CCN. Anyone who observes Ramadan fasting this month, surely everyone will want perfection in the Eyes of Allah SWT, even a degree of piety is promised for those who practice it for the whole month. This degree is not impossible to achieve, but it takes a little effort to achieve it.
The purpose of fasting is to restrain lust from various desires so that we are ready to get something (degree of piety) which is the pinnacle of happiness (heaven) with eternal life in it.
Carrying out fasting means keeping the lust for hunger and thirst, remembering the condition of people who suffer from hunger among the poor, thus narrowing the path of satan within us.
كُلّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ يُضَاعَفُ الْحَسَنَةُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا إِلَى سَبْع مِائَة ضِعْفٍ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلَّا الصَّوْمَ فَإِنَّهُ لِي وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ يَدَعُ شَهْوَتَهُ وَطَعَامَهُ مِنُْ أَجْلِي لِلصَّائِمِ فَرْحَتَانِ فَرْحَةٌ عِنْدَ فِطْرِهِ وَفَرْحَةٌ عِنْدَ لِقَاءِ رَبِّهِ وَلَخُلُوفُ فِيهِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ
“All the deeds of the children of Adam will be multiplied, one kindness will be rewarded tenfold to 700 times, Allah Ta’ala said, ‘Except fasting is for Me and I will repay it, he left lust and eating because of me, then I will repay him.’ And those who fast have two happiness: happiness when breaking their fast and happiness when they meet their Lord. Indeed, the mouth of a fasting person with Allah is more fragrant than the fragrance of musk.” [HR. Muslim]
Fasting is for the Lord of the World, unlike any other practice. This means we are required to leave everything we love because of our love for Allah SWT.
Fasting also means a secret between the servant and God. It could be that we avoid things that breakfasting but are not accepted by Him because we want to be said to be fasting by others. Fasting done solely for the pleasure of Allah SWT is the true essence of Ramadan fasting.
Carrying out Ramadan Fasting as if Imitating the Attributes of Allah SWT
By fasting, humans try to be in the early stages and at least imitate these qualities. Neither eating nor drinking, not even feeding other people (when breaking the fast), nor having sex, even though a partner is present.
Of course, the attributes of Allah are not limited to these three things but include at least ninety-nine characteristics, all of which must be emulated according to the abilities and position of humans as divine beings.
For example, Most Gracious and Merciful, Most Peaceful, All-Powerful, All-Knowing, and others. This exemplary effort can lead people to present God in their consciousness, and if this is done successfully, then piety in the sense above can also be achieved.
Therefore, the value of fasting is determined by the level of attainment of our awareness – not on the side of hunger and thirst – so from this it is understandable why the Prophet SAW stated, “Many people fast, but nothing gets from fasting except hunger and thirst”
My Muslim brothers, so that our fasting is perfect, by the goals of the fasting law, there are several steps that we must pay attention to. Some of them are summarized below:
Optimizing Sahur
Eat sahur, so that it helps your physical strength during fasting; The Messenger of Allah said: “Eat your sahur, in fact, there is a blessing in the sahur.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Also the hadith “Help (your physical strength) to fast during the day by eating sahur, and for night prayers by taking a nap” [HR. Ibn Khuzaimah in his Saheeh].
It would be more important if the meal was ended at that time, thereby reducing hunger and thirst. It’s just that you have to be careful, for that you should stop eating and drinking a few minutes before dawn, so as not to raise doubts.
Optimizing Opening Fast
Immediately break if the sun has set. Rasulullah saw said: “Humans are always in goodness, as long as they hasten to break their fast and end their meal” [HR. Al-Bukhari, Muslim and At-Tirmidhi].
Say bismillah when you break your fast while praying: “O Allah, because of You, I am fasting, and on Your sustenance, I break my fast. O Allah, accept from me, verily You are All-Hearing, All-Knowing” (44) (See Mulhaq (bonus) Al Walul Islami Magazine for the month of Ramadan, 1390 H, pp. 38-40).
Active Reading Al-Qur’anul Karim
Try to take a bath from the big hadats before dawn, so that you can perform worship in a state of purity. Take advantage of the month of Ramadan with the best thing that has ever been revealed in it, namely reading the Al-Qur’anul Karim.
Gabriel every night in the month of Ramadan always met the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam to recite the Qur’an for him. [HR. Al-Bukhari and Muslim from Ibn Abbas]. And in the Messenger of Allah there is a good example for us.
Consuming Halal Food
If you refrain from what is haraam other than the month of Ramadan, then in the month of Ramadan such behavior is certainly more important than in other months. There is no point in fasting from what is lawful, but breaking the fast from what is unlawful.
Increase Alms & Kindness
Give more charity and do good, especially to family and relatives. As we know the Prophet was diligent in giving alms in the month of Ramadan. it can be said Rasulullah SAW is the most generous person, and he SAW is more generous during the month of Ramadan.
Protecting the Entire Body
Guard your tongue against lying, backbiting, pitting one against the other, making fun of, and making up words. The Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever does not abandon lying words and deeds, Allah does not need his fast from eating and drinking” [HR. Al-Bukhari].
Fasting should not make you get out of the habit. For example, quick anger and emotion just because of trivial reasons, under the pretext that you are fasting. In contrast, fasting should make your soul calm, not emotional.
If we are tested by someone who is ignorant or swearing, don’t be faced with similar actions. Advise and refuse in a better way. The Prophet SAW said: “Fasting is a shield, if one day someone from you fasts, he should not say bad words and shout. If someone insults or abuses him, he should say, ‘Indeed I am fasting’” [HR. Al- Bukhari & Muslim]
(translator: Ahdi Z.Amri)
