Recognize and fulfill the purpose of fasting [2:183]
Mar 28, 2023
Here is today's reflection from the Quran:
O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those who were before you, so that you may attain God consciousness.
(SÅ«rat al-Baqarah, 2:183)
(SÅ«rat al-Baqarah, 2:183)
The Islamic injunction for fasting in the month of Ramadan continues the practice of previous faith traditions which also involved some form of restraint and denial of material needs as a pathway to spiritual elevation.
Today, let us briefly remind ourselves about the purpose of fasting.
In Chapter 2:183, the Quran says: O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain God consciousness.
The ultimate purpose of fasting then, is not a mere abstention from food and drink but rather the development of inner strength, a super energy, this Taqwa, which develops our self control so that we can live consciously and aligned with our ultimate purpose rather than fall prey to momentary passions and desires.
Keeping away from food, drink and other prohibitions during this month is simply the entry point to developing this internal energy, this God consciousness.
Taqwa, at its most basic means keeping away from what is not allowed and fulfilling your obligations. The highest forms of Taqwa are much more than that: scholars explain that it means guarding against everything and all actions which carry us away from our Lord.
Just as Taqwa has levels, fasting too, has various levels. The verse uses the word “la’alla” meaning perhaps. In other words, abstention from food and drink may not automatically lead to Taqwa or God consciousness.
The Holy Prophet (saw) has said, “how many of those who fast gain nothing from it but hunger and thirst” meaning that while we may stay hungry and thirsty, achieving the purpose of fasting takes a little more work.
So let us try and understand what kind of fasting is it that will lead to Taqwa, which is the ultimate goal of fasting.
Imam Ali (as) talked about higher levels of fasting than simply being hungry and thirsty and he said: "Fasting of the heart is better than the fasting of the tongue; and fasting of the tongue is better than the fasting of the stomach."
Scholars explain that this points to the three levels of fasting:
1. The ordinary level or the fasting of the people of Sharia.
The basic level of fasting is the fasting of the stomach. The stomach here, is symbol for physical desires of all types: food, drink and sexual desires. In order for the fast to be “legislatively correct”, a person must abstain from things which are forbidden while fasting and which invalidate the fast.
This type of fasting is valuable as a form of training ourselves to develop restraint and self-control at least over our physical needs and passions.
2. The fasting of the special people or the fasting of the people of Tariqa [ethical or moral fasting]
When we attain this level of fasting, we are able to refrain from misusing the faculties we have been gifted, such as the tongue, the eyes, the hands and the feet.
Referring to this level of fasting, Imam Ja‘far as-Sadiq (as) has said:
“Fasting is not only about food and drink that a person refrains from eating or drinking. In reality, when you fast, then your ears, your eyes, your tongue, your stomach and your private parts must also fast. Restrain your hand and your private parts, and mostly maintain silence except for something good, and be lenient towards your servant.”
At this level, scholars explain, the believer becomes much more conscious about engaging in things which do not technically invalidate the fast. S/he desires to be in a constant state of worship and reminds himself of the words of the Holy Prophet (saw) who said: “The person who is fasting is in the state of worship (‘ibadah) even when he is sleeping on his bed – as long he has not gossiped about a believer.”
3. The fasting of the spiritual elite or the fasting of the people of Haqiqa [spiritual fasting].
Those who desire to reach higher levels of God consciousness and thus achieve the aim of fasting itself are not content at this level either and they aim for the Fasting of Al-Haqiqat (mystical or spiritual Fasting).
Scholars explain that this is the station of the exceptional people (khasul khass). In involves fasting with the heart where one focuses only on Almighty Allah and refrains from focusing on the mundane issues of this world.
Those who elevate their fast to this level have been described by the Prophet Muhammad (saw) as “the guests of Allah” and “those who have the honour (karamah) of Allah.”
So as we feel the hunger pangs and the thirst this Ramadan, let us reflect on what it means to fast with all of our organs including our heart.
For those of us who are unable to fast due to medical or other reasons, we can still fast in all these ways!
For those of us who are unable to fast due to medical or other reasons, we can still fast in all these ways!
Can we fast with our tongues so that our speech is nothing but beneficial? Can we purify our hearts to the extent that they contain nothing but the love for the All Merciful?
Indeed, this is only possible with the tawfiq and guidance from the All Merciful Himself:
Indeed, this is only possible with the tawfiq and guidance from the All Merciful Himself:
And help us to fast in it by restraining our limbs from disobeying You and by employing them in that which pleases You so that we lend not our ears to idle talk and we don’t let our eyes easily glance towards diversion, and so that we stretch not our hands towards the forbidden and stride not with our feet towards the prohibited, and so that our bellies hold only what You have made lawful and our tongues speak only what You have exemplified, and so that we undertake nothing but what brings us close to Your reward and pursue nothing but what protects us from Your punishment! (Dua Welcoming Ramadan, from Sahifa Sajjadiya by Imam Zainul Abideen)
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Marzia Hassan
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I am a counsellor specializing in couple therapy and parent coaching in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Although my first degree was in Law (LLB from the University of Toronto), I realised that my true passion lay in counselling and coaching families and couples to build better relationships. I therefore started training in family and couple therapy and have been practicing marriage and family therapy for almost a decade.
