'Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah'. 
'As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu.' 'The Inner Secrets of Fasting'. Know, that in the fast (Sawm) is a special quality that is not found in anything else. And that is its close connection to Allaah, such that He says:- ''The Fast (Sawm) is for Me and I will reward it.'' [2] This connection is enough to show the high status of fasting. Similarly, the Ka'bah is highly dignified due to its close connection to Him, as occurs in His statement:- ''And sanctify My House.'' [3] Indeed, the fast is only virtuous due to two significant concepts:- THE FIRST:- It is a secret and hidden action, thus, no one from the creation is able to see it . [Therefore Riyaa' (showing off) cannot enter into it.] THE SECOND:- It is a means of subjugating the enemies of Allaah. This is because the road that the enemies of Allaah embark upon [in order to misguide the Son of Aadam] is that of desires. And eating and drinking strengthens the desires. There are many reports that indicate the merits of fasting, and they are well known. THE RECOMMENDED ACTS OF FASTING:- The pre-dawn meal [Suhoor] and delaying in taking it are preferable~ as well as hastening to break the fast and doing so with dates. Generosity in giving is also recommended during Ramadhaan~ as well as doing good deeds and increasing in charity. This is in accordance with the way of the Messenger of Allaah [Sal Allaahu 'Alaihi wa Salaam] It is also recommended to study the Qur'aan and perform I'tikaaf [seclusion for worship] during Ramadhaan~ ~especially in its last ten { 10 } days, as well as increasing upon the exertion [towards doing good deeds] in it. In the two Saheehs, 'Aa'ishah [ra] said:- ''When the last ten days (of Ramadhaan) would come, the Prophet would tighten his waist wrapper (Izaar)'' [4] The scholars have mentioned two views concerning the meaning of 'tighten his wrapper (izaar)' The first is that it means the turning away from women. The second is that it is an expression denoting his eagerness and diligence in doing good deed. They also say that the reason for: the last ten days of Ramadhaan was due to his seeking of the Night of al-Qadr [Laylatul-Qadr] EXPLANATION OF THE INNER SECRETS OF FASTING AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS. There are three {3} levels of fasting~ the general fast, the specific fast and the more specific fast. As for the general fast, then it is the refraining of ones stomach and their private parts from fulfilling their desires. The specific fast is the refraining of ones gaze, tongue, hands, feet, hearing and eyes, as well as the rest of his body parts from committing sinful acts. As for the more specific fast~ then it is the heart's abstention from its yearning after the worldly affairs and the thoughts which distance one away from Allaah, as well as its [the heart's] abstention. From all the things that Allaah has placed on the same level. [5] From the characteristics of the specific fast is that one lowers his gaze and safeguards his tongue from the repulsive speech that is forbidden, disliked, or which has no benefit, as well as controlling the rest of his body parts. . In a hadeeth by al-Bukhaaree:- ''Whosoever does not abandon false speech and the acting upon it, Allaah is not in need of his food and drink.'' [6] Another characteristic of the specific fast is that one does not overfill himself with food during the night. Instead, he eats in due measure~ for indeed, the son of Aadam does not fill a vessel more evil than his stomach. If he were to eat his fill during the first part of the night, he would not make good use of himself for the remainder of the night. In the same way, if he eats to his fill for suhoor, he does make good use of himself until the afternoon. This is because excessive eating breads laziness and lethargy therefore, the objective of fasting disappears due to one's excessiveness in eating, for what is indeed intended by the fast, is that one savours the taste of hunger and becomes an abandoner of desires.
~ MY ' SALAAMS ' TO YOU ALL ~
Y a s m i n.
"All that is on earth will Perish. But will abide {Forever} the Face of thy Lord, full of Majesty, Bounty and Honour" {'Quran'- Surah Al-Rahman-55.26-27 }
I Want to Die With my Forehead on the Ground!
The Sunnah in my Heart, Allah on my Mind,
Qur'an on my Tongue, and Tears in my Eyes! 'Insha Allah'! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sources :- Footnotes The Inner Secrets of Fasting [1]
By Imaam Ibn Qudaamah al-Maqdisee (d.529H) [1] This article is taken from the book Mukhtasar Minhaajul-Qaasideen (p. 38-41) of the illustrious scholar and righteous Imaam, Ibn Qudaamah al-Maqdisee (d.529H). This article was translated by Isma'eel Ibn al-Arkaan and edited by Abu Khaliyl. There were also slight adaptions made to it, such as the exclusion of a couple of statements.
[2] Related by al-Bukhaaree (4/118) and Muslim (no. 1151).
[3] Sooratul-Hajj: 26
[4] Related by al-Bukhaaree (4/322) and Muslim (no. 1147).
[5] (Editors note: Additional comment is required here; the levels mentioned are levels of abstinence. The first of these three levels entails the abstinence which is fulfilled, the fast is considered complete in view of the one having met the legislated requirements [i.e. It does not have to be repeated or made up, the servant has indeed fasted.] The remaining levels deal with the value of the Fast. If the second is level is not met, the fast will be of less value to the servant, than if it were met and likewise for the third. Thus it is said that intentional eating and intercourse render the fast null and void, whereas committing other unlawful acts such, likes speaking falsely, placing the unlawful look to the opposite sex. And so on will constitute a sin of one degree or another, but not nullify the fast.
[6] Related by al-Bukhaaree (4/99) | 
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