significance of fasting

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Significance of Fasting
Ahmad H. Sakr, Ph.D.
Foundation for Islamic Knowledge

There are many reasons why people do fast, depending upon the social, cultural, religious, and economic understanding of the people or the individuals. Dr. Allan Cott in his book, Fasting The Ultimate Diet, explains some of the reasons why people do fast. The following is a partial list of the aims of fasting as seen by the author of that book.

To lose weight the quickest and easiest way
To feel better physically and mentally
To look and feel younger
To save money
To clean out the body
To give the whole system a rest
To lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels
To cut down on smoking and drinking
To get more out of sex
To let the body heal itself
To relieve tension
To end dependence on drugs
To sleep better
To digest food better
To regulate bowels
To feel euphoric
To sharpen the senses
To quicken mental processes
To save time
To boost self-esteem
To learn better eating habits
To share with the hungry
To gain control of oneself
To seek spiritual revelations
To observe religious rites
To call attention to social issues
To slow the aging process

However, Muslims do fast as a religious obligation upon them, so as to please Allah (SWT) and to earn His blessings and rewards.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam (the other four are: the statement of faith, prayers five times a day, Zakat, and making the pilgrimage to Makkah). Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Depending on the phases of the moon, it begins eleven or twelve days earlier each successive year.

The reason Muslim believers fast can be found directly in the Qur'an, the divinely revealed scripture of Islam, and the Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims fast to fulfill a religious obligation and to earn the blessings and rewards of God (Allah - SWT). Muslims believe that Ramadan confers great blessings.

The Revelations of the Qur'an started in this month, and the Qur'an is considered to be a guide to mankind. Scrolls of Prophet Ibrahim were revealed to him in the month of Ramadan. The same thing is to be said about Zaboor, Torah and Injeel. All were revealed in the month of Ramadan on Dawood, Moses and Jesus respectively.

Source: http://www.islamzine.com/ramadan/fasting2.html

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