Understanding the Wisdom Behind Fasting
Ramadan is regarded as one of the sacred months in Islam. But it is more akin to a gift from Allah SWT for His believers, as it is the month where the Holy Qur’an was sent down and revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him):
إِنَّا أَنزَلنَاهُ فِي لَيلةِ القدْرِ
“We have sent it (the Qur’ān) down in the Night of Qadr.”
[Al-Qadr: 1]
This single night, better than a thousand months, was chosen for the revelation of the Qur’an—marking Ramadan as a month of unparalleled blessings.
Additionally, it is a month of upholding one of the pillars of Islam. A month in which Allah SWT will reward His believers for their noble acts in the noble month, as narrated in a long hadith where He said:
كُل عملِ ابنِ آدمَ له، إلا الصِّيَام، فإنه لي، وأنا أَجزِي بِه.
“Every act of the son of Adam is for him, except As-Siyam (the fasting), which is (exclusively) for Me, and I will reward him for it.”
[Narrated by Bukhari & Muslim]
A month so full of blessings carries countless benefits. Imam Al-Izz Bin Abdul Salam, in his book, Maqasid As-Sawm—which literally translates as The Objectives of Fasting—has enumerated seven benefits of fasting:
1. Elevations of Ranks
Fasting raises our nearness to Allah SWT. How is it not so as the gates of Jahannam are closed and the believers are barred from the Shaitan’s temptation? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
إِذَا جَاءَ رَمَضَانَ فُتِحَت أَبوابُ الجَنَّة، وَغُلّقت أبوابُ النّار، وصُفّدَت الشَّيَاطِين
"When Ramadan begins, the gates of Jannah are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained."
[Narrated by Bukhari & Muslim]
As a matter of fact, Ramadan is a month where our good deeds are multiplied due to its sacredness, as evident by the hadith where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
فَإِنَّ عُمْرَةً فِي رَمَضَانَ تَقْضِي حَجَّةً مَعِي
“Perform `Umra in the month of Ramadan (as it is equivalent to Hajj or Hajj with me in reward).”
[Narrated by Bukhari]
2. Expiation of Sins
Fasting in Ramadan is a chance given by Allah SWT to atone for our sins. It was reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
رَمَضَانُ إِلَى رَمَضَانَ مُكَفِّرَاتٌ مَا بَيْنَهُنَّ إِذَا اجْتَنَبَ الْكَبَائِرَ
“Ramadhan to Ramadhan are expiations for the (sins) committed in between (their intervals) provided one shuns the major sins.”
[Narrated by Muslim]
This is also proof of the magnanimity of Allah SWT towards His believers.
3. Controlling the Desires of the Soul
Fasting is not only abstaining from eating and drinking; it also restrains our internal desires, which in turn brings us closer to Allah SWT.
4. Increasing Charity and Acts of Giving
It is a month where it encourages us to be generous and compassionate, as we become more mindful of those in need.
Al-Izz narrated that it was said that the prophet Sulaiman or Yusuf (peace be upon them) refused to break their fast until he was sure that his followers had eaten. When asked about it, he replies, "I fear that by being full, I might forget those who are hungry.”
5. Ample Opportunities for Acts of Obedience
It causes us to remain steadfast in doing good, as fasting reminds us of the thirst and hunger that the people of Jahannam faced.
6. Expressing Gratitude to the Knower of the Unseen
Through fasting, we are deprived of the act of eating and drinking. This in turn brings us to be thankful to Allah SWT for the many blessings that He has bestowed upon us.
7. Guarding Oneself from the Whisperings of Sin
Lastly, fasting allows us to be protected from the soul’s inclination to do evil things. The hunger and thirst that we feel provide us with the resistance from sinning.
As we approach the final days of Ramadan, may we seize its opportunities—not just in fasting, but in renewing our faith, our character, and our connection with Allah SWT.