A Family Gathering to Welcome Ramadan
Why do we fast, children?
- In obedience to God’s command: “You who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become mindful of God.” (183) [al-Baqarah.]
- So that we may be among God’s pious servants. Piety means fearing God the Almighty, acting according to the noble Qur’an and preparing for the Day of Resurrection.
- Because God, our Lord, Creator and Provider, deserves to be glorified and for us to humble ourselves before Him: “What is the matter with you that you do not accord God due reverence, (13) although He created you in stages? (14) Have you not seen how God created seven heavens in layers, (15) placing the moon in them as a light and making the sun a lamp? (16) God caused you to grow from the earth, (17) then He will return you to it and bring you forth again. (18) God spread out the earth for you (19) so that you may travel along its broad paths. (20)” [Nuh.]
- In gratitude to God for His blessings, which cannot be counted or enumerated. Through fasting, we realise the value of God’s blessings of food, drink, health and wellbeing throughout the year. God says: “Be mindful of God so that you may be grateful.” (123) [Al ‘Imran.]
- To train ourselves to remain conscious of God in private and in public: “We created the human being and know what their soul whispers, and We are nearer to them than their jugular vein.” (16) [Qaf.] “He is with you wherever you are, and God sees what you do.” (4) [al-Hadid.]
- To train ourselves to abandon sins and disobedience that distance us from God. We cultivate good words, deeds and character in ourselves to gain His pleasure: “Whoever does not abandon false speech, acting upon it and ignorant conduct, God has no need of their abandoning food and drink.” Al-Bukhari (6057).
- We fast Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, so that God may forgive our sins. The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and seeking reward will have their previous sins forgiven.” Agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim. “With faith” means believing His promise and submitting to His command. “Seeking reward” means seeking recompense, reward and forgiveness.
- We fast to be freed from the Fire. The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: “God, blessed and exalted, frees people every day and night”, meaning in Ramadan. Narrated by Ahmad (7450); see Sahih al-Targhib wa-l-Tarhib (1002). He also said, “Fasting is a shield.” Al-Bukhari (1894). A “shield” is protection and a covering against falling into sins that cause entry into the Fire.
- We fast because we are certain that, in His law, God commands only what is good for us in this world: tranquillity and reassurance, physical and psychological health, moral benefits and social advantages. Fasting is neither self-torture nor self-harm: “Whoever is ill or travelling shall fast an equal number of other days. God wishes ease for you, not hardship.” [al-Baqarah: 185.]
- Less food and drink help us increase acts of worship, such as remembrance, supplication, reciting the Qur’an and prayer, so that we may be closer to God. That is why, encouraging supplication, God says among the verses on fasting: “When My servants ask you about Me, I am near. I answer the supplicant’s call when they call upon Me. Let them respond to Me and believe in Me so that they may be rightly guided.” (186) [al-Baqarah.]
We ask God to help us fast Ramadan and stand in prayer during its nights, and to help us remember Him, thank Him and worship Him well. Amen.
Shaykh Abd al-Haqq al-Turkmani, may God preserve him.
Head of the Center for Studies in the Interpretation of Islam.