Salamun alaykum,
Shahru Ramadhan:
This is the time when our world is turned upside down and a new cognitive
frame starts operating. We are taken away from our usual treats and
distractions and forced to be a little more mindful, little bit more aware, little
bit more detached from Dunya; the mortal world. Thus, we become more
connected to the real world; world of meaning, and goodness; which is the
world of akhira; the hereafter. We are now witnessing the Shahru
Ramadhan. Alhamdulillah for this gift of life. This as a valuable opportunity.
We need to grab it with both hands. We need to make sure that we are
actually utilising the Shahru Ramadhan rather than just ploughing through
the month.
How can we do that?
On the last Friday of the month of Sha’baan, just before the arrival of
blessed Shahru Ramadhan, our Noble Prophet Muhammad SAWW delivered
Khutbatu Sha’baaniyah. This sermon is one of the most famous addresses of
the Noble Prophet regarding the significance of Shahru Ramadhan and the
rewards of fasting, prayer, Reciting Quran and performing good deeds during
this sacred month. It provides us a great framework for enjoying the
hospitality of the Divine banquet of Shahru Ramadhan.
<<<<Here please insert a link button for the attached document
Khutba Shaba’baniyah. >>>.
Reflection on the Khutbatu Sha’baaniyah:
The Noble Prophet is describing what true fasting looks like in action, not
just what one abstains physically from food and drink. The practical
expression of fasting is to lead one to taqwa; God consciousness. Let’s break
it down:
1.Fasting is more than hunger:
The Qur’an prescribes fasting, but it doesn’t say: “Stop eating and that’s it.”
The Noble Prophet illustrates that fasting is also:
• Controlling speech: guarding your tongue from lies, insults, and idle talk.
• Controlling sight and hearing: lowering the gaze, avoiding what is sinful to
hear or watch.
• Controlling desires: patience in hunger and thirst trains self-restraint.
So, hunger becomes a training ground for moral discipline.
2. Fasting is linked to compassion:
• Giving charity.
• Feeding the needy.
• Showing mercy to orphans.
When you feel hunger yourself, you empathize with the hungry. Hence
fasting turns personal discomfort into spiritual sensitivity.
3. Fasting is relational:
Maintaining family ties, honouring elders, showing mercy to young,
preserving your speech…
Fasting is not just an individual act; it reshapes how one interacts with
others. That is why the Noble Prophet includes these social aspects. Thus,
fasting has outward manifestations, not only inward.
4. Fasting is worship in multiple forms:
• Prayer and prolonged sujood (prostration).
• Voluntary acts of kindness.
• Tawbah (Repentance), istighfar (seeking forgiveness), Reform, making
amendments.
By listing all these things, the Noble Prophet is essentially describing what
fasting truly is. All these strengthen the nafs / spiritual heart and brings one
closer to Allah SWT. They are all part of the spiritual fasting that achieves
taqwa.
Summary:
The Noble Prophet is describing fasting as a holistic experience:
• Hunger + thirst → self-discipline
• Charity + compassion → soft heart
• Good character + restraint → moral refinement
• Prayer + supplication → spiritual connection
Fasting is not just abstaining from food and drink.
O Allah, (please do) help us observe fasting in this month. Guide us to
practice the acts of worship (perfectly), grant us vigour to offer prayers. Do
not preclude us from reciting the Qur'an and make easy for us to give alms.
Extract from dua by 9 th Imam Muhammad al Taqi al Jawad a.s.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah.
With salaams and duas,
Fazle Abbas
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo BA(Hons),Cert. Ed.(DTLLS)
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat