By Natirah Azira

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between fasting during Ramadan and other obligatory fasts such as fasting for three days in the middle of the month, fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, and fasting in Syawal.

Yes, it is clear that one of them is obligatory, the other is sunnah. The rewards are also said to vary. But there is another big difference, which is in terms of the purpose of fasting itself. Fasting is actually obligatory during the month of Ramadan so that we can build piety within ourselves.

O you who have believed, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous.

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous.” _{(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183)}

The meaning of taqwa that we learned in school is fear of Allah. True. But the broader meaning, taqwa is putting a barrier between ourselves and anything that distances us from Allah.

Abu Bakr Muhammad al-Rauzabari, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

"Piety is staying away from what keeps you away from God"

In another sense, taqwa is putting a high wall between oneself and bad things. Mufti Menk also explained that taqwa is building a right relationship with Allah SWT.

Meaning, in this month of Ramadan, if we refrain from gossiping, that is piety. If we are patient and do not get angry, that is piety. If we do not talk about other people's affairs, that is piety. We refrain from doing things that Allah does not like.

Piety can be cultivated when we are more careful with ourselves and the actions we have taken so far. What is familiar is not necessarily right. Check again whether what we have understood and practiced so far is in line with Islamic teachings or not. Are the principles and values ​​we hold in line with religious teachings. If not, this is the space to change them. Continue to check it no matter how old we are and how 'rich in experience' we are. Piety is being careful. We do not do things recklessly but with knowledge and understanding.

In this way, only then will we always be sensitive and be able to build the best relationship with Allah SWT in accordance with what has been shown.

Therefore, Ramadan is a space to re-nourish piety, to look again at what is flawed and flawed in understanding and actions. Allah knows that we need the best space to change, so He gave us Ramadan, a month full of blessings without incitement and disruption as a field to re-nourish piety that has been dry for so long.

_Reference:

_{Mufti Menk. (2023, Oktober 31). The Quran: A lifelong companion and guide – reviving the spirit series – Mufti Menk – Ep3 (Fail Video). YouTube.}

Date of Input: 19/02/2026 | Updated: 19/02/2026 | asmunir