The Wisdom Behind Fasting

Fasting in Ramadan is not merely physically restraining from the obvious food and drink, but the total commitment of the servant's body and soul to the letter and spirit of fasting.

1) The fast of the self, means to be free from all carnal desires.

2) The fast of mind is avoiding thoughts about things other than Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He).

3) The fast of the hand is not touching/taking what does not belong to it.

4) The fast of the nose means not sniffing or smelling unlawful things.

5) The fast of the feet is not going places where sinful acts are propagated.

6) The fast of the eye is to prevent it from seeing forbidden things.

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says in Al-Qur’an, “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be mindful of their chastity; this will be most conducive to their purity. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be mindful of their chastity, and not display their charms (in public) beyond what may (decently) be apparent thereof, hence let them draw their head-covering over their bosoms”. (Al-Qur’an, surah An-Nur, 24:30-31)

7) The fast of the tongue is guarding against lying, backbiting, slandering, reviling, abusing others, cursing, indecent conversation, swearing and false evidence. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “A Muslim is he from whose tongue and hands other Muslims are safe”.

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)"  (Reported by Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 127)

8) The fast of the ears is not to listen to idle talk, gossip, lyrics and notes that contain obscene and indecent things. Listening to Al-Qur’an bears the fruit of faith, guidance, light and prosperity. It fills the heart with wisdom, tranquility, intimacy and contentment. It is a source of protection from the dangerous, deviant and sinful thoughts.

9) The fast of the heart means casting out from it the love of worldly things and by emptying it of all corrupt material such as, false beliefs, evil suggestions, filthy intentions and degenerate thoughts.

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart.”  (Reported by Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 49)