By: Khadija Watson
Many people fast for various reasons, fasting is not new nor exclusively only to Muslims. Hindus fast, Christians fast, non-religious people fast for a variety of health reasons. Actually, fasting is good for the body as it rids the body of harmful toxins.
Why do the Muslims fast?
First of all it is a command from Allah (God) to the believers:
Oh you who believe! Observing As Saum (fasting) is prescribed for
you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may
become Al-Muttaqun. (pious) (Chapter 2,verse183)
Fasting in Ramadan did not start with Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) nor with the on set of Islam. The Prophets and people afore time were already fasting and this was a continuation of that command. In chapter 2 verses 184-187 of the Quran, Allah sets down the criterion for fasting. We are further told when to fast and how to fast.
Fasting benefits the spirit, Allah says, "…so that you may become Muttaqun (pious)". It is a time for us to become closer to Him. This is why you see the Muslims reading the Holy Quran, praying extra prayers, going out of their way to help other people. It gives us time to meditate on the importance of life, why are we here? Allah says, "I made not men and Jinn but that they should worship me." The month of Ramadan gives us the opportunity to set aside everyday activities that interfere from taking time to worship the One who is the Creator, Sustainer, Provider of mankind, the One who is Oft Forgiving Most Merciful.
How does Islamic fasting differ from other ways of fasting?
The Muslims are told by Allah to fast from sun rise to sun set.
During that time the Muslims are restraining from eating, drinking
(not even water) and sexual relations with their spouse. Eating,
drinking, and sex are the three strongest drives in mankind. It
is something that only each individual has control over himself.
After sunset until sunrise you may engage in these activities all
night if you like, there is no sin in that. In other words this
is a self-discipline that Allah is commanding us to practice. Yet
Allah says He does not make things difficult for us. So we are to
take a meal before the dawn prayer to help sustain us during the
day, this is called Suhor. Also those who are unable to fast
because of sickness, chronic illness, menstruation,
breastfeeding, pregnancy, travelers and the elderly are exempt
from fasting on condition that they either feed a poor person one
meal a day for the length of Ramadan, for how many days they
missed or in some cases they are required to make up the days
missed sometime before the next Ramadan.
Fasting is not exclusive to only the spiritual communication with Allah but is extended to mankind. That is why you see the Muslims are most generous, helpful and kind especially to fellow Muslims during this time. The rewards from Allah abound during the month of Ramadan for even the smallest deed shown to our brother and sister Muslims.
The importance of Ramadan includes that revelation of all scriptures were either given in whole or started in Ramadan. Abraham was given a book the 1st day of Ramadan, Moses was given the Torah the 6th day, Jesus was given the gospel (not the bible) the 13th day and Muhammad was given the first revelation of the Holy Quran on the 25th day of Ramadan. This is why the Muslims recognize the religion of the Jews and Christians, because it is the same God, Allah who gave the same revelation to all the Prophets, (Peace and Blessing be upon them all)
Another very important part of Ramadan is when the Muslims are looking for the night of Qadr. The meaning of Qadr is that which is preordained by Allah and can not be changed. On this night the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him). It is also the night that all that has been ordained for mankind for the next year is sent down to this realm. Allah has written these things for each individual before the dawn of creation. However, it is on this night that it will be sent down for this year. This night we pray for forgiveness of our sins and ask Allah to sustain us through any trials that He has for us and that we may remember to be grateful to Him for the joy we receive.
Inshallah, (by the Will of Allah) we hope that this short
paper will give you a better understanding of the meaning of
Ramadan and why Muslims are so joyful to celebrate Ramadan. We do
not look upon it as an ascetic practice but a celebration that
binds all Muslims throughout the world in this brotherhood called
ISLAM.