Table of Contents
Appreciating the Virtues of Fasting
Fasting in Islam has a special place among acts of worship. It is not only staying away from food and drink for some hours. It is a school of faith, character, and self‑discipline that Allah has chosen for this ummah and praised in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
A Special Act Between the Servant and His Lord
Among all acts of worship, fasting is described in a uniquely intimate way. In a famous ḥadīth qudsī, Allah says:
“Every deed of the son of Ādam is for him, except fasting. It is for Me, and I shall reward for it.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
In the same narration, the Prophet ﷺ mentioned that the fasting person leaves desires “for My sake.” Fasting cannot be seen in the same clear way as prayer or charity. A person may appear not to eat, but only Allah truly knows if he is fasting correctly and sincerely. This hidden nature makes fasting deeply connected with sincerity and the heart.
Fasting is a hidden worship done purely for Allah, and its reward is directly with Him, beyond normal calculations.
Because of this, scholars mention that fasting has a very close link with ikhlāṣ, or pure intention, and that it helps renew and strengthen the relationship between the believer and his Lord.
Fasting and the Attainment of Taqwā
The Qur’an clearly states the main virtue and purpose of fasting. Allah says about the month of Ramadan:
“O you who have believed, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous (attain taqwā).”
(Sūrat al‑Baqarah 2:183)
Taqwā is to place a careful barrier between yourself and the anger of Allah, by obeying Him and staying away from what He dislikes. When a believer leaves permitted things like food, drink, and marital relations for Allah’s sake during the day, it becomes easier to leave prohibited things for His sake as well.
Fasting constantly trains the heart to ask: “Is Allah pleased with this?” The believer learns to watch his tongue, his eyes, his ears, and his thoughts, not only his stomach. In this way, fasting is a powerful path to living in a constant state of God‑consciousness.
The primary virtue and goal of fasting is taqwā: a living awareness of Allah that guides a person’s choices and behavior.
The Great Reward Prepared for Those Who Fast
The Qur’an hints at the greatness of reward for those who patiently control themselves:
“Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.”
(Sūrat az‑Zumar 39:10)
Fasting is one of the highest forms of patience, because it brings patience over obedience, patience away from sin, and patience in accepting hunger and thirst. For this reason, many scholars connect this verse to the status of the fasting person.
The Prophet ﷺ also described the reward of fasting in vivid terms:
“Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward (from Allah), his past sins will be forgiven.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
This ḥadīth talks about the one who fasts with two conditions: believing in the obligation and virtue of fasting and hoping sincerely for reward only from Allah. Such a person finds that fasting becomes a cause for the forgiveness of previous sins.
In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ said about the ʿīd night after Ramadan:
“And there is for the fasting person, at the time he breaks his fast, a joy, and there is for the fasting person, when he meets his Lord, a joy.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
So fasting brings immediate spiritual and emotional reward in this life, and a greater, unseen joy in the next.
Fasting as a Shield from Sin and the Fire
The Prophet ﷺ described fasting with a powerful image:
“Fasting is a shield.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
In other narrations he explained that it is a shield from the Fire and from desires. When a believer fasts properly, the physical weakness and constant remembrance of Allah help lower the strength of sinful desires, such as lust, anger, and arrogance. The person becomes more calm and careful.
The Prophet ﷺ advised young people who cannot yet marry:
“O young men, whoever among you is able to marry, let him marry, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding the private parts. Whoever is not able, then he should fast, for it will be a shield for him.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
This shows that fasting is not only an act of worship, but a treatment for the heart against unlawful desires. It protects a person from falling into sin and gently trains the soul to be disciplined and modest.
True fasting protects from sin and the Fire by weakening desires and increasing shame before Allah.
The Beautiful State of the Fasting Person
Islam does not look only at the outer act of fasting, but at the inner state of the believer while he fasts. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it and ignorance, then Allah has no need of him giving up his food and drink.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī)
From this we learn that the real virtue of fasting is not only to starve the body. Its goal is to purify speech, behavior, and manners. A fasting person is meant to become more truthful, more gentle, and more patient.
The Prophet ﷺ also taught a specific way to respond when provoked while fasting:
“If someone abuses him or fights him, let him say, ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.’”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
So fasting helps a person control anger and avoid argument. By remembering “I am fasting,” the believer remembers that he is in a special state before Allah and should act with dignity and restraint.
The Smell and Sweat of the Fasting Person
Fasting can bring physical discomfort, such as bad breath or tiredness. Yet even these are described as beloved to Allah when they come from sincere worship. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, the smell from the mouth of a fasting person is more pleasant to Allah than the smell of musk.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
What may appear unpleasant to people can be extremely valuable with Allah if it comes from obedience and sacrifice. This teaches believers to look at matters through the lens of faith, not only through physical senses. It also comforts the fasting person, who may feel weakness or discomfort, that all of this is known and accepted by Allah.
Two Joys for the Fasting Person
Fasting is not only about hardship. The Prophet ﷺ described it as a source of true joy:
“The fasting person has two joys: a joy when he breaks his fast, and a joy when he meets his Lord.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
The joy at ifṭār is immediate. It is the happiness of obeying Allah, completing the day, and tasting His blessings again. The food and drink at that moment feel more meaningful and more appreciated, which teaches gratitude.
The joy when meeting Allah is greater and everlasting. It is the joy of seeing the stored reward of fasting, of being pleased with Allah and Allah being pleased with His servant.
Fasting brings two deep joys: one in this life at every ifṭār, and one in the next life when meeting Allah and seeing the reward of patience.
Fasting and Entry to a Special Gate of Paradise
The Prophet ﷺ informed us of a unique honor reserved for those who fast regularly:
“In Paradise there is a gate called ar‑Rayyān. Those who fast will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection, and none but they will enter through it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to fast?’ They will stand, and none will enter through it but them. When they have entered, it will be closed and no one else will enter through it.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
This shows that fasting gives a distinct identity before Allah. It is a sign of loyalty and love for Him. Having a special gate in Paradise indicates a special welcome and a recognition of the sacrifices made in this life.
Fasting and the Qur’an as Intercessors
The Prophet ﷺ described how acts of worship will speak for the believer on the Day of Judgment:
“Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede for the servant on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say, ‘O Lord, I prevented him from food and desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.’ And the Qur’an will say, ‘I prevented him from sleep at night, so let me intercede for him.’ So they will intercede.”
(Musnad Aḥmad, authenticated in meaning by scholars)
From this we see that fasting does not disappear after the month ends. Its effects remain with the believer’s record and will appear before Allah as a defender and supporter. This gives weight to every day of fasting and every moment of hunger and thirst borne patiently.
Renewing Gratitude for Daily Blessings
By temporarily losing access to food, drink, and some comforts, fasting awakens the heart to the constant blessings of Allah that are often ignored. The Qur’an reminds:
“And if you count the favor of Allah, you will never be able to enumerate it.”
(Sūrat Ibrāhīm 14:34)
During fasting, simple things like water, a date, or a small meal become very valuable. The believer feels directly how much he normally depends on Allah’s sustenance. This deepens gratitude and humility and makes a person more likely to thank Allah and to share with others who have less.
Fasting also connects believers to the poor in a practical, emotional way. Feeling hunger softens the heart and increases compassion and generosity, especially in Ramadan when giving charity is strongly encouraged.
Fasting and the Unity of the Ummah
Although the details of community and brotherhood appear elsewhere in the course, it is important to see one virtue of fasting in this regard. When Muslims fast together in Ramadan, they share the same schedule, the same hunger, the same waiting for sunset. Allah links this month to the Qur’an and to guidance:
“The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur’an was revealed, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.”
(Sūrat al‑Baqarah 2:185)
This shared worship strengthens the identity of the ummah. It also brings a special sense of belonging and common purpose. Families wake for suḥūr together, families and communities gather for ifṭār, and night prayers fill the mosques. The virtues of fasting therefore are not only individual, but social and communal as well.
Summary: Fasting as a Comprehensive Training
Fasting brings together many virtues at once. It is sincerity, patience, gratitude, mercy toward others, self‑control, and constant remembrance of Allah, all combined in one act. Because of this, its reward is great, its honor in the Hereafter is high, and its effect on the heart is deep.
Allah has described its main purpose clearly:
“That you may become righteous (attain taqwā).”
(Sūrat al‑Baqarah 2:183)
When a Muslim understands the virtues of fasting, it becomes more than a habit or a cultural practice. It becomes a conscious journey to Allah, day after day, in which every hour of hunger and thirst is carried with hope, trust, and love for Him.