Source:
Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Vol. 1, Page 576
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
The Central Role of Salah and Fasting in Islam
Salah (Prayer) is undoubtedly the foundation of Islam — its most vital pillar — emphasized repeatedly in the Qur’an and Prophetic traditions.
However, fasting (Ṣawm) holds no lesser significance. When observed in its true spirit, as ordained by Allah Almighty, fasting transforms a person entirely — clothing his soul in taqwā (piety) and moral discipline.
Viewed deeply, Salah and fasting are not separate or unrelated acts of worship; rather, they represent two complementary dimensions of spiritual reality.
The Spiritual Nature of Salah
◈ Salah is active and positive in nature.
The believer is commanded to stand before the Divine Presence, connecting his individual spirit (rūḥ juzʾī) directly with the Universal Spirit (rūḥ kullī) — the source of all light and life.
From one prayer to the next, even though one engages in worldly duties and responsibilities, this inner bond must remain unbroken.
If a believer maintains this spiritual connection throughout his daily activities, his entire day becomes worship — even his night’s sleep is counted among acts of devotion.
The Purifying Nature of Fasting
◈ Fasting, on the other hand, is passive and abstinent in nature.
Its command is to refrain — to avoid every indulgence that hinders spiritual growth.
Just as a skilled physician prescribes not only medicine but also dietary restrictions, the cure depends on both treatment and abstinence.
Similarly:
- Salah serves as the medicine that nourishes the soul, while
- Fasting is the discipline of restraint that purifies it.
Both are essential — each completing and perfecting the other.
Moral and Spiritual Effect of Fasting
When a person learns, through fasting, to control his lawful desires merely by Allah’s command, it becomes easier for him to restrain unlawful desires.
This is the very essence of taqwā (God-consciousness) that fasting seeks to instill.
The Example of the Prophet ﷺ
The significance of fasting can be understood by observing the life of the most perfect human being, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
After Salah, the act most beloved to him was fasting.
He would fast so frequently that his family and Companions were amazed at his devotion.
Indeed, the Prophet ﷺ was the supreme model of purity of soul and excellence of conduct.
Those who followed his example attained both spiritual success and divine closeness.
Verses of the Qur’an on Fasting
The importance, rules, and spirit of fasting are beautifully described in Sūrah al-Baqarah (2:183–187):
Verse 183
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
“O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain taqwā (piety).”
Verse 184
وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ...
“Those who cannot fast due to old age or illness and can afford to compensate must feed a poor person for each day. But whoever volunteers more good — it is better for him. And fasting is better for you, if only you knew.”
Verse 185
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ...
“The month of Ramaḍān is the one in which the Qur’an was revealed — a guidance for mankind and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever witnesses this month must fast it. And whoever is ill or on a journey should make up the same number of days later. Allah desires ease for you and not hardship, so complete the count and glorify Allah for His guidance that you may be grateful.”
Verse 186
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ...
“And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I answer the supplication of the caller when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me so that they may be rightly guided.”
Verse 187
أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَائِكُمْ...
“It has been made lawful for you during the nights of fasting to be intimate with your wives. They are your garments, and you are theirs. Allah knew that you were betraying yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. Now you may approach them and seek what Allah has destined for you, and eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black thread of night. Then complete the fast until nightfall, and do not approach your wives while you are in retreat in the mosques. These are the limits set by Allah, so do not transgress them. Thus does Allah make His verses clear to you so that you may attain taqwā.”
Conclusion
In essence:
- Salah connects man with his Creator through devotional presence and constant remembrance.
- Fasting disciplines his soul through restraint, self-control, and moral purification.
Together, they form the foundation of a believer’s spiritual and ethical development, leading him toward the ultimate goal of Islam — taqwā, purity of heart, and nearness to Allah.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best what is right.
