Why muslim must fast?

Simple definition for fast in Islam is we didn’t eat or drink from dawn until dusk. Besides, we are also not allowed to put anything into any parts of our body cavity which can make us feel good. Muslims who are healthy and able to fast are compulsory fast for a month in Ramadhan.

Actually it is not just as simple as that. All other senses are also fasting including sight, hearing and our words. We must control from watch, hear or talk something bad/ harsh words or something that do not give us benefit. We need to practice good behavior and try to eliminate all negatives one. Some non muslim ask me: Why muslim must fast? Here a few reasons that I’m able to list down:

1. Simple, it is a command in the Quran, words from Allah that we as muslims must obey.

2. Fast taught us to be frank with ourselves. Either you really fasting or not, it is between you and Allah.

3. A test to see how much you can be patience and discipline.

4. Give you a chance to feel and to understand the condition of those poor people that are not lucky as you. They may or may not eat every day.

5. Decrease the gap between rich and poor, one that has higher authority and the lower. In other months, can u see every day rich and poor eat together in an event or mosque? Eat the SAME dishes? It is hard to see right?

6. Fast also taught us how to manage our time. During fasting month, mostly muslims know the exact time for Maghrib’s prayer, even a minute. We are extremely concern about time.

7. Muslim are also encourage to have Qiamullail, usually wake up early in the morning around 3.00 a.m (in Malaysia) to pray or recite the Quran.

8. Whatever we do, the MOST important is sincerity. Just for Allah. Not for showing off to others. The sincerity is the other secret between a person & Allah.

Why a month?

If you followed all the rules, it will become a habit and we can be a better person in the other months after Ramadhan. InsyaAllah.

Why some muslims still do bad things or don’t want to fast?

Fasting during Ramadhan is a clear command from Allah in Quran ( Surah Al-Baqarah, ayat 183). We can only give advices to other muslim and punish them by a fine for those who are not fasting without a concrete reason. The rest is between Allah and them. Islam is a religion which had stated rules that muslims must follow according to Al-Quran and Hadith. If somebody broke the rules, it is the individual fault not Islam.

• Woman who having period is not allowed to fast but she need to replace all the days in the other months. She is not allowed to eat in front others as respect.

• Others who are seriously ill or pregnant also are not compulsory to fast but they must replace the day of fasting in the other month or pay for 'fidyah'. Fidyah simply define as giving food for the poor in a certain amount according to the type of food.

Waallahua'lam.

p/s: I'm just explaining briefly about fasting during Ramadhan. I hope you can have a rough idea what is it all about.