…Let us return to the commentary on the hadith of Harith, where he Prophet speaks of what will rescue a servant from the Foe: “And [God] enjoins upon you the fast. Verily, the similitude of that is a man carrying a sack-full of musk in a crowd of people, all of them marvelling at its fragrance—for the breath of someone lasting is more fragrant to God, Most High, than the scent of musk.” [Tirmidhi, Amthal, 2790; Ibn Hanbal, Musnad, 16542.]

The Prophet uses the image of someone carrying a sack-full of musk concealed from view, hidden under his garments, after the habit of those who carry musk. Fasting is, likewise, hidden from the eyes of men and unperceived by their senses.

The fasting person’s limbs fast from sins; his tongue fasts from lies, base language and false witness; his stomach fasts from food and drink; and his pudenda fast from union. If he speaks, he says nothing to violate his fast; and if he acts, he does nothing to spoil his fast. All his speech is salutary and wholesome, as are his deeds—like the fragrance one smells while sitting next to the bearer of musk. Anyone who sits with a fasting person benefits from his presence and is safe from false witness, lies, base language and wrongdoing. This is the fast prescribed by the Sacred Law, not simply abstinence from eating and drinking.

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Ibn Rajab commented on the virtues of fasting in the heat in ‘Lata’if al-Ma’arif’ (p. 272-273):

“…And from the acts of worship whose reward is multiplied during the heat is fasting, and this is because of the thirst that one experiences in the mid-day heat.

This is why Mu’adh bin Jabal expressed regret on his deathbed that he would no longer experience this mid-day thirst, as did other early Muslims.

And it was related that Abu Bakr would fast in the summer and not fast in the winter, and ‘Umar advised his son ‘Abdullah on his deathbed: “Try to obtain the characteristics of faith,” and the first one he mentioned was fasting in the intense summer heat.

And al-Qasim bin Muhammad said that ‘A’ishah would fast in the intense heat, and he was asked: “What drove her to do this?” He replied: “She would take advantage of the days before death.” And some of the righteous women would choose the hottest days and fast them, saying: “If the price is low, everyone will buy,” meaning that she wanted to do those actions that only a few were capable of due to how hard it was to do them, and this is indicative of the high aspirations these women had.

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EID MUBARAK

Eid was announced for Tues the 30 Sept 2008. Make Takbiraat wherever you are! Allahu Akbar! On behalf of Dhikrullah.com we wish all the Muslims Eid Mubarak. May Allah have accepted our Ramadan, our siyaam, our qiyaam, our sujuud, our ruku3, our duas, submitted us to His extended Mercy in this blessed month, elevated our ibadah to the heights of Firdous and purified us from our sins Ameen.

For more information on the eid salah and how to pray it etc.: http://www.dhikrullah.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=816

jazakumAllahu khayran

Muslim faithful throughout the world are currently observing the holy month of Ramadan. Observant Muslims participate in fasting (sawm), one of the five pillars of their faith, this entire Lunar month (this year it extends from September 1st to the 30th). Eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity is prohibited from dawn until sunset, when the fast is broken with the evening meal called Iftar. Local customs define varying traditions, including differing types of food used to break the daily fast. The fasting is meant to teach a person patience, humility and sacrifice, to set aside time to ask forgiveness, practice self-restraint, and pray for guidance in the future. (35 photos total)

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The reason why this is so important is because of the ahadeeth of the messenger of Allah [salAllahu alayhi wa salam] Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, related that the Prophet said: Look for Laylatul Qadr on an odd-numbered night during the last ten nights of Ramadan (Bukhari).

The Prophet [salAllahu alayhi wa salam] said: “Whoever prays during the night of Qadr with faith and hoping for its reward will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

*smiles*

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) used to strive hard (in worship) during the last ten days of Ramadan in a way that he did not strive at any other times.

[Muslim, 1175, from ‘A’ishah]

Among the things he did were secluding himself in I’tikaf and seeking Laylat al-Qadr during this time.

[Al-Bukhari, 1913; Muslim, 1169]

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In al-Sahihayn it is reported from the hadith of ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that when the last ten days of Ramadan came, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) would stay up at night, wake his family and gird his loins.

[al-Bukhaari, 1920; Muslim, 1174]

. Muslim added: he strove hard and girded his loins.

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Allah’s Messenger, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, said:

“Islaam is built upon five: Testifying that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the Prayer, giving the Zakaah, performing Hajj to the House, and fasting in Ramadaan.” (1)

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The Prophet (peace be upon him) says in this hadith: “The fasting person has two occasions for joy…” This does not mean that the fasting person experiences no other joys aside from these two. It is just that these two particular occasions of joy are exclusive to a fasting person and are experienced by no one else.

The fasting person experiences the first occasion of joy when he eats and drinks after a full day of self-restraint, patience, and obedience seeking Allah’s reward.

He experiences the second occasion of joy when he meets his Lord after a full lifetime of fasting and seeking Allah’s reward every time the month of Ramadan called upon him as an honored guest.
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