From Animalistic to Angelic: The Transformative Power of Fasting

Our earlier article discussed humans’ animalistic and angelic characteristics. Their happiness hinges on the latter’s predominance. Fasting is crucial in teaching the self (nafs) to yield to the soul’s needs. Various religious communities acknowledge this, as the purpose of fasting is to deepen one’s awareness of God. By fasting, one can break the first veil—the animalistic—thereby freeing the angelic aspect. This is accomplished through denying food, drink, and personal desires.

Additionally, fasting ensures that the angelic influences—not eradicates—the animalistic features of our nature. This idea embodies the essence of Sharia. Contentment arises when one’s angelic characteristics oversee the self. This balance can be gradually attained by imitating (tashabbuh) the angels in their devotion to God, reflected in our rituals and acts of piety, while setting aside animalistic urges. Fasting facilitates both of these objectives. Yet, fasting is not designed to be a permanent condition, as that would impose excessive difficulty on most people, all of whom have rights towards others; the religion was revealed with consideration for what best serves humanity. Therefore, fasting is mandated for a specific period, allowing people to revel in the harmony brought by the angelic and endeavor towards complete perfection.

After recognising the importance of fasting and the diverse needs of individuals, it is crucial to determine an appropriate duration. A short fasting period may yield minimal benefits, while an excessively long one could harm health, contradicting Sharia principles. Fasting acts as a remedy, helping to eliminate spiritual and bodily toxins and addressing the complexities of human nature. Thus, its duration should reflect necessity. Sharia encourages longer intervals between meals rather than merely a small amount of food and drink. This approach not only cleanses and purifies the body but also enables individuals to experience hunger and thirst, fostering empathy for the less fortunate and reducing base instincts. Consequently, the effects of fasting can be profound. Since people have varying levels of endurance, it is unrealistic to expect everyone to restrict their intake similarly.

Fasting during the day is deemed appropriate since less than this would be akin to delaying lunch since the taste of hunger is achieved by abstaining until night. Furthermore, the interval must not be excessive or destructive, like three days and nights, because that contradicts the purpose of the Sharia. Abstinence should be repeated to achieve training and submission; otherwise, what benefit does a single hunger provide, even strong and intense!

When identifying a month, it’s crucial to avoid allowing individuals to make self-serving choices that disregard one of the most significant acts of worship in Islam. Additionally, the congregation of large groups of Muslims, united by a shared purpose and witnessing one another, strengthens their actions and encourages their involvement. This collective worship attracts blessings for the elite and the ordinary people, enhancing the chances that the light of perfected souls and the virtuous will shine upon those below them, extending their prayers to those who follow. The month most deserving of recognition is that in which the Quran was revealed, marking the establishment of the religion of the Chosen One ﷺ, coinciding with the Night of Decree.