darulmaarif.net – Indramayu, 29 February 2026 | 19.00 WIB
Every year Ramadan comes to say hello. The mosque is busy again, the recitations of the Koran are echoing, and the sahur and breaking the fast tables are becoming more special. However, in the midst of all this excitement, there is one question that is worth pondering: is fasting only limited to holding back hunger and thirst, or does it hold big secrets that shape the personality of a believer?
As Muslims, we believe that Ramadan fasting is not just an annual tradition. It is a great worship that contains the secrets of mental education, character formation, physical health, and strengthening social solidarity. Therefore, understanding the secret of fasting is very important so that Ramadan does not pass without a trace on us.
Dr Yusuf Al-Qardawi in his book Al-‘Ibadah fil Islam explained that behind fasting there are a number of deep wisdoms that shape humans as a whole. Here are some fasting secrets that we should ponder together.
1. Fasting Strengthens the Soul and Controls Lust
In the modern era, humans are often enslaved by their own desires. Desires are fulfilled without limits, ambitions are pursued without control, so that the values of truth and propriety are often ignored. Even though Islam does not order us to kill our desires, but rather to control them.
Allah SWT reminds us in His words:
Have you ever seen someone who made his desires his god, and Allah misled him with his knowledge, then his hearing and his heart were closed, and his sight was closed? Then who will guide him after God? Don’t you remember?
Meaning: “Do you know (Prophet Muhammad), the person who made his desires his God and was allowed to go astray by Allah with His knowledge, Allah has locked his hearing and his heart and closed his sight, who is able to give him guidance after Allah (let him go astray)? Have you (O humans) not learned a lesson?” (QS. Al-Jatsiyah Verse 23)
This verse is a strong warning that when lust is uncontrolled, it can take the position of “God” in a person’s life.
Fasting comes as an exercise in self-control. When someone is able to resist hunger and thirst that are halal, it will be easier to reject what is haram. A soul that is trained by fasting will become strong, clean, and closer to Allah SWT.
Rasulullah SAW said:
There were three people whose invitations were not rejected; The just priest, and the one who fasted until he broke the fast, and the prayers of the oppressed were carried on a cloud and the gates of heaven were opened for him, and God said: By My might, I will surely help you, even after a while.
Meaning: “There are three groups whose prayers are not rejected: pious leaders, those who fast until they break their fast, and the prayers of those who have been wronged whom Allah raised above the clouds, opened the gates of heaven for them, then Allah said: ‘By My Glory, I will definitely help you even though it will be some time later’.” (HR. Imam Al-Baihaqi in As-Sunan Al-Kubro)
The prayers of people who fast are effective because they are in a state of solemn and clean soul.
2. Fasting Educates Willpower and Patience
Fasting is also a madrasa for patience. He educates the will (iradah) to remain steadfast in goodness even though temptation is wide open.
In everyday life, people often do good when the situation supports them. But when things get tough, that commitment weakens. Fasting trains consistency. It forms spiritual strength that is not easily shaken by circumstances.
Rasulullah SAW said:
Fasting is half of patience
Meaning: “Fasting is half of patience.” (HR. Imam at-Tirmidhi)
Patience is not only about surviving difficulties, but also the ability to take care of yourself when you are in the wilderness. People who are trained to fast are not easily arrogant when they succeed, and do not easily despair when they fail. This is the character of a spiritually mature believer.
3. Fasting is physically healthy
Apart from the spiritual dimension, fasting also has a positive impact on physical health. Scholars and health experts agree that the body needs time to rest from the continuous digestive process.
In the Islamic tradition, Rosululloh SAW taught a balanced diet: one third for food, one third for drink, and one third for air. This principle shows that Islam really pays attention to bodily health.
Fasting that is carried out correctly will give the body’s organs the opportunity to rest, cleanse toxins and improve the metabolic system. In this way, fasting becomes a form of worship that is healthy for the body and mind at the same time.
4. Fasting teaches the value of gratitude for blessings
People often forget to be grateful for their blessings because they focus too much on what they don’t have. One favor feels less because you want two, two feels less because you want three, and so on.
Fasting teaches us to experience directly the meaning of blessings. After only a few hours of enduring hunger and thirst, the body began to feel weak. When it’s time to break the fast, a sip of water or a date feels so delicious.
Allah SWT says:
And when your Lord declared His permission: Indeed, if you are grateful, I will certainly increase your number, but if you disbelieve, truly, My punishment will be painful.
Meaning: “And (remember also), when your Lord announced: ‘Indeed, if you are grateful, We will surely increase (favors) to you, and if you deny (My favors), then My punishment will be very painful.'” (QS. Ibrahim Verse 7)
Fasting educates the heart to be sensitive to Allah’s gifts, no matter how small. People who are good at being grateful not only increase their enjoyment, but also increase their peace of mind.
5. Fasting Fosters Solidarity and Social Concern
Another big secret of fasting is the growth of social empathy. The hunger and thirst that we feel for several hours becomes a bridge to understand the suffering of our brothers and sisters who are in need.
This experience should give rise to concern, not just momentary sympathy. Therefore, before Ramadan ends, we are obliged to pay zakat fitrah as a concrete form of solidarity.
Allah SWT says:
Take alms from their wealth to purify them and purify them with it, and bless them. Indeed, your prayer is a comfort to them, and Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Meaning: “Take zakat from some of their wealth (to cleanse and purify them), and pray for them because your prayer is truly a peace for them. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (QS. At-Taubah Verse 103)
Zakat not only cleanses wealth, but also cleanses the soul from stinginess, excessive love of the world, and indifference towards others.
From the explanation above, it is clear that the secret of fasting in Ramadan does not stop at refraining from eating and drinking. It is a process of forming the soul, educating the will, maintaining health, strengthening feelings of gratitude, and growing social solidarity.
If after Ramadan has passed we become more patient, more caring, more grateful, and closer to Allah, then that is a sign that we have discovered the secret behind fasting. However, if there is no change, we may just endure hunger—without really understanding its meaning.
So the question is no longer have we fasted today? On the contrary: has fasting changed our souls?
Hope it is useful. Wallohu a’lam.
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