Are you curious about Ramadan coming? Do you know anything about the social benefits of fasting in Ramadan and the other moral and spiritual benefits? Indeed, it is time to know the importance of fasting in Islam in detail so as to get spiritually prepared for such a blessed month and make the most of it.
As Islam is a perfect religion, its instructions have a vital effect on all levels of Muslims’ life. Thus, what are the social benefits of fasting in Islam? In other words, what are the benefits of fasting for society?
It’s recommended for Muslims to offer Iftar (the meal for breaking fasting after the Sunset) for other Muslims. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says: “Whoever gives Iftar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without that detracting from the fasting person’s reward in the slightest.” [Ibn Majah]
Do not forget to contact your relatives and friends to wish them a happy Ramadan. Here are some simple ways to express Ramadan wishes in Arabic
One of the other social benefits of fasting in Ramadan is to experience the feelings of others. Thus, you can sympathize with the poor, help them, and be grateful to Allah for His favor on you.
As the devils are chained up in Ramadan, Muslims are ready to exert more effort to help others in this month. Also, as the reward doubles in Ramadan, we hurry to serve our society. For sure, this is recommended in general but in Ramadan, it is highly recommended since the reward is doubled.
Besides the social benefits of fasting in Ramadan, there are many moral fasting during Ramadan benefits. To begin with, morals have a high rank in Islam in general and in Ramadan in specific.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says: “If anyone relieves a Muslim believer from one of the hardships of this worldly life, Allah will relieve him of one of the hardships of the Day of Resurrection. If anyone makes it easy for the one who is indebted to him (while finding it difficult to repay), Allah will make it easy for him in this worldly life and in the Hereafter, and if anyone conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah helps His slave as long as he helps his brother.” [Muslim]
Also, Ramadan helps Muslims to increase the level of alert in their deeds and transactions. Al Ghazali, a Muslim scholar, said: fasting is of three degrees: the fast of the common folk, that of the elite, and that of the elite of the elite:
The super-elite one means to stop backbiting, malicious gossip, lying and other Haram acts. As for the fast of the elite is when one frees oneself from unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts and committing sin in Ramadan, and refrains from thinking of everything except Allah, may He be glorified and exalted.
As for the spiritual benefits of sawm, they are a lot as Muslims feel highly spirited in Ramadan for many reasons:
The first one is that Allah has made fasting Ramadan and spending its nights in prayer out of faith and in the hope of rewarding a means of forgiveness of sins. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says: “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Nasa’i]
Moreover, fasting Ramadan is a means of expiation for the sins committed since the previous Ramadan, so long as one avoids major sins.
Another one of the numerous Ramadan fasting benefits is to develop a more meaningful relationship with Allah SWT. Indeed, sins are the burden that refrains the Muslim from progress in his relation with Allah. Thus, the forgiveness of sins means to free the Muslim to come closer to his Creator.
The third reason is that man is a mixture between body and soul. When he exceeds in fulfilling the needs of his body over his soul, he spoils this soul. Thus, it is Allah’s Mercy to guide man to the way of his true happiness and salvation through making the balance needed between the body and the soul.
Since the advantages of fasting and prayer are numerous, here is an organized Ramadan prayer guide.
By the coming of Ramadan, many changes happen in the universe helping in motivating the soul of the Muslim. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says: “When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up.” [Bukhari]
One of the special Ramadan fast benefits is the present that Allah promises to offer to the fasting Muslim. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says: “ There are two joys for the fasting person: the joy when he breaks his fast, and the joy of when he meets his Lord.” [Bukhari]
It goes without saying that Ramadan can greatly boost your well-being and health if done properly. For example, it cleanses your body of harmful toxins and helps you lead a healthier lifestyle.
As well as the health benefits of fasting in Ramadan, there are also many religious ones. And although it is better to consider all the moral, spiritual, and social benefits of fasting during Ramadan. One of the main religious benefits of fasting in Ramadan is to fulfill Taqwa; the fear of Allah, as well as submission to Allah.
Since Ramadan is the month of the Quran, make the most of the blessed month and check our special Ramadan Quran reading schedule to finish reading the entire Quran in Ramadan.
After talking about the advantages of fasting in Islam, let’s now talk about the valid exemptions for not fasting. The main reasons for breaking fasting in Ramadan are sickness, pregnancy, breastfeeding (in specific cases), traveling, menstruation period for women… etc.
For the sick person, it is a condition to fear that fasting may make his sickness worse or that it will slow down his recovery or damage a part of his body. As for pregnancy and breastfeeding, breaking fasting is allowed on the condition that they think there is a risk that they or their children may become ill or more ill, or be harmed, or may die.
As mentioned before, Islam gives permission for breastfeeding and pregnant women not to fast during Ramadan if they fear that it will harm their health condition or their babies’ health. So, we recommend asking for the opinion of the doctor first before Ramadan starts.
It is narrated under the authority of Amirul Mu’minin, Abu Hafs ‘Umar bin al-Khattab who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: “Actions are (judged) by motives (niyyah), so each man will have what he intended. Thus, he whose migration (hijrah) was to Allah and His Messenger, his migration is to Allah and His Messenger…”
Finally, when Allah identifies Ramadan in the Quran, He says: “The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion…” [Al-Baqarah 185]
Thus, what is your goal this Ramadan to come closer to the Quran? Join Online Quran Tafseer Course to help you to understand and reflect on the meanings of the matchless book of Allah and start this rewarding endeavor now!
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