Why Having a True Understanding of Ramadan is Essential

All Muslims are required to fast everyday throughout Ramadan. Christians also fast but not during a specified time.

What if we are fasting incorrectly? Will Allah still accept our fasting? Email us if you are worried Allah won’t accept your fasting.

It’s essential we have a true understanding of Ramadan so our fasting isn’t in vain.

True Understanding of Ramadan According to the Quran

Muslim scholars agree on the definition of fasting—avoiding food, drink, intercourse, and other lusts.

• How do we know the rules of fasting? Sura Al-Baqarah states, “The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an . . . whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it . . .”
• Besides that verse, there are no instructions about fasting in the Quran. It simply says, “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous” (Qs 2:183).
• According to Ibn Abbas, Muslims must fast like the People of the Book. How do Jews and Christians fast?

How Jews Fast

Fasting is very important to Jews. Religious people fast all day every Monday and Thursday. They fast a few other specified days, too.

The purpose of their fasting is usually to ask for forgiveness from sin, as a sign of gratitude to Allah, for mourning, and to request Allah’s help.

How Christians Fast

Christians have fasted throughout history. But there isn’t a specific date or day when they fast together. Some people fast for a few hours, some all day or week, and others for up to 40 days. Their purpose for fasting is the same as Jews; not to seek rewards but to get closer to Allah.

Jews and Christians have never had rules to fast all day for 30 days during Ramadan. Why do Muslims fast that way? Could it have something to do with the way Arabs fasted before Islam? Send us your opinion.

True Understanding of Ramadan/Fasting

To have a true understanding of Ramadan/fasting, we need to read Allah’s Word. Why? Because there are a few rules and examples for us.

Five rules for fasting according to Allah’s Word:

1. Come humbly to Allah and confess your sin (Daniel 9:3-5).
2. Don’t look gloomy so others know you are fasting (Matthew 6:16).
3. Overcome Satan’s temptations by reading and reciting verses from the Torah, Zabur, and Injil (Matthew 4:2-11).
4. Don’t fast to be accepted by Allah (Luke 18:12-14).
5. Help those in poverty and being oppressed (Isaiah 58:6-7).

There are also great examples. The Prophets David and Elijah fasted. Moses and Isa Al-Masih fasted for 40 days. “And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he [Isa Al-Masih] was hungry” (Gospels, Matthew 4:2).

True Understanding of the Way to Heaven

However, we can agree fasting doesn’t assure we’ll go to Heaven. Having a true understanding of the way to Heaven is even more necessary, isn’t it? How can we get to Heaven?

It’s not through our good deeds or fasting. But through the only door Allah provided—Isa Al-Masih. Isa declared, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved . . .” (Gospels, John 10:9).

If you’re uncertain, ask Allah the Creator to show you the true door to Heaven.

SOME QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW 

We encourage our readers to comment on the article above. Comments that don’t directly relate to the topic will be removed. Please start a dialogue with us by focusing on one of the following questions:

1. Why is it important to have a true understanding of Ramadan and fasting?
2. Why do Jews and Christians fast a different way than Muslims?
3. What’s your understanding of how we can go to Heaven?
   

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