[Kalobbis]

The Superiority of Fasting- by Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi R.A.

Fasting is distinguished from other acts of ibaadat by its inconspicuous nature.
Whereas other acts of ibaadat, e.g. Salaat, Zakaat, Hajj, are conspicuous in varying degrees. Fasting is totally concealed. Only Allah Ta’ala is aware if one is fasting or not. Only those who truly have the love or fear of Allah Ta’ala in their hearts will fast.

Experience proves that weakness in love and fear for Allah could be remedied by engaging in such acts which produce muhabbah (love) and azmah (respect, honour and awe). Fasting is greatly efficacious in this regard. Thus weakness in one’s Imaan and love for Allah is strengthened by fasting. One in whose heart the love and fear of Allah Ta’ala become embedded, will be strong and steadfast on the Deen. The natural effect of fasting is to produce strength in one’s Deen.
Read full:
http://tazkiyatips.blogspot.com/2012...at-thanwi.html

[Seeseeskeva]

After you read the above article, For five minutes turn off your phone, get away from the laptop/computer, and other interruptions. Then, make a deep, sincere Dua to Allah that He make this the best Ramadan of your life, especially in terms of spiritual benefit.

[Liaiskelile]

السلام عليكم

I will read the link soon inshaa Allah, as a reward for having worked a little bit.

I wanted to ask though because I always get confused about the inconspicuous nature of fasting. For me, whenever I fast, my entire family knows. All it takes is a call to come and eat, I say I'm not eating they ask why and then I have to say I'm fasting. I can't imagine I am the only one that suffers from this. For me praying, giving charity are much more easily hidden.

[realfan87]

السلام عليكم

I will read the link soon inshaa Allah, as a reward for having worked a little bit.

I wanted to ask though because I always get confused about the inconspicuous nature of fasting. For me, whenever I fast, my entire family knows. All it takes is a call to come and eat, I say I'm not eating they ask why and then I have to say I'm fasting. I can't imagine I am the only one that suffers from this. For me praying, giving charity are much more easily hidden.

Still it is inconspicous because after declaring to your family about your fasting, you may still go in the room and eat something hidden from all, but you are not doing it from the fear of Allah only. So, only Allah knows the true state of the person fasting or claiming to fast.

[Psymoussy]

Still it is inconspicous because after declaring to your family about your fasting, you may still go in the room and eat something hidden from all, but you are not doing it from the fear of Allah only. So, only Allah knows the true state of the person fasting or claiming to fast.

But by that explanation there are so many other acts of worship which should be greater then a fast. By not being able to hide the fact you're fasting people other than Allah SWT know. Why does the fact that I might go and eat secretly and thus not be fasting matter? We could say the same thing about zakat. Zakat should be given and given openly (if I remember correctly, unlike sadaqah which should be done secretly), there are many cases when people stand are encouraged in the masjid to stand up and state how much zakah they are giving in order to encourage more muslim brothers to give zakah. You could easily claim to give zakah and then not give it, yet give it because the fear of Allah SWT is preventing you from doing so.

That might not be a good example, but maybe it's easier to understand by saying there are so many more acts of worship which are much more inconspicuous then fasting. Nafl prayer, tasbeeh, salutations, giving charity etc etc, all of which can be done without anyone knowing at all except Allah SWT, which even removes any danger of riyaa as no-one at all can know you are doing these things. As opposed to fasting. How many times to people praise someone when they keep nafl fast? The danger of riyaa is high. Besides, I thought the whole reason fasting was so rewarding was because of it's inconspicuous nature which as I have said is not the case.

I realise btw that what I have written above seems aggressive or argumentative. It isn't the case. Often when people fail to understand something and question it comes of as aggressive so I feel I have to write this to let you know there is no ill will at all, I just fail to understand this concept unfortunately and am wondering where I am going wrong. Allah SWT's logic is obviously better than mine. There is a reason why fasting is so virtuous but I cannot understand why from the reasons given.