.
Showing posts with label Rewards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rewards. Show all posts

Wednesday 17 April 2024

Who will be the lucky 70,000 to enter the Paradise without rendering account (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

It is the earnest will and desire of everyone born, even many a atheist, to enter the Paradise and live in this heavenly abode of comforts forever. For attainment of of this desire, most of us try to desist all satanic enticements and try to live a humble life without harming or even thinking of ill of someone. We endeavour to be honest, loving and truthful to others, while trying our best to worship Allah to the best of our abilities and trying to beat back every ill desire.

In this regard, a Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ comes as a beacon of hope to enter the Paradise. The revered Prophet Muhammad ﷺ once indicated that 70,000 of his ummah will enter Paradise without rendering their account. When I read this part of the Hadith, I thought why only 70,000 as there have been millions and millions of Muslims who lived and died and almost two billion presently alive?

Today I came across the full text of the Hadith and found the answer. This Hadith is mentioned in in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: Book of Faith as Hadith number # 525 as under:

Imran b. Husain reported: 

Verily the Messenger of Allah ( ‌صلی ‌اللہ ‌علیہ ‌وسلم ‌ ) said: Seventy thousand men of my Ummah would enter Paradise without rendering account. They (the companions of the Holy Prophet) said: Who would be those, Messenger of Allah? He (the Holy Prophet) said: They would be those who neither practice charm, not take omens, nor do they cauterise, but they repose their trust in their Lord.

Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الصَّمَدِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْوَارِثِ، حَدَّثَنَا حَاجِبُ بْنُ عُمَرَ أَبُو خُشَيْنَةَ الثَّقَفِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا الْحَكَمُ بْنُ الْأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مِنْ أُمَّتِي سَبْعُونَ أَلْفًا بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ»، قَالُوا: مَنْ هُمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ؟ قَالَ: «هُمُ الَّذِينَ لَا يَسْتَرْقُونَ، وَلَا يَتَطَيَّرُونَ، وَلَا يَكْتَوُونَ، وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ»

Today, I am much wiser about who those lucky 70,000 would be as hinted by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. In fact these small acts, which we more than usual resort to almost throughout our lives, yet remain oblivious of their negative fallout on our forgiveness on the day of judgement. 

Let us take a rundown of these lucky believers - as mentioned in the Hadith above, these will be those who never indulged in the following three things and reposed their trust in their Lord:
  • Practicing charm
    • A charm is a magical spell or an object that brings luck: it's also a quality of being attractive and pleasing. To charm someone is to attract them. There are several types of charms, but they mostly relate to attraction and good luck. A lucky coin is a charm. The spell of a witch that entrances you is a charm. 
    • Magic or charms are strictly forbidden in Islam and those who indulge in such activities, the one who practices it and those who got such people to have their desires fulfilled, mostly by hurting other by way of magic.
  • Taking omens
    • An omen is an event or happening that you take as sign of something to come. It's believed to be a bad omen if a black cat crosses your path or if it rains on your wedding day. Omens generally get a bad rap — that's probably because a lot of them predict bad stuff, at least according to superstition.
    • We as believers must know that nothing that we see is an indicative of a coming event nor we should believe in superstitions that mostly women believe in like passing of that proverbial black cat, sitting of a crow on the roof of the house or attaching a bad women to a bride if someone suddenly dies or there is a loss in the business. 
    • As Muslims we must have a firm belief in Allah and whatever comes our way should be taken as a Divine test rather than as a bad omen.  For who knows behind the veil of something bad hides something very rewarding and good for us.
  • Cauterizing
    • Cauterization (or cauterization, or cautery) is a medical practice or technique of burning a part of a body to remove or close off a part of it. We see such practices in some of the Turkish dramas used as a normal method of stopping bloods sustained in battles. In some countries, such practice is still on going.
    • It is reported that Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said, "There is healing in three: in the cutting of a vein, in cauterizing with fire, and in the application of a cupping glass, but I do not endorse cauterizing." This hadith acknowledges cauterization as a valid method of treatment, but it should be avoided altogether.
    • The Holy Prophet allowed this method, but did not encourage it to be used frequently, or it was not preferred by him. In the above hadith, cauterization is also approved but not with fire. 
    • Other than cauterization, the Holy Prophet teaches about how to stop bleeding with some traditional remedies. In the battle of Uhud, the Holy Prophet sustained facial wounds and a broken tooth. It is said that ash from a mat of palm leaves that had been burned and inserted into his wounds stopped his bleeding. In this manner, wound bleeding was stopped. Inserting the ash of a burned mat of palm leaves is a method to stop bleeding in Islam. The ashes of burnt palm leaves are very effective in stopping bleeding, because it is a durable drying agent and because it has the slightest burning effect (on the exposed skin). Other robust drying medications have a burning effect on the skin and cause the blood to be disturbed and the bleeding to increase (Al-Jauziyah 2003). According to research in modern science, the healing of wounds in the skin relies on the availability of trace elements or enzymes which increase the structural components in the repair of tissues. Ashes contain all the required elements for the healing of wounds. Ashes also have the combination of metals which are needed to heal wounds quickly (Shaikh and Shaikh 2008).
    • Applying black cumin to wounds or utilizing it in other ways is the most effective method for treating wounds. In various hadith, the Holy Prophet emphasized the significance of black cumin and regarded it as the best remedy for almost all diseases, excluding death. Black cumin is the most effective healer, recuperative agent, and immune booster. According to The Holy Prophet of Islam, five or seven black cumin seeds should be crushed and combined with oil. The mixture should then be placed in each nostril (Muhammad b. Isma’il al-Bukhari 2020).
The above explanation of the Hadith shared in this post thus tells to have firm and complete repose in Allah. rather than banking on magical charms or taking inferences from happenings around us. Let our lives me modelled around the Divine teachings given in Qur'an, and Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, lest we lose the chance of being one of the lucky 70,000 who will enter the paradise without rendering our accounts. 
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Collections of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Rewards for more Hadiths on the subject

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Source of Hadith | Resource References: | 1

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Friday 15 March 2024

Ramadan: Two pleasures for the fasting person

Fasting has been made obligatory in all Divine religions and followers of these faith have evolved different methods and modes to observe fasting. No matter how one fasts, it has numerous health, spiritual and social benefits. 

Spiritually, it cleans one inner self and removes the bugs left behind evil and ill thoughts. The spiritual discipline that can help you draw closer to God, humble yourself before Him, resist temptation, seek His guidance, and show solidarity with others. By fasting and praying, you can grow in our relationship with God and become more obedient to His will.

Fasting has pleasant effects of one's health and body.  It can can slow down aging, prevent the development of diabetes, thyroid disorders, hypertension and heart disease and increase the chances of a long and healthy life. It also promotes weight loss. A healthy body weight automatically translates to healthier joints and a great body image. The concept of intermittent fasting which has lately become very popular and is widely adopted is based on the fasting which is applicable to people of the varying faiths.

Fasting also has its social dimension. Since the basic purpose of fasting is to discipline oneself, A fasting man is not allowed to use foul language and be harsh to others for it is against the spirit of fasting. It aids in preventing quarrels, backbiting and lies and fighting. This sudden change can have healthy effects on the society for everyone would be making an endeavour to be good to others to take full benefits of fasting as promised by Allah.

We share today a wholesome Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which lays down the basic guidelines for fasting which please Allah and thus the reciprocal reward. At the end of two pleasures of a fasting person are mentioned. We will explain these after you read the hadith.

This Hadith is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī  (Book 30 - Fasting /  كتاب االصوم / Chapter 9:  Should one say, "I am observing Saum (fast)" on being abused? / باب هَلْ يَقُولُ إِنِّي صَائِمٌ إِذَا شُتِمَ) as Hadith 1904, given herein under:

Narrated by Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.' Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting.' By Him in Whose Hands my soul is' The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting."

Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ مُوسَى، أَخْبَرَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عَطَاءٌ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ الزَّيَّاتِ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ قَالَ اللَّهُ كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ لَهُ إِلاَّ الصِّيَامَ، فَإِنَّهُ لِي، وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ‏.‏ وَالصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ، وَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ صَوْمِ أَحَدِكُمْ، فَلاَ يَرْفُثْ وَلاَ يَصْخَبْ، فَإِنْ سَابَّهُ أَحَدٌ، أَوْ قَاتَلَهُ فَلْيَقُلْ إِنِّي امْرُؤٌ صَائِمٌ‏.‏ وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ لَخُلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ، لِلصَّائِمِ فَرْحَتَانِ يَفْرَحُهُمَا إِذَا أَفْطَرَ فَرِحَ، وَإِذَا لَقِيَ رَبَّهُ فَرِحَ بِصَوْمِهِ ‏"‏‏.‏

In the above quoted Hadith, it is Allah Who is telling His servants what He expects of us while we fast. We will not repeat what is mentioned in the Hadith. However, we will discuss the very last part which mentions the two pleasures of a fasting person:

Pleasure of breaking the fast: After a day of avoidance of food and drink, there can be no pleasure better than opening the fast. The pinching thirst during the day, specially in scorching summers is really a great test for a fasting man. I remember my fasting in days of June inn one of the hottest place in my country, Pakistan. The temperature would soar to 50 degrees Celsius during day and we being in the field work would get the worst brunt of the scorching sun overhead. And I cannot explain the pleasure of drinking water, which we drank in gallons, to hydrate our bodies. We used be more attracted towards water than the food. This is the pleasure which is being mentioned here.

Pleasure of meeting Allah: The second the more pronounced pleasure would be when believers fasting for the love of Allah will meet their Creator. That day will be special day for the blessed men of fasting for they will be treated like state guest for the abstained from what is otherwise Halal for the love of their Creator. And Allah will exclusively reward them for fasting.

SO my dear sister and brothers in Islam, let us not waste away our fasting by doing acts which are forbidden during the period of fasting, so that our fasts are accepted and we are duly rewarded.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Saum - Fasting in Ramadan for more Hadiths on the subject

Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Monday 4 March 2024

Continuation of reward of good deeds (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

Islam is a blessed religion where the reward of good deeds never ceases. Those who make it a habit of doing good deeds or regular acts of worship like voluntary prayers, charity or reading Quran everyday, the reward of these deeds never ceases. It is promise of Allah that even if someone embarks upon a travel and is unable to continue with one's daily routine of worship, the reward continues till one comes back and resumes the previous routine worship. The same has been promised for those who fall sick and are unable to carry on with good deeds.

This glad tiding is mentioned in a Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, quoted in Sahi al-Bukhārī  (Book 56 - Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad) /  كتاب الجهاد والسير / Chapter 134:  A traveler is granted reward / باب يُكْتَبُ لِلْمُسَافِرِ مِثْلُ مَا كَانَ يَعْمَلُ فِي الإِقَامَةِ) as Hadith 2996, given herein under:

Narrated Ibrahim Abu Isma`il As-Saksaki: I heard Abu Burda who accompanied Yazid bin Abi Kabsha on a journey. Yazid used to observe fasting on journeys. Abu Burda said to him, "I heard Abu Musa several times saying that Allah's Apostle said, 'When a slave falls ill or travels, then he will get reward similar to that he gets for good deeds practiced at home when in good health."

Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا مَطَرُ بْنُ الْفَضْلِ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ هَارُونَ، حَدَّثَنَا الْعَوَّامُ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ أَبُو إِسْمَاعِيلَ السَّكْسَكِيُّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا بُرْدَةَ، وَاصْطَحَبَ، هُوَ وَيَزِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي كَبْشَةَ فِي سَفَرٍ، فَكَانَ يَزِيدُ يَصُومُ فِي السَّفَرِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو بُرْدَةَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا مُوسَى مِرَارًا يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ إِذَا مَرِضَ الْعَبْدُ أَوْ سَافَرَ، كُتِبَ لَهُ مِثْلُ مَا كَانَ يَعْمَلُ مُقِيمًا صَحِيحًا ‏"‏‏.‏

This is the reason why Islam teaches and encourages us to make the involuntary worship, charity or reading Qur'an part of our daily routine for one never knows about his health and fall sick or have to travel, disrupting one's daily routine of good deeds. It would be better that one decides to offer a number of cycles of involuntary prayer, reading at least one Ruku of the Qur'an, keeping fast on ever Monday and Thursday or even giving away a small amount of money in charity every day or once a week. Whatever routine one continuously observes will become one's continuous source of rewards when the routine is disturbed due to travel or sickness. May Allah's rewards continue to pour on us. Ameen
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Collections of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Rewards for more Hadiths on the subject

Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
Photo | Source of Supplication

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Thursday 23 April 2020

Ramadan 1441 AH / 2020 - Fasting In Different Times


Alhamdolillah, Ramadan 1441 AH / 2020 is here and most of the Muslims will start to fast from Friday tomorrow while more will commence fasting on Saturday due to sighting of moon. It is the sacred month in which the Holy Qur'an was revealed and it is the month in which fasting has been prescribed for the Muslims.

For many reverts, this may be their first Ramadan and I wish them to be lucky to be experiencing their exposure to a month full of blessings and bounties.

However, this year, we are observing this sacred month in a very different time when almost the entire world is plagued by the deadly Corona Virus, which has taken a heavy toll of human lives and so far over 100,000 thousand have perished while over two million are still under the grip of this virus. Due to this virus, many rituals specific to this holy month will not be there and those newly reverted Muslims will not have a chance to see their first Ramadan being observed with full religious zeal and fervour,like:
The regular prayers and specially the Taraweh prayers may not be held in the masques for the fear of contraction of virus and holding of prayers as during this month, mosques are generally jam packed as every Muslim wants to collect as many blessings of Allah. Unfortunately, the Masjid al Haram, the Khan e Ka'bah in Makkah will be empty which is otherwise jam packed during the month of Ramadan as Muslims from all over the world come here to observe fasts right in the Home of Allah. May Allah take away this pandemic from us and let us be flock the mosques once again. Aameen.
The joint Iftar on streets of Muslim countries will be missing. Even in Makkah and Medina where the locals take it as an honour to have fast of others opened by bring from home lavish food and drinks for those fasting. 
Likewise the joint arrangements at the time of Sehr / Sahoor, the time to eat to keep the fast in the pre morning will be missed out too. 
But times would change, In Sha Allah, and we hope to see the next Ramadan without coonavirus and hope to revive our age old traditions specific to Ramadan.

Coming back to the month of Ramadan and observing of the fasts. Herein under are the references from the Holy Qur'an and excerpts from Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding the observance of fasts:

The three consecutive verses of Surah al Baqarah, Chapter 2, verses 183-185 command believers to fast as it had been decreed upon people people:
O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous (Al Qur'an Surah Al Baqarah: 183)
[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew. (Al Qur'an Surah Al Baqarah 2:184)
The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful. (Al Qur'an Surah Al Baqarah 2:185)
The Prophet of Allah has been quoted as saying while addressing his companions on the last day of Sha`ban:
"Oh people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than a thousand months; month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer's sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all." [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]
Citing the importance of the month of Ramadan, `Abdullah ibn `Amr quoted the Messenger of Allah (saw), saying: 
"The fast and the Qur'an are two intercessors for the servant of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The fast will say: 'O Lord, I prevented him from his food and desires during the day. Let me intercede for him.' The Qur'an will say: 'I prevented him from sleeping at night. Let me intercede for him.' And their intercession will be accepted." [Imam Ahmad]
Sahl ibn Sa'd reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw): 
"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." [Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim].
Having emphasized the importance of fasting, let us see what rewards and bounties have been reserved for those who fast to please Allah:
Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving then times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, 'Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.' for the fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk." [Imam Bukhari]
Please watch the video below by Nouman Ali Khan Quran scholar, Islamic modernist, exegete and educationist, on the subject:

From all of us at Islam: My Ultimate Decision, a very happy Ramadan to all Muslims of the world and readers of our blog. May Allah forgive our sins this Ramadan, protect Muslims all over the world,  liberate occupied Muslim lands of Palestine and Kashmir, and bless us the countless bounties of fasting. Aameen

To know more about fasting and importance of month of Ramadan, please consult our reference page: Ramadan - A month of fasting and Blessings. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | References: | 1 | 
If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Twitter Delicious Facebook Digg Stumbleupon Favorites More