Significance of Fasting According to the Quran and Sunnah
Being Muslims we all know the virtues and merits of the holy month of Ramadan. Allah SWT granted us this month with His countless blessings. In this article we are going to explore the significance of fasting in Islam. Why Has Allah made it obligatory to fast during the whole month of Ramadan? And what are the rewards and sanctifications of fasting according to the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
What is Fasting and why is it Obligatory?
First of all we need to understand the concept of fasting in Islam. Why Allah SWT has made it third most important pillar of Islam?
Fasting is mandatory in almost all the existing religions of the world. They are performed according to their own principles, beliefs and ethics.
The concept of fasting in Islam is entirely different. In Islam during the fast, Muslims are not only bound to leave all the edible things. Rather it is a source of protection from sins.
We learn self-discipline and self-restraint during the fast. The time of fasting in Ramadan is before dawn (Fajar) in morning till sunset in evening (Maghrib). We revise our faith in Allah Almighty during the time of fast.
During the fast our courage of performance increases in different aspects of life. It is the best time to control our habits of intoxication or other addictive treatments. Also fasting is very helpful for your physical fitness.
Apart from the physical or worldly benefits, there are countless spiritual benefits of fasting for one month of Ramadan. When we are in the state of fasting, we feel the sorrowfulness of deprived people in the world. We deeply feel the hunger and thirst of the people who do not have sufficient food to stay alive. That gives us a road to the 4th most important pillar of Islam “Zakat” (to donate money for the sake of Allah)
In the Quran and Sunnah we see the significance of fasting in many places. Let us know what Allah SWT has ordered us about fasting.
Significance of Fasting According to the Quran and Sunnah
In the month of Ramadan, the gates of hell are closed and the heavens are opened. Satan (devils) are tied up firmly with chains so they do not disturb the Muslims to worship Allah Almighty with their pure hearts and soul.
Allah SWT mentioned in Quran
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ١٨٣
Translation
“O believers, Fasting is prescribed for you. As it was for those before you. So perhaps you will become mindful of Allah”.
(Al-Quran 2: 183)
Allah SWT says in Quran,
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًۭى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍۢ فَعِدَّةٌۭ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ١٨٥
Translation
“Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard ˹to distinguish between right and wrong˺. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramadan˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful”.
(Al-Quran 2:185)
In the above ayah, we realize how merciful and beneficent Allah SWT is. Prophet Muhammad PBUH said once,
“Allah says ‘every good deed of Adam’s son is for him except fasting; it is for Me. and I shall be rewarded for it.’ Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better to Allah than the smell of musk.”
(Bukhari)
Prophet Muhammad SAWW instructed his Ummah to fast in the month of Ramadan. Because it is the only good deed we cannot even imagine the reward of which.
On another place Prophet Muhammad SAWW said,
“If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life, he could not make up for it.”
(Bukhari)
The Sunnah teaches us to value each and every fasting day of Ramadan. May Allah SWT give us courage to learn the Islamic teachings from Quran and Sunnah in a practical way. Ameen.