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Fasting
generally means "to abstain from something." For example, a
verse in the Qur'an reads: “I have vowed to the Merciful to
abstain-that is, from speaking.”
What
is meant here is abstaining from food, drink, and sexual intercourse
from dawn until sunset with the explicit intention of doing so (for the
sake of Allah).
The
Virtues of Fasting
Abu
Hurairah reported the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon
him, as saying: “Allah said: 'Every action of the son of Adam is for
him except fasting, for that is solely for Me. I give the reward for
it.' The fast is a shield. If one is fasting, he should not use foul
language, raise his voice, or behave foolishly. If someone reviles him
or fights with him he should say, 'I am fasting,' twice. By the One in
whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the [bad] breath of the one who is
fasting is better in the sight of Allah on the Day of Resurrection than
the smell of musk. The one who is fasting is happy at two times: when he
breaks his fast he is happy with it, and when he meets his Lord he will
be happy that he has fasted.” (Related by Ahmad, Muslim, and
an-Nasa’i). Al-Bukhari and Abu Dawud, added in another version:
"He leaves his food, drink, and desires for My sake. His fasting is
for Me... I will give the reward for it, and for every good deed, he
will receive ten similar to it."
Sahl
ibn Sa`d reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,
said: "There is a gate to Paradise that is called Ar-Rayyan.
On the Day of Resurrection it will say: 'Where are those who fasted?'
When the last [one] has passed through the gate, it will be
locked." (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
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