Who is regular in observing Saum

***resham*** · 07-09-2010, 06:15 AM

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said,
"He who spends a pair in the way of Allah
will be called from the gates of Jannah: `
O slave of Allah! This gate is better for you'
and one who is constant in Salat (prayer),
will be called from the Gate of Salat;
and whoever is eager in fighting in the Cause of Allah,
will be called from the Gate of Jihad;
and who is regular in observing Saum
will be called from Ar-Raiyan Gate.
The one who is generous in charity will be called
from the Gate of Charity.''
Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
"O Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)!
May my mother and father be sacrificed for you!
Those who are called from these gates will stand in need of nothing.
Will anybody be called from all of those gates?''
He (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied,
"Yes, and I hope that you will be one of them.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary:
"Pair'' means two; in other channels of transmission, it has been explained
thus: "They asked him, `Pair of what?' He (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said,
`A pair of horses, cows or camels'.'' "Pair'' in this Hadith, however, can be
all-inclusive; i.e., fasting two days or performing two prayers, etc.
This Hadith also mentions special distinction of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq
(May Allah be pleased with him) and the esteem in which he was held by the
Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). It also transpires from this Hadith that
one can praise such a person right on his face about whom one does not fear
that it will make him proud. This Hadith has also an inducement for giving in
Sadaqah two instead of a single item.