The Inner Secrets of Fasting
EsinIslam
Ramadan
Ramadan Explorer
Know that in the fast is a special quality that is not found in anything else.
And that is its close connection to Allah, such that He says: ''The fast (Sawm)
is for Me and I will reward it.'' [al-Bukhari and Muslim]
«الصوم لي وأنا أجزي به» رواه البخاري ومسلم
This connection is enough to show the high status of fasting. Similarly, the
Ka`bah is highly dignified due to its close connection to Him, as occurs in
His statement, ''And sanctify My House.'' [al-Hajj 22:26]
{وَطَهِّرْ بَيْتِيَ} الحج: 26
Transliteration: watahhir baytiya
Indeed, the fast is only virtuous due to two significant concepts. Firstly, it
is a secret and hidden action thus, no one from the creation is able to see
it. Therefore showing off cannot enter into it. Secondly, it is a means of
subjugating the enemies of Allah. This is because the road that the enemies
(of Allah) embark upon (in order to misguide the Son of Adam) is that of
desires. And eating and drinking strengthens the desires. There are many
reports that indicate the merits of fasting, and they are all well known.
The recommended acts of fasting
The pre-dawn meal (suhur) and delaying in taking it are preferable, as well as
hastening to break the fast and doing so with dates. Generosity in giving is
also recommended during Ramadan, as well as doing good deeds and increasing in
charity. This is in accordance with the way of the Messenger of Allah (prayers
and peace of Allah be upon him).
It is also recommended to study the Qur'an and perform i`tikaaf during
Ramadan, especially in the last ten days, as well as increasing upon the
exertion (towards doing good deeds) in it.
In the two Sahihs, `Aa'ishah said, ''When the (last) ten days (of Ramadan)
would come, the Prophet would tighten his waist-wrapper, spend the night in
worship, and wake his family up (for prayer).''
«كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا دخل العشر شد مئزره، وأحيا ليله، وأيقظ أهله»
رواه البخاري ومسلم
The scholars have mentioned two views concerning the meaning of ''tighten his
waist-wrapper'':
The first: It means the turning away from women.
The second: It is an expression denoting his eagerness and diligence in doing
good deeds. They also say that the reason for his (prayers and peace of Allah
be upon him) exertion in the last ten days of Ramadan was due to his (prayers
and peace of Allah be upon him) seeking of the Night of Power (Lailatul-Qadr).
An explanation of the inner secrets of fasting and its characteristics
There are three levels of fasting: The general fast, the specific fast, and
the further specific fast. As for the general fast, then it is the refraining
of the stomach and the private parts from fulfilling their desires. The
specific fast is the refraining of one's gaze, tongue, hands, feet, hearing
and eyes, as well as the rest of his body parts from committing sinful acts.
As for the more specific fast, then it is the heart's abstention from its
yearning after the worldly affairs and the thoughts which distance one away
from Allah, as well as its (the heart's) abstention from all the things that
Allah has placed on the same level. From the characteristics of the specific
fast is that one lowers his gaze and safeguards his tongue from the repulsive
speech that is forbidden, disliked, or which has no benefit, as well as
controlling the rest of his body parts.
In a hadith reported by al-Bukhari: ''Whosoever does not abandon false speech
and the acting upon it, Allah is not in need of him leaving off his food and
drink.'' [Sahih al-Bukhari, Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah]
«من لم يدع قول الزور والعمل به، فليس لله حاجة في أن يدع طعامه وشرابه» وراه
البخاري وأبو داود والترمذي وابن ماجه
Another characteristic of the specific fast is that one does not overfill
himself with food during the night. Instead, he eats in due measure, for
indeed, the son of Adam does not fill a vessel more evil than his stomach. If
he were to eat his fill during the first part of the night, he would not make
good use of himself for the remainder of the night. In the same way, if he
eats to his fill for suhur, he does not make good use of himself until the
afternoon. This is because excessive eating breeds laziness and lethargy.
Therefore, the objective of fasting disappears due to one's excessiveness in
eating, for what is intended by the fast is that one savours the taste of
hunger and becomes one who abandons desires.
Recommended Fasts
As for the recommended fasts, then know that preference for fasting is
established in certain virtuous days. Some of these virtuous days occur every
year, such as fasting the first six days of the month of Shawwal after
Ramadan, fasting the day of `Arafah, the day of `Ashura, and the ten days of
Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram. Some of them occur every month, such as the first
part of the month, the middle part of it, and the last part of it. So whoever
fasts the first part of the month, the middle part of it, and the last part of
it, then he has done well. Some fasts occur every week, and they are every
Monday and Thursday.
The most virtuous of the recommended fasts is the fast of Dawud (prayers and
peace of Allah be upon him). He would fast one day and break his fast the next
day. This achieves the following three objectives: The soul is given its share
on the day the fast is broken. And on the day of fasting, it completes its
worship in full. The day of eating is the day of giving thanks and the day of
fasting is the day of having patience. And Faith is divided into two halves -
that of thankfulness and that of patience. It is the most difficult struggle
for the soul. This is because every time the soul gets accustomed to a certain
condition, it transfers itself to that.
As for fasting every day, then it has been reported by Muslim, from the hadith
of Abu Qatadah, that `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet
(prayers and peace of Allah be upon him): 'What is the case if one were to
fast every day?' So he (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: ''He did
not fast nor did he break his fast -or- he did not fast and he did not break
his fast.'' [Muslim]
«فقال عمر: يا رسول الله! كيف بمن يصوم الدهر كله؟ قال: لاصام ولا أفطر (أو قال)
لم يصم ولم يفطر» رواه مسلم
This is concerning the one who fasts continuously, even during the days in
which fasting is forbidden.
Characteristics of the most specific fast
Know that the one who has been given intellect, knows the objective behind
fasting. Therefore, he burdens himself to the extent that he will not be
unable to do that which is more beneficial than it. Ibn Mas`ood would fast
very little and it is reported that he used to say: ''When I fast, I grow weak
in my prayer. And I prefer the prayer over the (optional) fast''. Some of them
(the Sahabah) would weaken in their recitation of the Qur'an whilst fasting.
Thus, they would exceed in breaking their fast (i.e. by observing less
optional fasts), until they were able to balance their recitation. Every
individual is knowledgeable of his condition and of what will rectify it.
Taken from Mukhtasar Minhaaj ul-Qaasideen
Translated by Ismaa`eel Ibn al-Arkaan and edited by Abu Khaliyl, courtesy of
www.islaam.com
Source: www.islam21c.com
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