Fasting or Saum (and
related terms) has been used 14 times in the Glorious Qur’an. Ayahs 183 and 184 of Surah al-Baqarah of
the Glorious Qur’an refers to fasting as, “O believers, fasting has been made
mandatory for you as it was made mandatory for the people before you, so that
you may fear of Allah (s.w.t.). Fasting is only for a certain number of days.
One who is sick or on a journey should fast the same number of days at another
time. Those who cannot afford redemption should feed a poor person. Good deeds
performed on one’s own initiative will be rewarded……..”
The Noble Messenger
(s.a.w.a.s.) of Allah (s.w.t.) said, “Ramadhan is the month in which you have
been invited to the Banquet of Allah (s.w.t.). In this month, you have been
made of those people whom Allah (s.w.t.) loves and respects. Your sleep in this
month is considered as worship and even your breaths are treated as
glorification to Allah (s.w.t.). In the sight of Allah, this month is the best
month, its days are the best days, its nights are the best nights, and its
hours are the best hours. The gates of Heaven are open in this month, so ask your
Lord not to close them. The gates of Hell are closed, so ask your Lord not to
open them. Shaitans are in chains, so ask your Lord not to allow them to
dominate over you. When you feel hungry and thirsty in this month, remember the
hunger and thirst of the Day of Resurrection.”
Prophet Musa and
Prophet Eisa both attained spiritual upliftment in 40 days while fasting. Torah
was revealed on 7th Ramadhan, Bible was revealed on 14th
Ramadhan and the Glorious Qur’an was revealed on 23rd of Ramadhan.
There is a tradition
that during the Ascension (Mai’raj), the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) asked
Allah (s.w.t.), “O My Lord! What is the outcome of fasting in Ramadhan?” Allah
(s.w.t.) replied, “Fasting leads to wisdom, wisdom leads to knowledge,
knowledge leads to certainty, when a servant attains certainty, then it does
not matter to him whether he lives in difficulty or ease.”
In the Shia Islam,
Fasting or Saum is the second Branch of Islam. Every Commandment of Allah (s.w.t.)
is directed towards enormous benefits to the mankind. Allah (s.w.t.) loves
seventy times more than a man’s mother loves him. There are countless benefits
of fasting for human beings; physical, mental, and spiritual.
Physical Benefits:
There are many benefits to cure various
sicknesses and ailments; fasting helps weight loss, helps control diabetes by
lowering blood sugar, lowers bad cholesterol and systolic blood pressure,
improves hunger and immune system, improves skin health and promotes long life.
Mental Benefits: Mental
health of a person is closely related to physical health. Hence, when overall
health improves it would impact the mental health as well. It improves the
nervous system functioning. A fasting person experiences peace and tranquility.
Spiritual Benefits:
Nine out of ten Branches of Islam involve physical activities. Fasting is the
only one which is between the fasting person and Allah (s.w.t.). Whether the
fasting person is truly following the prohibition of fasting or not is only
known to Allah (s.w.t.). Fasting purifies the soul, cleans the intention, and
stimulates the person to do virtuous deeds. It enhances will to control
desires, check transgression, realize the hunger and thirst of the poor. If
fasting is practiced with the true intention of “Qurbatan Ilallah” or “Closeness
to Allah”, the fasting person may enter the realm of angels!
Sources:
The Glorious Qur’an, The Sermon of Sha’bania by the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), abuminaelis.com, Webmd.com
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