Ramadan in Focus part 1

The following Ramadan series will be based on notes taken from Islamic Online University. 

Aboo Umaamah said: I came to Allaah’s Messenger and asked, “Instruct me to do something which will put me in paradise,” and he replied, “You should fast for there is nothing equal to it.” When I came to him a second time, he said, “You should fast.” Collected by Ahmad and an-Nasaa’ee

The above hadith clearly indicate the tremendous value of fasting. The reason for the superiority of fasting over other deeds is that riyaa does not take place in it as easily as it does in other deeds. Other deeds require actions while fasting requires intention which is normally hidden from people.

Many peoples’ stomachs fast, and their privates fast, and their livers fast from water, but their eyes do not fast. They gaze freely at what is prohibited haraam to them and what is displeasing to their Lord. This is not real fasting when the Almighty has said:

“Tell the believers to lower some of their sight to protect their privates.”

And the Prophet (r) said:  “The gaze is an arrow from among Iblees’ arrows.”

The Prophet (r) told Mu‘aath ibn Jabal “Shall I show you what will gather for you of all of that [good]?” He replied, “O course.” He said, “Restrain this,” and he took hold of his tongue. Mu‘aath asked, “O Messenger of Allaah! Are we accountable for what we speak?” He replied, “May you mother lose you! Will people be poured into the Hellfire on their noses for other than what their tongues reap?”.  The Prophet (r) was also reported to have said:“Whoever remains silent is saved.”

The ears need to fast too. They need to fast from listening from listening to falsehood and Satanic prodding. They should be given the Qura’aan to listen to and be safeguarded from the evils of music in all its forbidden forms.

(Notes were taken from IOU on the Prophetic Reflections on Ramadan Course)