Muhammad Osama Shahid Samastipur
Keeping fast means to abstain from eating drinking and sexual contact from dawn to sunset. It is one of the important pillars and foundations of Islam, as Allah Almighty says:
“يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَما كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ”.
“O you who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as they were enjoined upon those before you, so that you may be God-fearing,”(Chapter 2:verse:183)
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) has similarly said, “(The structure of) Islam rests on five (pillars): Testification of ‘La ilaha illallah’ (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), that Muhammad (ﷺ) is His slave and Messenger, establishment of Salah, payment of Zakat, the pilgrimage to the House of Allah (Ka’bah), and Sawm during the month of Ramadan.”
Besides, books of hadith are full of virtues of fasting. Such as, a hadith recorded by Abu Daud says:
If anyone fasts during Ramadan because of faith and in order to speek his reward from Allah, his previous sins will be forgiven for him.
In addition, fast creates a feeling of sympathy, tolerance and understanding others’ sorrows. It requires us hardship, thirst and hunger, so that we care for those who are thirsty and hungry in our society. It strengthens the bond of brotherhood and equality among all men kind.
Above all, the reward of keeping fast is Allah Almighty Himself. So, let’s get ready seek nearness to Allah through fasting and avail the virtues of Ramadan.
