Why does God tell Muslims to fast?

Q: Why does God command Muslims to fast?
A: Fasting helps a Muslim’s intelligence and the development of his skills. Although rain, electricity and fire are sometimes harmful to people, no one curses them. Fasting can be hard, but it gives the body energy and resilience. A child’s body usually becomes stronger from illness. Athletics is not easy, but it is necessary for the health and strength of the body. The human spirit is refined through worship of God and meditation, as well as through illness, suffering and hardship. These help to attain Paradise, for God gives great reward for small sacrifices. Difficulties and sufferings take people to higher spiritual levels and are repaid many times over in the next world. This is why all the messengers/prophets experienced the greatest sufferings and hardships.
It is because of hardships, sufferings and afflictions that believers are forgiven for their sins. These lead them beyond their sins, their own carnality and Satan’s seductions, and make them appreciate God’s blessings and open the way to gratitude. They inspire the rich and healthy to care for and help the sick and the poor. Those who have never suffered from anything do not understand those who are hungry, sick, or suffering from other afflictions. In addition, these distresses can help to build closer relations between different parts of society.

Q: What is the role of intention in fasting?

A: Intentions play an important role in our actions because our Prophet told us that our actions will be judged according to our intentions. Intention is like the spirit behind our actions, without which there is no reward. If you do not eat or drink from dawn till sunset without the intention of fasting, God does not count it as fasting. If you fast without the intention of receiving God’s grace, there is no reward. Therefore, what the intention was, the reward will be. Those who have a strong faith in God, in the other foundations of faith, and the intention to believe in them, will be rewarded with eternal bliss in Paradise. But those who have deliberately chosen not to believe, who have removed from their hearts the innate habit of believing, will be the victims of their eternal determination and will deserve eternal punishment.
But for those who have deep-rooted disbelief and who have lost the ability to believe, we read from the Qur’an: To the non-believers it is the same whether you warn them or not. They do not believe. Allah has put a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and their eyes have a covering (2:6-7).

Q: What about those who say that fasting for so long is unhealthy, or will affect their ability to work, or even the development of the country?
A: Human life is made up of two definite forces: the spirit and the body. Although they sometimes work in harmony, conflict is more common. Conflict where one of these two subdues the other. When carnal desires are indulged, the spirit becomes powerless and more obedient to those desires. If the carnal desires are controlled, the heart (the home of the spiritual intellect) is given priority over the mind, and the desires are resisted, eternity is achieved.
Compared to previous centuries, people may be wealthier and enjoy more comforts, but they are more trapped by greed, love, addiction, need and fantasy than ever before. The more they satisfy their animal desires, the crazier they become in satisfying those desires; the more they drink, the thirstier they become; the more they eat, the hungrier they become. They enter into wicked speculations to feed their greed, to earn more, and sell their spirits to Satan for the most trivial advantages. And so, every day, they break true human values a little more. The sacrifice of worldly pleasures has the same meaning for human development as roots have for the growth of a tree. Just as a tree grows healthy and strong in direct proportion to the strength and vigour of its roots, so people who strive to free themselves from selfishness in order to live for others grow to perfection.

Q: What spiritual practices and outlooks should one especially try to acquire during Ramadan?
A: Muhasaba (self-criticism or self-reflection). This is how he distinguishes between good and bad, useful and harmful, and how he keeps an honest and pure heart. It also enables the believer to appreciate the present and prepare for the future. Again, self-criticism enables the believer to rectify past mistakes and to be liberated in the eyes of God, because it provides a constant realisation of self-renewal in his inner world. Such a state enables a person to achieve a lasting relationship with God, because this relationship depends on the believer’s ability to live a spiritual life and to be aware of what is happening in his inner world. Success results in the preservation of one’s heavenly nature as a true human being, as well as in the constant regeneration of one’s inner senses and emotions.
Tafakkur (reflection):Reflection is an important step in becoming aware of and drawing conclusions from what is happening around us. It is the golden key to opening the door of experience; the seedbed in which the seeds of the tree of truth are planted. Consequently, the greatest representative of mankind, the foremost in reflection and in all other virtues, upon him be peace and blessings, says: No act of service is so meritorious as contemplation. So meditate on the blessings of God and the acts of His power, but do not try to meditate on His nature, for you can never do so. In these words, besides bringing out the value of reflection, the glory of mankind, peace and blessings be upon him, sets the limits of contemplation and reminds us of our limits.
Shukr (Gratitude): True gratitude in one’s heart is manifested by believing and acknowledging that all bounties are from God, and then ordering one’s life accordingly. Giving thanks to God verbally and through one’s daily life is only possible when one is personally convinced and when one voluntarily acknowledges that one’s existence, life, body, physical appearance, and all abilities and accomplishments are from God, as are all benefits received and consumed. It has been said. (31:20) and: He will give you all things whatsoever you ask of Him; and if you count the bounties of God, you can never add them up (14:34).
Of course, during Ramadan you should try to increase all the virtues, as it is the best time of the year to do so.