Fasting is an ancient and universal practice. The Romans, the Babylonians, the Cynic, Stoic and Pythagorean philosophers commended fasting. The followers of Hinduism, Jainism and Zoroastrianism practices it. The Jews observe an annual fasting on the Day of Atonement in commemoration of the descent of Moses from Sinai after spending forty days of fasting in order to be able to receive revelation. Jesus observed fasting for forty days in the desert and commanded his followers to fast. In brief, the practice of fasting has been common in one form or the other in all human societies.
Fasting originally, in Arabic the word 'as-Sawm' (Sawm) meant 'al-Imsak', that is, to abstain totally from any act including eating, drinking, walking, speaking, etc. Thus, the Arabs used to refer to a horse refusing to run or to be fed. As it is clear, the word 'Sawm' is ancient and was used in a different context by the Arabs before Islam. Then, however it did not have the specific meaning given to it by Islam as a term denoting a certain religious obligation.
In the holy month of Ramadan, a Muslim's abstaining from food, drink, sexual activities, etc., during
the prescribed hours is the very manifestation of obedience to the Creator's will. This self-deprivation represents a state of self-control and of overcoming carnal pleasure, desire, and enjoyment, for the blissful love of God, His proximity, and the eagerness to desires. It is a triumph of pristine love over one's pleasures for the eternal ones promised by God, the Almighty.
The Holy Quran says:
"O Believers! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for the people before you so that you may become pious." (2: 183)
The purpose of fasting is to illuminate the heart and mind of man aimed at bringing about comprehensive revolution in his individual and collective life. One month of fasting enables human beings to distinguish the lawful from the forbidden for the rest of eleven months in a year. In a way, the holy month of Ramadan is a refresher course that tightens controls on ones self. If man is able to fathom the concept of piety, his life will become a paragon of virtue guided by the Divine fear. But it is a matter of great misfortune that majority of us remain deprived of fruits of fasting because we put the demands of fasting at the backburner and reduce this great act of keeping fast to being empty-stomach and thirsty. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) once said:
"There are so many of fasting people who do not get anything out of fasting except thirst and hunger and there are so many of worshipers who do not get anything out of their waking up at night except being awake."
By fasting, a person keeps himself from the pleasures of life, with no preventive or hindering factor, except that of obeying God and showing genuine devotion to His commands. Traditions (hadith) succinctly explain this fact: "A fasting person is in a state of worship, even when (asleep) in bed, except when he backbites another Muslim." (Al-Kafi, al- Kulayni, "The Book of Fasting" 3rd Edition, vol.4, p.190) "... Every breath you take is (has the reward of) Tasbih (praise to Allah) and your sleep is worship..." (Uyun al-Akbar al-Rida - the Prophet's sermon).
We all benefit in this holy month & may Allah Subahanahuwa thahala accept all of our good deed in this Ramadan & reward us the Jannathul Firdause through the gate of Al Rayyan.
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