Benarkah Manusia Lebih Mulia daripada Malaikat? Ft Ustaz Isa Alkaf

Summary

In this video, the speaker explains the spiritual significance of fasting (puasa) as outlined in Surah Al-Baqarah (182). Fasting is not only about abstaining from food and drink but also about controlling one’s desires (hawa nafsu). Unlike angels, who possess only intellect, or animals, who have desires without intellect, humans must balance both. True piety (taqwa) is achieved when individuals use their intellect to control their desires. The speaker emphasizes that those who fail to control their desires during fasting, such as gossiping or lustful thoughts, miss the true benefits of fasting.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fasting is obligatory for believers, as mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:182), to help achieve piety (taqwa).
• 😀 The purpose of fasting is not just to abstain from food and drink but to control all desires, including gossip and immoral actions.
• 😀 Humans, unlike angels, are given both intellect and desires, which makes them capable of choosing between right and wrong.
• 😀 Angels have no desires, so they cannot sin, while animals are driven solely by desires and are not held accountable by Allah.
• 😀 If humans control their desires, they can become more virtuous than angels, but if they succumb to their desires, they risk becoming worse than animals.
• 😀 Fasting helps in self-discipline and in the control of both physical and emotional desires, leading to a more righteous life.
• 😀 True fasting involves more than just abstaining from food; it requires controlling desires like lust, anger, and gossip.
• 😀 Some people may fast physically but fail to control their other desires, rendering their fast ineffective and not spiritually rewarding.
• 😀 Fasting teaches humans to develop greater self-control, which in turn helps them become closer to Allah.
• 😀 The ultimate goal of fasting is to develop *taqwa* (piety) and to lead a life that follows Allah's commands and avoids His prohibitions.

Q & A

Why is fasting important according to the script?

Fasting is important because it is a way to train oneself to control desires and impulses, leading to a state of taqwa (God-consciousness), as outlined in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 182.

What does Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 182, say about fasting?

Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 182 mentions that fasting has been prescribed for believers, just as it was prescribed for previous nations, to help them achieve taqwa (God-consciousness).

What is the connection between fasting and self-control?

Fasting helps to control one's desires (hawa nafsu) by requiring the individual to refrain from eating, drinking, and other physical indulgences. This self-discipline allows the mind (aql) to guide behavior, enhancing spiritual development.

How do humans differ from angels and animals according to the script?

Humans are unique because they have both intellect (aql) and desires (hawa nafsu). Angels have intellect but no desires, making them unable to disobey God. Animals, on the other hand, only have desires and are not held accountable for their actions.

Why are animals not held accountable for their actions?

Animals are not held accountable because they act based on their desires alone and do not possess the intellect (aql) to make conscious choices or moral decisions.

What happens when humans prioritize their desires over their intellect?

When humans prioritize their desires over their intellect, they become worse than animals, as they fail to control their impulses and stray from the righteous path. This is considered more misguided (adl) than the behavior of animals.

How does fasting help in achieving taqwa?

Fasting helps by training the individual to control their desires and to make conscious choices based on their intellect, which leads them to follow the commands of Allah and avoid prohibitions, ultimately developing taqwa.

Why do some people gain nothing from fasting except hunger and thirst?

Some people gain nothing from fasting because they refrain from food and drink but fail to control other desires such as gossip (ghibah) or inappropriate actions. True fasting involves controlling all aspects of one's desires, not just physical needs.

What is the importance of controlling both physical and mental desires during fasting?

Controlling both physical and mental desires during fasting is essential to train the soul. Fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drink but also about refraining from sinful behaviors and maintaining moral integrity.

What is the ultimate purpose of fasting according to the script?

The ultimate purpose of fasting is to train oneself to achieve taqwa (God-consciousness), allowing the individual to be guided by their intellect and live in accordance with the will of Allah.