[ZX3URrBH]

"O People of Imaan! Siyâm (fasting) has been ordained for
you just as It was ordained for those before you so that
you attain taqwa! [Qur'an]
Siyam is among the fundamental acts of Ibadat. It has been ordained by Allah
Ta'ala for the development of taqwa (piety) in the Mu'mineen. Fasting is
extremely efficacious for the acquisition of taqwa. A Muslim cannot acquire
Divine Proximity without taqwa. Without taqwa, the Muslim must necessarily drift far off the
straight Path (Seeratul Mustaqeem) which leads to Allah Ta'ala and everlasting success in the
Akhirah.
One who denies the fardhiyat (obligation) of Saum, no longer remains a Muslim and the one who
does not fast during the month of Ramadhan is a Fassiq (an immoral and flagrant transgressor) of
the highest order. Such a Fassiq totally destroys his spirituality and morality and exposes his Imân
to the gravest onslaughts of kufr.
There are numerous benefits, both spiritual and physical, of fasting. The prime benefit in the pursuit
of taqwa is the suppression of the inordinate desires and demands of nafs-e-ammarah (man's base
carnal propensity). The nafs is perpetually in collusion with shaitan. to spiritually and morally ruin
the Mu'min. If the nafs is allowed unrestrained freedom, it will succeed to make man the slave of
passion, lust and base emotions. His Imaan will suffer. The Noor of his Imaan will be extinguished.
It is, therefore, essential that the nafs is put in fetters. Fasting greatly aids in this direction.
By fasting, the Muslim learns to restrain his lowly desires. The nafs is not allowed free expression.
The nafs becomes accustomed to submit to the Shariah's restrictions. Carnal desires are weakened
and the ability of inculcating taqwa is created.
Fasting produces purity in the rooh (soul). For such purity to come into the rooh, spiritual
authorities (the Auliya) say, there is nothing that has greater efficacy than fasting. While fasting
results in even physical health, it creates a feeling of palpable spiritual purity in the Mu'min. The
Door of Roohaniyat (the spiritual domain) is opened up by fasting.
Fasting creates pleasure in Ibadat. It also makes the heart more conducive for Ibadat. The bond
with Allah Ta'ala is strengthened and the Mu'min acquires a greater awareness of his spiritual and
moral goals for which he has been created.
By fasting, the Mu'min progressively draws nearer to Allah Ta'ala.
Once Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) supplicated:
"O Rabbul Alameen! When does the servant become closest to you?"
The Divine Reply came:
'When the servant is hungry and when he is in Sajdah".
Mujlisul Ulama of South Africa 1 of 29 KITTABUS-SAUM
The development of lofty, angelic attributes are engendered in the Mu'min by fasting. In fasting,
man brings about in him a resemblance with the angels since the latter do not eat. They are devoid
of evil inclinations and all things base. Man by reducing his worldly relations and by increasingly
stripping his nafs of emotional desires, moves closer to the angelic domain. Thikrullah is the
nourishment of the angels. By increasing his Thikrullah, especially in the state of fasting, the
Muslim enters the realm of Divine Proximity.
Fasting engenders a feeling for the poor. Mar. becomes more conscious of his less fortunate
brethren and their hardships. He thus learns the lesson of sacrificing some of his wealth to aid
others in need. He inculcates in him feeling for humanity.
The greatest and highest benefits of fasting are the acquisition of Allah's Pleasure and lofty ranks in
the Akhirah.
In a Hadith-e-Qudsi, Allah Ta'ala says:
"Saum is for Me. I shall (personally) apportion out the reward for it".
For the acquisition of the numerous benefits of Siyam, there is, however, one vital condition, viz.:
abstention from sin and futility. Sin and futility negate the beneficial effects of fasting. It is
therefore essential for the S7a-ism (the fasting person) to exercise utmost care and abstain from sin
and all things of futility. Should the Sa-IM not be heedful of this important condition, his mere
abstention from food and water will be akin to a chained animal which is denied food. Spiritually
such abstention from food and drink is of no value. The Muslim should therefore understand well
the purpose of Saum and transform his abstention from food into a higher and spiritual act of
Ibaadat for the achievement of all the lofty benefits by abstaining from sin, futility and all such
things, acts, attitudes and thoughts which neutralize and nullify the efficacy of Saum.
In addition to the adoption of the moral principles for gaining the spiritual and moral effects of
Saum, it is essential to adopt all the fiqh juristic) rules necessary for the validity of Saum. Without
these rules the Saum is rendered utterly worthless and at times totally invalid.

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