Author: Mohammad Medani Bahagianda*
Suaraanaknegerinews.com – Fasting is one of the main worships in Islam that is obligatory for Muslims during the month of Ramadan. In addition to refraining from eating and drinking, fasting is also a means to practice patience and piety.
Ramadan is not only about curbing hunger, but also about shaping the character of a Muslim, controlling emotions, and strengthening the relationship with Allah SWT. Fasting is a form of spiritual practice that teaches patience, self-control, and empathy for the less fortunate.
- Evidence on the Obligation to Fasting
The obligation to fast in Ramadan is mentioned in the Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah verse 183:
يٰٓـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا كُتِبَ عَلَيۡکُمُ الصِّيَامُ کَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِيۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِکُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُوۡنَۙ
“O you who believe, it is obligatory for you to fast as it is obligatory for those before you that you may be pious.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 183)
This verse emphasizes that fasting is not just an obligation, but also a means to achieve piety. Fasting tests a person’s patience in facing worldly temptations, teaches discipline, and increases obedience to Allah SWT.
- Fasting as a Patience Exercise
Fasting involves intense self-control. During fasting, a Muslim must be patient in resisting hunger, thirst, and various other temptations. Allah SWT praises those who are patient in many verses of the Qur’an, one of which is in Surah Az-Zumar verse 10:
قُلۡ يٰعِبَادِ الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوۡا رَبَّكُمۡ ؕ لِلَّذِيۡنَ اَحۡسَنُوۡا فِىۡ هٰذِهِ الدُّنۡيَا حَسَنَةٌ ؕ وَاَرۡضُ اللّٰهِ وَاسِعَةٌ ؕ اِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصّٰبِرُوۡنَ اَجۡرَهُمۡ بِغَيۡرِ حِسَابٍ
“Say (Muhammad), “O my faithful servants! Fear your Lord.” For those who do good in this world, they will get good. And the earth of God is vast. Only those who are patient are perfected without limits.” (QS. Az-Zumar: 10)
Ramadan fasting is a moment in which every Muslim seeks to achieve the highest patience, refraining from anything that breaks the fast, such as anger or the temptation to eat and drink. Thus, patience is at the core of fasting.
In Surah Al-Baqarah verse 45, Allah SWT also reminds about the importance of patience and prayer as help in facing challenges, including fasting:
وَاسۡتَعِيۡنُوۡا بِالصَّبۡرِ وَالصَّلٰوةِ ؕ وَاِنَّهَا لَكَبِيۡرَةٌ اِلَّا عَلَى الۡخٰشِعِيۡنَۙ
“And ask for help (from Allah) with patience and prayer. And (prayer) is really heavy, except for those who are solemn,” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 45)
Fasting in the month of Ramadan teaches us to ask Allah SWT for help through patience, especially when facing difficulties.
- Hadith about Fasting and Patience
The Prophet Muhammad SAW also called fasting a strong fortress (protection). One of the most famous hadiths says: “Fasting is a shield. Therefore, if one of you is fasting, let him not speak dirty and not shout. If anyone reproaches him or invites him to fight, let him say: ‘I am fasting.’ (HR. Bukhari and HR. Muslim)
This hadith underlines that fasting serves as a protector from punishment and sin, which can be achieved through patience in restraining lust during Ramadan. Fasting strengthens a Muslim’s mental resilience in the face of worldly temptations.
In addition, the Prophet Muhammad SAW said in a hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad, Muslims, and An-Nasa’i: “Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan with faith and expects rewards from Allah, then his past sins are forgiven. And whoever establishes the night prayer in the month of Ramadan with faith and expects a reward from Allah, then his past sins are forgiven.(HR. Sahih al-Bukhari and HR. Sahih Muslim)
In this context, fasting that is carried out with patience and sincerity brings forgiveness of sins, as long as it is done with full faith and confidence in Allah SWT.
- Important Events That Occurred During Ramadan
Ramadan is a month full of blessings, and several major events in Islamic history occurred during this month, demonstrating the importance of patience in the face of trials:
Battle of Badr (2 Hijri). This war occurred on the 17th of Ramadan. Although the Muslim army was much smaller than the Quraish army, they remained steadfast, patient, and surrendered to Allah. The victory in the Battle of Badr teaches that patience and faith in God are able to overcome all worldly limitations.
Liberation of Makkah (Fathu Makkah) (8 Hijri). On the 20th of Ramadan, the Prophet Muhammad SAW succeeded in freeing Makkah from the rule of the Quraish without bloodshed.
The patience of the Prophet and his companions over the years of persecution finally paid off.
This event shows that patience in the face of adversity and oppression will lead to victory and blessings.
The descent of the Qur’an (Nuzulul Qur’an). The Qur’an was revealed in the month of Ramadan as a guide to life for all mankind. This event occurred on a night known as Lailatul Qadar (Night of Glory), which occurred on one of the odd nights in the last 10 days of Ramadan.
This night has a very high virtue, as mentioned in Surah Al-Qadr:
لَيۡلَةُ الۡقَدۡرِ ۙ خَيۡرٌ مِّنۡ اَلۡفِ شَهۡرٍؕ
“The night of glory is better than a thousand moons.” (QS. Al-Qadr (3)
- Conclusion
Ramadan fasting not only functions as physical worship, but also as a spiritual exercise to strengthen patience, self-control, and piety to Allah SWT.
In fasting, a Muslim learns to refrain from all temptations and develops patience that will help them face challenges in their daily lives.
Fasting trains Muslims to be patient in resisting hunger, thirst, anger, and the temptation of lust. The evidences from the Qur’an and the hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad SAW show how important patience is in achieving rewards and blessings during Ramadan.
Major events that occur during Ramadan, such as the Battle of Badr, Fathu Makkah, and Nuzulul Qur’an, also teach that patience and steadfastness in carrying out worship and daily life will bring victory, blessings, and forgiveness from Allah SWT.
May Allah SWT give us strong patience and accept every one of our worship in the holy month of Ramadan. (Arsiya Oganara)
*Author Profile:
Mohammad Medani Bahagianda (MMB) was born in Teluk Betung, April 9 1964. He completed his undergraduate studies in Civil Engineering at Medan Area University in Medan City, North Sumatra.
Currently, Medani is with his beloved wife, Nurhikmah, who always accompanies him in his joys and sorrows. As well as his beloved Dhyna Annisa Maghfira Bahagianda. ST, Mohammad Syafiq Halim Bahagianda S.H, and Ghina Salsabila Qotrunada Bahagianda, S.Sos., like reading and writing. For correspondence, please contact e-mail: saibatinsukamarga@gmail.com.
