Shaykh Ahmad bin Yahya an-Najmi (Rahimahullaah ) was asked:
Is it compulsory upon the fasting person to eat sahoor (before fajr)?
“It is not compulsory, but it is recommended because the body gains strength and energy (to fast) by taking it.”
Fath al-Rab al-Wadood Fil Fataawa wa al-Risaail wal Rudood 324 / 1
Patience During Calamities’With Short Commentary by Shaikh Bin Baaz (rahimahullaah)
Narrated Anas Bin Maalik (radiyallaahu-anhu) The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) passed by a woman who was weeping beside a grave. He told her to fear Allah and be patient. She said to him, “Go away, for you have not been afflicted with a calamity like mine.” And she did not recognize him. Then she was informed that he was the Prophet. So she went to the house of the Prophet and there she did not find any guard. Then she said to him, “I did not recognize you.” He said, “Verily, the patience is at the first stroke of a calamity.” [1]
Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz (rahimahullaah) said: This hadeeth is in relation to the time when one is excused for (grieving). It is incumbent upon him to exercise patience and hope for the (reward and mercy of Allaah,) and not to become (weak and fearful at heart, which may lead to questioning the decree of Allaah) [2]
Ref 1: Source: Sahih al-Bukhari.com: www.salafipublications.com
Ref2: Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-Ta-liqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaari Vol: 1 (page: 378: Footnote: 1) Also see: Al-Furooq Ash-Shar-iyyah Wal-Lughawiyyah Inda Ibnul Qayyim Al-Jazziyyah: page: 328]
Ahmad Bin Abil Hawaaree (rahimahullaah) said: I said to Sufyaan, ‘’What is Zuhd in the worldly life? He said: “You are thankful when favoured and patient when put to trial. That is zuhd.”
[Siyar A’laam Nubulaa:8/468]
Abul-Hasan Az-Zaahid (rahimahullaah) said: A man said to Sufyaan Ibn Uyaynah (rahimahullaah): Can a man be Zaahid whilst he has a hundred deenaar? He said: ‘’Yes’’. He (i.e. the man) said: ‘’How is that (possible)?’’ He said: ‘’When he does not grieve if it reduces and does not become happy when it increases, and he does not hate to be separated from it through death.”
[Source: Al-Hath’thu Alaa At-Tijaarah’ number 19’ Al-khallaal(rahimahullaah)]
Bishr Ibn Al-Haarith (rahimahullaah) said: It was said to Sufyaan Ath-Thawri (rahimahullaah): Can a man be a Zaahid (i.e. one who abstains from unnecessary worldly pleasures), whilst he has wealth?” He said: ‘’Yes; if it the case that he exercises patience when put to trial and is grateful to (Allaah) when given (something).”
[Hilyah 6/387-388]
Humility of our beloved Salaf – Fudayl Ibn Iyaad (rahimahullaah)
Imaam Fudayl Ibn Iyaad (rahimahullaah) was asked about humility; so he said, ‘’(It is ) to humble oneself to the truth, submitting to it and accepting it from the one who said it. He(i.e. the person) accepts it even if heard from a child or the most ignorant amongst the people.”
[Madaarij As-Saalikeen 2/342]
[1] Humility of our beloved Salaf – Ibn Umar (radiyallaahu-anhumaa)
A man said to Ibn Umar (radiyallaahu-anhu): ‘’O (you) the best of the people!” So he said, ‘’I am neither the best of the people nor the son of the best of the people; rather I am a slave from the slaves of Allaah. I have hope in Allaah and I fear Him. By Allaah you (people) will not leave a man until you destroy him’’.
[Siyar 3/236]
Ataa Ibn Deenaar (rahimahullaah ) narrated from Saeed Bin Jubair (rahimahullaah ) who said:
“Indeed reverential fear is that you fear Allaah until it becomes a barrier between you and disobedience. This reverential fear is remembrance of Allaah and obedience to Allaah; so whoever obeys Allaah is one who (truly) remembers Him. And whoever does not obey Allaah is not one who (truly) remembers Him, even if he utters a lot of words of glorification and recites the Qur’aan a lot”.
[Hilyatul Awliyaa’ 4/276]
Ibn Mas’ood (radiyallaahu-anhu) said to his companions:
“You observe fasting, perform prayer and Jihaad more than the companions of Muhammad (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam ), whilst they were better than you. ” They said, “Why is that the case?” He said, “They practiced more abstinence from the worldly life and we’re desirous of the afterlife”.
[Source: Jaami’ul Uloom Wal Hikam’ page 318]
The Misers- Those Who Conceal Allaah’s Bounties!
{الَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ وَيَأْمُرُونَ النَّاسَ بِالْبُخْلِ وَيَكْتُمُونَ مَا آتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ ۗ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابًا مُّهِينًا} [النساء : 37
“Those who are miserly and enjoin miserliness on other men and hide what Allaah has bestowed upon them of His Bounties” [4:37]
Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah ) said: They refrain from fulfilling the rights obligated on them. “And enjoin miserliness on other men” through their statements and actions. “And hide what Allaah has bestowed upon them of His Bounties” – that is knowledge by way of which the astray are guided and the ignorant are led aright. So they hide it from them and make falsehood apparent to them.
[Source: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan]