CATEGORIES OF FASTERS
The faster excels in the degree and the depth of his fasting in proportion to the intent and in the way he communicates with Allah as well adheres to the rules of fasting. Ibn Rajab (raa) stated the people who observe the fasting are two categories.
One who abstains from food and drink and sexual desires for the sake of Allah. in so doing, he desires a return from Allah in a form of paradise, Jannah. He resembles a businessman who trades, bargains and deals with Allah (swt). Allah in turn will not neglect nor deny him his due reward. For no one whoever deals or trades with Allah ever lost a thing. Instead, the person will be rewarded a great deal more. The Messenger (saas) told a man: "When you abstain from anything for the fear of Allah, He will substitute you something better." (Ahmed)
The faster will receive in paradise what he wishes of food, drinks and desires. Allah (swt) sates: "Eat ye and drink ye with full satisfaction because of a (good) that ye sent before you in the days that are gone." (Al-Qur`an, 69: 24) According to Imam Mujahid this verse refers to the righteous faster. In a hadith the Messenger saw Abdur Rahman bin Samrah in a vision, he said: "I saw a man from my community lolling his tongue for thirst, whenever he comes near to water fountain he is denied a drink and sacked, then fasting of Ramadan came and gave him water and quenched him." (Tabranee)
The other category is the believer who fasts by abstaining from worldly things for Allah. His heart fasts from grieve and greed for material possessions, his mind fasts from wishful thinking while his heart and soul are ever fresh with the remembrance of Allah and the Final Day. This faster's iftar, fast break, is when he or she meets Allah, and his happiness is when he sees his Maker. This is fasting of khawasul khawas, specials of the specials, the `aarifeen, truly wise and knowing.
The `aarifeen, truly wise, are the people who are not entertained nor gratified by material earthy things, no sound, seen, or shape can gratify them beside Allah. No ocean can quench their thirst but the continence of Allah, their ambitions are bigger then this world. In a net shell whoever fasts by the command of Allah from lusts for food, drink, and desires, Allah will greet him in the Hereafter in the Jannah, and whoever fasts from anything but Allah his final `Eid will be when he is granted the ultimate honor of seen his Lord. Allah states:
"For those whose hopes are in the meeting with Allah (in the Hereafter, let them strive) for the term (appointed) by Allah is surly coming and He hears and knows all thing." (Al-Qur`an, 29: 5)
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