Introduction
Fasting in the month of Ramadaan is one of the Pillars of Islam.
Fasting in Islam means abstaining from eating drinking, smoking, allowing anything to enter in the body and sexual Intercourse, from the break of dawn until sunset.
However fasting does not only mean refraining from eating and drinking. Fasting is prescribed on us so that we may achieve Taqwa (Piety, Consciousness of Allah, Fear of Allah)
Allah the Most High said:
Collected by Ahmad and an-Nasaa’ee [Saheeh Sunan an-Nasaa’ee, vol. 2, Hadidth no. 2099.]
(The Narrator: Aboo Umaamah: Aboo Umaamah’s actual name was Sudayy ibn ‘Ajlaan and he was among the companions who narrated many sayings of the Prophet (pbuh).
The reason for the superiority of fasting over other deeds is that riyaa (show off) does not take place in it as easily as it does in other deeds. Other deeds require actions while fasting requires intention
which is normally hidden from people.
Fasting of the Heart
The understanding of fasting among most people is to abstain from food, drinks and sexual intercourse from sunrise to sunset. That is fasting according to the letter of the law (Sharee‘ah). But the meaning of fasting and its goal and the greatness of fasting lies in the heart fasting from evil and
abandoning the corruptions of pride and jealousy.
It is sad to mention that some people although they pray and fast but their hearts are hardened, they don't speak truth, they are involved in haram business and riba as well as they do not estabilish good family relations.
So fasting in the month of Ramadan is a way to train people to improve themselves and the diseases of their hearts. Among the signs of the righteous in Ramadaan is the smile, good character, gentleness, visiting, returning greetings and maintaining good family relations.
For the heart to fast from false pride and vanity a person should be down to hearth and have to protect himself from arrogance and attitude.
Fasting of the Eyes
Many peoples’ stomachs fast, and their privates fast, but their eyes do not fast. They gaze freely at what is prohibited( haraam )to them and what is displeasing to their Lord. This is not real fasting when the Almighty has said:
Fasting of the Tongue
It is important to be careful about what we speak and especially during Ramadan when one is fasting, it is necessary to avoid unnecessary gossip, jokes, and backbitting.
Instead one should keep the tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah to achieve the better reward of fasting.
Fasting of the Ears
The ears need to fast too. They need to fast from listening to falsehood and unneccesary Satanic prodding. They should be given the Qura’aan to listen to and be safeguarded from the evils of music in all its forbidden forms.
.
Fasting of the Hands
Stealing and involving in any kind of Haraam business is the way by which the fast of the hand is affected.
Sayings Of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) In regards to the Virtues Of Fasting
[Collected by al-Bukhaaree Sahih Al Bukhari, vol. 3, Hadith no. 128]
Scholars differed regarding the meaning of this phrase, as all righteous deeds are for Allaah – that is one of the conditions for them being righteous - and He rewards them. Some held that fasting was singled out among righteous deeds here because it does not contain the element of showing off (riyaa) to the degree that other acts do.
The second explanation was that it meant that Allaah alone knows about it, its amount of reward and the degree to which it will be multiplied. This interpretation is supported by the narration:
Here it is clear that the basis on which the fasting person deserves the special reward from Allaah; depends on his sincerity in fasting only for His sake. Thus, one who abandons eating due to other
reasons like indigestion will not earn the promised reward.
The Prophet (pbuh) used to break his fast with a few fresh or dried dates and a glass of water just at sunset . This level of eating allows the fasting person to experience the pangs of hunger and thirst and thereby develops sympathy in him or her for those starving and dying of thirst in other parts of the world. It also helps the individual to appreciate the blessing of food and drink and develop a more thankful character. People tend to forget easily the blessings in their own lives and focus on the apparent blessings in the lives of others. This misplaced focus breeds jealousy and lack of contentment in life. Fasting helps the person to get back to basics and appreciate much of what has been taken for granted. This element of the fast is further reinforced on the Day of ‘Eid when all Muslims are required to give food to the needy members of their communities. ‘Eid is a day of thanksgiving, not just in the form of lip service to God, but practically in the form of sharing Allaah’s bounties with others.
[Sahih Al Bukhari, vol 3 haidth no. 120 and Sahih Muslim, vol. 4 , hadith no. 164]
The name “rayyaan” is derived from “ riyy" or "rayy” meaning “irrigation, watering; quenching of thirst,”
[Sunan Abu Dawud, vol. 2, hadith, no. 2448.]
This hadeeth focuses on the importance of the intention behind fasting. For, people may fast due to indigestion, to lose weight, to express disapproval, to conform with custom, and so on. The prescribed fast has to be for the sake of Allaah in order for it to be rewarded, and that cannot take place unless the fasting person identifies within himself or herself the purpose of his or her fast.
Since fasting in the month of Ramadaan is continual, it is easy to fall into the routine and lose consciousness of the purpose behind the fast. Consequently, the Prophet (pbuh) made it a requirement to intend the fast prior to the dawn, each and every day. There is no special formula of intention to be said aloud, as the place of intention is in the heart. The principle of daily renewal of one’s intention helps the fasting person to achieve the divinely prescribed purpose for fasting, taqwaa.
Virtues Of the Month Of Ramadan:
In a similar narration
Since Ramadaan is a month of fasting, those who fast in this month are given many opportunities to earn Paradise. The chaining of the devils represents additional support for doing deeds which can earn the fasting person Paradise and stay away for evil deeds.
Importance to Remember The Main Purpose Of Fasting - To Attain Taqwa (Fear Of Allah)
[Saheeh Sunan Ibn Maajah, vol. 1, hadith, no. 1371.]
This hadeeth describes the state of a person who fulfills the ritual requirements of fasting and prayer during Ramadaan, but he gains nothing of the spiritual, emotional and psychological benefits. His prayers and fasts are not acceptable to Allaah because he has not stayed away from corrupt words and deeds, therefore he gains no reward. He only removes the religious obligation of prayers and fasting from himself and feels the effects of the absence of food and drink and tiredness from standing for a long time in prayer.
The Prophet (pbuh) emphasized in this hadeeth that fasting is not limited to the fasting of the stomach but must include fasting of the other body parts for it to be complete and acceptable to Allaah. The fast of the tongue is as important to overall fasting as the pillars of fasting. For, according to this narration, lies can cancel the value of the fast.
May Allah guide us all to observe the obligatory fasts in the month of ramadan as well as make a habit of fasting voluntarily in days other than Ramadan. Ameen.
Allah the Most High said:
“O you who believe, fasting is prescribes for you as it was prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may achieve Taqwa (Piety, Consciousness of Allah, Fear of Allah) [Surah Al-Baqarah Chapter 2 Verse 183)Aboo Umaamah said: I came to Allaah’s Messenger (pbuh) and asked, “Instruct me to do something which will put me in paradise,” and he replied, “You should fast for there is nothing equal to it.” When I came to him a second time, he said, “You should fast.”
Collected by Ahmad and an-Nasaa’ee [Saheeh Sunan an-Nasaa’ee, vol. 2, Hadidth no. 2099.]
(The Narrator: Aboo Umaamah: Aboo Umaamah’s actual name was Sudayy ibn ‘Ajlaan and he was among the companions who narrated many sayings of the Prophet (pbuh).
The reason for the superiority of fasting over other deeds is that riyaa (show off) does not take place in it as easily as it does in other deeds. Other deeds require actions while fasting requires intention
which is normally hidden from people.
Fasting of the Heart
The understanding of fasting among most people is to abstain from food, drinks and sexual intercourse from sunrise to sunset. That is fasting according to the letter of the law (Sharee‘ah). But the meaning of fasting and its goal and the greatness of fasting lies in the heart fasting from evil and
abandoning the corruptions of pride and jealousy.
It is sad to mention that some people although they pray and fast but their hearts are hardened, they don't speak truth, they are involved in haram business and riba as well as they do not estabilish good family relations.
So fasting in the month of Ramadan is a way to train people to improve themselves and the diseases of their hearts. Among the signs of the righteous in Ramadaan is the smile, good character, gentleness, visiting, returning greetings and maintaining good family relations.
For the heart to fast from false pride and vanity a person should be down to hearth and have to protect himself from arrogance and attitude.
Fasting of the Eyes
Many peoples’ stomachs fast, and their privates fast, but their eyes do not fast. They gaze freely at what is prohibited( haraam )to them and what is displeasing to their Lord. This is not real fasting when the Almighty has said:
“Tell the believers to lower some of their sight to protect their privates.”The reward for guarding the sight is that Allaah replaces it with faith whose sweetness is found in the heart.
Fasting of the Tongue
It is important to be careful about what we speak and especially during Ramadan when one is fasting, it is necessary to avoid unnecessary gossip, jokes, and backbitting.
Instead one should keep the tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah to achieve the better reward of fasting.
Fasting of the Ears
The ears need to fast too. They need to fast from listening to falsehood and unneccesary Satanic prodding. They should be given the Qura’aan to listen to and be safeguarded from the evils of music in all its forbidden forms.
.
Fasting of the Hands
Stealing and involving in any kind of Haraam business is the way by which the fast of the hand is affected.
Sayings Of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) In regards to the Virtues Of Fasting
Aboo Hurayrah narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:“By the One in whose hand is Muhammad’s soul (means Allah), the odor of a fasting person’s mouth is more fragrant to Allaah than musk.”
[Collected by al-Bukhaaree Sahih Al Bukhari, vol. 3, Hadith no. 128]
Aboo Hurayrah quoted the Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) as saying:That Allah says: “Fasting is for Me and I will personally give reward for it. [Collected by al-Bukhaaree Sahih Al Bukhari, vol. 3, Hadith, no. 128.]
Scholars differed regarding the meaning of this phrase, as all righteous deeds are for Allaah – that is one of the conditions for them being righteous - and He rewards them. Some held that fasting was singled out among righteous deeds here because it does not contain the element of showing off (riyaa) to the degree that other acts do.
The second explanation was that it meant that Allaah alone knows about it, its amount of reward and the degree to which it will be multiplied. This interpretation is supported by the narration:
“Every good deed of Adam’s descendents is multiplied ten times up to seven hundred times. Allaah, Most Great and Glorious, said, ‘Except fasting, for it is only for Me and I will reward it.’ [Sahih Muslim, vol. 4 , Hadith , no. 161]
Here it is clear that the basis on which the fasting person deserves the special reward from Allaah; depends on his sincerity in fasting only for His sake. Thus, one who abandons eating due to other
reasons like indigestion will not earn the promised reward.
The Prophet (pbuh) used to break his fast with a few fresh or dried dates and a glass of water just at sunset . This level of eating allows the fasting person to experience the pangs of hunger and thirst and thereby develops sympathy in him or her for those starving and dying of thirst in other parts of the world. It also helps the individual to appreciate the blessing of food and drink and develop a more thankful character. People tend to forget easily the blessings in their own lives and focus on the apparent blessings in the lives of others. This misplaced focus breeds jealousy and lack of contentment in life. Fasting helps the person to get back to basics and appreciate much of what has been taken for granted. This element of the fast is further reinforced on the Day of ‘Eid when all Muslims are required to give food to the needy members of their communities. ‘Eid is a day of thanksgiving, not just in the form of lip service to God, but practically in the form of sharing Allaah’s bounties with others.
Sahl narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said:“There is a gate in paradise called Rayyaan through which those who fast will enter on the Day of Judgment and no one besides them will enter it.”
[Sahih Al Bukhari, vol 3 haidth no. 120 and Sahih Muslim, vol. 4 , hadith no. 164]
The name “rayyaan” is derived from “ riyy" or "rayy” meaning “irrigation, watering; quenching of thirst,”
Hafsah related from the Prophet (pbuh) that he said:“Whoever does not make an intention to fast before the dawn will not have a fast.”
[Sunan Abu Dawud, vol. 2, hadith, no. 2448.]
This hadeeth focuses on the importance of the intention behind fasting. For, people may fast due to indigestion, to lose weight, to express disapproval, to conform with custom, and so on. The prescribed fast has to be for the sake of Allaah in order for it to be rewarded, and that cannot take place unless the fasting person identifies within himself or herself the purpose of his or her fast.
Since fasting in the month of Ramadaan is continual, it is easy to fall into the routine and lose consciousness of the purpose behind the fast. Consequently, the Prophet (pbuh) made it a requirement to intend the fast prior to the dawn, each and every day. There is no special formula of intention to be said aloud, as the place of intention is in the heart. The principle of daily renewal of one’s intention helps the fasting person to achieve the divinely prescribed purpose for fasting, taqwaa.
Virtues Of the Month Of Ramadan:
Aboo Hurayrah quoted the Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) as saying:“When Ramadaan comes the gates of paradise are opened, the gates of hell are locked and the devils are chained.” [Sahih Al Bukhari, vol. 3, hadith, no. 123 and Sahih Muslim, vol. 2, hadith, no. 2361.]
In a similar narration
Aboo Hurayrah related that Allaah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:“On the first night of Ramadaan the devils and evil jinns are chained, all the doors of hell are closed and all the gates of paradise are opened. Then a caller will announce: ‘Whoever desires good come forward and whoever desires evil should remain back.’ And there are many whom Allaah frees from the fire every night.” [Saheeh Sunan Ibn Maajah, vol. 1, hadith, no. 1331.]
Since Ramadaan is a month of fasting, those who fast in this month are given many opportunities to earn Paradise. The chaining of the devils represents additional support for doing deeds which can earn the fasting person Paradise and stay away for evil deeds.
Importance to Remember The Main Purpose Of Fasting - To Attain Taqwa (Fear Of Allah)
Aboo Hurayrah quoted the Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) as saying:“Perhaps a fasting person will gain nothing from his fast but hunger and perhaps the one who stands up at night for prayer will gain nothing but tiredness.”
[Saheeh Sunan Ibn Maajah, vol. 1, hadith, no. 1371.]
This hadeeth describes the state of a person who fulfills the ritual requirements of fasting and prayer during Ramadaan, but he gains nothing of the spiritual, emotional and psychological benefits. His prayers and fasts are not acceptable to Allaah because he has not stayed away from corrupt words and deeds, therefore he gains no reward. He only removes the religious obligation of prayers and fasting from himself and feels the effects of the absence of food and drink and tiredness from standing for a long time in prayer.
Aboo Hurayrah quoted the Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) as saying:“Allaah has no need for one to leave his food and drink if he does not abandon lies and acting on them.” [ Sahih Al Bukhari, vol. 3, hadith, no. 127.]
The Prophet (pbuh) emphasized in this hadeeth that fasting is not limited to the fasting of the stomach but must include fasting of the other body parts for it to be complete and acceptable to Allaah. The fast of the tongue is as important to overall fasting as the pillars of fasting. For, according to this narration, lies can cancel the value of the fast.
May Allah guide us all to observe the obligatory fasts in the month of ramadan as well as make a habit of fasting voluntarily in days other than Ramadan. Ameen.
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