Qur'aan was revealed, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the
guidance of the Criterionbetween right and wrong. So whosoever of you
sights the crescent for the month of Ramadhan, he must fast that
month." [Soorah al-Baqarah 2:185].
Allah's Messenger ( sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam ) said:
"Islaam is built upon five: Testifying that none has the right to be
worshippedexcept Allah and the Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,
establishing the Prayer, giving the Zakaah performing Hajj to the
House, and lasting in Ramadhan ." [1]
He ( sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam ) also said:
"There has come to you Ramadhan , a blessed month, in which Allah has
made it obligatory to fast. During it the gates of Paradise are opened
and the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the rebellious devils are
chained. In it is anight ( Laylatul-Qadr ) which is better than a
thousand months. He who is deprived of its good has truly been
deprived."[2]
From the many important lessons to be learnt from fasting are:
[1]: GAINING TAQWAA
Fasting has been legislatedin order that we may gain taqwaa as Allah -
the Most High - said: "O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for
you, as it was prescribed upon those before you in order that you may
attain taqwaa." [Soorah al-Baqarah 2:183].
Talq ibn Habeeb (d.100H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"When fitnah (trial and tribulation) appears then extinguish it with
taqwaa ." So he was asked as to what taqwaa was, so he replied: "
Taqwaa is to act in obedience to Allah, upon a light (i.e. eemaan ,
faith) from Allah, hoping inthe Mercy of Allah. And taqwaa is leaving
acts of disobedience to Allah, upon a light from Allah, due to the
fear of Allah."[3]
"This is one of the best definitions of taqwaa . For every action must
have both a stating point and a goal. And an action will not be
considered as an act of obedience, or newness to Allah unless it sluts
from pure eemaan (faith in Allah). Thus, it is pure eemaan - and not
habits, desires, nor seekingpraise or fame, nor its flee - that should
be what initiates an action. And thepreparation showed, to earn the
reward of Allah and to seek His good pleasure."[4] So Fasting is a
means of attaining taqwaa , since it helps prevent a person from many
sins that one is prone to. Due to this, the Prophet ( sallAllahu
'alayhi wa sallam ) said: "Fasting is a shield with which the servant
protects himself from the Fire."[5] So we should ask ourselves, after
each day of fasting: Has this lasting made us more fearful and
obedient to Allah? Has it aided us in distancing ourselves from sins
and disobedience?
[2]: SEEKING NEARNESS TOAllah
The Prophet ( sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam ) said:
"Allah said: Whosoever shows enmity to a friend of Mine, I shall be at
war with him. My servant does not draw near to me with anything more
beloved to me than the obligatory duties that I have placed upon him.
My servant continues to draw nearer to Me with optional deeds so that
I shall love him."[6]
The Prophet ( sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam ) said:
"Whosoever reaches the month of Ramadhan and does not have his sins
forgiven, and so enters theFire, then may Allah distance him."[7]
So drawing closer to Allah - the Most Perfect - in this blessed month,
can be achieved by fulfilling one's obligatory duties; and
alsoreciting the Qur'aan and reflecting upon its meanings, increasing
in kindness and in giving charity, in making du'aa (supplication) to
Allah, attending the Taraaweeh Prayer, seeking out Laylatul-Qadr (the
Night of Power and Pre-Decree), a night which is better than a
thousand months, attending gatherings of knowledge, and striving
inthose actions that will cause the heart to draw closer to its lard
and to gain His forgiveness. Our level of striving in this blessed
month should be greater than our striving to worship Allah in any
other month, due to the excellence and rewards that Allah has placed
in it. Likewise from the great means of seeking nearnessto Allah in
this month is making I'tikaaf (seclusion in the mosque in order to
worship Allah) - for whoever is able.
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