Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is the most sacred month of the year for 1.8 billion Muslims all around the world. The fact that during Ramadan fasting is the fifth pillar of Islam, along with faith testimony, charity, pilgrimage, and regular prayer, gives you an idea of its significance. In Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating from dawn until the sun sets. Their first meal of the day is a predawn meal called Suhoor, and they break their fast with iftar after sunset. Ramadan is not just about starving from dawn to sunset; it’s a chance for Muslims to reflect on their lives to draw closer to Allah. The importance of Suhoor is more than its role in sustaining fasting; it’s a time when we sit with our families, have food, and pray together, a perfect time to be thankful and reflect on the blessings we have. On the other hand, Iftar meals are more than just a time to nourish your body; they are also a time to cultivate your spirits because Allah’s blessings are bestowed upon those who fast and all prayers are answered.

The question that always intrigues non-Muslims is: Why do Muslims fast? And what are the reasons for Ramadan fasting? In this article, I will give you a brief overview of why Muslims fast and what the purpose of fasting in Ramadan is. Here are a few reasons for Ramadan fasting

Ramadan and Charity:

Our Prophet (S.A.W.W.) used to increase the charity manifolds during Ramadan. He also encouraged his companions and family to donate more during Ramadan. Ramadan is a perfect time for believers to share whatever they have with their brothers and sisters in need and, in return, seek Allah’s blessings. At the SKZ Foundation, we have multiple projects going on where your charity can make a huge impact. No matter how small a donation is, it has the power to change someone’s life. Let’s make an impact together and fulfill the responsibility Allah and our Prophet have entrusted us with. By donating to the SKZ Foundation during Ramadan, we can follow in the footsteps of our Prophet (S.A.W.W.) and continue the tradition of increasing charity during this blessed month.

A Divine Obligation:

For Muslims, fasting in Ramadan completes the faith. There are five pillars of Islam, and as a building is not complete when a pillar is broken, so is the faith. One of these five pillars is Islam. Every Muslim must fast after puberty, and if they don’t, they will be questioned on the Day of Judgment. It is mentioned several times in the Quran that fasting is decreed upon believers, and they must observe fast unless they fall into the categories of people who are allowed to skip fast, e.g., those who are sick or are traveling, etc.

For Spiritual Reflection:

Muslims don’t only refrain from eating and drinking during their fast, they abstain from many other physical needs during the daylight. Everything Muslims refrain from doing is solely to please Allah. Fasting in Ramadan makes sure that the believers are not led astray by worldly needs and distractions and can control their urges for the sake of their faith and to get Divine blessings. Ramadan is not only a chance for Muslims to reflect on their faith but also a way to express our gratitude towards Allah refraining from all the world’s desires just for him.

Practicing Self Discipline and Self-control:

Ramadan brings the chance to not only purify the souls but to discipline their bodies and minds as well. Waking up before dawn, having Suhoor, a pre-dawn meal, and sustaining fasting the whole day till iftar strengthen the discipline and willpower of the believers. It develops a sense of self-control as the Muslim resists all the worldly temptations the whole day. The feeling that our faith and love for Allah Almighty are greater than all the attractions around us is motivation to continue doing this throughout the year.

To feel the pain of the poor and needy:

In our daily lives, with our tables filled with a variety of foods to eat, we often forget that there are people who are starving every day and there are people for whom one meal a day is a luxury. The thought that there are children out there who don’t have anything to eat the whole day doesn’t even cross our minds. Ramadan brings the chance to feel their pain, to empathize with them, and to do something for them. This is the reason that charity increases during Ramadan, and people realize that Allah’s blessings are upon the people who share what they have with the people who need it the most.

To strengthen Bond with Family and Community:

Stuck in the worldly duties and hustle of everyday tasks, the thing that is compromised the most is the bond with our family and community. While struggling to have a meal together daily for the whole year, Ramadan is a chance to reunite with your family, eating together every day and seeking blessings from Allah together. The importance of Suhoor and Iftar lies in the fact that they not only help you feed your body and gain Allah’s blessings, but they also give you a chance to bond with your family and be thankful for their presence. Also, people gather for iftars and Taraweeh which helps in community building and provides us with a chance to seek Allah’s forgiveness together.

To Gain Reward

Ramadan is a month when the reward of every good deed is multiplied by 70. It is the best time to collect as many good deeds as you can for your hereafter when the Divine’s blessings are everywhere. From Suhoor to Tahajjud, Ramadan gives us the chance to collect blessings every second of the day.