Ramadan - Why we fast

Sura 2 - Al-Baqara (MADINA) : Verse 183
O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that ye may observe taqwa.

This is the verse that tells us why we fast.

We don't fast to lose weight, to become healthier, to cure diseases, to cleanse the system. At least not according to Almighty Allah in his message. Some may experience these results, but the reason for fasting is so that you may observe تَتَّقُونَ , tataqun.

Tataqun is observing your duties and obligations to Allah SWT, being aware of the Divine ordinances and observing them.

What are these duties:

In the words of our noble Prophet Muhammad SAW in his Ramadan message:

"Give alms to the poor and needy. Pay respect to your elders, have sympathy for your youngsters and be kind towards your relatives and kinsmen. Guard your tongue against unworthy words, and your eyes from scenes that are not worth seeing (forbidden) and your ears from sounds that should not be heard. Be kind to orphans so that if your children may become orphans they will also be treated with kindness. Do repent to Allah for your the wrongs yo have committed and supplicate with raised hands at the times of prayer as these are the best times".

Fasting is the only act that one does only for that sake of Allah SWT. It is the only form of worship that is witnessed only by Allah SWT.

As a result of the Taqwa observed during this month, there is a miraculous transformation taking place in the world. No other event in the world, including, World Cup Soccer, comes close to achieving this grip and transformation for so long, on so many lives, over 1.2 billion, There is no other event or observance that involves so many people in so many parts of the world. There is no other faith or circumstance that causes such change, sacrifice, awareness of Almighty God, devotion, social harmony, exodus to places of worship, sharing, abstinence and display of true brotherhood.

This is in fact an annual miracle. And Al Hamdulillah, we are part of it and contribute to making it a reality.

We should therefore take advantage of the power and nature of this month to try and correct the misconceptions of Islam and Muslims. Let our voices and actions shout out to the world the Peace, Love, Harmony and Brotherhood of Humanity that is Islam.Let our friends, neighbors, co-workers and everyone else know who we are and what are our principles. If we do this in the right way, we would have succeeded in a great Dawa.

May we have a successful Ramadan 1432 (2010) and may we have the desire and ability to fulfill our duties and obligations in this powerful and gracious month, In Shah Allah.

Let us rejoice in the knowledge that the fast that we have fasted for Allah SWT will be accepted, as are all good done for the sake of Allah SWT..