Fasting (Roza) in Islam: Spiritual Elevation, Health Benefits, and Divine Rewards


 

 # **Fasting (Roza) in Islam: Spiritual Elevation, Health Benefits, and Divine Rewards**

 *With References, Pictures & English Poetry*

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 ## 🌙 **Introduction**

 One of Islam's "Five Pillars" is fasting, which is called "Sawm" in Arabic and "Roza" in Urdu. It is a profound form of worship that goes beyond abstaining from food and drink.  Self-discipline, spiritual enlightenment, moral purification, and social solidarity are the goals of fasting. The holy month of **Ramadan**, in which fasting is observed, is a divine gift — a season of mercy, forgiveness, and spiritual growth.  This article explores the significance, virtues, and multifaceted benefits of fasting, supported by **Qur’anic verses**, **authentic Hadiths**, **scholarly references**, **poetry**, and image suggestions.

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 ## 🖼️ **\[Image Suggestion #1]**

 *Title: “A Muslim breaking his fast at sunset”*

 Visual: A serene photo of dates, water, and a Quran near a prayer mat during Maghrib time.

 ---

 ## 📖 **The Obligation of Fasting in the Qur’an**

 The command of fasting was revealed in **Surah Al-Baqarah**, making it an obligatory act for every adult Muslim:

 > **“O you who believe!  Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain Taqwa (piety).” **

 > (Surah Al-Baqarah, p. 183) ### ✒ Reference:

 * Tafsir al-Jalalayn explains “Taqwa” as moral and spiritual refinement.

 > **"Fasting is not just about hunger; it's a school of discipline." **

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 ## 🌌 **Purpose and Wisdom of Fasting**

 Fasting is a divine tool for **spiritual and social reform**.  It provides:

 ### 🔹 **1.  Taqwa (God-consciousness):**

 Abstaining from lawful desires trains the soul to avoid sinful acts.

 > **Hadith:** *“Fasting is a shield against the fire.” * – *(Sahih al-Bukhari, 1904)*

 ### 🔹 **2.  Self-Control and Patience:**

 You learn to control anger, temptation, and speech.

 > \**“If someone fights you or insults you, say: I am fasting.” *

 > – (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1904)

 ### 🔹 **3.  Sympathy for the Poor:**

 Fasting makes us feel the hunger of the less fortunate, inspiring charity.

 > "Poetry:" > *"In hunger, the heart grows kind,*

 > Toward the poor, more inclined,\*

 > Fasting teaches a soul refined,\*

 > To leave the ego far behind." \*

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 ## 🕋 **Hadiths on the Virtues of Fasting**

 ### ✅ **Special Reward from Allah:**

 > *“Fasting is for Me and I will reward it Myself.” * – (Sahih al-Bukhari, 7492)

 ### ✅ **Dual Joys:**

 > *“The fasting person has two joys: one at the time of breaking the fast, and one when he meets his Lord.” * – (Sahih Muslim, 1151)

 ### ✅ **Smell of a Fasting Person:**

 > *“The smell from the mouth of a fasting person is sweeter to Allah than musk.” * – (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1894)

 ---

 ## 🖼️ **\[Image Suggestion #2]**

 *Title: “Taraweeh Prayers in Ramadan”*

 Visual: A mosque illuminated at night with rows of worshippers standing in congregation.

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 ## 🧠 **Spiritual Benefits of Fasting**

 1.  Cleans Spiritual Rust at Its Core 2.  **Increases closeness to Allah**

 3.  teaches the Nafs to obey rather than rebel 4.  **Increases humility, gratitude, and reliance on Allah**

 > "Poetry:" > *"Through fasting the soul takes flight,*

 > Rising in faith, pure in sight,\*

 > Craving not the worldly delight,\*

 > But yearning for Allah’s Light." \*

 ---

 ## 💪 **Physical and Health Benefits**

 Modern science now validates many physical benefits of fasting:

 ### 🔸 **Improved Metabolism**

 * Intermittent fasting improves insulin sensitivity.

 ### 🔸 **Cellular Repair**

 * Fasting activates **autophagy**, a process where cells repair themselves.

 ### 🔸 **Weight Regulation**

 * Reduces body fat while preserving muscle mass.

 ###  Improves Cognitive Performance** * Enhances memory and protects against diseases like Alzheimer’s.

 > **Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:**

 > *“Fast and you shall be healthy.” * – (Hadith 16859, Musnad Ahmad) ---

 ## 🌐 **Social and Moral Impact**

 Fasting fosters social empathy and personal reform:

 1.  **Breaks Class Barriers**

 2.  **Encourages Generosity** (Zakat and Sadaqah increase)

 3.  **Trains Civility** – no shouting, lying, or backbiting

 > **Hadith:**

 > "Allah is not in need of his fasting from food and drink whoever does not leave false speech." * – (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1903)

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 ## 📜 **Special Acts During Ramadan**

 | Worship                  | Description                             |

 | ------------------------ | --------------------------------------- |

 | **Taraweeh**             | Voluntary night prayers                 |

 | **Recitation of Qur’an** | Many complete the Qur’an once or more   |

 | **Iftar and Suhoor**     | Sunnah meals with great blessings       |

 | **Itikaf**               | Seclusion in mosque for spiritual focus |

 | **Laylatul Qadr**        | Night better than 1,000 months          |

 > **Qur’an:**

 > *“Indeed, We revealed it (the Qur’an) in the Night of Decree.” * – (Surah Al-Qadr: 1)

 ---

 ## **Voluntary Nafl Fasts** The Prophet also encouraged other fasts outside of Ramadan: * **Six days of Shawwal** – *(Sahih Muslim, 1164)*

 Thursdays and Mondays* * **Day of Arafah** – expiates sins of two years

 * **Ashura (10th Muharram)** – expiates sins of one year

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 ## 🖼️ **\[Image Suggestion #3]**

 "Dates and Water: The Sunnah Iftar" Visual: Close-up image of a plate of dates and a glass of water with soft evening light.

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 ## 💭 **The Wisdom of Hunger**

 > **Imam Ali (A.S.) said:**

 > "How lovely is hunger! It reminds us of the poor.” *

 Fasting is not starvation.  It is **sacrifice** with wisdom, where hunger becomes a mirror reflecting our dependency on Allah.

 > "Poetry:" > *"The tongue is tied, the hands are still,*

 > The soul awaits the Divine will,\*

 > From sunrise till the maghrib sky,\*

 > Each second draws the spirit high." \*

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 ## 📚 **Scholarly Quotes**

 > **Imam Ghazali (R.A.):**

 > *“Fasting with the limbs, not just the stomach, leads to enlightenment.” *

 > **Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (R.A.):**

 > *“Fasting is the food of the saints.” *

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 ### Common Failings While Fasting * Gossiping and arguing

 * Wasting time in entertainment

 * Eating excessively at iftar

 * Neglecting the Qur'an and prayer > *“The fast is broken not by food alone but by foul conduct.” *

 ---

 ## 🧭 **Fasting Teaches Time Management**

 * **Suhoor before Fajr**

 * **Dhuhr with Qur’an recitation**

 * **Taraweeh after Isha**

 * **Iftar with the family**

 This sacred routine purifies both **soul and schedule**.

 ---

 ## 💞 **Poetic Reflection**

 > *"O Ramadan, you are the soul’s sweet song,*

 > Thirty days, not too long or too short,* > You teach us faith, through hunger’s sting,\*

 > And crown us as slaves of the King." \*

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 ## 📌 **Conclusion: The Ultimate Purpose**

 Fasting is not just ritual—it is **a lifestyle transformation**.  It purifies, disciplines, and connects us with our Creator.

 > **Surah Al-Baqarah: 186**

 > *“And when My servants ask you about Me, indeed I am near...” *

 Fasting brings us near to the One who created hunger to remind us of **His mercy** and **our duty**.

 ---

 ## 🖼️ **\[Image Suggestion #4]**

 *Title: “A Child and an Elder Praying in Ramadan”*

 Visual: A young boy and elderly man side by side in sujood (prostration), symbolizing generational connection to fasting.

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 ## 📋 **References**

 | Source             | Reference                  |

 | ------------------ | -------------------------- |

 | Qur’an             | Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183–185 |

 | Sahih al-Bukhari   | Hadith 1903–1904, 7492     |

 | Sahih Muslim       | Hadith 1151, 1164          |

 | Musnad Ahmad       | Hadith 16859               |

 | Tafsir al-Jalalayn | Commentary on 2:183        |

 | Imam Ghazali       | Ihya Ulum al-Din           |

 | Nahjul Balagha     | Sermons of Imam Ali (A.S.)  |

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 ## 🙌 **Final Dua**

 > *“O Allah, accept our fasts, purify our hearts, and allow us to witness many Ramadans in Your mercy.  Ameen.” *

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