Five Ramadhan's Gifts to this Ummah
Abu Hurairah relates that Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi wasallam) said My Ummah has been given five special things that were not given to anyone before them. The smell from the mouth of a fasting Muslim is sweeter for Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) than the pleasant smell of musk. The Fish in the sea seek forgiveness on their behalf until they break their fast. Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) prepares and decorates His special Jannah every day and then says (to it) : " The time is near when My fruitful servants shall put away the load (of the world) and come to you." In this month, the rebellious shayateen are chained, so as not to cause those evils which they normally do during months other than Ramadhaan. On the last night of Ramadhan., the fasting Muslims are forgiven. The Sahabah there upon inquired O Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam), is that night "Laylat ul Qadr?" Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi wasallam) replied No, But it is only night that a servant should be given his reward on having completed his duty.
Note: Five gifts from Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) were not granted to the (fasting) people before Islam. If only we could truly appreciate how great this bounty from Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) really is, we would sincerely try to gain those special favors.
First, we are told that the smell from the mouth of the fasting person is more likeable for Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) than the smell of musk. Commentators list eight possible meanings of this. Ofcourse, three are the most acceptable explanations:
a. Some are of the opinion that, in the Akhirah, Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) shall reward that smell from the mouth with pleasing odor more sweet and refreshing than musk (Durre Manthur)
b. On the day of Qiyamah when we shall rise from our graves, a sweet smell shall come from the mouths of those who fasted and that shall be better than musk.
c. The interpretation that is the most acceptable in my opinion, is the view that in this very world the smell is more pleasing for Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) than musk. This shows the ties of love between Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) and His fasting slaves.
We all know that even a disagreeable smell from a person whom one loves truly and sincerely is in itself attractive to the lover, who in this case is Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) Himself. What is indicated is the closeness to Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) of the fasting person.
Fasting is one of the most appreciated forms of worship of Allah in Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) sight and for this reason a Hadith states that the reward for every deed is brought by the angels, but Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) says "The reward for fasting, I Myself will give, beaus it is for Me alone". Another version of the same Hadith (when read in a different way) says "I Myself become his reward". And what greater reward can there be for the lover than to meet the Beloved?
In another Hadith, we read "Fasting is the door to all other forms of worship of Allah". This means that, through fasting, the heart becomes enlightened and, through this, the desire for other forms of worship is induced. This is the case only if the fast is really so, with all its requirements (as shall be explained later), and is not merely remaining hungry and thirsty.
At this juncture, I wish to draw attention to a particular point. Because of this Hadith, scholars of the Shafi school of Islamic law prohibit cleaning of teeth with Miswak in the afternoon, whereas scholars of the Hanafi school of Islamic law consider it to be preferable at all times.
Scholars of the Shafi school argue that through Miswak the smell from the teeth is removed, whereas scholars of the Hanafi school maintain that the odor referred to here is the smell resulting from the stomach being empty, having nothing to do with the teeth.
The second special favor is that the fish in the sea seek forgiveness for him who fasts. The purpose here is to explain that many living beings make Dua on his behalf. My uncle, Maulana Mohammed Ilyas (Rehmatullah Alaihi) used to say that this is apparently so because Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) says in the Quran The second special favor is that the fish in the sea seek forgiveness for him who fasts. The purpose here is to explain that many living beings make Dua on his behalf. My uncle, Maulana Mohammed Ilyas (Rehmatullah Alaihi) used to say that this is apparently so because Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) says in the Quran Certainly those who believe and do righteous deeds, Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) shall make them beloved ( in this world) (Maryam 96)Certainly those who believe and do righteous deeds, Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) shall make them beloved ( in this world) (Maryam 96)
One Hadith clarifies this further "When Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) loves a person, He says to the angel Jibraeel, 'I love that person, so you also love him.' Jibraeel then also loves that person and announces in 1st heavens 'That person is loved by Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala), you all should also love him.' There upon all the inmates of the heavens begin to love him.
Then, love for that person spreads all over the earth. Normally only those who are near to a person seem to love him, but here that love spreads all over, even the animals in the jungles and the fish in the seas do the same. They all then make Dua on his behalf.
The third favor bestowed on the fasting persons is that Jannah is decorated for them. The Hadith states that at the beginning of every year, Jannah begins to be decorated for Ramadhan. WE know that when an important person is expected to arrive, great care is taken in the preparations for his welcome. For a marriage,for example, preparations commence months in advance, likewise it is with Ramadhan.
The fourth favor is that rebellious shayateen (devils) are chained, as a result of which evil is cut down. One would have expected that, because of the great desire for worship of Allah in the blessed month of Ramadhan., the shayateen would try just as hard to pull the faithful away from the right path, so that much more evil would be committed. That is not the case.
On the contrary, we see so much less evil. How many drunkards do we not see who, just because of the blessed month of Ramadhan., do not drink any wine? How many other evildoers do we not see giving up evil acts during the blessed month of Ramadhan?
A question may arise here that, when the shayateen are chained, how is it that we still do see evil committed, even though to a lesser degree? The reply is that all evil may not necessarily be caused by the rebellious shayateen. Having for eleven months lived in obedience to the evil designs and wishes of shayateen, the performance of evil deeds caused by them becomes second nature, and so evil is being done in and out of Ramadhan. For this reason. we find those who normally commit evil continue to commit some of it in Ramadhan. Thus, even though shayateen have been chained, their influence on us has become so strong that we follow their path of our own accord. Another important point is the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi wasallam) has said Another important point is the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi wasallam) has said When a person commits a sin, a black spot forms on his heart, when he sincerely repents, it is removed otherwise it remains. When he again commits a sin another spot forms (and so on), until his heart becomes completely black. Then nothing good can enter his heart.When a person commits a sin, a black spot forms on his heart, when he sincerely repents, it is removed otherwise it remains. When he again commits a sin another spot forms (and so on), until his heart becomes completely black. Then nothing good can enter his heart.
Referring to this, Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) says in the Quran By no means! But on their heart is ease the stain (of Evil)" (Al-Munafiqeen 14). Thus their hearts become totally stained, in such cases, these hearts have a natural inclination towards those sins. This is the reason why many people fearlessly commit one type of sin, but when considering another sin of similar degree, then their hearts refuse to do it.
For example, those who drink wine, if told to eat pork would hate it, whereas these two misdeeds are equally sinful. Similarly, heart is colored by them, thus resulting in these sins being committed even without any action of the shayateen.
My personal opinion is that not all the shayateen are chained, only the most rebellious ones are. All of us can see that in Ramadhan. it does not require a great amount of effort and exertion to perform a good deed. Neither does it require a great deal of self control and sacrifice to avoid evil, as at other times.
Maulana Shah Ishaaq was of the opinion that, for the evil people, only the most rebellious shayateen are chained, whereas for the righteous ones all shayateen are chained.
The fifth favor is that forgiveness is granted on the final night of Ramadhan. (see previous Hadith). Because of this great favor, the Sahabah thought that this must be Laylat ul Qadr. They knew the great blessings of that night and accordingly asked whether it meant Laylat ul Qadr. The reply was that it was not. This is merely the favor granted for having fasted to the end of Ramadhan.
Courtesy of www.muslimwebpage.com
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