Act Of Fasting
The month of fasting (roza) is a time for collecting blessings. This is the month in which one should seek forgiveness for their faults and increase the number of good things they do. In certain forms of religion, abstaining from food and drink is required. It is not enough to just suppress feelings of hunger and thirst in order to fast; one must also abstain from all of the activities that are prohibited by Islam; otherwise, the act of fasting (roza) would be ineffective.
Fasting in Ramadan
There is a blessed hadith that discusses this topic, which was narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira. In it, the Messenger of Allah, Hazrat Muhammad peace be upon him, is reported to have said, "If a person does not stop lying and cheating (even while fasting), then Allah has no need for him to stop eating and drinking." (Sahih Bukhari 1903). Another hadith is narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah says that every good act of a person is for Him, but fasting is for Me, and I will reward it, and fasting is a shield against sins."
Actions in Fasting
A person who is fasting should avoid making any unnecessary noise or using profanity. If someone is being abusive or trying to start a quarrel, all he has to say is that he is fasting. The breath of a fasting individual is more pleasing to Allah than any musk. The individual who is fasting will experience two types of happiness: the first kind of happiness will come when he breaks his fast, and the second type of happiness will come when he meets his only God (Allah) Who is it that keeps every planet going and receives the reward for his fast. (Sahih Bukhari 1904).
In this regard, there is a blessed hadith on the authority of Hazrat Abu Huraira in which the Messenger of Allah, Hazrat Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have said, "There are many who fast but gain nothing from their fasting except hunger, and there are many who stay awake at night. They are such that they gain nothing from their stay except to wake up". (sunan ibn majah 1690)
