Virtues of Ramadan

In the name of Allah most beneficent, most merciful, Assalamu Alaikum! This column, which has been an annual one in the last eight years, did not feature last year. This is because of the exigencies of my studies. However, from this Saturday, the column will insha Allah feature throughout the holy month. As I always […]

In the name of Allah most beneficent, most merciful, Assalamu Alaikum!

This column, which has been an annual one in the last eight years, did not feature last year. This is because of the exigencies of my studies. However, from this Saturday, the column will insha Allah feature throughout the holy month. As I always say, Islam injunctions do not change and the essence of this column is to remind us some of the basic dos and don’ts during the holy month of Ramadan. Therefore, this year’s column will focus on the significance and observances prescribed for all Muslims faithful during the month. It will also bring out the benefits that are derivable from the month through the observances for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Month of Ramadan

The Islamic month of obligatory fasting is known as Ramadan. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is obligatory for all adult Muslims in good mental and physical health who are not on a journey. The month has twenty-nine or thirty days.

Virtues of Ramadan

–As reported by Bukhari in a Hadith, Allah says that all other deeds of mankind are for themselves, but that fasting is for Him and He will reward it without measure.

– Fasting as an act of worship has no equal in the worship of Allah. As reported by Nasa’i in a Hadith, Allah says that “fasting is mine and has no equal in my sight. I am the only one to reward it.”

– Supplications offered at sunset after breaking the fast are not rejected by Allah. Baihaqi reported in a Hadith that the du’a (supplication) of a person fasting will not be refused.

– As reported by Muslim, the fasting person has two moments of joy: one is when he/she breaks the fast and the other is when he/she rejoices over his fasting in the hereafter.

– Fasting will intercede for a person on the Day of Judgment. Ahmad reported in a Hadith that fasting will say to Allah, “O Lord, I prevented him from his food and physical desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.”

– The unpleasant body odour of a fasting person is considered a blessing. Ahmad reported in a Hadith that the odour from the mouth of a fasting person is a strong fortress that keeps the person safe from fire.

– Muslims reported that whoever fast one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will remove his face a distance of seventy light years from hell fire.

– Muslim also reported in a Hadith that whoever seeks the pleasure of Allah by fasting for one day will enter Paradise if that day should prove to be the last of his life.

– Bukhari reported in a Hadith that there is a gate called al-Rayyaan through which only those that fast will enter Paradise. The gate will be locked after them, as no one else is permitted to enter through it.

– “The night that is better than a thousand nights” is in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. The Holy Qur’an was revealed during this night (Lailatul Qadr).

– Bukhari reported that when Ramadan begins the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of hell closed, and the devils are put in chains.

– Ramadan fasting, as reported by Ahmad, is equivalent to ten month’s fasting. This means that the rewards of fasting during Ramadan are equivalent to those of fasting during ten other months.

– Ramadan fast, as reported by Bukhari, attracts Allah’s forgiveness of previous sins. As a Hadith says, all previous sins of whoever fasts during Ramadan out of faith and with the hope of rewards will be forgiven.

– Ahmad reported that Allah frees those that fast from hell fire and a Hadith says: “At the breaking of every fast, Allah chooses people to free from hell fire.”

Though the above listed virtues are by no means exhaustive, they indicate what benefits could be derived by fasting if performed for the sake of Allah alone and according to the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Benefits of  fasting

Much of the wisdom and many benefits attaching to fasting as an act of worship have to do with piety (taqwa), as mentioned by Allah in chapter 2, verse 183 of the Holy Qur’an. This means that it would be easier for anyone to avoid sin and become pious who observes Islamic monotheism (halaal) out of the desire to earn Allah’s pleasure or fear of His punishment.

Fasting induces piety in worshipers because:

• It trains individuals to avoid desires that lead to sin. Fasting helps a person to overcome his own nature and weans him from sinful habits. The problem of disorganisation and lack of punctuality, which afflict many people, could be solved by fasting since one would usually be punctual in starting and breaking the fast.

• It keeps man’s faculties from feeling hunger or lust. If the stomach is full the tongue, eyes, hands and libido could become excited and feel hungry. Fasting therefore defeats the devil (shaytan). It controls the desires and protects one’s faculties by giving them rest.

• Fasting demonstrates the unity of Muslims since the Ummah (community) fasts and breaks the fast at the same time. Muslims all over the world fast in the same month and manner.

• People flock to the mosque in the month of Ramadan. Those that do not visit the mosque regularly otherwise would be found to come with open hearts, the month of Ramadan therefore provides the opportunity to call everyone to Allah – to preach, teach appropriate lessons, and speak beneficial words while cooperating in righteousness and good deeds.

• Fasting equalizes the poor and the rich. When a wealthy person feels the pangs of hunger, he experiences what the poor frequently endure. He may therefore develop greater compassion for the poor and give them alms to ward off hunger.

Sunnahs and Etiquettes of fasting

The aspects that are obligatory in fasting are niyya (intention upon the sight of Ramadan crescent), abstinence from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse. Some aspects are recommended as follows:

• The prohet (pbuh), as reported by Bukhari, said: “Have sahur, for in sahur there is blessing.”

• Sahur is eating or drinking towards dawn. The person that fasts should wake up before the call (Adhan) for Fajr (morning) prayers and partake of sahur. It should however be delayed until 30 minutes or so before dawn.

• Break the fast immediately after sunset without delay. Bukhari reported that the prophet (pbuh) said: “The people will be fine so long as they do not delay iftar (breaking of the fast) and delay their sahur towards dawn.”

• Tirmidhi reported that the prophet (pbuh) used to break his fast with fresh dates before the magrib (sunset) prayer immediately after sunset. If fresh dates were not available, he would eat dried dates. If dried dates were not available, he would have a few sips of water because there is purity in water.

• The prophets (pbuh), as reported by Abu Dawud, made the following supplication after iftar: “Dhahabal zama’u; wa’btallatil urooqu wa thabatal ajaru inshaAllah.” This means: “Thirst is gone, the veins are flowing again, and the reward is certain, inshaAllah.”

• A fasting person must keep away from sin. The prophet (pbuh) is reported by Bukhari as saying: “When any of you fasts, let him not commit sin. Allah has no need for anyone to up his food and drink who does not stop speaking or acting in accordance with falsehood.”

 InshaAllah, next week we will continue the discussion on sunnah and etiquettes of fasting. Before then, for observation, corrections, suggestions and other contributions please contact 0803-8608418 or [email protected]