The Significance of Ramadan

The fasting has great significance in Islam. Allah's messenger (pbuh) says, Allah, the Almighty has said: "Every act of man is for him except fasting, it is done for My (Allah's) sake and I will give reward for it. The breath of a faster is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk."

The most important thing which makes the month of Ramadan more significant is that it is the month of Qur'an. The Holy Qur'an has clearly pointed out this aspect: The month of Ramadan, in which was sent down the Qur'an. Thus we come to the conclusion that the fasting of Ramadan is made compulsory commemorating the revelation of the Holy Qur'an as a guidance to the whole mankind. That is why when the holy month of Ramadan comes Allah gives his servants all opportunities to increase good deeds by giving multiplied rewards for their deeds and accepting their repentance. It is reported from the Prophet (pbuh) that "When Ramadan starts, the gates of paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the Satans are chained. "That means in this month Allah will deny the normal access of Satans to the deeds of the believers so that they can come closer and closer to Allah. The Prophet (pbuh) has said in the meaning: woe to one, Ramadan reached to him but he could not use it for forgiveness of his sins.

Unlike other forms of worship, the fasting is a hidden 'ibadat'. All religious duties except fasting are performed by some outward movement or other. For instance, in salah a man stands, sits and does ruku and sajadah which is visible to every body. Zakat is given to the poor people and in the Haj also everybody know it. But fasting is a ibadat which is not manifest. Only Allah knows it that is why Allah said what I quoted in the beginning of this article. Fasting is linked with true faith in Allah. See what firm conviction he has in the fact that no action of his can be concealed from Allah though it may be concealed from the whole world. How his heart is full of fear of God, that he under goes a severe agony but simply out of fear of Him does not do anything which will result in breaking his fast. How profound is his belief in the reward and punishment of the Hereafter that for full one month he fasts. Had he the slightest doubt about the future life where reward and punishment will be meted out, he could have never completed his fast. When doubt arises it is not possible for a man to stick to his resolve of not eating and drinking anything in obedience to God's commandment.

Fasting is also a training for the servant to aspire to the hereafter since by fasting, he gives up some of the worldly matters looking for to Allah's reward; this is because he measures the profit in the terms of the condition in the Hereafter.

Fasting is also a practical embodiment of submission and servitude to Allah. Fasting is a protection for the servant from hell fire. The Prophet has said : "Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will keep his face away from hell fire 70 years" .. If such is the reward for fasting one day, what about fasting the whole Ramadan?!

Fasting is a protection against passions. The Prophet said: He who can afford to marry should marry, because it will help him refrain from looking at other women, and save him from committing illegal sexual relations, and he who cannot afford to marry is advised to fast, as fasting is like a rein preventing him from illicit pleasure.

Fasting is a means to paradise. It is reported that once a companion of the Prophet came and asked: O Prophet of Allah, command me to a deed which will benefit me in front of Allah. The Prophet said: Observe the fast as it has no equal deed. The Prophet has also taught us that there is a special gate called 'Rayyan', through which only the fasters would enter. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it. Fasting intercedes for the faster in the day of judgement. The Prophet said: Fasting and Qur'an will intercede for the servant on the Day of Resurrection, fasting will say "My Lord, because of me he was prohibited food and satisfaction of desire at the day time, so accept my intercession for him". The Qur'an will say: "I prevented him from sleep at night, so accept my intercession for him, and their intercession will be accepted."

Fasting is an expiation of sins. The Prophet has said: The affliction of a person in his property, family and neighbours is expiated by his prayers fasting and giving in charity. Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven. "The five daily prayers, between a Friday prayer and another, between the month of Ramadan and another, are expiations of the sins committed in between if the great sins are abstained from."

Fasting is a cause of happiness both in this life and in the Hereafter. The Prophet says: the one who observes fast has two moments of (unparalleled) Joy, One when he breaks his fast and the other when he meets his Lord. As to his first moment of joy it is an example of happiness and delight which the Believer finds as a result of being obedient, and pious towards his Master, and that is genuine happiness.

Thus we can see that the prescribed institution of fasting is a very important and significant form of worship for a believer which will help him to enter the paradise free from all mistakes and sins.