Meaning Of Ayam E Madudaat?
Literal meaning of “Maadudat” is “numbered or counted”, or “few” (Lane’s Lexicon). Ayyaman Madudat means a limited number of days or few days. Maadudat does not mean an entire month or 30 by its literal meaning. According to popular Jewish belief, even the sinners from among the children of Israel will suffer only very limited punishment in the life to come, and will be’ quickly reprieved by virtue of their belonging to “the chosen people”. The verse 2:80 explains this belief of Jews, who used to say that “The fire will most certainly not touch us for more than a limited number of days.” (Muhammad Asad). In the Quran, and specifically its usage of this phrase in the context of Fasting and Hajj, we need to do a careful cross-comparison of relevant verses to understand what does God mean by “Ayyaman Madudat” as a measure of days for these ritual worships. How many days should constitute “a few number of days” defined as Ayyaman Madudat? We can see one clear example of this word in verse 2:203 where it is used to denote ‘three’ days of Pilgrimage: 2:203 And remember God during a few number of days (ayam madoodat). Whoever hurries to two days, there is no sin upon him; and whoever delays, there is no sin upon him if he is being righteous. And be aware of God, and know that it is to Him that you will be gathered. This provides us a context that Ayyaman Madudat is a number greater than two. But how many exactly? The answer is found in Quran itself where in 2:185 we are told that the fast is to ‘complete the count’ and we find in 2:196 that a ‘complete count’ is ‘10-days’ (Please keep in mind the common denominator, Ayyaman Madudat, for measure of days for both Hajj [2:203] and Fasting [2:184]): 2:196 And conclude the Pilgrimage and the visit for God. But, if you are prevented, then provide what offering is affordable; and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches its destination. Whoever of you is ill or has an ailment to his head, then he may redeem by fasting or giving a charity or a rite. But if you are secure, then whoever makes the visit, but decides to continue until the Pilgrimage, then he shall provide what offering is affordable; but for he who cannot find anything, then he must fast for three days during the Pilgrimage and seven when he returns; this will make a complete ten – this is for those whose family is not resident at the Restricted Temple. And be aware of God, and know that God is severe in retribution. Looking at Ayyaman Madudat as 10-days of compulsory fasting, it is interesting to note that God swears by the ‘ten nights’ due to their significance . 89:1-2 By the dawn. And ten nights. As we can ascertain from the Qur’an, the period of fasting is prescribed to last for 10-days which are the “Ayyaman Madudat” that God mentioned to us. It could also be ascertained, based on 89:1-2, that the ten days of fasting are to be carried out sequentially and consecutively during the identified month (Ramadan), unless one is ill or travelling, then he/she may substitute with different days. (2:184). It is also interesting to note that the word ‘fast’ (sawm and siyam) occurs ten times in the entire Qur’an.