Don't make HOLES in your SHIELD

by Asma bint Shameem

🌷The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Fasting is a SHIELD. So if it is a day in which one of you is FASTING, then he should not be OBSCENE in speech nor should he be SINFUL nor should he be IGNORANT." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 🌷Hafsah bint al-Sireen said: "Fasting is a shield, so long as one does not make HOLES in it it." Someone asked, " How can one make holes in it? She said: "By LYING and BACKBITING." 🌷The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: “It may be that ALL a fasting person gets from his fast is HUNGER and THIRST, and it may be that ALL a person who prays at night gets from his prayer is SLEEPLESSNESS.” (Ahmad-- saheeh by al-Albaani) Subhaan Allaah! No reward? Only hunger and thirst! 🌷And he also said: “Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allaah has NO NEED of his giving up his food and drink.” (al-Bukhaari) 🌷Umar ibn al-Khattaab radhi Allaahu anhu said: "Fasting does not mean abstaining from food and drink only, rather it is also abstaining from lying, falsehood and idle speech." 🌷Jaabir ibn Abdullaah al-Ansaari radhi Allaahu anhumaa said: "When you fast, then let your HEARING, SIGHT and TONGUE FAST from LYING and SIN and stop abusing servants. Be tranquil and dignified on the day of your fast, and do not let the day you do not fast and the day you fast be the same." Dear brothers and sisters, A shield means ‘protection’ against sin and doing bad deeds. USE the shield of fasting and stay away from ALL bad deeds. Don’t lose that temper. And watch that tongue of yours, Your hands... your eyes... your ears. Let that shield protect you from all that displeases your Rabb. THAT is the TRUE fast. THAT is the REAL fast.