The Virtues of Fasting: Discover the Rewards and Benefits of Fasting in Islam
𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 4 | 4 Sha’bān 1444H
Last lesson we concluded by mentioning some of the wisdoms behind fasting the month of Ramaḍhān. It’s important to note that knowing the reason/wisdom behind Allāh’s legislation is not something necessary. Rather what is necessary upon a Muslim is to submit to Allāh’s laws knowing full well that it has been legislated by The Most Wise (Al-Ḥakīm), even if he is unaware of the wisdoms behind such legislations. However, knowing the wisdoms behind an act of worship is something that increases a person’s Ēmān, allows him to appreciate Allah’s Divine wisdom, and makes him engage in acts of worship with greater willingness. In the same way, when a Muslim knows the virtues of an act of worship, this will encourage and further motivate him to accomplish this deed. Thus, in this lesson we will mention some of the virtues of fasting.
Virtues of fasting (in & outside Ramaḍhān)
1. The reward of fasting is limitless
Abū Umāmah raḍhiyallāhu ’anhu said: “I came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, O Messenger of Allāh, ‘order me with a [good] deed,’ so he ﷺ said: “Observe fasting, as there is nothing like it.” [Aḥmad – graded ‘Ṣaḥīḥ’ by Sheikh Albāni in ‘As-Silsilah Aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥah’ (1937)]
i.e. unlike other deeds, the reward for fasting has no limit, just as the Prophet ﷺ said: “Every deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied; a good deed will be multiplied ten times up to as many as seven hundred times, Allah said: ‘Except for fasting, because it is for Me and I will reward for it.’” [Muslim]
Similarly, Allāh said (translated meaning): “Only those who endure patiently will be given their reward without limit.” [Sūrah Zumar: 10]
This Āyah includes the fasting person because he endures all three forms of patience while fasting; he has to remain patient:
a. to fulfil this act of obedience
b. to avoid those things which nullify the fast as well as all other sins
c. upon the difficulties of fasting
2. Fasting is the only act of worship which Allāh has singled out for Himself (as mentioned in the above ḥadīth). The scholars explained, this is because fasting does not contain any showing off; i.e. no one knows who is truly fasting except Allāh.
3. Fasting is a shield that protects a person just like the shield of a warrior during battle. [An-Nasā’ē, graded ‘Ṣaḥīḥ’ by Sheikh Albāni]
– It shields him from immorality as it helps him suppress his desires; the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever is unable [to marry] should observe fast; for it is a means of controlling the sexual desire.” [Bukhāri & Muslim]
– It shields a person by distancing him from the Hellfire; the Prophet ﷺ said: “Anyone who fasts a day for the sake of Allāh, Allāh will distance his face from the Hellfire (a distance of) seventy years.” [Bukhāri & Muslim]
4. The breath of a fasting person is more beloved to Allāh than the fragrance of musk. [Bukhāri & Muslim]
5. The fasting person has two joys; one at the time of breaking the fast and another when he meets his Lord. [Bukhāri & Muslim]
6. A special gate to Jannah known as Ar-Rayyān is reserved for those who observe fasting; after they enter, it will be closed shut and nobody will enter through it. [Bukhāri & Muslim]
7. The supplication of a fasting person is not rejected [Ibn Mājah; graded ‘saheeh’ by Sheikh Muqbil]
Note: this applies throughout the day and is not confined to the time of breaking the fast.
8. Fasting will intercede for a person on the Day of Judgement
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Fasting and the Qur’ān will intercede for a person on the Day of Judgement. Fasting will say: ‘O Lord, I kept him from his food and desires during the day; let me intercede for him’. And the Qur’ān will say: ‘I kept him from sleeping during the night; let me intercede for him’. And they will be allowed to intercede.” [Aḥmad – graded ‘saheeh’ by Sheikh Albāni]