Lynn Jefferies
So much is published on the rules and regulations (which are of course necessary) of fasting leaving the spiritual aspect aside. Ramadan is not an empty ritual wherein we are trying to gain "empty points" for the hereafter. We are crying out for repentance. Taking a good look at the year's actions that may weigh heavy on the left side of the scale.
Allah's Messenger said: "Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, and then all his past sins will be forgiven."
It is a time where everything stops, as though another time has come upon us. Our children know it, teenagers know it, everyone knows that something is special.
This is the month of Ramadan, where constant remembrance of Allah is profound. Why is it called Secret worship? Why, because anybody could cheat at any time and no one would know except Allah. Only second to this would be the late night prayer where hands are up pleading to Allah for help, but still there is a chance that someone (Like a spouse) could see you. But for fasting, just the simple act of washing for prayer, who would know that the drop of water was swallowed except Allah! No one knows when you take a shower if you swallowed any water. It's a beautiful thing, and it makes it special. It is God consciousness to the fullest.
Allah says in a Sacred Hadith: "Except As-Saum which is for me and I will reward for it. He leaves his desire and food for Me (i.e. My pleasure)"
The Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said Allah said:
"Every act of the son of man is for himself except fasting; it is for Me and I shall reward it"
Why are we fasting? What is the reason?
Allah declared:
"O you who have attained the faith! Fasting is ordained for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you might remain conscious of God (Taqwah)" [Qur’an, 2:183]
Sincerity, intention and love of Allah are the keys to any action. To fast only because your parents told you to fast or that you don't want to be "left out" from the whole community are not the right reasons to fast. Something is missing in the heart if we feel this way. Over and over again sincerity is mentioned with relation to fasting. It is like having the key which represents the fast, but not having the teeth to open the door. The blessings and spiritual reliance on Allah will all be lost without the right intention.
The Prophet of Allah said: "Ramadan has come to you, the month of Barakah (blessings): Allah covers you during the month, descends Rahmah (grace), removed sins and answers the invocations. Allah sees (in this month) your competitions (for good deeds) and so He boasts to the angels about you. Show Allah what is better (than this) by yourselves; verily the wretched are those debarred from Allah's Rahmah (grace).
What are actions without intention? Allah does not need our fasting, we need it! We need to exemplify this pillar and get as much out of it as we can.
"Accordingly, fasting is the way to piety and the fear of God. The fasting person is thus among the closest people to Allah, be He exalted. The stomach of the faster becomes hungry while his heart is purified. When he breaks his fast and quenches his thirst, his eyes overflow with tears."
Think for just a moment, if a non-Muslim came up to you and asked you these questions what would you say? Remember you need to answer them from your heart and soul in order to convince this person that fasting is not an empty ritual but a highly God conscious act that brings you benefit and spiritual closeness to The Creator, Allah. Your answers could lead to that person becoming a Muslim, but first we need to know what we feel inside in order to articulate it.
v What is the real reason you fast during Ramadan?
v What do you feel spiritually?
v What tangible benefits do you get out of fasting?
v What changes in your life do you make during the month of Ramadan?
v Why do you like to fast?
v How does it help you be a better Muslim?
v Why do people focus so much attention of cooking and partying?
v It seems like women spend most of their Ramadan in the kitchen instead of praying and reading Quran, is this ok?
v I see many people feasting until all hours of the night and sleeping all day, is this acceptable?
v At the end of Ramadan what difference has it made in your life?
For those of you who had a hard time answering the questions (and those who didn't) there is a wonderful book that will InshAllah open understanding to the spiritual side of fasting. Thirty Lessons for those who fast, by Aa'id Abdullah al Qarni. This author presents Ramadan unlike any book published and the translation is excellent! The following are some of the chapters from the book:
v Why was fasting ordained?
v Ramadan the month of standing up at night.
v The Islamic home in Ramadan.
v How does the heart fast?
v How does the tongue fast?
v How does the eye fast?
v How does the ear fast?
v How does the stomach fast?
v How do we train our children during Ramadan and at other times?
v The occurrence of waste during Ramadan.
v Ramadan calls for the preservation of time.
v The prayer of the fasting person is never refused.
May Allah guide us during this month! InshAllah it will be a time to look inside our hearts and gain the full benefit of fasting! Benefits and spiritual growth that we may not even know are ours for the taking, if only we re-evaluate, reflect and educate ourselves on what we "could" obtain during this sacred month.
Allah Almighty says:
(But) behold as for those for whom (the decree of) ultimate good has already gone forth from Us- these will be kept far away from that (hell): no sound thereof will they hear; and they will abide in all that their souls have ever desired.
