RAWALPINDI, July 22: A sitting was arranged under the auspice of Hayat Tuluba e Islamia on the topic of Importance of the Holy Month of Ramzan at Ali Masjid. While addressing to the sitting, Mufti Basim Abbas Zahiri said that Fasting is the best exercise to bring tolerance against thirst and hunger which blessed freshness to one’s soul. He iterated one of the traditions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH & HHP) that during the night of Maraaj Almighty Allah said to the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH & HHP) that worship has ten constituents out of which nine are held in Legal deeds (doing what Islam has ordered and keeping away from what Islam has prohibited). Then the Holy Prophet asked, “O Cherisher, what is the first constituent of worship”? Allah replied, “silence and fasting”. Then the Holy Prophet (PBUH & HHP) asked, “O Allah, what is the essence of Fasting?” Almighty replies,” the essence of fasting is wisdom, the essence of wisdom is knowledge and the essence of knowledge is certainty. When a person achieves the blessings of certainty, he does not care about the worldly wealth or poverty then”. Allah have said that the one who observe fast but does not control his tongue is like the one who stands for prayer yet does not recite the obligatory verses of Prayer. So I will be rewarding him for his stand in prayer yet he will be deprived from the reward of worship.

Mufti Basim Abbas Zahiri said that the real purpose of observing fast is that a faithful keeps himself away from those things which he likes for a certain length of time just for the sake of Allah Almighty. He said that the holy month of Ramzan is the month of self-management and self-accountability. Its purpose is bringing order in one’s physical and spiritual grooming. The purpose of chastity and piety is also the same; i.e. the faithful should refrain from those matters which are disliked by Allah and get closeness to what is liked by Him so that His mercy and willingness could be attained. Mufti Basim Abbas Zahiri narrated one of the great sayings of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH & HHP) that there are so many who (during the hours of Fasting) do not get anything more than hunger and thirst and their nights-awakenings does not hold more than night-awakenings (means remain away from the essence and spiritual aims of Fasting). Thus it has been proven that fasting is not to control hunger and thurst but it is the name of getting closeness to Almighty Allah and following His teachings.