Then, immediately after this, it refers to the philosophy of...

Then, immediately after this, it refers to the philosophy of this humanizing worship and, in a short but meaningful sentence, says: “…so that you may guard yourselves (against evil) [5] “ While explaining the concept of Taqwa, the Late Kulayni says in his famous book “Al-Kafi”, write: “Piety is rendered into one’s restriction from sin. Most sins originate from wrath and lust.

Fasting brings the extravagance of this instinct under control, which, consequently, decreases corruption and increases piety [6] .” On the significance of Taqwa, Ayatollah Faqih Imani said: “ Yes, fasting is a great effective factor in the process of training the spirit of piety in all dimensions of every field; ….

Since this worship is accompanied by deprivation from some material pleasures and one must suffer some troubles especially when it is in summer, there are different particular meanings used in the above verse to make the mind of believers ready for the acceptance of this decree [7] .” To attract the attention and to make the subject an interesting one for the addressees, it begins with the phrase: “O’ you who have Faith!” Then, it refers to the statement of the fact that fasting is not appointed only for Muslim Ummah but it had been practised by the former nations, too.

Finally, the philosophy of fasting, and that the fruitful results of this Divinely ordered duty return totally to you, is stated. A tradition narrated by Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) says: “The pleasure found in (the phrase: ‘ O’ you who have Faith! ‘ is so that) it has removed the tiredness of this worship and effort [8] .” In the next verse, again, in order to reduce the hardship of fasting, it states a few other commands regarding this.

It initiates the subject thus: “(Fast for) a certain number of days….” It is not so that you be obliged to fast all the year through or a considerable part of it, but fasting is for only a small section of the year [9] . The statement “… And it is better for you that you fast if you did (only) know.” This meaning also refers to the fact that the worship of fasting, as other worship, does not add anything to the Glory and Dignity of Allah but all its merits are for the worshipper.

Islamic traditions confirm the same meaning, too.