The ultimate goal of the fast is to develop taqwa (consciousness of God) in people, as Allah said in Surah al–Baqarah Verse 183, “…that you may become righteous (taqwa).”

Taqwa is amongst the highest moral qualities that a Muslim can attain. It is achieved by placing a shield between ones self and Allah’s wrath, as the root meaning of the word implies (i.e. taqwa comes from the verb waqaa, which means “to safeguard”). Continue reading →