Allah, The Most Exalted, Says (what means): “… And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah.” [Qur’an 2: 197]
Almighty Allah made having Piety a condition for the acceptance of deeds through the verse (which means):“Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him].”[Qur’an 5: 27]
We are promised forgiveness and reward for having Piety, for Allah Says (what means):“and whoever fears Allah - He will remove for him his misdeeds and make great for him his reward.”[Qur’an 65: 5]
The people of piety and righteousness are the people of high rank in the Hereafter as well as in this life. Allah Says (what means): “That home of the Hereafter (Paradise) We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.” [Qur’an 28: 83]
Fasting and piety:
The blessed month of Ramadan is here - a month which Allah has made obligatory upon us to fast so that we might become righteous, pious, fearful and conscious of Allah.
The objective of fasting is to enhance the state of our piety which is represented by our fear of Allah, working in accordance with His revelation and being satisfied with whatever little he provides – as well as our preparation for the day of departure.
The particular type of piety that we will try to gain in Ramadan is the very sensitive type. The fasting person can only acquire this, because he/she gives up what he desires to avoid that which he is fearful of- the punishment of Allah Almighty.
A fasting heart draws closer to Allah by obedience and humble submission to Him. It fully admits the responsibility of performing all the obligations of Islam as well as refraining from all the acts prohibited by Allah. This type of heart sincerely worships Allah alone. Lusts and desires do not distract it nor does greed divert it. This is a strong and pious heart whose fasting, prayer and all other actions are purely for the Sake of Allah. In fact, the whole of its life and death are for Him.
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “He who fasts the month of Ramadan out of sincere belief and seeking Allah’s reward of its fasting, will be forgiven for all the sins he has committed prior to it”.[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
If the heart is rectified then the limbs will be likewise rectified. They will follow the lead shown by the heart, be obedient to Allah and stay away from His prohibitions.
Not being constantly full of food weakens or even prevents Satan from having a stronghold on such a person. Regarding this, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Satan runs in the veins of the son of Aadam just like his blood” [Al-Bukhari & others]. Not having a constantly full stomach enables the limbs to do good deeds with ease. It softens the heart and makes it easy for tears of piety to be shed, which reduces the effect of Satan.
Miserable people:
Indeed, those who make Ramadan a month of over-eating and excessive spending are wretched, miserable people. They do not realise anything but hunger – hunger that their stomachs cannot handle and thirst which their veins cannot tolerate.
What kind of piety and how much resistance exists in these people? These people are the people of no resistance or determination in the face of hunger. Their hearts become harder the more they eat, resulting in oversleeping and laziness. Those who only desire to eat and dress well – those who surrender in defeat - in a battle against a few bites, where they have to abstain from for a few hours, such people are not worthy of an exalted and honorable life.
Behaviour of the pious:
Allah has ordained fasting to purify us and distinguish between the pious and the impious. He who starts his day abstaining from food, drinks and sexual intercourse with his objective being the pleasure of his Beloved - Allah- gets the reward stipulated in the following Qudsi narration: “Fasting is for Me and I shall reward it”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Those who fast and have Piety are those who are always alternating between prayer, recitation of the Qur’an, remembrance of Allah, keeping good relationships with their relatives and being kind to others – this is whilst they continue in their everyday work and other duties.
Righteous people who are fasting have to search amongst their relatives and neighbours for the poor and needy amongst them. They should also search for the strangers amongst their brothers, be good to them and make them share their provisions. We must remember the hunger and thirst of our poor fellow Muslims, remember the tears of the miserable ones and the situation of those who have no dwellings, remember too the loneliness of those who are away from their families. We should also supplicate for them in the month of piety and accountability.
The correlation between fasting and piety is stated in the verse (which means): “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous – (Fasting for) a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey (during them) - then an equal number of days (are to be made up). And upon those who are able (to fast, but with hardship) - a ransom (as substitute) of feeding a poor person (each day). And whoever volunteers excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew. The month of Ramadan (is that) in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights (the new moon of) the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and (wants) for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that (to) which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.”
Ahead of us is a great month full of virtuous days and nights. So we should do well and utilise them, take advantage of them in the same way that the Salaf, may Allah be pleased with them, did.
They, may Allah be pleased with them, did not prepare for Ramadan by preparing and consuming more food and drinks, rather they prepared with acts pleasing to their Lord, such as acts of worship and generosity. They were obedient servants to their Lord and generous and kind towards their fellow Muslims. The best example for all of these acts was their leader, Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, who used to be most generous during Ramadan.
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