The goal of Ramadan fasting! -Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal ____________ Self-purification through spirituality is a major goal of
Islamic fasting, especially in the month of Ramadan, although unfortunately
Muslims fast for certain material benefits. Once again the Holy Ramadan month has arrived as the
chief blessings of Allah (God) with to help the humanity of believers live much
better than now and after the holy month. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar
which is a month of blessed, month of revelation of the Holy Quran, and month to achieve Jannah, and therefore the
best month in a year Muslims look forward each year to fulfill their spiritual
duties. Fasting is one of Islam's five main pillars. The other
pillars are the belief in one God and the Prophet Mohammed as His Messenger,
praying five times a day, completing the pilgrimage to Mecca for those who are
able and giving charity or "zakat". Though fasting is mandatory for
all Muslims upon reaching puberty, as long as they are mentally and physically
sound, it should not be observed as
a mere
formality. Those elderly and chronically ill are exempt from
fasting; however, it is incumbent upon them to feed the poor instead if they
possess the financial means. Concern for less privileged and poor is the thrust
of Islamic fasting. While fasting, Muslims are expected to reflect upon good
and bad things that have happened to them in the past, especially the last
Ramadan month. Those Muslims who have been Islamic, positively religious,
upright with truth, who avoid ill speech, arguments, loss of temper and malicious
behavior, who have served the cause of Islam and Muslims, helped fellow Muslims
and others in difficult positions, who have kept the word given to others - are
the blessed ones - especially those who undertook the fasting and did only good
things, thought only of good positive tidings! Remember, Allah warns us of
consequences for each of our good or bad actions and we would be held
accountable for everything we do or refuse to do. It is quite possible that Allah does not punish quickly
enough those who commit hypocritical
errors or crimes but that does not mean we can justify everything we do. The Holy Quran informs the believers, the Muslims, that
fasting, like other Islamic duties, is prescribed for them. “O you who believe,
fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so
that you may guard against evil.” (Holy Quran, 2:183) Allah says: “And when My servants ask you (O Prophet) about Me,
surely I am nigh. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me, so
they should hear My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right
way.” (ibid, 2:186)’ “And swallow not up your property among yourselves by
false means, nor seek to gain access thereby to the authorities so that you may
swallow up other people’s property wrongfully while you know.” (ibid., 2:188)’
“He who does not give up uttering falsehood and acting according to it, God has
no need of his giving up his food and drink.” (Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAS).
Prophet Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights, and explained it by saying: “..Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:2-4.) Prophet Moses also had
fasted forty days and forty nights (Exodus 34:28). The entire global nation of over 2 billion people, men
and women, young and old, rich or poor - all together, for a whole month - not
eating, not drinking and not having intimate relations, during the daylight
hours. This describes the month of Ramadan. Fasting as a spiritual practice is found not just in
Islam but in all religions but there are fundamental differences as Islam
prescribes clear cut norms- from dawn to dusk every day for full month of
Ramadan. Fasting in Islam does not just consist of refraining from eating and
drinking, but from every kind of selfish desire and wrong-doing. The fast is
not merely of the body, but essentially that of the mind and spirit as well.
The physical fast is only a symbol and outward expression of the real, inner
fast. The founders of various other faiths (Buddha, Moses,
Jesus, etc.) practiced quite rigorous fasting as a preliminary to attaining
their first experience of spiritual enlightenment and communion with Allah
(Arabic world for God). It is not that only Holy prophets also fasted but also
all believers also do so, and they all do so not as a mere formality but with a
spiritual purpose useful for the human lives. Purpose of fasting in Islam as practiced by the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (SAS) include (a) develop and strengthen our powers of
self-control, so that we can resist wrongful desires and bad habits, and
therefore guard against evil. In fasting, exercising our ability of
self-restraint, so that we can then apply it to our everyday life to bring
about self-improvement; (b) to attain nearness and closeness to Almighty Allah
(God) so that He becomes a reality in our lives. The rigors of fasting purely
for the sake of following a Divine commandment, knowing and feeling that He can
see all our actions however secret, it intensifies the consciousness of God in our
hearts, resulting in a higher spiritual experience; (c) to
learn to refrain from usurping other’s rights and belongings. In fasting
we voluntarily give up even what is rightfully ours; how can then we think of
taking what is not ours but someone else? (d)
Charity and generosity is especially urged during Ramadan. We learn to
give, and not to take. The deprivation of fasting makes us sympathize with the
suffering of others, and desirous of alleviating it; and it makes us remember
the blessings of life which we normally take for granted. The object of fasting is that a person should abstain
from the food which nourishes the body and obtain through fasting the other
religious food which satisfies and brings solace to the soul. Hazrat Mirza
Ghulam Ahmad said: “People are unaware of the true nature of fasting.. Fasting
is not just the state of remaining hungry and thirsty. Its nature and effect
can only be discovered by experience. The human makeup is such that the less food is consumed
the greater is the purification of the soul and the development of the powers
of inner vision. God’s purpose is that you should reduce one kind of food (physical) and increase the other kind (spiritual). The
person fasting must remember that the aim is not simply to remain hungry; he
should be engrossed in the remembrance of God so as to attain severance from
worldly desires. Fasting a full month with Islamic commitment would make
the believers strong spiritually. Those who truly fast for the sake of
attaining to God - and not merely as a custom or formality- should be absorbed
in the praise and glorification of God, and in meditating upon His Unity. Maulana Muhammad Ali said: “The real purpose of fasting
is to attain righteousness. A person who undergoes hunger and thirst, but does
not behave righteously, has done nothing. If someone is told the aim and object
of doing a certain duty, and he does that duty but does not attain the required
aim and object, it is as if he has not done that duty.” The Maulana used very
strongly to urge the members of the Muslim community to say the tahajjud
prayers during the month of Ramadan: “You have to rise early in any case to begin the
fast; rise even earlier, by half an hour or an hour, and say tahajjud prayers.” Many people have tried different kinds of fasting. Some
will drink only juice for a day, or eat only fruit, or stay away from any sugar
or starches, or leave alcohol for a period of time. Yet, it seems strange to
most folks, the idea of Muslims fasting in the month of Holy Ramadan. What is
the significance of Ramadan? Isn't it a very harsh practice? Is it just a time when Muslims sleep and fast
and hardly work all day; and eat, drink, enjoy and stay awake all night? What really is the spirit of Ramadan? Islamic fasting is not just about staying away from food
alone and doing all devilish things 24 hours. There are as many levels of
fasting as there are facets to being human.
Proper fasting should encompass all dimensions of human existence for it
to have the divinely intended effect. The following are some of the major
levels of fasting:
Ritual Level: This level of fasting requires that the basic rules for fasting be fulfilled, which are avoiding
food, drink and sexual intercourse between dawn and sunset for 29 or 30 days
each year. On this level, one is basically following the letter of the laws
regarding fasting without particular consideration for the spirit of
fasting. It is the entrance level which
must be fulfilled for the fast to be Islamically correct, but the other levels
must be added for the fast to have any real impact on the fasting person. Fasting on this level alone will not benefit
one spiritually, except from the perspective of submission to divine instructions,
if one chooses to follow the ritual consciously and not merely according to
tradition. Thus, by itself, the ritual level will not purify one of
sin or atone for sin. Fasting on the "physical" level causes the
fasting person to experience the pangs of hunger and thirst - when the prophetic (Sunnah) way of fasting is observed. Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) used to consume a very light meal before the dawn
(suhur) and moderate meal (iftar) to break the fast at sunset, while
scrupulously avoiding filling his stomach. He is reported to have said,
"The worst container a human being can fill is his stomach. A few morsels
of food to keep a person's back straight are sufficient. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to break
his fast with a few fresh or dried dates and a glass of water just before
beginning the sunset prayer. This level allows the fasting person to experience
the pangs of hunger and thirst and thereby develops sympathy in him or her for
those starving and dying of thirst in other parts of the world. Islamic fasting cum prayers lead the faithful from the
ritual, psychological and physical levels to spiritual level to help live as
enlightened Muslims. On the physical level, some chemicals in the brain that
transmit messages and create feelings, called neurotransmitters, are affected
by fasting. Fasting encourages the endorphin neurotransmitter system, related
to the feeling of well being - and euphoria, to produce more endorphins and, in
fact, makes the true believers feel better. This is similar to the effect of
exercise but without the physical work. It has also been noted by medical
experts that fasting improves the physical health in numerous ways. For example, during the fast the body uses up
stored cholesterol (fat) that is often deposited in the blood system, as well
as in other fatty areas of the body. So, we find it does help keep the body
firm and minimizes the danger of heart attacks. The difference between the ritual level and the physical
level is, a person doing only ritual fasting may eat large meals prior to
beginning the fast and immediately upon ending the fast, and not feel any
hunger or thirst throughout the whole month. However, like level one, if the
fasting person does not incorporate the other levels of fasting, the fast will
only be physically exhausting. The Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him)
said, "Maybe a fasting person will gain nothing but hunger and thirst from
fasting." The sexual instinct and drives are harnessed on this
level of fasting. In these times where the media continually plays on
sexual desires to promote and sell products, the ability to control these
powerful desires is a plus. Fasting even physically reduces sexual desires and
the fact that the fasting person has to avoid anything which could stimulate
him psychologically helps to further lower the libido. But committed fasting
makes the believers derive all spiritual benefits as well. Prophet Muhammad (SAS) said, "O youths, whoever
among you is able to marry let him do so, for it restrains the eyes and
protects the private parts. He who is unable to marry should fast, because it
is a shield." By restraining from sexual acts, even though they are
permissible, the fasting people make it easier for themselves to restrain from
forbidden sexual acts when they are not fasting. Fasting on physical level involves controlling the many
negative emotions which simmer in the human mind and soul. For example, among
the most destructive emotions is anger. Fasting helps bring these emotions
under control. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "When one of you is fasting, he should abstain from
indecent acts and unnecessary talk, and if someone begins an obscene
conversation or tries to pick an argument, he should simply tell him, "I
am fasting." So, on this level, whatever negative emotions challenge
the fasting person must be avoided. A person has to abstain from lewd
conversation and heated arguments. Even when one is in the right, it is better
to let that right go and keep one's emotional fast intact. Likewise, the
negative emotion of jealousy is reduced, as every fasting person is reduced to
the common denominator of abstinence; no one is externally superior to another
in this regard. In true fasting, humans realize several levels of
meanings of life. The psychological level helps the fasting person
psychologically to control evil thoughts and trains him or her, to some degree,
how to overcome stinginess and greed. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
"Allah has no need for the hunger and the thirst of the person who does
not restrain himself from telling lies and acting on them even while observing
the fast." In this age of immediate gratification, when the things of the
world are used to fulfill human needs and desires almost as soon as they have
them - the ability to delay gratification is an important skill. What is
between immediate gratification and delayed gratification is patience. During
the fast, the believers learn patience - and the benefits of it. Fasting gives one the opportunity to overcome the many
addictions which have become a major part of modern life. Food, for many
people, provides comfort and joy - and the ability to separate oneself from it
gives the fasting people the psychological benefit of knowing that they do have
some degree of control over what they do and what they do not do. From a
psychological perspective, it is good to be somewhat detached from the things
of the world. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a good and full life - in
fact, one can and should expect that. However, it is important that Muslims are
able to detach ourselves from material things so that they do not become the
most important part of their lives to determine our faith. In Islam, in order to establish the final spiritual level
- the highest and most important level of fasting, the level of (God)
Allah-consciousness, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made the renewal of
the intention for fasting a requirement before every day of fasting. He was
reported to have said, "Whoever does not intend to fast before Fajr (the
dawn) will have no fast." The daily renewal of intention helps to
establish a spiritual foundation of sincerity essential for the spiritual
cleansing effects of fasting to operate. Sincere fasting purifies and atones for sin, as the
Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever fasts Ramadan out of sincere
faith and seeking his reward from God, his previous sins will be
forgiven." He was also reported to have said, "From one Ramadan to
the next is atonement for the sins between them." Fasting, like other Islamic requirements like prayers,
holy Hajj, is not a mere formality to be completed somehow as a burden but it
has a spiritual significance attached to it and hence it needs to be performed
with utmost sincerity and complete commitment. Observation Islamic fasting is not simply about denying our body food
and water. It also involves arguably the more taxing challenge of
avoiding ill speech, arguments, loss of temper and malicious behavior. When
combined with the previous levels of fasting, the spiritual level transforms a
person from within. It restores, revives and regenerates the fasting person's
spirituality and radically modifies his or her personality and character. These
are the precious products of a heightened state of God-consciousness. A successful
fasting enables us become pure in thoughts and deeds. Fasting is primarily between the person and God, as no
one can be sure that any person is actually fasting. Because of this intimate
aspect of fasting, Allah was quoted by the Prophet (peace be upon him) as
saying. "Every act of Adam's descendants is for themselves, except
fasting. It is meant for Me alone, and I alone will give the reward for
it." Self-purification as the central part of spiritual
development is the goal of fasting during Holy Ramadan. It is obviously wrong
to presume that just fasting without any spiritual commitment in the Holy month
of piety and compassion would add more wealth to us. Fasting is performed as a
duty of Muslims for Allah’s kindness toward us. Self-purification could be attained only by performing
the fasting cum prayers at all its levels. If Muslims fast with ill-feelings
intact and just for dirty money or similar other favors, they do not seek self-purification, On the contrary,
by such selfish or negative motives in fasting
they refuse to be self purified
in spiritual form. These Muslims
care nothing about the Hereafter life. Truth and truthfulness, kindness and compassion are the
foundations of self purification. Whether they fast or not, if Muslims do not tell
lies or at least avoid telling lies they could be sure of reaching the truth
zone. But if they decide to continue to avoid lies, they indirectly approach
the spiritual domain. However, if upon the close of holy fasting, Muslims
resume all bad habits, including telling lies, they in fact directly kick the
holy fasting month. If humans- Muslims - have not changed their life
patterns, even after fasting 30 days year after year it could only signify
hopelessly permanent hollowness in humans!
That also may mean Muslims systemically refuse to accept the importance
of arrival of Holy Prophets to the world to guide the humanity. Importantly, Muslims could perform fasting, prayers and
other religious duties not merely as a formality for favors from God or people. Spirituality and self-purification have got
much to do with this notion. If Muslims have fooled, deceived or harmed anyone,
deliberately or otherwise, they need to repent. Sincere fasting brings one closer to Allah and earns a
special reward. The Prophet (peace be upon him) informed that there is a
gate in paradise called Rayyan reserved for those who fast and he also said,
"When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are open." Patience and mercy are the important virtues we all need
in these harried times to live as good humans. Month of Ramadan is viewed as a
month-long school where graduates leave with a developed sense of self-control
in areas including diet, sleeping and the use of time. The degree to be obtained by the believers could be
called as Self-purification. For this to happen, let bad, cunning or negative thoughts
leave your mind and good thoughts enter your mind system in order to help you
make a better and purposeful spiritual life. Holy month of Ramadan is the best
time for that auspicious endeavor. Simply put, in saying that we have observed Ramadan
fasting, we should also mean we are now purified with divine thoughts, away
from selfish, hypocritical, corrupt malicious motives of ordinary life..
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