Of all forms of worship, fasting may arguably be the most distinct. Even those who do not participate in fasting are affected by the act of worship which seems to transform the world into a hallowed and divine existence.
According to studies on the impact of Ramadhan, behaviour and trends shift during the month of Ramadhan making it unique which according to scholars is just a tip of the iceberg on exactly why Ramadhan is such a phenomenal worship duration.
Sheikh Hassan Omar, Council of Imams and Preachers in Kenya (CIPK) treasurer, says a well-known hadith of the prophet states that Islam is built upon five pillars.
"The profession of faith, the five daily swalah, fasting, swadaqa and pilgrimage to Makka are all foundations of Muslim life which all bear unique blessings and benefits.
According to Imam Al Ghazali, a leading 11th-century theologian, Allah claims and owns fasting because it happens under his direct supervision.
"No one can truly know the true status of a fast except Allah who is the all-knowing," says Sheikh Hassan.
This in essence makes fasting the only true form of worship conducted without any show off or 'riyaa' which is considered in Islam to be the lesser Shirk. Imam Ghazali states that fasting is an inactivity with nothing to outwardly display.
"Sheikh Hassan says at any time an individual claiming to be fasting can seclude themselves from public and eat and drink to their fill with none being the wiser about their treachery but Allah.
"A married couple might break their fast in the privacy of their bedroom during the day and only Allah who is omnipresent and all-knowing will possess knowledge of their misdeed," says the Sheikh.
This unique quality sets fasting apart from all other forms of worship. Allah singled out fasting for Himself from all other good deeds, because of its honoured status before Him, because He loves it and because it is a demonstration of sincerity towards Him, as it is a secret between a person and his Lord, which no one can see except Allah.
The Prophet said, "(Allah said), 'Every good deed of Adam's son is for him except fasting; it is for Me. and I shall reward (the fasting person) for it.
This means all the public iftaars and online videos and pictures of fasting are not evidence of fasting as only Allah can see and determine a proper fast.
Scholars describe fasting as an internal state of pure abstinence and patience. In further explaining the unique position of fasting, scholars say that fasting is the only act of worship whose reward does not come under any accounting.
Allah says in the Quran, "Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without measure."
All other good deeds are repaid ten to seven hundred fold but the reward for fasting is incalculable. Another reason that sets fasting apart from the five pillars of Islam, is the fact that it has been legislated to defeat the enemy of Allah according to Imam Ghazali.
"When he says fasting has been legislated to make us pious, it defeats our cravings and desires liberating us from the influence of the shaytaan," he adds.
Sheikh Hassan adds that fasting helps remodel your Islam into what the routine of a slave of Allah ought to follow. "As long as we incorporate the prayers and the good deeds we performed during the month of Ramadhan into our routine, our Islam exponentially improves," says the Sheikh.
Reap blessings
And as the saying goes the best way to appreciate bounty is utilising it for its purpose, it is expected that Ramadhan is the special month to reap blessings in abundance.
"There should be an improvement from every Ramadhan which should be marked by the fact that individuals do not regress back to their former immoral selves," says the Sheikh.
According to the hadith of the three curses of Jibreel, one of the damned is one who never took advantage of the abundant benefits of the month of Ramadhan.
Jibril ('alayhis salam) appeared before me and said, 'Destruction to the person who found the blessed month of Ramadan and let it pass by without gaining forgiveness' then, I said 'Amin.'