Dear Islamic brothers! You have just heard the great excellence of observing fasts in the blessed Hadees and the Holy Quran that not only do fasting people have forgiveness and a great reward, but they also have the good news of a good end (death). Therefore, we should also develop the passion for observing the great worship like fasting for the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ in our hearts, or rather, in this regard, we should follow the footstep of the pious people as they did not worry if it was hot or cold weather, being hungry and thirsty due to observing fasts. Instead, they used to fast even in extremely hot weather. Regarding this, let’s listen to a parable by virtue of which the passion for observing fast will also develop in us, اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ.

Salvation from extreme thirst on the Day of Judgement

Sayyiduna Abu Musa Ash’ari رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ has said: Once we were travelling through the sea for Jihad; our ship was advancing towards its destination. In the meantime, a voice from the Ghayb surprised everyone; someone was saying, ‘O people in the ship! Stop! Let me tell you a very important thing.’ The same voice was heard six to seven times. I stood on the terrace of the ship and said, ‘Who are you and where are you? Do you know where we are right now? How can we stay in the centre of the sea?’ I had just completed saying this when the voice of a very strange preacher echoed, ‘Shouldn’t I tell you about the thing which Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has made compulsory for Himself?’ I replied, ‘Why not? Do tell us about such a thing.’ A voice said, ‘Listen!      Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has made this thing compulsory for Himself that the person who keeps himself thirsty (in the state of fasting) for the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ in hot days, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ will give him water in the fatal heat of the Day of Judgement.’ Then Sayyiduna Abu Musa Ash’ari رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ made a routine that he would observe fast in such extremely hot days, in which a person feels extremely uncomfortable due to the intensity of the heat.

(‘Uyoon-ul-Hikayaat, part 2, pp. 345)

دو جہاں کی نعمتیں ملتی ہیں روزہ دار کو

جو نہیں رکھتا ہے روزہ وہ بڑا نادان ہے

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب       صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد