[51] Surah Adh-Dhariyat [The Winds that Scatter]: Ayat 041-042

৪১. এবং নিদর্শন রয়েছে তাদের কাহিনীতে; যখন আমি তাদের উপর প্রেরণ করেছিলাম অশুভ বায়ু।

৪২. এই বায়ু যার উপর দিয়ে প্রবাহিত হয়েছিলঃ তাকেই চুর্ণ-বিচুর্ণ করে দিয়েছিল। 

Ayat 41. And in 'Ad (there is also a sign) when We sent against them the barren wind;

Ayat 42. It spared nothing that it reached, but blew it into broken spreads of rotten ruins.

Tafseer of Surah Adh-Dhariyat Ayat 41. And in the ´Ad (people) (was another Sign): Behold, We sent against them the devastating Wind: Cf. 46:21 -26. The point here is that the 'Ad were a gifted people: Allah had given them talents and material wealth: but when they defied Allah, they and all their belongings were destroyed in a night, by a hurricane which they thought was bringing them the rain to which they were looking forward. How marvelously Allah's Providence works, to help the good and destroy the wicked! 42. It left nothing whatever that it came up against, but reduced it to ruin and rottenness. 

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said, "Allah the Exalted and Majestic said: `Every act of the son of Adam is for him, except As-Siyam (the fasting) which is (exclusively) for Me, and I will reward him for it.' Fasting is a shield. When anyone of you is observing fast, he should neither indulge in obscene language nor should he raise his voice; and if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him, he should say: `I am fasting.' By Him in Whose Hand the soul of Muhammad  [SAWW] is, the breath of one observing Saum is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk. The one who fasts, experiences two joys: he feels pleasure when he breaks the fast. He is joyful by virtue of his fast when he meets his Rubb.'' [Al-Bukhari Book 03, Chapter 31, Hadith # 128].

Lesson: "Khuluf'', is the smell that comes from the mouth of person who observes Saum. It results from the thirst and hunger which he has to suffer during the Saum. The Hadith not only tells us the merits of Saum but also brings into focus the true significance of it. Saum is not thus mere abstention from food, drink and sexual intercourse, but also keeping away from all evils and vices and embracing virtues.