The Virtues of Fasting During the Summer

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The benefits behind fasting are numerous and known to us all, especially when fasting requires great levels of endurance.

Ibn Rajab [may Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

From the aspects that multiply the reward for fasting in the summer, is fasting during intense weather conditions. The difficulty in fasting, coupled with the acts of worship one does whilst fasting, multiplies the reward.

[Lataa’if al-Ma’aarif (Pg. 551)]

He also said:

The patience of those who fast for the Sake of Allaah in the relentless heat, faced with starvation and thirst, is rewarded with a door from the many doors of Jannah made exclusive to them – the Doors of ar-Rayyaan. Whoever enters the Doors of ar-Rayyaan will drink from the water within it and they will never face starvation or thirst ever again.

[Lataa’if al-Ma’aarif (Pg. 554)]

From the hardships we put our bodies through is fasting the month of Ramadhaan during the summer. The month comes successively throughout the years in the summer season - year after year, starting from the end of the summer and being brought forward every year. During this period, the month of Ramadhaan is inevitably going to coincide with the peak of the summer heat. In this regard, there are a multitude of reports which contain lessons and warrants plenty of consideration (and these will be posted in a series of posts, Allaah Willing).

It has been reported by al-Bukhaaree (1843) and Muslim (1122), on the authority of Aboo Dardaa’ [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that he said:

We went out with the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon] on one of his travels during the heat of the summer. None of us were fasting except the Prophet and Ibn Rawaahah.

It is also reported by by al-Bukhaaree (2733) and Muslim (1119), on the authority of Anas bin Maalik [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that he said:

We were travelling with the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon], most of us were seeking shade because of the heat, but those who were fasting were completely exhausted. As for those who weren’t fasting, they were able to ride their animals and serve those who were fasting, to which the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon] said, “Today, the ones who are not fasting have outdone the others in reward.”

[Taken from Descriptive Benefits of Fasting in the Heat of the Summer by Shaykh Taariq bin ‘Abdur-Rahmaan al-Hamoodee al-Atharee (may Allaah Preserve him)]

To be continued...