If fasting does not take us to Taqwa, it will mean nothing more than hunger and thirst.

If fasting does not take us to Taqwa, it will mean nothing more than hunger and thirst.

Fast of a Muslim should be fundamentally for the sake of Allaah, as in a Hadith narrated by Aboo Hurayrah, Prophet Muhammad said that Allaah states:

“Fasting is for Me and I will personally give reward for it. [The fasting person] put aside his sexual desire, his food and drink for My sake.” ¹

So, if we have any other reason behind our fasts, then surely we will not attain that level of Taqwa (God Consciousness) required to be rewarded, as found in the following narration:

“Every deed of Adam’s descendents is for themselves, except fasting; it is for Me and I will reward it.” ²

If the intention behind one’s fast is to lose weight, or to resolve indigestion, or fulfilling custom or rituals, etc., then this will not be of any benefit for one’s Taqwa. By this, he gains nothing of the spiritual, emotional and psychological benefit, as his prayers and fasts are not accepted by Allaah. Aboo Hurayrah quoted the Messenger of Allaah as saying:

“Perhaps a fasting person will gain nothing from his fast but hunger and perhaps the one who stands up at night for prayer will gain nothing but tiredness.” ³

The intention behind one’s fast is the first step towards increasing the level of one’s Taqwa, with the right intention at the prescribed time; i.e. the intention being for the sake of Allaah and that which is intended before Dawn; the narration for the same can be cited as follows:

Hafsah related from the Prophet that he said:

“Whoever does not resolve to fast before the dawn will not have a fast.” ⁴

Also, fasting is not limited to fasting of the stomach, but it must include the other organs as well, most importantly the Tongue must fast from Lying. Aboo Hurayrah quoted the Messenger ofAllaah as saying:

“Allaah has no need for one to leave his food and drink if he does not abandon lies and acting on them.” ⁵

Lastly, if one fast out of sincerity and fulfils the 2 conditions; one being for the sake of Allaah and other that it is done as per the methodology (Sunnah) of the Prophet; only then can the fast and the good deeds of the person be in a state to be acceptable by Allaah. Aboo Hurayrah related that the Prophet said:

“Whoever fasts the month of Ramadaan out of sincere faith and seeking his reward from God will have his previous sins forgiven.” ⁶

In another narration, Aboo Hurayrah related that the Prophet said:

“Whoever stands up [in prayer] on the Night of Power out of sincere faith and seeking his reward from God will have his previous sins forgiven.” ⁷

Thus, fasting the month of Ramadaan and praying during the Night of Power (Qadr), both erase previous sins if they are done out of true faith.

¹ Sahih Al Bukhari, vol. 3, p. 71, no. 128.

² Sahih Muslim, vol. 4, p. 285, no. 161, Kitaab: Siyaam Baab: Fadl Siyaam

³ Saheeh Sunan Ibn Maajah, vol. 1, p. 282, no. 1371.

⁴ Sunan Abu Dawud, vol. 2, p. 675, no. 2448. Authenticated in Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood, vol.2, p. 465, no. 2143.

⁵ Sahih Al Bukhari, vol. 3, pp. 70-1, no. 127.

⁶ Sahih Al Bukhari, vol. 3, pp. 69-70, no. 125 and Sahih Muslim, vol. 3 , p. 295 , no. 173 , Kitaab: Salaatul musaafireen; Baab: targheeb fee qiyaam ramadaan

⁷ Sahih Al Bukhari, vol. 3, pp. 69-70, no. 125.