Saturday, May 27, 2017
Friday, May 26, 2017
Fasting - An Islamic Perspective
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
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