Why Muslims fast during Ramadan..?

Alhamdulillah, Allah swt. has brought us back to this year's Ramadan, the month of blessings and grace-filled forgiveness. 

During his life, the Messenger of Allah. Ramadan fasting just as much as 9 times. Could be, fasting Ramadan fasting us more than the Prophet. Well, so far, have we ever ask: why the hell we fast? As long as we are still in the first day of fasting, there is no harm in us asking questions like that. 

Many reasons why we need to fast. Some of the reasons are as follows. 

First, as a form of self-assessment (self-assessment) whether we are people of faith or not. Note, in Sura al-Baqarah verse 183, the command starts with lafadz faith fasting, namely Yes ayyuhalladzina amanu - O believer. It is to evoke a sense of faith in the hearts of the Muslims. If the sense of faith lodged in our hearts, then God would call sweet. If otherwise, then the fast heavy. 

Are the companions of the Prophet which if recited to them verses that begin with lafadz Yes ayyuhalladzina amanu, then they will attach the ear. Why? Because after that call, there must be something important things to note. 

Well, as well as the verses of fasting. So, do not be surprised by the people who shamelessly eat / drink casually in public during Ramadan. Even if there are Muslims who do not fast because of justifiable reasons (such as illness, menstruation, old) then they should not do it demonstratively. Respect the month of Ramadan, which is one syi'ar God. People who respect syi'ar God, his mark is still storing the seeds of piety (see the Qur'an Surat al-Hajj, verse 32) 

Fortunately for those who respond to the call of God with joy. It was a sign of faith is still lodged in the heart. 

Secondly, fasting Ramadan instill self-esteem us that we, Muslims, are the people who most consistently maintain continuity of religious teachings sky. Note, the word of God, 'It is obligatory upon you to fast as required also to earlier generations' (al-Baqarah verse 183). 

This verse implies that fasting is not a new worship, which is solely devoted to Muslims. The followers of the Prophet fasted earlier also burdened command. Similarly, Jews and Christian celebration, also burdened fasting command. However, if two people run the command fasting is consistent? 

It was narrated from Hasan al-Basri rahimahullah, that he said, 'Verily Allah has made obligatory fasting of Ramadan to the Jews and Christians. However, the Jews left fasting in this month. They just fasting one day a year, on the day drowned Pharaoh and saved the Children of Israel. As for the Christians can also do the fasting of Ramadan. However, when the air is very hot, so they divert the Ramadan fasting in other months, ie in the month of Rabi '(spring). Then the monks they issued a fatwa, 'We need to add another 20 days of fasting, as ransom against our actions'. So, they fasted for 50 days. This is what Allah, 'They made ​​their scholars and monks as lords match for God' (letter at-Tawbah verse 31) 

What we Muslims? We just fasting one month. Nothing more. A maximum of 30 days, and a minimum of 29 days. Muslims never replace the Ramadan fast (whether in conjunction with summer, spring or rainy) in the other months. That means we are a people who consistently execute commands Ramadan fasting. 

Third, we need to fast for a reminder of the biggest favor in our lives, which favors the decrease of the Koran, which brings the principles of happiness in life. For this reason, Allah said, 'The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Koran descended, which serves as a guide-life (hudan) for humans and explanations (bayyinat) to clue-life, as well as a differentiator (furqan) between right and wrong '(al-Baqarah verse 185) 

Indeed, there is no book that is so enlightening and practical for us to resume practicing, except al-Quran. So great the Koran, it is no wonder there are always people who make false Koran. However, the authenticity of the Koran will be maintained until the Day of Resurrection, because it was the promise of Allah. Despite this, the Muslims still need to learn al-Quran properly. Prophet said., 'Verily Allah to raise the degree of divulging the al-Quran and dropping the other degrees also with the Koran'. 

Fourth, we need to fast so that we do not indulge our ambition abdomen and genitals. Indeed, all of the damage in the world largely because the two ambitions. 

Imam al-Ghazali rahimahullah said, 'Remember that the base of all the damage comes from the belly lust. Of the stomach lust, sexual lust arises. Because lust stomach, Adam out of paradise. Because lust stomach, the competition to reach the world in excess'. 

Is there a relationship between consumer behavior with lust stomach? Is there a relationship between corruption and lust stomach? Is there a relationship between the behavior of free sex with pubic lust? 

We already know the answer. 

Joseph alayhissalam is a public figure who likes to fast, when he was at the peak of power. Because of this habit, many people ask, 'Why are you still happy fasting, when you are the one who controls the state treasury?' Joseph replied, 'If I'm satisfied, I'm afraid of being forgotten by those hungry'. 

Subhanallah ... If only our leaders, ranging from the environment to the level of a state level, would follow the example of Joseph alayhissalam behavior, then how harmony of human life. 

Well, fasting teaches us to balance the two lust: lust and lust sex stomach. 

Fifth, fasting invites us to give time for a moment to clear our spiritual impurities. Who is the man who is never wrong? 

Ramadan is the mass training wash dirt stuck to the walls of our hearts. Ramadan provides an opportunity for us to draw closer to God, confide in Him, and beg mercy and forgiveness from Him. Ramadan is ghayts al-qulub - rainfall that soaks dry liver. 

Hopefully this Ramadan be one of our best Ramadan. Amen.