Abu Ubaidah (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) reports: "I have heard Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) saying: "Fasting is a protective Shield for Man, as long as he does not tear up that protection'
"Protective shield" here means just as a man protects himself with a shield, similarly fasting protects him from his well-known enemy - 'Shaytaan'. In other Ahaadith, we are told that fasting saves one from Allah's punishment and Hellfire in the Hereafter. Once somebody inquired from Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam), "What causes the fast to be rent?" He replied: 'Telling lies and backbiting. This Hadith, when reading in conjunction with so many others, actually tells us to avoid such actions which cause fasting to be wasted. In our times, we are fond of whiling away the time with unnecessary conversations. Some "Ulema" are of the opinion that lies, backbiting, slander, etc., actually undo the fast just like eating and drinking, but the great majority of "Ulama" believes that the fast is not totally undone, but loses its blessings. The "Ulama" of Islam have mentioned six things, about which care should be taken in fasting:- First, one should keep the eyes away from any place where one should not look; some go so far as to prohibit looking at one's own wife with desire, let alone another woman. Similarly, looking at any evil action or where evil is committed should be avoided.
Rasulullah(Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said: 'The glance is like an arrow from 'Shaytaan' Whosoever, out of fear for Allah, prevents himself from looking at evil, Allah shall grant him such light of faith, the taste, and ecstasy of which he will feel in the heart." The 'Sufis' interpret the above saying to mean that those sights which should be avoided include all such places and things that distract the mind from the remembrance of Allah.
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