Virtues of Fasting as mentioned in authentic Hadeeth
- The reward for fasting is immeasurable:
"Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving (reward of) ten times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, 'Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.' [al-Bukhaaree]
- The fasting person will be happy on Judgement Day when he meets Allah:
"The fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord." [al-Bukhaaree]
- The fasting person is so dear to Allah that even the unpleasant smell of his mouth is liked by Allah:
"The smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk." (Bukhari)
- There is a special gate in Paradise for the fasting person:
Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayyaan, and those who observe fasting will be invited to it. Whoever is one of those who observe fasting will enter it and whoever enters through it will never again be thirsty.” [At-Tirmithi: Hasan Saheeh Ghareeb]
“There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayyaan, and those who observe fasting will enter from it on the Day of Judgment and none except them will enter from it. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe fasting?' They will get up, and none except them will enter from it. After their entry, this gate will be closed and nobody will enter from it (after that).” [Al-Bukhaari]
- Fasting is a shield against the Fire:
"Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the Fire." [Ahmad, Saheeh]
- Fasting will intercede for you on Judgment Day:
On the Day of Judgement, "Fasting will say: O My Lord I prevented him from food an desires so accept my intercession for him. And the intercession will be accepted." [Ahmad, al-Haakim and Abu Nu'aim, Hasan]
- Fasting is a means for one's sins to be forgiven:
The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "He who fasts Ramadhan, due to Iman and hoping for reward (from Allah) then his past sins are forgiven." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
- The supplication of the fasting person is answered:
"There are in the month of Ramadhan in every day and night those to whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim an supplication which he can make and will be granted." [al-Bazzaar, Ahmad, Saheeh]
- Fasting is an expiation for various sins,
as mentioned in the Qur'aan, in verses: 2:196, 4:92, 5:89, 5:95 and 58:3-4.
- The fasting person will be among the true followers of the prophets and the martyrs:
A man came to the Prophet (s.a.w.) and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, what if I testify that none has the right to worshipped but Allah and that you are the Messenger of Allah, and I observe the five daily prayers, and I pay the zakaah, and I fast and stand in prayer in Ramadhan, then amongst whom shall I be?' He said: 'Amongst the true followers of the prophets and the martyrs.' " [Ibn Hibbaan, Saheeh]
- Fasting is a shield against one's unrestrained desires:
The Prophet (s.a.w.) told the youth: "O youths, whoever amongst you is able to marry then let him do so, since it restrains the eyes and protects the private parts, and he who is unable, then let him fast because it is a shield for him." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
Once we realise the greatness of fasting and what achievement it leads to, we must put all our efforts in performing fasting in the best manner possible. And since fasting is worship, it must be done solely for Allah's sake. We Muslims must constantly verify our intentions. Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "On the Day of Judgement, a caller will cry out, 'Whoever performed a deed for someone other than Allah may seek his reward from that for which he performed the deed' " [Saheeh al-Jami]
No comments:
Post a Comment