Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala mentions in al-Qur’an: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” (al-Baqarah 2:183). From this verse we learned that fasting, which was ordained in the second hijri year, is not a new phenomenon in the lives of mankind. Among the nations that had undergone the ‘ibaadah of fasting were the ummah of Hz. Moosa (A.S) and Hz. Eesa (A.S). Even the pagan Arabs prior to the messenger ship of Rasulullah ﷺ practiced the fasting of the 10th of Muharram. The fasting of Ramadaan is an obligatory ‘ibaadah, which has a broad objective and very deep meaning. The ‘ibaadah that was made fard necessitates one to abstain from eating and drinking, having marital relationship, and avoiding deeds that can nullify or eliminate the rewards of fasting, between sunrise and sunset. Indeed, the ‘ibaadah of fasting truly teaches us on the precious ni‘mah (bounty) of having a mouthful of rice and a sip of water. All these would not be appreciated if our body has never experienced the pain of thirst and hunger. Such was the request of Rasulullah ﷺ to Allah (SWT), as narrated by Abu Umaamah (ra) where he ﷺ said: “…My Lord presented to me, that He would make the valley of Makkah into gold for me, I said: “No O Lord! But being filled for a day and hungry for a day” - or he said: “three days” or something like that – “So when I am hungry, I would beseech You and remember You, and when I am full I would be grateful to You and praise You.”” (at-Tirmidhi: da‘eef).
Fasting in Ramadan is not merely physically restraining from the obvious food and drink, but the total commitment of the servant's body and soul to the letter and spirit of fasting. The fast of the self means to be free from all carnal desires. The fast of mind is avoiding thoughts about things other than Allah (SWT).The fast of the hand is not touching/taking what does not belong to it. The fast of the nose means not sniffing or smelling unlawful things. The fast of the feet is not going places where sinful acts are propagated. The fast of the eye is to prevent it from seeing forbidden things.
Allah (SWT) says in Al-Qur’an, “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be mindful of their chastity; this will be most conducive to their purity. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be mindful of their chastity, and not display their charms (in public) beyond what may (decently) be apparent thereof, hence let them draw their head-covering over their bosoms”. (Al-Qur’an 24:30-31).
Usually, anything pleasurable will be appreciated of its value after it has ceased or disappeared from its possessor. For example, the bounty of good health will only be felt when one falls ill. The bounty of wealth will be appreciated when one falls into poverty and destitution. Such is mankind, always heedless of their Creator. The end of verse 183 in Soorah al-Baqarah mentioned the virtue of fasting, causing the believer to have the taqwa of Allah. Taqwa which refers to being fearful and obedient to Allah, abiding by all that He commanded and avoiding all that He forbade. Taqwa is borne out of rigorous training in fulfilling all of Allah’s commands and restraining oneself from committing all that is forbidden. When fasting, one becomes willing to endure exhaustion and hunger, and avoiding from committing sins and evil deeds Abu (ra) narrated: Rasulullah ﷺ said: “It may be that a fasting person attains nothing but hunger and thirst from his fasting.” (ibn Maajah, ad-Daarimi, Ahmad, al-Bayhaqi: saheeh).
Fasting can nurture the soul to become socially caring. One will feel the suffering endured by others. Allah (SWT) had ordained the believers to fast as one of the pillars (arkaan) of Islam, whether they are super rich or even having no food for the day. May the hardship and hunger of fasting grant us the awareness and realization upon the agony endured by those who are less fortunate. For us, being deprived from food and drink for about 14 hours would give us the pain of starvation. Imagine the agony endured by those not eating and drinking for days! With that, it is truly hoped that loving and humane characteristics will be imbued from the pure inner heart. For those having pure hearts, penitence will flourish, that they are willing to give away their wealth in aiding the poor and needy. Furthermore, the willingness to part off from a portion of their wealth in fulfilling their zakaat and making waqf. Fasting is a path that truly prepares one in becoming patient, which is to endure tribulations, striving diligently, willingness to bear the sufferings, pain, and hardship, all for the sake of attaining the pleasure of Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala.
Beyond the thirst and hunger, Islam teaches mankind to remain patient. There is not a single school in this world that can truly educate the human desire and teach the true meaning of sabr, except through the ‘ibaadah of fasting to suppress the power of lust, stomach, and private parts, then his fasting is equivalent to half of sabr. A man from Banu Sulaym narrated: Rasulullah ﷺ said: “...and fasting is half of patience, and purification is half of faith.” (at-Tirmidhi: hasan). Such great rewards for those whom are patient, as Allah (SWT) mentions in al-Qur’an: “… Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account." (az-Zumar 39:10).
Among the virtue of fasting is preserving one’s health. In the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (ra), Rasulullah ﷺ had verified this by stating: “Fast and you will be healthy.” (at-Tabaraani: da‘eef). The truth regarding fasting which helps preserve one’s health has been mentioned by many. It has been acknowledged not only by Muslim medical experts but also by non-Muslim scholars. For example, an institution in Germany has done research on the effect of fasting on the health. The results verified that fasting can cure various types of illnesses, among them diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure. We are well informed that there are diseases which can easily attack the human body, in which some are due to the stomach condition having been filled with a variety of delicious food, disregarding the limitations, capabilities, and the condition of the stomach, whilst Allah reminds us in al-Qur’an: “…and eat and drink, but be not excessive…” (al-A‘raaf 7:31) This verse reminds mankind to not eat and drink beyond what is needed by the body. The stomach then becomes the breeding ground for various diseases, so its proper care is to restrain and control food intake, for that is the main remedy. The stomach has a role in food digestion before the nutrients are absorbed by the body. The digestive system, like any other machine, also needs its rest. If not, problems will begin to appear such as stomachache, irregular stools, and improper absorption of food nutrients. A Swiss physician Dr. Barsilus noted that: The advantages of hunger as a remedy exceed those ingesting medicine several times. As readers are well aware, several physicians advise patients to skip meals, sometimes for a few days, before prescribing them a controlled diet. An Arab medical expert has done a research pertaining to several illnesses, and then concluded that: “The stomach is the base for all sickness. Abstaining from eating is its most potent medicine.” Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala mentions in al-Qur’an: “But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.” (al-Baqarah 2:184). Dr. Muhammad Rajab al-Bayumi from al-Azhar University wrote in his book Qadhaya Islamiyyah that fasting is a very important action to be done by all creatures, whether human or animal. Fasting or reducing food intake has been identified as among very beneficial approaches in improving the health, slows the aging process, and enhances reproduction. According to research, animals also fast without coercion. The fasting of animals is not due to deeds and sins, or paradise and hell, but due to its fitrah (natural disposition). Research was done on several mice with controlled dietary habits. Consequently, it clearly showed that mice that ate less would have a longer life compared to those that ate more. The mother hen fasts during the hatching period to incubate the hatched eggs. Researches indicated that mother hens that hatched the most eggs are ones that fast the most, for its body suffers from fever during that period. Such body heat helps in the hatchery that will prolong the lives of the chicks. Similarly with salmons that are made into sardines, delicious when eaten, they would fast during the eggs hatching process. Knowing that animals also fast, then it is truly humiliating to find Muslims having difficulty to fast, while Allah (SWT) has promised multitudes of reward in the Hereafter. Moreover, animals are only taught through fitrah. Allah (SWT) mentions in al-Qur’an: “And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you…” (al-An‘am 6:38).
But fasting should have its regulations too, and not simply the in orderly skipping meals, that is bound to harm health and stamina, rather than improving them. Here again Islam provides the answer, and in order to realize the benefits of fasting, it recommends the late midnight meals called Sahar (before the formal start of a fast) and the breaking of the fast at the time prescribed. Of course, to ensure good health one should abstain from gluttony after breaking fast.
Fasting in Ramadan is not merely physically restraining from the obvious food and drink, but the total commitment of the servant's body and soul to the letter and spirit of fasting. The fast of the self means to be free from all carnal desires. The fast of mind is avoiding thoughts about things other than Allah (SWT).The fast of the hand is not touching/taking what does not belong to it. The fast of the nose means not sniffing or smelling unlawful things. The fast of the feet is not going places where sinful acts are propagated. The fast of the eye is to prevent it from seeing forbidden things.
Allah (SWT) says in Al-Qur’an, “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be mindful of their chastity; this will be most conducive to their purity. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be mindful of their chastity, and not display their charms (in public) beyond what may (decently) be apparent thereof, hence let them draw their head-covering over their bosoms”. (Al-Qur’an 24:30-31).
Usually, anything pleasurable will be appreciated of its value after it has ceased or disappeared from its possessor. For example, the bounty of good health will only be felt when one falls ill. The bounty of wealth will be appreciated when one falls into poverty and destitution. Such is mankind, always heedless of their Creator. The end of verse 183 in Soorah al-Baqarah mentioned the virtue of fasting, causing the believer to have the taqwa of Allah. Taqwa which refers to being fearful and obedient to Allah, abiding by all that He commanded and avoiding all that He forbade. Taqwa is borne out of rigorous training in fulfilling all of Allah’s commands and restraining oneself from committing all that is forbidden. When fasting, one becomes willing to endure exhaustion and hunger, and avoiding from committing sins and evil deeds Abu (ra) narrated: Rasulullah ﷺ said: “It may be that a fasting person attains nothing but hunger and thirst from his fasting.” (ibn Maajah, ad-Daarimi, Ahmad, al-Bayhaqi: saheeh).
Fasting can nurture the soul to become socially caring. One will feel the suffering endured by others. Allah (SWT) had ordained the believers to fast as one of the pillars (arkaan) of Islam, whether they are super rich or even having no food for the day. May the hardship and hunger of fasting grant us the awareness and realization upon the agony endured by those who are less fortunate. For us, being deprived from food and drink for about 14 hours would give us the pain of starvation. Imagine the agony endured by those not eating and drinking for days! With that, it is truly hoped that loving and humane characteristics will be imbued from the pure inner heart. For those having pure hearts, penitence will flourish, that they are willing to give away their wealth in aiding the poor and needy. Furthermore, the willingness to part off from a portion of their wealth in fulfilling their zakaat and making waqf. Fasting is a path that truly prepares one in becoming patient, which is to endure tribulations, striving diligently, willingness to bear the sufferings, pain, and hardship, all for the sake of attaining the pleasure of Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala.
Beyond the thirst and hunger, Islam teaches mankind to remain patient. There is not a single school in this world that can truly educate the human desire and teach the true meaning of sabr, except through the ‘ibaadah of fasting to suppress the power of lust, stomach, and private parts, then his fasting is equivalent to half of sabr. A man from Banu Sulaym narrated: Rasulullah ﷺ said: “...and fasting is half of patience, and purification is half of faith.” (at-Tirmidhi: hasan). Such great rewards for those whom are patient, as Allah (SWT) mentions in al-Qur’an: “… Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account." (az-Zumar 39:10).
Among the virtue of fasting is preserving one’s health. In the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (ra), Rasulullah ﷺ had verified this by stating: “Fast and you will be healthy.” (at-Tabaraani: da‘eef). The truth regarding fasting which helps preserve one’s health has been mentioned by many. It has been acknowledged not only by Muslim medical experts but also by non-Muslim scholars. For example, an institution in Germany has done research on the effect of fasting on the health. The results verified that fasting can cure various types of illnesses, among them diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure. We are well informed that there are diseases which can easily attack the human body, in which some are due to the stomach condition having been filled with a variety of delicious food, disregarding the limitations, capabilities, and the condition of the stomach, whilst Allah reminds us in al-Qur’an: “…and eat and drink, but be not excessive…” (al-A‘raaf 7:31) This verse reminds mankind to not eat and drink beyond what is needed by the body. The stomach then becomes the breeding ground for various diseases, so its proper care is to restrain and control food intake, for that is the main remedy. The stomach has a role in food digestion before the nutrients are absorbed by the body. The digestive system, like any other machine, also needs its rest. If not, problems will begin to appear such as stomachache, irregular stools, and improper absorption of food nutrients. A Swiss physician Dr. Barsilus noted that: The advantages of hunger as a remedy exceed those ingesting medicine several times. As readers are well aware, several physicians advise patients to skip meals, sometimes for a few days, before prescribing them a controlled diet. An Arab medical expert has done a research pertaining to several illnesses, and then concluded that: “The stomach is the base for all sickness. Abstaining from eating is its most potent medicine.” Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala mentions in al-Qur’an: “But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.” (al-Baqarah 2:184). Dr. Muhammad Rajab al-Bayumi from al-Azhar University wrote in his book Qadhaya Islamiyyah that fasting is a very important action to be done by all creatures, whether human or animal. Fasting or reducing food intake has been identified as among very beneficial approaches in improving the health, slows the aging process, and enhances reproduction. According to research, animals also fast without coercion. The fasting of animals is not due to deeds and sins, or paradise and hell, but due to its fitrah (natural disposition). Research was done on several mice with controlled dietary habits. Consequently, it clearly showed that mice that ate less would have a longer life compared to those that ate more. The mother hen fasts during the hatching period to incubate the hatched eggs. Researches indicated that mother hens that hatched the most eggs are ones that fast the most, for its body suffers from fever during that period. Such body heat helps in the hatchery that will prolong the lives of the chicks. Similarly with salmons that are made into sardines, delicious when eaten, they would fast during the eggs hatching process. Knowing that animals also fast, then it is truly humiliating to find Muslims having difficulty to fast, while Allah (SWT) has promised multitudes of reward in the Hereafter. Moreover, animals are only taught through fitrah. Allah (SWT) mentions in al-Qur’an: “And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you…” (al-An‘am 6:38).
But fasting should have its regulations too, and not simply the in orderly skipping meals, that is bound to harm health and stamina, rather than improving them. Here again Islam provides the answer, and in order to realize the benefits of fasting, it recommends the late midnight meals called Sahar (before the formal start of a fast) and the breaking of the fast at the time prescribed. Of course, to ensure good health one should abstain from gluttony after breaking fast.