Why we fast
Fasting is one of the five pillars, made obligatory in the second year after the migration. Its purpose is not hunger but taqwa — being careful of Allah.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَYa ayyuha alladhina amanu kutiba ‘alaykumu as-siyam…O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was for those before you, so that you may be mindful of Allah. (al-Baqarah 2:183)
- Self-control — leaving what is lawful at a set time teaches mastery over wanting.
- Feeling with others — you learn what daily hunger is like.
- Attention — a month of Quran, prayer and giving.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever does not give up false speech and acting on it, Allah has no need of his giving up food and drink.” Fasting trains character, not the stomach.