“O You who have attained to faith! Fasting is ordained for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you might remain conscious of God.”
Quran 2:183
Definition
TLDR
Fasting is a fundamental practice of Islam as one of the Five Pillars. It involves abstaining from all food, drink, sexual relations, and sinful speech and behavior. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, considering it an act of worship and a means to attain God-conscious piety and submission, therefore develop self-control, gratitude, and grow closer to God.
Fasting is obligatory for all adult Muslims, with exceptions for those who are ill, elderly, pregnant, nursing, menstruating or traveling. These individuals are either required to make up the missed days later or, in some cases like chronic illness, provide a meal for a person in need for each missed day.
Significance
Fasting is intended to teach Muslims patience, spirituality, humility, and self-control. It is also a time for Muslims to increase their prayers, recitation of the Quran, and charity. Ramadan is an opportunity to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-discipline and sacrifice.
The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said that fasting is a shield that protects a person from sin and lustful desires.
Just like when Jesus’ (PBUH) disciples asked him how to cast away evil spirits, he reportedly said, “But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21).
It is a means of weakening the bestial and reinforcing the pure elements in human beings; fasting for an entire month every year trains a person individually and the Muslim society in piety and self-restraint.
Time Period
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar, is the period during which obligatory fasting is practiced.
Fasting is obligatory for all adult Muslims, with exceptions for those who are ill, elderly, pregnant, nursing, menstruating or traveling. These individuals are either required to make up the missed days later or, in some cases like chronic illness, provide a meal for a person in need for each missed day.
Significance
Fasting is intended to teach Muslims patience, spirituality, humility, and self-control. It is also a time for Muslims to increase their prayers, recitation of the Quran, and charity. Ramadan is an opportunity to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-discipline and sacrifice.
The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said that fasting is a shield that protects a person from sin and lustful desires.
Just like when Jesus’ (PBUH) disciples asked him how to cast away evil spirits, he reportedly said, “But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21).
It is a means of weakening the bestial and reinforcing the pure elements in human beings; fasting for an entire month every year trains a person individually and the Muslim society in piety and self-restraint.
Time Period
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar, is the period during which obligatory fasting is practiced.
Fasting begins at dawn and ends at sunset. During this time, Muslims typically eat a pre-dawn meal called Suhur and break their fast with a meal called Iftar at sunset.
“It was in the month of Ramadan that the Quran was revealed as guidance for mankind, clear messages giving guidance and distinguishing between right and wrong. So, any one of you who is present that month should fast, and anyone who is ill or on a journey should make up for the lost days by fasting on other days later. God wants ease for you, not hardship. He wants you to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him for having guided you, so that you may be thankful.”
Qur’an | 2:185
Key Aspects of Fasting
Abstentions
Fasting is not about abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations only; the fasting person must be pleasant and have good spirits and cheer.
Muslims are expected to refrain from sinful speech and behavior during the fast by bringing out the best in the individual while enduring hunger and thirst. So, you do not quarrel, have disputes, indulge in arguments, use bad words, or do anything forbidden because you are in a bad mood due to hunger and thirst.
Fasting is trying to discipline yourself morally and ethically, besides gaining physical training and discipline. You should also refrain from making a show of your fasting by talking too much about it, by showing dry lips and a hungry stomach, or bad temper.
Muslims are expected to refrain from sinful speech and behavior during the fast by bringing out the best in the individual while enduring hunger and thirst. So, you do not quarrel, have disputes, indulge in arguments, use bad words, or do anything forbidden because you are in a bad mood due to hunger and thirst.
Fasting is trying to discipline yourself morally and ethically, besides gaining physical training and discipline. You should also refrain from making a show of your fasting by talking too much about it, by showing dry lips and a hungry stomach, or bad temper.
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said:
“Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relations with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, ‘I am fasting.” The Prophet (ﷺ) added, “By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), ‘He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times.”
Charity and Community
Fasting is often accompanied by increased acts of charity and kindness. Many Muslims provide breakfast for the needy, distribute meal boxes, and participate in communal meals.
Ramadan is also an opportunity for family gatherings and inviting friends and coworkers to share, connect and strengthen their bonds.
Ramadan is also an opportunity for family gatherings and inviting friends and coworkers to share, connect and strengthen their bonds.
The Prophet (ﷺ) was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel visited him, and Gabriel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite the Holy Qur’an to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare).
Intentional Breaking the Fast
If one unintentionally breaks the fast, one must continue fasting for the rest of the day, making up for the missed day and repenting.
For deliberately breaking the fast by having sexual intercourse or food, drink or smoking, the consequences include one of the two options:
. Fasting for two consecutive months
. Feeding or clothing sixty people in need.
For deliberately breaking the fast by having sexual intercourse or food, drink or smoking, the consequences include one of the two options:
. Fasting for two consecutive months
. Feeding or clothing sixty people in need.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“If somebody eats or drinks forgetfully then he should complete his fast, for what he has eaten or drunk, has been given to him by Allah.”
Voluntary Fasting
Many Muslims also fast outside of Ramadan, including on specific days such as the Day of Arafah, the six days of Shawwal, , or Monday and Thursday of every week.
These additional fasts are considered highly meritorious but are not obligatory. If one unintentionally breaks a voluntary fast, they may continue for the rest of the day and the fast remains valid. Intentional breaking of a voluntary fast does not incur sin.
These additional fasts are considered highly meritorious but are not obligatory. If one unintentionally breaks a voluntary fast, they may continue for the rest of the day and the fast remains valid. Intentional breaking of a voluntary fast does not incur sin.
Aid: Celebration of the end of Ramadan
The end of Ramadan is marked by the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, a festive holiday on which Muslims come together for a special prayer in the early morning and community gatherings, sharing meals and gifts.
Summary
The Quran emphasizes the importance of fasting and guides its practice. It states that fasting is beneficial for Muslims, helping them develop God-consciousness and overcoming lust and desires.
Fasting has been practiced in various forms across different cultures and religions. In Islam, fasting is a unique aspect of Ramadan, which is considered a month of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship.
Fasting has been practiced in various forms across different cultures and religions. In Islam, fasting is a unique aspect of Ramadan, which is considered a month of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said
“There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to observe fasts?’ They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it.”
