Fasting is a form of worship for which there is no substitute. If one were to describe the great benefits and boundless virtues of fasting, even thousands of pages would not be sufficient. In brief, fasting is a complete remedy for physical ailments. It is a powerful means of increasing spiritual values and an unbreakable shield against wrongdoing.
Those who fast will enter Paradise through a special gate. On the Day of Judgment, fasting will intercede on behalf of the servant who welcomed it with full reverence and respect. Through fasting, physical impurities are removed, and within a person the flow of subtle rays becomes intensified. With the increased flow of light, the speed of the mind accelerates to such an extent that angels appear before the fasting person, and they witness their soul journeying through the unseen world.
On the last date of Sha‘bān, the Seal of the Prophets, the Holy Prophet ﷺ, said:
“O people!
A month of great magnificence and blessings is about to cast its shade over you. It is a month in which there is one night better than a thousand months.
Allah has made fasting obligatory upon His servants. The Holy Qur’an was revealed in this month. Other heavenly books were also revealed in this month. The scriptures were given to Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) on the first and third dates of Ramadan. The Zabur (Psalms) was given to Prophet David (peace be upon him) on the 12th and 18th. The Torah was given to Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) on the 16th of this month, and the Gospel was given to Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) on the 12th or 13th of this blessed month of Ramadan.”
In short, Ramadan the month in which the Qur’an was revealed is a month of immense greatness, virtue, and wisdom. It purifies and refines human consciousness. By remaining hungry and thirsty purely for the sake of Allah, a person’s soul soars through the vastness of the heavens and touches the heights of the Divine Throne.
Fasting is an act of worship that was made obligatory upon the communities of all Prophets (peace be upon them).
Allah Almighty says:
“O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous and God-fearing.”
This is the blessed month in which Angel Jibrīl (Gabriel), peace be upon him, would recite the Qur’an to the Noble Prophet ﷺ, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would also recite the Qur’an to him.
Come, let us make a pledge that we too will follow the noble practice of the Seal of the Prophets, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and help our needy brothers in every possible way.
By Khawaja Shams Uddin Azeemi
Book: Voice of a Friend