Impact of Fasting on the Solidarity of a Society

24-7-2012 | IslamWeb

Question:

I am wondering about the impact of fasting on achieving the solidarity of a society.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Fasting has a great status in Islam. It is the fourth pillar thereof after pronouncing the Two Testimonies of Faith, establishing prayer and paying Zakat (obligatory charity). It has many benefits such as achieving mutual love and solidarity among the individuals of a society. When the rich among Muslims experience hunger during their fast, it makes them remember the state of the poor who are affected by hunger most of the time and not only in Ramadan. As a result, they give charity to those poor people leading to the spread of love and close ties in society.

It is known that Islam encourages offering Iftaar (i.e. meal with which to break a fast) to fasting people.

In addition, while fasting, a society is committed to stop eating at the same time and to break their fast at the same moment. This fosters solidarity and unity in a society.

Allah Knows best.