Wisdom behind fasting

بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم
يا أيها الذين آمنوا كتب عليكم الصيام كما كتب على الذين من قبلكم لعلكم تتقون

Like other injunctions of Islam, the benefits of Ramadhaan are not limited purely to either “spiritual” or “temporal”elements of life.

In islam, the SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, POLITICAL and PSYCHOLOGICAL all intermingle in a consistent and cohesive whole..

However, We have highlighted the significance of siyaam under four subheadings,

SPIRITUAL & MORAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL, and MEDICAL BENEFITS.

SPIRITUAL AND MORAL ELEMENTS

1) Fasting above all is an act of obedience and submission to الله سبحانه وتعالى

This SUBMISSION and COMMITMENT is based upon LOVE of الله سبحانه وتعالى and the earnest effort to gain His pleasure and to avoid His displeasure. If this is the only reason for fasting, it surely suffices for me!!!

2) Fasting is an act of acknowledgement of الله سبحانه وتعالى as the Only Master and Sustainer of the whole universe and so forth, it is only through His bounties that we derive our existence and our sustenance.

3) Fasting is an act of atonement for our errors and mistakes.

In a hadith qudsi: “The fasting is (observed) for me (alone) therefore, I Myself will give it’s reward, because the fasting person leaves his passions, his food and his drink (only) for Me.” (Bukhari)

4) Fasting trains the believer in Taqwa. If one volunteers to refrain from lawful food and intimacy of marital relationship, He/She will be in better position to avoid the unlawful things and acts.

5) Fasting trains the believer in sincerity. Unlike other acts of ‘worship’ it is entirely based on self restraint.. Others can never know for sure if the person is fasting or if He/ She broke the fast in secret. It is this self restraint which requires a high degree of sincerity and faithfulness.

6) Fasting teaches other virtues. Fasting does not exclusively mean refraining from food and drink only.. Essentially, it means refraining from all vice and evils…
The Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم said :
“If one does not abandon falsehood in words and deeds, الله سبحانه وتعالى has no need for his abandoning of food and drink.” (Bukhari)

7) The spirit of Ramadhaan with its nightly voluntary prayer (called Taraweeh) and frequent recitation and study of the Qur’aan provides a chance for spiritual revival.
(A kind of annual spiritual overhaul).

8) Fasting is a form of jihad (struggling in the path of الله سبحانه وتعالى ) It teaches self discipline and enhances one’s ability to master His/ Her needs and desire rather than being enslaved by them.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ELEMENTS

1) It enhances the feelings of inner peace, contentment, and optimism. These feelings results from realisation of Allah’s pleasure.

2) It teaches patience and preserverance and enhances the feeling of moral accomplishment.

3) Voluntary abstinence of lawful appetites leads one to appreciate the bounties of الله سبحانه وتعالى which are usually taken for granted (until they are missed)

4) For a whole month every year, Muslims go through a different and exciting experience, which breaks the normal routine of life… Not only can this be refreshing, it also teaches the person to adapt to varying conditions and circumstances in His/Her life.

SOCIAL ELEMENTS

1) Fasting promotes the spirit of UNITY and BELONGING within the Muslim ummah, Millions of Muslims all around the world fast during the same month following the same rules and observances.

2) Fasting promotes the spirit of charity and sympathy towards the poor and needy, A rich person may not be able to ‘Imagine’ the suffering of the poor or ‘think’ about hunger until He/She actually “experiences” or “feels” them. This may explain partiality, Why Ramadhaan is also known as the month of CHARITY and GENEROSITY.

3) Fasting promotes islamic sociability. Muslims are urged to invite others to break the fast with them at sunset and to gather for qur’anic study, Prayer and visitations. This provides a better chance for socialisation in a brotherly spiritual atmosphere.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL ELEMENTS.

A great deal has been written about the medical health benefits of fasting, both by Muslims and non Muslims scientists. ..These benefits include the elimination of harmful fatty substances from the blood,
Helping the cure of certain types of intestinal and stomach ailments and the renewal of body tissues.

One Hadith says صوموا تصحوا “Fast and you will gain health”

For those who may be engaged in islamically (and medically) undesirable habits such as overeating or smoking, the self control and decipline exercised In Ramadhaan provide an excellent beginning to “kick out” these bad habits.

Needless to say that some ailments maybe aggravated by fasting in which case the person is exempted from fasting.

In a sense, fasting is an annual physical overhaul of the body.

IT SHOULD BE REITERATED, HOW EVER, THAT THE MAIN MOTIVE BEHIND FASTING IS TO OBEY الله سبحانه وتعالى AND TO SEEK HIS PLEASURE.

MAY الله سبحانه وتعالى GRANT US TAWFEEQ TO ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL.. MAY الله سبحانه وتعالى ACCEPT US AND BE HAPPY WITH US…

آمين
يارب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين