The blessed month of Ramadan requires a true Believer who fears Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) that when he fasts, he abstains from all those acts that are made halal (permissible) i.e eating, drinking, having relations with the spouse. All those acts that are considered haram (impermissible) such as lying, cheating, slander, interest, bribery, fighting, taking other’s money unjustly, jealousy or backbiting for the rest of the year are impermissible by default in a state of fasting. This list also includes listening to music, wasting time on social media or the internet, mixing with the opposite gender, all of which lead to damaging the iman and become a hindrance to obtaining rewards even in this blessed month. When we are able to do this, only then are we able to reap the full benefits of the blessings.
As we hear in a hadith we learn:
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
ربَّ صائمٍ ليسَ لَه من صيامِه إلَّا الجوعُ وربَّ قائمٍ ليسَ لَه من قيامِه إلَّا السَّهرُ
“There are people who fast and get nothing from their fast except hunger, and there are those who pray and get nothing from their prayer but a sleepless night.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah: 1690 )
These are those who are not able to give the due right of fasting. They sin even in a state of worship. Hence, what they actually achieve is the hunger and thirst but not the reward associated with the act.
