Muslims fast primarily as an act of worship and obedience to God, and through it they aim to develop self‑discipline, deeper God‑consciousness, empathy for others, and a stronger, more purified inner life.

What “fasting” means in Islam

In Islam, fasting (Arabic: sawm) usually refers to the fast of Ramadan, one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

From dawn to sunset, Muslims:

  • Abstain from food and drink.
  • Avoid sexual relations during fasting hours.
  • Strive to avoid sins such as lying, gossip, and abusive speech.

Children, the sick, travelers, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and others with valid reasons can be exempt or can make up fasts later, showing that the ritual is meant as a mercy, not a punishment.

Core religious reason: A command from God

Muslims fast first and foremost because God has commanded it in the Qur’an.

A key verse says fasting was prescribed “so that you may become righteous,” which Muslims understand as nurturing God‑consciousness (taqwa) and moral awareness.

Fasting is also one of the central “pillars” that define Muslim practice, alongside testimony of faith, prayer, charity, and pilgrimage.

So for believers, fasting is part of what it means to live as a Muslim and to submit one’s life to God.

Spiritual aims: Taqwa, purification, and focus

Many Muslims describe Ramadan as a kind of “spiritual reset” that helps them refocus on what really matters.

Key spiritual aims include:

  • Developing taqwa (God‑consciousness): By deliberately saying “no” to basic desires for a period of time, a person trains their will to choose what is pleasing to God, in food and beyond it.
  • Purifying the heart and character: Fasting is linked with patience, humility, gratitude, and sincerity, and with avoiding anger, backbiting, and arrogance.
  • Deepening worship: During Ramadan, Muslims often increase Qur’an recitation, night prayers (like Taraweeh), and personal supplication, using the quieter mind and body to focus on God.

An often‑quoted idea in Islamic teaching is that God does not “need” a person’s hunger; the real point is that a person’s inner state, intentions, and behavior improve through the fast.

Moral and social reasons: Empathy and solidarity

Fasting is also meant to cultivate empathy with those who live with hunger and scarcity every day.

By feeling real thirst and hunger, Muslims are reminded:

  • How dependent humans are on basic gifts like water and bread.
  • How many people do not have the option to break their hunger at sunset.

This often motivates:

  • Increased charity (zakat and voluntary giving) during Ramadan.
  • More direct concern for the poor, refugees, and others in hardship.

Fasting also has a community dimension: families wake up together for the pre‑dawn meal (suhoor) and gather to break the fast at sunset (iftar), and mosques host communal meals and prayers, creating a strong sense of shared purpose.

Personal development and health aspects

Beyond religious and social reasons, many Muslims experience personal benefits from fasting that their tradition also recognizes.

Commonly mentioned are:

  • Self‑control and discipline: Learning to delay gratification in food helps a person manage other impulses—like anger, addictions, or harmful habits.
  • Mental clarity: Stepping back from constant eating and entertainment can make it easier to reflect, plan, and reassess priorities.
  • Physical benefits: Some Islamic teachings, and modern Muslim writers, link fasting with giving the digestive system a rest, helping weight management, and improving metabolic markers when done responsibly.

Many contemporary guides encourage Muslims to pair fasting with healthier eating at night, mindful sleep, light exercise, and even health or meditation apps to make the most of the month.

Different perspectives and ongoing discussion

Inside the Muslim community, people emphasize different aspects of fasting depending on their background and personality.

Some are drawn most to the spiritual stillness and extra worship, others to the sense of community, and others to the discipline and structure it brings to their year.

Outside the Muslim community, discussions on forums range from admiration of the self‑control and solidarity to skepticism or criticism, especially from ex‑Muslims who may associate fasting with pressure or difficult personal experiences.

These debates show that while the religious reasons are clear in Islamic teaching—obedience to God, taqwa, purification, and empathy—people’s lived experiences of fasting can be very diverse.

TL;DR: Muslims fast because it is a central act of worship commanded by God, meant to build God‑consciousness, purify character, grow empathy for the poor, strengthen community bonds, and support personal discipline and renewal.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.