O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint,- 2:183

The fasting during Ramadan has been ordained for Muslims as fasting had been ordained for people that preceded them. Prophet Muhammad, addressing his companions on the last day of Shaban, said: "O people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than a thousand months; month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer's sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all." [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]

The concept of charity during Ramadan is an amazing transaction indeed. Allah owns everything but yet when we share a tiny bit with others He promises a return for as many as up to 700 times. A simple smile is guaranteed to be rewarded. In fact sometimes a smile does more to a human soul than otherwise! And giving before being asked and giving more than what is asked, offers contentment and joy that is priceless.

Patience is a virtue. There may not be a better way to empower oneself than to practice patience. Allah tests some by giving too much and others by taking away the little they had. Such are the trials that everyone must go thru. This exercise deepens the self understanding and realization which helps one to subjugate impatience, intolerance and other such vices.

Let us InshaAllah practice 'patience' while being generous in 'giving', during our 'fasting' in this blessed month of Ramadan.