Significance

What are the benefits to individuals and the community of fasting in the month of Ramadan? [10]

Physical

• The physical benefits are that a person’s digestive system is given a rest and the whole system is cleansed.
• By fasting the general health of an individual improves as the digestive system is given a rest.
• Also fasting helps a person to lose weight, get rid of toxins from the body.

Social

• They could say that they become aware of the plight of the less fortunate ones in society and strive to help them.
• Concern for all in society is heightened thus improving the moral fibre of individuals and society at large.
• When Muslims fast and experience hunger they realise the sufferings of the poor and feel sympathy for them which not only makes them kinder people but earns them the pleasure of God and when they try to help the needy it improves social relations between them which in turn will have a positive impact on the community.
• Fasting brings a man closer to his creator and makes him grateful for his daily sustenance thus less arrogant and humbler which will lead him/her to help those less fortunate.
• Yet another advantage is that people get together to open their fasts in the mosque or families and friends are invited to open their fasts together and this promotes friendship and love between them.
• Fasting creates a sense of awareness to the plight of others and takes away selfishness, and thereby improves social relations, building an atmosphere of virtue, peace and brotherhood.

Moral

• It builds taqwa in a Muslim.
  • It does so by teaching sincerity to a Muslim and helps a person live by the rules of his/her faith;
  • Fasting teaches individuals to control and discipline their primal desires and morally strengthens them;
  • It teaches self-control, enabling individuals to resist temptations, thus strengthening the moral core of a Muslim.
• When Muslim abstains from food, drink, foul talk etc. to earn the pleasure of God it builds his moral character and he learns self-restraint and self-control which is an individual benefit but also impacts upon the community,
  • e.g. if a man was to lose his temper and in a state of anger was going to abuse or hit someone on the street they will, having learnt self-control whilst fasting be able to control their anger and not hit out leading to a more peaceful society.
• It could also be said that Muslims spend more time in ibada in this month and so feel closer to God
• For example, candidates could say that fasting builds up a person’s moral character by teaching him/her self-control and self-restraint.
• When a person fasts, it develops empathy in him/her as they feel the hunger pangs of the poor.
• Fasting also brings a Muslim closer to God, it makes them reflect on all the favours that God has bestowed upon them and as it is a month in which Muslims not only fast but endeavour to keep away from everything which displeases God their spiritual side is strengthened.