Abu Umaamah r.a.a. said: "I said: 'O Messenger of
Allah, tell me of an action by which I may enter Paradise'. He said: 'Take to
Fasting, there is nothing like it.' " [An-Nasaa'ee, Ibn Hibbaan,
Al-Haakim, Sahih]
In this Hadith, the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) singled out fasting when asked about a
deed that leads its doer to the best of rewards, Paradise. This fact alone is
sufficient for us to understand the greatness of fasting.
Mere knowledge of the importance and superiority of fasting, however, is not
enough for a Muslim to attain Allah's pleasure and then, insha Allah, His great
reward.
Indeed, the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) has said: "Perhaps a person fasting will
receive nothing from his fasting except hunger and thirst." [Ibn Majah,
Ad-Daarimee, Ahmad, al-Baihaqi, Sahih] This Hadith should raise our concern
about fasting and increase our desire to perform this act of worship with the
best intention and in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet
(p.b.u.h.).
The first step for a Muslim to realize is the fact that fasting the month of
Ramadan is obligatory and that Allah has prescribed it for us in His
Book:
"Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you,
that you may attain taqwa." [2:183]
Thus, Allah Ta`ala teaches us that Fasting is an obligation and a means to
attain Taqwa (piety), that which increases believers in their ranks with Allah
swt:
"The most honored by Allah amongst you are those best in Taqwa
(piety)." [49:13]
Furthermore, we should realize the words of the Prophet (p.b.u.h..) in which he
tells us that Allah the Exalted said: "The most beloved deeds with which
my slave comes closer to Me are the obligatory deeds." [Sahih
al-Jami']
Virtues of Fasting as mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah
The reward for fasting is immense:
"Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed
receiving then 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.' for 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, and the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is
better with Allah than the smell of musk." [al-Bukhari]
Also, Sahl Ibn Sa`d said that the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said: "Indeed there
is a gate of Paradise called ar-Rayyaan. On the day of Resurrection those who
fast will enter through it; no one enters it except for them, and when they
have entered, it is closed so that no one enters it, so when the last of them
enters it, it is closed, and whoever enters it, drinks, and whoever drinks
never becomes thirsty." [Ibn Khuzaimah, Sahih].
Fasting is a shield against the Fire:
"Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the
Fire." [Ahmad, Sahih]
On the Day of Judgment, "Fasting will say: O My Lord I prevented him from
food and desires, so accept my intercession for him." [Ahmad, al-Haakim
and Abu Nu'aim, Hasan]
Fasting is a means for one's sins to be forgiven:
The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said: "He who fasts Ramadan, due to Iman and
hoping for reward (from Allah) then his past sins are forgiven."
[al-Bukhari, Muslim]
The supplication of the fasting person is answered:
"There are in the month of Ramadan 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-Bazzaaz, Ahmad,
Sahih]
Fasting is an expiation for various sins:
Mentioned in the Quran, 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:
Amr Ibn Murrah al-Juhaanee r.a.a. said: "A man came to the Prophet
(p.b.u.h.) and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, what if I testify that none has the
right to be worshipped but Allah and that you are the Messenger of Allah, and I
observe the five daily prayers, and I pay the Zakah, and I fast and stand in
prayer in Ramadan, then amongst whom shall I be?' He said: 'Amongst the true
followers of the prophets and the martyrs.' " [Ibn Hibbaan, Sahih]
Fasting is a shield against one's base desires:
The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) 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-Bukhari, Muslim]
Once we realize 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, and no
intention is accepted, other than pleasing Allah and seeking His Face with all
one's sincerity. Without a correct intention, no deed is of any value in the
Hereafter. We Muslims must constantly verify our intentions and consider why we
perform fasting. Do we do so merely because it is the practice of our parents
and friends, or do we do so because it is part of our tradition, or perhaps
because we simply want to conform to our environment in order to avoid any
problems? A Muslim who realizes that only that which is with Allah remains, and
that He (Swt) is the only One who grants and withholds, would not be of those
to which the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) alluded in the Hadith: "On the Day of
Judgment, a caller will cry out, 'Whoever performed deed for someone other than
Allah may seek his reward from that for which he performed the deed' "
[Sahih al-Jami].