Fasting - The 4th pillar of Islam

Fasting is the 4th pillar of Islam.  As it involves staying away from food, drink and sexual relations, which is difficult, the wisdom of Allah Ta’ala ordained that first a light labor should be given i.e. Salaat, then a moderate one i.e. Zakaat, then the more difficult one i.e. fasting.  The Holy Quran indicates this order:

Surely the submissive men and the submissive women, and the believing men and the believing women, and the obedient men and the obedient women, and the truthful men and the truthful women, and the steadfast men and the steadfast women, and the humble men and the humble women, and the men who give alms and the women who give alms, and the men who fast and the women who fast, and the men who guard their chastity and the women who guard their chastity, and the men who remember Allah excessively and the women who remember Allah very much — Allah has prepared for all of them forgiveness and a mighty reward.  Surah Ahzaab (33:35)

In the Hadith, in which the 5 pillars of Islam are mentioned, this is the order followed:

Translation of Hadith: …….offering Salaat, giving Zakaat and fasting in Ramadhan.

In the Holy Quran and the Hadith, after Iman, first Salaat is mentioned, then Zakaat and then fasting.  Thus, the Imams of the Shariah have also followed this order.  For this reason, fasting is the 4th pillar of Islam and like the second and third pillars, Salaat and Zakaat, it is very important.  The Shariah describes its excellence and emphasizes it.  The Holy Quran says:

O Believers! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for the people before you so that you may become pious.  Surah Baqarah (2:183)

The month of Ramadan (is that) in which the Qur’an has been sent down as guidance for mankind containing clear Signs which lead (to the straight road) and distinguish (the Truth from falsehood).

Therefore, he who witnesses this month must fast it, and he who is ill or on a journey should complete the count by (fasting on equal number of) other days. Allah desires ease for you and does not desire hardship for you so that you complete the prescribed number of fasting days, and that you glorify Him for the guidance which He has blessed you with, and that you may become grateful.  Surah Baqarah (2:185)

It is given in the Hadith that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:

1. When the first night of Ramadhan comes i.e. the night before the first day of Ramadhan, all the devils and rebellious genie are imprisoned and the doors of hell are closed.  No door of it remains open and the doors of Jannah are opened, no door of it remains closed.  A crier calls out: O one who desires good, move forward! O one who desires mischief, stay back!  Allah Ta’ala frees people from hell and this call and this freeing from hell happens every night.