{IIG} The Excellence of Spending out Charity & Fasting in Ramadan

[Arshad P Acharath]

*The Excellence of Spending out Charity & Fasting in Ramadan*

Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah
(PBUH) was the most generous of the men; and he was the most generous during
the month of Ramadan when Jibril visited him every night and recited the
Qur'an to him. During this period, the generosity of Messenger of Allah
(PBUH) waxed faster than the rain bearing wind. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].


*Commentary: This Hadith induces us to do two good things frequently and
with full preparation in the month of Ramadan. First, benevolence and
generosity so that people get maximum time for worship and reduce their
mundane affairs during this month. Second, recitation of the Qur'an and
Mudarsah, (reading and hearing the Qur'an from one another) as is done by
two Huffaz in this manner. The reason for the stress on the Qur'an is that
the Qur'an and the month of Ramadan are closely linked with each other. The
Qur'an was revealed in this month.*
`Aishah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the last ten nights
(of Ramadan) would begin, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would keep awake at
night (for prayer and devotion), awaken his family and prepare himself to be
more diligent in worship. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
**
*Commentary: The entire month of Ramadan is a spring season for virtues,
worship and obedience of Allah, but its last ten days are the peak of this
season of worship. Therefore, one must strive hard in the last ten days and
nights of this month to follow the practice of the Prophet (PBUH), to seek
the Pleasure of Allah and to attain the benefits of Lailat-ul-Qadr, which
occurs during this period. The Prophet (PBUH) used to make special
arrangement for observing I`tikaf, and we must also follow this practice of
his.*

Allah, the Exalted, says: "O you who believe! the fasting is prescribed for
you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become
Al-Muttaqun (the pious). (Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of
you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other
days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g., an old man),
they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskin (poor person) (for
every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him.
And that you fast is better for you if only you know. The month of Ramadan
in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs
for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of
you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan, i.e.,
is present at his home), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a
journey, the same number (of days which one did not fast must be made up)
from other days.'' (2:183-185)

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) said, "Allah the Exalted and Majestic said: `Every act of the
son of Adam is for him, except As-Siyam (the fasting) which is (exclusively)
for Me, and I will reward him for it.' Fasting is a shield. When anyone of
you is observing fast, he should neither indulge in obscene language nor
should he raise his voice; and if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel
with him, he should say: `I am fasting.' By Him in Whose Hand the soul of
Muhammad is, the breath of one observing Saum is sweeter to Allah than the
fragrance of musk. The one who fasts, experiences two joys: he feels
pleasure when he breaks the fast. He is joyful by virtue of his fast when he
meets his Rubb.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In a narration by Al-Bukhari, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Allah
says: `(The person observing Saum) has abstained from food and drink, and
sexual pleasures for My sake; fasting is for Me, and I will bestow its
reward. Every good deed has ten times its reward'.''

In a narration by Muslim, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The reward of
every (good) deed of a person is multiplied from ten to seven hundred times.
Allah (SWT) says: `The reward of observing Saum is different from the reward
of other good deeds; Saum is for Me, and I Alone will give its reward. The
person observing Saum abstains from food and drink only for My sake.' The
fasting person has two joyous occasions, one at the time of breaking his
fast, and the other at the time of meeting his Rubb. Surely, the breath of
one observing Saum is better smelling to Allah than the fragrance of musk.''
**
*Commentary: "Khuluf'', is the smell that comes from the mouth of person who
observes Saum. It results from the thirst and hunger which he has to suffer
during the Saum. The Hadith not only tells us the merits of Saum but also
brings into focus the true significance of it. Saum is not thus mere
abstention from food, drink and sexual intercourse, but also keeping away
from all evils and vices and embracing virtues.*

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) said, "He who spends a pair in the way of Allah will be called
from the gates of Jannah: `O slave of Allah! This gate is better for you'
and one who is constant in Salat (prayer), will be called from the Gate of
Salat; and whoever is eager in fighting in the Cause of Allah, will be
called from the Gate of Jihad; and who is regular in observing Saum will be
called from Ar-Raiyan Gate. The one who is generous in charity will be
called from the Gate of Charity.'' Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him)
said: "O Messenger of Allah (PBUH)! May my mother and father be sacrificed
for you! Those who are called from these gates will stand in need of
nothing. Will anybody be called from all of those gates?'' He replied, "Yes,
and I hope that you will be one of them.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

*Commentary: "Pair'' means two; in other channels of transmission, it has
been explained thus: "They asked him, `Pair of what?' He (PBUH) said, `A
pair of horses, cows or camels'.'' "Pair'' in this Hadith, however, can be
all-inclusive; i.e., fasting two days or performing two prayers, etc. This
Hadith also mentions special distinction of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be
pleased with him) and the esteem in which he was held by the Prophet (PBUH).
It also transpires from this Hadith that one can praise such a person right
on his face about whom one does not fear that it will make him proud. This
Hadith has also an inducement for giving in Sadaqah two instead of a single
item.*
**
Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (PBUH) said, "In
Jannah there is a gate which is called Ar-Raiyan through which only those
who observe Saum (fasting) will enter on the Day of Resurrection. None else
will enter through it. It will be called out, "Where are those who observe
fasting?'' So they will stand up and proceed towards it. When the last of
them will have entered, the gate will be closed and then no one will enter
through that gate.'' [Muslim].

*Commentary: This Hadith tells us about the special distinction of those who
observe Saum. "Only those who observe Saum'' signify the faithful who not
only observe Saum during the month of Ramadan but also frequently observe
voluntary fasts over and above the obligatory ones, otherwise Saum of
Ramadan are compulsory for every Muslim. Similar is the case of the people
of Salat, people of Sadaqah and people of Jihad, who have been mentioned in
the preceding Ahadith otherwise all Muslims are on par so far as the Salat,
Sadaqah, etc., are concerned.*
**
Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger
of Allah (PBUH) said, "Every slave of Allah who observes Saum (fasting) for
one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will draw his face farther from
Hell-fire to the extent of a distance to be covered in seventy years.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

*Commentary: "Every slave of Allah'' includes men, women, the free and the
unfree, because they are slaves of Allah. The Hadith highlights the
excellence of fasting for the sake of Allah which will serve, on the Day of
Resurrection, as shield against Hell-fire.*
**
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH)
said, "He who observes fasting during the month of Ramadan with Faith while
seeking its reward from Allah, will have his past sins forgiven.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

*Commentary: "Sins'' here means minor sins which relate to the Rights of
Allah.*
**
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) said, "When Ramadan begins, the gates of Jannah are opened, the
gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.'' [Al-Bukhari and
Muslim].

*Commentary: This is a special distinction of the month of Ramadan during
which Muslims become more inclined towards the worship of Allah. They pay
greater attention to the recitation of the Qur'an, remembrance of Allah,
worship, and seeking pardon for sins.*
**
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) said, "Observe Saum (fast) on sighting the crescent and
terminate it on sighting it (the new moon), but if the sky is cloudy before
you, then complete the number (thirty days) of the month.'' [Al-Bukhari and
Muslim].

*Commentary: The words "Ghabiya'', and "Ghumma'', both have the same
meanings, namely clouded sky or sky overcast with clouds, as a result of
which the moon is not visible. In that case, the injunction is that thirty
days of the month be completed. If the moon of Ramadan is not sighted on the
29th Sha`ban, then its thirty days be completed and Ramadan's Saum be
started on the next day. Similarly, if the moon for the month of Shawwal is
not sighted on the 29th of Ramadan, thirty days of Saum must be completed
before celebrating `Eid-ul-Fitr. This means that the sighting of the moon is
necessary for keeping the Saum of Ramadan. Counting by celestial system is
not sufficient for this purpose. Moreover, the evidence of reliable
witnesses for the crescent of Ramadan and the evidence of two dependable
witnesses for the crescent of Shawwal are sufficient. This amount of
evidence will fulfill the requirement of sighting the moon. Whether the
sighting of the moon at one place is sufficient for another place is
controversial and arguments of both the groups of `Ulama', who support and
oppose it, are based on this Hadith. The group which contend that the
sighting of the moon at one place is valid for another holds that the words
"Sumu" and "Aftiru" are addressed to all the Muslims, and for this reason
the sighting at one place holds good for another place. The group which
holds that the sighting of the moon at one place is not enough for the
Muslims of other localities contend that the words are addressed to the
people who have actually sighted the moon. The Muslims of the localities of
other areas who have not sighted the moon are not addressed by these words.
They say that the sighting of the moon goes with each area according to
which they will decide about starting of Saum and celebrating `Eid. There is
a third group also, which is of the opinion that for such areas which are in
close proximity and do not have much difference in the timings of sunrise
and sunset, the sighting of the moon at one place holds good for the other.
In any case, it is a moderate view, which can be implemented without fear of
its being wrong. According to this view, at least in one country the
sighting of the moon at one place holds good for all other areas.*

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