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You should know that the worship of fasting enjoys particular privilege, namely that it is a worship which is attributed to Allah, most high. In the hadith narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) the messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said :

"Allah said all the deeds of Adams sons (human beings) are for them, except fasting which is for Me I will give the reward for it".
(Reported by Al- Bukhari and Muslim).

Fasting, however, enjoys this particular privilege for the following two reasons:

1- It is a hidden act of worship that no one knows except Allah, Most High, and so it is far from hypocritical display and showing off.
2- It overcomes the accursed Satan, the enemy of Allah, Most high.

Sunnan of Fasting

Following are some desirable things in fasting:

1-To take a pre-dawn meal called Sahur. It is highly recommend that it is taken as close to Fajr time as possible.

2- To break fasting as soon one is sure that the sun has set, and it is recommended to break fasting with dates.

3-To be more generous, especially to the poor.

4- To do much righteous deeds.

5-To give more in charity.

6-To spend time in studying the Qur'an.

7-To observe a spiritual retreat by staying in the mosque ('Itikaf), particularly in the last ten days of Ramadan.

-Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported:
"With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet use to tighten his waist belt (ie work hard) and use to pray all the night, and use to keep his family awake for the prayers."
(Reported by Al- Bukhari and Muslim).

Degrees of Fasting

It should be known that there are three degrees of fasting:

1-Ordinary Fasting means abstaining from food, drink and sexual gratification.

2-Special Fasting means keeping ones ears, eyes, tongue, hands, and feet -and all other organs - free from sin.

3-Extra-Special Fasting means fasting of the heart from unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts, in total disregard of everything but Allah, Most High.

Special Fasting. however, requires the following:

a) Lowering ones gaze not looking lustfully at the opposite sex.
b) Guarding ones tongue from twaddle, lying, backbiting, obscenity, etc.
c) Closing ones ears to everything reprehensible.
d) Keeping all other limps and organs away from sin,
e) Avoiding overeating.

From:
Mukhtasar Minhaj Al-Qasidin
Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisi
Translated By Wa'il Shihab
Hardback 457 Pages
Published By Dar Al-Manarah El-Mansoura -Egypt

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