Rasulullaah SalAllaahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadhaan with imaan and ihtisaab, all his past sins are forgiven.” (Bukhaari no. 1901, Muslim no. 760)

The Muhadditheen generally say that the word ‘imaan’ means that the person engaging in worship on this night should have Imaan; he should truly believe in Allaah Jalla Jalaalahoo and His messenger and he should be convinced about the promises of Allaah Jalla Jalaalahoo. As for the word Ihtisaab, it means that one should carry out acts of worship with the sole aim of pleasing Allaah Jalla Jalaalahoo and receiving the benefits promised for those acts worship. The acts of worship should not be carried out with Riya’ or with the intention of acquiring fame.

However, Shaykh al-Islam, Allamah Shabbir Ahmad Uthmaani Rahimahullaah says that the word Imaan has a deeper meaning [as it is obvious that people without Imaan would not be worshipping Allaah Jalla Jalaalahoo]. Therefore he feels that the words Imaan and Ihtisaab do not only imply that one’s beliefs and intention should be correct. Instead, it refers to a level above that which is commonly understood. He says that when intending to engage in worship or commencing devotions, the only motivational factor for engaging in worship and devotions should be Imaan and Ihtisaab. In other words, what prompts this person to engage in devotions and spend the night in worship?

It should only be prompted by Imaan and Ihtisaab; it should not be carried out because it is customary to do so, nor should it be done because one has formed a habit of doing it. This explanation brings about a new dimension to this Hadith and upon considering it carefully, it certainly has merit.

Consider a believer [Mu’min] who has correct beliefs and a correct intention, but is not altogether cognizant of the fact that he is engaging in devotion due to it being a command of Allaah, for which great rewards are promised. He is not driven to act on the basis of these two matters; his actions are carried out without visualising or bringing the correct motives to mind. However, he does not have any evil intention too.

Consider the following example: A child whose father is a doctor, falls ill. Out of compassion the father advises him to take certain medication at fixed times and assures him that this would make him feel better. The father also promises to reward him for taking the medication regularly. Initially the child would be motivated to take the medication as he is aware that it is an instruction from his father, and he would be rewarded for it as well.

However, over a few days he has formed a habit of taking the medication and no longer has the motivation in mind. This is human nature. This is precisely the case with our Salah, fasting and other deeds. When carrying out these deeds we are not completely focused on the fact that these are commandments from Allaah Jalla Jalaalahoo, which we would be rewarded for. We fail to be alert about the fact that we could acquire the pleasure of Allaah Jalla Jalaalahoo through them, we could be cured of spiritual ills and that we could be rewarded greatly for them. So we perform Salaah and fast habitually and routinely and offer these devotions just as how someone fulfils a duty in order to be relieved from it.

Therefore Allaamah Shabbir Ahmad Uthmaani Rahimahullaah says that the words Imaan and Ihtisaab imply that the devotions of fasting, taraweeh and staying awake in worship on Laylat al-Qadr should not be mere routine and custom. It should be prompted by some other factors and we need to visualise these motives. This would enliven our devotions and it would enhance the rewards significantly.

(Fadl-al-Baari vol. 1 page 445, Kashf al-Baari vol. 2 page 349)

And Allaah Jalla Jalaalahoo knows best.