'Roja' is a Persian word. Fasting is called Saom in Arabic. According to the dictionary, the meaning of the word is self restraint, stay away from something and the like. As per the Islamic Shariah, staying away from food and drinks and staying away from satisfying the senses from sunrise to sunset for the satisfaction of Allah SWT is fasting or Saom.
It is obligatory for each intelligent and physically sound Muslim man and woman to fast in the month of Ramadan. This is why, the religious significance of fasting in the month of Ramadan is immeasurable.
Taqwa (fear of Allah) can be obtained in the month of Ramadan by fasting. Staying away from all sorts of indecent activities in human life and doing good deeds are called Taqwa or fear of Allah. When someone fasts in the month of Ramadan, he purges himself, he gets closer to Allah.
Mentioning the matter of fasting in the holy Quran and obtaining Taqwa in this manner, Allah tells about the religious importance of fasting- "O people, who have brought faith! Fasting has been made obligatory for you, like it was made obligatory for the followers of the previous prophets; so that, you can achieve Taqwa or fear of Allah." (Surah Al Baqara, verse 183).
Carnal desire, anger, fascination, alcohol and betting, these evil instincts are extreme enemies for humans. Man gets misguided because of being urged by the six basic evil instincts. Fasting has been made obligatory to eliminate these evil instincts.
Because, the month of Ramadan keeps the fasting individual away from all sorts of evil instincts and all sorts of evil deeds. The Greatest Prophet (PBUH) says in this regard, fasting is like a shield for the Mumins (people who have brought faith in Allah) (Sahih Bukhari). It is proved from this Hadith that fasting is one of the weapons which keeps us away from various evil instincts including carnal desire, anger, greed and fascination.
Man does abstain from food and drinks in the month of Ramadan not to show others, neither do they go through the pain and agony of hunger and thirst. A fasting person fasts only for the satisfaction of Allah. This is why, Allah loves the fasting individual a lot. It has been narrated in Hadith E Qudsi in this manner that, Allah Rabbul Alamin says, "Fasting is done only for my sake and me, myself will reward this good deed." (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim) That is, fasting reflects the love only for Allah. This is why, Allah has announced that, He will specially reward the fasting individual.
The fasting individual recites the Holy Quran a lot in the month of Ramadan. This is why, fasting and the Quran will recommend for the fasting individual on the doomsday. Allah will grant their prayer. The Greatest Prophet says in this regard, "Fasting and the Quran will suggest for the slave.
Fasting will say, O Cherisher! I have kept this individual away from food and cravings during the day. So, grant my prayer. Al Quran will say- I have kept this individual away from the sleep of night (Qiamul Lail). Please, grant my prayer. (Baayhaki)
Compassionate Allah SWT forgives the previous sins of the fasting individual in the month of Ramadan. The Greatest Prophet says, "If an individual fasts with faith and self analysis, he will find his sins forgiven." (Bukhari and Muslim)
(Moulana Abdullah Al-Mamun is an Assistant Director of the Islamic Foundation)
Latest News