Know, that in the fast ( Sawm ) is a special quality that is not found
in anything else. And that is its close connection to Allah, such that
He says: "The fast (Sawm) is for Me and I will reward it." [Saheeh
al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]
This connection is enough to show the high status of fasting.
Similarly, the Ka`bah is highly dignified due to its close connection
to Him, as occurs in His statement:
"And sanctify My House." [Soorah al-Hajj:26]
Indeed, the fast is only virtuous due to two significant concepts:
*. The first: It is a secret and hidden action thus, no one from the
creationis able to see it. Therefore riyaa' (showing off) cannot enter
into it.
*. The second: It is a meansof subjugating the enemies of Allah. This
is because the road that the enemies (of Allah) embark upon (in order
tomisguide the Son of Aadam) is that of desires.And eating and
drinking strengthens the desires.
There are many reports that indicate the merits of fasting, and they
are all well known.
The recommended acts of fasting
The pre-dawn meal (suhoor) and delaying in taking it are preferable,
as well as hastening to break the fast and doing so with dates.
Generosity in giving is alsorecommended during Ramadaan, as well as
doing good deeds and increasing in charity. This is in accordance with
the way of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wasallam).
It is also recommended to study the Qur'an and perform I`tikaaf during
Ramadaan, especially in the last ten days, as well as increasing upon
the exertion (towards doing good deeds) in it.
In the two Saheehs, `Aa'ishah said:
"When the (last) ten days (of Ramadaan) would come, the Prophet would
tighten his waist-wrapper (izaar), spend the night in worship, and
wake his family up (for prayer)." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]
The scholars have mentioned two views concerning the meaning
of"tighten his waist-wrapper(izaar)":
*. The first: It means the turning away from women.
*. The second: It is an expression denoting his (sallallahu `alayhi wa
sallam) eagerness and diligence in doing good deeds.
They also say that the reason for his (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam)
exertion in the last ten days of Ramadaan was due to his (sallallahu
`alayhi wa sallam) seeking of the Night of Al-Qadr (Lailatul-Qadr).
An explanation of the inner secrets of fasting and its characteristics
There are three levels of fasting: The general fast, the specific
fast, and the more specific fast.
*. As for the general fast, then it is the refraining of the stomach
and the private parts from fulfilling their desires.
*. The specific fast is the refraining of ones gaze, tongue, hands,
feet, hearing and eyes, as wellas the rest of his body parts from
committing sinful acts.
*. As for the more specific fast, then it is the heart's abstention
from its yearning after the worldly affairs and the thoughts which
distance one away from Allah, as well as its (the heart's) abstention
from all the things that Allah has placed on the same level.
From the characteristics of the specific fast is that one lowers his
gaze and safeguards his tongue from the repulsive speech that is
forbidden, disliked, or which has no benefit, aswell as controlling
the restof his body parts.
In a hadeeth reported by Al-Bukhaaree:
"Whosoever does not abandon false speech and the acting upon it, Allah
is not in need of him leaving off his food and drink." [Saheeh
al-Bukhaaree, AbuDawood, at-Tirmidhee andIbn Maajah]
Another characteristic of the specific fast is that one does not
overfill himself with food during the night. Instead, he eats in due
measure, for indeed, the son of Aadam does notfill a vessel more evil
than his stomach.
If he were to eat his fill during the first part of the night, he
would not make good use of himself for theremainder of the night. In
the same way, if he eats tohis fill for suhoor , he does not make good
use of himself until the afternoon. This is because excessive eating
breeds laziness and lethargy. Therefore, the objective of fasting
disappears due to one's excessiveness in eating, for what is intended
by the fast, is that one savors the taste of hunger and becomes
anabandoner of desires.
Recommended Fasts
As for the recommended fasts, then know that preference for fasting is
established in certain virtuous days. Some of these virtuous days
occur every year, such as fasting the first six days of the month of
Shawaal after Ramadaan, fasting the dayof `Arafah, the day of
`Aashooraa, and the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram.
Some of them occur every month, such as the first part of the month,
the middle part of it, and the last part of it. So whoever fasts the
first part of the month, the middle part of it, and the last part of
it, then he has done well.
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