Do people think that they will be left alone on saying, “We believe,” and not be tried? Certainly We tried those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are sincere, and know those who feign. [Qur'an 29:3]
We are not left untested when we simply make an intellectual affirmation of faith. A profound effort is required of us to accomplish our goal. Faith is not sufficient without manifested works.
How does abstinence help this process? First, abstinence helps us focus on the reality of God. Fasting is valuable in this initial effort to ascertain the Ultimate Reality, to learn just what the purpose of existence is. It does so by isolating the spiritual, removing material involvement, requiring the intellect to focus on a reality independent of tangibles.
Fasting facilitates the spiritual thought process, freeing it from competing physical needs. Depending on the degree of abstention, fasting frees the body from digestive, sexual, muscular and even mental activities (particularly of a pedantic ilk). With the grace of Almighty God, we can then maintain a proper course for our passage through this life.
Secondly, fasting represents an act of obedience to the word of God. We are asked to fast in every major religion known to humanity. Having determined to please God, to do His will, we are happy to know, with confidence, that we are pleasing our Master.
When we undertake a fast – even when our motives are other than religious – we have a certitude that we are doing something good for ourselves. While some fear or reluctance may accompany the initial period of fasting, there is never a sense of guilt, remorse, shame or fault when initiating a fast. Fasting is inherently a “good” thing to do.
We never repent of having eaten too little. Thomas Jefferson.