Before
I begin, I wish all my brothers and sisters in Islam, as well as my disciples
across the world, a Ramadhan-ul-Mubarak -for the month of fasting is
behind the door [i.e. close] - so that we let go of all our routines and focus
more on Ibaadat and multiply our good deeds.
First of all, what is fasting (Roza)? In Quran and Hadiths the word which defines fasting is “Sawm” which means “to abstain”. In our common parlance, this means that we do not drink and eat, and abstain from sexual relations from the beginning of dawn until sunset.
Fasting
existed even before the advent of Islam, because all peoples before Islam
received divine commandments to keep fasting, even though the quantity and
quality of fasting were not the same. For example it is quite evident in the
Quran and the Hadith books compiled by Imam Bukhari and Muslim that the ancient
peoples and even the prophets, for example Hazrat Musa (as) and his followers
observed fasting, especially on the day of Ashura. In pre-Islamic times, the
Quraish observed this day of fasting (Day of Ashura) and the Holy Prophet
(pbuh) also (observed fasting on this day). Hazrat Aisha (ra) mentions that “The
Messenger of Allah (pbuh) ordered the Muslims to keep fasting on the day of
Ashura; When Allah prescribed the month of Ramadhan as the month of fasting,
that day became optional for fasting.” (i.e., a person had the choice
whether to fast or not on that day - he or she was free to do so). (Bukhari)
In
another version (Bukhari) narrated by Ibn Abbas (ra) it is said that when Hazrat
Muhammad (as) was in Madina, he found the Jews observing the fast of Ashura. He
asked them why they were fasting, and they replied that it was a blessed day as
it was on that day that Allah saved the Bani Israel [Children of Israel] from
their enemies. So Hazrat Musa (as) fasted on that day. Thereupon Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh) told those Jews: “We have more rights on Musa than you”.
Thus, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) fasted that day and ordained the Muslims to fast
that day also. (Bukhari, Muslim)
Hazrat
Sulaiman (as) on the other hand, used to fast half the year at intervals –
i.e., he fasted a day, and did not fast the next day, and fasted the day after,
etc. (Bukhari)
In
Quran, in Chapter 19 - Surah Maryam, Allah mentioned the example of Hazrat
Maryam who received instructions from Allah to keep the fast and not talk with
anyone.
Fasting
(‘Roza’ or ‘Sawm’ as Quran describes) is one of the fundamental pillars of
Islam. The first is Kalima [Shahada], second Namaz [Salat], third
Roza [Sawm] (especially in the month of Ramadan where it is compulsory
for a believer to fast unless he is sick, on a journey, and for the women if
ever they are in their state of physical impurity, i.e. menstruation), followed
by Zakaat and Hajj.
It
enables a believer to improve himself morally and spiritually, and it is
definitely good for health. It is Allah (swt) Who instituted the month of
Ramadhan as a sacred month and ordered all the faithful to participate in
fasting. Allah says in Quran, in Verse 186 of Chapter 2 Al-Baqara:
“Shahru
Ramazaa-nallaziii ‘unzila fiihil-Qur’aanu hudal-linnaasi wa bayyinaatim-minal
hudaa wal furqaan. Faman shahida min kumush Shahra fal yasumh. Wa man-kaana
mariizan ‘aw ‘alaa safarin-fa-’iddatum-min ‘ayyaamin ‘u-khar. Yuriidullaahu
bikumul-yusra wa laa yuriidu bikumul ‘usr. Wa litukmilul ‘iddata wa
litukabbirullaaha ‘alaa maa hadaakum wa la’-allakum tash-kuruun.”
It was in the month of Ramadan
that the Quran was revealed as guidance for mankind, clear messages giving
guidance and distinguishing [between right and wrong]. So any one of you who is
present that month should fast, and anyone who is ill or on a journey should
make up for the lost days by fasting on other days later. Allah wants ease for
you, not hardship. He wants you to complete the prescribed period and to
glorify Him for having guided you, so that you may be thankful.
Through
this verse it is very clear that Allah - despite being our Creator [as the
Ultimate Commander] - wants us to keep the fast without however finding it as a
burden to carry for an entire month. Allah loves those who submit to His will.
He who submits and follows His commandments all the time will never be in
darkness.
And
just like that, Allah has enlightened the month of Ramadhan by sending the
commandment to keep the fast as a Light for us, believers, His humble creatures
so that we never go [plunge] into darkness. Allah has mentioned the merit of
the month of Ramadhan whereby it is in this blessed month that “Al-Quran” (the Holy
Quran) was revealed to our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) for the first
time.
Unfortunately
today our young children in the Islamic world are suffering spiritually because
they do not understand the principles of Islam regarding fasting, especially
fasting in the month of Ramadhan.
Fasting
in the month of Ramadhan should become a good habit for Muslims to keep in
order to keep them morally and spiritually clean and to enable them to detach themselves
slowly but surely from this world so that they go in search of Allah, and seek
His pleasure (the pleasure of Allah).
The
prescription of fasting is for our own benefit. Allah specifies in the verse
which I have just recited before you that He does not want difficulties for us.
There
are Hadiths narrated by Ibn Abbas (ra) and Abu Huraira (ra) where the Messenger
of Allah (pbuh) said: “Do not practice Al-Wisal (i.e., keeping the fast
continuously without breaking it in the evening or without eating before the
next dawn).” The people [i.e. the companions] said to the Prophet (pbuh): “But
you practice Al-Wisal!” The Prophet (pbuh) then replied, “I am not like
you, for I am given food and drink by Allah during my sleep.” (And in the version reported by Abu Huraira (ra), he
added that Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Do that much of deeds which is
within your ability.” (Bukhari)
That
is to say, this Hadith is making us understand, there must be a limit in
everything, even in the good deeds you do, be careful lest you get tired with
this act of Ibaadah and you completely abandon it. Everything has its
measure, and Allah never puts a burden on someone even if he does a good deed;
Let us take Fasting for example! Someone should not keep fasting every day
without stopping because his body also has a right on him; not only his body
but also his wife too. The example of such a case was presented before the Holy
Prophet (pbuh) and he advised that companion to keep the fast in a reasonable
way, and if he can, do the same as Hazrat Suleiman (as) who was flexible in the
way he fasted [i.e. he fasted a day, and abandoned it the next, then fasted
again]. (Bukhari, Muslim)
There
is another Hadith narrated by Anas bin Malik (ra) where the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“Take Suhur (Sehri), for in Suhur there is blessing.” (Bukhari)
We
also need to keep in mind that we need to have respect for this blessed month
and we need to respect those who are fasting. There
is a Hadith narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra) where the Holy Prophet (pbuh)
said: “When any one of you gets up in the morning in the state of fasting,
he should neither use obscene language nor do any act of ignorance. And if
anyone slanders him or quarrels with him, he should say: ‘I am fasting, I am
fasting’.”
(Bukhari, Muslim)
Hadith:
Abu Huraira (ra) narrated: “The Messenger of Allah Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said,
‘Whoever does not give up false statements (i.e. telling lies), and evil deeds,
and speaking bad words to others, Allah is not in need of his (fasting) leaving
his food and drink’.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Fasting
is for Allah and it is Allah Who will give reward to the faster for his fast.
Hadith:
Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra) narrated: “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,
‘(Allah said), “Every good deed of Adam’s son is for him except fasting; it is
for Me. and I shall reward (the fasting person) for it.”’ By Allah in Whose
Hand is the life of Muhammad, the breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to
Allah than the fragrance of musk.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
So
each brother and sister of Islam, and also each of my disciples, all of us
together, let us make it our duty to perform this act of Ibaadah which
Fasting represents. Fasting has many benefits as explained in the beginning.
Allah loves the best for us, and we will have the best if we obey Allah and
follow Him for He knows what is best for our physical, moral and spiritual
health. Ramadhan Mubarak once again! May
Allah make us all Mubarak and erase our shortcomings and sins and raise our
rank, because there is no one except Him alone Who can forgive and have mercy
upon us. Insha-Allah. Ameen Summa Ameen.
----Friday Sermon of 01 April 2022 ~ 28 Shabaan 1443 AH delivered by Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius.