TANGERANG, (CNK) – Fasting is not just about abstaining from hunger and thirst, nor is it just to give rest to the stomach and digestive system that has been working for almost a year – if there is no obligatory fasting in the month of Ramadan – but also to extend patience so that it can be longer and wider and higher to see the beautiful light.
Fasting is needed to measure concern and empathy for the poor, for people who are hungry, even if we cannot yet help and provide for those who need it. Therefore, on a small scale, we find blessings by providing food and drink on every Friday, which is believed to have abundant blessings. Or, sending fresh food and drink to break the fast at mosques that are often visited by travelers from various regions or cities.
Thus, fasting as worship – not just in the month of Ramadan – has multiple functions and great benefits to suppress egocentricity, lust, greed, and gluttony, which are negative energies such as corruption, breaking promises, betrayal, and lying, which seem to be uncondemned and sinless acts.
In fact, humans, as the most perfect creatures of God, are entrusted with the mandate of rahmatan lil alamin as khalifatullah – God’s representatives – on earth. Therefore, humans who harm nature and fellow humans will be greatly cursed.
That is why, voluntary fasting – not just fasting in the month of Ramadan – is very important for many people, not just for Muslims alone – because the benefits of fasting to mature the soul and spirit that underlie noble attitudes and character can not only be sharpened, but also transcend higher and further spiritual dimensions to approach the Divine.
This clearly means that understanding fasting – especially fasting in the month of Ramadan – is not just a religious ritual, but clearly increases spiritual awareness and understanding, which is greatly needed in an era where ethics, morals, and human character are increasingly intoxicated with all forms of materialism, not spirituality.
Thus, wealth becomes an idol to be worshiped and becomes the main pride, like empty titles, without substance, as reflected in the craze for having fake diplomas. In fact, the essence of obligatory fasting in the month of Ramadan and voluntary fasting is to prioritize the content, if necessary without packaging, like the quality of a phone that does not care about the appearance of the case, because what is more important is the quality of function and usefulness.
Because fasting itself must start from awareness in doing it with self-discipline, honesty, and sincerity, without interference or sanctions from others. Because the matter of fasting is the responsibility of each individual to God alone.
Thus, when obligatory fasting and voluntary fasting can be understood as a lesson to be more responsible to God – by adherents of any religion – then its essence is a promise to maintain ourselves to carry out the mandate as khalifatullah, the most noble creature of God among other creations on earth.
Jacob Ereste, February 16, 2026
