Fasting is a Soul Discipline Act of Worship

Fasting is referred to as Sawm or Saom (صوم) or siyam (صيام) in Arabic. Literally, fasting means abstaining from talking, eating and drinking etc, and an individual that refrain from these things, he is considered as Saaim (the observer of fast).

In Shari’ah, fasting mean “to worship Allah by abstaining, with intention to please Him, from food, drink, and sexual intercourse or an intentional and lustful discharge of semen from the period between the break of dawn until sundown”. Similarly, Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid explain that Siyaam (fasting) means abstaining from things that break the fast, from dawn until sunset, having first made the intention (niyyah) to fast. 70 Matters Related to Fasting Al-Siyaam. Therefore, fasting means to worship Allah by abstaining, with intention to please Him, from things that break the fast, from dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Magrib).

Corroborated by authentic narrations, abstaining from things that break the fast includes; abstaining from food, drinks, and from indulging in things that can vitiate the fast through private parts, other body parts, the heart and mind. Fasting is an act of worship that believers and nonbelievers generally regard as a mean of attaining highest state of spirituality.

Fasting is a soul discipline act of worship that carries an exceptional moral and spiritual distinctive of Islam; it helps the observer to develop self-control and suppress his/her passions and desires for Allaah’s command; the spirit of patience whilst fasting helps in strengthening observer’s faith; the observer of fast who abstains from permissible things is likely to stay away from prohibited things and feel conscious of his/her sins; it trains the soul of the observer to endure hunger and thirst, and habituates it to be patient, and entertain the same sense of the needy, thus, greater compassion towards the deprived is gained whilst fasting etc.

Zillion Benefits of Fasting

Fasting has many benefits which includes the followings:

Fasting distance the Observer from Hell

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will keep his face seventy years’ distance from Hell,” (al-Nasaa’i, 2247; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan al-Nasaa’i, 2121).

The Reward for Fasting is Beyond what One Might Estimate

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Every deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied between ten and seven hundred times. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, said: Except fasting. It is for Me and I shall reward for it. He gives up his desires and his food for My sake.” Muslim (1151), al-Muntaqa Sharh al-Muwatta’, Ahkaam al-Qur’an (4/77), Ikmaal al-Mu‘allim bi Fawaa’id Muslim (8/184), Lataa’if al-Ma‘aarif by Ibn Rajab (p. 150), at-Tawdeeh li Sharh al-Jaami‘ as-Saheeh (13/28), Bahjat Quloob al-Abraar (p. 94-95), ash-Sharh al-Mumti‘ (6/458), Majmoo‘ Fataawa Ibn Baaz (15/447), Tafseer as-Sa‘di (p. 931)

Fast Observer will Enter Paradise through Special Gate called Ar Rayyan

It is narrated on the authority of Sahl Ibn Sa‘d As-Sa‘idi, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayyan, through which only the fast observant will enter on the Day of Judgment and none except them will enter through it. It will be said: “Where are the fast observant?” They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it.” Bukhari and Muslim

Fasting will intercede for the Observer on the Day of Judgment

It is narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr, may Allah be pleased with them that he said: the Messenger of Allah said: “Both fasting and Qur’an will intercede for a servant on the Day of Judgment. Fasting will say: ‘O Lord! I have caused him to give up food and (sexual) desire during the day. So, please, accept my intercession for him.’ The Qur’an will say: ‘O Lord! I have caused him to spend the night sleepless. So, please, accept my intercession for him.’ Thus, their intercession will be accepted for him.” Ahmad in his Musnad

The Smell Coming from the Mouth of a Fasting Person Is More Pleasant, in the Sight of Allah, than the Odor of Musk

The Messenger of Allah said: “By Him in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, the smell coming from the mouth of a fasting person will be more pleasant, in the Sight of Allah, on the Day of Judgment, than the odor of musk.” Bukhaari and Muslim (1151),

Fasting Person has Two Pleasures

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him that he said: the Messenger of Allah said:” No doubt, the fasting person has two pleasures: One at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time of meeting his Lord (on the Day of Judgment).” Muslim (1151)

Patience of a Fast Observer Disciplines his Soul

Fasting train soul to endure hunger and thirst, and habituates it to be patient, and experience the same sense of others who are in need. The fasting person intends, by his fast, to seek the reward of Allah Almighty for his patience on fasting. Allah Almighty says: “Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.” [Az-Zumur 39:10]

Fasting Person has a Supplication that is Never Rejected

`Alee ibn Muhammad narrated to us: Wakee` narrated to us from Sa`daan al-Juhanee: from Sa`d, Aboo Mujaahid at-Taa·ee – and he was reliable: from Aboo Mudillah – and he was reliable: from Aboo Hurairah, who said: Allaah’s Messenger (Sallalaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: There are three whose supplication is not rejected: the just ruler, the fasting person until he breaks his fast, and the supplication of the oppressed person: Allaah will raise it up under the clouds on the Day of Resurrection, and the gates of heaven will be opened for it, and He says: ‘By My Might, I shall certainly aid you, even if it be after a time.’ Ibn Maajah-rahimahullaah- said (vol. 1, p. 557), ‘al-Jaami`us-Saheeh mimmaa laisa fis-Saheehayn’ by Shaikh Muqbil ibn Haadee al-Waadi`ee (2/505-506)

Fasting is a Sign of Piousness

With food and drinks available in the dark room of a fast observer, he/she still endure the hunger and thirst believing in the unseen that if no one sees him/her Allaah is seeing. Allaah says: “This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah, Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them” Q2:2-3

And many more….There are benefits that are specific to each type of fasting which may be mentioned later inshaa Allah.

culled from http://fiqhclass.org/index.php/2017/04/19/fiqh-of-fasting-2/

Significance of Fasting

Fasting, is abstaining from eating, drinking and coitus from daybreak to sunset as a devotional ritual. Allah, the Almighty Says in the Noble Quran (what means):


"O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous." [Quran; 2:183] That is: that you may fear Allah, keep away from His prohibitions, and fulfill His Commands. Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: " Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)" [Al-Bukhari]


This means that Allah does not want us to abstain from eating and drinking only, rather, He wants us to refrain from evil deeds and vileness too. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) instructed that a fasting person, if offended or abused, should say: "I am fasting." [Al-Bukhari] By this, as though the fasting person says: "It is because I am fasting I do not return your abuses." The offender at that point may feel embarrassed, and desist.


What is the purpose of Fasting?


The purpose of fasting is not physical training to endure hunger, thirst and exhaustion; rather, it is disciplining the ego to relinquish the loved for the sake of the Beloved. The loved are the desires of eating, drinking, sexual activities etc., while the Beloved is Allah, the Exalted. Hence, it is imperative to keep in mind when we observe fasting that we do so only for the sake of Allah. It becomes imperative on us to try our best to observe the rites that reflect our obedience to Allah, such as the remembrance of Allah, reading the Quran, supererogatory prayers, charitable deeds and donations, good manners, etc.


Fasting has great significances and aims, which, if carefully considered, instill in us much surprise. Among these significances, we mention the following:


First significance:


Fasting is linked with true faith in Allah, the Most Exalted; that is why it has been reported that fasting is a secret act of worship since a person may break his fast, if he wishes, by eating, drinking or simply by not making the intention to fast (in which case his fast will not be accepted even if he remains fasting the whole day). Fasting, then, is a hearty, secret worship that concerns only the servant and his Creator. When the servant knowingly gives up the things and acts that nullify the fast, despite his ability to reach them in secret, he gives indeed strong evidence of his certain belief that Allah, the Almighty, watches over him in both his manifest and secret deeds. There is no doubt that in this kind of conduct is a significant training to strengthen faith in Allah.

Second significance:


Fasting is also training for the servant to aspire to the Hereafter since, by fasting, he gives up some of the worldly matters, looking forward to Almighty Allah's reward. By observing the fast, he weighs the profit in terms of the condition in the Hereafter. However, those who measure things in materialistic terms are only concerned with the worldly aspect of fasting. As a result, they think of it as merely deprivation of the pleasures of life, which please the self and satisfy the body. They are not in the least concerned with the other aspect of its significance in the hereafter that constitutes the real reward and the genuine perpetuity. This attitude of their hearts weakens their aspiration for the hereafter and its eternal enjoyment.

Third significance:


Fasting is a practical embodiment of submission and servitude to Allah, the Exalted, that the servant manifests by eating and drinking at night only in response to the call of his Lord, Allah Who Says in the Noble Quran (what means): “And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night].” [Quran; 2:187]. That is why the fasting Muslim should eat at Iftaar (break fast) time, at sunset, and just before dawn (Suhoor, or the per-dawn meal) because continuous fasting (day and night) is forbidden in Sharee'ah (Islamic law).


The act of eating is, therefore, a form of worship of Allah, the Almighty. When dawn starts, Muslims discontinue eating and drinking (and having sex with their spouses) in compliance with Allah’s order, for He Says (what means): “…Then complete the fast until the night [i.e. sunset].” [Quran; 2:187]. In this way, the Muslim is educated about complete servitude to Allah, the Most High, in such a way that when his Lord commands, he complies. It is, therefore, not simply a matter of personal taste, whim and disposition, but a matter of obedience to Allah and implementation of His Commands.

Fourth significance:


Fasting is similarly a form of education to the whole society since when the fasting Muslim feels that people around him are all fasting, he finds fast no longer difficult, but feels that he is in harmony with the society to which he belongs through worship, the unifying factor of the whole community. Whoever compares voluntary fasting to the obligatory fast in the month of Ramadan perceives a certain difficulty in the former and easiness in the latter due to the aforementioned reasons. That is why Muslims find it very difficult to spend the month of Ramadan away from Muslim environments.

When is Ramadan?

Since Ramadan is part of a lunar calendar, its date annually changes on the Gregorian calendar. Muslims tend to wait for the new month's moon to appear before they announce the first day of Ramadan. However, they can still estimate the day beforehand. This year, Ramadan will begin on May 14 or 16.

How long is Ramadan?
Lunar months last between 29 to 30 days depending on when the new moon is sighted. If the moon is not seen on the night of the 29th, then Ramadan lasts for the full 30 days. The Eid al-Fitr celebration marks the end of the month, when Muslims celebrate a successful month of fasting and worship

Why do Muslims fast in Ramadan?
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. There is also a verse in the Quran that prescribes fasting for all Muslims who are mature and healthy enough to fast for the full day. So Muslims fast as an act of worship, a chance to get closer to God and a way to become more compassionate to those in need.

Fasting is also seen as a way to learn patience and break bad habits.

source:
http://fiqhclass.org/index.php/

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/05/muslims-ramadan-explained-170522153522413.html

http://www.islamweb.net/en/article/135762/the-significance-of-fasting

Jazakallahu khayran..

Ramandan mean no bombing, no herdsmen killing, no ritual, no alcoholic and clubbing

Aboki abeg forget this your online education jare. How many abokiis sabi wetin internet means or even get phone?

Na only AM them dey listen to. Go and do a proper evangelism to them. And stop the brainwashing already

May Allah make us witness Ramadhan in good health. Plus May Allah bless the Op with goodness. Ameen

May We be well enough to be amongst those who would fulfill the obligations of this very blessed month ramadan, a month that comes with so much bonuses in terms of rewards. May Allah continue to guide and protect the muslim ummah, my nation nigeria and the world entirely. Jazakallahu khairan poster.

jazakumullahu kahiran

Asides being a compulsory act of worship of Allah,where Ramadan is the third pillar of Islam,on a Monday,two nights before the end of the lunar month of Sha’ban in the second year of Hijra, the migration of the prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Madinah in 622A.C The degree of fasting can be found in the chapter 2 verses 183-7. Verse 185 shows it is in the month of Ramadan that the qur’an was first revealed as a guidance unto man and a self evident proof of that guidance and as the standard by which to discern the true from the false. In conclusion there is a special good treatment awaiting fasting Muslims for whom Allah aloneis to reserve a special place in paradise. They are assured of Allah’s love for whose sake they abstain from food and sexual pleasure. A formal intention to fast is made at night for each day’s fast. Intentions must be renewed if the fast is interrupted in any way. SUBHANAL-LAH—— Glorified is Allah.

thank you for this piece

jazakumullahu khairan