Said Sufyan: 'Backbiting annuls the Fast.' Layth quotes Mujahid as saying: 'Two habits annul Fasting: backbiting and telling lies.'
Guarding one's tongue from idle chatter, lying, gossiping, obscenity, rudeness, arguing and controversy making it observe silence and occupying it with remembrance of God, Great and Glorious is He, and with recitation of Quran. Jabir relates from Anas that God's Messenger, on him be peace, said: 'Five things break a man's Fast: lying, backbiting, gossiping, perjury and a lustful gaze.' Speak Not. Whoever forsakes it for fear of God will receive from Him, Great and Glorious is He, a faith the sweetness of which he will find within his heart.' Said the Prophet, on him be peace: 'The furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Satan, on him be God's curse. See Not What Displeases GodĪ chaste regard, restrained from viewing anything that is blameworthy or reprehensible, or that distracts the heart and diverts it from the remembrance of God, Great and Glorious is He.
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It means keeping all one's organs free from sin and six things are required for its accomplishment. It is bound up with the significance of His words: 'Say: "Allah (sent it down)": then leave them to play in their vain discussions.' Inward RequirementsĪs for Special Fasting, this is the kind practiced by the righteous. It consists in utmost dedication to God, Great and Glorious is He, to the neglect of everything other than God, Exalted is He. It does not lend itself to detailed examination in words, as its true nature is better revealed in action. To this third degree belong the Prophets, the true awliya and the intimates of God. Such anxiety stems from lack of trust in the bounty of God, Great and Glorious is He, and from lack of certain faith in His promised sustenance. Those versed in the spiritual life of the heart have even said that a sin is recorded against one who concerns himself all day with arrangements for breaking his Fast. This kind of Fast is broken by thinking of worldly matters, except for those conducive to religious ends, since these constitute provision for the Hereafter and are not of this lower world. Special Fasting means keeping one's ears, eyes, tongue, hands and feet - and all other organs - free from sin.Įxtra-special Fasting means fasting of the heart from unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts, in total disregard of everything but God, Great and Glorious is He. Ordinary fasting means abstaining from food, drink and sexual satisfaction. It should be known that there are three grades of fasting: ordinary, special and extra-special.
By Imam al-Ghazali (may Allah be pleased with him) Three Grades