Believers are aware that worldly benefits are not the ultimate goal of fasting. Muslims draw closer to God by abandoning the things they enjoy, and this makes the sincerity of their devotion to God all the more evident. They know that God will be pleased with them if they abandon worldly comforts for His sake. The reason for their worship is the Divine command and its result is Divine pleasure. As for spiritual merits and anything else that may be gained from performing the fast, these cannot be considered to be the sole results, irrespective of how satisfactory the fruits are. Since believers fast to seek the pleasure of God and to gain salvation in the Hereafter, it is clear that the fruits and benefits of the fast are in the Hereafter. Nevertheless, exploring the wisdom behind the act of fasting strengthens the faith of Muslims who are aware that whatever God commands is always good and whatever He prohibits is always bad and harmful. This helps them proceed in the awareness that God, Who is so compassionate and generous, rewards good deeds both in this world and the Hereafter.

The following paragraphs ask questions and provide answers concerning some of the merits and benefits of fasting; these are not the reasons for observing fasting, but are favors from God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.