The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever breaks a fast on a day of Ramadan without a valid reason or illness (intentionally), even if he were to fast for the rest of his life, he would not be able to make up for it (as a complete substitute).”
— Mishkat
Fasting is not merely for our physical organs; rather, it is intended to purify our soul.
Just as one must abstain from eating, drinking, and marital relations during the day, one must equally distance themselves from all evil deeds such as bad speech, evil glances, lying, and backbiting. Only then can the full benefits of fasting be achieved.
This is because during this sacred month, the devils (Shaitans) who incite evil thoughts in our minds are chained. Therefore, we should perform maximum good deeds during both day and night to purify our souls.
Anyone who displays laziness in acts of worship during this month and remains immersed only in fulfilling worldly desires will surely face hardship and immense regret.
Fasting as a Shield
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Fasting is a shield. When any one of you is fasting on a day, he should neither use foul language, nor engage in disputes, nor shout. If anyone abuses him or tries to fight with him, let him remember and say, ‘I am fasting!'”
— Bukhari
Fasting is a protective shield that guards a human being against sins. Furthermore, it is a great blessing bestowed upon us to attain spiritual strength and mental discipline.
We must not treat the month of Ramadan like any other regular month. We must keep in mind that this is a highly exalted month for earning rewards, and we must completely distance ourselves from sins.
The True Purpose of Fasting
Fasting in Ramadan means staying hungry throughout the day. However, merely keeping an empty stomach is not the ultimate purpose.
The true objective of fasting is to achieve complete self-control. Just as we restrain ourselves and our minds from food, we must also protect:
- Our tongue from speaking evil (such as backbiting, slandering, and lying).
- Our ears from listening to sinful speech.
- Our feet from walking toward prohibited actions.
- Our eyes from indulging in forbidden glances.
Fasting is the ultimate path to generating Taqwa (piety and God-consciousness).
What Destroys the Reward of Fasting?
A man once asked the Prophet (ﷺ), “O Messenger of Allah! What breaks the fast?” He replied, “Lying and backbiting.”
Just as eating and drinking physically break a fast, lying and backbiting completely destroy its spiritual rewards and nullify its benefits.
An Instructive Incident from the Time of the Prophet (ﷺ)
During the lifetime of the Prophet (ﷺ), two women were fasting. Due to their fast, they experienced such severe, unbearable hunger that they reached a point of near death.
When some Companions (Sahaba) reported their critical condition to the Prophet (ﷺ), he sent a bowl to them and instructed both women to vomit into it. When they did, pieces of flesh and fresh blood filled the bowl. The Companions were left astounded.
The Prophet (ﷺ) explained:
“These women observed the fast from the Halal (permissible) food provided by Allah, but they consumed Haram (forbidden) things. That is, both of these women engaged in backbiting against other people.”
Preserving the Rights of the Fast
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Fasting is a shield; if one is fasting, let him not use foul language; if anyone fights with him or abuses him, let him step aside saying, ‘I am fasting.’ As long as one does not violate its rights, it will remain a shield protecting him from Hellfire.”
When someone asked, “What constitutes a violation of its rights?” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “Lying and backbiting.”
— Bukhari
Through this month-long fast of Ramadan, the Almighty teaches mankind how to lead a highly disciplined life. The ultimate outcome of our fasting must be the attainment of Taqwa (piety and righteousness).