Importance of Ramadan

“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous” ( Qur’an; 2:184).

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam. In the above verse, God Almighty tells Muslims that they must not think that they are the only ones who have been commanded to fast for a fixed number of days. Such a commandment existed for previous religions as well.

A typical fast begins at the first appearance of dawn and ends with sunset. During this period, one is expected to abstain from all foods and drinks completely. It is not just physical hunger and thirst that constitutes the Muslim fast, but the nights before the beginning of the fast acquire a far more critical character and play a central role in the institution of fasting. Muslims wake up at midnight and before dawn for individual prayers and the remembrance of God.

With Ramadan there are special glad tidings for forgiveness of sins. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said that whoever observes fasting during Ramadan in a state of faith and while self-evaluating, his previous sins will be forgiven and if we knew what the excellence of Ramadan is we would have wished that the entire year was Ramadan.

Ramadan is a most blessed month, and minor ailments should not be made an excuse to miss fasting. The Holy Qur’an clearly states the conditions under which one may not fast, for example when one is sick or traveling. The missed fasts should be made up on later dates after the end of the month and before the beginning of the next Ramadan. Those who are chronically ill and cannot fast are told to feed the poor during the month as an expiation.

There are many benefits of Ramadan. For example, it restores one’s health. Some doctors have developed a system of health through the almost exclusive use of fasting. It also is an excellent religious discipline which trains the mind and body to cope with crisis, anger, hunger, thirst, etc. According to one mystic, the secret of life is to speak little, eat little and sleep little. All these disciplines are exercised during the month of fasting. It also gives a taste of charity, and the person does experience what hunger is.

The institution of fasting is essential because it spiritually enhances the believer in almost every area of his spiritual life.