Take the example of daily Prayers.
Take the example of daily Prayers. It is the combination of some recitation of the Qur’an, some Thikr in different postures. The same applies to Hajj, Zakat etc. Fasting is the only of worshipping of Allah that amazingly consists of some non-doings! Fasting is avoidance of drinking, eating etc. a faster does not require doing anything. It is enough no to do anything! This is the reason why it is in no conflict with our daily lives.
Pilgrimage to hajj is even more prone to showing off. Fasting, however, is the only worshipping of Allah that none other than God would really know if you are fasting. Fasting is an inner worshipping and hence it can be the most sincere worshipping. • The only worshipping act that there is a penalty (expiation) if missed deliberately.
If any Muslim misses his daily Prayers even deliberately, although he has committed a mortal sin, he only has to make up the lapsed Prayers, there is no penalty involved in it. The same applies if one misses his pilgrimage to Hajj. Fasting is the only worshipping act that if is it deliberately missed in addition to making it up, there is a hefty penalty for it.
Abdullah Ibn Sanan in an authentic Hadith narrated from Imam As-Sadiq (a.s) about the expiation against someone who has deliberately-and without any religious justification- broken one day of fasting saying: " He must free a salve or fast two months or feed sixty poor people, but if he was unable to do so, he must give charity as much as he can ." [^7]This penalty becomes even heftier if the person has broken his fast with something Haraam such as drinking alcohol or masturbation.
The Rewards of Fasting Fasting is one of the most sincere worshipping of God and hence its rewards are numerous. The following are some of the narrations about the abundant rewards of fasting. • The reward of fasting is numerous: The Almighty Allah states: “And seek help in patience and the Prayers.” [2:45] Patience in the above Ayah is interpreted to fasting, as fasting requires patience. A faster is therefore patient.