RAMADAN UNIQUE REWARD FOR UMMAT-E-MUHAMMADIA

Abu Hurayrah  (Radhiyallaho anho) relates that Prophet Mohammad  (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) said, "My Ummah were given five things for Ramadan which were not given to anyone except them. For them, the smell from mouth of a fasting person is more sweeter to Allah than the fragrant smell of musk. On their behalf the fish is sea seek forgiveness for the fasting persons until they break their fast. Allah prepares and decorates a special garden in Jannah everyday and they says (to it), "The time is near when faithful servants shall cast aside the great trials of the world and come to you." In this month (for them) evil-minded Shaytaan is chained so as not to reach unto those evils to which they normally reach during other months besides Ramadan. On the last night of Ramadan they are forgiven."

The Sahaabah (R.A) thereupon enquired. "O Messenger of Allah, is that last night Laylatul Qadr ? Prophet Mohammad  (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam), "No, But it is only right that a servant should be given his reward on having completed his service."              (Ahmad, Bazzaar & Bayhaqi)

COMMENTARY: Prophet Mohammad  (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) mentions in Hadith Five such presents from Allah which were not granted to the fasting people before Islam. If only we can truly appreciate how great this bounty from Allah really is, and if only we could sincerely try to again those special favors. Firstly, we are told that the smell from the mouth of a fasting one is more beloved and sweeter to Allah than the smell of musk. The commentators attach eight meanings to this. Of these, in my opinion, three are the most acceptable explanations: (a) Some are of the opinion that in there Hereafter Allah shall reward that smell from the mouth with fragrant smells more sweet and pleasing than musk. This is the obvious meaning. Durrul Mantoor has also concluded thus, therefore this appears to be preferred explanation. (b) On the day of Qiyaamah, when we shall rise from the grave, a sweet smell shall emanate, from the mouth of those who fasted, which shall be better than musk. (c) The version which in my opinion is most acceptable, is the view that in the world the smell is more fragrant than musk. This shows the bond of love between Allah and His fasting creation.

We all know that even a bad smell from a person whom one loves truly and sincerely is in itself-regarded favorably by the lover, who is this case is Allah Himself. Allah wants to grant the fasting one complete closeness, that so he becomes like the beloved one. Fasting is one of the most accepted forms of 'ibaadah in Allah's sight. For this reason the Hadith states that the reward for every deed is carried by the angels, but Allah says, "The reward for fasting, I Myself will give, because it is for Me alone." Another version of the same Hadith according to some Mashaa'ikh (when read in a different way) says, "I Myself become his reward." And what greater reward can there be for the lover than to gain the beloved ? In one Hadith we read, "Fasting is the door to all other forms of Ibaadah." This means that through fasting the heart becomes enlightened though which one is encouraged towards all other ibaadah. This is the case only if fasting becomes fasting in the true sense of the word and all its requirements (as shall be explained later), and not just remaining hungry and thirsty.

NOTE: At this juncture I wish to draw attention to one point, because of this Hadith some Imaams (especially Imma Shafi'iy) prohibited cleansing of teeth with miswaak in the afternoon, whereas the Hanafis consider it to be mustahab at all times. The Imaam's reason is that through miswaak the smell from the teeth is removed. The odor referred to here is the smell resulting from the stomach being empty, having nothing to do with miswaak.

The second special favor is that fish is the sea make istighfaar for the one who fasts. The aim here is to explain that many beings offer prayer on his behalf. This point has been mentioned that the Malaakikah (angels) make Istighfaar for them. One Hadith clarifies "When Allah loves a person, He says to Jibraeel A.S . "I love this person, you should also love him." Jibraeel A.S then also loves that person and announces in the heavens. "That such a person is loved by Allah. You all should love him". Thereupon all the dwellers of the heavens begin to love him. Then, love for that person spreads on earth." Normally only those who are near to a person seem to love him but there that love spreads all over, even the animals in the jungle and the fish in the sea do the same. They all pray for him.

The third favor bestowed on the fasting ones is that Jannah becomes decorated for them. Another Hadith states that at the beginning of every year, the decoration and adornment of Jannah begins for the coming Ramadan. We know that when a well known person is expected to arrive, great care is taken in the preparations for hi coming. At the time of marriage for example, preparations commence months in advance. Likewise it is with Ramadan.

The fourth favor is that the rebellious, evil sowing, shayaa'teen are chained (detained), as a result of which evil is diminished. One would except that because of the great desire for ibaadah in the blessed month of Ramadan, shaytaan would try just as hard to pull faithful from their path so that much more evil would be committed. That is not the case. On the contrary we see so much less evil. How many drunkards do we not see, who, just because of the blessed month of Ramadan, do not drink. How many other evil doers do we not see casting aside evil just because of the blessed month of Ramadan. Committing sins during the month of Ramadan does not contradict the meaning of the Hadith, because the Hadith mentions only the rebellious shayaa'teen. Thus sin could be due to the influence of the non-rebellious shayaa'teen. In some Ahadith the chaining of the shay'taan is not qualified, but this could be qualified by those Ahaadith in which the 'rebellious' shay'taan is mentioned. A question may arise here, that when the shayaa'teen are chained, how is it that we still see evil committed even though to a lesser degree ? Our reply is that evil may not necessarily be caused by the Shayaa'teen. Having for eleven months lived in obedience to shay'taans whims and wishes and because of the performance of deeds advised by him having become second nature to us, evil is done in and out of Ramadan. Thus even though shay'taan has been chained his influence in us has become so strong that we follow his path on our own.

Another answer to the question Prophet Mohammad  (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) said that, "When a person commits a sin, a black spot forms on his heart. When he sincerely repents, it is removed, otherwise it remains. When he again commits a sin another spot forms until his heart becomes completely black. Thereafter no good can reach his heart." With reference to this Allah says in the Quran, 'By no means. But on their heart is the stain (of the ill)'. That their hearts have become totally rusted. In such cases these hearts have a natural inclination towards sin. This is the reason why many fearlessly commit one type of sin, but yet if confronted with another sin of similar magnitude then their hearts repudiate it. Whereas in sin these two misdeeds are equal similarly when these sins are constantly committed out of Ramadan the heart is tainted by them, thus resulting in these sins being committed without the presence of the Shay'taan. All of us can see in Ramadan it does not require a great amount of effort and exertion to do a good deed. Neither does it require great self control and sacrifice to avoid evil as in other times. Shaykh Shaah Ishaaq was of the opinion that for the evil ones only the most rebellious shayaa'teen are chained whereas for the righteous ones all shayaa'teen are chained.

The fifth favor is that forgiveness is granted on the final night of Ramadan, because of this great favor the Sahaabah thought this night must be Laylatul Qadr. They knew the great blessings of that night and accordingly asked whether that was Laylatul Qadr. They reply was that it was not. This is merely the favor granted for having given Ramadan its due right to the end.

Author: Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyya Kaandhlawi