Gardens of the Righteous — Page 212
212. GARDENS OF THE RIGHTEOUS 216. . On Fasting. Allah, the Exalted, has said: 293. Oye who believe, fasting is prescribed for you during a fixed number of days, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may safeguard yourselves against moral and spiritual ills. But whoso from among you should be ailing or should be on a journey shall complete the reckoning by fasting on a corresponding number of other days; and for those who find fasting a strain hard to bear is an expiation, the feeding of a poor person, if they can afford it. Whoso carries through a good work through eager obedience, it is the better for him. If you had knowledge you would realise that it is better for you that you should fast. The month of. Ramadhan is the month in which the Quran began to be revealed, the Book which comprises guidance for mankind and clear proofs of guidance and divine Signs which discriminate between truth and falsehood. Therefore, he who from among you witnesses this month should fast through it. But whoso is ailing or is on a journey should complete the reckoning by fasting on a corresponding number of other days (2. 184 - 186). 1220. Abu Hurairah relates that the Holy Prophet said: Allah, the Lord of honour and glory says: All other deeds of man are for himself, but his fasting is purely for Me and I shall reward him for it. The fast is a shield. When any of you is fasting he should eschew loose talk and noisy exchanges. Should anyone revile him or seek to pick a quarrel with him, he should respond with: I am observing a fast. By Him in Whose hands is the life of Muhammad, the breath of one who is fasting is purer in the sight of Allah than the fragrance of musk. One who fasts experiences two joys: he is joyful when he breaks his fast, and he is joyful by virtue of his fast when he meets his Lord (Bokhari and Muslim). Bokhari adds: Allah says: He abstains from food and drink and from indulging his passion for My sake. A fast is undertaken for My sake and I shall bestow the reward for it. Other good works are rewarded only ten times. Muslim's version adds: A man's good works carry a multiple reward, from ten times to seven hundred times. Allah says: A fast is an exception, for it is observed for My sake and I shall bestow the reward for it. He who observes a fast gives up his passion and his food for My sake. For such a one there are two joys; a joy when he breaks his fast and a joy when he meets his Lord. His breath is purer in the estimation of Allah than the fragrance of musk. 1221. Abu Hurairah relates that the Holy Prophet said: He who spends a pair of anything in the cause of Allah will be called from the gates of Paradise: