Fasting has various dimensions and has many material and spiritual effects on the human being, the most important of which is its "moral dimension and educational philosophy".

1. Educational effects

1-1. Softening the soul

The human soul is always managing the body, and the body without the management of the soul is like a ship without a captain. In the month of Ramadan, due to abstaining from eating and drinking and limiting it to specific hours, as well as controlling the senses (such as the eyes, ears and all channels of information entering the mind), more leisure is provided for the soul and spirit. The activity of the soul to deal with material and worldly matters decreases and the possibility of dealing with spiritual matters increases. As a result, the soul enjoys greater softness.

1-2. Strengthening the will

God has arranged the fasting program in such a way that a person must refrain from eating and drinking at a certain time, and at a certain time, he can freely eat and drink and enjoy halal pleasures.

The obligation for people to strictly implement this program and repeat it throughout a month is a very suitable exercise for accustoming the soul to things other than what it was accustomed to in other months, and this action strengthens a person's determination and will.

1-3. Controlling Instincts

While fasting, the fasting person should turn a blind eye to food, water, and other pleasures (such as sexual pleasure) and prove that he is not like animals, confined to a stable, water, and grass. He can take control of his soul and dominate his desires and passions, which causes his instincts to come under his control and, in addition, there is a moderation in their use. In short, fasting elevates man from the animal world and ascends to the world of angels.

Piety and piety play a very important role in the education of a Muslim's Islamic morality, and the best way to achieve this worthy quality is fasting. The Quran says about it: "That you may be righteous"; Al-Baqarah (2), verse 183. That is, the result and the ultimate cause of fasting is piety from the forbidden things of God.

When the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) enumerated the virtues of Ramadan and fasting in his sermon of “Sha’baniyah”, the Commander of the Faithful Ali (peace be upon him) asked: What are the best deeds in this month? He said: “Al-Wur’ ‘an mahram Allah”; Ayoun Akhbar al-Rida, vol. 2, p. 266. ; “It is abstinence and avoidance of sins and transgressions.” Therefore, fasting is a factor that prevents sin and a factor that suppresses the rebellious soul. By acting on this divine command, a person well revives the spirit of piety and piety in himself; because with fasting, it becomes easier to correct and train the soul; because hunger and other deprivations of fasting extinguish the rebellious flames of animal instincts and carnal desires.

Filling the stomach becomes the basis for many abnormalities and the stimulation of lusts, immersion in forbidden things and the emergence of false desires in the soul; As stated in a hadith: “I fear for you from the stomach and the private parts”; Bihar, vol. 1, p. 368. “I fear for you from the stomach and the private parts.” If the stomach is chaste and is content with what is necessary and avoids what is forbidden and doubtful, then undoubtedly the private parts will also be chaste. The chastity of these two organs will be a very good basis for spiritual joy and purity of the heart and inner self.

1-4. The spirit of sacrifice and altruism

Man is a social being, and a perfect man is one who grows in all dimensions of existence. Fasting develops the social dimension of man along with his other dimensions; in such a way that it is a lesson of equality and equity among the members of society. By practicing this religious injunction, the able-bodied people understand the situation of the hungry and deprived in society in a tangible way, and following that understanding, they come to the conclusion that they should think about the poor and deprived. If attention to the situation of the hungry takes on a sensory and objective aspect, it has a greater effect, and fasting gives a sensory color to this important social issue. With the growth of this social dimension, man does not become indifferent to his fellow human beings and feels the widespread social pains (such as poverty and hunger), and this wise saying of Saadi becomes true:

Human beings are members of each other, who are created from one essence.

If one member suffers, the other members will not be spared.

Really, if the rich countries of the world fasted for a few days a year and tasted hunger, would there still be so many hungry people in the world? Will millions of people face malnutrition and food shortages?

Two. Health effects

Without a doubt, the miraculous effect of abstinence in treating various physical and mental diseases has been proven in medical science. The cause of many diseases is overeating of various foods. The Prophet of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him and his family, said: “And know that the stomach is the house of disease and that health is the cure.” Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 58, p. 307, (Beirut, Al-Wafa Foundation).; “The stomach is the center and home of every pain, and abstinence [from inappropriate foods and overeating] is the basis of every healing medicine.” The origin of many mental illnesses is wrong thoughts, suspicions, sins, and irrational and illogical cognitions, and fasting, by creating restrictions, strengthens both the stomach and digestive system, and by controlling thoughts and avoiding sins, it prevents the human soul from pollution. In other words, fasting burns the body’s waste and excess and unabsorbed substances, and in fact, it “shakes the house” of the body and strengthens the soul by reciting the Quran and reciting special prayers. In short, fasting guarantees a person’s physical and mental health, and on this basis, the Prophet of Islam, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him and his family, said: “Fast until you become healthy.”; Ibid., p. 255.; “Fast until you become healthy.” Fasting, if taken in its proper conditions, has important educational, social, and health effects on humans. For further reading, see:

A. Alexis Sophorin, Fasting, a New Method for Treating Diseases, translated by Jafar Emami.

B. Seyyed Hossein Mousavi Lahiji, Fasting, Treatment of Diseases of the Soul and Body, (Published by the Society of Seminary Teachers), Qom.

P. Abdul Karim Biazar Shirazi, A New Treatise on Medical Jurisprudence, Vol. 2, (Islamic Culture Publishing House).

T. Seyyed Reza Paknejad, The First University and the Last Prophet, Vol. 3; (Islamic Bookstore Publications).