All About RAMADAN

Are You Truly Fasting?

Are You Truly Fasting? The Essence of Ramaḍān Beyond Hunger and Thirst

Ramaḍān is a month of immense blessings, a time when the gates of Paradise are open, the doors of Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained. However, fasting in Ramaḍān is not merely about staying hungry and thirsty. It is a time for spiritual purification—of the heart, the speech, and the actions. The real question is: Are you truly fasting, or are you merely starving yourself?

The Prophet ﷺ warned us that some people gain nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst. He ﷺ said:

"There are people who fast and get nothing from their fast except hunger, and there are those who pray at night and get nothing from their prayer except sleeplessness."
📚 [Ibn Mājah 1690 | Sahih]

This hadith is a stark reminder that fasting is not just about refraining from food and drink but also about controlling our tongues, actions, and emotions. Let’s explore how we can make our fast meaningful and ensure that we truly benefit from Ramaḍān.

1. Fasting is More Than Abstaining From Food and Drink

The Prophet ﷺ defined true fasting as more than just avoiding eating and drinking. He ﷺ said:

"Fasting is not merely abstaining from food and drink; rather, true fasting is refraining from idle talk and obscenities. If someone insults you or acts ignorantly toward you, then say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.’"
📚 [Sunan Ibn Mājah 1690 | Sahih]

This hadith highlights that our fast must involve self-restraint in all aspects of life—not just hunger, but also speech, thoughts, and behavior. Let’s reflect on some critical aspects of how we should be fasting.

A. Guarding the Tongue

Our tongue is one of the most dangerous parts of our body. A single word can ruin our fast, and a careless statement can destroy our good deeds. The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Whoever does not give up false speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of him giving up his food and drink."
📚 [Bukhari 1903]

This means that if we continue to lie, gossip, or use abusive language, our fast loses its reward. How can we expect our fasting to purify us when our tongues remain impure?

Ask yourself:

Am I avoiding gossip and slander?

Am I refraining from backbiting and spreading rumors?

Am I using my tongue to remember Allah, recite Qur'an, and make du‘ā’?

B. Controlling Anger and Arguments

One of the greatest tests in Ramaḍān is controlling our emotions. Fasting is meant to teach us patience and self-restraint. If someone provokes us, we must remember the prophetic guidance:

"If someone insults you or argues with you, say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.’"

This practice helps us maintain dignity and composure, ensuring that we do not waste our fast by engaging in fights and disputes.

2. Let Your Limbs Fast Too

Jābir Ibn ‘Abd Allāh رضي الله عنه said:

"When you fast, then let your hearing, your sight, and your tongue fast and abstain from lies and ḥarām things, and avoid harming your neighbor. Be tranquil and dignified and do not let the day you fast and the day you do not fast be the same."
📚 [Shu‘ab al-Īmān lil-Bayhaqī 247/5]