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Significance of Fasting in RamadanFasting (Sawm-Siyam) Isn't Starving, it Is Feeding the Spirit
During Ramadan, sustenance, such as food and water, is avoided between pre-dawn and sunset - providing a time for Muslims to reflect on what is taken for granted.
The Muslim believes that his sole purpose is to serve God via all that He requires -- charity, kindness, good deeds, praying, abstaining from harmful acts against self or others, etc. Mankind's Purpose on EarthFasting in the month of Ramadan is a time for Muslims to refocus that goal and remember their missions – to be grateful to the One who, without which, mankind could not be sustained. Chapter 51 (Surat Az-Zariyaat), Verses, (Ayahs), 56-58 of the Qur’an reads: “I have only created of Jinns and men, that they may serve Me. No sustenance do I require of them, nor do I require that they should feed me. For Allah [God] is He Who gives (all) Sustenance (forever)”. Fasting as an ObligationFasting, or Sawm, in Ramadan is one of the five “pillars” of Islam, and is incumbent upon every able-bodied man and woman above puberty or the age of 12. There is, of course, leniency for certain situations such as traveling, pregnancy, childbirth, menses, and illness. It is not intended to be a hardship upon Muslims, rather a cleansing and period of spiritual enlightenment. Why the lunar month of Ramadan, specifically? The Qur’an answers that question in Chapter 2 (Surat Al-Baqara), Verse (Ayah) 185: “Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down The Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you and perchance ye shall be grateful”. Fasting as a Spiritual ExperienceThis spiritual fasting is not just abstention from food. It is a time for increased time in prayer and good deeds, such as charity – a time of abstaining from anger and pettiness, haughtiness and attachment to worldly objects, impatience and frivolity. For some this might include staying off the Internet, putting away the Xbox, staying out of the malls, turning off the soap operas, being honest in their business dealings by not jacking up prices unfairly and staying away from people and situations that they know will rile them up. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, has indicated that during the lunar month of Ramadan the devil is chained, so any of such actions are wanton and cannot be passed off with a "Devil made me do it" explanation. Feel That Hunger!The hunger and thirst is supposed to be felt. There is to be a realization that without the bounties of Allah, mankind is helpless, while at the same time giving someone empathy for those that spend their life in that state – starving. Perhaps, it will lead that person to sponsor a starving family somewhere in the world. In this “modern society” it has become the norm to see Muslims use Ramadan as a month of dinner parties and socializing, when in fact it is about introspection and worshipping Allah. Many Muslims stay up all the night and sleep the whole day during Ramadan to make it supposedly easier. One is to continue his usual daytime activities during Ramadan – of course there is nothing wrong with shortening hours and taking rests, with the assumption that the night was spent in prayer. Lengthened Prayers (Taraweeh) Supplement FastingDuring Ramadan, Muslims pray special prayers at night, in addition to their five obligatory prayers (Salat), called Taraweeh. In the early days of Islam, these prayers were prayed individually and usually in the hours between the night prayer and midnight, with an optional Qiyam Layl prayer between midnight and pre-dawn in the latter days of Ramadan. In later years, it was decided that it would be a good innovation to hold these prayers in congregation – largely due to the larger amount of non-Arabic speaking Muslims. Many Muslims are not aware that it began as an individual prayer and might find it helpful to pray it at least occasionally by themselves or at home in order achieve a more spiritual closeness with God – especially when the Masjid (Mosque) might be full of the distractful noises of running children and group chats. In the End, It's All about the SacrificeThe essence of Ramadan and fasting is in its sacrifice for the sake of Allah (God) and Allah alone. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said, “Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)” (Hadith 127, Sahih Al-Bukari) On the contrary, he describes a gate to Paradise called Al-Rayan, that no one will be able to pass through on the Day of Judgement except the one who successfully fasts Ramadan (spiritually, mentally and physically). Click here for more basic resources on Islam on the Net. Sources: Quran: English Translation and Commentary; Presidency of Islamic Researches, IFTA, Call and Guidance; King Fahd Holy Quran Printing Complex, 1411 AH Translation of the Meanings of Sahih Al-Bukhari: Arabic-English; Volume 3, Muhsin Khan; Islamic University, Medina Al-Munawara, 1981 AD
The copyright of the article Significance of Fasting in Ramadan in Islamic Practices is owned by Lamyaa Hashim. Permission to republish Significance of Fasting in Ramadan in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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