IMPORTANCE OF
EVERYDAY OF RAMADAN
Abu Hurayrah (Radhiyallaho anho) relates
that
Prophet Mohammad
(Sallallaho
Alaihe Wasallam) said, "Whosoever eats on one day of Ramadan without a
valid reason or excuse or genuine illness (acceptable in Shari-ah),
shall never be able to compensate for that day every by fasting the
rest of his life. "
(Tirmizi Abu Dawood & Ibn Majah)
COMMENTARY: The view of
some 'ulama is that if anybody has without any valid excuse failed to
fast any day of Ramadan and dishonored it by eating etc., such a
person can never compensate (duly fulfill the Qadhaa) for this
violation. Even by fasting for the rest of one's life that person
cannot compensate for this one day. Ali (Radhiyallaho anho) and others
held the same view. However the vast majority of 'ulama maintain that
where one die not fast one day of Ramadan, then only one fast will
suffice as compensation. On the other hand, when a person has started
to fast in Ramadan and then breaks it during the day without any valid
excuse, then according to the Shari-ah, this person shall have to fast
continuously for two months without a break in between. No matter what
happens, the true virtue and blessings of Ramadan will never be
attained. This is the meaning of the above Hadith ie. that where a day
of Ramadan has been lost without excuse, any number of fasts by way of
compensation will not bring back the true blessings of even one day of
Ramadan.
This all is for those who keep the
qadhaa fast. How unfortunate and misguided are those who deny the fast
and do not observe it at all ? Fasting is one of the fundamental
pillars of Islam.
Prophet Mohammad
(Sallallaho
Alaihe Wasallam) has mentioned five priciples of Islam. First and foremost is
the oneness of Allah and
Prophet Mohammad
(Sallallaho
Alaihe Wasallam) being a Rasul (Messenger of Allah) and thereafter the
four famous pillars: Namaaz, Fast, Zakaat and Hajj.
How many Muslims do we find who are
counted amongst the Muslims, yet do not uphold even one of these five.
In official papers and census they will be recorded as Muslims,
whereas in Allah's sight they cannot be counted as such. Ibn
Abbas (Radhiyallaho anho) relates in a Hadith stating, "Islam is based
on three principles :- a. The Sahahaadah, b. 'Salaah, C. Fasting.
Whoever fails to uphold any of these is a disbeliever and it is
permissible to give him capital punishment." As regard to the latter
portion of this Hadith, the 'ulama have said that they only become
disbelievers when together with failing to uphold any principle, they
also deny its necessity, or its being a principle. No matter what
interpretation is given, the fact remain that
Prophet Mohammad
(Sallallaho
Alaihe Wasallam) spoke against such people with utmost vehemence. Hence, those
who fail to keep up the faraa'idah of the Deen should indeed
fear Allah's wrath. No one can escape death, and the pleasure
and comforts of this life are short lived.
Only obedience to His commands can save
us. There are those ignorant ones who do not fast at all. So much
worse is the position of those who do not only refuse to fast, but
speak such words whereby they scoff and jeer at the month of fasting
in sarcastic manner. This is something dangerous, brining one to the
brink of kufr. You may have heard them say, "Fasting is for those who
have no food in their homes not for me." Or "What does Allah
gain by having us suffer hunger ?" Such words should never be uttered.
It should be remembered that to scoff and jeer at, or poke fun at even
the smallest part of our Deen becomes the cause of kufr (apostasy).
Should any person not perform a single 'salaah in his life, not fast
one single day, or fail to perform any fardh obligations in Islam,
then that person does not become a kaafir, as long as one does not
deny their being necessary. However one will certainly be punished for
any fardh that has been neglected. But to scoff and jeer at any
tiniest aspect of the Deen is kufr (apostasy), and can result in all
good actions being invalidated. From this it can be seen how delicate
this affair is. Such irresponsible utterances should never be made
about fasting.
Author: Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyya Kaandhlawi
|