By Imaam Ibn Qudaamah al-Maqdisee
An article explaining how to attain the virtuous
rewards of Ramadaan and how to be free from acts
which negate the rewards.
There are three levels of fasting, the general
fast, the specific fast and the more specific
fast.
Know, that in the fast (Sawm) is a special
quality that is not found in anything else. And
that is its close connection to Allaah, such
that He says:
‘‘The Fast (Sawm) is for Me and I will reward
it.’’ [2]
This connection is enough to show the high
status of fasting. Similarly, the Ka’bah is
highly dignified due to its close connection to
Him, as occurs in His statement:
‘‘And sanctify My House.’’ [3]
Indeed, the fast is only virtuous due to two
significant concepts:
THE FIRST: It is a secret and hidden action,
thus, no one from the creation is able to see it
Therefore riyaa‘ (showing off) cannot enter into
it.
THE SECOND: It is a means of subjugating the
enemies of Allaah. This is because the road that
the enemies (of Allaah) embark upon (in order to
misguide the Son of Aadam) is that of desires.
And eating and drinking strengthens the desires.
There are many reports that indicate the merits
of fasting, and they are well known
THE RECOMMENDED ACTS OF FASTING:
The pre-dawn meal (suhoor) and delaying in
taking it are preferable, as well as hastening
to break the fast and doing so with dates.
Generosity in giving is also recommended during
Ramadhaan, as well as doing good deeds and
increasing in charity. This is in accordance
with the way of the Messenger of Allaah. It is
also recommended to study the Qur‘aan and
perform I‘tikaaf (seclusion for worship) during
Ramadhaan, especially in its last ten days, as
well as increasing upon the exertion (towards
doing good deeds) in it. In the two Saheehs,
’Aa‘ishah said: ‘‘When the last ten days (of
Ramadhaan) would come, the Prophet would tighten
his waist wrapper (izaar)’’ [4] The scholars
have mentioned two views concerning the meaning
of ‘tighten his wrapper (izaar)’ The first is
that it means the turning away from women. The
second is that it is an expression denoting his
eagerness and diligence in doing good deed. They
also say that the reason for: the last ten days
of Ramadhaanwas due to his seeking of the Night
of al-Qadr (Laylatul-Qadr).
AN EXPLANATION OF THE INNER SECRETS OF FASTING
AND ITS CHARACTERISITCS:
There are three levels of fasting, the general
fast, the specific fast and the more specific
fast. As for the general fast, then it is the
refraining of ones stomach and their private
parts from fulfilling their desires. The
specific fast is the refraining of ones gaze,
tongue, hands, feet, hearing and eyes, as well
as the rest of his body parts from committing
sinful acts. As for the more specific fast, then
it is the heart’s abstention from its yearning
after the worldly affairs and the thoughts which
distance one away from Allaah, as well as its
(the heart’s) abstention. From all the things
that Allaah has placed on the same level. [5]
From the characteristics of the specific fast is
that one lowers his gaze and safeguards his
tongue from the repulsive speech that is
forbidden, disliked, or which has no benefit, as
well as controlling the rest of his body parts.
. In a hadeeth by al-Bukhaaree: ‘‘Whosoever does
not abandon false speech and the acting upon it,
Allaah is not in need off his food and drink.’’
[6]
Another characteristic of the specific fast is
that one does not overfill himself with food
during the night. Instead, he eats in due
measure, for indeed, the son of Aadam does not
fill a vessel more evil than his stomach. If he
were to eat his fill during the first part of
the night, he would not make good use of himself
for the remainder of the night. In the same way,
if he eats to his fill for suhoor, he does make
good use of himself until the afternoon. This is
because excessive eating breads laziness and
lethargy therefore, the objective of fasting
disappears due to one's excessiveness in eating,
for what is indeed intended by the fast, is that
one savours the taste of hunger and becomes an
abandoner of desires.
RECOMMENDED FASTS:
As for the recommended fasts, then know that
preference for fasting is established in certain
virtuous days. Some of these virtuous days
happen every year, such as fasting the first six
days of Shawwaal after Ramadhaan, fasting the
day of ’Arafah, the day of ’Ashooraa, and the
ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram. Some of
them occur every month, such as the first part
of the month, the middle part of it, and the
last part of it. So whoever fasts the first part
of it, the middle part of it and the last part
of it, then he has done well. Some fasts occur
every week, and they are every Monday and
Thursday. The most virtuous of the recommended
fasts is the fast of Daawood. He would fast one
day and break his fast the next day. This
achieves the following three objectives, the
soul is given its share on the day the fast is
broken. And on the day of fasting, it completes
its share in full. The day of eating is the day
of giving thanks and the day of fasting is the
day of having patience. And Faith (eemaan) is
divided into two halves- that of thankfulness
and that of patience. [7] It is the most
difficult struggle for the soul. This is because
every time the soul gets accustomed to a certain
condition, it transfers itself that. As for
fasting every day, then it has been reported by
Muslim, from the hadeeth of Aboo Qataadah that
’Umar (radiyallaahu ’anhu) asked the Prophet (sallallaahu
’alayhi wa sallam): What is the case if one were
to fast everyday? So he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa
sallam) said: ‘‘He did not fast nor did he break
his fast or, he did not fast and he did not
break his fast.’’ [8] This is concerning the one
who fasts continuously, even during the days in
which fasting is forbidden.
CHARACTERISITCS OF THE MORE SPECIFIC FASTS:
Know that the one who has been given intellect,
knows the objective behind fasting. Therefore,
he burdens himself to the extent that he will
not be unable to do that which is more
beneficial than it. Ibn Mas’ood would fast very
little and it is reported that he used to say:
‘‘When I fast, Igrow weak in my prayer. And I
prefer the prayer over the (optional) fast.’’
Some of the Companions would weaken in their
recitation of the Qur‘aan when fasting. Thus,
they would exceed in breaking their fast (i.e..
by observing less optional fasts), until they
were able to balance their recitation. Every
individual is knowledgeable of his condition and
of what will rectify it.
Footnotes:
[1] This article is taken from the book
Mukhtasar Minhaajul-Qaasideen (p. 38-41) of the
illustrious scholar and righteous Imaam, Ibn
Qudaamah al-Maqdisee (d.529H). This article was
translated by Isma'eel Ibn al-Arkaan and edited
by Abu Khaliyl. There were also slight adaptions
made to it, such as the exclusion of a couple of
statements.[2] Related by al-Bukhaaree (4/118)
and Muslim (no. 1151).[3] Sooratul-Hajj: 26 [4]
Related by al-Bukhaaree (4/322) and Muslim (no.
1147).[5] (Editors note: Additional comment is
required here, The levels mentioned are levels
of abstinence. The first of these three levels
entails the abstinence which is fulfilled, the
fast is considered complete in view of the one
having met the legislated requirements [i.e. It
does not have to be repeated or made up, the
servant has indeed fasted.] The remaining levels
deal with the value of the Fast. If the second
is level is not met, the fast will be of less
value to the servant, than if it were met and
likewise for the third. Thus it is said that
intentional eating and intercourse render the
fast null and void, whereas committing other
unlawful acts such, likes speaking falsely,
placing the unlawful look to the opposite sex.
And so on will constitute a sin of one degree or
another, but not nullify the fast. [6] Related
by al-Bukhaaree (4/99)[7] {Editors note: This
statement is based upon an unauthentic Hadeeth,
which has been reported by al-Kharaa‘itee and
ad-Daylamee. One of its narrators was graded
‘‘abandoned’’ by an-Nisaa‘ee and adh-Dhahabee.
Al-Manawee and al-Albaanee approved of its
grading. See ad-Da’eefah (no. 625).
[8] Related by Muslim
