Fasting or no Fast

 *Fasting or no Fast*

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Prophet Muhammed, upon whom be peace, said: *“Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah absolves the sins for two years: the previous year and the coming year.”* 📚 Authentic Hadith

Now,

Any practicing and obedient Muslim would no doubt want these extraordinary blessings granted by the Mercy of Allah (swt). But If for valid reason(s) such as chronic ulcer, serious sickness, old age factor, traveling to a very far distance or a woman who got obstructed by menses or postnatal bleeding and other genuine reasons, a man or woman is unable to observe the fast on the *"Day of ‘Arafah"*, then you will be rewarded for your good intention as if you were fasting.

Servants of Allah!

Don't be sad *(if for any of the above mentioned reasons)* you were unable to fast today. Yes. You’re not missing out on the fast of the Arafath Day. Why? Because there’s a lot we can do aside fasting.

Servants of Allah

Imam Ash-Shafi’i would say that if Allah only revealed chapter Al-Asr, then He would have done enough, as its message is so encompassing. Yes. The central message of Surah Al-Asr is that time is running out, human beings are all at loss except a chosen few. The exceptions are the people who believe, do righteous deeds, call one another to the truth and call one another to patient perseverance.

My people!

These special days of Allah help give us a boost in our worship and help us understand that our time is indeed short. Yes. Just like the special day of Arafah shall pass, so shall our life😢. And just like the sunset, so shall our life go. It is about best using our lives.. Just like we rush to do our good deeds on a special day like today, so should we try to in our daily life.

My people!

The famous scholar of Islam, Imam Al-Ghazali said:

*“Neglect not your time, nor use it haphazardly... On the contrary you should bring yourself to account... Structure your remembrances and other practices during each day and night... This is how you bring about the spiritual blessing during each period... If each of your breaths is a priceless jewel, be not like the deceived fools... They are joyous because each day their wealth increases while their life grows ever shorter.”*

In short,

Imam Al-Ghazali is giving us a perfect way to determine our life, and in the short term our day of Arafah. He is teaching us to remain focused, and that is something that we shall all try to do.

So,

Aside fasting, there other most important acts of worship that we need to do in the day of Arafah - dhikr and dua making. 📚 Evidences:

➡️ The Prophet (PBUH) said:

"The best of du’a is dua on the Day of Arafah". 📚(Narrated by At-Tirmidhi)

➡️ That the Prophet (pbuh) said: "The best supplication is the supplication of the Day of Arafah. And the best that I, and the Prophets before me, have said is

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٍ

La ilaha illallah, Wahdahu la sharika lah, Lahul-Mulk wa-lahul-Hamd, Wa huwa ala kulli shai’in qadir.”

Translation:

"There is none worthy of worship besides Allah, He is all by Himself, He has no partner, His is the Kingdom, for Him is all praise, He has power over all things"

Therefore,

The aim of putting down this reminder is to encourage myself and you to try and make the best use of this day if possible, whether we are able to observe Arafat day fast or not. Yes. At least, there are other acts of worship to do - dhikr and Du'a making. Say alot of the above dhikr and make alot of Du'a (with or without ablution, inside or outside swalah, in Arabic language or your native language).

May Allah accept your fasting, du’a, sadaqah and all good deeds today and always.

HAPPY SALLAH IN ADVANCE

Allah (swt) alone knows best