What is the Wisdom Behind Fasting?

Have you ever wondered why we have been commanded to fast in Ramadan? What is the wisdom, the purpose of fasting?

Usually, when Allah سبحانه و تعالى commands His believing servants or obligates them with some Legislation, He just mentions the command, without explaining the wisdom for it. This is because the general wisdom behind Allah's سبحانه و تعالى placing duties upon His servants is that He should test them by it, so that it should become apparent those who will obey Him and those who will disobey Him, the Exalted and Most High.

However in this aayah, Allaah سبحانه و تعالى mentioned something that is not found frequently in the Qur'an, which is that He mentioned the reason for the order to Fast, by His saying:

 

"So that you may become Al-Muttaqun i.e. people of Taqwaa"

Ramadan is so much more than just abstaining from food, drink and sexual intercourse. Abstinence from these are obligatory, but the wisdom behind the prescription of fasting is that the Muslim should increase in obedience to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى in the month of Ramadan, and become more obedient than he was before it.

Particular care must be taken to avoid backbiting, carrying tales, false witness, lying and all other such forbidden actions that we usually take lightly. Everyday, for thirty days, every fasting person should examine his or herself and see; is he just withholding from the material things and neglecting the intangible things? Has he made a conscious effort to change his behavior and manners in the blessed month of Ramadan? 

In the blessed month of Ramadan, where we all try to increase our acts of worship to draw closer to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, in the hope that Allaah سبحانه و تعالى will guide and grant us all success, know that true tawfeeq will only come if we make the month a month of change for us, inside and outside.

This is a simple but important reminder to myself and all my brothers and sisters.