Overcoming needs and desires whilst fasting
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Question: When a Muslim fasts, is he able to overcome his needs and desires? How is that? How does the Muslim view the world in its reality?

Response: Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) has made fasting obligatory for the benefit of the worshipers in order to purify their souls.

So fasting entails refraining from food and drink and other than that. And this disciplines the soul against aceding to one's desires. It assists it to overcome one's evil desires during fasting, and cultivates it in adopting noble manners. So when the knowledge of the worshipper of his religion is strengthened and that which Allaah has prepared in the Hereafter for the faithful worshippers, and holding steadfast to his religion, then he has understood the insignificance of this world and it's status with Allaah, and that it is not even equivalent to the weight of a mosquito's wing! This has been mentioned in a hadeeth narrated by at-Tirmidhee and Ibn Maajah.

Therefore, importance is afforded to those who live in obedience to Allaah and take this as a means to achieve good for the Hereafter.

And with Allaah lies all the success, and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet Muhammad (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.

The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa, comprising -
Head: Shaykh 'Abdul 'Azeez ibn Abdullaah ibn Baaz;
Deputy Head: Shaykh 'Abdur-Razzaaq 'Afeefee;
Member: Shaykh 'Abdullaah Ibn Ghudayyaan
Fataawa Ramadhaan - Volume 1, Page 38, Fatwa No. 12;
Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa. - Fatwa No. 9395