There are important points to understand while fasting the month of Ramadan in order to take the maximum benefit from the wisdom and teachings we gain in this blessed month, in which Allah sent down His last revelation, "the Quran".
Consider first an important statement of our Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him), when he said, "Don't let the day of fasting be the same as the day you don't fast." He was talking about our behavior and attitude being the same whether we are fasting or not fasting and not having an effect on us. Let us keep this in mind while we consider the following ten points of fasting Ramadan Insha'Allah. I will not bore you with all the 10 of them, instead we will take one each day for 10days if Allah wills, so that we can read them conveniently and also put them into use.I urge you my dear friends to make out little time, read, put them into use and share them with those that can't read them please. May Allah accept from us all Ameen.
POINT 1;
: Gaining Taqwa:
ALLAH LEGISLATED FASTING FOR GAINING TAQWA.
"O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain taqwa." [Noble Quran 2:183]
Taqwa in this case means to make a shield between oneself and Allah's anger and Hellfire. So we should ask ourselves, when we break our fasts, 'Has this fasting day made us fear Allah more? Has it resulted that we want to protect ourselves from the hellfire or not?
Taqwa is the state of hyper-vigilance against falling into sin in negligence. It is the idea that a believer is always on guard and is perpetually alert of not committing any action that would earn the displeasure of the Almighty.
The term Taqwa is often translated as ‘piety’ or ‘God-fearing’, but a better equivalent would be ‘God-consciousness’. It is considered to be the essential quality of a believer.Taqwa of a believer should illuminate through all facets of his/her life, just like a bright light would shine through all openings of an empty house in an empty field in a dark night. Taqwa, when coupled with Imaan (faith), makes a well-rounded believer. Taqwa goes hand in hand with Imaan; one cannot be complete without the other, and vice versa. Whoever sins and has no remose has no Taqwa. No human on earth is superhuman that is free of sins, what is important is been conscious of it and ask Allah for forgiveness often. May Allah have mercy on us all Ameen.
POINT 2: DRAWING CLOSER TO ALLAH
Abu Huraira (RA) reported that the Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said that Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He), the Exalted and Glorious said, “I am near to the thought of My servant as he thinks about Me, and I am with him as he remembers Me. And if he remembers Me in his heart, I also remember him in My heart, and if he remembers Me in assembly I remember him in assembly, better than his (remembrance), and if he draws near Me by the span of a palm, I draw near him by the cubit, and if he draws near me by the cubit I draw near him by the space (covered by) two hands. And if he walks towards Me, I rush towards him.” (Sahih Muslim).
We need to struggle to achieve great things. The harder the struggle is, the better the outcome becomes. Getting close to Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) takes time. We cannot expect everything to magically fall into place by doing a righteous deed. You need to depend on Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) and trust that what He has planned for you is the best you can have, for this life and the hereafter.
This is achieved by reciting and reflecting on Al-Quran during night and day, attending the taraweeh prayers, remembering Allah, sitting in circles of knowledge and, for those who can, making 'umrah. Also for those who can, making I'tikaf (seclusion) in the last ten nights of Ramadan, so as to leave all worldly pursuits and seclude oneself in a masjid just thinking of Allah, so as to bring oneself closer to Allah. When one sins, one feels distant from Allah, is okay cos one can always run to Him in repentance. However, the obedient worshipper feels closer to Allah and wants to worship Allah more, because he is not shy from his sins. Lastly we should believe with absolute conviction that it is possible this might be our last Ramadan, for that we should strive harder than we have ever, we should increase in all the good things, especially charity. Hadith confirmed the Prophet is more generous in Ramadân,, no matter how little it is, it is big to so many people, e g pure water, buying Kosai and Kunu to give out, one can directly go to the people selling it and give money as much or little he or she can afford, it will serve a lot and Allah will reward you in folds. May Allah make it possible and easy for us all Ameen.
POINT 3: Our 3rd point for today is about two very important issues and yet very difficult tasks to everyone, as important as one of the two is amongs the Mighty Names of Allah SWT and His attributes. They are PATIENCE AND PERSIVERANCE.
Allah has mentioned patience more than seventy times in the Quran and Has commanded patience in more than sixteen ways in His Book. So when one fasts, and gives up one's food and drink, and one's marital sexual relations for those hours, one learns restraint and patience. Two types of patience are expected: The first is a situation where you are hurt by someone you can easily subdue or destroy but yet you choose to be patient, or in ones daily activities like in the market, supermarkets or even on the road driving, or you come back home and food isn't ready for whatever reason. Be patient and Allah will reward you in folds.
Our beloved prophet, Muhammad (PBUH), was reported to have said that "a strong man is not the person that can fight or with physical strength but the person that can control his anger"(i.e. exercise patience). Sa'd ibn Abu Waqqas reported that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "It is a fine thing when a believer praises and thanks Allah if good comes to him, and praises Allah and shows endurance if smitten by affliction. The believer is rewarded for everything, even for the morsel he raises to his wife's mouth." (Tirmidhi Hadith 1733).
The 2nd one is patience by trial from Allah SW.
Allah has clearly stated that He will test us. He did not stop at that but He also informed us of what we need to pass the test or trial. "Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil) but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Who say when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah we belong and to Him is our return." They are those on whom (descend) blessings from Allah and Mercy and they are the ones that receive guidance." Q2:155-7.
Therefore, patience and perseverance are integral part of faith. All prophets of Allah had serious problems while disseminating words of God, Allah even tested some of them with calamities but they all persevered and exercised patience. Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate, stresses the importance of patience and perseverance in the following verses:
"And be steadfast in patience; for verily Allah will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish." Q11:115
"O you my servants who believe! Fear your Lord: good is (the reward) for those who do good in this world. Spacious is Allah's earth! Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure!" Q39:10
"O ye who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy: vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other to guide your territory; and fear Allah; that you may prosper." Q3:200
"And verily, if any show patience and forgive that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs." Q42:43
Allah, the Exalted, knows that it is not easy to exercise patience and perseverance during hardship, therefore, He promised those who do it great rewards. However, patience and perseverance will be easy for those who are humble and conscious of Allah (Q2:45-6)
Abu Umamah narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that Allah, who is Blessed and Exalted, said "Son of Adam, if you show endurance and seek your reward from me in the first affliction, I shall be pleased with no lesser reward than Paradise for you." (Tirmidhi Hadith 1758). May Allah the PATIENT strengthen us in patience and perseverance dear friends Ameen.
DON'T FORGET ME IN YOUR PRAYER WHILE BREAKING YOUR FAST PLEASE.
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