The Levels of Fasting
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:
The 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 a (lunar) month 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 Islāmicly 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.
The Physical Level
Fasting on the “physical” level causes the fasting person to experience the pangs of hunger and thirst when the prophetic way of fasting is observed. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to consume a very light meal before the dawn and moderate meal 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. However, if his desire overcomes him, then let him eat a third, drink a third and leave a third for breathing.” (Ibn Mājah)
The Prophet used to break his fast with a few fresh or dried dates and a glass of water just before beginning the sunset prayer[5]. 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.
Medical Benefits
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 us “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. Thus, it helps to keep the body firm and minimizes the danger of heart attacks. The difference between the ritual level and the physical level is that a person dong only ritual fasting may eat large meals prior to beginning the fast and immediately upon ending the fast, and thus not feel any hunger or thirst throughout the whole month. However, if the fasting person does not incorporate the other levels of fasting, the fast will only be physically exhausting. The Prophet said:
“Perhaps a fasting person will gain nothing but hunger and thirst from fasting.” (Ibn Mājah)
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 (peace be upon him), said:
“When one of you is fasting, you should abstain from indecent acts and unnecessary talk, and if someone begins an obscene conversation or tries to pick an argument, you should simply tell them, ‘I am fasting.’” (Saheeh Al-Bukhāri)
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. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) 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-Bukhāri)
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 themselves 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 (peace be upon him) made the renewal of the intention for fasting a requirement before every day of fasting. 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 brings one closer to God and earns a special reward. Fasting is primarily between the person and God, as no one can be sure that any person is actually fasting.
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 Eed al-Fitr. A quantity of staple food is donated to the poor (Zakat al-Fitr), everyone bathes and puts 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 Ramadān, Mondays and Thursdays, and the ninth and tenth, or tenth and eleventh of Muharram, the first month of the year. The tenth day, called Āshoorah, is also a fast day for the Jews (Yom Kippur).
While fasting per se is encouraged, constant fasting, as well as monasticism, celibacy, and otherwise retreating from the real world, are condemned in Islām. Fasting on the two festival days (Eed al-Fitr and Eed al-Adha) is forbidden.
(Source: excerpted from islamreligion.com/articles/639)
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[1] Webster’s New Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language.
[2] Dictionary of World Religions.
[3] See article: “What is the Name of God?”
[4] Abu Dawood.
