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)
Another truth is that fasting is difficult. It is more arduous than
salat, or giving sadaqah. When done properly, fasting can be very
hard, especially in summer or in hot climates. For me personally,
fasting at the height of summer is the most punishing physical
experience I go through, particularly on thedays when I have martial
arts classes scheduled.
The greatest mistake would be to think that fasting is only about
hunger, thirst and abstinence. It seems to me that fasting is a
physical experience that opens the doorway to a spiritual state of
being. The hardship of fasting is a key that unlocks a tremendous
reservoir of strength, and that plunges one into a state of humility,
and an extreme awareness of one's actions before Allah.
That's ultimately what fasting is about. It is about being conscious
of Allah, sacrificing for Him, being humbled before Him, growing
closer to Him, and pleasing Him.
Fasting is a key that opens a door. And the door is called Ar-Rayyaan.
May Allah make us among those who enter through Ar-Rayyaan.