Fasting entails cutting oneself off from the world and turning to God; not in a physical sense, but having one’s heart and mind continually directed towards God, whatever bodily activity one may be engaged in.
Ramadan entails much more than fasting; it is the fostering of a culture of abstinence aimed at purification of thought, speech and general behaviour.
Abiding by the guidelines of fasting raises believers to a state of humility, truth and honesty.
The aim of fasting during Ramadan is to diminish a person’s dependence on material things, so that he may elevate himself to a higher plane of devout living.
Fasting is not just a matter of temporarily enduring hunger and thirst; it is a lesson in the permanent practice of patience and tolerance throughout one’s entire life.
Fasting means staying away from all kinds of distractions, including abstaining from food and water for a temporary period, thus freeing oneself from all other activities and totally engaging in the study of the Quran.
Having gone through a month’s fasting, one creates an ability in himself to lead a life of piety as ordained in the Quran.
The Quran tells man how to conduct himself so that in his eternal life he can gain entry into paradise. Paradise is the goal of man. Fasting is the path to it.
Fasting means staying away from all kinds of distractions, including abstaining from food and water for a temporary period, thus freeing oneself from all other activities and totally engaging in the study of the Quran.
When facing an unpleasant experience, opting for the way of patience and tolerance does not mean treading the path of defeat or retreat. It is, in fact, a future-oriented plan. It amounts to a voluntary acceptance of reality. This means that, even after losing something, one has always to remember that one is still in possession of many other things, utilizing which, one can build anew.
