Part 2:
“Fasting is an Expiation for Sins”
– Imam al-`Izz Ibn `Abd Al-Salam
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“As for expiation of sins (takfir al-khati’at), this is based on what he [s: the Messenger of Allah] – upon him be blessings and peace said: ‘One Ramadan to another is expiation [s: for the sins committed] in between them so longs as major sins were avoided…’[1] And based on what he – upon him be peace – said: ‘Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan with true belief and conviction as well as out of hope of attaining reward [s: from Allah], all his past sins will be forgiven’…”[2] This means: ‘if one believes in it being a duty [s: ordained by Allah] and in hope of attaining reward from his Lord for doing it’….”[3]
Notes:
- Fasting is a means of sins and wrongdoing being forgiven – this encourages a person to perform it.
- Fasting is an expression of Allah’s Mercy and Benevolence and so a serious believer ought to reflect on the great benefits of fasting as well as Allah’s unbounded attributes of Mercy and Kindness.
- Fasting if coupled with awareness of the duty being a commandment of Allah as well as awareness that only Allah can reward for its performance, is cause for sins being forgiven within a bracket of at least one year (= one Ramadan to another).
ولله الحمد
s.z.c.
