What is Ramadan? [Final Part]

In this final part of the article we will be looking at what fasting constitute in Islam and what really is the ultimate purpose of fasting and much more so let’s get in to it .

Fasting is considered an act of deeply personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God. When Muslims observe fasting from the start of dawn until sunset Muslims abstain from food, drink, and sexual relations. But that’s not the only things a fasting Muslim should abstain from since it is an intensely spiritual and sacred period  one should abstain from getting  into fights, abuse or swearing as fasting entail self-discipline and constrain one’s self from desires and bad habits .

The purpose of fasting is to develop the quality of righteousness, inwardly and outwardly, by abstaining from sinful deeds and training ourselves to control our thoughts and desires. And God have told us in the Quran what it is the ultimate purpose for fasting in the following verse.

“

O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous 

“

Surah 2 Al-Baqarah, Ayat 183

The Arabic word used in this verse is taqwa which have a rich meanings but in a nutshell it means being conscious of God, of truth, of the rational reality, According to Tafsir of  ibn Kathir (exegetes of the Quran) , the root meaning of taqwa is to avoid what one dislikes.

It was reported that Umar bin Khattab asked Ubayy ibn Ka’b about Taqwa. Ubay said, “Have you ever walked on a path that has thorns on it?” Umar said, “Yes.” Ubayy asked, “What did you do then?” to which Umar replied, “I rolled up my sleeves and struggled.” Ubayy said, “That is taqwa, to protect oneself from sin through life’s dangerous journey so that one can successfully complete the journey unscathed by sin.”

And another misconception that most non-Muslims have is that “Ramadan is the only fasting in Islam”. But that’s not true as there are many non-obligatory fasting’s which are being observed by Muslims throughout the year. To mention few of them and keep in mind this won’t be exhaustive list as there are many fasting’s in Islam which are encouraged by the prophet of Islam to be observed. 

• Fasting Monday and Thursday

 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Deeds of people are presented (to Allah) on Mondays and Thursdays. So I like that my actions be presented while I am fasting.”

(al-Tirmidhi, 745)

“‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) was keen to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.”
(al-Tirmidhi )

• Fasting three days of every month

“Abdullah Bin Masood Radhiyallahu Anhu reports that Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam used to fast three days in the middle of every month”

(Nasaai)

• The Fasting of prophet David (peace be up on him)

“’Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al-As narrated: “Allah’s Apostle said to me: ‘The most beloved fasting to Allah was the fasting of (the Prophet) David, who used to fast alternate days.”

( Sahih al-Bukhari 3420)

But one could raise a very good question which is “If fasting is practiced the whole year why is it then Ramadan so special? “.  well there are a few reasons first of all Allah has made it one of the 5 pillars of Islam to fast this month and even more importantly it is a means to wipe out all of one’s past sins and gain salvation in shaa Allah (God willing)

It is reported by Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said:

‘He who fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeks his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven; he who prays during the night in Ramadan with faith and seeks his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven; and he who passes Lailat al- Qadr in prayer with faith and seeks his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.’

(Bukhari and Muslim)

Therefore Ramadan is a month of adoration, so we must receive it with repentance to Allah. We have to perform more virtuous deeds there.  Such as reciting the Quran more, performing optional prayers, abundantly mentioning Allah, giving in charity so that you may gain the forgiveness and the mercy of Allah.

Anything good I have said is from Allah and every mistake is from my own.