Siyaam (Fasting)

Allaah has blessed His slaves by assigning for them certain seasons of goodness in which hasanaat (rewards for good deeds) are multiplied, sayyi`aat (bad deeds) are forgiven, people’s statuses are raised and the hearts of believers turn to their Master. Those who purify themselves attain success and those who corrupt themselves fail. Allaah has created His slaves to worship Him. One of the greatest acts of worship is fasting, which Allaah has made obligatory on His slaves.

Linguistic definition of Siyaam (Fasting)

Linguistically, siyaam in Arabic means abstinence.

Islamic terminology

It means abstaining from things that break the fast, from dawn until sunset, having first made the intention (niyyah) to do so.
 

The Ruling concerning Fasting

The Ummah (Islamic nation) is in agreement to the fact that fasting the month of Ramadan is obligatory, the evidence for which is in the Qur`aan and Sunnah. Allaah says: “O you who believe! Observing al‐sawn (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become al‐muttaqoon (the pious).” [Surah al‐Baqarah 2:183]

The Prophet(S) said: “Islam is built on five [pillars]…” Sahih al Bhukari vol 1:7
…among which he mentioned fasting inRamadan.

The Benefits of Fasting

There is much wisdom and numerous benefits in fasting which relate to the taqwaa, Allah mentioned in the aayah : “…that you may become al‐muttaqoon (the pious).” [Surah al‐Baqarah 2:183]

The interpretation of this aayah is that if a person refrains from halaal things hoping to gain the pleasure of Allaah and out of fear of His punishment, it will be easier for him to refrain from doing haraam things.

When a person’s stomach is empty and he is hungry, many of his other faculties are kept from feeling hunger or desires; but when his stomach is satisfied, his tongue, eyes, hands and private parts start to feel hunger Fasting leads to the defeat of Shaytaan; it controls desires and protects one’s faculties.

When the fasting person feels the pangs of hunger, he experiences how the poor feel, thus he feels compassion towards them and gives them something to ward off their hunger. Hearing about them is not the same as sharing their suffering, just as a rider does not understand the hardship of walking until he gets down and walks.

Fasting trains the person to avoid desires and to keep away from sin; it helps a person to overcome his own nature and to wean himself away from bad habits. It also trains a person to get used to being organized and punctual, which will solve the problem that many people have of being disorganized, if only they realized.

Fasting is also a demonstration of the unity of the Muslims, as the Ummah (Islamic nation)fasts and breaks its fast all at the same time. Fasting also provides a great opportunity for those who are calling others to Allaah. In this month many people come to the mosque for the first time, and also those who have not been to the mosque for a long time, and their hearts are open, so we must make the most of this opportunity by preaching in a gentle manner, teaching appropriate lessons and speaking beneficial words, whilst also cooperating in righteousness and good deeds.

References

Written by Sheikh Muhammad Salih Al‐Munajjid,
http://d1.islamhouse.com/data/en/ih_books/single/en_Matters_Related_to_Fasting.pdf