Author: Mohammad Medani Bahagianda*
Suaraanaknegerinews.com – Fasting is one of the most special forms of worship in Islam. In its implementation, not only refraining from eating, drinking, and things that cancel the fast, but intention and sincerity are the main keys to the acceptance of the fast.
In the Qur’an and hadith, it is explained the importance of sincere intention in fasting solely for Allah SWT.
Intention in Fasting
Intention is the main thing in worship, including fasting. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“Indeed, deeds depend on one’s intention, and a person will get according to his intention.” (Hadith narrated by Umar bin Al-Khattab. This hadith is known as the Intention Hadith and is included in the collection of authentic hadiths. HR. Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith and HR. Sahih Muslim)
The event related to this hadith is when there was a friend who migrated from Mecca to Medina not for religious reasons, but because he wanted to marry a woman.
The Prophet Muhammad SAW reminded that the intention of every charity is very important, and people will get rewards or rewards according to their intentions. This hadith is an important basis in Islamic teachings regarding intention in all actions.
This hadith emphasizes that all worship, including fasting, must be accompanied by the right intention. In fasting, the intention must be spoken in the heart to affirm that this worship is carried out solely for Allah SWT, not for worldly purposes or praise from others.
The intention of fasting in Ramadan should be done every night before dawn, according to a hadith from Hafshah (may Allah be pleased with him):
Sincerity in Fasting.
Sincerity is an absolute requirement in fasting, because fasting is a very special worship between a servant and his Lord. In a qudsi hadith, Allah said: “Every good deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied ten to seven hundred times in return, except fasting, for fasting is for Me and I will repay it. He forsakes his orgasm and food because of Me.” (Narrated by Abu Hurairah (ra). Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
This hadith is conveyed in the context of the priority of fasting, where Allah SWT gives a special and direct reward for fasting. This event emphasizes that fasting is a special worship whose reward is not limited to ordinary calculations, like other deeds that can be multiplied by up to seven hundred times.
Since fasting is an act that involves controlling orgasm and refraining from food for the sake of Allah, Allah declares that only He will give a direct reward, without any specific reward limitations.
The event of the delivery of this hadith explains that fasting is different from other worship because only Allah knows the extent of a person’s sincerity in carrying it out.
Fasting does not appear physically like other worships, such as prayer or almsgiving, so only Allah can judge the intention of a person who fasts properly.
Sincerity in fasting means that a Muslim refrains from anything that cancels the fast not because of fear of human eyes, but because of fear of Allah and hoping to get a reward from Him. Fasting that is done without sincerity will lose its value in the sight of Allah.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and expects a reward (from Allah), then his past sins will be forgiven.” (narrated by Abu Hurairah (ra). Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
This event is related to the virtue of fasting in the month of Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammad SAW explained that whoever carries out fasting in the month of Ramadan with full faith and only hopes for rewards from Allah SWT, then the sins of the past will be forgiven.
This shows the magnitude of the virtues and rewards contained in the fasting of Ramadan for those who carry it out with sincere and sincere intentions.
This hadith teaches that faith and hope for rewards are the key to achieving Allah’s forgiveness through fasting. Therefore, sincerity in carrying out fasting is the main foundation for the worship to be accepted and received in return from Allah.
Conclusion.
Intention and sincerity are two important elements in the implementation of fasting. The right intention must be spoken every night before fasting, and sincerity must underlie all actions during fasting in order to be accepted by Allah SWT.
Fasting is a very personal worship and between a servant and Allah, so sincerity is highly emphasized in carrying it out. May we all be able to carry out fasting with sincere intentions and hope only to Allah in achieving His pleasure. (Arsiya Oganara)
*Author Profile:
Mohammad Medani Bahagianda (MMB) was born in Teluk Betung, April 9 1964. He completed his undergraduate studies in Civil Engineering at Medan Area University in Medan City, North Sumatra.
Currently, Medani is with his beloved wife, Nurhikmah, who always accompanies him in his joys and sorrows. As well as his beloved Dhyna Annisa Maghfira Bahagianda. ST, Mohammad Syafiq Halim Bahagianda S.H, and Ghina Salsabila Qotrunada Bahagianda, S.Sos., like reading and writing. For correspondence, please contact e-mail: saibatinsukamarga@gmail.com.
