The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbir (Allahu Akbar] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him. (Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #185)
Fasting in Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam. It is obligatory for all Muslims to fast during the month of Ramadan from dusk to sunset, abstain from eating, drinking, sexual activities, foul language, and bad behavior. Fasting strengthens control of impulses and helps develop good behavior, believers strive to purify body and soul and increase their taqwa. Fasting is meant to teach patience and self-control, and to remind ourselves of the less fortunate in the world.
Although fasting is obligatory for us all, I have noticed that although being in a Muslim nation that many people do not fast. It is very sad to see people not fasting since the benefits of it are many. Is it lack of knowledge or just pure reluctance to fast? Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah's Apostle saying regarding Ramadan, "Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven." It's a month where you earn a lot from giving less. The more good deeds you do during this month the greater the reward will be from Allah than in any other month. Fasting earns great reward. Qudsi Hadith which states; “All actions a human being does are his with the exception of fasting which belongs to Me. I reward it accordingly.” (Related by Al-Bukhari). This is indeed a great promise. When Allah rewards an action as purely His, then the reward is limitless.
When we consider such limitless reward and such moral value which are attached to fasting, who of us would want to fail to fast unless he lacks faith? The Prophet (Pbuh), however, was keen to drive the point home to us. Consider the following Hadith; “There is a door to heaven called Al-Rayyan through which only fasting people are admitted. It will be asked; where are the fasting people? They stand up. No one is admitted through that door except them. When they have entered, the door will be closed and no one else can get through it.”
If only the people who didn't fast knew the importance of fasting during the month of Ramadan, they would never think to not fast again when there is so much reward guaranteed for the fasting person.
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