The virtue of fasting

The indisputable matter is that the virtue of fasting is great and its health and educational benefits are huge that is because Allah (Glory be to Him) is the one who ordained it and everything that Allah charges His Servants with is beneficial and contains great reward.

I see that mentioning the reported texts on the virtue of fasting will be numerous, therefore, I only shall mention one sample:

The Hadith which was reported by An-Nasa'y on the authority of `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Fasting is a protection from Hell-Fire." Imam Ahmad reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Fasting is an immune fort against Hell-Fire." Al Bazzar reported on the authority of Hudhayfah [the Hadith was graded authentic by Al Albany] that he said: "I leaned the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) against my chest then he said: He who dies while fasting shall enter Paradise." Imam Ahmad and Al Hakim [who graded this Hadith authentic] reported on the authority of `Abdullah ibn `Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Fasting and the Qur'an shall intercede for a servant on the Day of Recompense."

The one who reviews these Hadiths reported on the virtue of fasting and its benefits shall realize the following facts:

1- Fasting is a protection against Fire.

2- Fasting intercedes for those who fast.

3- Hiding the reward of the fasting people in order to increase their reward and mercy.

4- Fasting multiplies good deeds and expiates sins.

5- Fasting is a protection from falling into lusts.

6-The gates of hell are closed, the gates of Paradise are opened, and devils are chained because of fasting.

7- Fasting is the Zakah of the body, as it is half of patience.

8- Fasting promotes ethical behavior.

9- Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam.

10- Piety is the result of fasting.

11- The supplication of a fasting person is answered.

In addition to other many benefits.

However, there are some people who are deprived of the virtue of Fasting:

The first group includes anyone breaks his fast during Ramadan out of stubbornness or negligence depending on his long life; this group deceives itself, therefore they shall be deprived of the bounty of Allah in this month.

The second group denies the fast of Ramadan and denies its obligation; such people deny something well-established by the Shari`ah, therefore they are the disbelievers whom the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) made their souls lawful to be killed because there is no sin greater than disbelief.

The third group fasted Ramadan but during their fasting, they committed some sins which Islam prohibits such as dispute, backbiting, talebearing, being undutiful to one's parents, cutting the ties of kinship, wine drinking. Such people shall be deprived of the vast mercy of Allah in this great month and their matter is referred to Allah (Glory be to Him).

The fourth group hasten to break the fast before the time of the Maghrib Adhan (call to Prayer) out of leniency, therefore their reward shall be wasted and their shall be punished.

All these groups are deprived of the reward because of the Hadiths of the Prophet (peace be upon him).