By Ishola Balogun

The very essence of fasting, according to the Holy Quran, is piety (taqwa). Allah Subhanahu-wa-Taala said: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed upon those before you in order that you may attain taqwa,” Qur’an 2:183.

You can only gain taqwa if you abide by the rules of fasting, shun vain talk, backbiting, defamation falsehood and spread love and blessings to others. The Prophet (s.a.w) said: “Fasting is a shield. Let no one of you— during his fasting day— behave in an obscene manner, or become angry. If anybody abuses or fights with him, let him say: I am fasting,” (Bukhari & Muslim).

So we should ask ourselves, after each day of fasting: Has this fasting made us more fearful and obedient to Allah? Has it aided us in distancing ourselves from sins and disobedience?

Be conscious of your gazes. See no evil and speak no evil about anybody, but submerge your inner feeling with the presence of God. See Allah. Even though you see Him not, He sees you at all times.

In this part of the world, where crazy wears filled the environment, one needs to be careful never to treat obscenity with a second gaze.

The purpose of fasting is to control the soul and refine it. The Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever does not refrain from falsehood in sayings and deeds and acts of ignorance, Allah has no need of his abstention from food and drink,” (Bukhari).

Fasting also means abstaining from evil talks. So if anyone abuses you, ignore him and walk away. A fasting Muslim is meek with high level of self-restraint. The month of Ramadan is the month of Patience. So fasting is called patience because it restrains the soul from