In the Holy Qur’an fasting has been prescribed from dawn to sunset in the lunar month of Ramadhan. It is a discipline which promotes righteousness and makes it easier for a seeker to scale spiritual heights. One who is fasting becomes aware of all Divine bounties, and fasting thus helps one to employ them beneficiently.
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا کُتِبَ عَلَیۡکُمُ الصِّیَامُ کَمَا کُتِبَ عَلَی الَّذِیۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِکُمۡ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تَتَّقُوۡنَ
O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous. [Holy Quran – 2:184]
In the above verse, Muslims are told in the first place that fasting is not a new institution. It is not a new burden laid upon them; it is a very old institution and all those nations that have passed before them and among whom prophets appeared were commanded to observe fasts. Secondly, they are told… [read more…]