The Salaf always talked about eating and sleeping less as a means of acquiring energy to perform your ʿibbādah. I never quite understood this. A poor night’s sleep did not leave me energised—it left me exhausted! Similarly, fasting frequently only left me weakened and tired! (I still chose to believe the salaf y’know. I was certain I was doing something wrong.) Over the weekend, I was attending a Ramaḍān prep course, and the sheikha explained this point so well.…
Ibn Rajab in Laṭāʾif al-Mʿārif categorises the one who fasts into two. The first, he says, is the one who leaves his food, drink and desires, for the sake of Allāh, and by doing so, he hopes for a compensation in Jannah. This is the one who has struck a deal with Allāh, and Allāh says, ﴾Indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds.﴿…
❝The twelve months of the year are like the twelve sons of Prophet Yaʿqūb. And just as Prophet Yūsuf was the most beloved to Yaʿqūb, the month of Ramaḍān is the most beloved to Allāh. And just as Allāh forgave the eleven brothers by the duʿāʾ of one; Yūsuf, He can forgive your eleven months of sins by your duʿāʾ in Ramaḍān.❞ — Imām Ibn Jawzī, in: بستان الواعظين ورياض السامعين، مجلس ١٣…