Reality of Islam Here

Ramadan fasting, introspection has benefits

Month-long process benefits individuals, society

The month of Ramadan this year started July 20 and Muslims fast from dawn to sunset abstaining from consuming any kind of food or drink.
This process continues for 30 days, then the joyous occasion of Eidul Fitr is celebrated.
Those who are sick or are travelling are exempted and can make up for any lost days of fasting later.
Many people are curious and want to know the purpose and benefits of fasting. A simple answer is that by depriving oneself of the basic necessities of life during the day, a sense of realization develops about the immense blessings we enjoy in our daily lives which, at times, we take for granted.
At the same time, fasting reminds us about the condition of those who are less fortunate and may not be able to afford even one square meal a day.
The month-long routine enhances self-control, patience, tolerance, determination, humility and concern for others.
Ramadan is also a month that reinforces an individual’s responsibilities to share and care for society and give to charity. But there are deeper levels of benefits for the human soul.
In Chapter 2 Verse 183 (2:183) of the Quran, God says: “Oh believers, fasting has been made obligatory on you just as it was ordained for the followers of the prophets before you, so that you remain conscious of God.”
The aim is to be conscious of God’s commandments and instructions contained in the Quran.
The month of Ramadan provides a focused opportunity to each individual for self-accountability and to analyse his or her weaknesses and shortcomings, and then to rectify them in order to become a better human being.
Fasting has been practised in almost all the religions in one form or another for self-control and atonement. In the Bible there are references to Moses and Jesus fasting, confirming this practice was ordained in earlier times.
There is a saying of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) that fasting develops tolerance and whoever develops tolerance, he is gifted with many virtues. Ramadan is thus a sort of annual physical of the inner self.
Ramadan is marked the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is considered one of