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Summary of the Core Concepts of Ahl al-Sunnah

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The Ultimate Purpose of Fasting

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The Ultimate Purpose of Fasting

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Is to attain Taqwa (God-fearing piety).

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Allah Almighty said:

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"O you who have believed,

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Fasting has been prescribed for you,

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“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that ye may ward off (evil);” (2:183)

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So that you may attain Taqwa."

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For through fasting, Taqwa is revived in the hearts,

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Restraining a person from disobedience and sin,

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And safeguarding them from Allah's punishment and wrath.

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Among the Requirements of Fasting:

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The Taqwa cultivated by fasting

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Obligates an individual to display good character,

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And to refrain from false speech, misconduct, and ignorant behavior toward people.

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Otherwise, the fast would not have

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Yielded its intended fruit.

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The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

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"When any of you is fasting,

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He should neither indulge in obscene speech nor raise his voice in anger.

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If someone reviles him or fights with him,

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Let him say, 'I am fasting.'"

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Agreed upon (authentic hadith).

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Among the Fruits and Objectives of I'tikaf and Hajj:

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And their core purposes:

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I'tikaf is the spiritual retreat in the mosque

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With the intention of drawing closer to Allah Almighty,

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And it aids in struggling against the self

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And detaching its desire from the Hereafter's distractions,

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Away from preoccupation with worldly concerns and anxieties.

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Among the greatest fruits it produces are:

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First, dedicating time to self-reckoning,

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Where the retreatant becomes sincere in his repentance to Allah,

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And his soul finds tranquility and peace.

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Second, freeing the heart of the retreatant

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From worldly distractions and troubles,

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And filling it with the remembrance of Allah Almighty.

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Third, finding solace in the Speech of Allah,

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Reciting His Noble Book abundantly,

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And reaping the guidance that flows from reflecting upon it.

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Fourth:

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Seclusion from people and their idle talk,

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Thereby safeguarding one's tongue

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From the evils of backbiting, slander,

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Insults, mockery, and the like.

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Fifth:

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Transitioning from a life of comfort among family

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To a life of temporary detachment

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In dress, bedding, and food,

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Which opens one's eyes to the true worth of the worldly life

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And yields vigor and diligence in worship.

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Sixth:

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Disciplining the soul in patience and endurance,

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And training it to perform voluntary acts of worship,

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Many of which are neglected during times of

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Preoccupation with worldly life outside the retreat—

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Such as performing the rawatib sunnah prayers,

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Arriving early for prayer, catching the first row,

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And other such virtuous deeds.

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As for Hajj, it is the fifth pillar of

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Islam for whoever is able to find a way to it.

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What concerns us here

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Is clarifying its objectives and fruits,

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Not its formal description or detailed fiqh rulings.

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The primary objective of Hajj

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Is realizing complete servitude to Allah Almighty.

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“Wherein are plain memorials (of Allah's guidance); the place where Abraham stood up to pray; and whosoever entereth it is safe. And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto Allah for mankind, for him who can find a way thither. As for him who disbelieveth, (let him know that) lo! Allah is Independent of (all) creatures.” (3:97)

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“Wherein are plain memorials (of Allah's guidance); the place where Abraham stood up to pray; and whosoever entereth it is safe. And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto Allah for mankind, for him who can find a way thither. As for him who disbelieveth, (let him know that) lo! Allah is Independent of (all) creatures.” (3:97)

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Among its objectives and fruits as well:

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Cultivating numerous acts of the heart,

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Such as the love and veneration of Allah Almighty,

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As Exalted Allah said,

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“That (is the command). And whoso magnifieth the offerings consecrated to Allah, it surely is from devotion of the hearts,” (22:32)

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“That (is the command). And whoso magnifieth the offerings consecrated to Allah, it surely is from devotion of the hearts,” (22:32)

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And hope in Him, and fear of Him:

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The pilgrim purifies his hope for Allah alone,

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Supplicating Him for all that he hopes from Him,

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While fearing that if he neglects Hajj,

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He may fall under the warning in the rest of the verse in Surah Al

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'Imran mentioned previously.

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“Wherein are plain memorials (of Allah's guidance); the place where Abraham stood up to pray; and whosoever entereth it is safe. And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto Allah for mankind, for him who can find a way thither. As for him who disbelieveth, (let him know that) lo! Allah is Independent of (all) creatures.” (3:97)

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Reliance (Tawakkul) upon Him:

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For during Hajj, there are stations where

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The servitude of submission and reliance upon Allah Almighty shines brightly.

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Repentance (Tawbah) to Him:

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The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

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"Whoever performs Hajj to this House and commits no obscenity nor sin,

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Will return as sinless as the day his mother bore him."

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Agreed upon.

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Among its objectives as well:

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Establishing the remembrance of Allah.

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Summary of the Core Concepts of Ahl al-Sunnah