Ramadan

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

'O People of Imaan! Siyam (fasting) has been ordained for you just as it was ordained for those before you so that you attain taqwa! (Quran)

Siyam is among the fundamental acts of Ibadat. It has been ordained by Allah Ta'ala for the development of taqwa (piety) in the Mu'mineen. Fasting is extremely efficacious for the acquisition of taqwa. A Muslim cannot acquire Divine Proximity without taqwa. Without taqwa, the Muslim must necessarily drift far off the straight Path (Siratul Mustaqeem), which leads to Allah Ta'ala and everlasting success In the Akhirah.

One who denies the fardhiyat (obligation) of Saum, no longer remains a Muslim and the one who does not fast during the month of Ramadan is a fasiq (an immoral and flagrant transgressor) of the highest order. Such a fasiq totally destroys his spirituality and morality and exposes his Iman to the gravest onslaughts of kufr.

There are numerous benefits, both spiritual and physical, of fasting. The prime benefit in the pursuit of taqwa is the suppression of the inordinate desires and demands of nafs-e-ammarah (man's base carnal propensity). The nafs is perpetually in collusion with shaitan to spiritually and morally ruin the Mu'min. If the nafs is allowed unrestrained freedom, it will succeed to make man the slave of passion, lust and base emotions. His Iman will suffer. The Noor of his Iman will be extinguished. It is, therefore, essential that the nafs is put in fetters. Fasting greatly aids in this direction.

By fasting, the Muslim learns to restrain his lowly desires. The nafs is not allowed free expression. The nafs becomes accustomed to submit to the Shariah's restrictions. Carnal desires are weakened and the ability of inculcating taqwa is created.

Fasting produces purity in the rooh (soul). For such purity to come into the rooh, spiritual authorities (the Auliya) say, there is nothing that has greater efficacy than fasting. While fasting results in even physical health, it creates a feeling of palpable spiritual purity in the Mu'min. The Door of Roohaniyat (the spiritual domain) is opened up by fasting.

Fasting creates pleasure in Ibadat. It also makes the heart more conducive for Ibadat. The bond with Allah Ta'ala is strengthened and the Mu'min acquires a greater awareness of his spiritual and moral goals for which he has been created.

By fasting, the Mu'min progressively draws nearer to Allah Ta'ala. Once Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) supplicated "O Rabbul Alameen! When does the servant become closest to You?"

The Divine Reply came: 'When the servant is hungry and when he is in Sajdah".

The development of lofty, angelic attributes are engendered in the Mu'min by fasting. In fasting, man brings about in him a resemblance with the angels since the latter do not eat. They are devoid of evil inclinations and all things base. Man by reducing his worldly relations and by increasingly stripping his nafs of emotional desires, moves closer to the angelic domain. Zikrullah is the nourishment of the angels. By increasing His Zikrullah, especially in the state of fasting, the Muslim enters the realm of Divine Proximity.

Fasting engenders a feeling for the poor. Man becomes more conscious of his less fortunate brethren and their hardships. He thus learns the lesson of sacrificing some of his wealth, to aid others in need. He inculcates in him feeling for humanity.

The greatest and highest benefits of fasting are the acquisition of Allah's Pleasure and lofty ranks in the Akhirah. In a Hadith-e-Qudsi, Allah Ta'ala says: "Sawm is for Me. And I shall (personally) apportion out the reward for it".

For the acquisition of the numerous benefits of Siyaam, there is, however, one vital condition, viz. abstention from sin and futility. Sin and futility negate the beneficial effects of fasting. It is therefore essential for the Saa-im (the fasting person) to exercise utmost care and abstain from sin and all things of futility. Should the saa-im (the fasting person) not be heedful of this important condition, his mere abstention from food and water will be akin to a chained animal which is denied food. Spiritually such abstention from food and drink is of no value. The Muslim should therefore understand well the purpose of Saum and transform his abstention from food into a higher and spiritual act of Ibadat for the achievement of all the lofty benefits by abstaining from sin, futility and all such things, acts, attitudes and thoughts which neutralize and nullify the efficacy of Saum.

In addition to the adoption of the moral principles for gaining the spiritual and moral effects of Saum, it is essential to adopt all, the fiqhi (juristic) rules necessary for the validity of Saum. Without these rules the Saum is rendered utterly worthless and at times totally invalid.

KITAABUS SAWM (The Book of fasting)