only fasting and prayer's are not enough 4 ramazan

by Shiabelievers Mon Sep 01, 2008 4:36 am

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was
prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint.)
(Al-Baqarah 2:183)

[O ye who believe! fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not
except in a state of Islam.] (Aal `Imran 3:102)

"Every deed of the child of Adam is for him except fasting; it is
for Me and I shall reward it. The (bad) breath of the mouth of a
fasting person is more pleasing to Allah than the perfume of musk."
(Al-Bukhari)

The purpose of fasting is not to make us hungry and thirsty, or to
deprive us some of our comfort and conveniences. The real purpose of
fasting is that we learn taqwa. Taqwa is highly emphasized in the
Qur'an and Sunnah. There are more than 158 verses in the Qur'an on
taqwa, and there are hundreds of hadiths on this subject. Taqwa is
Islam itself. It is the sum total of all Islamic values and virtues.
If one has taqwa one has achieved everything. Taqwa is the
consciousness of Allah. It is to do one's best efforts to live by His
commands and to avoid His prohibitions. The Qur'an has used the word
taqwa to mean consciousness of Allah, fear of Allah, worship of Allah,
sincerity in faith, and avoidance of disobedience to Allah.

Fasting builds the character of taqwa if it is done in the right way.
How does fasting build the character of taqwa? Let us look at some of
the things that a fasting person is supposed to do, and see how they
are related to the concept and spirit of taqwa.

1.

Unlike prayers, charity, and pilgrimage, fasting is an invisible
act. Only Allah and the person who is fasting know whether he or she
is fasting or not. One may quietly eat or drink something and no one
will notice and no one can find out. However, the fasting person has
made this commitment for the sake of Allah and he or she wants to
guard the purity of his or her fast for the sake of Allah. Fasting
thus teaches sincerity, and it helps a person learn to live by the
principles of his or her faith regardless whether others know or do
not know. This is the very purpose and essence of taqwa.
2.

Food and sex are two needs and desires that are essential for
human survival and growth, but they can become easily corruptive and
disruptive if they are not properly controlled and disciplined. Taqwa
requires observing the rules of Allah when one eats and when one
enjoys sexual relations. Fasting teaches how to control and discipline
these desires.
3.

The world is full of temptations. It takes a lot of discipline
to say "no" to something that is very tempting but not good for us.
During fasting we learn how to say "no" to things that are otherwise
permissible and good, but are forbidden during fasting. When one
learns how to say "no" to that which is generally permissible, then
one can easily control oneself to avoid that which is forbidden. This
is the spirit of taqwa.
4.

People generally care for themselves and their families, but
they often ignore the needs of others. Those who have do not even feel
the pain and suffering of those who are hungry, homeless, and living
in poverty. Through fasting we taste—to some extent—the pain and
suffering of those who are poor and destitute. Fasting teaches empathy
and sympathy, and it takes away some of our selfishness and
self-centeredness. This is the spirit of taqwa.
5.

When Muslims fast together in the month of Ramadan, it builds an
atmosphere of virtues, brotherhood and sisterhood. We come closer to
our Creator and we also come closer to each other. Unity, peace,
harmony, brotherhood and sisterhood are the fruits of taqwa. In
Ramadan we enjoy these fruits as we grow in taqwa.

There are some important things that we should do during Ramadan to
take better advantage of this month and to achieve its real purpose,
namely, taqwa. These are some reminders and they are all taken from
the guidelines given to us in the Qur'an and Sunnah.

1.

Niyyah (intention): Remind yourself again and again that you are
fasting in obedience to Allah. Be sincere in your intention. You want
Allah to accept your fasting. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon
him) said:

"Whosoever fasts in Ramadan with faith and seeking Allah's
reward, all his past sins will be forgiven." (Al-Bukhari)
2.

Sunnah: Observe the Sunnah in fasting. Take the sahur meal a
little before dawn and end your fast at sunset. Observe all the rules
of fasting.
3.

Wara' (avoiding everything haram or makruh): Be conscious to
have halal food, halal income, halal relations. Avoid watching bad TV
programs, videos, movies, etc., always, but especially during this
month. Keep your body and mind very clean. Avoid wasting your time in
useless things and pursuits.
4.

Qur'an: Spend more time with the Qur'an. Read Qur'an every day.
Try to finish the whole Qur'an at least one time during this month in
your own personal reading. Read some Hadith and the books of seerah.
5.

Prayer, supplication, and remembrance of Allah: Pray on time and
observe all Prayers. Do not ignore the Tarawih Prayers. Make more
supererogatory prayers. Do as much worship as you can. Do more dhikr
(remembrance of Allah) and du`aa' (supplication) for yourself and for
others. Make tawbah (repentance) and istighfar (request for Allah's
forgiveness) as much as you can. This is the best time for devotion
and seeking Allah's forgiveness. Seek the Night of Qadar by special
devotion during the last 10 nights of this month.
6.

Zakah, charity, and generosity: Be very charitable and generous.
Give more and more to help the poor and needy, and to help good social
and community projects. Be good to your friends and neighbors also.
Let your non-Muslim neighbors and co-workers know that this is your
blessed and sacred time.
7.

Good behavior and relations with others. Try to be extra kind
and courteous during this month. Forget your quarrels and disputes.
Reconcile and forgive. Do not get involved in backbiting, lying,
cheating, and anything that is wrong. Be very good to Muslims and to
all human beings.
8.

Reflection: Think, reflect, and plan to improve the moral and
spiritual condition of your own self and your family. Think about any
wrong things and sins you may have been doing and correct yourself.
Think about any deficiencies you have in your Islamic observances and
plan to change yourself. Think what you can do for the Ummah and for
humanity to make this world a better place for everyone.

It is reported in the Bible that the Children of Israel used to fast,
but they complained to their prophet that they were not receiving
God's blessings. God was not answering their prayers. It is reported
that God revealed to His prophet:

"Why have we fasted, and thou seest it not? Why have we humbled
ourselves, and thou takest no knowledge of it?" Behold, in the day of
your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.
Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with wicked
fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard
on high.

Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of
wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go
free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the
hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the
naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing
shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the
glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and
the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am.
(Isaiah 58:3-9)

May Allah help us to take full benefit of fasting in this blessed
month of Ramadan. May He keep us on the right path and bless us now
and always. Ameen!