Ramadan : Fasting – A Test of Will Power

Fasting is an important instrument of purification. It holds a unique status among all other forms of worship. In a hadith qudsi we are told:

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: “Every (good) deed of the son of Adam would be multiplied, a good deed receiving a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward. Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, has said: “With the exception of fasting, for it is done for Me and I will give a reward for it, for one abandons his passion and food for My sake.” There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts, joy when he breaks it, and joy when he meets his Lord, and the breath (of an observer of fast) is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk.” (Sahih Muslim, Book #006, Hadith #2567)

The fruit of fasting ought to be that rich inner quality which the Quran calls piety:

“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,-“ (Surah Al Baqarah 2:183)

Piety is the most basic prerequisite for being guided by Allah. It entails God-consciousness, a sense of responsibility, accountability, dedication, and awe.

It is that which prompts and inspires us to fulfill our responsibilities towards the Creator. Piety is the main criterion by which Allah values the deeds of a Muslim. The Quran states:

“…Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).” (Surah Al Hujurat 49:13)

We must strive to the utmost to inculcate piety in our lives as Allah has ordained:

“…And take a provision (with you) for the journey (Pilgrimage), but the best of provisions is right conduct (taqwa). So fear Me, o ye that are wise.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:197)

Fasting teaches us to remember Allah. It helps to instill in us certain attributes and qualities which develop our piety. We discuss some of these below.

Fulfilling Allah’s Wishes

While fasting, the most basic physical needs — food, water and sleep — are readily and joyfully sacrificed. Hunger and thirst are no longer harmful; Allah’s displeasure is harmful.

Physical pleasures no longer hold any lure; Allah’s rewards do. The scale of values is turned upside down. The measures of comfort and pain, success and failure are radically changed.

However, whatever the physical discomfort, the mortification of the flesh is certainly not the desired object. The gifts of Allah are there to be enjoyed but limits by Him must also be strictly observed.

Once the sun has set, the fast must be broken and the sooner the better. All that was forbidden during the fasting hours, at His command, becomes permissible again, at His command.

Similarly, eating before dawn is strongly encouraged even though the hour is early for it provides the necessary strength for the rigors of the day ahead. Fasting and praying are obvious acts of worship but eating also constitutes a form of worship.

Will-power

Fasting strengthens our will-power. The Prophet Muhammad has said:

“Fasting is a shield or a screen, a shelter from the Hell-fire.” (Al-Bukhari)

The regime of dawn-to-sunset abstinence from food, drink, and sex, for the sake of Allah alone, internalizes the lesson that we must never enter, acquire, or even touch that which does not belong to us under the law of Allah.

A man can no longer remain a slave to his own self-indulgence as he prepares for the arduous journey on the road to His Lord.

For many, it is difficult to see the value of long hours of hunger, thirst and sleeplessness. Productivity losses are difficult to accept in an age that has tried to promote economic growth at all costs.

According to Islam, however, we are created to live a life of total submission to the One and Only Allah, and this purpose must be paramount in all scales of values.

Fasting is crucial to this understanding. It shows that its purpose, like Allah’s guidance through His Prophets and Books and all the rituals of worship, is to train us how we must live totally and unreservedly in submission to Allah.

Fasting enables us to protect ourselves from the evil influences of Satan. While fasting Prophet Muhammad has guided us that:

“Eyes should refrain from seeing evil, ears from hearing evil, tongues from speaking evil and hearts from reflecting evil.” (Al-Bukhari)