Bismillahi Babuna - 'In the Name of Allah is our Door'
70 years to 700-900 years of Ibadah when fasting Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays together in 'Shahr-ul-Haram'-Sacred Months
Why fast extra, you may ask? Simply through Nafl or extra worship do we come closer to Allah :
" My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him, then I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My Protection (Refuge), I will protect him (i.e., give him My Refuge)” (Al-Bukhari).
So through extra worship is one taken or brought closer to Allah, this is NOT the 5 prays they are Fard or Ramadhan again Fard no, Fard is the foundation on which you build on, without a good foundation you have nothing.
As for Fasting and Sabr and Iman:
The Prophet (s) said “Fast is half of (sabr)-patience, and (sabr)-patience is one half of (Iman)-faith."
And Imam al-Ghazali elaborates that fasting then becomes ‘nisf of the nisf of iman’ half of the half of iman. So Fasting is one fourth of
(Iman)-Faith' As for half of patience. This is because patience basically consists of staying away from bad deeds and persisting in good deeds. One of the major things that we seek to do is stay away from as many bad deeds as possible so that our fasting is half of patience.
Self development and purifying the Soul:
Everything has a Zakat due upon it and the zakat of body is fasting.
Zakat means to purifying' or 'making pure', so fasting is a means of purifying one's body to make it grow in goodness in taqwa.
Thus its a means of self development a Nafil or extra which brings you closer to Allah and Opens one of 8 Doors of jannah.
“There is a door to heaven called Al-Rayyan through which only fasting people are admitted. It will be asked; where are the fasting people?They stand up. No one is admitted through that door except them. When they have entered, the door will be closed and no one else can get through it.” (Related by Al-Bukhari)
Prophets were given Wahy-Revelation when fasting and men of God or saints are given Ilhaam-Inspiration through Fasting. Also the Nafs is easily controlled while fasting and so helps with spiritual self development of the soul and purification from sickness of the soul too.
Quran reference about four 'Shahr-ul-Haram' - Sacred Months;
"Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein, and fight against the Mushrikin idolaters collectively as they fight against you collectively. But know that Allah is with those who have Taqwa.” [Surah at-Taubah: 36]"
The ayah refers to these four sacred months. We should pay attention to their sanctity, because Allah has singled them out for a special status and has forbidden us to commit sins out of respect for their sanctity, for sins committed at this time are even worse.Al-Bukhaari (4662) and Muslim (1679) narrated from Abu Bakr that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The year is twelve months, of which four are sacred: three consecutive months, Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab Mudar which comes between Jumada and Sha’ban."
Who fasts on any of the Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays consecutively (meaning all 3 days together) of every or any of the Sacred Months, he will receive the reward of making ibadah for 700 years. There are 4 months which are Sacred, they are: Rajab, Dhul Qi'dah, Dhul Hijjah, and Muharram.
Also its been related that whoever fasts three consecutive days in the Sacred Months, that is Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Allah will distance him from the Fire.
In Another It is mentions in a Hadith that the person who keeps three fasts in the Sacred months, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, he will receive the reward of making ibadah for two years. That is, on the Day of Judgement it will be written in his book of deeds that he had made ibadah for two years in return for these three days of fasting.
Another version says: One who fasts in the sacred months on three days: Thursday, Friday and Saturday Allah writes for him the reward of worship of 900 years for fasting during the day and remaining awake in night. this is mentioned in Tabarani
In these months, the reward for good deeds is multiplied; and though committing sins is forbidden at all times, it is even more forbidden during these months.
About fasting the Muharram which is one of the 4 'Shahr-ul-Haram' - Sacred Months;
'The Prophets would fast the Day of 'Ashura'
Whoever fasts on the final day of Dhul-Hijjah and on the 1st day of al-Muharram then God will make it an expiation-(make amends for Sins) for him for 50 years and fasting 1 day in al-Muharram is the equal of fasting for 30 days."
The Prophet (saw) said, "Whoever fasts 3 days in the month of al-Muharram, they being Thursday, Friday and Saturday God will decree for him the reward of 70 years worship."
Whosoever fasts 'Ashura it is as if he fasted the [whole] year, and whosoever gives charity therein it is tantamount to a years [worth] of charity.'the tradition, 'Whosoever is generous to their family on the Day of 'Ashura, Allah is generous to him for the remainder of the year.'
It is also a day of forgiveness ,'This day Allah forgave the people (al-qawm), so make it a day of prayer and fasting.' the Prophet (saw) added to this, that 'He will [also] forgive others.' And so this is an incentive for people to renew sincere repentance on the Day of 'Ashura hoping for its acceptance.'
Fasting 3 White days of any Month and 3 Days of the 'Shahr-ul-Haram' Scared Months:
“Fasting 3 days of each month is fasting for a lifetime, and ayyam al-beed are the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth.” (Nasaa’i)
Abu Dharr Radhiyallahu Anhu said: The Messenger of Allaah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said to me: “If you fast any part of the month, then fast the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth.” (Tirmidhi)
“Beed” is the plural of “Abyad” which means white. Three days of 13, 14 and 15 of lunar month are called “Al-Ayyam-ul-Beed” for the reason that their nights are bright because of the moonlight. The moon begins to diminish gradually after these days.
13th 14th and 15th are a different Hadith reference which are known as the white days of any month. Were as the 4 'Shahr-ul-Haram' Scared Months are only in:( Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab) dont confuse yourselves. That said it may happen that the 13th, 14th and 15th may fall on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday within one of the 4 'Shahr-ul-Haram' Scared Months, if so then you have two types of rewards one for fasting the White Days and two for fasting in 'Shahr-ul-Haram' Scared Months. Thus the 3 days of 13th 14th and 15th are dates within the 12 months of year. Were as the 3 days are any of the Thursday, Friday or Saturday together and only within Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab Months.
Fast as a Form and a Spirit or Inner Fiqh and Outer Fiqh:
As for the Form of Fasting this the the Outer Fiqh of not breaking the fast, such as not eating, drinking and so forth and opening fast at right time. As for the Spirit of Fasting or Inner Fiqh of Fasting this is bad manners such as lying or looking with lust, arguments and fighting, have hatred in your heart or Ghill. Ghiba-Backbiting , Ghadab - Anger. Now (Ghill-holding a grudge, ill-will, spite - rancour, resentment, malice) towards anyone is a sickness of the heart and needs to be dealt with "Part of My Sufi purification notes for Muhasabah."
Among the preparations that the scholars of Islam have encouraged is preparing our hearts for Allah’s gaze. Baihaqi relates, “When it is the first night of the month of Ramadan, Allah, Mighty and Majestic, gazes to them and the one to whom Allah looks, He does not punish him, ever.” The place to which Allah looks is the heart. So what will Allah see in your and my heart if He were to look to us on the first night of Ramadan?
One of the qualities that would prevent us from this blessed gaze (and from many other opportunities for forgiveness) is malice-Ghill. The Prophet, May Allah bless him and grant him peace,taught us of the 'Night of Power' and the 'Half Night of Sha’ban' that those who harbor Malice/hated-(Ghill), Mistreat parents, Severe bonds of kinship or drink are prevented from Allah’s Merciful gaze.
This is about Layla tul Qadr in Ramdan which Fard Fasting and 15th Night Sha’ban which is Sunnah Nafil Fast. Thus the Spirit of Fasting or Inner Fiqh of fasting is often ignored and no real benefit from Ramdan is taken or any real spiritual self development for the soul gained only as the Hadith mentions 'many men fast who have nothing of fasting but thirst and hunger'. So you have been warned now learn about what Ghill-Malice/hated is how it affects one's Ibadah and Heart or read My Sufi purification notes for Muhasabah.
See the Hadith below they are references about Spirit of Fasting or Inner Fiqh:
“How many men fast who have nothing of fasting but thirst, and how many men stand up (to pray all night) who have nothing of prayer except keeping awake!”– Bukhari
“He who does not abandon the speaking of falsehood and the doing (of things) like that, Allah has no need of his leaving off his food and his drink.”– Bukhari
Its winter now the sunset is before 5pm so its very easy to fast this Thursday, Friday and Saturday and pocket into your hasana 700-900 years of ibadah ..! so spread the news and tell others ..!
1st Draft copy - more to add - 1st Nov 2012
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