KARAMAH 1446 EPS 6: Puasa itu Mengalahkan Syahwat, Bukan Menahan Syahwat - KH. Farid Ma'ruf Zain, MA

Summary

This sermon emphasizes the deeper spiritual significance of fasting during Ramadan, urging Muslims to go beyond mere abstinence from food and drink. The speaker draws from the teachings of Islamic scholars like Imam al-Ghazali, stressing moderation in eating and the importance of consuming halal food. Overindulgence, even in permissible food, is warned against as it undermines the true purpose of fasting—controlling desires and achieving spiritual growth. The speaker encourages Muslims to elevate their fasting practices, aiming for a level of self-discipline that earns the pleasure of Allah and leads to greater rewards.

Takeaways

• 😀 The importance of gratitude: The speaker begins by expressing gratitude to Allah for health and the opportunity to observe fasting during Ramadan.
• 😀 Evaluating the quality of fasting: The speaker encourages Muslims to evaluate their fasts to ensure they are performing them properly and gaining the full reward from Allah.
• 😀 Avoiding wasted fasting: It’s mentioned that some people fast but do not earn any reward because their fasting is not done correctly.
• 😀 The importance of halal food: Imam Al-Ghazali emphasizes that fasting should include only halal food, and Muslims must be cautious about the foods they consume during Ramadan.
• 😀 Moderation in eating: The speaker advises against overeating during Ramadan, warning that many people overeat at iftar, which negates the true essence of fasting.
• 😀 Fasting is not just about food and drink: True fasting also involves controlling one’s desires and avoiding indulgence, especially in food, to truly benefit from the fast.
• 😀 The significance of self-discipline: Imam Al-Ghazali’s teachings suggest that Muslims should practice self-restraint, especially in terms of food, during Ramadan.
• 😀 Avoiding excessiveness: Imam Al-Ghazali and Imam An-Nawawi both highlight that overindulgence in food, even during Ramadan, is detrimental to the spiritual benefits of fasting.
• 😀 Ramadan as an opportunity to elevate oneself spiritually: The speaker calls for Muslims to 'level up' their fasting by improving their self-discipline and spiritual practice beyond just avoiding food and drink.
• 😀 The reward of fasting: The speaker emphasizes that fasting done properly can bring great rewards and closeness to Allah, urging Muslims to maintain sincerity in their fasting and to avoid excessiveness.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the sermon?

The main theme of the sermon is about properly observing the fast during Ramadan, ensuring that fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drink, but also about controlling desires and eating moderately, with a focus on spiritual growth and reward from Allah.

What does the speaker emphasize about food during fasting?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of consuming only halal food and avoiding overeating. They stress that food should be eaten in moderation and that overeating defeats the purpose of fasting, as it hinders the spiritual aspect of self-control.

Why does the speaker refer to Imam al-Ghazali in the sermon?

The speaker refers to Imam al-Ghazali to highlight his teachings on fasting, particularly about the importance of consuming halal food and avoiding excess in eating, which aligns with the goal of fasting to control one’s desires.

What does Imam al-Ghazali warn about in relation to food intake during Ramadan?

Imam al-Ghazali warns against consuming food that is not halal and advises against overeating. He suggests that overeating during Ramadan defeats the purpose of fasting and affects its spiritual benefit.

What is the relationship between fasting and controlling desires, according to the speaker?

The speaker explains that fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drink, but also about controlling one’s desires, especially the urge to overeat. Proper fasting involves overcoming the desire for food and maintaining a balanced, moderate approach to eating.

How does the speaker suggest Muslims should evaluate their fasting?

The speaker encourages Muslims to reflect on their fasting practices and evaluate whether they are truly adhering to the spiritual principles of fasting. This reflection helps ensure that fasting is meaningful and results in the reward from Allah.

What does the speaker mean by 'moving up a level' in fasting?

Moving up a level in fasting means improving the quality of one’s fasting by going beyond simply refraining from food and drink. It involves actively working to control one’s desires and ensuring the fast leads to spiritual growth and closeness to Allah.

Why is it important not to overeat during Ramadan, according to Imam an-Nawawi?

Imam an-Nawawi advises against overeating because it undermines the true purpose of fasting, which is to control one’s desires and avoid excess. Overeating leads to a lack of self-restraint, making the fast spiritually ineffective.

What does the speaker say about the reward of fasting?

The speaker mentions that fasting, when observed correctly, is a means of earning great reward from Allah. A sincere and spiritually mindful fast is one that not only abstains from food and drink but also involves controlling one’s desires and aligning actions with Islamic teachings.

What final reminder does the speaker offer to the congregation?

The speaker reminds the congregation to strive for a more meaningful and spiritually fulfilling fast. They encourage everyone to ensure that their fasting not only meets the physical requirements but also leads to deeper spiritual benefits, ultimately gaining Allah’s reward.