Fasting (Sawm) is not a hunger strike

“Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you may learn self restraint” (Qur’an 2:183).

In acquiescence with the above verse from the Holy Quran, believing and eligible Muslims all over the world will from tomorrow, begin to sacrifice their luxury of eating and drinking during daytime for the next 29 or 30 days, as the case may be.

While abstinence from food and drink is part of, and probably one of the most perceivable aspects of sawm, this divine obligation goes way beyond merely ‘starving’ oneself.

It involves a holistic overhaul and positive re- alignment of our ways of life; if we are to reap its full benefits- “Fasting is NOT just abstaining from eating and drinking, it is also refraining from vain speech and foul language. If one is verbally abused, he should say ‘I am fasting’ “(Muslim, 1151)

In keeping to this divine obligation, Muslims are enjoined to be extraordinarily cautious in using the mind, the tongue, and the senses as a whole. We are advised to refrain from careless and gossipy chats and utterances.

In general, all deeds which Islam frowns upon must be shunned while those it enjoins such as, exchanging visits, intensifying humanitarian services, observing more superogatory prayers, engaging in a lot of zikr (remembrance of Allah), increasing the study and recitation of the Quran, exerting the utmost in peace and humility etc. should be upheld.

By learning to pin down the bad practices in favour of the virtuous ones for 29 or 30 days, the expectation is that these Godly conducts would remain with us for the rest of our lives.

Unfortunately however, most of us assume that the responsibility of fasting ends with the temporal abstinence from food and drink. As such, people who are supposed to be fasting can be seen engaging in all manner of un-Islamic practices and yet, expect rewards from Allah (swt).

The Prophet (saw) said “Whoever does not give up speaking falsely and acting on lies and evil actions, Allah does not care for his abstaining from eating and drinking” (Al- Bukhari, 1903)

Another area of concern is the manner in which some of us consider the Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and the Iftar (breakfast/evening meal) as opportunities for ‘replenishment’. It is not uncommon to see people stack up all the food items they couldn’t eat during daytime and gobble everything at such periods.

Aside its negative health implications, this attitude defeat the purpose of the spiritual exercise in many ways. We must, therefore, make sure our meals during Iftar and Suhoor are as light as possible, mindful of the Prophet’s statement that “The worst thing man can fill is his stomach”. (Al-Tirmidhi,# 2380)

Fasting is clearly not an easy exercise but let us be inspired by the promise of rewards from Allah (swt) for a sawm well observed, as indicated in the following Hadiths:

“The prophet (saw) was reported as saying that Allah (swt) said: All the deeds of man are for himself, except for fasting which is for me and I shall reward it myself (Al-Buhari, Al Fath, no 1904)

“Fasting will intercede for a person on the Day of Judgment, and will say,’ oh Allah! I prevented him from his food and personal desires during the day so let him intercede for him” (Reported by Ahmed-2/174)

“The smell that comes from the mouth of a fasting person is preferred by Allah than the scent of musk (Muslim 2/807)

“Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will remove him a distance of seventy years from the hell fire, (Muslim 2/808)

“Prophet Mohammed (saw) said whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith, and with the hope of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven” (Al-Bukhari, Fath no 37)

“In paradise, there is a gate called Alrayan, through which those who fast will enter and no one will enter it except them: when they have entered, it will be locked and no one else will enter through it” (Al- Bukhari, Fath no 1797)

So you see, the recompense is worth the ‘inconvenience’ after all. These and more are the promises of Allah (swt) to servants who diligently observe the recommended practices in Ramadan and beyond.

We cannot conclude without touching on the manner in which we commemorate Eid-ul-Fitr at the end of Ramadan. Some of us observe it in ways that leave onlookers with no choice but wonder whether we were the same people who appeared so pious and religious just days ago.

Lives have been lost and injuries sustained in the name of ‘celebrations’. The unfortunate fate that befell some of our brothers and sisters in Kumasi following what was said to be a stampede at an Eid party after last year’s Ramadan remains fresh in our memories.

May the Almighty forgive us and forestall such occurrences in the future.

May He make us of those who will reap the full benefits of Ramadan and may He continue to guide us unto the right path, till Janna.

Ameen!