worship, charity and forgiveness, all to bring us closer to our
Creator.
There are so many blessings and benefits to fasting in Ramadan. Some
are physical, some are spiritual, and some relate purely to our
aakhirah.
Among these blessings is the right to enter through Bab Ar-Rayyaan:
Narrated Sahl (ra) : The Prophet (sws – peace be upon him) said,
"Indeed, there is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayaan . On the Day of
Resurrection, those who fasted will enter it and none except them will
enter. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to fast?' They will
arise and none except them will enter it. After their entry, the gate
will be closed and none will enter it."
[Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 120]
Many Muslims have heard this hadith, but most don't know the meaning
of this name, "Ar-Rayyaan" . In fact I was at the masjid recently for
a Ramadan class and I asked the Imam this question and he did not
know. So when I got home I looked it up: the linguistic meaning of
Ar-Rayyaan is something that is well-watered, and therefore lush,
succulent and beautiful…
Doesn't it sound lovely? I imagine it surrounded by water, maybe a
river, stream, or a waterfall… A tall and shining gate, beautifully
decorated, silver or golden… Allah knows best.
I want to walk through that gate, and I want the same for my daughter
Salma. At this moment, I want that more than anything else I can
imagine… if I achieve that, then I will have succeeded in life.
Fasting is a Key
Why should there be a gateway to Jannah only forthose who fast? What
is so special about fasting for only month every year, as opposed to
praying every day, or making the great effort of Hajj, or giving one's
hard-earned money in charity, or any other important Islamic deed?
Actually we know from various saheeh hadeeth (authentic narrations of
theProphet) that there are many gates to Jannah. Some will reward
people who perform specific actions, and according to the Prophet
(sws), certain individuals willed be called to all the gates, and may
enter from whichever they choose. SubhanAllah. This isa fascinating
subject in its own right. However, Bab Ar-Rayyaan has been mentioned
quite prominently in the narrations. It is clearly an important and
privileged gate.
Why is that?
Fasting is designed to put us into a state of hyper-awareness of
Allah. Hasan al-Basri said,
"By Allah, in the last twenty years, I have not said a word or taken
something with my hand or refrained to take something with my hand or
stepped forth or steppedback, except that I have thought before I have
doneany action, 'Does Allah love this action? Is Allah pleasedwith
this action?'"
This is how we should be when fasting. The fast is a highly personal
act of worship between the servant and the Creator. It'san invisible
act. When you pray or perform tawaaf, you can be seen by others, so
there is always the risk of one's intention being tainted by the
desire to be seen or admired. However, when we are fasting, no one can
look at us and know that we are fasting. Even in Ramadan, a person
could eat or drink secretly. It is an honor system. That is why Allah
said in a hadith qudsi, "Fasting is for Me and I reward it."
(al-Bukhari)
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