Fasting is one of the greatest and most glorious acts of worship that draws one closer to Allah The Almighty. It is the practice of the righteous and pious, which purifies the soul and edifies one's moral character. It is the school of piety and the house of guidance. Whoever enters it with a true intention, following the example of the Prophet will come out of Ramadan with it testifying that he is upon the straight path, and will be among those who will be saved in this world and in the Hereafter.
Little wonder then, that one finds numerous texts in connection with the merits of fasting, to clarify its impact and its great reward, and what is prepared by Allah The Almighty for those who observe it, to urge the Muslim to fast more often, and to make easy whatever suffering and trouble he may endure in performing it.
It has been reported that fasting acts as a protective shield that saves the servant from Hellfire. It is narrated on the authority of Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said, “The Messenger of Allah said: "Verily, fasting is a protective shield therewith a servant saves himself from Hellfire." [Ahmad]
It also diminishes and disciplines the strength of sexual desire. That is why the Messenger of Allah guided the youth who could not afford marriage to seek the aid of fasting to diminish their sexual desires. It is narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas‘ood, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said, “The Messenger of Allah said: “O community of youth! Whoever can afford marriage, let him marry for it is more convenient to preserve the gaze and guard the private parts, otherwise, let him fast, since it diminishes his sexual desire.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
It is also reported that fasting is one of the gateways to Paradise. It is narrated on the authority of Abu Umaamah, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said, "O Messenger of Allah! Enjoin upon me something wherewith Allah may benefit me." He said: "I advise you to stick to fasting, for there is nothing like it." [An-Nasaa’i] Here, the Messenger of Allah clarifies that there is nothing like fasting to draw the servant near his Lord The Exalted, The Almighty.
Furthermore, Al-Mustafa (the Perfectly-Chosen one) the Prophet said that in Paradise, there is a gate exclusive to the fasting persons, through which none save them will enter. It is narrated on the authority of Sahl ibn Sa’d, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said, “The Messenger of Allah said: "There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayyaan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Judgment through which none except them will enter. It will be said: Where are those who used to observe fasts? They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
It is further reported that fasting will intercede on the Day of Judgment for the one who performs it. It is narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: the Messenger of Allah said: "Verily, fasting and the Quran will intercede for the servant on the Day of Judgment. Fasting will say: ‘O Lord! I prevented him from food, drink and sexual desires during the day. So, please, accept my intercession for him.’ The Noble Quran will say: ‘O Lord! I prevented him from sleep at night. So, please, accept my intercession for him.’” He (the Prophet, salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Then, they will be permitted to intercede." [Ahmad]
Fasting is one of the greatest means to obtain forgiveness for sins and removal of misdeeds. It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said, “The Messenger of Allah said: "He who observes the fasts of Ramadan, out of sincere faith, and expecting the reward from Allah, his previous sins will be forgiven." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] That is out of faith in the fact that Allah The Almighty enjoined fasting upon him, and expecting the reward for that fasting from Allah The Almighty. It is narrated on the authority of Huthayfah ibn Al-Yamaan, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said, “The Messenger of Allah said: "The man's trial in his family, property, children and neighbor is removed by prayer, fasting and charity." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The reward of fasting is unlimited, boundless; for the fasting person is given his reward without reckoning. It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said, “The Messenger of Allah said: “Allah The Almighty Says: "All the deeds done by man are for him, save fasting, which is for Me, and for which I will give a reward." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] According to another narration: "All deeds done by man are multiplied as much as ten to seven hundred times – Allah The Exalted Says – save fasting, which is for Me, and for which I will give a reward, as in it one leaves his food and sexual desire for My Sake." [Muslim] Thus, Allah The Almighty chose fasting, from among all the deeds, for Himself, due to its honor in His sight, and since it is a secret between the servant and his Lord, which no one knows except Allah The Almighty.
Fasting is a means to attain the happiness of both abodes. It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, from the Messenger of Allah that he said: "The fasting person rejoices twice: he rejoices at the time of breaking his fast, and he will rejoice when he meets his Lord." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] When he breaks his fast, he rejoices in the favor conferred upon him by Allah The Almighty, that He has enabled him to do this act of worship perfectly, and in what Allah The Almighty has made permissible for him, of food and drink, which had been forbidden to him during his fast. When he meets his Lord The Almighty, he will rejoice in receiving the reward of his fasting in full at a time he will be in the direst need of it.
Among the merits of fasting is that the unpleasant breath coming from the mouth of the fasting person, as a result of the stomach being empty, is sweeter, in the sight of Allah, than the scent of musk. As detestable as this smell might seem to people, it is pleasant to Allah The Almighty, because it ensues from worship and obedience, and is evidence of the great position of fasting in the sight of Allah The Almighty.
These are some of the merits and effects of fasting, and they, all together, bring one to the very end for which it has been ordained, which is to obtain piety, thereby attaining the good pleasure of Allah in this world and in the Hereafter.