-MJ Mohammed Iqbal
Ramadhan can be considered as great favour and blessing to Mankind and fasting has to be observed in the right sense in proper way. Holy Prophet (PBUH) has said "How many fasting men there are for whom there is no fast but only thirst; and how many men praying at night there are for whom there is no prayer but sleeplessness". Further Holy Prophet (PBUH) said that five things would break the fast and those were the telling of lies, backbiting, tale bearing, perjury, and the casting of coveting and lustful eyes"
From this one should realize while keeping fasting, one has to strictly practice humbleness, righteous deeds and obtain from the following.
To restrain eyesight from what is evil and from things which divert attention from godly remembrance.
To restrain from the tongue from useless talk, false – speaking, backbiting, slander, abusive speech, obscurity, hypocrisy and enmity.
To restrain the ear from hearing the evil talks because what is unlawful to utter is also unlawful to hear.
To save hand, feet and other organs from sins, evil deeds.
To save belly from doubtful things at the time of breaking fast.
To keep the mind of a fasting man between fear and hope whether his fasting would be accepted and he would be in the good books of Almighty.
To restrain eyesight from what is evil and from things which divert attention from godly remembrance.
To restrain from the tongue from useless talk, false – speaking, backbiting, slander, abusive speech, obscurity, hypocrisy and enmity.
To restrain the ear from hearing the evil talks because what is unlawful to utter is also unlawful to hear.
To save hand, feet and other organs from sins, evil deeds.
To save belly from doubtful things at the time of breaking fast.
To keep the mind of a fasting man between fear and hope whether his fasting would be accepted and he would be in the good books of Almighty.
Fasting protects the believers against the fire of hell, from the evil of lowly desire, it fortifies against plerts of Shait'an (Evil) and it strengths the resolve of the believer to gain the pleasure of Allah that is the reason Holy Prophet (PBUH) said "The fasting is like unto a shield. Therefore whenever one of you fasts let him not speak unseemingly or act foolishly. If any one disputes with him or swears at him, let him say, "I am fasting, verily I am fasting"
This is in need the month of patience and the reward for true patience is Jannah (Paradise). It is the month of sympathy with one's fellow human beings and provides opportunity for the believers to build-up Islamic personality. The meaning Islamic personality is nothing but one who firmly believes peace and love and adopts all the Islamic principles, practices, characters & morals to serve the cause of Islam in the path of Allah and his Holy Prophet (PBUH) as narrated in Holy Book Qur'an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Fasting people should understand and apprehend the rules of fasting and implementing carefully; should have sincere intention and orientation to Almighty and consider the worship of fast as one of the ways getting nearer to Almighty; getting closer to the words of Almighty by reciting Holy Qur'an, performing extra prayers like Taraweeh, midnight prayer, remembrance of Almighty all the time and make Tasbih towards him.
It is also to be noted that Islam has given exemption for those people who are ill or just be on a tiring journey during the month of Ramadhan, for those people Holy Qur'an says:
"….. (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; But if any of you is ill, or on a journey, The prescribed number (should be made up) From days later….." [2:184]
A renowned German professor wrote a book on the strengthening of will power, the basis of which he considers, is fasting as prescribed in Islam. In his book, professor explains that fasting is an effective means to establish the control of the sprit over the body, where man lives with a full control over himself, without being a slave to his physical inclinations of needs. The benefits of Ramadhan are immense such as enhancing the Taq'wa (faith), drawing closer to divine Almighty, acquiring patience, strong will, refinement of manners, especially those related to truthfulness and discharging trusts, being more charitable, sensing the unity of mankind, caring for one's healthy, striving for Ihsan (righteousness and sincerity) and staying away from showing off.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said as Almighty Allah told, "All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.". Allah singles out fasting from all other types of worship saying, "Fasting is for Me", because no one knows whether you are fasting or not, except Almighty Allah. For example, when one is praying or giving charity or making good deeds, one can be seen by the people, so one might do the action seeking the praise of the people, but fasting is observed purely out of the love and devotion to Almighty and there is not an idea of show and exhibition of one's piety in it and it involves no hypocrisy in it and kept merely to seek the pleasure of Almighty.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said "By him in whose Hands my soul is, the unpleasant smell coming from mouth of fasting person is better to Allah than the pleasant smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he meets his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting"
It is necessary that believers should keep in mind the divine merits of fasting practice righteous deeds which would provide both physical happiness and mental satisfaction. And of course Fasting is the source of both outward and inward happiness in the same way as it is remedy for both outward and inward ailments.
Courtesy:Gulf Today
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