Wisdom behind Fasting

***S.K*** · 07-18-2012,11:13 AM

Wisdom behind fasting
Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 183:

183 O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) ‘taqwa’ or self-restraint.

It was not Prophet Mohamed (saws) that started fasting, but as Allah Declares in the above verse of Surah Baqarah, fasting was prescribed on the Muslim Ummah just as Allah had prescribed fasting for those who believed in the Prophets before Prophet Mohamed (saws).
The All-Knowing, All-Wise Lord Himself Declares the wisdom behind the command of fasting, for fasting is an act of worship that develops ‘taqwa’ (self-restraint, piety, God-consciousness, etc.)

184 (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill or on a journey the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship) is a ransom the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more of his own free will it is better for him and it is better for you that ye fast if ye only knew.

The fasting period is an annual training course prescribed by the All-Knowing Lord for those who believe in Him, so that the believers may develop ‘taqwa’ or self-restraint. If one wishes to eat and drink in privacy and claim that he is fasting, none can challenge his claim. But a true believer, even in absolute privacy restrains himself from what is otherwise halaal and permissible to consume for a limited period of time, only because he is obedient to His Lord.

The person who fasts declares by his act of worship his sincere belief in His All-Seeing, All-Knowing Lord and knows and believes with certainty that on One Inevitable Day he will be gathered in front of His Majestic Lord to give a full accounting of his deeds.
Just as a fasting believer, even though he might be hungry and thirsty, restrains himself from what is otherwise permissible to consume only because his Lord has commanded him; it is expected that this person will develop the same ‘taqwa’ and restrain himself from all the other things which His Lord has commanded him not to approach (shirk, murder, zina, wine, gambling, dishonesty, etc.).
Just as a student who passes a training course or syllabus, there is a graduation ceremony at the end of the course for those who have fulfilled or passed the exam; the Eid is a Graduation Celebration which Islam has prescribed for the believers who fulfill their noble course of fasting.
Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (saws) said: "Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan with faith and seeks Allah's pleasure and reward, will have his previous sins forgiven."

185 Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an as a guide to mankind also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So everyone of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting but if anyone is ill or on a journey the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.

Related by Ahmad:
When a true believers fasts the month of Ramadan with sincere faith and seeking only Allah’s Pleasure and Reward, and believes with certainty in the Promise of his Lord that all his past sins are forgiven; he rejoices and celebrates this occasion by praising his Supreme Creator, and offering sincere thanks to his Lord Most Gracious for His Infinite Blessings and Mercies and above all His Guidance. That is the wisdom and the story behind the Day of Celebration after the month of fasting or Eid-ul-Fitr.
Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 183:
….(Allah wants you) to complete the prescribed period (of fasting) and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; perchance ye shall be grateful!
If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.