In the name of Allah, most beneficent, most merciful

Assalaamu Alaikum!

This week’s Talk focuses on the virtues and etiquettes of Ramadan.

“Fasting is mine………”

The following are some of the virtues of fasting in Islam. They also form parts of the benefits that one stands to derive by fasting the month of Ramadan:

* Allah says in a Hadith reported by Bukhari 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 among the worships 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. The prophets (pbuh), as reported by Abu Dawud, made the following supplication after iftar: “Dhahabal-zama’u; wa’btalatil-urooqu wa thabatal-ajiru inshaAllah.” This means: “Thirst is gone, the veins are flowing again, and the reward is certain, inshaAllah.”

* The fasting person, as reported by Muslim, has two moments for joy: one is when he/she breaks the fast and the other is when he/she rejoices over the fasting in the Day of Judgement. Similarly, fasting will intercede for a person on the Day of Judgement. 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.

* Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), as reported by Muslim, said 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 who 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” (Lailatul Qadr) is in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. Similarly, the Holy Qur’an was revealed during this month. 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. Again, 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.”

“Have Sahur……….”

The following are some of the etiquettes of fasting:

* One of the important etiquettes of fasting is Sahur. It 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 20 minutes or so before dawn. The prohet (pbuh), as reported by Bukhari, said: “Have sahur, for in sahur there is blessing.”

* 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.

* 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.” Therefore, the person who fasts should avoid backbiting, obscenity and lies on pain of losing his reward. As bn Majaah reported, the prophet (pbuh) said: “It may be that such a person gets nothing from fasting except hunger.”

* A fasting person should avoid quiz shows, soap operas, movies, and sports shows, idle gathering, hanging about in the street with evil people and time wasters, driving around without purpose, crowding the streets and sidewalks. One should instead occupy himself with dhikr (glorifying Allah) and worship. Prayers in congregation should strictly be adhered to. Those fasting should refrain from unnecessary sleeping to avoid hunger.

* The well-to-do should feed the poor, as there is great reward for that. Tirmidhi reported in a hadith that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever gives food to someone for breaking his fast will receive a reward equal to his without detracting in the slightest from the reward of the fasting person.” This enjoins all believers to feed those that fast. Therefore, the month of Ramadan should not be turned into a begging month unless there is absolute need.

* A person that fasts should not quarrel or allow himself to be provoked. The prophet (pbuh), as reported by Bukhari, said: “If someone fights or insults you, say, ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.’ By this you display the virtues of Islam in general and fasting in particular.”

* The prophet (pbuh), as reported by Tirmidhi in a hadith, said: “The son of Adam fills no worse vessel than his stomach.” This means that one should not eat too much at iftar or sahur so that one could perform good deeds.

* As Bukhari and Muslim reported, generosity is a Ramadan virtue. It could be demonstrated by sharing knowledge, giving money, or using one’s position of authority or physical strength to help others. Ibn Abbas said: “The messenger of Allah (pbuh) was the most generous of people (in doing good). He was most generous during Ramadan…”

Although the above-listed virtues and etiquettes 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).

For observations, corrections, suggestions, questions or contribution, please contact 080-38608418 or isaliman@dailytrust.