Fasting is a Quranic injunction prescribed upon the believers so that they may attain self restraint (2:183). The idea of discipline is all about taming the human soul and not allowing the evil that often emanates from it to manifest into your daily life. Fasting is undertaken to do exactly this: to discipline oneself.
Abstaining from food and drink is just one aspect of the fast: Muslims should also abstain from vain talk; raising their voice; using foul language; having sexual relations with their spouse (between dawn and dusk) and becoming angry. It is therefore a fast of the mind, body and soul.
Fasting, essentially, is about bettering oneself. It is a time for reflection and contemplation. To look at your character and improve it; to master your ego, and suppress your desires.As the sun makes its final descent in the waning hours of the day, the faithful Muslim knows that in a couple of hours he or she will be able to eat. The hunger pangs are no longer a challenge because the desires of the human body have submitted to the will of the fasting Muslim.
Immediately upon sunset the fasting Muslim must break their fast by eating and drinking a small portion. Some Muslims may feel a desire to fast beyond sunset; however, obedience to Allah is more important than fasting beyond sunset. Therefore the fasting Muslim will break their fast, and say the sunset prayer, before eating a full meal.
When the 30 days of Ramadan are complete, the Muslim community will gather for the first of Islamâs holidays. These special days are called âIdâ (pronounced Eid). The Id consists of prayer, exchanging of gifts and joy on the part of the Muslim for completing another month of fasting for the good pleasure of Allah.
