Introducing the Essence of Fasting and Its Purpose
Why did Allah SWT prescribe fasting for us?
Q The purpose of fasting is to achieve piety as Allah indicated in the holy Quran in ﴾O Believers, fasting has been prescribed for you, just as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may reach piety﴿.(1)
Piety is the state your reach when you avoid what Allah has forbidden and you do what He has commanded, and when you take the Prophetic Virtues as model and when you break away from bad morals. Allah has ordained us to fast so we may reach the rank of the pious.
Therefore, if those four purposes are not served during the holy month of Ramadan, then we would have lost the main meaning of fasting.
The Prophet said: “He who does not abandon falsehood and evil action, Allah has no need that he abstains from food and drink”.(2)
In fact, the true purpose of fasting in Ramadan is to correct one’s path and make meaningful change. This can be achieved through repentance and mending one’s character that has been spoiled by sins, and return to the righteous path of Allah .
﴾So you may reach piety﴿ means so that you may elevate in the ranks of piety one year after another.
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(1) Al Baqara: 183.
(2) Transmitted by Al Bukhari Hadith 1903 from Abi Huraira.
Allah has also said: ﴾The most noble of you in Allah’s sight is the one who is most pious﴿.(1) And the Prophet said: “there is no merit for an Arab over a non-Arab, or for a non-Arab over an Arab except with piety”.(2)
Source: Kalima Taiba
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Nutritious Recipe
from my kitchen with love
🍠 Roasted Sweet Potato & Arugula Salad 🌿
A vibrant, nutritious salad packed with flavor and texture—perfect for a healthy meal or a side dish!
Ingredients:
✅ For the Salad:
2 medium sweet potatoes (peeled & sliced)
2 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp salt
½ tsp paprika
¼ tsp black pepper
2 cups arugula
½ cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
¼ cup red onion (thinly sliced)
2 tbsp sunflower seeds
¼ cup pomegranate seeds (for garnish)
✅ For the Dressing:
¼ cup plain yogurt
1 tbsp tahini
1 tbsp olive oil
Juice of ½ lemon
½ tsp sumac
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp paprika
Instructions:
1️⃣ Roast the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the sweet potato slices with olive oil, salt, paprika, and black pepper. Arrange on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized. Let them cool.
2️⃣ Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, sumac, salt, black pepper, and paprika until smooth.
3️⃣ Assemble the Salad: Arrange the roasted sweet potatoes on a plate. Top with arugula, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and sunflower seeds.
4️⃣ Drizzle & Garnish: Pour the dressing over the salad, then sprinkle pomegranate seeds on top for a burst of sweetness and color.
Saha w Hana🍴✨
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From One Seed to Seven Hundred: The Power of Giving
Allah Almighty said in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:261):
"مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِى كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍ مِّا۟ئَةُ حَبَّةٍ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُضَٰعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ"
"The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] that sprouts seven ears; in each ear is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [the reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing."
This verse beautifully illustrates how charity given in the way of Allah grows and multiplies far beyond what is given, just like a single seed of wheat producing multiple spikes full of grains. 🌾✨
Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam, a sacred duty that every eligible Muslim must fulfill. It is an obligatory percentage of one’s wealth—2.5%—that is given to those in need. The purpose of Zakat is to purify one's wealth, promote social justice, and ensure that the less fortunate have the means to live with dignity. It serves as a mechanism to redistribute wealth and eliminate poverty, creating a balanced society where every individual’s basic needs are met.
The act of Zakat ensures that those who are less fortunate do not fall behind, offering them the support they need to reach self-sufficiency. And as they are empowered, they too can eventually become givers of Sadaqah or Zakat, continuing the cycle of generosity and support.
While Zakat is obligatory, Sadaqah is a voluntary act of charity, deeply valued in Islam, that comes from the heart. It is a reflection of generosity, love, and compassion, showing a genuine desire to help others and draw closer to Allah. The Quran reminds us, "You will not attain righteousness until you give of what you love" (Al-Imran 3:92).
Both Zakat and Sadaqah are acts of kindness that nourish the hearts of the giver and the receiver. Zakat purifies wealth and fulfills an important duty, while Sadaqah enhances the spirit, reflecting the beauty of giving freely and selflessly. Together, they create a society rooted in love, empathy, and mutual care, binding us all together in our shared humanity and drawing us closer to Allah. The reward for giving in Ramadan is multiplied by 70 folds.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
قال سلمان الفارسي رضي الله عنه: خطبنا رسولُ اللهِ ﷺ في آخرِ يومٍ من شعبان فقال:
"يا أيها الناس، قد أظلَّكم شهرٌ عظيم، شهرٌ فيه ليلةٌ خيرٌ من ألف شهر، جعل اللهُ صيامَه فريضة، وقيامَ ليله تطوُّعًا، من تقرَّب فيه بخَصلةٍ من الخير كان كمن أدَّى فريضةً فيما سواه، ومن أدَّى فيه فريضةً كان كمن أدَّى سبعين فريضةً فيما سواه." (رواه الترمذي)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: Allah ﷺ addressed us on the last day of Sha’ban, saying:
"O people, a great month has cast its shadow upon you, a month in which there is a night better than a thousand months. Allah has made its fasting obligatory and its night prayer voluntary. Whoever draws near to Allah in it with a good deed will be like one who performed an obligatory act at any other time, and whoever performs an obligatory act in it will be like one who performed seventy obligatory acts at any other time." (Al-Tirmidhi)
Today, I invite you to support Mozaic by choosing one of the impactful campaigns or causes below.https://mozaicdmv.org/donate/
May Allah accept all our deeds and grant us His blessings during this blessed month of Ramadan.
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