Ramadan Fasting Rules:
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, with two meals each day. The first meal, “Iftar,” is eaten at sunset to break the fast, while the second meal, “Suhoor,” is consumed before sunrise. Ramadan is a month filled with countless blessings for Muslims, offering both spiritual and physical benefits. While fasting may initially make one feel hungry, the body gradually adapts, using stored fats and nutrients to meet its needs. Fasting allows for a natural process of bodily regulation.
Beyond its physical benefits, fasting carries profound spiritual significance. In Islam, fasting offers rewards both in this life and the hereafter. According to a hadith, there are eight gates of Jannah (Paradise), one of which is called “Babul Rayan,” and only those who fast will enter through it. Another hadith mentions that fasting for just one day for the sake of Allah distances a person from the fire of Hell by a distance that would take seventy years to cross.
The Importance of Fasting in Islam:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah reported that Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W) said: “Whoever misses a day of Ramadan without a valid excuse (such as travel or illness), cannot compensate for that loss by fasting any other day” (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud). Fasting plays a crucial role in distancing oneself from Hellfire. It is narrated that whoever fasts for a single day for Allah’s sake will have their face kept seventy years away from the Hellfire.
Regarding the significance of fasting, Hazrat Sulaiman bin Umar reported that Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W) advised those fasting to break their fast with dates. If dates are not available, then water should be used, as it is pure. In the Quran, verse 185 of Surah Al-Baqarah emphasizes the importance of Ramadan, stating: “The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity, containing clear guidance and the criteria to distinguish between right and wrong. So, whoever witnesses this month should fast during it.”
The Rewards for Fasting:
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W) also said that the scent of a fasting person’s mouth is more beloved to Allah than the fragrance of musk. This highlights how much Allah cherishes those who fast. Even the creatures of the sea pray for the fasting individual. Fasting comes with numerous rewards, and one of the greatest rewards is the opportunity to be close to Allah.
In addition to fasting, even the act of rising, sitting, and sleeping during Ramadan is considered worship. Forgiveness is granted to those who fast, especially on the last night of Ramadan. When the Companions asked if this night was one of forgiveness, the Prophet responded that the principle is to reward the laborer at the end of their work (Ibn Haban). Thus, the conclusion of Ramadan brings abundant blessings and rewards.