Fasting or Saum (and related terms) has been used 14 times in the Glorious Qur’an. Ayahs 183 and 184 of Surah al-Baqarah of the Glorious Qur’an refers to fasting as, “O believers, fasting has been made mandatory for you as it was made mandatory for the people before you, so that you may fear of Allah (s.w.t.). Fasting is only for a certain number of days. One who is sick or on a journey should fast the same number of days at another time. Those who cannot afford redemption should feed a poor person. Good deeds performed on one’s own initiative will be rewarded……..”

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) of Allah (s.w.t.) said, “Ramadhan is the month in which you have been invited to the Banquet of Allah (s.w.t.). In this month, you have been made of those people whom Allah (s.w.t.) loves and respects. Your sleep in this month is considered as worship and even your breaths are treated as glorification to Allah (s.w.t.). In the sight of Allah, this month is the best month, its days are the best days, its nights are the best nights, and its hours are the best hours. The gates of Heaven are open in this month, so ask your Lord not to close them. The gates of Hell are closed, so ask your Lord not to open them. Shaitans are in chains, so ask your Lord not to allow them to dominate over you. When you feel hungry and thirsty in this month, remember the hunger and thirst of the Day of Resurrection.”

Prophet Musa and Prophet Eisa both attained spiritual up liftment in 40 days while fasting. Torah was revealed on 7^th Ramadhan, Bible was revealed on 14^thRamadhan and the Glorious Qur’an was revealed on 23^rd of Ramadhan.

There is a tradition that during the Ascension (Mai’raj), the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) asked Allah (s.w.t.), “O My Lord! What is the outcome of fasting in Ramadhan?” Allah (s.w.t.) replied, “Fasting leads to wisdom, wisdom leads to knowledge, knowledge leads to certainty, when a servant attains certainty, then it does not matter to him whether he lives in difficulty or ease.”

In the Shia Islam, Fasting or Saum is the second Branch of Islam. Every Commandment of Allah (s.w.t.) is directed towards enormous benefits to the mankind. Allah (s.w.t.) loves seventy times more than a man’s mother loves him. There are countless benefits of fasting for human beings; physical, mental, and spiritual.

Physical Benefits: There are many benefits to cure various sicknesses and ailments; fasting helps weight loss, helps control diabetes by lowering blood sugar, lowers bad cholesterol and systolic blood pressure, improves hunger and immune system, improves skin health and promotes long life.

Mental Benefits: Mental health of a person is closely related to physical health. Hence, when overall health improves it would impact the mental health as well. It improves the nervous system functioning. A fasting person experiences peace and tranquility.

Spiritual Benefits: Nine out of ten Branches of Islam involve physical activities. Fasting is the only one which is between the fasting person and Allah (s.w.t.). Whether the fasting person is truly following the prohibition of fasting or not is only known to Allah (s.w.t.). Fasting purifies the soul, cleans the intention, and stimulates the person to do virtuous deeds. It enhances will to control desires, check transgression, realize the hunger and thirst of the poor. If fasting is practiced with the true intention of “Qurbatan Ilallah” or “Closeness to Allah”, the fasting person may enter the realm of angels!