Obligation to fast
Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated in their Sahihs on the authority of Ibn Omar, may God be pleased with them: When the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, was asked about Islam, he said: “To bear witness that there is no god but God, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God, to perform prayer, to pay zakat, to fast Ramadan, and to perform Hajj to the House if you are able to make a way to it.».
The hadith indicates that fasting during Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam, as it is one of the obligations of Islam, and the basis for its obligation is from the Book, the Almighty saying: O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you, that you may become righteous. * A number of days, and whoever of you is sick or on a journey, then a number of other days, and for those who are able to endure it, a ransom must be given to him by feeding one poor person, so whoever volunteers good, it is better for him, and that you fast is better for you, if you knew. * The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever of you witnesses the month, let him fast it, and whoever is If you are sick or on a journey, then a number of other days. God wants ease for you and does not want hardship for you. And that you should complete the number and glorify God for having guided you. Perhaps you will be grateful ﴾ [البقرة: 183 – 185]Then the Almighty mentioned fasting, and that it was prescribed for this nation as it was prescribed for previous nations, then God Almighty explained this great benefit of fasting, which is piety, and said: Perhaps you will become righteous ﴾; That is: Fear God, so fasting is a means of piety. Is there anything greater and more beneficial than piety? If a believer fears his Lord, he becomes one of His friends, upon whom there is no fear and no sorrow. As God Almighty said: Indeed, the guardians of God have no fear, nor do they grieve. ﴾ [يونس: 62].
And piety: A name that brings together all the words and deeds that God loves and is pleased with. Fasting is the greatest way to achieve this great goal that brings the servant to happiness and success. The fasting person draws closer to God by abandoning what his soul desires of food and drink, and other desires and pleasures, in order to give priority to love for God over love for oneself. This is one of the signs of faith and evidence of his sincerity. Therefore, God has singled him out among others. All other deeds, and he pointed out his honor and status before Him, Glory be to Him, and God Almighty said, as in the Holy Hadith: “Fasting is for me and I will reward it»; Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Through fasting, faith increases. The servant exercises patience and steadfastness, and self-control from rushing and running after harmful bestial desires in the immediate and future.
Through fasting, the servant receives help from God in many acts of worship and obedience that may be burdensome for him other than the time of fasting. Such as asking forgiveness frequently, repenting to God, remembrance, glorifying God, praising God, reciting the Qur’an, praying, giving charity, and other qualities of charity.
Through fasting, there is a deterrent and rebuke to the soul from forbidden matters, such as words. Such as cursing, cursing, and speaking about people’s honor, and among the actions that he may commit if he is not fasting are forbidden to him, and all of these things that have been commanded or forbidden. If a Muslim complies with what is commanded and avoids what is forbidden, then he has been characterized by piety, which is one of the benefits of fasting.
Then, by fasting, the Muslim remembers God’s blessings upon him in terms of the blessings He has provided for him, and the types of food and drinks, and the other refuges that follow from that. When he abstains from them at any given time, he experiences some hardship and longing for what he was prevented from, and he tastes the pain of hunger and thirst. Then, when he consumes them, he remembers God’s blessing and thanks Him for it, and remembers the conditions of his brothers. The needy who do not find what he finds, and this blessing does not happen to them once they break their fast, so this led him to show kindness, be kind to them with kindness, give charity to them, and be equal to what he is able to do. Thus, acts of obedience help one another.
By fasting, the servant is patient with acts of obedience, patient with transgressions, and patient with God’s painful decrees. Thus, fasting combines the three types of patience, and for this reason the month of Ramadan is called the month of patience, and the greatness of the reward in it is greater than in others. Because God Almighty says: Say, O servants of those who believe, fear your Lord. To those who do good in this world, it is good, and the earth of God is spacious. Indeed, only the patient will be given their reward in full. Without reckoning ﴾ [الزمر: 10].
Fasting protects its owner and protects him from falling into immoral acts. As he, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “O young people, whoever of you is able to do so, let him get married, for it will lower the gaze and protect one’s chastity, and whoever is not able to do so, let him fast, for it will be a blessing for him.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Some scholars said: Among the wonderful benefits of fasting are what doctors have mentioned, which is that it preserves health, dissolves harmful waste, relaxes the strength, and restores their strength. It is one of the best types of diet over eating anything that harms the body. Thus, it becomes clear to you, O Muslim, that fasting combines the interests of religion, this world, and the hereafter. We ask Him, the Almighty, to make us all among His saints upon whom there is no fear or worry. They grieve, and may God’s blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.