The purpose of fasting is to produce a feeling of humility through thirst and hunger. Humility comes from a feeling of inabat (repentance). When repentance or inabat is produced within oneself, the dua which comes out of one’s lips, goes straight to the throne of the Almighty.
Real fasting is that which induces real dua. Dua is an act of the heart. The more the heart cultivates this capability, the more effective dua will come. Fasting increases the spiritual capability of man’s heart, then the dua which ensues directly reaches God Almighty.
Fasting by its nature, is an act of patience. Patience means patiently bearing the difficulties and hardships faced in the process of carrying out God’s commandments. One becomes God’s obedient servant at the price of patience.
The outward form of fasting is to abstain from food and water. This abstinence symbolizes that man is at God’s disposal. He should, be willing, at all times, to sacrifice anything for His sake, even if it involves relinquishing such basic necessities as food and water.
One who observes fasting in its essence as well as in its outward form, will deserve the promised reward. On the other hand, one who attaches importance to symbols alone, will have nothing to his credit when he comes before God.
Fasting during the month of Ramadan reminds a faithful person that if the list of abstinence were to reach the extent of refraining from food and water for a temporary period, then he would be ready to do so for a higher purpose.
Fasting is not a set of rituals. It is rather adopting the well-known formula – simple living, high thinking.
A believer is a man of mission who eschews all such activities as are irrelevant to his mission. This is the spirit of the man of mission and fasting symbolizes this spirit.
Fasting does not simply amount to observing hunger for a temporary period. In fact, it symbolizes a lifelong culture, that is, a culture of dedication.
The fasting of that person is real for whom the fasting becomes akin to applying brakes as far as forbidden things in the eyes of God are concerned.
