The Sunni Association in Iraq / The Reality of Fasting

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

All praise is to Allah, the Generous Giver of Gifts, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, and those who follow his guidance. As for what follows:

The Reality of Fasting

Fasting is refraining from everything that displeases Allah the Almighty, and [fasting is not only from eating and drinking but also from idle talk and indecency]. And beware of contradiction; by abstaining from what is essentially permissible, and indulging in major sins such as backbiting, slander, lying, false testimony, poor character, and aggression towards creation, for [many a fasting person gets nothing from their fast but hunger and thirst, and many a night worshipper gets nothing from their night prayers but sleeplessness].

- It involves fasting of the heart by emptying it for its Creator and Lord, humbling oneself to Him, turning to Him in repentance, dedicating deeds solely to Him, and caring for the heart by nourishing it with the sustenance of the soul through recitation, remembrance, love, fear, and hope. Thus, it becomes a lamp that blooms, a sun that shines, a moon that illuminates, and a dawn that glows. The reality of fasting is not achieved by a heart immersed in the mires of arrogance and vanity, preoccupied with pondering over desires and pleasures.

- And fasting of the tongue from idle talk and indecency, which includes any foul or obscene speech, and [whoever does not abandon false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need for them to leave their food and drink]. [Fasting is a shield, so when it is the day of fasting for one of you, let them not engage in obscene speech or loud shouting. If someone insults them or fights them, let them say, 'I am fasting'].

- And fasting of the eyes from what Allah has forbidden, for the sight is the messenger of the heart, showing you what you cannot possess adorned falsely. [Do not follow up one glance with another, for you will be allowed the first but not the second]. Whoever indulges their gaze in tracking the prohibitions of Allah tortures themselves, increases their regret, falls into sins, and is immersed in calamities.

- And fasting of the ears from listening to music, obscenity, and indecency, and if they pass by idle talk, let them pass by honorably (they do not witness falsehood, and if they pass by some idle talk, they pass by with dignity).

- And fasting of the stomach from what Allah has forbidden, and it is astonishing for one to fast from lawful food and drink and then consume usury, drink prohibitions and filth like cigarettes and hookah, and consume people's wealth unjustly and sinfully.

- And fasting of the other limbs, like the hands, feet, etc., by avoiding evil acts, injustice, market clamor, and others.

This is the fasting that yields goodness, obedience, good deeds, and blessings. It is the spirit and foundation of fasting.

If time has passed us by, let not Ramadan, in which the Quran was revealed, pass us by. And whoever has done well before Ramadan, let them increase their goodness in Ramadan, the month of the criterion. Committing major sins and wrongdoings like backbiting, swearing, slander, and injustice diminishes the reward and may completely nullify it!! But it does not break the fast.

May Allah make us among the accepted, forgive us, our parents, and all Muslims, and may prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family; his followers altogether.