#20 Fasting: the Fourth Pillar of Islam

God commands in the Quran: “O believers, Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those that were before you–‎so that you might remain conscious of God.” (2:183)

Fasting is an important act of sacrifice, self-discipline, purification and worship. Although Muslims are encouraged to fast throughout the year, they are required to fast for the lunar month of Ramadan, as the fourth fundamental pillar of Islam. Fasting begins before dawn and continues until sunset, for thirty consecutive days. This year Ramadan begins in the third week of September, depending of the sighting of the moon.

Fasting for Ramadan is incumbent on all healthy adults; throughout the day, Muslims must abstain from food, drink, smoking, and (for married people) sexual relations. Temporary exemption is given to those who would experience undue hardship by fasting, such as pregnant or nursing mothers, or travelers. Missed days are made up at a later time by those who can, whereas those with permanent disabilities–‎for example, the aged or chronically ill–‎compensate for each missed day of fasting by feeding a poor person.

Fasting has many benefits. Learning to make sacrifices–‎to temporarily do without something important–‎reminds us to think of those whose deprivations are not temporary. Muslims are constantly urged to take care of the hungry and needy. Feeling some of their daily discomfort teaches the importance of charity much more than long lectures or written words.

As Islam is more than a set of spiritual ideas, it also provides the practical tools for developing moral character. Fasting is one of the tools necessary for self-discipline. Through learning to control one’s impulses for lawful food, one learns that it is indeed possible to control one’s desire for any unlawful craving, as well as overindulgence in what is permissible. The discipline gained by fasting is not a form of unbalanced asceticism; Muslims partake of lawful food and enjoy all of the benefits of lawful marriages, as gifts from God to be appreciated with gratefulness. And although fasting is not required for anyone under the age of puberty, responsible Muslim parents encourage their children to gain self-control through limited periods of fasting, as preparation for adulthood.

In reference to fasting, Prophet Muhammad–‎peace be upon him–‎has warned us: “There are those who get nothing from their fast but hunger and thirst.” For fasting to be truly an act of purification and worship, it must involve more than the fasting of the body. One must also fast from anger and impatience, from rude or harsh language, from greediness, miserliness, jealousy and envy: one must fast from all of the bad qualities that blacken the heart and separate one from God.

Those who engage in the spiritual aspect of fasting often discover that they can do without many things that are usually considered necessary. Fasting–‎with balance and moderation–‎can make one aware of another type of spiritual support that sustains the human soul, quite apart from the cause-and-effect material world.

Fasting, as a special act of devotion, reminds us to trust in God for our daily sustenance, to give generously to those less fortunate than ourselves, to be grateful for whatever God provides for us, and to be aware that He is truly the Provider and Sustainer, above and beyond our material world.