RAMADAN – ATTAINING THE PURPOSE

“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that ye may attain Taqwa”

In his Kitaab, Tableeghud Deen, Imaam Ghazaali (rahmatullah alayh) says:

"Fasting, with regard to quality, are of three kinds:
1. The Saum of the Awam (general public-the masses). Their fast consists of only abstention from the physical acts which nullify the fast. While they abstain from eating, etc., they involve their bodies in sin. Such saum is merely fasting in name. (Only the Fardh obligation is discharged thereby).

2. In addition to abstaining from food, etc., the Saim (fasting person) restrains the body from acting in violation of the Shariah. He withholds his tongue from gheebat and eyes from casting gazes at ghair mahareem. This is the middle category of fasting.

3. The third category of fasting is the Saum of the elite servants of Allah Ta'ala, viz. the Muttaqeen. In addition to their limbs abstaining from transgression, their hearts and minds are perpetually engrossed in Zikrullah (rememberance of Allah). At all times, in their hearts there is nothing but the remembrance of Allah Ta'ala. This is fasting in the state of kamaal (perfection)'.

Fasting in Ramadan is not merely physically restraining from the obvious food and drink, but the total commitment of the servant's body and soul to the letter and spirit of fasting.

1) The fast of the self, means to be free from all carnal desires.

2) The fast of mind is avoiding thoughts about things other than Allah (SWT).

3) The fast of the hand is not touching/taking what does not belong to it.

4) The fast of the feet is not going places where sinful acts are propagated.

5) The fast of the eye is to prevent it from seeing forbidden things.
Allah (SWT) says in Al-Qur’an, “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be mindful of their chastity; this will be most conducive to their purity. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms”. (Al-Qur’an 24:30-31)

6) The fast of the tongue is guarding against lying, backbiting, slandering, reviling, abusing others, cursing, indecent conversation, swearing and false evidence. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “A Muslim is he from whose tongue and hands other Muslims are safe”.
The Prophet (pbuh) said, “"Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)" (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 127)

7) The fast of the ears is not to listen to idle talk, gossip, lyrics and notes thatcontain obscene and indecent things. Listening to Al-Qur’an bears the fruit of faith, guidance, light and prosperity. It fills the heart with wisdom, tranquillity,intimacy and contentment. It is a source of protection from the dangerous,deviant and sinful thoughts.

8) The fast of the heart means casting out from it the love of worldly things and by emptying it of all corrupt material such as, false beliefs, evil suggestions, filthy intentions and degenerate thoughts.
The Prophet (pbuh) said: “There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart.” (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 49)