In Islam, the spiritual, social, economic, political and psychological benefits of fast are interrelated, each affecting the other. Rituals regulate the Muslims’ social and individual life
and bring them closer to their Creator. A combination of fast, prayers, and meditation may be the very best dose for any and all psychological, financial, and spiritual ills from which one may be
suffering. They purify the soul, cleanse the intention, and bring about an abundance of good from the Almighty Who is ever-watching over us and Who desires nothing but good for His sincere
servants.
On p. 353, Vol. 94, of Bihar al-Anwar, al-Majlisi traces a saying of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (as) saying that if one fasts at the beginning of a month, reciting in the first rek'at the
Fatiha once and al-Ikhlas thirty times (i.e., as many as the maximum days of the lunar month), and the Fatiha once and al-Qadr thirty times in the second rek’at following that with offering the
poor something by way of charity, it will dispel everything about which he apprehensive during the entire month.
Two other rek’ats are prescribed in the same reference as having even a greater effect on a eliever’5 life: Imam al-Jawad (as) is quoted saying, "Whoever offers two optional rek’ats at the
very beginning of the month of Ramadhan, reciting in the first the Fatiha and the Fath, and in the other whatever urak (Qur’anic chapter) he likes, Allah, the most Exalted One, will tot let him
suffer anything bad during his entire year, and he will remain thus protected till the next year."
During the month of Ramadhan, the believers learn to curb heir desires and check them against transgression, extravagance, and he yielding to the lower desires, all of which degenerate man
and wing him to the pit of self-destruction and annihilation. East fosters strong will, teaches patience and self-discipline, the ability to bear hardship and tolerate hunger and thirst. In shod,
it brings about a clear victory over one’s illicit desires and selfish impulses. It regulates and systemises the energies of instincts.
It trains the body to submit O lofty spiritual impulses. It safeguards the body’s health by protecting it against extravagance. It grants its organs a respite so that hey may be ready to
resume their activities. As medical science has roved, it is a medicine for many bodily and nervous ailments. It is a moral education, nourishment of supreme virtues.
It teaches the believer to abandon vices, to control emotions and instincts, to curb be tongue against saying what is wrong or inappropriate and the conscience against contemplating upon
wrongdoing or subversion. It promotes the spirit of unity among members of the fasting community; it teaches them humility and humbleness and instils within them be feeling of equality before
Allah subhanahu wa taala.
The rich ave to observe it as well as the poor, the women as well as the men, he influential and powerful as well as the weak and downtrodden. They all have to observe the fast. It promotes
the spirit of charity and compassion towards the poor and the needy, and it reminds each believer of the needs of other believers.
Muslims share with each other Allah’s blessings unto them. The believers strengthen their ties with the Almighty, since they express through fast a continuous desire) obey His Will and
carry out His commandments.
They also strengthen their ties with one another, since the month of Ramadhan the month of giving. It is the month for productive social interactivity. Islam places a great deal of emphasis
on moral excellence during this holy month. The holy Prophet of Islam (pbuh) has said, "One who,
while fasting, neither guards his tongue from telling lies nor refrains from doing bad deeds does not respect his fast, while Allah does not approve of mere abstention from food. When you
fast, you should not speak ill of anybody, nor should you be boisterous or noisy. If anybody speaks ill of you or tries to pick a quarrel with you, do not respond to him in the same manner;
rather, simply tell him that you are fasting."
The institute of the fast is one of the signs of the Almighty’s mercy on those who adhere to His divine creed, and it is never meant to put a hardship on anybody. The Almighty does not gain
any benefit from putting hardship on anyone; on the contrary, He always tries to pave the way of happiness for His servants in this life and the life to come, and sometimes He even "pushes" them
to do what is good for them, as is the case with making the fast of the month of Ramadhan obligatory on every believing man and woman.
But if you afford this great month a sincere and profound welcome, you will receive your rewards in many, many ways both in the short life of this fleeting world and in the eternal abode,
InshaAllah. Page 83, Vol. 1, of the first edition of al-Kulayni’s AI-Kofi, as al-Majlisi tells us on p.
354, Vol. 94, of his own Bihar Al-Anwar, citing his own father quoting his mentor Shaykh the renowned faqhi Ali ibn Muhammad al-Madayni quoting Sa’eed ibn Hibatullah al-Rawandi quoting Ali
ibn AbdelSamad al-Naisapuri quoting al-Dooryasti quoting Shaykh al-Mufid saying that on the first day of the month of Ramadhan, one ought to supplicate thus:
Lord! The month of Ramadhan has arrived, and You have required us to fast during it and revealed the Qur’an as guidance to people and a clear distinction of the guidance and the right
criteria. O Lord! Help us observe its fast; accept the same from us; receive our fast from and safeguard the same for us in an ease from You and good health; surely You can do everything.
