ble (_to keep it and yet break it_), the expiation
of this shall be the maintenance of a poor man." (Sura ii. 180). This seems
to make fasting a matter of personal option, and some Commentators admit
that at first it was so, but they say that the words have been
abrogated[224] by the following sentence which occurs in the next verse:
"As soon as any one of you observeth the moon, let him set about the fast."
Others say that the negative particle "not" must be understood before
"able," in which case the words in italics must be omitted. Others explain
the expression "those who are able" as equivalent to "those who have great
difficulty therein," such as aged and infirm persons. This seems to be the
best interpretation and is the one which practically is acted on.

In the case of women with child, mothers giving suck to their children,
sick persons whom fasting at this particular time might injure, it is
sufficient if they keep it at another time; that is, they must when
convenient make a qaza fast. {217} In these cases the sadqa or feeding of
the poor is not required. Thus Abu Daud says: "The Prophet said, 'God
allows travellers to shorten the Namaz and to postpone the fast. Women also
are allowed to fast another time.'" The Quran is also clear on the point:
"He who is sick or upon a journey, shall fast a like number of other days."
(Sura ii. 181). There are five days in the year in which it is unlawful to
fast. These are, 'Id-ul-Fitr, Baqr-'id and the three following days, _viz_:
the 11th, 12th and 13th of Zu'l-Hajja. If during the month of Ramazan, a
person arrives at maturity, or an Infidel becomes a Muslim, each must keep
the fast during the remaining days of the month.

To take the Sahra, or meal taken just before sunrise in the month of
Ramazan, is a Sunnat act. The great Traditionists, Bukhari, Muslim and
Tirmizi, all agree that the Prophet said: "Eat Sahra because there is a
blessing in it. The difference between our fast and that of the men of the
Book (Christians) is the partaking of Sahra."

The meal eaten immediately after sunset is called Iftar, or the breaking of
the fast. In India it is the custom to eat a date first, or if that fruit
is not procurable to drink a little water. In Turkey an olive is chosen as
the fruit with which the fast should be broken.

The distinctive feature of a Muhammadan fast is, that it is a fast during
the day only. The rich classes by turning day into night avoid much of its
r