The Wisdom and Benefits behind Fasting and Virtues

Asalam wa alikum

The objective behind fasting is to restrain the soul from (its) desires and to prevent it from those things, which are beloved to it. And its purpose is to control the soul's strength, so that it can be prepared to attain what is found in it (the fast) from success and joy for the soul. Through the fast, one curbs his hunger and thirst and is reminded of the condition of the hungry stomachs of needy people.

Through fasting, one narrows the passages the Devil has inside the servant (of Allaah) by narrowing the passages of food and drink. Also, it prevents the forces of the limbs from getting too accustomed to things that are harmful to it in this world and the hereafter. And each of the soul's body limbs and energies can cease their rebelliousness (to Allaah) and be harnessed by its bridle.

So therefore, the fast is the bridle of those who fear and obey Allaah and the shield of those wage war (against desires). And it is a garden for the righteous and devoted servants of Allaah. And it is for the Lord of the worlds, over all other actions (done to please Allaah). This is since the person who fasts, in fact does nothing. He only abandons his desire and his food for the sake of the One whom he worships.

So fasting is an abandonment of those things that the soul loves and desires, preferring instead Allaah's love and contentment. And it is a secret kept between the servant and his Lord – no one else is aware of it.

Fasting has an amazing effect in preserving one's outer limbs and inner capacities as well as protecting the soul from being overtaken by destructive components, which can ruin and destroy it. And it has a remarkable effect in causing all the harmful things that prevent the soul from being healthy to be emptied out. So fasting guards and protects the health of the person's heart and body limbs. And it returns the soul all that the hands of the desires has taken from it. So it is from the greatest ways of improving one's Taqwaa, as Allaah says: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you in order that you attain Taqwaa." [Surah Al-Baqarah: 185]

The Prophet (saws) said: "Fasting is a shield." And he commanded those who had intense desires for marriage but were not able to marry, to observe fasting, making it a shield against those desires (of marriage).

Volume 3, Book 31, Number 118: Bukhari

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Apostle said, "Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, 'I am fasting." The Prophet added, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times."

When the benefits of fasting are born witness to by sensible minds and upright intuitions, one will come to realize that Allaah prescribed it as a mercy for mankind, goodness to them and a protection and shield for them. The Prophet's (saws) guidance concerning it was the most perfect of guidance, and the best for reaching the desired objective and the easiest on the soul.

Since restraining the soul from what it loves and desires is from the most difficult and hardest of things, its obligation was delayed until the middle of Islaam, after the Hijrah. This was at the point when the Tawheed and the Prayer had become firmly established in the souls of the Muslims and when they loved the commands of Allaah. So their souls were lead to its obligation in gradual steps. It became obligatory in the second year of Hijrah.

When the Messenger of Allaah (saws) died, he had fasted nine Ramadaans in total. Originally, it was obligated as an option left to the people to choose whether they wanted to fast or to feed needy people for every day. Then that option was transferred into the final obligatory fasting. And the matter of feeding people was left only for the old men and women who did not have the ability to fast.

Fasting had three stages. The first stage was its being obligated with the option of fasting or feeding a needy person. In the second stage, only the fasting was allowed, but if the person fasting slept before breaking his fast, he was forbidden from eating and drinking until the following night. This was abrogated in the third stage. And this is the stage at which the Religion has settled with until the Day of Judgement.

Volume 3, Book 31, Number 120: Bukhari

Narrated Sahl:

The Prophet said, "There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe fasts?' They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it."

Virtues of Fasting as Mentioned in the Qur'an and Sunnah

The Reward for Fasting is Immense

"Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving then times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, 'Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.' For the fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk." [Al-Bukhari]

Also, Sahl ibn Sa'ad reported that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said:

"Indeed there is a gate of Paradise called ar-Rayyan. On the day of Resurrection those who fast will enter through it; no one enters it except for them, and when they have entered, it is closed so that no one enters it, so when the last of them enters it, it is closed, and whoever enters it drinks, and whoever drinks never becomes thirsty." [Ibn Khuzaymah. Sahih]

Fasting is a Shield Against the Fire

"Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the Fire." [Ahmad. Sahih]

"On the Day of Judgement, fasting will say: 'O My Lord I prevented him from food an desires so accept my intercession for him.' " [Ahmad, al-Hakim and Abu Nu'aym. Hasan]

Fasting is a Means for One's Sins to be Forgiven

"He who fasts Ramadhan, due to iman and hoping for reward (from Allah) then his past sins are forgiven." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The Supplication of the Fasting Person is Answered

"There are in the month of Ramadhan in every day and night those to whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim an supplication which he can make and will be granted." [Al-Bazzar and Ahmad. Sahih]

Fasting is an Expiation for Various Sins

"Perform the Pilgrimage and the Lesser Pilgrimage for Allah ... but whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head must pay a ransom, either by fasting or by charity ... " [Al-Qur'an 2:196]

"Never may a believer kill a believer unless by mistake ... and those who find this beyond their means must fast two consecutive months. Such is the penance imposed by Allah; and Allah is Knowing, Wise." [Al-Qur'an 4:92]

And more (5:89, 5:95 and 58:3-4).

The Fasting Person Will Be Among the True Followers of the Prophets and the Martyrs

A man came to the Prophet, peace be upon him, and asked, "O Messenger of Allah, what if I testify that none has the right to worshipped but Allah and that you are the Messenger of Allah, and I observe the five daily prayers, and I pay the zakah, and I fast and stand in prayer in Ramadhan, then amongst whom shall I be?" He said:

"Amongst the true followers of the prophets and the martyrs." [Ibn Hibban. Sahih]

Fasting is a Shield Against One's Base Desires

"O youths, whoever amongst you is able to marry then let him do so, since it restrains the eyes and protects the private parts, and he who is unable, then let him fast because it is a shield for him." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Once we realise the greatness of fasting and what achievement it leads to, we must put all our efforts in performing fasting in the best manner possible. And since fasting is worship, it must be done solely for Allah's sake, and no intention is accepted, other than pleasing Allah and seeking His Face with all one's sincerity. Without a correct intention, no deed is of any value in the Hereafter. We Muslims must constantly verify our intentions and consider why we perform fasting. Do we do so merely because it is the practice of our parents and friends, or do we do so because it is part of our tradition, or perhaps because we simply want to conform to our environment in order to avoid any problems? A Muslim who realises that only that which is with Allah remains, and that He is the only One who grants and withholds, would not be of those to which the Prophet, upon whom be peace, alluded to in the hadith:

"On the Day of Judgement, a caller will cry out, 'Whoever performed a deed for someone other than Allah may seek his reward from that for which he performed the deed.' " [Sahih al-Jami']

Certain Aspects and Rulings Related to Fasting

• For the obligatory fast in the month of Ramadhan, it is incumbent on everyone to have intention before the appearance of Fajr.
• Fast is performed between the time of true Fajr (that which makes food forbidden for the fasting person, and makes Fajr prayer lawful, as explained by Ibn 'Abbas) and the time as soon it is seen that the sun has set.
• The interval between the end of suhur (the pre-dawn meal) and the start of the obligatory prayer is the interval sufficient to recite fifty ayat, as indicated by the Prophet and related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
• Eating suhur contains many blessings and the Prophet, peace be upon him, ordered us to do take it, forbade us from leaving it and told us to take suhur to make a distinction between our fast and the fast of the People of the Book. In spite of this, Ibn Hajr reports in Fath al-Bari that there is consensus that it is recommended. Allah knows best.
• Falsehood, ignorant and indecent speech are to be avoided as they may render one's fasting futile.
• A fasting person can begin fasting while in the state of janabah (major state of impurity that requires bath due to a sexual intercourse).
• Use of siwak (tooth-stick) is permitted. Likewise, washing the mouth and nose is permitted, but it should not be done strongly.
• The Prophet forbade a youth to kiss while fasting, while he allowed an old man since he is able to control himself.
• Giving blood and injections which do not provide nourishment does not break the fast. Also, there is no harm in tasting food, provided it does not reach the throat.
• Pouring cold water over one's head and taking a bath contain no harm to a fasting person.
• It is from the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of his companions to break the fast as soon as the Sun sets even if some bright redness remains upon the horizon. Muslims are strongly encouraged to hasten breaking the fast. The Prophet, upon whom be peace, said: "The din will not cease to be uppermost as long as the people hasten to break the fast, since the Jews and the Christians delay it." [Abu Dawud and Ibn Hibban. Hasan]
• The Prophet, peace be upon him, used to break his fast before praying and he used to break it with fresh dates, if not then with older dates. And if not with dates, than with some mouthfuls of water.
• The supplication of the fasting person when he breaks his fast is not rejected. The best du'a (supplication) is that reported from Allah's Messenger, peace be upon him. He used to say when breaking the fast, "The thirst has gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is certain, if Allah wills." [Abu Dawud, al-Bayhaqi, al-Hakim and others. Hasan]
• The Prophet said, "He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, except that nothing will be reduced from the fasting persons reward." [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban. Sahih]. Also, a fasting Muslim should not reject invitation of another Muslim to break fast.
• Deliberate eating and drinking, making oneself vomit, menstruation, after-birth bleeding, injection containing nourishment and sexual intercourse all nullify the fast.
• As for Laylatul-Qadr, the Night of Decree, it is better than a thousand months. The Prophet, peace be upon him, told us, "Seek it in the last ten, and if one of you is too weak or unable then let him not allow that to make him miss the final seven." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. That which is the most specific states, " ... seek it on the (twenty) ninth and the (twenty) seventh and the (twenty) fifth." [Al-Bukhari]
• The Prophet, peace be upon him, used to exert himself greatly during Laylatul-Qadr. He would spend the nights in worship, detaching himself from women and ordering his family with this. So every Muslim should be eager to stand in prayer during Laylatul-Qadr out of iman and hoping for the great reward.
• The Prophet, upon whom be peace, said, "Whoever stands (in prayer) in Laylatul-Qadr out of iman and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
• The supplication that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, taught 'Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, to say when seeking the Night of Decree is, "O Allah you are the one who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me." [At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah. Sahih]
• It is Sunnah to pray Tarawih in congregation and the one who knew the best the practice of the Prophet at night, 'A'ishah said, "Allah's Messenger did not increase upon eleven raka'at in Ramadhan, or outside it." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
• All who are capable should take advantage of the month of Ramadhan and perform i'tikaf, i.e. fully attach oneself to worshipping in the mosque. One should inquire how the Prophet performed i'tikaf.
• Zakat ul-Fitr is prescribed by Allah as a purification for those who fasted from loose and indecent talk, and to feed the poor Muslims as a provision for 'Eid ul-Fitr. One should inquire further about rulings related to it, especially upon whom it is obligatory and what is its quantity.

The last but not the least, we should strive to constantly improve our worship and obedience of Allah, the Most High, including once the month of Ramadhan is over, if Allah wills

The Delight of the Heart

Asalamu alikum

Praise is for Allah, the Guide to goodness. He Watches over His creation, knowing what is hidden from sight and that which they conceal in their breasts. I praise Him, the praise of a true slave who is afraid of His punishment, yet in hope of His forgiveness. I thank Him; the thanking that is obligated on a slave to his Master. I bear witness that there is no god or deity worthy of any worship except Allah alone. I bear witness that Muhammed is His slave and final Messenger.

Amma Ba'du:

I advise you and I to have Taqwa Allah; it is the provision that will be most beneficial on the final Day.

Allah (SW) says Ordering his Prophet (saaw): "Recite (O Muhammed) what has been revealed to you of the Book (Quran), and perform as-Salah. Verily, as-Salah (prayer) prevents from al-Fahsha' (great sins of every kind) and al-Munkar (disbelief, and every wicked deed). And the Remembering (praising) of (you by) Allah (in front of the angels) is greater indeed [than your remembering (praising) Allah in prayers]. And Allah knows what you do." -- Al-'Ankabut 29:45

He (SW) also said: "I (Muhammed) have been commanded only to worship the Lord of this city (Makkah), Him Who has sanctified it and His is everything. And I am commanded to be from among the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam). And to recite the Quran." -- An-Naml 27:91,92

Allah (SW) said: "Nay, but they, the clear Ayat [the description and the qualities of Prophet Muhammed (saaw) written like verses in the Torah and the Gospel] are preserved in the breasts of those who are have been given knowledge (from the people of the Scriptures). And none but the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers…) deny Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons and signs)." -- Al-'Ankabut 29:49

He (SW) also said: "And we have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and be remembered, then is there any that will remember (or receive admonition)?" -- Al-Qamar 54:17

'Ibad Allah!

The month of Ramadan is known as the month of sacrifice and fasting. It is also known and recognized and known as the month of the Quran. Allah (SW) says: "The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)." -- Al-Baqarah 2:185

Allah (SW) says: "Verily! We have sent it down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree)." -- Al-Qadr 97:1

He (SW) also says: "We sent it (this Quran) down on a blessed night [night of Qadr in the 9th month (Ramadan) of the Islamic calendar]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]. Therein (that night is decreed every matter of ordainments." -- Ad-Dukhan 44:3

Allah revealed the Quran, a beacon of light that cannot be extinguished. A methodology and way of life that is perfect in all respect. In it is strength that cannot be equaled or repelled. It is the foundation of Iman and the spring of knowledge. Allah Willed that the Quran be what quenches the thirst for knowledge. It is the delight of the people of wisdom. The Quran is the greatest cure for all ailments. The Quran is Allah's Rope that cannot be severed. It is the Wise reminder and the truly straight path. In the Quran are the parables of those who were before us, a prophesy of that which will be after us and a criterion to judge between us. It is Truth with certainty that was revealed to us. The one who lives according to its dictation will be rewarded. The one who judges according to it will be just. The one who calls to it is on the straight path. Allah raises and lowers people with it. The Quran, on the Day of Judgment, will intercede on behalf of those who recited it.

Rasool ul Allah (saaw) said: "The one who reads a single letter from the Book of Allah will be rewarded with one Hasana (good deed). (Know that) A good deed is multiplied ten times over. I do not say Alif Lam Meem is one letter. Verily, Alif is on letter, Lam is one letter, Meem is one letter." -- Reported by at-Tirmithi and it is Sahih.

O Muslims!

The Book of Allah to mankind's guidance, is like the soul in relation to the body. Therefore, he who abandons its recitation and does not act in accordance to its laws is in a state of spiritual death. Allah (SW) says: "Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by Knowledge and Faith) and set for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men, like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out?" -- Al-An'am 6:122

A person without Quran is like a person without water, air and medicine. Allah (SW) says: "And We send down from the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe." -- Al-Isra' 17:82

Allah (SW) also says: "And if We had sent this as a Quran in a foreign language other that Arabic, they would have said: 'Why are not its Verses explained in detail (in our language)? What! (A Book) not in Arabic and (the Messenger) an Arab? Say: 'It is for those who believe, a guide and healing. And as for those who disbelieve, there is heaviness (deafness) in their ears, and it (the Quran) is blindness for them." -- Fussilat 41:44

The Quran is a healing for the body and soul. Whenever life becomes hard and complicated the Light of the Quran will always brighten the way. It will be a source of solace and tranquility. It will be a defender to you when you are powerless and in need. Allah (SW) says: "And when you (Muhammed) recite the Quran, We put between you and those who believe not in the Hereafter, an invisible veil (or screen their hearts, so they hear or understand it not)."

"And We have put a barrier before them, a barrier behind them, and We have covered them up, so that they cannot see." -- Ya-Sin 36:9

The Muslim recites the Quran and will feel the Sakina and tranquility in his heart and being. This causes them only to fear Allah alone and no other. Allah (SW) says: "Those (the believers) unto whom the people (hypocrites) said, 'Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them." But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said, 'Allah (alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)." So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty. It is only Shaytan that suggests to you the fear of his Auliya [supporters and friends (polytheists, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger], so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers." -- Ali-'Imran 3:173-175

Sadly, many have taken this Quran for granted and have neglected its recitation and implementation. They sought the worldly life and neglected the Hereafter. Allah (SW) says: "And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah's Path. They follow nothing but conjectures, and they do nothing but lie." -- Al-An'am 6:116

Allah (SW) says: "And most of them follow nothing but conjecture. Certainly, conjecture can be of no avail against the truth." -- Yunus 10:36

The people of disbelief try to cloud the beauty of the Quran by attempting to beautify their scientific endeavors and worldly possessions. Yet, Allah (SW) says: "They know only the outside appearance of the life of the world (i.e. the matters of their livelihood, like irrigating or sowing or reaping), and they are heedless of the Hereafter." -- Ar-Rum 30:7

Tragically, there are those who will recite the Quran in its entirety and finish with little more than with what they began with in terms of contemplation and action. Some are so concerned with how they sound, they beautify their voice without ever listening to what is being ordered or prohibited. Truly there are many reciters of the Quran that the Quran is free from them and their evil. They recite the Quran and are oppressive to themselves and others by not following its orders or forbidding its prohibitions. Allah (SW) says: "No doubt! The Curse of Allah is on the Zalimun (wrong-doers)." -- Hud 11:18

He (SW) says: "Then pray and invoke (sincerely) the Curse of Allah upon those who lie." -- Ali-'Imran 3:61

O Muslims!

Nothing is more valuable to a Muslim in his worldly life and in the Hereafter than reciting the Quran and reflecting and trying to comprehend its meaning. In doing so an individual will become acquainted with what is good and what is evil. He will see the effects of disobedience of Allah and its punishment in the parables of those who have come before us. An example of such a punishment is the flood that was sent upon the people of Nuh (AS) and others similar to it. It is a source of inspiration and strengthens one's belief in Allah. For this reason, Allah (SW) says: "And when His (Allah's) Verses (this Quran) are recited unto them, they (Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord." -- Al-Anfal 8:2

This Book was sent and revealed from above the seven Heavens so that it could be comprehended and implemented, it is not just to be recited while the heart is pre-occupied. Allah (SW) says: "(This is) a Book (Quran) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember." Sad 38:29

Allah (SW) says: "Have they not pondered over the Word (of Allah) or has there come to them what had not come to their fathers of old?" -- Al-Mu'minun 23:68

Allah (SW) says: "Do they not then consider the Quran carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradictions." -- An-Nisa 4:82

He (SW) says: "Do they not think deeply in the Quran, or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it)? -- Muhammed 47:24

The Quran is an integral part of the Muslim individual's life. Allah (SW) says: "Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe to be affected by Allah's Reminder (Quran)? And that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture before (Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged on them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fasiqun (rebelious, disobedient to Allah)." -- Al-Hadid 57:16

What has happened to our hearts O 'Ibad Allah? Why are our hearts locked out and unresponsive to the Quran? Why do the words enter from one ear and exit out the other. Why have our hearts hardened?

Let us comprehend the Quran and implement it in our lives. Let us be from those who implement the Quran in our days and recite it during our nights.

O Allah! Make the Quran the delight of our hearts and the light of our breasts and the remover of our pain, sorrow and discomfort.

Spreading the Good News of Ramadaan

Asalamu alikum

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allaah (saws) said: "Ramadaan has come to you - a blessed month. Allaah has made it obligatory on you to fast in it. During this month, the gates of heaven are open, the gates of the Hellfire are closed and the evil devils are chained. To Allaah belongs a night in it, which is better than a thousand months. Whosoever is prevented from its good, then he has been deprived." [1]

The hadeeth is a glad tiding to the righteous servants of Allaah, of the coming of the blessed month of Ramadaan. The Prophet (saws) informed his Companions of its coming and it was not just a simple relaying of news. Rather, his intent was to give them the glad tidings of a magnificent time of the year, so that the righteous people who are quick to do deeds can give it its due estimate. This is because the Prophet (saws) explained in it (the hadeeth) what Allaah has prepared for His servants from the ways towards gaining forgiveness and His contentment - and they are many. So whoever has forgiveness escape him during the month of Ramadaan, then he has been deprived with the utmost deprivation.

From the great favors and bounties that Allaah has bestowed upon His servants is that He has prepared for them meritous occasions so that they may be of profit to those who obey Him and a race for those who rush to compete (for good deeds). These meritous occasions are times for fulfilling hopes by exerting in obedience and uplifting flaws and deficiencies through self-rectification and repentance. There is not a single occasion from these virtuous times, except that Allaah has assigned in it works of obedience, by which one may draw close to Him. And Allaah possesses the most beautiful things as gifts, which He bestows upon whomsoever He wills by His Grace and Mercy.

So the one who achieves true happiness is he who takes advantage of these virtuous months, days and hours and draws closer to His Guardian in them, by doing what is prescribed in them from acts of worship.

Thus perhaps he will be showered with one of the many blessings of those occasions and be helped by it, with an assistance that is enough to save him from the Fire and what it contains, such as its blazing heat. [2]

Being able to reach Ramadaan is itself a magnificent bounty that is bestowed on the one who reaches it and rises to its occasion, by standing in prayer during its night and fasting during its day. In it, he returns to his Protector -- from disobeying Him to obeying Him, from neglecting Him to remembering Him, from remaining distant from Him to turning towards Him in submissive repentance.

A Muslim must be conscious of this bounty and acknowledge its magnitude. For indeed, many people are prevented from fasting, either because they die before they reach it, or because they are not capable of observing it or because they oppose and turn away from it. Thus, the one who fasts must give praise to his Lord for this bounty and should welcome this month with joy and delight that a magnificent time of the year out of all the occasions for performing obedience is welcomed. He should exert himself deeply in doing good deeds. And he should invoke Allaah to grant him the ability to fast and stand in night prayer, and that He provide him with seriousness, enthusiasm, strength, and energy in that month. And that He awaken him from heedless oversleeping so that he may take advantage of these virtuous times of good.

It is unfortunate to find that many people do not know the value of this virtuous occasion, nor do they consider it to be sacred. So the month of Ramadaan no longer becomes a significant time for obedience, worship, reciting the Qur'aan, giving in charity and making remembrance of Allaah. Rather, to some people, it becomes a signifcant time to diversify their foods and drinks and to prepare different types of meals before the month begins. Some other people do not know Ramadaan except as a month of sleeplessness and constant recurring gatherings, while sleeping by day. This is to the point that some among them sleep past the time of the obligatory prayers, thus not praying them in congregation or in their proper times. Other people do not know Ramadaan except as a signifcant time for conducting worldly affairs, not as a significant time for conducting affairs for the Hereafter. Thus, they work busily in it, buying and selling, and they stay in the market areas, consequently abandoning the masaajid. And when they do pray with the people, they do so in such a hurried manner. This is because they find their pleasure in the market places. This is the extent that the notions and views (of Ramadaan) have been changed.

Some of the Salaf used to say: "Indeed Allaah, the Most High, has made the month of Ramadaan as a competition for His creatures, in which they may race with one another to His pleasure, by obeying Him. Thus, one group comes first and so they prosper and another group comes last and so they fail." [3]

Also, the individual does not know if this is perhaps the last Ramadaan he will ever see in his life, if he completes it. How many men, women and children have fasted with us the past year, and yet now they lie buried in the depths of the earth, relying on their good deeds. And they expected to fast many more Ramadaans. Likewise, we too shall all follow their path. Therefore, it is upon the Muslim to rejoice at this magnificent occasion for worship. And he should not renounce it, but instead busy himself with what will benefit him and what will cause its effect to remain. For what else is it, except numbered days, which are fasted in succession and which finish rapidly.

May Allaah make us, as well as you, from among those who are foremost in attaining good deeds. 

 Author:'Abdullaah Ibn Saalih Al-Fawzaan