Friday, 14th March 2025 - 14th Ramadan 1446

Fasting in Ramadan is not just about staying away from food and drink; it is a way for Muslims to develop self-control, discipline, and patience. By resisting their desires and enduring hunger and thirst, they strengthen their faith and learn to handle life’s hardships with patience and perseverance.

Fasting requires more than just physical endurance. It also involves controlling one's behavior, avoiding complaints, and staying away from anything that could lessen the reward of fasting. A fasting person sacrifices their daily comforts, not only by giving up food and drink but also by dedicating extra time to prayer, especially during the last ten nights of Ramadan, when they seek Laylat al-Qadr, a night that is better than a thousand months. Some also choose to spend these nights in i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque), further distancing themselves from worldly distractions to focus solely on worship.

Besides physical sacrifice, Ramadan also encourages financial sacrifice. People naturally love wealth and find it difficult to part with,

This love of wealth remains deeply rooted in human nature until the end of life, as Allah says: "And you love wealth with immense love." (Al-Fajr: 20)

As stated in the hadith recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim, Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The son of Adam grows older, but two things remain with him: love of wealth and longing for a longer life."

Fasting helps soften our hearts and makes us more generous. By experiencing hunger, Muslims become more aware of the struggles of the poor, making them more willing to give charity. Providing iftar (a meal to break the fast) for others is one of the best ways to earn Allah’s reward, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) promised "Whoever provides iftar (a meal to break the fast) for a fasting person will have a reward equal to theirs, without it reducing the fasting person’s reward in any way."

Ramadan is a time when people compete in doing good deeds, whether through acts of worship or charity. Allah’s reward for fasting is limitless because it requires patience, and He has promised an extraordinary reward, multiplying it beyond what the fasting person can imagine. As stated in the divine hadith: "Every deed of the son of Adam is multiplied from tenfold to seven hundred times, except for fasting—it is for Me, and I alone will reward it.".

A special honor awaits those who fast sincerely—on the Day of Judgment, they will enter Paradise through a special gate called Ar-Rayyan, which is reserved only for those who fasted regularly. Once they enter, the gate will be closed, and no one else will be able to enter through it.

In conclusion, Ramadan teaches Muslims valuable lessons about sacrifice, patience, and generosity. Those who embrace these lessons and continue to apply them in their lives will earn great rewards from Allah, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his companions did. Their sacrifices set an example for others to follow, showing the true meaning of faith and devotion.