THE EASE PROVIDED BY ISLAAM’S TEACHINGS IS EVIDENT IN THE RULINGS PERTAINING TO FASTING
ash-Shaykh Faysal Ghazzaawee
11 Ramadaan 1442h
Making matters easy is one of the features that is clearly evident in the rulings pertaining to fasting in Ramadaan and in the wisdom behind fasting. That ease is a feature that is foundational to the religion
of Islaam and it is common to all the magnificent acts of worship that are prescribed by Islaam’s teachings. It is ease that is accompanied by actualizing worshipping servitude towards the Lord of all creation, and by giving due consideration to the directives that He prescribed for our betterment.
A true Muslim is someone who has clarity about what he follows. He knows his identity and his purpose which is obligatory for him to actualize in life. Thus, he is someone who sincerely devotes all worship
to Allaah alone, humbly submits to Allaah, obediently complies with Allah’s directives, responds to Allah’s call, and remains steadfast upon the path that Allaah prescribed according to what Allaah wants him to
do. Such a person neither deviates from that path by way of excessiveness nor negligence. These traits can be found in any individual who adheres to the religion of Islaam that Allaah is pleased with for us to
follow, and besides which He does not accept any other religion from anyone. Allaah, the Most Exalted, said, ((and I am pleased with Islaam as a religion for you)) [5:3]. Allah, the Most Majestic, also said, ((“If
someone seeks a religion other than Islaam, that will not be accepted from him and he will lose everything in the hereafter)) [3:85]. Islam’s teachings are moderate in all regards: in beliefs, laws, conduct, and ethics. With respect to a Muslim’s purpose in life, Allaah – the Most Majestic and Exalted – clarified that by saying ((I did not create jinns and humans except for them to worship Me alone)) [51:56]. Hence, the purpose of our creation is for us to engage in all that comprises worship of Allah.
My dear brothers in Islaam, Allaah honoured us with this religion of Islaam, and He chose for us directives that are easy, not difficult. That is among the manifestations of Islam’s magnificence. Allah, the Most Exalted, said, ((He did not put you through hardship by way of this religion He chose for you)) [22:78]. Thus, Allaah only gave us instructions that are easy upon our souls, not burdensome. On top of that, when particular circumstances arise that dictate a reduction, Allah grants a reduction by excusing His servants from certain directives,
partially or entirely. The Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) emphasized the ease inherent to Islaam by saying, “The most beloved of religions to Allaah, the Most Exalted, is the one which teaches that He alone is to be worshipped, and whose prescribed acts of worship are easy to perform.”
Servants of Allah, we may ask ourselves: how are we to understand the way that Islaam makes things easy? The response to that inquiry is: the only true way to understand that comes from knowing about the life of the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection). The best of guidance is that which he imparted. Allah made His Prophet chart a path that brings about what is best, conforms with
the innate disposition that Allaah created all people with, and facilitates compliance with directives. A hadeeth mentions that three people inquired about the Prophet’s manner of worship (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection). When they were informed about that, they thought that they needed to do more since all wrongdoing that either emanated or could emanate from the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) had been forgiven, and that was not the case for his followers.
As a result, one of them said he would pray throughout each night, another said he would fast every day and not stop fasting, and the other said he would stay away from women and not get married. When that was conveyed to the Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection), he said to those individuals, “Are you the ones who said those things? As for me, I swear by Allaah that I am the one among you who has the most reverential fear of Allah and who observes taqwa most; yet I fast at some times and do not fast at others, I pray and also sleep during the night, and I am married to women. Thus,
anyone who does not desire my Sunnah is not from me.” This shows that the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) was moderate, lying in between the
extremes of excessiveness and negligence. Anyone who genuinely reflects upon Islam’s purity, wholesomeness, and ease would certainly increase in his adherence to it, reverence for it, and fulfillment of its all its directives: in beliefs, actions, conduct, and ethics.
Servants of Allaah, individuals do not always conform with the foregoing sound understanding of Islam’s teachings. The Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) once saw a man standing in the sun, and when he asked about the man, people said,
“That is Aboo Israa’eel. He made a vow to stand without sitting, not take shade, remain fasting, and not speak.” The Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) instructed him to sit, take shade, speak, and complete his fast. The Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) did not make standing, refraining from speaking all day, and exposing oneself to the sun acts by which a person could draw nearer to Allaah, or which a person should vow to fulfil. Those things are not acts by which a person can worship Allah. However, the Prophet did approve of the man completing his fast since
fasting is part of the guidance prescribed by the Prophet himself (may Allah grant him commendation and protection). This hadeeth shows that people’s incorrect practices do not represent Islam’s actual
teachings, and that deviant paths which some people may follow are not connected to the directives that Islaam prescribes.
Among people, there are those who are excessive concerning matters of religion and they do things that were not done by the Prophet Muhammad (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection), who
was the seal upon the succession of Allah’s Prophets and Messengers. Such people go beyond his guidance by inventing things for themselves that are not actually part of Islaam, considering such things part of the religion, and taking it upon themselves to do things that Allah did not prescribe. Such people deviate from the correct path and their deeds are rejected by Allah. The Prophet (may Allah grant him commendation and protection) had said, “This religion is one of ease. If anyone tries to contend with the religion, it will overcome him.” This prohibits a person from being excessive in matters of religion such that he takes it upon himself to perform acts of worship that he is unable to do without very much fatigue.
In contrast, there are other people who are negligent concerning matters of religion and they justify that by saying that the religion is one of ease. Such people fail to perform certain obligations of Islam, perpetrate certain things that it prohibits, and claim that some of the directives that Allah prescribed as obligations are extreme. Traits like these stem from weakness of sound beliefs, and a lack of taqwa. Thus, it is no surprise that such people find the wrong things they do attractive; and that leads them to deviate from the straight path that Allah is pleased with, and to be oblivious to the reality of how Islam’s pristine
teachings make things easy.
My dear brothers, it has become fixated in the minds of some people that Islam contains things that are burdensome and extreme. This type of thinking is promoted by opponents of the religion. They
allege that Islaam itself is restrictive and it has caused our Ummah to stagnate and regress. Then, followers of such people listen intently to such allegations and propagate them among people. However, the reality is that Islam’s directives – including the rulings and wisdom pertaining to fasting – refute those unfair allegations; expose the injustice of those accusations; and clearly show that the religion is one of ease, and that Allah did not make anything a duty for His servants without making matters easy and removing difficulties. How could Islam’s directives be anything other than easy in light of the fact that Allah has complete knowledge about what suits humans and what brings about the best outcome for His servants? Allaah – who is perfect in every way – is most merciful towards His servants.
Thus, He prescribed fasting for the people of Islam just as He prescribed it for those prior to them, due to the many benefits it produces in both this world and the hereafter. Additionally, out of Allah’s wisdom, He prescribed the rulings pertaining to fasting in stages, the last of which was excusing from fasting those who are travelling and those who are so ill that fasting poses serious difficulty for them. Such people are excused from
obligatory fasts, but are to make up an equivalent number of days after the month of Ramadaan is over. Allaah, who is perfect in every way, said, ((Allah wants ease for you and He does not want to make things
difficult for you)) [2:185]. Furthermore, fasting is for a specific number of days that does not exceed thirty. Fasting is only for one month out of twelve; and its duration each day is from dawn to sunset, not for the
entire day.
I implore Allaah to grant all of you His mercy. You should contemplate the fact that Allaah did not put us through hardship or instruct us to do anything beyond our ability. Despite that, there are people who still try to manipulate Islam’s teachings such that they take what they feel like and leave what does not suit their inclinations. Ease to them means removing Islam’s directives from their actual meanings and purpose. Such people look for what they consider loopholes. Doing that is a form of mocking Allah’s directives, and it is the course that was followed by those among the descendants of Israel who used the
feeblest of excuses to permit things that Allah prohibited, and who accepted only some of what they were instructed to do and they rejected the rest. Consequently, Allah rebuked them by saying, ((Do you believe
in part of the scripture and reject another part of it?”)) [2:85]. A further part of Islam’s completion and magnificence to keep in mind that it in all of its rulings, including those pertaining to fasting, it gives
consideration to new developments and unprecedented circumstances.
Dear worshippers who are fasting, something else we can glean from the month of Ramadaan is that the ‘aqeedah (unwavering beliefs) we are to hold, and the laws that have been prescribed for us, distinguish
us from others. Allaah, the Most Exalted, said, ((People of eemaan, fasting was prescribed for you, just as it was prescribed for those before you)) [2:183]. People of prior scriptures altered the directives prescribed
by Allaah, and they distorted the fasting and other deeds that Allaah obligated them to perform. However, Allaah protected our Ummah from having the directives prescribed for it become subject to any sort of alteration or distortion.
Something else we glean from this month is training ourselves to be sincere towards Allaah in worshipping Him. The Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) said, “If any person fasts Ramadaan out of the sound beliefs he holds and the hope he has in Allah’s reward, that person would be forgiven for his prior sins.” The sound beliefs mentioned refer to having sound beliefs about Allaah and His Messenger, and unwaveringly affirming the obligation of fasting as well as the recompense that Allaah has prepared for those who fast. The hope in Allaah’s reward mentioned refers to seeking Allaah’s reward by fasting sincerely for Allaah; not due to showing off, not due to following others, and not due to any other reason. Fasting provides an invaluable opportunity to train one’s soul to have firm resolve, and to strengthen the eemaan that inhibits one from doing wrong. Fasting enables a person
to overcome his own soul and to persevere through restraining himself from food, drink, and desires. This trains the soul to be able to leave things that it may be accustomed to, as mentioned in which the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) stated that Allaah said about His servant who fasts, “He leaves his desires and his food because of Me.”
Servants of Allaah, out of Allah’s grace and favour, He made the month of Ramadaan an opportunity for people to strive in being foremost to please and obey Him. I implore Allaah to grant all of you His guidance. Keeping the aforementioned in mind, you must endeavor to perform many righteous deeds and to set yourselves in order overall. Aboo Tharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) once counseled
those with him by saying, “The journey to the Day of Resurrection is a long one. Thus, take with yourselves what sets you in order, fast on a hot day in preparation for the heat of the day when you will be brought to life once more, perform two units of prayer in the darkness of the night in preparation for the darkness of the grave, and give charity in private in preparation for the day of difficulty.”
Al-Ahnaf ibn Qays had been told, “You are an elderly man and fasting will weaken you.” However, he replied, “I am preparing myself for a long journey, and persevering in obeying Allaah is much easier for
me than persevering in bearing punishment from Allaah.”
Thus, we say: O Allaah, we beseech You to awaken us from being heedless, guide us to prepare the provisions of taqwaa before it is time for us to leave this world, and grant us the ability to take advantage
of our time while we are still able…
…Servants of Allaah, there is nothing more beneficial for a servant of Allaah than devoting himself to Allaah, occupying himself with mention of Allaah, finding happiness in what makes him beloved to
Allaah, and giving priority to what pleases Allaah. In fact, a person can have no true life, enjoyment, or happiness without doing those things. When Allaah loves a servant, He enables that person to perform
additional virtuous deeds during virtuous times. In contrast, when Allaah detests a servant, He causes that person to be engaged in misdeeds during virtuous times. That would result in such a person suffering
intensified punishment and wrath from Allaah due the person himself being deprived of blessing in the time he has, and due to him violating the sanctity of virtuous times. Therefore, servants of Allaah, beware of heedlessness and turning away from Allaah, the Most Exalted. Instead of such detrimental things, we must remain diligent, strive in earnest, show Allaah good things from ourselves during these blessed days and nights, repent to Allaah sincerely, present ourselves to Allaah at times when He bestows His immense blessings, try to have a share in all the righteous deeds that we can, continue to mention Allaah much, continue diligently establishing the daily obligatory prayers without any negligence or laziness, give in charity, extend kindness, and contribute to acts of goodness. We are to do those things in order to make the most of the days that remain in this month, a third of which has now passed. We should devote attention to reading and understanding the Book of our Lord. Hearts are purified and souls are enhanced by devoting attention to prayer, reading the Qur’an, and all other righteous deeds. We should seize the nights of this month while bearing in mind the virtues and immense rewards that can be attained during them. The Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) said, ” If any person worships Allaah at night in Ramadaan out of the sound beliefs he holds and the hope he has in Allah’s reward, that person would be forgiven for his prior sins.” We should make an effort to assist the needy in having their needs fulfilled, and to be aware of the circumstances of the poor. Ramadaan is a major opportunity for people to give and be charitable. Al-Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee (may Allaah have mercy upon him) said, “I prefer for people to be more giving in Ramadaan, emulating the example of Allah’s Messenger in that regard (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection); and also due to people needing what sets
things right for them during Ramadaan, and also since many of them may be diverted from making earnings due to being preoccupied with fasting and prayers.” [See Lataa’if al-Ma’aarif, p. 232 (Maktabah asSafaa)]. Therefore, servants of Allaah, we must hasten to extend benefit to others in various ways. The greatest of them is directing them to what is good and wanting what is best for them. That includes educating those who lack knowledge, directing those who are astray, admonishing the sinful, alerting the heedless, and reminding the forgetful. The people most entitled to the benefit one extends are those under his care.
Therefore, servants of Allaah, take good care of your families, your sons, your daughters, and all who are under your care. Treat them well, look out for what is in their best interests, provide them with sound direction, and endeavour to set things right for them. In addition, instruct them to do what is correct and forbid them from doing wrong while being gentle and letting them understand that you love and care for them. Urge them to do good things, to make the most of their time, and to stay away from things that are corrupt and immoral. Warn them against keeping bad company; being involved in relationships that are prohibited in Islaam; and harmful sites, channels, and forums that expose them to deviant beliefs, ideas, and conduct, as well as harms that are moral, educational, or social in nature.
Dear people of Islaam, some of the things that disfigure Ramadaan, remove its soulfulness, and wipe away the effects of worship include wasting time during its days and nights by committing sins, preoccupying oneself with distractions and insignificant things, and also being engaged in things that yield no benefit. Saying impermissible things, listening to impermissible things, and looking at impermissible things all inflict harm upon a person’s heart. They corrupt it and divert it from what is beneficial.
Thus, I say to anyone whose soul calls him to perpetrate wrongdoing during this month of attaining forgiveness and pardon for sins: You need to observe taqwa of your Lord, and to be ashamed of
Him seeing you doing wrong. Do not disobey Him and oppose His directives after He has allowed you to reach this month while you have health and wellbeing. There are many whom death obstructed from
reaching this month, and there are many who reached it but are unable to fast and attain full benefit. Furthermore, where do you stand when it comes to the magnificent blessed call that is made throughout
Ramadaan: “If you seek what is good, come forth with devotion to Allaah; and if you seek what is bad, desist from your wrongdoing”? You who have fallen prey to your disobedient inclinations, you who have
disobeyed Allaah in private, you whose days and breaths are numbered, you who are negligent although you lack what can make up for that, you who transgress against your own self, you who waste much! It could be that you may soon end up cast into a crevice while unable to do anything for yourself. Munkar and Nakeer will both come in a terrifying way and you will begin to reap the fruits from the seeds you had sown. You will wish to have just a moment more to obey Allaah and you would say, “My, Lord I beseech You to let me go back”, but you would no longer have anyone to obey what you say. Therefore, you better check yourself and declare repentance from those sins this very moment…
Source: manaratalharamain
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