seven times in search of water for her beloved son, Prophet IsmāꜤīl عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام. Allah Almighty cherished this act so greatly that He made the SaꜤy between Safa and Marwah necessary (wājib) for those performing Hajj and Umrah.

Similarly, the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم spent some days of the month of Ramadan al-Mubārak in the Cave of Ḥirā. During that period, he would abstain from food during the day and remain engaged in the remembrance of Allah (dhikr) at night. To commemorate those days and to keep the Sunnah of His beloved established, Allah Almighty ordained fasting.^[1]

How Firm is the Faith of a Fasting Person!

Dear Islamic brothers! Imagine a scenario in which the heat is intense, the throat is parched with thirst, and the lips are dry. Water is present, yet those who fast do not even look at it. Food is available and hunger is severe, but they do not reach out for it. Reflect upon how firm their faith in Allah Almighty is! They know that while their actions may be hidden from the world, they are never concealed from Allah Almighty.

This conviction in Allah Almighty is the practical outcome of fasting. Unlike other physical acts of worship, fasting is an internal (bāṭin) act. No one but Allah Almighty knows its true state; if a person were to eat or drink in secret, people would assume he is still fasting. Yet, he refrains solely out of the fear of Allah.^[2]

This is why those who fast will be granted abundant reward and blessings. Let us listen to three Prophetic traditions regarding the virtues of fasting.