"Fasting during Ramadan Trains Our Patience," Dean of FDI Says

Al-Jami’ah Mosque, UIN Online News - Al-Jamiah Mosque of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta conducted its Ramadan sermon on Tuesday (11/3/2025). The sermon was attended by numerous professors, students, and the academic community of UIN Jakarta. 

During this event, Dr. Hj. Yuli Yasin M.A., the Dean of the Faculty of Dirasat Islamiyah (FDI), presented a sermon entitled The Wisdom of Fasting in Building Patience ("Hikmah Puasa dalam Membangun Kesabaran" in Indonesia). This discourse aims to inspire the congregation to enhance the quality of prayer during the sacred month of Ramadan.

In her speech, Dr. Yuli Yasin articulated that fasting is advantageous: "Fasting encompasses more than merely abstaining from hunger and thirst; it also involves cultivating a more patient disposition across various facets of life."

She explained that there are three types of patience that every Muslim should practice:

1. Patience in executing compliance. "Fasting constitutes a mode of devotion that necessitates patience in its practice."

2. Patience in refraining from sin. "Fasting encompasses not just abstaining from food and drink but also from behaviors that may undermine the merit of fasting, including gossip and other immoral conduct. It ought to be an opportunity for self-improvement through the abstention from all forms of immorality."

3. Patience in confronting the repercussions of devotion (fate). "Fasting undoubtedly results in sensations of hunger and thirst. Nevertheless, the practice serves as an exercise in patience, enabling us to accept our fate stoically."

In her talk, Dr. Yuli emphasized the need for cool-headedness in everyday life. She demonstrated the need for a husband to exhibit patience at work and for a wife to maintain enthusiasm in cooking iftar meals, even in states of fatigue.

Furthermore, she urged the assembly to continue committing acts of devotion after the conclusion of the fast, including the tarawih prayer. The reward for individuals who observe fasting with complete faith and sincerity is substantial, as the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated, "Whoever fasts with faith and anticipation of reward, their previous sins will be forgiven."

In conclusion, she presented authentic instances from the narratives of the prophets to illustrate the practice of patience. Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) exemplifies patience in obedience, Prophet Yusuf (PBUH) represents self-restraint from sin, and Ummu Sulaim embodies patience in accepting an adverse destiny.

"If we diligently observe fasting and embody these three forms of patience, we will cultivate greater patience and resilience after Ramadan ends," she concluded.

(ZM/Muhamad Arifin Ilham)