As Muslims, we fast during the month of Ramadan because Allah SWT commands us to fast during this blessed time:

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:185)

But in His immense Mercy, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى allows us to reap so many more rewards and benefits from fasting during this month, beyond simply fulfilling His commandment! Read on to learn how!

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:183)

The beautiful month of Ramadan is fast approaching (no pun intended!). Ramadan is the month of training, restraining, and improving ourselves. It comes with immense rewards and mercy from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. Along with the tremendous reward, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى has blessed the fasting individual with innumerous health and spiritual benefits, some of which are discussed below.

Rewards of Fasting:

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported Allah’s Messenger ﷺ as saying: “Every (good) deed of the son of Adam would be multiplied, a good deed receiving a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى has said: With the exception of fasting, for it is done for Me and I will give a reward for it, for one abandons his passion and food for My sake. There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts, joy when he breaks it, and joy when he meets his Lord, and the breath (of an observer of fast) is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk.” (Sahih Muslim 1151e)

It was narrated that Abu Saeed Al-Khudri رضي الله عنه said: “The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Whoever fasts one day in the cause of Allah, Allah will separate between his face and the fire by (a distance of) seventy autumns in return for that day.'” (Sunan an-Nasa’i 2245)

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه said: “The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, he will be forgiven his previous sins.”‘ (Sunan an-Nasa’i 2205)

Physical and Health Benefits of Fasting:

Miqdam bin Madikarib said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: ‘A human being fills no worse vessel than his stomach. It is sufficient for a human being to eat a few mouthfuls to keep his spine straight. But if he must (fill it), then one third of food, one third for drink and one third for air.'” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3349)

• Fasting helps in weight loss and improves brain function.
• Fasting cleanses and detoxifies the body.
• Fasting lowers blood pressure, improves heart health and cholesterol levels.
• Fasting promotes improved sleep.
• Fasting improves eating habits.
• Fasting slows the aging process.
• Fasting helps with addictions.
• Fasting improves digestion and aids metabolism.
• Fasting improves kidney and liver function.

Spiritual Benefits of Fasting:

• Fasting engages one in charity. Fasting gives the real taste of thirst and hunger and engages a person in being more charitable.
• Fasting causes a person to be more humble and socially aware.
• Fasting improves self-control, self-discipline, patience, and perseverance. One learns to strive against the soul or “Nafs.”
• Fasting teaches time management.
• Fasting improves mental health.
• Fasting improves self-control.

Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said, “When the month of Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of the (Hell) Fire are closed, and the devils are chained.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3277)

Subhan Allah, our Lord, has filled this month with mercy, reward, and blessings. He سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى makes it easy for us to do good deeds by chaining the devils. Let’s make this Ramadan our best one ever. May Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى help us reach this blessed month, and may He increase us in reward, forgive our sins, and bless us with excellent health and iman((faith). Ameen!