ياايها الذين امنوا كتب عليكم الصيام كما كتب على الذين من قبلكم لعلكم تتقون
البقرہ آِیت ۱۸۳
O Believers, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you; that you may become cautious. (Al-Baqarah verse 183)
The word الصيام (al-sayam) is the plural of صوم (saum) which can be explained as abstinence. In one sense, it means abstaining from eating, drinking or having sexual relations from dawn to dusk. In another context, it also means abstaining from lie, anger, backbiting, abusive language and other negative actions. We can safely use the term ‘self restraint’ as a substitute for ‘saum’صوم.
The word تتقون is derived from word اتّقاء. It can be explained as the attitude and action of a person which is in line with the commandants of God. Being a متقی means: restraint from the undesirables and also to do desirables ordained by God. The term تقوی is synonymous with fear of God, piety, righteousness etc.
In short, fasting is not just control of hunger and thirst. It is meant to inculcate تقوی in its true sense in our everyday life. A fast is an opportunity to review our inner self, behaviours, actions and beliefs.
اياما معدودات فمن كان منكم مريضا او على سفر فعدة من ايام اخر وعلى الذين يطيقونه فدية طعام مسكين فمن تطوع خيرا فهو خير له وان تصومواخير لكم ان كنتم تعلمون
البقرہ آِیت ۱۸۴
These (fasts) are a certain number of days, but if any one of you is ill or on a journey let him (fast) a similar number of days later on; and for those who have the strength (but prefer not to keep fast) there is a ransom to feed a needy person. And if someone volunteers more good, it is good for him; but to fast is better for you, if you but knew. (Al-Baqarah verse 184)
In the beginning, those who could not keep fast due to travel or illness had two options: one, to keep the missed fasts in other days and two, to feed a needy instead of keeping the missed fasts. This was, however, a transitory order and later God revealed this order:
شهر رمضان الذي انزل فيه القران هدى للناس وبينات من الهدى والفرقان فمن شهد منكم الشهر فليصمه ومن كان منكم مريضا او على سفر فعدة من ايام اخر يريد الله بكم اليسرولايريد بكم العسر ولتكملوا العدة ولتكبروا الله على ماهداكم ولعلكم تشكرون
البقرہ آِیت ۱۸۵
The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Koran was sent down, a guidance for people, and clear verses of guidance and the criterion. Therefore, whoever of you witnesses the month, let him fast. But he who is ill, or on a journey shall (fast) a similar number (of days) later on. Allah wants ease for you and does not want hardship for you. And that you fulfill the number of days and exalt Allah who has guided you in order that you be thankful. (Al-Baqarah verse 185)
Ramadan is the month when Qur’an was revealed for our guidance. We must thank God and praise his glory for this gift of guidance. Reading and pondering over Qur’an is a very desirable deed, especially in this month. For this purpose special night prayers تراویح (traweeh) are also held. A star event in Ramadan is لیلۃ القد ر (laila-tul-qadr). God says:-
انا انزلناه في ليلة القدر وماادراك ماليلة القدر ليلة القدر خير من الف شهر تنزل الملائكة والروح فيها باذن ربهم من كل امر سلام هي حتى مطلع الفجر
We sent this (the Holy Koran) down on the Night of Decree. What could let you know what the Night of Decree is! The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months, in it the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) descend by the permission of their Lord upon every command. Peace it is, till the break of dawn. (Surah Al-Qadr)
Along with this when we read سورہ الدخان (Surah Al-Dukhan) verse 1-4:
حم والكتاب المبين انا انزلناه في ليلة مباركة انا كنا منذرين فيها يفرق كل امر حكيم
Ha Meem. By the Clear Book; that We sent down during a Blessed Night (laila-tul-Qadr). We are ever warning. In it every wise matter is determined. (Surah Al-Dhukhan verse 1-4)
So, this shows that لیلۃ القد ر (laila-tul-qadr) is the night when important decisions are taken by God, and angels led by Gabriel جبریل امین descend on earth with commands. The night is peace all the way till break of dawn. One must, therefore, supplicate to God and seek his mercy in this night of significance. Another feature of Ramadan is اعتکاف (aitakaf) or seclusion for a specific period (usually last ten days) in remembrance of God.
Charity is a commendable deed in Ramadan as it increases its magnitude. ذکر اللہ i.e remembering God is advised in state of fast. There is so much to write on this topic but I would conclude by saying that the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ و سلم is reported to have said:
لخلوف فم الصائم اطیب عند اللہ تعالی من ریح المسک
البخاری ۱۸۰۵
The mouth odour of a fasting person is for God, better then smell of musk. (Bukhari Hadith 1805)