During the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, fasting for the whole month has been made obligatory for all Muslims. By way of explanation, the Quran tells us: “Believers, fasting has been prescribed for you, just as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard yourselves against evil” (The Quran, 2:183). At another place, the Quran has this to say: “He desires you to fast the whole month, so that you may glorify Him for His having guided you and so that you may be grateful to Him.” (The Quran, 2:185) The question is, just by abstaining from food and drink during the day, can the spirit of piety and thankfulness be inculcated? Fasting actually pertains to the spirit of the action and not to its form. Every such action has spirit as well as a form. Similarly, all obligatory rites of worship have spirit as well form. For instance, the spirit of prayer is humility. The spirit of zakat, almsgiving, is social service. The spirit of hajj is unity, and the spirit of fasting is sabr, patience. Similarly, the spirit of fasting is to learn the art of desire-management and inculcate in a believer values like God-consciousness, thankfulness, and patience.

In life, as we know from experience, patience is essential. According to God's creation plan, leading one's life without the exercise of patience is almost impossible, for God has granted freedom to all human beings. People have the choice of either misusing their freedom or making proper use of it. When individuals exercise this God-given freedom in the wrong way, many problems are likely to be faced by their fellowmen. In such situations, therefore, keeping patience is very important.

Fasting is a special training where one is being prepared to lead a principled life—not merely during the month of fasting, but, in fact, for the whole year round. Fasting is annual training to prepare one to lead a principled life.