THE ZIKR OF THOSE WHO FAST

Those who fast are the most conscious of Allah. They remember Him always by saying:

SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah)

Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah)

Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)

Astagfirullah (I ask Allah’s Forgiveness)

If the day becomes long for the fasting, they make it shorter with their constant remembrance of Allah. If the pangs of hunger pain them, they overcome this through remembrance of Allah. They find delight in their remembrance. When they remember Allah, He, all praises and glory be to Him, remembers them:

“So remember Me, and I shall remember you.”

(Surah al-Baqarah:152)

Likewise, when they give thanks and show gratitude to Him, He increases His favour upon them:

“If you are grateful [to Me], I shall most certainly give you more and more”

(Surah Ibrahim:7)

The truthful faster remembers Allah standing, sitting and reclining on their sides. Their hearts become contented with the remembrance of Allah, their spirits become happy with love for Allah, their souls become relaxed with the longing to meet Allah.

It is narrated from Abu Musa, RadhiAllahu Anhu, that the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, said:

“The example of the one who celebrates the Praises of his Lord (Allah) in comparison to the one who does not celebrate the Praises of his Lord, is that of a living creature compared to a dead one.”

[Recorded in al-Bukhari]

There are many dead people who do not know the remembrance of Allah. They live, eat, drink, roam freely and rejoice. Yet they absolutely do not know life. If they turn away from the remembrance of Allah, they will be overcome by anxiety and trapped by distress and sadness. There is only one cure:

“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest”

(Surah Ar-Rad: 28)

The fasting person is foremost in doing good. Such a person is close to Paradise and far from the fire of Hell. Their records are filled with good deeds and among them is remembering their Lord, all praises and glory be to Him. Reminding us of the greater rewards, the Prophet, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, also said:

“Whoever said: ‘Glory and praise be to Allah the Great’, a date tree will be planted for him in Paradise.”

[Recorded in Al Tirmidhi]

Whenever the righteous predecessors prayed al fajr, the morning prayer, they used to sit and remember Allah until the day broke. The one who has suffered the worst kind of loss is the one who Ramadan passes and who does not attain happiness from the remembrance of their Lord and does not spend time in glorifying their Master. Is there not, therefore a diligent one who would seize every breath of life and minute of time, seeking this glorious reward? In Sha Allah!