3a] The Inner Secrets of Fasting

3a]
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.
Some fasts occur every week, and they are every Monday and Thursday.
The most virtuous of the recommended fasts is the fast of Dawood
(`alayhis salaam). He would fast oneday and break his fast the next
day. This achieves thefollowing three objectives:
The soul is given its share on the day the fast is broken. And on the
day of fasting, it completes its worship in full.
The day of eating is the day of giving thanks and the day of fasting
is the day of having patience. And Faith (Eemaan) is divided into two
halves - that of thankfulness and that of patience. [Note: thehadeeth
with a similar stament is unauthentic, see adh-Dha`eefah: 625]
It is the most difficult struggle for the soul. This is because every
time the soul gets accustomed to a certain condition, it transfers
itself to that.
As for fasting every day, then it has been reported by Muslim, from
the hadeeth of Abu Qataadah, that `Umar (radhiallahu `anhu) asked the
Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam): 'What is the case ifone were
to fast every day?' So he (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "He did
not fast nor did he break his fast - or - he did not fast and he did
not break his fast." [Saheeh Muslim]
This is concerning the one who fasts continuously, even during the
days in which fasting is forbidden.
Characteristics of the most specific fast
Know that the one who has been given intellect, knows the objective
behind fasting. Therefore, he burdens himself to the extent that he
will not be unable to do that which is more beneficial than it.
Ibn Mas`ood would fast very little and it is reported that he used to
say: "When I fast, I grow weak in my prayer. And I prefer the prayer
over the (optional) fast.
Some of them (the Sahaabah) would weaken in their recitation of the
Qur'an while fasting. Thus, they would exceed in breaking their fast
(i.e. by observing less optional fasts), until they were able to
balance their recitation. Every individual is knowledgeable of his
condition and of what will rectify it.
(There was a slight modification to the article by the editor, such as
the exclusion of a couple of statements.)

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3] The Inner Secrets of Fasting

3]
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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Story of a pious woman at the time of Ferawoon

On the Prophet Muhammad's (sul Allahu alayhi wassalaam) Night Journey
to Jerusalem:
The Prophet (sul Allahu alayhi wassalaam) smelled a very nice odor. He
asked Jibril about this pleasant scent and Jibril informed him this
good smell was coming from the grave of the woman whose duty used to
be to comb Pharaoh's daughter's hair.
This woman was a good, pious believer. One day, asshe was combing
Pharaoh's daughter's hair,the comb fell from her hand. At this she
said,"Bismillah." Pharaoh's daughter asked her, "Do you have a god
other than my father?" The woman said, "Yes. My Lord and the Lord of
your father is Allah." Pharaoh's daughter told her father what had
happened. Pharaoh demanded this woman blaspheme and leave Islam, but
she refused. At that, Pharaoh threatened to kill her children.
He brought a great pot of water and built a great fire under it. When
the water boiled, Pharaoh brought her children and started to drop
them into that pot one after the other. Throughout all this,the woman
remained steadfast to Islam, even when Pharaoh reached her youngest
child--a little boy still breast feeding--but she felt pity for him.
At that, Allah enabled this child to speak. He said to his mother, "O
Mother, be patient. The torture of theHereafter is far more severe
than the torture of this life, and do not be reluctant, because you
areright."
At this the woman requested Pharaoh collecther bones and the bones of
her children and bury them in the same grave. Pharaoh promised her
that--then dropped her into that boiling water. She died as a martyr.
The good odor the Prophet (sul Allahu alayhi wassalaam) smelled coming
from her grave is an indication of her high status.
[May Allah make us like these people.]

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Old story: A Veil on the Truth

A few privileged Afghan women have been caught smiling for AP cameras,
but many Afghan women, men and children are silently dying behind the
burqa of U.S. deceit.
The facts are simple. Massive food distribution programs put in place
prior to 9-11 in response to widespread famine were derailed by the
anticipation of and then the actual U.S. bombing campaign, and have
been even further set back by the Taliban's retreat. According to the
New YorkTimes (11/30/01), "In the past two weeks, the tonnage [of aid]
delivered dropped to a pace less than half of what it had been in the
previous two weeks." The problem is that the "towns and cities are so
chaotic that relief agencies cannot safely operate. Many roads are off
limits because of lawlessness and banditry."
Those of us who opposed the U.S. war in A fghanistan nevertheless saw
its apparent rapid resolution as an opportunity to at least get much
needed supplies intothe country. Having routedthe enemy, perhaps the
United States would stop the bombing, allowing food trucks to move in
from across the border. But, instead, the opposite is true. As of this
writing (December 5), the bombing continues, civilian populations are
leftat the mercy of maraudinggangs, and food aid dwindles.
There are a few simple things we could do that would immediately turn
down the torture in Afghanistan.
First, the U.S. should stop bombing. There is no real accounting yet
of the civilian casualty rate, but reports in the last few days claim
that U.S. bombshit four villages near Tora Bora, possibly killing
hundreds (NYT 12/3/01). This is an unethical and illegal use of U.S.
firepower. If it's Osama binLaden who we are still after, it is never
too late toapprehend him in a manner that accords with international
law -- present proper evidence and allow the UN to mount a prudent,
ground-based multilateral campaign to capture him. In any case, since
there is no Afghan enemy mounting any kind of defense or engaging in
battle, there is no excuse for large-scale bombings --whether directed
by the U.S. or the UN.
Second, the bridge to Uzbekistan, which is a key passage for aid
trucks, should be secured. And weshould meet Uzbekistan's demand that
an international force providesecurity at their Afghan border. Instead
American military officials are sayingthat although they"recognize the
urgency of opening the bridge from Uzbekistan, [U.S.] troops will not
be protecting the border."
There is callous disregard for human life in this casual
acknowledgement of the urgency. American officials understand the
consequences of their inactivity, but are blithely sitting back and
saying they want Afghan forces --not foreign troops -- to police the
roadways, whenthe only Afghan forces thatexist in the country
are"lawless bandits," and it is American officials themselves that
installed them. Having destabilized the country to the point where it
is not even safe for aid trucks to travel, it seems the U.S. is
washing its hands of the disaster.
If only that were the case.
Instead, the U.S. is actually blocking efforts to bring inthe very
peacekeepers thatmight secure the roads and borders, and facilitate
the transport of life-savingaid. Buried in an article about how the
Northern Alliance, during negotiations in Bonn, finally relented on
allowing foreign peacekeepers into the country, the Boston Globe
(11/30/01) reported that some U.S. officials believe peacekeepers will
be a nuisance to their unilateralconduct of the war. "Citing Bush
Administration officials, the Washington Post reported that `the
U.S.Central Command, which oversees the war in Afghanistan, is
opposing the imminent deployment of peacekeepers in areas freed from
Taliban control out of concern this could encumber U.S. military
operations.'"
In a New York Times article (12/3/01) about theBonn negotiations, a
brief aside mentions the"Pentagon's unwillingness to take part in any
peacekeeping force or to favor placing peacekeepersanywhere where they
could get in the way of thewar against Al Qaeda." Specifically, since
November 12 when the Northern Alliance took Kabul, the Pentagon has
blocked proposals by France and Britain to send thousands of troops to
secure Kabul, the northern half of the country, and aidroutes. On
December 4, thePentagon said it would"not object to peacekeepers
confined to Kabul and its immediate vicinity" -- a concession that is
mostly symbolic (only 200 peacekeepers will be admitted) and is
nonetheless entirely irrelevant to ensuring open channels for aid
(NYT12/5/01).

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