Have you ever wondered why Muslims have to refrain from eating, drinking, doing anything hedonistic or even living in a particular month every year, from morning to night? What's in it for them to have such a lifestyle? How did they hold on?
If you want to know the answers to these questions, then read on for an article where I will introduce you to the fasting practices of Muslims, as well as some interesting facts that you may not know.
What is fasting?
Ramadan, also known as Islamic Ramadan, is one of the five pillars of Islam and an important belief and way of life for Muslims. The Arabic word for fasting is "sawm", which means "fasting" or "self-control". The time of fasting is generally in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, the month of Ramadan, which is considered sacred because it is said to be the month when Allah began to reveal the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad.
During the month of Ramadan, all adult, healthy, non-traveling Muslims must completely abstain from all physical desires such as food, drink, tobacco, and behavior from dawn to sunset, while also refraining from all mental consumption such as lying, quarrels, jealousy, malice, violence, etc., as a way to express their fear of Allah, as well as their training and upliftment. After sunset, Muslims can resume their normal eating routine until dawn the next day. Such fasting lasts for a month until the next new moon occurs, which is Eid al-Fitr, the biggest festival of Muslims, where they celebrate the success of fasting, congratulate each other, give gifts, make charitable donations, and participate in the grand festival of breaking the fast.
What is the basis for fasting?
The basis for fasting is the Quran, which is the holy book for Muslims. There are several references to the value of fasting in the Qur'an, the most explicit of which is:
Fasting has become your customization, just as it was for those who came before you, that you may be in awe.
This statement illustrates that the purpose of fasting is to cause believers to fear Allah, which is a core belief in Islam. At the same time, this phrase also indicates the universality of fasting, which is not unique to Islam but is a tradition shared with other monotheistic religions such as Judaism and ** religion, because they all identify with the same Allah and only convey the will of Allah through different books.
The other prescribes when and how to fast:
In the month of Ramadan, when the Qur'an is revealed to instruct the world and to show the proofs, so that you may follow the right path and discern the truth from the false, so in this month you should fast. Those who are sick or travelling should fast according to the number of days they have missed. Let it be convenient for you, not for difficulty, so that you may make up for the days that are missing, so that you may praise and give thanks.
This phrase illustrates the special status of the month of Ramadan, which is the month of birth of the Qur'an, and as such, Muslims should fast during this month as a sign of respect for the Qur'an. At the same time, this verse** also reflects the forgiveness of Allah, who does not ask believers to be too harsh, but gives some exceptions and compensatory situations, such as those who are sick or traveling can not fast for a while, but make up for it at other times.
In addition to the Qur'an, another important basis for fasting is the Hadith, which is a record of Muhammad's words and deeds, and the second greatest faith in Islam. There are many hadiths about fasting, the most famous of which is:
Islam is based on five foundations: proving that Allah is unique and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah; Worship services; Paying zakat; fasting the month of Ramadan; Hajj to the Mecca Temple.
This hadith lists fasting as one of the five pillars of Islam, which is the basic obligation that every Muslim must fulfill, along with faith, prayer, zakat and Hajj, which are important parts of the Muslim faith life. Therefore, fasting is not only a personal practice, but also a responsibility of Islamic society, which embodies the belonging of the entire Muslim community.
What is the point of fasting?
For Muslims, fasting is not only a religious norm, but also a spiritual realm, which has multiple meanings.
Spiritual purification.
Fasting is a cleansing of one's soul and heart, which can help believers to get rid of worldly distractions and desires and improve their moral level.
Physical exercise.
Fasting is a test of one's body and health, it can help believers to regulate their diet and lifestyle habits, overcome their greed and laziness, enhance their stamina, and improve their immunity and resistance to diseases. Some scientific studies have also proven that fasting has certain benefits for the human body.
Social fairness.
Fasting is a restriction on one's wealth and power, and it helps believers to recognize their responsibilities, empathize with and help those who are poor and suffering, and improve injustice among people. During fasting, Muslims will be more generous, will do more good deeds and donations, and will be more friendly.
It can be seen that why Muslims fast because fasting is a command of Allah and a Muslim faith, which can improve Muslims spiritually, physically, and socially, and also allow Muslims to build better relationships with others.