Importance Of Ramadan And Fasting

Ramadan And Fasting- Importance

The word Ramadan is derived from the Arabic root 'Ramida' or 'Ar-Ramad' which means 'scorching heat'. This is the month of fasting, worship and paying zakat. The Quran was revealed in Ramadan, that Muslims wake up early to eat a pre-dawn meal called suhoor, and they break their fast with a meal referred to as iftar. During the holy month, it is common to host large iftars, especially for the poor and needy. Nightly prayers called Taraweeh are also held in mosques after Isha.

You can see, that different cultures have different traditions during Ramadan, whether it is a special food they cook or eating iftar with the extended family and feeding to poor and needy. Sharing food and inviting guests over for iftar is also a tradition.

Fasting or sawm is the fourth pillar of Islam. It is obligatory in the month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Islamic calendar). Muslims are expected to fast the whole month for 28 or 29 days. The aim of this month for Muslims are meant to self reflect on their actions, show their love, to establish equality and devotion to Allah which results in spiritual as well as physical purification.

From the pillars of Islam

The Prophet ﷺ said,
“Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):
1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Messenger.
2. To establish Salah
3. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity).

4. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.
5. To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca)
[Sahih Bukhari-7]

Importance of Ramadan

Ramadan is the month of fasting, which involves abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual relations from dawn to sunset, in the hopes that it will lead to greater “taqwa”.

"O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous (i.e. get Taqwa)."
[Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 183]

This month is like a practising month to learn taqwa. Some of the people continue their good deed after Ramadan but some are getting back to their old life. To learn the importance of Ramadan we have to learn about the taqwa. There is much importance to Ramadan:-

1. The Gates of heaven are opened:

In the month of Ramadan, all the devils are chained up,  the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed. A beautiful hadith,

“When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.“
[Sahih Bukhari-3277]

2. Doors of hellfires are closed:

During the first night of Ramadan, the Shaitaans and evil Jinnsare chained until the last day of this month. The doors of hellfire are closed and At the time of breaking the fast people are freed from the fire (of Hell) this happens every day, who fast for the sake of Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said,

“When the first night of Ramadaan comes the Shaitaans and evil Jinnsare chained. The doors of Hell-Fire are closed and none of its doors are opened. The gates of Paradise are opened and none of its doors are closed.
A caller calls out, “O desirer of good –go ahead (i.e. do more good), O desirer of evil –stop (doing bad)! Surely, for the sake of Allah, at the time of breaking the fast people are freed from the fire (of Hell) and this happens every day.”
[Sunnan Tirmidhi-682, authentic]

3. Past sins will be forgiven:

All sins done by fasting people will be forgiven. Allah is Al-Ghafoor, he forgives all the sins during Ramadan who fasts with sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards. The Prophet ﷺ said,

"Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.“
[Sahih Bukhari- 2014]

4. Fasting in the month of Ramadhan is compulsory:

The holy Quran was revealed in this blessing month. Fasting this month is obligatory to every Muslim except some who are not able to fast like the sick, the traveller, the pregnant, the breastfeeding women and the aged. We should prepare for fasting before few months. Allah said in Quran,

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it.”
[Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 185]

5. Every day (people) are freed from fire (hell) :

Afterlife hellfire will be the home for sinners but Allah has promised to forgive if you repent from the deep of heart and Ramadan is the month you get a chance to make yourself a good Muslim. Ramadan's every moment is telling for us. At the time of breaking the fast people are freed (from the fire of Hell) and this happens every day. The Prophet ﷺ said,

“Surely for the sake of Allah, at the time of breaking the fast people are freed (from the fire of Hell) and this happens every day.”
[Sunnan Ibn e Majah- 1712, authentic]

Importance Of Fasting

Fast as an act of worship, a chance to get closer to God, recite the Quran more than normal days, a way to become more compassionate to those in need and a way to learn patience and break bad habits. We can know the importance of fasting by some points:-

1. The wisdom of fasting:

In the beginning, the Prophet ﷺ had instructed the Muslims to fast three days every month, though this was not obligatory. Later in 2 A.H. when this verses (2:183) revealed a degree of relaxation was introduced that those who did not fast despite their capacity to endure it were obliged to feed one poor person. Allah said in the Quran,

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous (i.e. get Taqwa).”
[Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 183]

2. Fasting is Compulsory:

Fasting in Ramadan is compulsory for every Muslim. Allah made it compulsory because  It has lots of benefits physical as well as spiritual.

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said when the month of Ramadan began, “Verily, this month has presented itself to you. There is a night within it that is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of it has been deprived of all good. None is deprived of its good but that he is truly deprived.”

[Sunan Ibn Mājah 1644, authentic, Anas ibn Malik reported]

Fasting is compulsory for every Muslim except those who are-

• Sick
• Travelling
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Senility or old age
• Intense hunger and thirst (which may cause a threat to life but make up for that fast later on)
• Compulsion (If someone is compelling you to fast against your will, you are not obliged to fast)
• Women on menses

3. Learn Taqwa:

The aim of this month for Muslims are meant to self reflect on their actions, show their love, to establish equality and devotion to Allah which results in spiritual as well as physical purification. Fasting is the purpose of learning taqwa. Allah has mentioned in the Quran,

O, believers! "Fasting is prescribed for you as it was for those before you so perhaps you will become mindful of Allah."
[Surah Baqrah 2:183]

4. The window of forgiveness:

According to one hadith, Allah has divided Ramadan into three stages: mercy, forgiveness, and protection. The entirety of this month is blessed. Still, it can be helpful to focus on each element in its own given time, and right now we are in the window of forgiveness. Allah said in the Quran,

“Despair not of the Mercy of God, for God forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[Surah Zumar 39:53]

The Prophet ﷺ said,
“O God, You are the most Forgiving One, You love to forgive, so forgive me”
[Tirmidhi, ibn maja]

5. Shield -Defence:

In the holy month of Ramadan Fasting is act like a shield, it protects a human from shaytan and evil jinns and sins which brings to the hellfire. Fasting teaches taqwa. Taqwa is the ultimate result of all types of worship (Ibadah). Without Taqwa your all worships and deeds are useless. Taqwa means being conscious of Allah, being aware of Him, leaving sins due to His Fear and turning towards obedience to Him due to Hope from Him. In easy words you can say fear of Allah for self-righteousness, getting close to him spiritually. 

Taqwa is a shield or protective barrier which strengthens a Muslim's belief and make him a better Muslim. Taqwa is physical as well as a spiritual activity that renewed focus on spirituality and provides a special meaning in the eyes of Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said,

"Fasting is a shield (from Hell)".
[Sahih Bukhari- 7492]

6. Fasting weakens desires:

Islam teaches lowering the gaze more protective of the private parts and whoever is not able to marry should fast, because fasting diminishes his sexual desire. The Prophet ﷺ said,

“Fasting and performing voluntary prayer at night are the castration of my Ummah (nation)."
[Musnad Ahmad- Authentic, narrated Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr]

The Prophet ﷺ said,
“O young people, whoever of you can afford marriage should marry because it is more (conducive to) lowering the gaze and more protective of the private parts; and whoever is not able to marry should fast, because fasting diminishes his sexual desire.”
[Sahih Bukhari- 5066, narrated Ibn Mas‘ood]

The Prophet ﷺ said,

"Allah said: The Fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (the one who observes the fast) leaves his sexual desire, food and drink for My sake."
[Sahih Bukhari- 7492]

The Prophet ﷺ said,
“As he leaves his wife and sexual desire, food and drink for my sake.”
[Recorded in Al-Awsat by Tabarani- 9042] 

7. Smell from the mouth of the fasting person:

In Allah's sight, A person who is fasting, his mouth smell is better than the smell of musk. The Prophet ﷺ said,

"And the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better in Allah's Sight than the smell of musk."
[Sahih Bukhari- 7492]

8. Act of great sincerity:

Ramadan is the month of great sincerity, people used to pray salah, Taraweeh, recite Quran and gives zakat with sincerity for the sake of Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said,

“The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was the most generous of all the people and he used to become more generous in Ramadan when Gabriel met him. Gabriel used to meet him every night during Ramadan to revise the Quran with him. God's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) then used to be more generous than the fast wind.”
[Sahih Bukhari-1902]

9.Two times of happiness:

Fasting brings about two great occasions of joy and happiness for the fasting person: one in this life and that is when the fasting person breaks his fast with what Allah has allowed for him of foods and drinks. As for the other, it is in the Hereafter, and that is when the person receives the rewards for his fast. The Prophet ﷺ said,

“He who fasts has two joys: a joy when he breaks his fast and a joy when he meets his Lord. The change in the breath of the mouth of the one who fasts is sweeter to Allah than the smell of musk.”
[Sahih Bukhari- 7492, Tirmidhi-766, authentic, narrated Abu Hurairah]

10. Laylat al-Qadar(The Night of Decree/Power) better than thousand months:

Laylat al-Qadr is known as Shab-e-Qadr. It is also known as  the Night of Decree, Night of Power, Night of Value, Night of Destiny, or Night of Measures. This is the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It is one of the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan and is better than 1000 months of worship. 

Some men amongst the companions of the Prophet ﷺ were shown in their dreams that the night of Qadr was in the last seven nights of Ramadan. Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, 

"It seems that all your dreams agree that (the Night of Qadr) is in the last seven nights, and whoever wants to search for it (i.e. the Night of Qadr) should search in the last seven (nights of Ramadan).
[Sahih Bukhari- 2015, Narrated Ibn `Umar]

Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, 

"Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan."
[Sahih Bukhari- 2017, Narrated `Aisha]

Allah's Messenger ﷺ used to practice I`tikaf (in the mosque) in the middle third of Ramadan and after passing the twenty nights he used to go back to his house on the 21st, and the people who were in I`tikaf with him also used to go back to their houses. 

Once in Ramadan, in which he practised I`tikaf, he ﷺ established the night prayers at the night in which he used to return home, and then he addressed the people and ordered them whatever Allah wished him to order and said, 

"I used to practice I`tikaf for these ten days (i.e. the middle third but now I intend to stay in I`tikaf for the last ten days (of the month); so whoever was in I`tikaf with me should stay at his place of seclusion. 

I have verily been shown (the date of) this Night (of Qadr) but I have forgotten it.

So search for it in the odd nights of the last ten days (of this month). 

I also saw myself (in the dream) prostrating in mud and water. On the night of the 21st, the sky was covered with clouds and it rained, and the rainwater started leaking through the roof of the mosque at the praying place of the Prophet ﷺ. I saw with my own eyes the Prophet at the completion of the morning prayer leaving with his face covered with mud and water.

[Sahih Bukhari- 2024, Narrated `Aisha]

11. Fasting and Qur’an will intercede:

On the Day of Resurrection, Fasting and the Qur'an will intercede for the person, Fasting will say I kept him from food, water, sins and sexual desires, and the Quran will say I keep him awake during the night. The Prophet ﷺ said,

❝Fasting and the Qur'an will intercede for a person on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say, 'O Lord, I kept him from his food and desires during the day; let me intercede for him.' And the Qur'an will say, 'I kept him from sleeping during the night; let me intercede for him.' And they will be allowed to intercede.❞
[Ahmad, classed as Saheeh by al-Albani in Saheeh al-Jaami': 7329]

12. Take to fasting there is nothing like it:

Fasting in Ramadan is special for every Muslim. It makes them do fast, ibadah and keep themselves from sins. After 28 or 329 days of fasting and ibadah, people celebrated their famous festival 'Eid'. 

Abu Umamah said, O Messenger of Allah, tell me of something by which Allah will benefit me. 

He ﷺ said: Take to fasting, for there is nothing like it."'

[Sunan an-Nasa'i- 2221, authentic]

13. Distances from the fire:

"There is a gate in Paradise called ar-Rayyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it On the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. 

It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe fasts?' 

They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. 

After their entry, the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it.""
[Sahih Bukhari- 1896, Narrated Sahl]

He who is amongst those who pray will be called from the gate of the prayer (in Paradise) and he who is from the people of Jihad will be called from the gate of Jihad, and he who is from those who give in charity (i.e. Zakat) will be called from the gate of charity, and he who is amongst those who observe fast will be called from the gate of fasting, the gate of Rayyan.

Abu Bakr said, "He who is called from all those gates will need nothing,"
He added, "Will anyone is called from all those gates, O Allah's Apostle?"
He said, "Yes, and I hope you will be among those, O Abu Bakr."
[Sahih Bukhari- 3666, narrated Abu Hurairah]

14. Improve mental health:

Fasting is also helpful for our brain it reduces depression and anxiety, as well as the risk of developing dementia. Scientists explained fasting can lead to the release of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) in the brain,

“This has been shown to protect brain cells and could reduce depression and anxiety, as well as the risk of developing dementia,” Mosley added.

15. Prevent health problems such as high cholesterol, heart disease and obesity:

During fast, our body is able to concentrate on removing toxins, as we give the digestive system a rest. It also helps to lose fat and gain lean muscle mass. Nutritionist Claire Mahy told Al Jazeera:

 
“Fasting allows the gut to cleanse and strengthens its lining. It can also stimulate a process called autophagy, which is where cells self-cleanse and removes damaged and dangerous particles.”

Conclusion

Fasting has lots of benefits physical as well as spiritual. it brings us closer to Allah, saves us from hellfire, brings us to the door of heaven Ar-Rayyan, controls weak desires, teaches us to become a good humans, shows love, establishes the equality and helps to poor and needy.

“Fasting can lead to low blood glucose levels (BGL), which causes reduced concentration and increased fatigue,” explained registered nutritionist Nazmin Islam.


This study shows that we should not start to keep fasting directly in the month of Ramadan same as our Prophet ﷺ taught us 1400 yrs ago. He used to keep fasting every Monday and Thursday and every lunar date of 13, 14 and 15.


“However, the benefits outweigh the cons. In the long run, fasting, if done correctly, can improve one’s digestive system and overall metabolism.”

This is the time of science, people are looking for scientific proofs. Here Our prophet ﷺ proved it for many years and Alhamdulillah all the Muslim over all the world are following the path of the prophet ﷺ and his sunnah.