OBSERVING THE OBLIGATORY (Fard) FASTING (Saum) One must make an intention for fasting prior to the dawn. According to the statement made by the Prophet SAWS "Fasting is not accepted from one who does not make his intention to fast before dawn" (At-Tirmidhi and lbn Majah) What are some of the blessings of fasting? Fasting is a means of attaining taqwa (piety, being conscious of Allaah). It is a means that makes us appreciate our blessings. When we fast we give up eating, drinking and intimate relations. By giving them up for a short time, we begin to appreciate their value. Fasting makes us feel compassion and empathy towards the poor, because when the fasting person tastes the pain of hunger for a while, he remembers those who are in this situation all the time. Fasting enables us to control our desires, because when a person is full his desires grow, but if he is hungry then his desire becomes weak. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ““O young men, whoever among you can afford it, let him get married, and whoever cannot afford it should fast, for it will be a shield for him.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5065), Muslim (1400).
Posted on: Thu, 11 Jul 2013 15:24:41 +0000