بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ. الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ.
اَلَّلهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَـلَّمْ وَبَأّرَکْ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَأّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِيْن.
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي. وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي. وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِي. يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي.
Alhamdulillah, last time we talked about Fasting being an obligation and a command of Allah (SWT). It is a mean of purification, taqwa and God-consciousness.
Today we will talk more on the benefits of fasting.
In one hadith the Prophet ﷺ says:
مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ.
“Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and expectation of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari and Muslim, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi,)
Thus, the hadith says anyone who fasts out of obedience and with faith expecting reward from Allah (SWT), Allah will forgive all his past sins. This provides the Believer with great hope. Forgiveness of past mistakes that would otherwise have been the source of regret is a great bounty and mercy of Allah. When coupled with the many other promised rewards, this is a very strong motivator for fasting.
In another hadith with similar wording but relating to Tarawih prayer the Prophet ﷺ says:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ. رواه البخاري (37)، ومسلم (759).
“Whoever establishes prayers during the nights of Ramadan faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards (not for showing off), all his past sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Thus, Ramadan serves as an opportunity for Muslims to seek forgiveness for past transgressions and strive for self-improvement in all aspects of their lives.
Let us strive to enhance our connection with Allah through the night prayers (Tarawih) and Qiyam-ul-Layl, seeking His mercy and forgiveness in the stillness of the night.
وَآخِرُ دَعْوَاهُمْ أَنِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ نَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ نَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ.
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّكَ رَبِّ الْعِزَّةِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ وَسَلَامٌ عَلَى الْمُرْسَلِينَ.
وَصَلَّـى اللهُ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَيْرِ خَلْقِهِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَّاَلِهِ وَاَصْحَابِهِ اَجْمَعِيْنَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا اَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِيْنَ.