Bismillahi Wal Hamdullillah Was Salaatu Was Salaamu ‘Alaa Rasoolillah
Ammaa ba’d
With this the beginning of this blessed month of Ramadhaan, and this period of good and mercy, We remind of that which the salaf of this umma were upon from fasting and other acts of worship in this month, that it may be a form of encouragement for us this ramadhaan and those that are to come, if Allah blesses us with life.
Abdur Rahmaan Ibn Ahmad Ad Daaraani said:
“The key to the dunya is in being full, satiated and content. While the key to the hereafter is in hunger (I.e due to fasting). The origin of good in the dunya and the hereafter is in the fear of Allah. Indeed Allah gives his dunya to those who he loves and those he does not love. Hunger (i.e. fasting and its reward) is a treasure preserved with him, that he does not give except to the one he loves specifically. For me to give up a morsel from my late meal (i.e. due to fasting) is more beloved to me than for me to eat it and stand in prayer from the beginning to the end of the night”
(Collected by Abdur Razzaaq As San’aani in Al Musannaf 3/307)
Abu Dardaa said:
“If it were not for three things I wish not to remain in the dunya:
1. Placing my face down in prostration to my creator across the alternation of the day and the night, preparing for the (true) life to come
2. Experiencing thirst during the hottest part of the day (due to fasting)
3. And Sitting with a people who select and choose their words (i.e. are careful with their speech) the way fruit is selected”
(Collected by As Suyooti in Ad Duril Manthoor 6/648)
Ibn Mas’ood – Radhiyallahu anhu said:
“Fasting is a barrier like the barriers used in war”
(Collected by Abdur Razaaq As San’aani in his Musanaf 4/307)
Ubaid Ibn Umair said:
“It used to be said that when winter comes Oh people of the Qur’aan, the nights are long for your prayers, and the days are short for your fasts, so capitalise!”
(Collected by Ibn Abi Shaibah in his Musannaf 7/172)
Upon the authority of Hishaam Ibn Urwa ibn Zubair who said that his father used to fast consistantly except for Eid al Fitr and Eid Al Adhaa and he died while he was fasting!”
(Siyar a’laamin nubalaa 4/436)
Yahya ibn Ma’een said Ghundar (Muhammad ibn Ja’far al Hudhali 293 H) turned to me one day and said “Do you know that for the last fifty years I have fasted one day and broke my fast the next! (referring to the fast of Daawood)”
(Siyar A’laamin Nubalaa 9/101)
Wallahu A’lam
