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“Every deed of the child of Adam is for him/her except fasting. It is for Me and I shall reward it. The breath of the mouth of a fasting person is more pleasing to Allah than the perfume of musk.” (Al-Bukhari 5472)

The purpose of fasting is not to make us hungry and thirsty or to deprive us some of our comfort and conveniences. The real purpose of fasting is that we learn Taqwa. Taqwa is highly emphasized in the Qur’an and Sunnah. There are more than 158 ayat of the Qur’an on Taqwa and there are hundreds of Ahadith on this subject. Taqwa is Islam itself. It is the sum total of all Islamic values and virtues. If one has Taqwa one has achieved everything. Taqwa is the consciousness of Allah. It is to do one’s best efforts to live by His commands and to avoid His prohibitions. The Qur’an has used the word “taqwa” to mean: consciousness of Allah, fear of Allah, worship of Allah, sincerity in faith and avoiding disobedience to Allah.

Fasting builds the character of Taqwa, if it is done in the right way. How does fasting build the character of Taqwa? Let us look at some of the things that a fasting person is supposed to do and see how they are related to the concept and spirit of Taqwa.

1. Unlike prayers, charity and pilgrimage, fasting is an invisible act. Only Allah and the person who is fasting know whether one is fasting or not. One may quietly eat or drink something and no one will notice and no one can find out. However, the fasting person has made this commitment for the sake of Allah and he/she wants to guard the purity of his/her fast for the sake of Allah. Fasting thus teaches sincerity and it helps a person learn to live by the principles of his/her faith regardless whether other know or do not know. This is the very purpose and essence of Taqwa.

2. Food and sex are two needs and desires that are essential for human survival and growth, but they can become easily corruptive and disruptive if they are not properly controlled and disciplined. Taqwa requires observing the rules of Allah when one eats and when one enjoys sexual relations. Fasting teaches how to control and discipline these desires.

3. The world is full of temptations. It takes a lot of discipline to say no to something that is very tempting, but it is not good for us. During fasting we learn how to say no to things that are otherwise permissible and good, but are forbidden during fasting. When one learns how to say no to that which is generally permissible, then one can easily control oneself to avoid that which is forbidden. This is the spirit of Taqwa.

4. People generally care for themselves and their families, but they often ignore the needs of others. Those who have do not even feel the pain and suffering of those who are hungry, homeless and living in poverty. Through fasting we learn to some extent the pain and suffering of those who are poor and destitute. Fasting teaches empathy and sympathy and it takes away some of our selfishness and self-centeredness. This is the spirit of Taqwa.

5. When Muslims fast together in the month of Ramadan, it builds an atmosphere of virtues, brotherhood and sisterhood. We come closer to our Creator and we also come closer to each other. Unity, peace, harmony, brotherhood and sisterhood are the fruits of taqwa. In Ramadan we enjoy these fruits as we grow in Taqwa.

There are some important things that we should do during Ramadan to take better advantage of this month and to achieve its real purpose, viz. Taqwa. These are some reminders and they are all taken from the guidelines given to us in the Qur’an and Sunnah.

1. Niyyah (Intention): Remind yourself again and again that you are fasting in obedience to Allah. Be sincere in your intention. You want Allah to accept your fasting. The Prophet -peace be upon him- said:

“Whosoever fasts in Ramadan with faith and seeking Allah’s reward, all his past sins are forgiven.” (al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 37)

2. Sunnah: Observe the Sunnah in fasting. Take the Sahur meal a little before dawn and end your fast at Sunset. Observe all the rules of fasting.

3. Wara’ (Avoiding everything Haram or Makruh): Be conscious to have Halal food, Halal income, Halal relations. Avoid watching bad TV programs, videos, movies etc. always but especially during this month. Keep your body and mind very clean. Avoid wasting your time in useless things and pursuits.

4. Qur’an: Spend more time with the Qur’an. Read Qur’an every day. Try to finish at least one time the whole Qur’an during this month in your own personal reading. Read some Ahadith and the books of Sirah.

5. Salat, Du’a and Dhikr of Allah: Pray on time and observe all prayers. Do not ignore the Tarawih prayers. Make more Nawafil. Do as much ‘Ibadah as you can. Do more Zikr and Du’a for yourself and for others. Make Tawbah and Istighfar as much as you can. This is the best time for devotion and seeking Allah’s forgiveness. Seek the Night of Qadr by special devotion during the last ten nights of this month.

6. Zakat, Sadaqah and Generosity: Be very charitable and generous. Give more and more to help the poor and needy and to help good social and community projects. Be also good to your friends and neighbors. Let your non-Muslim neighbors and co-workers know that this is your blessed and sacred time.

7. Husn al-Suluk: Good relations with others. Try to be extra kind and courteous during this month. Forget your quarrels and disputes. Reconcile and forgive. Do not get involved in backbiting, lying, cheating and any thing that is wrong. Be very good to Muslims and to all human beings.

8. Tafakkur: Think, reflect and plan to improve the moral and spiritual condition of your own self and your family. Think about any wrong things and sins you may have been doing and decide to correct your self. Think about any deficiencies you have in your Islamic observances, plan to change yourself. Think what you can do for the Ummah and for humanity to make this world a better place for every one.

It is reported that Bani Israel used to fast, but they complained to their Prophet that they were not receiving God’s blessings. God was not answering their prayers. It is reported in the Bible that God revealed to His Prophet:

`Why have we fasted, and thou seest it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and thou takest no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. [4] Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. .. [6] “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? [7] Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? [8] Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. [9] Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am. (Isaiah 58:3-9)

May Allah help us to take full benefit of fasting in this blessed month of Ramadan. May He keep us on the right path and bless us now and always. Ameen.