Fasting and Self -Control

Fasting and Self -Control - Fasting according to the Arabic language means As-Shiyaamu or As-Syaum, which is to refrain from all actions that are desired. While according to the term Syarak means refraining from eating and drinking and from anything that will invalidate or reduce the value of the fast, which is calculated from dawn to sunset accompanied by the echo of the evening call to prayer as a sign of breaking the fast and evening prayers.

With the intention of carrying out the command of God with the conditions that have been determined. Fasting in the month of Ramadan has various privileges, these privileges can not be felt if we perform this fasting worship not in the holy month of Ramadan. 

As stated by Rasulullah Saw "Man sama Ramadhana Imanan wahtisaban qufirallahu mathaqadam minzambih". Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan because of faith and expects a reward from God, surely God will forgive his past sins "(Narrated by Bukhari).

The Hadith of Rasulullah PBUH above we must be able to learn and understand for further realization, especially during the month of Ramadan and outside the month of Ramadan. 

It is very clear and distinct via his hadith that anyone who fasts based on the belief in the reward, and sincerely expects the pleasure of God alone, then will be forgiven of sins and wrongdoings that he has done.

However, this does not mean that after the month of Ramadan we will be free to do things that He forbids. Fasting is a form of training for our birth and mind, for a full month to face the next eleven months. How can we control ourselves, control our emotions, be patient, sincere, etc. during the month of Ramadan. 

Where this month is full of grace and full of tolerance among Muslims who at that time were both fasting. This will be different after the month of fasting and Eid al-Fitr later, where our busyness in solving all the problems of life from the smallest to the largest, and not infrequently make us forget what is taught or learned during the month of Ramadan.

For that, so that we can perform fasting properly and always trace our daily behavior, with the hope of the birth of good morals through a full month of self-training. So, it is very necessary for us to know how the morals of the fasting person are among them.

The person who fasts must first of all be sincere, because high sincerity will trigger the birth of a strong and solid value of faith with one foundation that is the essence of this special worship, namely Iman & Taqwa. 

And this has been summarized by Allah Ta'ala in Qs Al Baqarah-183 "O you who believe, it is obligatory upon you to fast as it was obligatory upon those before you, hopefully you become pious." Sincerity in fasting must be able to bring and guide our own hearts which is done solely because of the command of the creator so that it becomes an obligation to carry it out with sincerity and reverence.

In addition to sincerity, we must always be honest in carrying out it, because the nature and form of fasting is abstract or invisible. In the month of Ramadhan, people who profess to be believers and pious are obliged to perform fasting for a full month with the conditions set by the Shari'ah. 

Then can every person who fasts be said to be a believer & pious ?, while everything that is forbidden during the month is not heeded ?.

Let us ask each of our consciences whether we are included in the people as what Allah says in Qs Al Baqarah verse 183 above and always maintain the existence of fasting itself. 

The answer is honesty especially in running it, honest to God and honest to oneself and always understand that God is all -hearing and all -seeing, He is all -powerful over all things.

In addition, high patience is also no less important, because most who always reduce the value of fasting itself in the eyes of God is unable to control anger. This, if maintained, will also trigger the birth of other reprehensible traits. 

This is what Rasulullah is very worried about. He said how many people perform this fasting ritual but they get nothing except hunger and thirst.

So that the worries of Rasulullah PBUH do not befall us and the value of fasting can be achieved with the best value of Allah, namely Iman and Taqwa earlier. So accompany the fasting with sincere intentions and always try to control yourself, family and society from all things that will damage or invalidate the fast. 

In performing fasting, we as Muslims must continue to carry out activities and always cultivate a high work ethic as the days outside the month of Ramadan. In other words, do not make this month full of grace as an opportunity to be lazy in working and striving.

One of the many teachings of fasting that we must always implement in this life is the birth of a strong work ethic, consistent in every decision -making that has a true Muslim personality. 

So make the month of Ramadan full of blessings as an arena for self -improvement, increased worship, self -introspection by balancing between the interests of the world and the hereafter (mutawazun).

The Qur'an explains that lust is something that is inherent in every human being. It is not uncommon for this lust to drag people towards evil, so that everyone must be able to control it (fasting) towards what is right and beneficial. 

In Qs Al Jasiyah-23 Allah says "Then have you ever seen a person who makes lust his god ?. And Allah let him go astray based on His knowledge and Allah has locked up his hearing and his heart. Then who will guide after Allah (let him go astray)? Why don't you take a lesson ”.

Based on God's words above, it is clear that people who always follow their lusts are very angry with God, even their dangers and sins are equated by God with people who worship idols. Nauzubillah min zhalik. 

Because this lust contains lust and only to seek and find physical and spiritual pleasures. So that Satan and the Devil easily persuade and possess him to do reprehensible things. 

So one of the best ways that Islam teaches its people to control and fortify themselves from the urge of lust is to perform special worship given by God a month in the twelve months that we go through that is As Syiaamu or fast a full month during Ramadan.

If human lust follows his lust, then that is what is called the lust of Anger, that is, the lust that tells man to evil and evil, if that lust has done bad deeds earlier, then the lust of Lawamah is present. 

Lust that likes to criticize or criticize. And if the lust has regretted and realized the sin and error then the feeling of regret comes out of the lust of Mutma'inah that is.

Lust that is always calm and peaceful. It is this lust that has been blessed and blessed by Allah Ta'ala. And it has become an obligation for every human being to keep it from the pursuit and rorngrongan of the two evil lusts above (lust Amarah & lust Lawamah). 

In Qs Yusuf-53 Allah says “And I do not free myself from guilt because it really enjoins evil, except the lust that my Lord has given mercy to. Lo! My Lord is Oft -Forgiving, Most Merciful.

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