Abstaining from eating and drinking during specified hours of day is the most characteristic feature of the blessed month of Ramazan. But what is the best deed in this month?

This was indeed the question that Imam Ali (AS) asked the Prophet (SAWA). Then the Prophet answered, "The best deed in this month is abstaining from what God has forbidden."

Although those who fast in Ramazan tolerate hunger and thirst, they obtain pleasant outcomes the most important of which is eschewing haram (forbidden) acts. The fasting person, exercising self-restraint, strengthens his Godwariness. Thus, he not only shuns evil deeds but he also feels more prepared to embark on good deeds. Godwariness has different degrees. One may abstain from haram (forbidden) deeds due to the fear of the hell and the punishments of the Judgment Day.

The next degree belongs to those who not only abstain from haram (forbidden) deeds but also try not to approach the affairs which they are not certain of their permissibility. The third is the degree of those who go further to the point that they even use the halal (permitted) things just for basic needs. This is the highest degree of Godwariness. Once a gnostic was asked about the meaning of Godwariness (Taqwa). He replied, "Have you ever walked on a thorny path?"

The questioner answered, "Yes." The gnostic asked, "What did you do?" He said, "I took care to avoid any thorn piercing my feet." The gnostic said, "As for the religion of God, act with such caution and piety so that you will reach the degree of the Godwary. Abstain from the small and big sins, as this is Godwariness. And be like the one who is walking on a thorny path shunning everything he sees."

Fasting for one month is effective in quitting of wrong habits. The fasting person creates basic changes in his life and behavior and adopts a new way in life. He bolsters his willpower against carnal desires and devilish inclinations. Those who have access to a variety of foods and drinks to quench their hunger and thirst at every moment are like the trees growing at the bank of rivers. They are weak and will be dry if they do not receive water for a few days. But the trees that grow on the rocks and in deserts are strong and resistant against storm and drought. Fasting does the same thing to the human spirit and makes the person steadfast and resilient against hardships.

Like Godwariness, fasting has three degrees. According to Prophet Mohammad (SAWA), "The easiest thing that God has obligated for the fasting person is abstention from food and drink."

The next degree belongs to those who abstain from whatever God has forbidden.

The fourth Infallible Successor of the Prophet, Imam Sajjad (AS), says in the supplication for the start of the month of Ramazan, "O God! Help us through the fasting of this month to keep away our limbs from sins and employ them in the jobs that please You; so that we do not hear futile words, do not hasten toward frivolity and game, do not open our hands toward haram, do not walk in the way of what has been prohibited, our stomachs are not filled except with what You have ordained as halal, and our tongues do not utter except what You have informed and proclaimed."

It is narrated that a woman kept insulting her neighbour while she was fasting. Being informed of her act, the Prophet summoned her and ordered some food to be prepared for her. Then the Messenger of Mercy told her to eat the food. The woman said in surprise, "O Prophet! I am fasting." The Prophet said, "How can you claim you are fasting while you insult your neighbour. Know that fasting is not just abstaining from eating and drinking. God the Exalted has made fasting as a shield against evil words and deeds. How little is the number of the fasting and how big the number of the hungry!"

The highest stage of fasting belongs to those who not only abstain from eating and drinking but they are heedful of their thoughts and what crosses their mind and heart. They incessantly keep alert not to even think of sinning. Then the faithful person attains the stage that he doesn’t fast out of fear of punishment or love of reward, but he fasts only for the sake of God's pleasure.

It is narrated that the colour of the Prophet's face would change with the coming of the blessed month of Ramazan. He would perform more prayers and would supplicate more humbly to God.

Those who stand in the first stage of fasting are like the swimmers who just swim on the surface of the see; while the ones who abstain from every evil deed and thought are like the swimmers who dive deep into the see to gain pearls.

RM/MG