The Wisdom Behind the Legislation of Fasting

Question: What is the wisdom behind the prescription of fasting? How many days did the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—fast? What does the phrase, “The one who performs cupping and the one who is cupped have broken their fast,” mean? And is the saying, “Fast and you will be healthy,” an authenticated ḥadith?

Answer: Concerning the wisdom for which fasting was legislated:

Fasting embodies profound purposes. Among them is the divine statement: “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become God-fearing” (Quran 2:183). In this verse Allah—Exalted is He—makes it clear that fasting is a means of attaining taqwā (piety, God-consciousness). Taqwā is a tremendous virtue; it is the sum of all goodness. Through fasting a believer acquires taqwā, for the act disciplines him in worship, accustoms him to enduring hardship, trains him to abandon familiar habits and desires, overcomes the urges of the soul that commands evil, and distances him from Satan. All of this cultivates taqwā, which is to carry out Allah’s commands and shun His prohibitions, seeking His reward and fearing His punishment. Thus one of the greatest merits of fasting is that it leads the servant to fear Allah. Taqwā is the fountainhead of all good, the mother of righteousness. Allah has attached many blessings to it, repeatedly commanded it in His Book, praised its people, promised them abundant reward, and informed us that He loves the God-fearing.