Fasting is an institution as old as Adam — a practice prescribed by God for all of humanity, observed by prophets throughout history, and recommended even by the fathers of Western medicine. Islam preserves this ancient tradition in its purest form: complete abstinence from all food and drink from dawn until sunset during the sacred month of Ramadan, just as it was originally prescribed for the followers of Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them).
Why Does Not Eating Help You Worship?
The scholars explain it beautifully: when the stomach is full, the rest of the body becomes hungry — your eyes wander, your ears seek out idle talk, and your desires increase. But when the stomach is empty, the rest of the body becomes full. A starving person has no time for gossip, no interest in looking at what is forbidden, and no energy for sinful pursuits. Fasting kills the lower desires so the soul can focus on what truly matters — Quran, worship, and drawing closer to Allah.
“People focus on what goes into their mouth and nobody cares what comes out. You will find someone who spits a hundred times after wudu to make sure not a drop of water enters their throat — but then they spend the day backbiting, lying, and cursing.”
More Than Just Hunger
- The Arabic word for fasting (sawm) means to abstain — not just from food and drink, but from lying, cheating, profanity, and every harmful behavior
- Fasting is meant to transform your character and manners, not just empty your stomach
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned: one who fasts through Ramadan without getting their sins erased has wasted the fast
- Ramadan is a collective act of worship — the entire Muslim world fasts together, strengthening the bonds of one human family united in worshiping God alone
“Fasting is prescribed by God for all of humankind. Only Muslims are really doing it now, but it was prescribed for all. As non-Muslims, I encourage you: experience it, and see the benefits that come from it.”
