وعَنْ أبي سَعيدٍ الخُدْريِّ، رضيَ الله عنهُ، قالَ: قالَ رسولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يَصُومُ يَوماً في سَبِيلِ الله إلاَّ بَاعَدَ الله بِذلكَ اليَومِ وَجْهَهُ عَنِ النّارِ سَبْعِينَ خَرِيفاً .

Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (R) reported: Messenger of Allah, may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, said:

“Every slave of Allah, who observes Saum (fasting) during one day for the Sake of Allah, Allah will draw his face farther from Hell-Fire to the extent of a distance to be covered in seventy years”

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SIGNIFICANCE OF FASTING

As-Saum in the Arabic language literally means stopping or abstinence, while fasting, in Islamic terminology, means putting a stop to eating and drinking and abstinence from all forms of sexual pleasure between dawn and sunset.

It is compulsory upon every healthy and sane Muslim who has attained the age of puberty to fast during the holy month of Ramadan, as Allah declared in the following verse:

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so you can gain more awareness”.

We learn from this Qur’anic verse firstly that fasting is a worldwide obligation that was prescribed by Allah, the Exalted, upon previous nations as well. It signifies how important fasting is. Secondly, fasting gives a Muslim more awareness and consciousness of Allah and purifies the inner world, which put everything in its place in the human life. Thirdly, fasting is obligatory upon believers as it is stated clearly in the rest of above Quranic verse:

“… So, whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan, i.e., is present at his home) he must fast that month….” So, He who denies this obligation becomes a disbeliever.

In the same Qur’anic verses, Allah (swt) described the excellence of the month of Ramadan for us, saying:

“Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was sent down as a guide and the criterion (between right and wrong)”.

As we understand from this verse, the most important quality of the month of Ramadan is that the Qur’an, the book of Almighty Allah, was sent down in this holy month as a guidance for mankind, with clear evidence for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). The last prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, received the first Wahy (revelation of the Qur’an) on the night of Qadr in the month of Ramadan as he sat in the cave of Hira. Regarding this point Allah, the Exalted, says in the Holy Quran:

“Indeed, we have revealed this (Qur’an) in the night of Qadr (Power and Dignity). And what will explain to you what the night of Qadr is? The night of Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein, come down the angels and the Spirit descends therein, by the permission of their Lord with all decrees… (That night is) peace, until the rising of the dawn”.

So, we should spend extra time and extra effort to read the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan, to understand its teachings and to do our best to practice its injunctions in our daily life as well.

Fasting Is A Great Educational Method:

Abstinence from eating, drinking and sexual relations from dawn until sunset while it is possible to do so strengthens one’s resolution and will power. When a person denies something to their own body which it craves, they are elevating their mind and showing that their reason and will is stronger than their animalistic urges and passions in their Nafs (ego). In this way our thinking becomes clearer and we learn that we are, indeed, not governed by our animal instincts. We gain greater awareness of ourselves and hence are able to bring ourselves, closer to Allah.

Ibn Khaldun, one of the greatest Islamic sociologists, says in his very famous book named “Al-Muqaddimah” that there are two powers (two instincts) in every human body. One of them is positive in his/ her psychology and the other is negative, that is, one of them is the power of good and the other is the power of evil. Or, one of them is the voice of an angel; the other is voice of Satan... These two powers are in every human’s inner world, irrespective of their nationality, colour or gender and always struggle with each other in order to prevail over the body and soul. When one of them becomes strong, the other becomes weak. If the voice of that angel obtains power and dominates over the body, then that one’s actions will be good and noble and then he/she elevates himself/herself to the level of the angels. But if the case is the opposite; if the voice of the Satan gets power over the body, than Satan controls his/her actions and directs towards evil and then he/she becomes like Satan. So, human deeds go up and down between these two extremes. Concerning this issue, a very important question arises: what strengthens the power of the angel over the body? In fact, there is no type of medicine or chemical substance in the world that will fuel this positive instinct in human beings. But the only correct answer for this question is: Islamic worship, injunctions and requirements! Because Allah created the human body and He knows better what He created. Among those forms of worship, the most effective one which fortifies positive inner instincts is SAUM (FASTING)! Therefore, fasting has countless benefits for human life, be it sociological, educational, economic, spiritual or physical.

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Fasting Gives Social Security:

According to research in many Islamic countries, the percentage of people committing crimes like stealing, killing, beating etc. drops down by 70% during the Holy month of Ramadan, because of the reasons we mentioned above. That is why many police station directors say in these countries: When the crime rate drops by a large percentage, our jobs are made easier & we feel relieved in the month of Ramadan.

Fasting is Freedom:

Many people around the world, obeying their animalistic desires become a slave of their temptations. They do what their urges and passions command them. They cannot control these desires. They let their animal instincts go beyond all bounds. They become immersed in the problems of this world, be it from cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, gambling money, social stations etc. But fasting is the only way to train our distractive desires to obey our minds. As a result of this, we become free from many ties. Temptations cannot govern us. But we direct them. That is true freedom which Islam calls upon us.

Fasting is a Shield

Fasting has a great significance in the Sight of Allah. Because, it is related to one of Allah’s Qualities. As we know Allah is free from eating and drinking. When He sees that His servant is acting in accordance to one of His Qualities, He is very much pleased with him. He gives him several benefits. So, by fasting Allah protects us from evil actions of people in this world as well as protecting us from Hell-fire in the Hereafter. As it is clearly stated in the following words of the Prophet (pbuh):

وَعَنْ أَبي هُريرَةَ، رَضِيَ الله عَنْهُ، قَالَ: قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : قَالَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ لَهُ إلاَ الصِّيَامَ، فَإنَّهُ لي وأنا أَجْزِي بِهِ وَالصِّيَامُ جُنَةٌ، فَإذا كَانَ يَوْمُ صَوْمِ أَحَدِكُمْ فَلا يَرْفُثْ وَلا يصخَبْ، فَإنْ سَابَّهُ أَحَدٌ أَوْ قَاتَلَهُ، فَلْيَقُلْ: إنِّي صَائِمٌ وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ لَخُلُوفُ فَمِ الصَائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ الله مِنْ رِيحِ المِسْكِ لِلصَّائِمِ فَرْحَتَانِ يَفْرَحُهُمَا: إذا أَفْطَرَ فَرِحَ بِفِطْرِهِ، وَإذَا لَقِيَ رَبَّهُ فَرِحَ بِصَوْمِهِ  .

Narrated Abu Hurairah (r) Allah’s Messenger 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 (Alone) will reward him for it’. Fasting is a shield. When anyone of you is observing fast on a day, 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 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 Lord.

Fasting Has Countless Rewards:

The rewards for fasting are beyond comprehension. As a result of performing fasting sincerely, Allah gives His servant countless rewards, as is mentioned in the following Hadith:

كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ يُضَاعَفُ: الحَسَنَةُ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا إلى سَبْعِمِائةِ ضعْف. قال الله تعالى: إلاَّ الصَّوْم فَإنَّهُ لي وَأَنا أَجْزي بِهِ: يَدَعُ شَهْوَتَهُ وَطَعَامَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِي. لِلصَّائِمِ فَرْحَتَانِ: فَرْحَةٌ عِنْدَ فِطْرِهِ، وَفَرْحَةٌ عِنْدَ لِقَاءِ رَبِّهِ. وَلَخُلُوفُ فيهِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ الله مِنْ رِيحِ المِسْكِ .

Allah’s Messenger said: “Allah says: ‘The person (observing Saum) has abstained from food and drink, and sexual pleasures for My sake. Fasting is for Me, and I (Alone) will bestow its reward. Every good deed has ten times its reward”.

Forgiven Sins:

If a Muslim performs fasting during Ramadan with a sincere heart, his previous sins will be forgiven, as the following Hadith states:

وعنْ أَبي هُرَيْرَةَ، رضيَ الله عَنْهُ، عَنِ النَّبِيّ، صلي الله عليه وسلم قالَ: مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إيمَاناً واحْتِسَاباً، غُفِرَ لَهُ ما تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ

Narrated Abu Hurairah (r), Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: “He who observes fasting during the month of Ramadan with Faith while seeking its reward from Allah, will have his past sins forgiven”.

During Ramadan, the ways of entering Jannah become easier and plentiful. For, the Messenger of Allah says: “When Ramadan begins, the gates of Jannah are opened, the gates of hell are closed, and the devils are chained”

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On the other hand, if one does not make fasting a means of purification of the heart and elevation of ranks by doing noble actions during Ramadan, and does not refrain himself from evil deeds such as cheating, lying, backbiting and using obscene language, then it means that he\she made his\her fasting in vain, as it is clearly stated in the following Hadith:

وعنْ أَبي هُرَيْرَةَ، رضيَ الله عَنْهُ، عَنِ النَّبِيّ، صلي الله عليه وسلم قال : مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ والعَمَلَ بِهِ فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ في أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ .   

Narrated Abu Hurairah (r) Allah’s Messenger said: “If one does not give up lies and false conduct, Allah has no need that he should abstain from his food and his drink”.

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As a result of this special distinction of the month of Ramadan, the Messenger of Allah and his followers become more inclined towards the worship of Allah during Ramadan. They pay greater attention to the recitation of the Qur’an, remembrance of Allah, worship, good deeds and seeking pardon for their sins.

وعَنْ عائشةَ رضيَ الله عنها قالَتْ: كانَ رَسُولُ الله ، صلي الله عليه وسلم ، إذا دَخَلَ العَشرُ أحيَا اللَّيْل، وَأَيْقَظَ أَهْلَهُ، وَشَدَّ المئزرَ .

‘Aishah, May Allah be happy with her, narrated: “When the last ten nights of Ramadan began, Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) would keep awake at night (for prayer and devotion), awaken his family and prepare him to be more diligent in worship”.

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وعن ابنِ عباسِ، رضِيَ الله عَنْهُما، قالَ: كانَ رَسُولُ الله صلي الله عليه وسلم أَجْوَدَ النَاسِ، وَكانَ أَجْوَدُ ما يَكُونُ في رَمضَانَ حِينَ يَلْقَاهُ جِبرِيلُ، وَكانَ جِبرِيلُ يَلقَاهُ في كُلِّ لَيلَةِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ فَيُدَارِسُهُ القرْآنَ، فَلَرَسُولُ الله صلي الله عليه وسلم ، حِينَ يَلقاهُ جِبرِيلُ أَجْوَدُ بِالخَيْرِ مِنَ الرِّيحِ المُرْسَلَةِ .        

Narrated ibn ‘Abbas (r), “Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) was the most generous one of the people; and he was the most generous during the month of Ramadan when Jibril visited him every night and recited the Noble Quran to him. During this period, the generosity of Allah’s Messenger waxed faster than the rain bearing breeze”.

Ramadan is The Month of Compassion :

Ramadan is the month of Qur’an! Ramadan is the month of fasting! Ramadan is the month of performing various noble deeds! Ramadan is the month of peace, prosperity and bliss! It is the month that flowers of love blossom! It is the month that feelings of compassion, brotherhood and co-operation flow from heart to heart! It is the month that plants of virtuous actions grow and are presented to the heavens! In return, the abundant rains of fertility, pity and forgiveness flow from Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Generous, the Most Kind!

Al-Bukhari, Jihad 36. Muslim, Seyaam 167-168

Al-Bakarah: 183

Al-Baqarah: 184

Al-Qadr: 1-5

Al-Bukhari, Saum 9. Muslim, Seyam 163

Muslim, Seyam 164

Al-Bukhari, Iman 28. Muslim, Seyam 203

See Al-Bukhari, Saum 5

Al-Bukhari, Saum 8. Tirmidhi, Saum 16

Al-Bukhari, Bad’ul Wahy 5. Muslim, Fadhail 48

Al-Bukhari, Lailatul Qadr 5. Muslim, ‘Itiqaf 7