(A) The Annual Spiritual Training
Fasting duringthe monthof Ramadhān[23]is the annualspiritualpro-
gramforstrengtheningthesoulandkeepingthedesires/emotionswith-
inthedictatesofDivinelaws.Allahhasdescribedthepurposeoffasting
as follows:
O You who believe! Fasting hasbeen prescribed for you has it had
beenprescribedforthe nations before you— sothat you may become
God-fearing. (2:183)
God-fearing meanstaqwa.Taqwa, normally translated as “fearing
God”,meansthemind-setinwhichapersonfearsGod'sdispleasurebe-
causeofthelovethathehasforGod.Inotherwords,taqwaisaframeof
mindwhichpreventsthepersonfromcommittingsinsthatcauseGod's
displeasure with him.
Howdoes fastingin Ramadhanhelp in acquiringsuch amindset of
taqwa?Fastingisaritualwhichbeginsatdawnandendsatsunset;and
duringthatentiretime,aMuslimisexpectedtorefrainfromtenthings
as follows:
- Food.
- Drink.
- Inhaling smoke or dust.
- Vomiting intentionally.
- Submerging the head into a body of water.
- Liquid enema.
- Sexual intercourse.
- Masturbation.
- Staying till dawn in the state of impurity caused by sexual
discharge. - To ascribe a statement wrongfully to God or His divine
representatives.
The above listincludes the two strongest desires of a humanbeing:
foodandsex.Byabstainingfromthemduringthedaytimeforthewhole
month of Ramadhān, a Muslim is trainedto strengthen his willpower
andcontrolhisdesires.BytheendofRamadhān,aMuslimisexpectedto
be a spiritually stronger person than what he was before Ramadhan.