prophet said: “The people will always be with the good as long as they hasten in breaking the fast.” This is related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

The fast should be broken with an odd number of dates or, if that is not available, with some water. Anas reported: “The Messenger of Allah would break his fast with ripe dates before he would pray. If those were not available, he would eat dried dates. If those were not available, he would drink some water.” This hadith is related by Abu Dawud and by al-Hakim, who called it sahih, and by at-Tirmidhi, who called it hassan.

Sulaiman ibn ‘Amr reported that the Prophet said: “If one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates. If dates are not available, then with water, for water is purifying.” This is related by Ahmad and by at-Tirmidhi, who called it hassan sahih.

The preceding hadith also shows that it is preferred to break the fast in the above manner before praying. After the prayer, the person may continue to eat, but if the evening meal is ready, one may begin with that. Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah said: “If the food is already presented, eat before the sunset prayer and do not eat your meals in haste.” This is related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Fiqh us Sunnah: Fasting, doubt concerning the time of fajr

If one is in doubt whether or not the time of fajr has begun or not, he may continue to eat and drink until he is certain that it is fajr. He should not base his action on doubt or suspicion. Allah has made the signs for beginning the daily fast very clear and unambiguous. Allah enjoins (upon the believers) in the Qur’an: “Eat and drink until the white thread of the dawn becomes distinct from the black thread [of the night].”

A man said to Ibn ‘Abbas: “I eat until I suspect that its time has ended so I stop. Ibn ‘Abbas observed: “Continue to eat until you are certain about the time.” Abu Dawud reported that Ahmad ibn Hanbal said: “If you have some doubt about fajr, eat until you are sure dawn has come.” This is the opinion of Ibn ‘Abbas, ‘Ata, al’Auza’i, and Ahmad.

An-Nawawi informs that: “The followers of ash-Shafai agree that one may eat if he is uncertain whether dawn has come or not.”

Fasting, the time for the pre-dawn meal

The time for the pre-dawn meal is between the middle of the night and dawn. It is -considered best to delay it (that is, as close to dawn a possible). Zaid ibn Thabit reported: “We ate the pre-dawn meal with the Messenger of Allah and then we got up for the prayer. He was asked: ‘What was the amount of time between the two?’ He responded: ‘[The time it would take to recite] fifty verses.’ ” This is recounted by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

‘Amr ibn Maimun adds: “The companions of Muhammad, upon whom be peace, would be the first to break the fast and the last to eat their pre-dawn meals.” This is recorded by al-Baihaqi with a sahih chain.

Abu Dharr al-Ghafari related that the Prophet said: “My nation will always retain some goodness as long as they hasten breaking the fast and delay eating the pre-dawn meal.” This hadith has in its chain one Sulaim ibn Abu Uthman who is unknown.

Fasts of Atonement (Kaffarah):

The fasts of atonement are of various kinds. Among them are atonement fasts for involuntary homicide, fasts for atonement of a broken oath or vow, and atonement fasts for zihar. These atonement fasts have their own rules, which are discussed in the related chapters. Here we shall discuss the rules applicable to a person fasting by way of kaffarah for not having observed the fast of Ramadhan.

The Shafi’is, Malikis and Hanafis say: It is not permissible for a person upon whom fasting for two consecutive months has become wajib consequent to deliberately breaking a Ramadhan fast to miss even a single fast during these two months, because that would break their continuity. Hence, on his missing a fast, with or without an excuse, he should fast anew for two months.

The Hanbalis observe if he misses a fast due to a legitimate excuse, the continuity is not broken.

The Shafi’is, Malikis and Hanafis state: If a person is unable to offer any form of kaffarah, he will remain liable for it until he comes to possess the capacity to offer it, and this is what the rules of the Shari’ah require.

The Hanbalis are of the opinion that if he is unable to give kaffarah, his liability for the same disappears, and even in the event of his becoming capable of it later, he will not be liable to anything.

The schools concur that the number of kaffarahs will be equal to the number of causes entailing it. Hence a person who breaks two fasts will have to give two kaffarahs. But if he eats, drinks or has sexual intercourse several times in a single day, the Hanafis, Malikis and Shafi’is observe: The number of kaffarahs will not increase if iftar occurs several times, irrespective of its manner.

The Hanbalis state: If in a single day there occur several violations entailing kaffarah, if the person gives kaffarah for the first violation of the fast before the perpetration of the second, he should offer kaffarah for the latter violation as well, but if he has not given kaffarah for the first violation before committing the second, a single kaffarah suffices.

The Doubtful Days:

There is consensus among the schools that imsak is obligatory upon one who does not fast on a “doubtful day” (yawm al-shakk) that later turns out to be a day of Ramadhan, and he is liable to its qada later.

Where one fasts on a doubtful day that is later known to have been a day of Ramadhan, they differ as to whether it suffices without requiring qada.

The Shafi’is, Malikis and Hanbalis schools observe: This fast will not suffice and its qada is wajib upon him.

In the opinion of the Hanafis, it suffices and does not require qada.

Most Imamis state: Its qada is not wajib upon him, except when he had fasted with the niyyah of Ramadhan.

Reprehensible (Makruh) Fasts:

It is mentioned in al-Fiqh ‘ala al-madhahib al-’arba’ah that it is makruh to single out Fridays and Saturdays for fasting. So is fasting on the day of Now Ruz (21st March) in the opinion of all the schools except the Shafi’is, and fasting on the day or the two days just before the month of Ramadhan.

It has been stated in Imamis books on fiqh that it is makruh for a guest to fast without the permission of his host, for a child to fast without the permission of its father, and when there is doubt regarding the new moon of Dhu al-Hijjah and the consequent possibility of the day being that of ‘Id.

Refraining from performing any actions that do not befit the fasting

Fasting is a type of worship that draws one closer to Allah. Allah has prescribed it to purify the soul and to train it in good deeds. The fasting person must be on guard against any act that may cause him to lose the benefits of his fast. Thus, his fast will increase his Allah-consciousness, and Allah says in the Qur’an: “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so perchance you may attain Allah consciousness.”

Fasting is not just refraining from eating and drinking, but it is also refraining from everything else that Allah has forbidden. Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet said: “Fasting is not [abstaining] from eating and drinking only, but also from vain speech and foul language. If one of you is being cursed or annoyed, he should say: “I am fasting, I am fasting.” This is related by Ibn Khuzaimah, Ibn Hibban, and al-Hakim. The latter said that it is sahih according to Muslim’s criterion.

Abu Hurairah also reported that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said: “Allah does not need the fast of one who does not abandon false speech or acting according to his false speech.” This is related by the group, except for Muslim.

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said: “Perhaps a fasting person will get nothing from his fast save hunger, and perhaps the one who stands to pray at night will get nothing from his standing except sleeplessness.” This is related by an-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah, and al-Hakim. The latter said that it is sahih according to Al-Bukhari’s criterion.

Or,

See this Link:

Fiqh of Fasting.