Gelora Ramadhan Hari ke 01

Summary

This video discusses the importance of niat (intention) in the practice of fasting during Ramadan from both a fiqh (jurisprudence) and tasawuf (Sufism) perspective. It emphasizes that niat distinguishes between regular actions and acts of worship. The speaker elaborates on how niat should be made at night before fasting, with sincerity and in accordance with Islamic teachings. The video also highlights the spiritual dimensions of niat, explaining how it can be motivated by fear of Allah, the desire for reward, or gratitude, and warns against performing acts of worship for the sake of public praise.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fasting (puasa) in Islam is an act of self-restraint from things like eating, drinking, and intimate relations from dawn to sunset, with the intention (niat) being essential.
• 😀 The intention (niat) for fasting should be made the night before, not at dawn, following the guidance in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh).
• 😀 Niat distinguishes between mere habits (e.g., dieting) and acts of worship. Without the intention of fasting, refraining from food and drink does not count as a valid fast.
• 😀 There are different levels of niat in tasawuf: fear of Allah, desire for reward, and true gratitude and servitude to Allah.
• 😀 Niat should come from the heart, and in fasting, it should be said before the start of the fast, not at the moment of beginning the fast at dawn.
• 😀 The shortest niat for fasting is 'Nawaitu sauma Ramadan' (I intend to fast Ramadan), but a more complete niat includes 'Nawaitu syahri Ramadan, lillahi ta'ala' (I intend to fast the Ramadan month for the sake of Allah).
• 😀 A sincere niat, particularly one that is motivated by seeking the pleasure of Allah, makes the fast both valid and spiritually meaningful.
• 😀 According to tasawuf, a person may act out of fear of Allah, for reward, or out of deep gratitude and devotion to Allah, with the highest level being for true servitude to Allah.
• 😀 If fasting or performing religious duties is done for the sake of appearance, fear of judgment, or to gain praise from others, it becomes a form of showing off (riya') and loses its spiritual reward.
• 😀 The hadith 'Innamal a'malu bin niat' ('Actions are judged by intentions') underscores the importance of niat in determining the value of deeds in the sight of Allah.

Q & A

What is the definition of fasting in Islamic law (fiqh)?

Fasting in Islamic law (fiqh) means refraining from things that invalidate the fast, such as eating, drinking, intimate relations, and intentional vomiting, from dawn until sunset, along with the intention to fast.

Why is the intention (niyyah) crucial in the act of fasting?

The intention is crucial because it differentiates a religious act from a mere habit. For example, not eating or drinking for health reasons does not constitute fasting in Islam unless done with the intention of fulfilling the religious obligation.

What is the proper time to make the niyyah for fasting?

The niyyah (intention) for fasting should be made the night before the fast begins, not at dawn. This is in accordance with the hadith that instructs the believer to make the intention at night for the upcoming day's fast.

Can fasting be valid without the intention made the night before?

No, fasting is not valid if the intention is not made the night before. The intention is necessary to distinguish the act of fasting as a religious obligation rather than a mere act of abstention.

What is the simplest and most common phrase for making the niyyah for fasting?

The simplest phrase is: 'Nawaitu sauma Ramadan' – 'I intend to fast the month of Ramadan.' This is sufficient for the niyyah to be valid.

How does the niyyah in fasting relate to the hadith, 'Actions are judged by intentions'?

The hadith emphasizes that the validity and reward of any act depend on the intention behind it. In the case of fasting, even if one refrains from food and drink, it is only considered fasting if done with the intention of fulfilling the religious duty.

What are the three different levels of niyyah according to tasawuf (Islamic mysticism)?

According to tasawuf, the three levels of niyyah are: 1) Doing actions out of fear of Allah (ibadah of a servant), 2) Doing actions to seek reward and paradise (ibadah of a merchant), and 3) Doing actions due to gratitude, humility, and recognition of one's insufficiency before Allah (ibadah of the free, or the true worshippers).

What is the significance of performing acts of worship with sincerity, according to tasawuf?

Sincerity in worship is crucial in tasawuf because it ensures that actions are done solely for the pleasure of Allah. Actions performed for worldly recognition, such as for praise or to be seen by others, are considered to lack sincerity and can invalidate the spiritual reward of the act.

How does performing worship for the sake of praise from others affect the validity of the act?

While such actions may fulfill the outward requirement of worship, they lack sincerity and thus lose their spiritual value. Allah does not accept acts performed with the intention of showing off (riya), and the reward for such acts is nullified.

What is the Islamic perspective on doing acts of worship out of fear of punishment or for reward?

While doing acts of worship out of fear of punishment (hell) or seeking reward (paradise) are considered acceptable and valid, the highest level of worship is doing it out of genuine gratitude and love for Allah. This level of sincerity is regarded as the purest form of worship.