Fasting

The Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him said, “The worst container that the child of Adam fills is his stomach. A few morsels are enough to energize his vigor. If he must eat then let one third (of his stomach) be for food, one third for his drink, and one third for his breath.”  

In order to pass through the stations of the “commanding Nafs” and the stations of the “Blaming Self” and reach the higher stations you will need to discipline your relationship to food, sleep, speech, and outside activity. Fasting helps the traveler build spiritual fortitude and break the grip of the lower desires. Fasting is an important practice to for the student. Not just fasting from food and water, fasting from anything other then Allah (swta). Fasting of the eyes of not look at anything other then Allah (swta). The fasting of the ears to not listen to anything other then Allah (swta). The fasting of the limbs to not be engaged in any activity other then the cause of Allah (swta). The fasting of the tongue to not speak in a negative way such as “backbiting”,  lying, or using vulgarity.This is the deeper meaning of fasting.

Sidi writes about fasting as a form of spiritual medicine. “Fasting is healing for the body, heart and spirit and it’s benefits can not be enumerated. It produces marvelous results in preventive medicine. It detoxifies the body and rids it of free radicals. It stops the self from indulging in that which is harmful and teaches moderation and balance. Fasting gives rest to the body, the faculties and the organs and therefore protects its strength. When a person who is fasting adheres correctly to the natural and spiritual requirements of fasting, his heart and body rejoices and greatly benefits and the fasting will not only prevent harm to him but will free him from all the harm he already has. However, a person must fast in a moderate way and should not go to any extreme in fasting, for moderation in fasting is pleasing to the Lord and a protection from disease for the body.”

Fasting in the Sufi way typically means to fast from all food and drink from sunrise till sunset. Sidi recommended that the best days to fast were Monday and Thursday. You decide which day is best and how often to fast, once a week or once a month or more or less. You should not fast if you are sick or weak if fasting could worsen your condition. Nursing mothers and menstruating women should not fast. If you are new to fasting you will want to take it slow and do shorter duration until your “commanding Nafs” get used to being disciplined. 

The first year I tried to fast for Ramadan I lasted 3 days, the second year I made it a whole week, the third year I lasted for three weeks and now sense the fourth year I have managed the full month of fasting. Each year it gets easer. Now when I do fast once a week it always feels good and it is not challenging like before. With practice fasting brings peace, humility, mental clarity and a deeper connection to the Divine. There are specific gifts from fasting that you won't find through any other practice. 

Suggestions for beginning the practice of fasting; Get up early and have a good breakfast before fajr (morning prayer). I like making a protein smoothy with kale, avocado, banana, etc. Drink 12-24 once water. After fair prayer, set the intention to fast for the sake of Allah and ask for support from Allah to make your fasting successful. Expect to hit voices of resistance. Your ‘commanding nafs” are not going to like being denied free reign to do what ever pleases them. Do lots of remembrance and write the chapter “commanding nafs” in He Who Knows Himself Knows His Lord. Break the fast at sunset with a few dates and water. Then do mugrib prayer. After prayer you can have your usual portioned dinner.

For a deeper understanding of the spiritual nature of fasting, see Sidi’s book “The Deeper Meaning of the Pillars of Islam” from Sidi Muhammad press.