3. “ Fasting is observed not only by human beings but by all creatures in nature including animals and trees. Wild animals in the region of heavy snowfall go without food for weeks and months and still survive…. This state of abstention from food and drink results in rejuvenation and renewal of life….. Fasting gives them strength and vigor. Similarly trees shed their leaves in winter when they are not watered. They are in a state of fast. At the end of the season new leaves sprout forth, new buds and fresh flowers bloom, the trees bear fruit”. (Quoted from Dr.Geoffery by Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah in The Emergence of Islam, the English version of his famous Bahawalpur lectures) Fasting in General
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5. FASTING – A pillar of Islam To observe fast during the month of Ramadhaan is to establish one of the five pillars of faith. One who doesn’t observe fast in the month of Ramadhaan despite not being sick or not on a journey, doesn’t fulfill the condition of being a Muslim! The Prophet of Islam (sal-lal-lahu alaihi wa sallam) cursed those who do not take full advantage of Ramadhaan: that is – those, in spite of being healthy and in station, do not observe fast in the month of Ramadhaan.
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9. Allah, the Most Gracious, while enjoining Fast on the Muslim Ummah spells out the purpose of fast thus: “O You who Believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may become self-restraint” (2: 183) Fasting in which the spirit of Fast is not observed is only an exercise in starvation and not really a Fasting at all. This is what the Prophet (sal-lal-lahu alaihi wa sallam) meant when he said: “ Whosoever does not give up telling lies, or acting in a false manner, Allah has no need of his staying away from food or drink”. The Purpose of a Muslim’s Fast
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12. A Sure Way to Salvation Firmness of belief and sincere evaluation of one’s deeds (Imaan and Ehtesaab) are two necessary means to get one’s past sins forgiven in the month of Ramadhaan. The gems coming out from the lips of the Prophet (sal-lal-lahu alaihi wa sallam) glitter like this: “ Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadhaan with firmness of belief and stock taking of his deeds, all his past sins will be forgiven. “ Whoever stands in prayers in the month of Ramadhaan with firmness of belief and stock taking of his deeds, all his past sins will be forgiven”. (Bukhari, narrated by Abu Hurairah)
13. Millions of Muslims the world over spend most of their time in Ramadhaan reading the Qur’an. Alhamdulillah! But then how many of us read the Qur’an with understanding? Allah addresses the human minds and hearts in several places, for e.g. “Do they not then earnestly seek to understand the Qur’an, or are their hearts locked up by them? (47:24) “And We have indeed made the Qur’an easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition? (This Question is repeated 4 times in Surah Al Qamar - 54:17, 22, 32 & 40) “We have revealed for you (o men!) a book in which is a Message for you: will you not then understand?” (21:10) The interrogative “ Afala Ta’qiloon?” can also be translated as: “Don’t you have brains? Can’t you apply your minds to what is being said in the Qur’an?” A trillion dollar question!
14. O Allah! Accept our Fasts. O Allah! Accept our Ibaadah. O Allah! Forgive our sins. O Allah! Bless our parents. O Allah! Give us the Tawfeeq & Hidayah to read the Qur’an with understanding. O Allah! Give us the Tawfeeq and Hidayah to live by the Qur’an. O Allah! Make us die as Muslims. O Allah! Raise us among the Saliheen. Aameen.
