By: Hasan A. Rabbani, Gr 9
For over 2 billion Muslims around the world, the Holy month of Ramadan marks a time of fasting, reflection, and spiritual growth. People refrain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset to strengthen their connection to Allah. However, fasting is not purely about hunger and thirst; it instead holds much deeper spiritual significance.
In Ramadan, Muslims fast mainly to improve their connection with Allah. Fasting in Ramadan is unique because it is done purely for Allah. Sawm (fasting) is a pillar of Islam, or in other words, obligatory on every able-bodied Muslim, along with shahada (testimony of faith), salah (prayer), zakat
(almsgiving), and hajj (pilgrimage). By fasting, we obey Allah’s commandments and use our time to be in constant worship of Him. In Surah Al Baqarah, verse 183, Allah says: “O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you—so perhaps you will become mindful “of Allah(swt).”
Additionally, muslims during their fasts are supposed to stay away from all evil. The Prophet
Muhammad (saw)said, Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink.”
This hadith shows the significance of spiritual growth in Ramadan through fasting. Fasting is meant to improve character by breaking bad habits and replacing them with kindness and sincerity.
This can mean specifically avoiding gossip, insults, and increasing Sabr (patience). Becoming a better person is a major part of fasting and its spiritual significance.
Fasting has many proven health benefits, both physical and mental, in addition to the spiritual benefits of pleasing Allah. In Surah Al Baqarah, verse 184, Allah says: “And to fast is better for you, if only you knew.”
Fasting helps build discipline: being meters away from food and water, but staying away helps train the mind to avoid harm and sin, even when it seems appealing. Additionally, fasting can improve focus because of fewer distractions and less junk food in your system. Fasting also builds empathy, as it helps you sympathize with the less fortunate who don’t have food. Overall, fasting generally improves mental health.
As previously mentioned, fasting has many physical health benefits, such as better blood sugar regulation, reduced inflammation, and weight loss. Fasting has been proven to reduce insulin resistance, as verified by healthline.com, allowing your body to keep its blood sugar levels stable. Fasting also lowers inflammation in the body, reducing the risk of multiple chronic conditions. Of course, fasting aids weight loss through limiting calorie intake, leading to more fat being burned compared to regular diets.
Fasting is mentioned over 10 different times in the Quran alone, and many more times in the Hadith. Its significance stretches past refraining from food or drink; it brings us closer to Allah and
improves our mental and physical health. It helps us become the best version of ourselves and allows us to leave behind our sinful and harmful habits for those that Allah loves. Ramadan is not meant to be a burden or a chore; instead, fasting is an opportunity to grow spiritually and become healthier.
