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.
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## 📖 **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)
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## 🖼️ **\[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." \*
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## 💪 **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)
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## **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.” *
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## 🧭 **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**.
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## 💞 **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**.
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## 🖼️ **\[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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