Ramadan is much more than fasting. It is the nurturing of a culture of abstinence to purify thought, speech and general behavior. Ramadan is a bounty that Allah has blessed us with to strengthen our faith and increase pity.

Fasting is a universal practice. It is a common practice in all religions.  Fasting during the month of Ramadan is the vital pillars of Islam. The Arabic equivalent of fasting is saum which means to abstinence from eating drinking and sexual activities. Saum is an act of worship. It is a prayer for attaining spiritual exaltation and eternal salvation.

Staying away from eating and dirking is a symbolic abstinence. Fasting creates remarkable endurance in a person, besides special feeling of empathy for the needy and creates a sense of equality between rich and poor. The Quran says. Believers; fasting has been prescribed for you, just as it was prescribed for those before, so that you may guard yourselves against evils. (Quran: 2:183)

Fasting is a shield against sins. Ramadan is the best time to seek Allah’s forgiveness. The prophet (SAW) said “He who fasts with pure faith and seeks reward from Allah will have his past sin forgiven. He who spends nights praying will have his past sin forgiven, and he who passes lailatul Qadr in praying Allah will have his sins forgiven.

In Islam, the aim of fasting is not simply refraining from eating and drinking but refraining from indulging in prohibited acts. Fasting is a prayer for attaining spiritual exaltation and eternal salvation. It is an exercise in self discipline.

Fasting has great medicinal value, it is a simple and natural way to cleanse and rest the body. Fasting detoxifies the system and stimulates metabolism. Fasting makes us feel refreshed both spiritually and physically.

 The massage of Ramadan is to abandon all immoral things and do not allow our desires to dominate us. Hence, Fasting is a source through which we experience the hunger and pain and then realize the blessing of God. Fasting teaches sincerity and engenders devotion. It develops a sense of social conscience, patience, self restraint, willpower and compassion for the needy members of the society.

(The Author is Assistant Professor Department of Arabic, Aliah University, Kolkata-India. Email:merajjnu@gmail.com)