Every year, as the blessed month of Ramadan arrives, Muslims around the world embrace one of the most transformative acts of worship in Islam — fasting. Yet fasting in Ramadan is far more than abstaining from food and drink. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) reveals the profound purpose behind this pillar of Islam in Surah Al-Baqarah: “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed for the nations before you, so that you may reach the level of taqwa.” This Ramadan Memoir invites us to reflect deeply on what it truly means to fast — not merely with the stomach, but with the heart, the tongue, and the soul — in pursuit of the highest spiritual station a believer can aspire to: taqwa.
Understanding Taqwa — The True Goal of Fasting and Faith
Before we can fast properly, we must understand what we are fasting for. Taqwa is an Arabic word that literally means to shield or protect oneself — specifically, to protect oneself from the punishment of Allah by being an obedient, conscious servant. The scholars of Islam defined taqwa as obeying Allah through the light of the Qur’an and the Sunnah, knowing what is halal and what is haram, seeking reward from Allah alone, and refraining from disobedience out of both love and fear of Him. The companion Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) beautifully illustrated this concept when asked to define taqwa. He replied with a question: “Have you ever walked on a path full of thorns?” When the questioner said yes, Abu Hurairah asked what he did — and the man replied that he lifted his garment and stepped carefully, checking before every footfall so nothing would harm him. Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) said: “That is exactly how the person of taqwa moves through this life.” Every word, every action, every choice is weighed against what pleases Allah — because the people of taqwa are always conscious that they are travelling toward the Hereafter, and they will be asked about everything.
“And whosoever has taqwa of Allah, He will make a way out for them, and will provide for them from where they do not expect.” — [Al-Qur’an, Surah At-Talaq 65:2-3]
The Rewards of Taqwa — Joy in This World and the Hereafter
Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) does not leave the believers without guidance on how to attain taqwa, nor does He leave us wondering what awaits those who achieve it. In the Qur’an, the qualities of al-muttaqun — those who possess taqwa — are described with remarkable clarity. They sleep little during the night, standing in prayer (Taraweeh and Qiyam al-Layl) as the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) demonstrated. Before the first light of Fajr, they seek forgiveness from Allah, whispering their repentance in the stillness of the pre-dawn hours. A portion of their wealth is always set aside for the needy, reflecting hearts that are generous and purified from attachment to this world. These qualities do not descend upon a person overnight — they are cultivated through striving, patience, and consistent acts of worship. Ramadan is the greatest annual opportunity for this cultivation.
- Fasting is a pillar of Islam — prescribed for every believer as a direct command from Allah in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185)
- Taqwa is the goal — not mere hunger or thirst, but a heightened God-consciousness that shapes every decision and action
- Laylat al-Qadr awaits — a single night in the last ten days of Ramadan that is better than a thousand months of worship (Surah Al-Qadr 97:1-5)
- Gates of Paradise are opened — the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) confirmed that in Ramadan, the gates of Jannah open, the gates of Hellfire close, and the devils are chained (Al-Bukhari 1898)
- Sins are expiated — whoever fasts Ramadan and prays its nights out of sincere faith and seeking reward will have their previous sins forgiven (Al-Bukhari 2014)
- Provision comes from unexpected places — those with taqwa are promised that Allah will open doors of ease and sustenance beyond their reckoning
- Umrah in Ramadan equals Hajj — the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said performing Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to performing Hajj with him (Al-Bukhari 1782)
“Indeed, the muttaqeen (those with taqwa) will be in gardens and springs.” — [Al-Qur’an, Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:15]
Ramadan is not simply a month on the Islamic calendar — it is a divinely appointed season of transformation for believers who approach it with sincerity and purpose. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) in His infinite mercy did not leave us to discover the path to taqwa on our own. He revealed the Qur’an in this very month as a guidance and criterion for all of humanity. He prescribed fasting as a structured, proven means of disciplining the soul and elevating the believer to a higher state of consciousness and spirituality. The person who fasts properly — guarding not just the stomach but the eyes, the tongue, the ears, and the heart — emerges from Ramadan closer to Allah, more aware of their purpose in this life, and better equipped to navigate the thorns of the world with care and wisdom. As this Ramadan Memoir reminds us, the real question we must each ask ourselves is not simply whether we are fasting, but whether our fast is carrying us toward the station of taqwa that Allah has promised will bring joy in this world and everlasting happiness in the Hereafter. May Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) make us among al-muttaqun.
