Spiritual & Physical Detoxification

For all those folks who are tired of Paleo, Vegan and myriad of other diets, there is good news: try fasting! It comes without the hefty price tag of popular diet plans; the only thing you need is a strong will power. Let’s take a look at the Islamic fundamentals of this ritual. Fasting is the fourth pillar of Islam; it is obligatory for all able bodied Muslim men and women. The Holy Quran states: “O ye who believe, fasting is prescribed for you during a fixed number of days as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may safeguard yourselves against every kind of ill and become righteous. But whoso from among you should be ailing, not being permanently incapacitated, or should be on a journey, shall complete the reckoning by fasting on a corresponding number of other days; and for those who find fasting a strain hard to bear is an expiation, the feeding of a poor person, if they can afford it. Whoso carries through a good work with eager obedience, it is the better for him. If you possessed knowledge you would realise that it is better for you that you should fast.” (2:184-185)

It is interesting to note that fasting is not a foreign concept for most religions. Jews, Christians and Hindus observe complete, partial or intermittent fasts; their practices have been modified to allow greater individual choice. In Islam however, the rules regarding observance of fast are clearly stated and defined. Islamic months are based on a lunar calendar. Since a lunar calendar is shorter by about eleven days than the solar calendar therefore, Ramadhan rotates throughout the year and seasons by starting ten days earlier every year. Fasting is observed during the Holy month of Ramadhan for thirty days from dawn till sunset. During this period Muslims abstain from food, drink and conjugal relations. In terms of starting and ending the fast, the Holy Quran again guides us: “Children of Adam, look to your adornment at every time and place of worship, and eat and drink but be not immoderate, surely, He loves not those who are immoderate”(7:32). One can think of Ramadhan as a period of intense physical and moral training; it teaches patience, endurance, steadfastness, compassion and empathy.

The true purpose of Ramadhan is not mere starvation and abstention from lawful things. The word Ramadhan literally means two heats: one is the type of heat your body endures from absence of food and liquids. The other refers to the flame which is ignited in the heart to gain love and nearness of God Almighty. The flame which burns away all evil desires and indecent inclinations. The essence of Ramadhan, like other Islamic worships is self-reformation and to attain the pleasure of God. A conscious effort is made to abolish all kinds of immoralities while intensifying one’s concentration on remembrance of God and excelling in righteous deeds. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “He who abstains from food and drink during the period of the fast but does not restrain himself from uttering a falsehood starves himself to no purpose.” The self control and discipline practiced for 30 days does not end here; rather, it is an antidote for the rest of the eleven months to stay on track. Thus, the Holy month of Ramadhan serves as a spiritual refresher course for all Muslims.

The end of Ramadhan is marked by the observance of a festival called Eid-ul-Fitr. Men , women and children congregate in mosques to attend the Prayer service. The day is observed by glorifying God Almighty for His guidance and infinite bounties. Food and gifts are shared with friends, relatives, needy, poor and sick. However, the ultimate reward of fasting truly for the sake of God is evident from these words of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). He stated, “There are appropriate spiritual rewards for all worship and righteous action; the ultimate reward of the person who observes the fast solely for winning the pleasure of God is God Himself.”