|
|
As-Siyam generally means "to abstain from
something." For example, a verse in the
Qur'an says: "I have vowed to the Merciful to
abstain--that is, from speaking.
What is meant here is abstaining from food,
drink, and sexual intercourse from dawn until
sunset with the explicit intention of doing so
(for the sake of Allah).
Volume 3, Page 107a: The
Virtues of Fasting
Abu Hurairah reported the Messenger of Allah,
upon whom be peace, saying: "Allah said:
'Every action of the son of Adam is for him except
fasting, for that is solely for Me. I give the
reward for it.' The fast is a shield. If one is
fasting, he should not use foul language, raise
his voice, or behave foolishly. If someone reviles
him or fights with him he should say, 'I am
fasting,' twice. By the One in whose hand is the
soul of Muhammad, the [bad] breath of the one who
is fasting is better in the sight of Allah on the
Day of Resurrection than the smell of musk. The
one who is fasting is happy at two times: when he
breaks his fast he is happy with it, and when he
meets his Lord he will be happy that he has
fasted." This is related by Ahmad, Muslim,
and an-Nasa'i. A similar version was recorded by
al-Bukhari and Abu Dawud, but with the following
addition: "He leaves his food, drink, and
desires for My sake. His fasting is for Me... I
will give the reward for it, and for every good
deed, he will receive ten similar to it."
'Abdullah ibn 'Amr reported that the Messenger
of Allah, upon whom be peace, said: "The fast
and the Qur'an are two intercessors for the
servant of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The
fast will say: 'O Lord, I prevented him from his
food and desires during the day. Let me intercede
for him.' The Qur'an will say: 'I prevented him
from sleeping at night. Let me intercede for him.'
And their intercession will be accepted."
Ahmad related this hadith with a sahih chain.
Abu Umamah reported: "I came to the
Messenger of Allah and said: 'Order me to do a
deed that will allow me to enter Paradise.' He
said: 'Stick to fasting, as there is no equivalent
to it.' Then I came to him again and he said:
'Stick to fasting."' This hadith is related
by Ahmad, an-Nasa'i, and al-Hakim who classified
it as sahih.
Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that the Messenger
of Allah said: "No servant fasts on a day in
the path of Allah except that Allah removes the
hellfire seventy years further away from his
face." This is related by "the
group," except for Abu Dawud.
Sahl ibn Sa'd reported that the Prophet said:
"There is a gate to Paradise that is called
ar-Rayyan. On the Day of Resurrection it will say:
'Where are those who fasted?' When the last [one]
has passed through the gate, it will be
locked." This is related by alBukhari and
Muslim.
Volume 3, Page 108: Types
of Fasting
There are two types of fasting: obligatory and
voluntary. Obligatory can be further subdivided
into the fast of Ramadan, the fast of expiation
and the fast of fulfilling a vow. Here we shall
discuss the Ramadan and voluntary fasts.
|
|
