Why Fasting is Prescribed: excerpted from The Sermons by Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad (db)
More RAMADHAN graphics The fast is for Me and I am its reward [Hadith Qudsi] O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed upon you as it was prescribed on those before you so that you may learn self-restraint [2:183] Why Fasting is Mandatory The glorious verse above clarifies why Muslims are required to fast. Allah neither wishes to punish His subjects nor starve them because neither of these benefits Him. Further examination of this verse reveals that fasting builds righteousness and humility. The Wisdom Behind Fasting Cultivation of righteousness and humility is the wisdom behind fasting. A Companion once asked Hadrat Ibn Ka’ab the meaning of righteousness (taqwa), and in reply Hadrat Ibn Ka’ab asked, “Have you ever walked a dangerous and thorny path?” The questioner said yes. Then, Hadrat Ibn Ka’ab asked him how he would traverse such a path. The Companion answered, “I gather all my loose clothing around me and hold it tight so that nothing gets entangled or torn, and thus I walk very...