The reason why fasting is prescribed

What is the reason why fasting is prescribed?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly we must note that one of the names of Allaah is al-Hakeem (the
Most Wise). The word Hakeem is derived from the same root as hukm
(ruling) and hikmah (wisdom). Allaah alone is the One Who issues
rulings, and His rulings arethe most wise and perfect.
Secondly:
Allaah does not prescribe any ruling but there is great wisdom behind
it, which we may understand, or our minds may not be guided to
understand it. We may know some of it but a great deal is hidden from
us.
Thirdly:
Allaah has mentioned the reason and wisdom behind His enjoining of
fasting upon us, as He says (interpretation of themeaning):
"O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for
you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become
Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)"
[al-Baqarah 2:183]
Fasting is a means of attaining taqwa (piety, being conscious of
Allaah),and taqwa means doing that which Allaah has enjoined and
avoiding that which He has forbidden.
Fasting is one of the greatest means of helpinga person to fulfil the
commands of Islam.
The scholars (may Allaah have mercy on them) have mentioned some of
the reasons why fasting isprescribed, all of which are characteristics
of taqwa, but there is nothing wrong with quoting them here, to draw
the attention of fasting people to them and make them keen to attain
them.
Among the reasons behind fasting are:
1 – Fasting is a means that makes us appreciate and give thanks for
pleasures. For fasting means giving up eating, drinking and
intercourse, which are among the greatest pleasures. By giving them up
for a shorttime, we begin to appreciate their value. Because the
blessings of Allaah are not recognized,but when you abstain from them,
you begin to recognize them, so this motivates you to be grateful for
them.
2 – Fasting is a means of giving up haraam things, because if a
person can give up halaal things in order to please Allaah andfor fear
of His painful torment, then he will be more likely to refrain from
haraam things. So fasting is a means of avoiding the things that
Allaah has forbidden.
3 – Fasting enables us to control our desires, because when a person
is full his desires grow, but ifhe is hungry then his desire becomes
weak. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "O young men! Whoever among you can afford to get married, let
him do so, forit is more effective in lowering the gaze and protecting
one's chastity. Whoever cannot do that, let him fast, for it will be
ashield for him."
4 – Fasting makes us feel compassion and empathy towards the poor,
because when the fasting person tastes the pain of hunger for a while,
he remembers those who arein this situation all the time, so he will
hasten to do acts of kindness to them and show compassion towards
them. So fasting is a means of feeling empathywith the poor.
5 – Fasting humiliates and weakens the Shaytaan; it weakens the
effects of his whispers (waswaas) on a person and reduces his sins.
That is because the Shaytaan "flows through the son of Adam like
blood" as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said, but fasting narrows the passages through which the Shaytaan
flows, so his influence grows less.
Shaykh al-Islam said in Majmoo' al-Fataawa, 25/246
Undoubtedly blood is created from food and drink, so when a person
eats and drinks, the passages through which the devils flow – which is
the blood – become wide.But if a person fasts, the passages through
which the devils flow become narrow, so hearts are motivated to do
good deeds, and to give up evil deeds.
6 – The fasting person is training himself to remember that Allaah is
always watching, so he gives up the things that he desires even though
heis able to take them, because he knows that Allaah can see him.
7 – Fasting means developing an attitude of asceticism towards this
world and its desires, and seeking that which is withAllaah.
8 – It makes the Muslim get used to doing a great deal of acts of
worship, because the fasting person usually does more acts of worship
and gets used to that.
These are some of the reasons why fasting is enjoined. We ask Allaah
tohelp us to achieve them and to worship Him properly.
And Allaah knows best.