Fasting serves not only as a physical discipline but also as a profound transformative practice that strengthens the soul, calms the mind and creates a deeper connection with Allah
The Arabic term Ramadan connotes intense heat. It indicates that in pre-Islamic Arabia, Ramadan was the name of a scorching hot summer month. In the Islamic calendar, however, the timing of Ramadan varies from year to year.
Ramadan not only teaches us perseverance but has numerous benefits for our spiritual being. The Quran states that fasting was prescribed for believers so that they may be conscious of God (Allah). Ramadan is a period of fasting and spiritual growth and is one of the five “pillars of Islam” – the others being the declaration of faith, daily prayer, alms-giving and the pilgrimage to Mecca. Able-bodied Muslims are expected to abstain from eating, drinking and sexual relations from dawn to sunset each day of the month. Many practising Muslims also perform additional prayers like Taraweeh, especially at night, and attempt to recite the entire Quran. Besides some believers observe Atikaf- a meritorious voluntary act to stay in the mosque, especially on the last ten days of Ramadan and engage in God’s worship and win His blessings.
Ramadan is having a profound impact on our spirituality, particularly given the physical hardships that it entails. The most distinct feature of Ramadan is that it requires the able Muslims to fast the entire month. The fact that this distinct feature correlates with the auspiciousness of the month is perhaps a testament to how important and beneficial fasting is. Indeed, the activity entails immense spiritual benefits that lay the foundations for the spiritual uplift we witness during the month. Since we are often unaware of these benefits, this article aims to briefly introduce how, ironically, fasting is food for the soul.
- It weakens your NAFS (SELF)
According to the Sufi philosophies, the “NAFS” in its unrefined state is “the ego”, which they consider to be the lowest dimension of a person’s inward existence—his animal and satanic nature.
The “NAFS” is the component of an individual that compels them towards their animalistic desires. Each individual is responsible for controlling and overcoming these desires. Imam Ghazali writes that physical easements are the source of strength for the Nafs, including food and drink. The logical conclusion, therefore, is that depriving the physical body of food and drink would weaken the Nafs, and hence its ability to invite the individual towards evil and sin.
Since good deeds enhance one’s spirituality and bring them closer to Allah (SWT), it is quite understandable that fasting entails a great degree of spiritual benefit, particularly with regards to weakening your ability to sin.
- It strengthens your “SOUL “
Keeping up with the first point, weakening the Nafs would naturally mean strengthening the soul, since it is the vehicle through which an individual is inclined towards good deeds and hence towards developing a stronger relationship with Allah (SWT). This is why you feel that heightened sense of closeness to Allah (SWT) during Ramadan; your soul no longer has to battle your nafs in the desire to do good, and it is empowered by the fast, hence the increased willingness to do good.
- It brings you closer to your “THOUGHTS” and “EMOTIONS”
You have probably felt an overarching sense of calm and serenity during Ramadan. Quite often, even though the raging hunger of a long fast bothers us, we are calmed down by an overbearing sense of peace. These emotions are the direct impact of a closer connection to Allah (SWT). This calmness also allows us to be better attuned to our own thoughts and emotions, since we slowly drift away from the hurry and fuzz of worldly desires.
- It relieves you of worldly “DESIRES”
It is quite often the case that individuals refrain from all things that invite them towards sin during their fast. The natural response is that if one is making an effort to please Allah (SWT), one best not infect that effort by engaging in activities that breed evil and sin. We try to refrain from anger and from expressing our base instincts during Ramadan for this very reason, the natural result of which is a sort of deviation from the traditional chase of our worldly desires and aspirations. Fasting allows us to be more cognizant of ourselves and our actions, which in turn makes us more aware of the unnecessary pursuit of material and inconsequential gains.
In conclusion, while there are immense, visible physical benefits of fasting, the spiritual side of the activity often goes unnoticed. Imam Ghazali and others have spent a great deal of time and effort in outlining these benefits for the Ummah, which just goes on to show how the soul is often neglected in our conception of the world. Let this Ramadan be a portal for a great cognizance of the soul and its role in developing our connection with the Almighty.
The writer is a former Attorney at Law at the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. He is currently pursuing an MA in Political Science through IGNOU
Mudasir Mushtaq Khan
kh********@***oo.com