Fasting is the third pillar of Islam which begins from the holy month of Ramazan of the Islamic calendar. The month of Ramazan, in which fasting is observed, prevents evil tendencies and purifies the soul of a believer.
The Holy Quran says that “The month of Ramzan is that in which the Quran was revealed, guidance to men and clear proofs of guidance and destinations, therefore, whoever of you witness the coming of this month, he shall fast therein.”
The fast of Ramzan lasts for one whole month during which a Muslim restricts himself from drinking, eating, talking and listening to ill. The fast begins from the daybreak and continues till the Sunset.
A Muslim observing fast must abstain from all vicious actions, such as abusing, back-biting, anger, jealousy, sexual intercourse. The fasting among the Muslims does not mean to remain hungry but to restrain oneself from all evils and also to restrain one’s eye’s, tongue, and ears and all other senses of the body from lust and passionate activities.
The fasting is obligatory upon every Muslim, male and female, who is healthy and mature. It is not important for the weak, the sick, and the traveler. It is forbidden on the days of the two great festivals of Islam, Id-ul-fitr and Id-ul-Azha,(Bukhari 30: 66).
It is a means of spiritual discipline and the ultimate goal of fasting is to seek Allah’s pleasure. According to the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAW), fasting is a shield to protect oneself from all kinds of evils. The spirit of fasting is to achieve salvation and spiritual solace and order one’s life according to commandments of Allah and Prophet (SAW).
The 29 or 30 days of the month of Ramzan are imperative for the Muslims. A Muslim can not abandon the imperative fast of the Holy month of Ramzan without any genuine reason that too also prescribed under the rules of Sharia’h and in case the fasts are missed due to any reason, it is a obligatory to observe those sooner in future. There are also some fasts which our beloved Prophet (SAW) himself observed and as the followers of the Prophet(SAW), we also observe these to follow the Sunnah and attain atonement but it is to mention that these are not compulsory.
The Holy month of Ramzan is a sacred month and it is important for every Muslim to take special care and interest in offering devotions during this month. In addition to obligatory prayers, one should observe supererogatory prayers also.
One should recite the Holy Quran constantly in this month and seek Allah’s blessings. One should also offer gifts and help the deserving and poor and also take special care of orphans, widows. One should also offer Tarawih prayer with humility and devotion. One should also offer Sadqah.
The month of Ramzan is really a month of blessings. The first part of this month is Allah’s Mercy, the middle part is His Forgiveness, and the last part is Salvation and release from the fire of Hell.
This month is a blessing in the sense also that if a person performs an optional act of goodness willingly only to attain Pleasure of Allah, he is entitled to a reward equal to that of an imperative duty performed in the other months, and if a person performs an imperative duty in this month, he is entitled to a reward equal to that of seventy imperative acts performed in other months.( Mishkaat)
Fasting is aimed at cleansing the soul and mind of a man. It increases the power of resistance and enables a person to submit himself before the Will of Allah. It invigorates the conscience of a man and fills it with noble spirit. It also washes away man’s arrogance and makes him humble and teaches sympathy for the hungry.