VVerily all praises are for Allaah, we praiseerily all praises are for Allaah, we praiseHim, we seek His aid and ask for His forgiveness, and Him, we seek His aid and ask for His forgiveness, and we seek Allaah’s refuge from the evils of ourselves we seek Allaah’s refuge from the evils of ourselves and from ourand from ourevil actions. evil actions.

Whomsoever Allaah guides then there is none to Whomsoever Allaah guides then there is none to misguide him, and whomsoever Allaah misguides then misguide him, and whomsoever Allaah misguides then there is none to guide him. I testify that none has the there is none to guide him. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah alone, having no right to be worshipped but Allaah alone, having no partner, and I testify that partner, and I testify that Muhammad Muhammad sallallaahu sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam is His ‘alaihi wa sallam is His slave and His Messenger. slave and His Messenger.

RamadhaRamadhann

O brother, may Allaah unite us upon love of O brother, may Allaah unite us upon love of Him and upon following the Sunnah of His Him and upon following the Sunnah of His Messenger sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. The Messenger sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. The status status of fasting and its place in Islam will of fasting and its place in Islam will become clear to us and also the great reward become clear to us and also the great reward awaiting the one who fasts seeking he Face of awaiting the one who fasts seeking he Face of Allaah, and how that reward increases or Allaah, and how that reward increases or decreases depending on its closeness to the decreases depending on its closeness to the Sunnah of the Messenger sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sunnah of the Messenger sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. As was indicated by the best of the sallam. As was indicated by the best of the children of Adam sallallaahualaihi wa sallam children of Adam sallallaahualaihi wa sallam who saidwho said,,

““Perhaps a person fasting will receive nothing Perhaps a person fasting will receive nothing from his fasting except hungerfrom his fasting except hungerand thirst.”and thirst.”

Therefore, we must know the characteristics of Therefore, we must know the characteristics of the Prophet’s fast; its obligatory duties, its the Prophet’s fast; its obligatory duties, its manners and related supplications – and then manners and related supplications – and then put that into practice (in order to achieve the put that into practice (in order to achieve the desired desired benefits of fasting).benefits of fasting).

DEFINITION OF DEFINITION OF SAUM (FASTING)SAUM (FASTING)

The literal meaning of Saum is ‘to abstain from The literal meaning of Saum is ‘to abstain from something’ and according to the Shariah it is that a something’ and according to the Shariah it is that a Muslim abstains from eating, drinking, sexual acts Muslim abstains from eating, drinking, sexual acts and all evil actions with the intention of pleasing and all evil actions with the intention of pleasing Allaah, from True Dawn to Sunset.Allaah, from True Dawn to Sunset.

OBLIGATION OF FASTINGOBLIGATION OF FASTING

Fasting is the 3rd most important pillar of Islam. It was Fasting is the 3rd most important pillar of Islam. It was made obligatory in the 2nd made obligatory in the 2nd year of Hijrah. Allaah year of Hijrah. Allaah subhaanahoo wa ta’aala said,subhaanahoo wa ta’aala said,

‘‘The month of Ramadhaan in which was revealed the The month of Ramadhaan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadhaan i.e. is present at his home), he the month (of Ramadhaan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that must observe Saum (fasts) that month....’month....’

EXCELLENCE OF FASTINGEXCELLENCE OF FASTING ((VIRTUES OF FASTING IN VIRTUES OF FASTING IN

GENERAL)GENERAL)Fasting acts like a shield from desires in this world and Fasting acts like a shield from desires in this world and from the Hell-fire in thefrom the Hell-fire in theHereafter.Hereafter.

Fasting enters a person to paradise.Fasting enters a person to paradise.

The people who fast are rewarded with The people who fast are rewarded with an immense an immense reward.reward.

For the fasting person there are two times f joy; when he For the fasting person there are two times f joy; when he breaks his fast and when he meets his Lord (in the breaks his fast and when he meets his Lord (in the Hereafter).Hereafter).

EXCELLENCE OF FASTINGEXCELLENCE OF FASTING ((VIRTUES OF FASTING IN GENERAL) VIRTUES OF FASTING IN GENERAL)

Cont.Cont.•The smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person The smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allaah than the is better with Allaah than the smell of musk.smell of musk.

•Fasting intercedes for a person on the Fasting intercedes for a person on the Day of Judgment.Day of Judgment.

•Fasting is an expiation for various sins.Fasting is an expiation for various sins.

•A gate in paradise ‘Ar-Rayyaan’ is exclusively for those A gate in paradise ‘Ar-Rayyaan’ is exclusively for those who fast.who fast.

InshahAllah to be continuedInshahAllah to be continued

May Allah accept our deeds and protect us from May Allah accept our deeds and protect us from evilevil