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“Every deed of the child of Adam is for him/her except fasting. It is for Me and I shall reward it. The breath of the mouth of a fasting person is more pleasing to Allah than the perfume of musk.” (Al-Bukhari 5472)

Introduction:

Fasting is very pleasing to Allah. Allah loves the person who fasts. Why does Allah love the person who fasts? Is it because Allah likes to put burden upon us? No Allah wants ease for us; He does not want to put us under hardship. Is it because Allah wants to save some food and drink from our consumption? No, Allah has plenty. His treasures will not be exhausted. He multiplies His blessings upon us during the month of Ramadan and gives us more. Allah loves a fasting person because he/she becomes more aware of Allah, becomes a better human being.

The purpose of fasting is not to make us hungry and thirsty and to deprive us some of our comfort and conveniences. The real purpose of fasting is that we learn Taqwa. Taqwa is highly emphasized in the Qur’an and Sunnah. There are more than 158 ayat of the Qur’an on Taqwa and there are hundreds of Ahadith on this subject. Taqwa means the consciousness of Allah. It is to do one’s best efforts to live by His commands and to avoid His prohibitions. The Qur’an has used the word “taqwa” to mean: fear of Allah, worship of Allah, sincerity in faith and avoiding disobedience to Allah.

Fasting can help us acquire Taqwa, if we do it in the right way. Fasting can be very pleasing to Allah, if we keep in mind its real purpose. There are some important things that we should do during this month. Here are some reminders. They are all taken from the guidelines given to us in the Qur’an and Sunnah.

1. Niyyah (Intention): Remind yourself again and again that you are fasting in obedience to Allah. Be sincere in your intention. You want Allah to accept your fasting. The Prophet - peace be upon him - said:

“Whosoever fasts in Ramadan with faith and seeking Allah’s reward, all his past sins are forgiven.” (al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 37)

1. Sunnah: Observe the Sunnah in fasting. Take the Sahur meal a little before dawn and end your fast at Sunset. Observe all the rules of fasting.

2. Wara’ (Avoiding everything Haram or Makruh): Be conscious to have Halal food, Halal income, Halal relations. Avoid watching bad TV programs, videos, movies etc. always but especially during this month. Keep your body and mind very clean. Avoid wasting your time in useless things and pursuits.

3. Qur’an: Spend more time with the Qur’an. Read Qur’an every day. Try to finish at least one time the whole Qur’an during this month in your own personal reading. Read some Ahadith and the books of Sirah.

4. Salat, Du’a and Dhikr of Allah: Pray on time and observe all prayers. Do not ignore the Tarawih prayers. Make more Nawafil. Do as much ‘Ibadah as you can. Do more Zikr and Du’a for yourself and for others. Make Tawbah and Istighfar as much as you can. This is the best time for devotion and seeking Allah’s forgiveness. Seek the Night of Qadr by special devotion during the last ten nights of this month.

5. Zakat, Sadaqah and Generosity: Be very charitable and generous. Give more and more to help the poor and needy and to help good social and community projects. Be also good to your friends and neighbors. Let your non-Muslim neighbors and co-workers know that this is your blessed and sacred time.

6. Husn al-Suluk: Good relations with others. Try to be extra kind and courteous during this month. Forget your quarrels and disputes. Reconcile and forgive. Do not get involved in backbiting, lying, cheating and anything that is wrong. Be very good to Muslims and to all human beings.

7. Tafakkur: Think, reflect and plan to improve the moral and spiritual condition of your own self and your family. Think about any wrong things and sins you may have been doing and decide to correct yourself. Think about any deficiencies you have in your Islamic observances, plan to change yourself. Think what you can do for the Ummah and for humanity to make this world a better place for every one.

It is reported that Bani Israel used to fast, but they complained to their Prophet that they were not receiving God’s blessings. God was not answering their prayers. It is reported in the Bible that God revealed to His Prophet:

[3] `Why have we fasted, and thou seest it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and thou takest no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. [4] Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. .. [6] “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? [7] Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? [8] Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. [9] Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am. (Isaiah 58:5-9)

May Allah help us to take full benefit of fasting in this blessed month of Ramadan. May He keep us on the right path and bless us now and always. Ameen.

(Khutbah at ISOCC - Sha’ban 28, 1424/ October 24, 2003)