THE FAST

Among the duties that God has entrusted to men, there are some that were established precisely in order to facilitate the establishment of a personal dialogue on the part of man with God himself. Fasting is one of these. Within the precepts of Islam, observance of fasting during the month of Ramadan immediately follows that of ritual prayer.
Islam uses a lunar type calendar, in which each month corresponds to a lunation. The first day of the month therefore begins at sunset following the appearance of the new Moon (hilal). The ninth month of the Islamic calendar is "Ramadan". Complete fasting from sunrise to sunset is mandatory on each of the days that make up it. The name "Ramadan" comes from the root "ramd" (burn), as it is hoped that this month will burn the sins of all those who observe fasting.
Ramadan is the holiest of the month, as the Holy Quran was revealed in it. One of his nights is called Layatul Qadr (Night of Predestination): according to the Holy Quran it "is better than a thousand months". According to Shiite Islam, the Laytul Qadr could be the 19 °, the 21 ° or the 27 ° night of Ramadan.
Ramadan begins with the appearance of the new moon, and ends with the appearance of the next new moon, with which the month of Shawwal begins. Sometimes it lasts for 29 days, sometimes 30. Since Islam uses the lunar calendar, Ramadan gradually rotates for all seasons. In fact, a lunar year lasts about 355 days; Ramadan will be anticipated by about 10 days each year compared to the solar calendar.
Fasting is a religious precept common to Islam and to the traditional forms that preceded it. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is mandatory for all Muslims, male and female, rich and poor. In addition to being mandatory, it brings benefits that have been recognized by the scholars of every historical era. Islam attributes fundamental importance to fasting. On fasting, Islam provides a means capable of rebalancing the excesses that may have altered vital balances over the course of a year. A month of fasting tones and balances the digestive system; however, the most important of the benefits brought about by fasting lies in the fact that it strengthens our will, making us less dependent on our physiological needs and able to face any situations or periods of difficulty.
The spiritual aspect of fasting consists in approaching God. Only through the love that we bring to him we are able to abstain from food, drink and other pleasures of life. No external agent is able to control our observance of the fast. No external force forces us to fast. Even in countries where Islamic law is in effect, if someone does not want to observe fasting he can always eat or drink in private. Therefore fasting tests our faith. The one who fasts has greater awareness of his actions, and is therefore more able to resist temptation. He can also concentrate more on God's memories, develop his charitable inclinations and taste the fruits of obedience to his Lord. The members of a community or family should not therefore force others to fast or raise prayers, as such acts, if they are done not for the love of God, but for fear of parents, relatives or neighbor, forgiveness any religious significance, becoming a simple outward affection without spirit. It is necessary to strive to make others understand the value of religious duties, but in no case should religious practice be the result of compulsion.
Fasting strengthens the spirit of sacrifice and helps the individual to participate in the condition of those who are deprived of means of subsistence. It puts us periodically in a condition similar to that of those in a state of distress, increasing our awareness of his situation. Fasting also breaks the state of connection needed between the individual and his bodily needs, making the physical body itself a part of the inherent freedom of the spirit. Fasting makes us closer to God during our prayers, strengthening at the same time the spirit of self-discipline and the ability to impose our free will upon external stimuli. Through it the vision is sharpened, the intellect becomes more awake, the most steady step and the set of bodily functions is revitalized.
According to the different religions, abstention from food or certain foods is a practice that has real advantages. In Islam, fasting aims to control natural appetites and resist temptation. It involves not only abstention from food, but from every reprehensible act. The abstention from food makes us understand that if it is necessary to abstain from what is lawful in nature, the more it is necessary to abstain from what has been forbidden by God. The main objective of fasting is to purify the character and behavior of Muslims. , making a whole month of their daily life a form of participation and conformation to divine attributes. It teaches Muslims to guard against the evil that nests in themselves.
During the month of fasting, the Muslim is required not only to abstain from food during the day, but to commit his time in acts of worship. During the night he is free to enjoy all the licit pleasures. Anyone who fasts should do it voluntarily. He should submit to the suffering caused by fasting in order to approach the divine presence. If someone fasting unwillingly, feeling that burden as burdensome and harboring in the soul resentment for what is imposed on him, his fasting is meaningless. We will obtain the reward inherent in fasting only if we know how to understand its true nature as an act of worship.
It is also necessary to guard against the possibility that our ability to engage in prayer and fasting causes pride to arise in us. If anyone prays or fasts only for the purpose of showing others his virtue and obtaining respect and veneration from them, he will not obtain any advantage or reward from his deeds. For this reason the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib said: "Many fast without getting from fasting other than thirst ...".

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