Questions and Answers

Does a believer who fasts in the best of form and spirit contribute positively to society? Contributing positively to society is possible for a believer by universalization of the spirit of fasting. Every person in this world who eats, and drinks should acknowledge the act of eating and drinking as exceptional—as if God Almighty were directly sending down these blessings to him. One must make the spirit of fasting a universal realization for oneself. That is, the profound feeling of God being the Giver and one’s own self being the ‘taker’ should incite him to become a ‘giver’ member of society. That is, one should strive to give to others what one is receiving from the Creator. Why does God give unlimited reward for fasting? In a Hadith, the Prophet of Islam has said: “Every deed in Islam is rewarded from ten to seven hundred times. But God says, ‘Fasting is for me, and I will give unlimited reward to one who fasts.’” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1151) According to this tradition explains that one who fasts gives up food and water for the sake of God. Here, ‘for the sake of God’ means that one who fasts, does so only for God and prepares himself for the mission of God. Due to this high purpose, he will be given the highest reward. In the month of Ramadan, it is required that every believer must go through the Quran and find out the message of the Quran and adopt the spreading of this message as his mission. So, every year, one month is meant for preparation and eleven months for spreading the message of the Quran to all mankind. What is the night of reward? It is reported in a portion of an authentic Hadith reported by Abu Hurairah: “During the last night of Ramadan, the sins of all the believers who have been fasting are forgiven. It was asked,