After eleven months of mankind following materialism, the desires and the temptations of life, Allah has made the month of Ramadan every year a time for the soul to take its justice from the oppressive needs of mankind.

It is a time for the soul to find its food, medicine and cure. Those who fast have been described like the respected angels.

Fasting during Ramadan is an action that involves training one’s self to control their desires and to defeat the temptations of life. If the believer could abstain from the halal during his fast, then it's an obligation on him to abstain from the haram also.

The Prophet (S) gave good news to the people who fast – the news of the great rewards and gifts that Allah had prepared for them:

That the first night Allah looks upon those who fast, and who ever Allah looks at he will never punish them. The angels would ask forgiveness for them every day and night. The breath of the fasting one is more beloved to Allah than the fragrance of musk.

Allah orders Paradise to get ready to welcome those who fast and on the last night of Ramadan, Allah forgives the sins of all the believers.

In addition to all these rewards, fasting is also a great college of Iman (faith). Within it lie various departments which include: the departments of Taqwa (God-fearing), goodness, the Quran, sacrifice and the department of sympathy and respect.

It should be made clear that no one can graduate from these departments except those whose fasting has been accepted. This is because fasting is not just keeping away from food and water, but more importantly, it is about keeping away from all the forbidden things and the things that nullify fasting.

There are three types of fasting:

General fasting: That is the fasting of general people; they simply abstain from food and drinking, whilst other organs are not fasting.

Special fasting: This is the abstention from food and drink as well as keeping the eyes, the ears, the hands and the feet away from the haram.

Special of the specials fasting: This is the finest and most favourable form of fasting. It involves steering clear of food and drink and guarding the eyes, ears, hands and feet from haram. It also includes the fasting of a believer with their hearts. They do not think only of Allah, but for Allah and with Allah, so it is fasting with the heart and the organs.

We must welcome this month by bettering our relationship with Allah and repenting to him and constantly reciting the holy Qur’an. Additionally, we should aim to reconcile with one another, to improve ties with kinship and spread love and harmony until we become, by the will of Allah, worthy of the mercy of Allah in the month of Ramadan.