From the benefits of Fasting

From the benefits of Fasting from the words of Al-Allaamah Ash-Shaykh Saalih (may Allaah preserve him):

"Indeed fasting is from the most beneficial acts of worship, and the greatest of them in having an affect (upon the person) in the matter of purification of the soul and rectification of the character. Fasting has for it tremendous benefits. The greatest of them:

It is a cause of the cultivating of the Taqwaa of Allaah in the hearts and preventing the limbs from the prohibited matters. Allaah says:
 

"Oh you who believe, fasting has been obligated upon you just as it has been obligated upon those before you in order that you may attain Taqwaa (piety)" (al-Baqarah: 183)

 

Allaah has clarified, in this verse, that He has legislated the fast for His servants in order that He may give them Taqwaa. Taqwaa is a comprehensive word (all-inclusive) of the characteristics of good. Allaah has connected Taqwaa to many affairs of good and numerous benefits. He has repeated the mentioning of it in His book due to the importance of it. The scholars have explained it to mean: "Implementation of the commandments, keeping away from the prohibitions, hoping for the reward (from Allaah) and fearing His punishment." The statement of Allaah:

 

"In order that you may attain Taqwaa"

 

Al-Imaam Al-Qurtubee (may Allaah have mercy upon him) said:

 

"(In order) It is hoped regarding (Attain Taqwaa) You leave off the acts of disobedience. The less you eat the weaker the desires become. The weaker the desires become, the less one will commit the acts of disobedience. It has been said that it is general because the fast is as the prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) stated:

 

"Fasting is a shield and a protection."

 

The reason for (it being) Taqwaa, is because it causes the evil desires to die."

 

From the benefits of fasting: It makes the person accustomed to having patience, forbearance, and seriousness because it causes him to leave off that which he loves and separate from his desires out of obedience and choice. Fasting gives strength to the one who disobeys (Allaah), the one who is attached to the acts of disobedience, to leave off these acts and to keep away from them. Fasting cultivates the person with a physical cultivation to be patient in keeping away from these acts and forgetting them until the point where the person leaves them off in its entirety. As an example, the one who smokes. The one who this evil habit has taken control over him and it is difficult for him to leave it off, he will have the ability to leave off this evil habit and vile substance with ease by way of fasting. Likewise, the rest of the acts of disobedience.

 

From the benefits of fasting: It gives the person the ability to overcome the soul that commands with evil. Indeed, during the time when the person is not fasting it overcomes the person and pulls him/her to attain the prohibited desires. When fasting comes about, it gives the person the ability to refrain from the reigns of himself and drive it to (the adherence of) the truth.

 

From the benefits of fasting: It makes it easy for the fasting person to perform the acts of obedience. This is apparent from the hastening of the fasting people to do the acts of obedience which they probably were lazy in performing or were difficult upon them to perform during times other than the time of fasting.

 

From the benefits of fasting: It softens the heart and makes it easy for the remembrance of Allaah and it cuts off from the heart that which distracts it.

 

From the benefits of fasting: It is possible that there will take place in the heart of the servant love for the acts of obedience and hatred for the acts of disobedience in a manner that is consistent. As a result of that, it is that which goes to the correcting of the understanding of the person and his behavior in the life of this world.

 

All of the praise is due to Allaah and may the Salaah and Salaam be upon the Prophet Muhammad, His family and followers.

Source: Ithaafu Ahlil-Eemaan bi Duroos Shahri Ramadaan by Al-Allaamah Ash-Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him) pg. 34-35
 

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