Reason for fasting
It is sometimes asked what the reason is that Allah prescribed fasting. Aside from the specific virtues of fasting in Ramadaan, there are many other benefits for the believer. It is to be remembered that Allah has prescribed fasting out of His ultimate wisdom. Hence, if Allah prescribes something or forbids something, it can only be good for us. We may not always know or understand the wisdom, because we are only given the knowledge that He bestows upon us.
However, with regard to fasting, we are told that taqwa (piety, being conscious of Allah) is the reason why Allah has prescribed this act of worship, as He mentions here:
"O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)."
(Qur'an - 2: 183)
The person who has taqwa is conscious of Allah and does what He has enjoined and avoids what he has forbidden. So fasting is one of the greatest ways that help a Muslim adhere to the commandments of Islam. Specifically, fasting helps in the following ways, among others:
1. Fasting makes us appreciate and give thanks for pleasures. Fasting requires giving up eating, drinking and intercourse, which are among the greatest pleasures. It is human nature to take things for granted. It is only when those pleasures are removed from us that we truly appreciate them.
2. Fasting helps a person to give up forbidden things by helping them practice self-restraint. If a person can give up permissible things in order to please Allah and out of fear of His painful torment, then he will be more likely to refrain from forbidden things.
3. Fasting enables a person to control their desires, because when a person is full their desires grow, but if they are hungry then their desire becomes weak.
The Prophet (PBUH) said: "O young men! Whoever among you can afford to get married, let him do so, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and protecting one's chastity. Whoever cannot do that, let him fast, for it will be a shield for him."
(Hadith)
4. Fasting makes people feel compassion and empathy towards the poor, because when the fasting person tastes the pain of hunger and thirst for awhile, they remember those who are in this situation all the time, so they will hasten to do acts of kindness to them and show compassion towards them.
5. Fasting humiliates and weakens the Shaytaan (Satan); it weakens the effects of his whispers (waswaas) on a person and reduces his sins.
6. The fasting person is aware that Allah is always watching. This trains them to remember this at other times so they give up the things that they desire even though they are able to take them.
7. Fasting encourages developing an attitude that renounces the pleasures in this world and its desires, and seeking that which is with Allah in the Hereafter.
8. It makes the Muslim get
used to doing a great deal of acts of worship and good deeds, because the
fasting person usually does more acts of worship and good deeds and gets
used to that.
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