The Virtues of Fasting
Date: 2008-02-15
Format: text
Identifier: http://www.quraan.com/index.aspx?&tabid=39&artid=114
Language: en
Subject: ramadhan
Title: The Virtues of Fasting
Created on: Thu Nov 08 09:38:12 -0500 2007
Updated on: Fri Feb 15 15:34:02 -0500 2008
Version: 3
Abstract: ... s for fasting, there is no limit for such multiplication, while in the case of other deeds, each good credit is multiplied from ten to seven hundred times only. 2. Sincerity while fasting counts more than sincerity while performing other deeds, for Allah said in the Hadith, “He abandons his (sexual) desire, food and drink for Me.” 3. Allah has chosen fasting to be the acts of worship that He Himself will reward for it, for He said, “Fasting is for Me, and I will reward for it accordingly.” As for “fasting is for Me,” the scholars have differed on its meaning. Some said it means that fasting is an act that is performed purely for Allah that no one else can witness, since it is not an action by the limbs, but rather an abstinence from some acts (eating, drinking and sexual intercourse). This is evident from Allah’s statement, “He abandons his (sexual) desire, food and drink for Me.” As for the other acts of worship, they are all actions that can be witnessed by others, and are thus performed either out of sincerity or out of showing off. Other scholars said that this means that on the Day of Judgment, opponents will not take from the rewards the person acquires through fasting. It is stated in the Sunnah that if a person commits an act of injustice against another, then the victim can be granted some of the credits of the aggressor. Therefore, the scholars state that in such cases, the victim will only be given from the credits of the aggressor that were not acquired through fasting. As for the credits earned through fasting, Allah will preserve them for the person and no one will take them away from him. Also, other scholars have stated that this means that fasting is an act of worship that is only performed to draw closer to Allah, and no one but Him. This is because the disbelievers of old used to draw closer to their idols through prayer, supplication, etc., but not fasting; fasting was not a form of worship that they knew or performed. 4. Fasting brings about two great occasions of joy and happiness for the fasting person: one in this life, and that is when he breaks his fast with what Allah has allowed for him of foods and drinks. As for the other, it is in the Hereafter, and that is when he receives the rewards for his fast. This is permissible happiness and joy, just as Allah said, what translated means, "Say, “In the Bounty of Allah, and in His Mercy (i.e. Islam and the Quran); therein let them rejoice.”" [10:58]. 5. The odor emanating from the mouth of the fasting person, which is sometimes foul, is more beloved to Allah than the scent of musk. This is because such bad odor is the result of a deed that Allah loves, and He therefore loves the resulting odor as well. This is clear from the ... [Full Article...]
