Salamun alaykum,
Dinner sacrificed for three days:
They fasted for three successive days. Each day, at the time of Iftar - breaking the fast - a different person Poor man, Orphan and Captive came at the door of their house asking for food. The members of the house gave away to the visitor all the little food that was there to eat. Thereafter they all did iftar with water and went to sleep without food.
Who were they?
They were from the Ahlul Bayt:-Imam Ali, Sayyida Fatima, Imam Hasan, Imam Husayn. Even their maid Sayyida Fidhdha joined them.
Why did they fast for three days?
During the illness of Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn, the Noble Prophet advised Imam Ali and Sayyida Fatima to make Nadhr (a promise) to Allah that they would observe fasts for three consecutive days if their sons got well. Soon they returned to normal health. So, they fasted to fulfill this Nadhr. What took place at the time of iftar on each of the three days has
been described earlier. After completion of three fasts, Sayyida Fatima offered prayers of shukr to Allah.
Revelation is received:
The Noble Prophet informs Sayyida Fatima that in praise of their epic deed, the Archangel Jibrail had brought the verses of Sura Ad Dahr / Al Insan
commonly known as ‘Sura Hal ata..’ “They fulfill vows and fear a day the evil of which shall be spreading far and wide. And they give food out of love for Him to the poor and the orphan and the captive: (Saying): We only feed you for Allah's sake; we desire from you neither reward nor thanks.” (Sura Ad Dahr 76: 7-9)
Outstanding lesson:
Three points that stand out on the greatness for this event, which occurred on 25 th Dhulhijja, leading to the revelation of the aya are:
- Offering all the dinner as charity after fasting when food is most needed for Iftar
- Niyyah-intention- for achieving the pleasure of Allah
- Having no expectation of reward from the recipient
Have you been caught in such a situation?
Many a times in life one comes across similar situations where, like the valuable iftar dearly needed after a day’s long fast, one is called upon to offer their most precious possession for charity. Hasn’t it become second nature to offer in charity what one does not hold dear to them or have no need for it? This indeed is a difficult test. To excel the test and achieve the coveted status of closeness to Allah SWT as demonstrated by Ahlul Bayt, our role models in life, one is called upon to offer to charity that which is most valued by them.
Only then is one able to attain the lofty status as testified in the Noble Quran: “You will never attain righteousness until you spend out of what you hold dear……” Sura Aali Imran 3:92
Reflect:
What is it which you hold dear and is in huge demand for charity? Is it one’s wealth, time, possessions or volunteering? What will you offer to your community, the followers of Ahlul Bayt, who are striving to raise a generation of devoted Shia Ithna Asheri Muslims in this part of the world? Let's all do as many of these things as possible to earn the pleasure and
forgiveness of Allah. Therefore, on this day can you make it a different day.
Ya Allah accept our good and forgive all our shortcomings. Ameen. Request to remember me and my family in your duas. Iltimase dua.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah.
With salaams and duas,
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat