The benefits of fasting

The benefits of fasting

 

In the Shariah, fasting (Saum) means to stop one’s Self (Nafs) from food, drink and sex, with a conscious intention, from sunrise (true dawn) to sunset.  Fasting is the 3^rd pillar of Islam.  Fasting of Ramadhan was obligated in Madina one and a half years after the Emigration.

 

Allah Most High obligated fasting due to many great benefits in it.  One among them is the reformation of the Base Self (Nafs Ammaarah).  This is because when the Self is made to remain hungry due to fasting, then all other organs of the body remain satiated.  Each body part ceases its desires and leans towards obedience of Allah Most High.  The eye will stop from the sin of sight (i.e. from seeing anything forbidden), the tongue from the sin of saying anything, the ears from the sin of hearing, the genitals from the sin of (sexual) desire.  This purifies the heart.  On the other hand, when one does not fast and is satiated with food and drink, then all the other body parts become hungry and lean towards sinful acts, which darkens the heart.

 

Another benefit of fasting is that through fasting, the attribute of benevolence and affection on the poor is developed in those who fast.  The reason is that the pangs of hunger which the fasting person feels when fasting, this feeling is remembered even when one is not fasting, in the usual days.  Due to this, that person treats the poor kindly, the reward of which he (or she) receives from Allah Most High.

 

Another benefit of fasting is that the fasting person develops similarity with the condition of the paupers (Faqeer).  They often remain hungry and bear the pangs of hunger.  Those who fast bear the pangs of hunger due to fasting and develop a similarity with the paupers and his (or her) status with Allah Most High is elevated. 

 

A person came to Hadhrat Bishr Al Haafi (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) in severe winter.  He saw that Hadhrat Bishr (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) did not have any clothes on his body and was shivering with cold.  He asked him:  Why have you removed your clothes in such cold?  Hadhrat Bishr (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) said:  Brother!  There are many paupers.  I cannot give clothes to all of them.  That’s why I have removed my clothes and am braving the cold so that I share in their ordeal.  (Mirqaat)

 

Allah Most High says in the Holy Quran:

 

O believers!  Fasts (of Ramadhan) have been made Obligatory (Fardh) on you, the way they were made obligatory for those (nations) before you so that you acquire piety…..  Surah Baqarah (2:183)

 

 

The Lord Almighty also says:

 

The month of Ramadan (is that blessed month) in which the Qur’an was revealed, which is a guidance for (all) people, which has clear signs of guidance and of distinguishing between the truth and falsehood; Thus, the person who finds himself in this month, should most certainly fast in it….Surah Baqarah (2:185)

 

[Excerpted from Noor Ul Masabeeh, Kitaab Us Saum]