The Importance and Benefits of Fasting Fasting during the month of Ramazan is known as Saum. It is an Arabic word which means to keep away from something. A Muslim who fasts, keeps away from eating and drinking throughout the day.
He is also expected to keep away from all had actions and deeds. Fasting during the month of Ramazan was made obligatory for Muslims in the second year of Hijrat.
Ramazan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the month in which the first five verses of the Holy Quran were revealed. It is a month of mercy and forgiveness. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam” said: “When the month of Ramazan arrives, the gates of Heaven are thrown open, the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are put into chains.” There is a night in the month of Ramazan known as Lailat-ul-Qadr or the Night of Power.
According to the Holy Prophetouh, this night occurs during the last ten odd days of Ramazan. It is not certain which specific night it is; however most religious scholars believe it to be the 27th night of Ramazan. It is a night of great importance. The worship done during this night earns more reward than worship done during a very long period of time. We should pray as much as we can during this night. The month of fasting starts on the first of Ramazan and ends with the appearance of the moon of the month of Shawwal. The number of fasts may be either 29 or 30.
Fasting during the same month by the entire Muslim world creates a sense of kinship amongst the Muslims. At the end of Ramazan, Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. It is a day of thanksgiving and happiness. On this day, Muslims offer prayers and thanks for Allah’s blessings and mercy. All adult Muslims, male and female, must fast from dawn to sunset every day during Ramazan.
Travellers and the sick can postpone fasting during Ramazan. However, they are not exempted from fasting. They are required to make up for the lost days before the beginning of the next month of Ramazan.
Eating and drinking by mistake do not break the fast. The fast would remain intact and must be completed. Taking a bath, rinsing the mouth with water and putting drops into the eyes do not make the fast invalid. Before keeping a fast, a person should get up at night for Sehri.
This should be eaten before dawn. The intention for keeping the fast should then be made. Eating, drinking or taking anything by mouth is forbidden till the fast is broken with Ifiar at sunset. A person who fasts should not speak ill of anyone, indulge in backbiting or tell lies.
He should not abuse anyone or cause anyone harm. or injury. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: “Fasting is a shield, so the man who fasts should not utter any foul speech or do any evil deed. ” He also said: “Who ever does not give up lying and acting shamefully Allah does not stand in need of his giving up food and drink.” Fasting teaches a man discipline and self-control.
It makes him bear hardships and to remain without food and drink for the whole day even when it is very hot. This develops sympathetic feelings for the poor and the hungry and he wants to help them. It also teaches the poor to bear their hardships patiently and cheerfully.
Fasting is for Allah’s sake and there is a reward for it in the life Hereafter. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam“” said, “Allah says: The fast is for Me and will give its reward ” The purpose of fasting is to make a Muslim pious and God-fearing so that he becomes a man of good deeds and intentions. A person who fasts is bound to keep away from all evil and avoid what is forbidden by Allah.