Articles

Except for Fasting
Author : Dr. Zuhaar Riyallat
Date Added : 24-09-2024

In the Qudsi Hadith, Allah The Almighty Says (What means): "Every deed of the son of Adam is multiplied: a good deed is multiplied tenfold up to seven hundred times, except for fasting; it is for Me, and I will reward it. He leaves his desires and his food for My sake..." [Moslim].

In this hadith, Allah excludes fasting from the deeds that have a fixed reward. All deeds are multiplied: a good deed by ten times, up to seven hundred times, except fasting. Allah multiplies its reward without any specific limit.

It is understood that the fasting referred to here is the fasting that Allah has commanded, not merely refraining from food and drink, as is the case with many people's fasting. However, why did Allah single out fasting from all other deeds with this special distinction when He Said (What means): "Except for fasting; it is for Me, and I will reward it"?

If we reflect on the reality of fasting and the difference between it and other acts of worship, we can deduce some of the wisdoms for which Allah granted the fasting person this great virtue. Among these wisdoms are:

First: Fasting is a secret between the servant and his Lord, known only by Allah. A person may show off in their prayer or other acts of worship because they are visible actions, but they cannot show off in fasting — meaning, they cannot display it to people for recognition and praise. It has been narrated: "Fasting has no show-off" [Al-Bayhaqi in "Shu'ab Al-Iman"]. Fasting consists of two elements: refraining from food, drink, and other desires, and an intention held in the heart, which only Allah Knows. Therefore, it is fitting that the matter of fasting remains between the servant and his Lord, and that Allah singles it out by attributing it to Himself, unlike other deeds.

Second: Fasting is the only act of worship in which a person abandons all their desires for the sake of Allah. For example, when a person enters the state of Ihram (Ritual consecration) for Hajj or Umrah, they only give up some desires, like intimacy and beautification, while other desires, like food and drink, remain permissible. Similarly, when a person gives Zakat (Alms) or charity, they only give up the desire for wealth.

Nevertheless, in fasting, as mentioned in the previous hadith: "He leaves his desires and his food for My sake." This phrase explains the reason behind fasting's unique reward — the fasting person leaves multiple desires, and the reward for abandoning each one is known only to Allah.

It may be argued that prayer also involves leaving all desires, just like fasting. However, the difference lies in the duration — prayer lasts only a few minutes, so the person does not suffer the deprivation of food and drink, whereas fasting lasts the entire day.

Third: It is narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said: "Fasting is half of patience" [Reported by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Al-Tirmidhi, who graded it as sound]. Patience is of three types: patience in performing acts of worship, patience in refraining from what Allah has forbidden, and patience in enduring trials.

All three types of patience come together in fasting: patience in performing an act of worship, patience in abstaining from forbidden desires, and patience in enduring the hunger and thirst that occur during fasting. Thus, fasting encompasses all forms of patience. Allah Says (What means): "Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without measure" [Az-Zumar/10]. One meaning of "without measure" is an immense reward, which is attained through fasting.

Fourth: Fasting is a training ground for preparing a person for the future. When one enters this school of fasting, their intention is to be righteous and committed in the present and the future. The fasting person holds two intentions: one for the present moment and one for future commitment. Therefore, they deserve the reward for both their current fasting and their future resolve. This resolve and intention are known only to Allah, and their sincerity can only be judged by Him. Thus, the reward for them is from Allah alone.

Fifth: Fasting links the lawful and unlawful to time. What was permissible yesterday becomes forbidden during the day, and what was forbidden a few moments ago becomes lawful with the call to Maghrib (Sunset) prayer. This demonstrates the ultimate submission and obedience to Allah.

The fasting person refrains from their desires during the day out of obedience to Allah, and they hasten to them at night, also out of obedience. They abstain and return to their desires only in response to Allah's command. They are obedient in both states. For such a person, it is hoped that they will be among those who are told (What means): "Eat and drink in satisfaction for what you put forth in days past" [Al-Haqqah/24].

 

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is committing Zina (Adultery and extramarital sex) without the intention of getting pregnant or deflowered considered full Zina?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May Allah`s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
 
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) says: "The eyes commit fornication, the hands, the feet, and the private parts." [Musnad Ahmad, P.3912]. Sheikh Shu`aib `Arn`oot graded this Hadith as sound. What you are asking about is far graver. Generally speaking,  sincere repentance erases sins, good deeds erase bad deeds, and fearing Allah stops one from committing this heinous act. In addition, the devil is man`s worst enemy and whoever surrenders themselves to the wolf will be eaten. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

Is it Permissible to lighten the eyebrows (I.e. Dye them blond)?

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
Lightening the eyebrows is applying dye to them, and it is permissible to dye hair with other than black. The proof of this is the Hadith related by Muslim on the authority of Jabir told that when Abu Quhafa (Abu Bakr’s father) was brought on the day of the Conquest of Mecca with his head and beard white like hyssop, the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Change this with something, but avoid black."
However, it isn`t permissible for a Muslim woman to show her ornament (Zeenah) in the presence of non-Mahram men (Men permissible for a woman to marry). And Allah The Almighty Knows Best. 

Is it permissible for a woman to wear underwear while performing Umrah?

Yes, it is permissible for a woman to wear underwear while performing Umrah. This is because she should keep her regular clothes that cover all her body while being in a state of Ihram (ritual consecration) for Hajj, or Umrah. However, she should uncover her face and hands, but it is permissible for her to let her head-covering garment drape from her head down over her face when non-Mahram (i.e., marriageable) men pass by her. And Allah Knows Best.

Is it permissible for the heirs of the person who caused the accident (The Killer) to fast (The intended as an expiation for unintentional killing) on his behalf if the latter died in the crash?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
 
One who dies while liable for obligatory fast, his/her guardians have the choice to either fast on his/her behalf or feed one poor Muslim for each day of missed fast. This applies to Ramadan and other obligatory fast, and since expiatory fast is obligatory, feeding a poor person for each missed day or fasting on behalf of the deceased is obligatory as well. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.