By
Shaykh Taariq bin ‘Abdur-Rahmaan
al-Hamoodee al-Atharee [may Allaah Preserve him]
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
All Praises belong t Allaah and may the
Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon the Messenger of Allaah, his family, his
companions and all those who ally with them.
To begin with:
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 is fasting during the heat of the summer. Fasting these days are
coupled with acts of obedience with the difficulty that comes with dire.
[Lataa’if al-Ma’aarif (Pg. 551)]
He also said:
The patience of those who fast for the Sake
of Allaah in relentless heat, faced with starvation and thirst, a door from the
many doors of Jannah is 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
in summer, 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.
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, however 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.”
It is reported in az-Zuhd of Ibn
al-Mubaarak (Pg. 461), Ibn Abee ad-Dunyaa in al-Hawaatif (Pg. 23), Ibn Abee
Shaybah (2/273), ‘Abdur-Razaaq (4/308), ar-Rooyaanee in his Musnad (1/374) and
Aboo Na’eem in Hilyah al-Awliyaa’ (1/260) that Aboo Moosaa al-‘Ashaaree [may
Allaah be Pleased with him] said,
“Allaah has made it compulsory that those who
fast facing dire thirst on a hot day during the days of the Dunya, that He
quenches their thirst on the Day of Judgement.” For this reason, Aboo Moosaa
[may Allaah be Pleased with him] used to purposely fast during the summer.
It is reported by Aboo Ya’laa (2/420) that
Aboo Sa’eed [may Allaah be Pleased with him] said,
“The Messenger of Allaah
[Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] came across water that had settled
after the rain. Some were fasting with great difficulty, during this summer
journey. To which the Prophet said standing over them, “Drink, oh people!” They
asked, “Shall we drink whilst you remain fasting, oh Messenger of Allaah!?” He
replied, “My situation is different to yours, I have transportation which makes
it easy for me to fast.” They said, “We will not break out fasts.” The Prophet
[Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] then descended from his animal and
drank from the water. The people joined him thereafter. He drank [Peace and
Blessings of Allaah be upon him], without wanting to do so.
This Hadeeth has also been narrated in Ibn
HIbbaan and Ibn Khuzaymah and the Isnaad is Saheeh as classed by Ibn Khuzaymah
himself.
It is reported in al-Bayhaqee in Shu’ab
al-Emaan (3/21) on the authority of Aboo Maalik al-Asharee that the Prophet
[Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] said,
“There are six types of
Jihaad which are superior to all other forms of it; fighting the enemy for the
Sake of Allaah on the battle-field with your weapon, fasting in summer, having
the best of patience when afflicted with a calamity, leaving off arguments and
disputes even if you have the truth with you, coming early to the Salaat even
when the weather is bad and making Wudhoo in the bitter cold.”
It is also reported by ad-Daylamee in
al-Firdaws (2/326) that Aboo Sa’eed al-Khudree [may Allaah be Pleased with him]
in a report which can be attributed to the Prophet (i.e. Marfoo’) that he said,
“Six characteristics, if one has them then he will be a true believer; making
Wudhoo properly, coming to the Salaat early despite torrential weather, fasting
a plenty despite the heart, fighting the enemy on the battle-field, being
patient when faced with a calamity and leaving of disputes even if you are
right.”
It is reported by al-Marwazee in Ta’theem
Qadr as-Salaat (Pg. 443) that ‘Umar bin Shaybah said, “We entered upon Aboo
Sa’eed al-Khudree and we asked him to narrate something he had heard from the
Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him].” He narrated, “I heard the
Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] say,
“Six
characteristics, whoever has them has completed their Emaan: fighting your
enemy on the battle-field with your weapon, coming early to the prayer even if
the weather is really bad, perfecting the Wudhoo despite cold weather, fasting
on hot days, having patience when faced with calamities, and leaving of
disputes even if you are right[1].””
It is reported by Ahmad in his Musnad
(4/63), Aboo Dawood (2365) and others on the authority of Maalik bin Anas [may
Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be
upon him] was fasting during the liberation of Makkah, but ordered his
companions to break their fasts. He said, “You are about to meet your enemy, so
break your fasts.” They replied, “Oh Messenger of Allaah! We are fasting
because you are!” So upon reaching al-Kadeed, the Prophet broke his fast.
In Ibn Abee Shaybah (2/299) in Chapter: The
Fasting Person Cooling Down with Water narrated the following:
Ibn ‘Awn said that Ibn Sireen held the view
that it is permissible for the fasting person to wet his clothes and wear it
and even place it on his face.
And that ‘Uthmaan bin Abee al-‘Aas used to
pour water over himself and indulge in it, and this was whilst he was fasting.
Ibn Rajab said in Lataa’if al-Ma’aarif (Pg.
553):
Imaam Ahmad used to fast extensively to the
point that he would almost collapse. He would often wash his face with water.
When he was asked as to why he pushes his body to such limits by fasting days
of extensive heat, he replied by saying, “It’s not a problem, I can always pour
water on my clothes and wear them.”
Imaam Ahmad also reported in his book
‘az-Zuhd’ (Pg. 112) that Aboo Bakr bin Hafs would increase optional fasting
during the summer and have a break from fasting during the winter.
It is reported by Ibn Sa’d in at-Tabaqaat
al-Kubraa (3/359) and al-Bayhaqee in
Sh’uab al-Emaan (3/22) that a man, named Jareer Aboo Muneer, from the people of
al-Madeenah saw ‘Umar al-Khattaab on his deathbed advising a young man saying,
“Oh my child! It is upon you to uphold the characteristics of al-Emaan.” “And
what are they, my father?”, the young man asked.
‘Umar said, “To fast on days
of intensive heat, fighting the enemy in combat, having patience when faced with
a calamity, making Wudhoo in during the winter days, coming early to the Salaah
under testing weather conditions, to leave off argumentation even if you are
right and to leave off all forms of intoxication.”
This report has weakness because of the ambiguity
of a narrator (Mubham).
It is reported by al-‘Ajaloonee in Kashf
al-Khafaa (1/407) that ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib [may Allaah be Pleased with him]
said,
“The most beloved thing to me in the Dunyaa is to fast under hot weather
conditions, honuoring the guest, and to beat my sword for the sake of Allaah.”
At-Tabaree said about this narration that
it is not authentic.
Al-Bayhaqee in Shu’ab (3/22) reported that
Aboo Hurayrah [may Allaah be Pleased with him] said, “Three things are from a
person’s strong Emaan: to make Ghusl after marital relations on a cold night.
Despite its bitter coldness, a person fights the difficulty only for the Sake
of Allaah. That one fasts days in which the heat is intense and that a person
prays in an empty land, none seeing him except Allaah, the Glorified and the
Exalted.”
Al-Bayhaqee also reported that Ibn ‘Umar
[may Allaah be Pleased with him] once left al-Madeenah, travelling with some of
his companions. When the time came to eat, they gathered around the mat at
which point a shepherd was passing by
with his sheep. Ibn ‘Umar cried, “Oh shepherd, come and join us in our meal!”
The shepherd excused himself by saying, “I am fasting.” Ibn ‘Umar then
proclaimed, “You are fasting despite the heat of this day?! And you are looking
after your animals despite the rough terrain of this mountain?! By Allaah! I
have achieved nothing in my life!”
Ibn Abee Shaybah (2/280), at-Tabaree in
Tahtheeb al-Athaar (1/149) and Aboo Na’eem al-Hilyah al-Awliyaa (2/47) all
reported that al-Qaasim bin Muhammad said, “I saw the Mother of the Believers
fast whilst she was travelling despite the intense heat of the day and the
night.”
At-Tahaawee said in Sharh Ma’aanee
al-Athaar (2/70) that this report is referring to A’aishah [may Allaah be
Pleased with her and her father] and in another report she said,
“This is what
we need to strive for.”
Al-Bukhaaree in at-Taareekh al-Kabeer
(5/147) and Ibn Abee Shaybah (2/299) both reported that Ibn ‘Umar [may Allaah
be Pleased with him] used to constantly fast the hot days and pour water on his
clothes to help cool himself down.
Imaam Ahmad reported in az-Zuhd (Pg. 148)
that Aboo Dharr [may Allaah be Pleased with him] used to say, “Oh people! I am
a sincere advisor to you all! I am your brother! Pray during the depths of the
night, out of fear for the darkness of the grave. Fast in the Dunyaa on the
days when the weather is hot, protecting yourselves from the heat of the Day of
Judgement. Give in charity, as giving in charity will make easy the Day of
Difficulty. Oh people! I am a sincere advisor to you all! I am your brother!”
Aboo Na’eem in Hilyah al-Awliyaa (6/222)
reported that ‘Ataa used to fast the days of summer which had intense heat.
When his thirst would get severe he would say to himself, “Oh body of mine! You
want to force me to relax? I will never put water in you again after this day!?
(i.e. rebuking himself in order for him to strive harder).”
In
Ibn Abee Shaybah (7/151) at-Tabaqaat Ibn Sa’d it is reported that
Ibraaheem an-Nakha’ee said, “al-Aswad used to fast a lot, even when he was
travelling., to the extent that his colour would change due to extreme thirst.
Despite this, he would insist on fasting the hottest of days and this was
outside the month of Ramadhaan!”
It is also said that it was the cause for
him losing his eyesight as mentioned in Taareekh Ibn Ma’een (3/390).
Ibn Rajab states in Lataa’if al-Ma’aarif
(Pg. 552) that Hasan al-Basree [may Allaah have Mercy on him] said, “The Hoor
al-Ayn will say to the Friend of Allaah, whilst he is laying besides his river
of wine in Jannah whilst handing him a glass of it, “Do you know what day we
got married on? It is the day when Allaah Looked at you whilst you were fasting
in the heat of summer, far apart from both ends of breaking your fast (i.e.
dusk and dawn). You were extremely thirsty and your body was very dry. So He
Called upon the Angels and Said, “Look at My Slave! He left his wife, his
desires, his food and drink all because of Me. Seeking the bounties that I
Possess. Bear witness that I have Forgiven him. So that was the day you were
forgiven and the day we got married.””
Ibn Sa’d reported in at-Tabaqaat al-Kubraa
(8/224) that ‘Uthmaanbin al-Qaasim said, “When Umm Ayman made Hijrah, she
lodged for the night near a place called ar-Rawhaa. She was fasting and had
nothing to break her fast with, not even water. She was in a state of intense
thirst so a bucket of water came down from the sky. The water was gleaming
white and she drank from it to her fill. She said about this experience that.
“After drinking the water on that day, I have never felt thirst. Even if I am
fasting an extremely hot day, I never feel thirsty.””
Ibn Ma’een reported in his Taareekh (4/455)
and al-Daynooree in al-Majaalasah (1/28) that Sa’eed bin Saalim said, “Rooh bin
Zinnbaa’ was travelling and camped up at a place between Makkah and
al-Madeenah. He prepared to eat his dinner, At which point a shepherd from
behind the hills appeared, so Rooh called out to him, “Oh shepherd, join us in
our food!” The shepherd replied, “I am fasting.” Rooh was startled, “You are
fasting on a day with such intense heat!? All the acts of worship I have ever
done are quashed compared to this act of yours.”
Aboo Na’eem in Hilyah al-Awliyaa’ (2/88)
reported that ‘Alqamah bin Muthrad used to say, “I don’t cry at the fact that
the Dunyaa is eventually going to finish, but I cry because I won’t be able to
taste the thirst of fasting anymore or the pleasure in standing during the long
nights in winter.”
Aboo Na’eem in Hilyah al-Awliyaa’ (8/23)
reported that Ibraaheem bin Adham said, “If it wasn’t for three things in the
Dunyaa, I wouldn’t mind being a spec from the creation of Allaah (i.e.
something completely insignificant); fasting that brings about extreme thirst,
standing the long nights in winter, and striving (to learn and implement) upon
the Book of Allaah, the Glorified and the Exalted.”
Ibn Mubaarak (Pg. 95), al-Bayhaqee in
Shu’ab al-Emaan (3/414) and Ibn ‘Asaakir in Taareekh Dimisqh (26/40) reported
that as ‘Aamir bin ‘Abd Qays approached his death he began to cry. When asked
why he was crying, he replied by saying, “I am not crying in fear of death, nor
am I crying because I will miss the Dunyaa but I am crying because I will miss
the thirst of fasting on a hot day and the standing the long winter nights.”
Ibn Abee ad-Dunyaa reported in
al-Muhtadhareen (Pg. 157) and Ibn
‘Asaakir in Tareekh Dimishq (31/196) reported that as Ibn ‘Umar approached his
death he said, “I have no regrets from anything from the Dunyaa except three; I
will miss the extreme thirst of fasting a hot day and the depths of the night
and I regret that I did not fight the transgressing party of renegades (i.e.
al-Hajjaaj bin Yoosuf).”
It is reported in Ibn Abee Shaybah (7/230)
that Sa’eed bin Jubayr said upon the death of Ibn ‘Umar, “He will not miss
anything except the extreme thirst of fasting a hot day and the joy of walking
to the Salaat.”
Ibn Rajab said in Lataa’if (Pg. 551)
The righteous before us used to find great
pleasure in pushing their bodies to fast extremely hot days. When they were
asked why, they would say, “This is the price and it’s a bargain. If people
only knew, they would all want to buy it.” This is proof that righteous deeds
was highly valued by them and none truly appreciate this and act upon it except
a small party. It is to hard and difficulty for them and this typifies their
(lacking of) ambitions.
And all Praises are for Allaah Alone.
[1] Shaykh al-Albaanee said in as-Silsilah ad-Daa’eefah (8/171):
This narration is weak as there is an
unknown narrator (Majhool). Also, it is said that ‘Umar bin Shaybah didn’t meet
Aboo Sa’eed, so if this is the case then the chain is broken (Munqati’) and
thus weak.
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