The Libidinal Level
The sexual instinct and drives (libido) 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 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. Prophet Muhammad, may the
mercy and blessings of God be upon him, 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.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
By restraining oneself from sexual acts which are
permissible, the fasting person makes it easier for himself to restrain himself
from forbidden sexual acts when he is not fasting.
The Emotional Level
Fasting on this 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 to bring this emotion under
control. Prophet Muhammad, 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.’”
(Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
Thus, on this level, whatever negative emotions
challenge the fasting person must be avoided. One must 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.
The Psychological Level
This 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 was reported to have said:
“Allaah 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.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
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.
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 people are able to detach ourselves from material things
so that they do not become the most important part of their lives. 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.
The Spiritual Level
In order to establish this, the highest and most
important level of fasting, the level of God-consciousness, Prophet Muhammad
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.” (Abu Dawud)
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 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 Ramadaan to
the next is atonement for the sins between them.” Sincere fasting brings one
closer to Allaah and earns a special reward. The Prophet informed that there
is a gate in paradise called Rayyaan reserved for those who fast and he also
said:
“When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are open.”
(Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
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, Allaah was quoted by the Prophet as saying:
“Every act of Aadam’s descendants is for
themselves, except fasting. It is meant for Me alone, and I alone will give
the reward for it.” (Saheeh Muslim)
When combined with the previous levels of fasting, this
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.
On the first day of the following month, after another
new moon has been sighted, a special celebration is made, called Id al-Fitr. A
quantity of staple food is donated to the poor (Zakat al-Fitr), everyone has
bathed and put on their best, preferably new, clothes, and communal prayers are
held in the early morning, followed by feasting and visiting relatives and
friends.
There are other fast days throughout the year. Muslims
are encouraged to fast six days in Shawwal, the month following Ramadan,
Mondays and Thursdays, and the ninth and tenth, or tenth and eleventh of
Muharram, the first month of the year. The tenth day, called Ashurah, is also
a fast day for the Jews (Yom Kippur), and Allah commanded the Muslims to fast
two days to distinguish themselves from the People of the Book.
While fasting per se is encouraged, constant fasting, as
well as monasticism, celibacy, and otherwise retreating from the real world,
are condemned in Islam. Fasting on the two festival days, Id al-Fitr and Id
al-Adha, the feast of the Hajj, is strictly forbidden.
|
