ByUstaz Syed Hassan Alatas
Translated by Zainur Alsmi bt. Sharif
Allah said in Surah Al Baqorah : 183 which says “Man of faith (Iman), it is obligatory for you to fast as what your predessesors have done so that you become faithful followers of Allah and are afraid of Him”.
According to the religion fasting is the abstainance from all that which invalidate the fast. (These include eating, drinking, sexual intercourse etc.) from dawn to dusk. This is done with the intention of performing “ibadah” (Religious rituals) for Allah’s Pleasures and the preparation of raising one’s status before Allah.
Ramadan contains many secret blessings. The coming of Ramadan will be rejoiced by men of faith (iman). During this month men whom performed what Allah Has directed them to do will receive multiple virtues. The Al Koran was also revealed during this month and which acts as a guidance for mankind and to be able to differentiate between right and wrong.
Fasting during Ramadan will increase your patience, generosity, honesty, discipline and simultaneously protecting you from greediness, stinginess, spenthriftness and selfishness.
Eventhough our food is halal, we are forbidden to consume them from sunrise to sunset to show our obedience to Allah. Similarly we also do not perform sexual intercourse with our wives as a sign of obedience to Allah.
The first Ayat from the Al Koran directing us to fast started by saying “All men of faith” and ended by saying “May you all be faithful followers”. It is evident from here that fasting in Ramadan is based on one’s own faith and fear of Allah.To be faithful and fearful of Allah we are being given an opportunity within this one month of Ramadan to discipline ourselves, to refrain from the desire to eat and drink, to have sexual intercourse with our wife.