Prophet Mohammed ﷺ stated that “patience is half of faith”(Ibn Hajar) and “Fasting is half of patience.” (at-Tirmidhi)

Introduction:

Science of inner healing is based on many theories, one of which points out towards cleansing being a fundamental to immunity boosting. Fasting had been known for centuries as  the ‘medicine without any medicine in it’ and practiced by sages , monks, prophets and common folks like me or you. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ  said “Verily, there is a gate in Paradise called al-Rayyan, through which only those who fasted will enter on the Day of Resurrection. No one else will enter it along with them. It will be said: Where are those who fasted that they may enter? When the last of them enter, it will be closed and no one else will go through it.” (Bukhari).

The commandment of abstaining from food had been sanctified in practice of many mistics, healers and religions, including monotheistic message deliverd from One God in Gospels, Tora and Quran. Depriving one self from food and water within specific period of day and night was never considered for ‘be-all and end-all’ requirements as the techniques and method of braking fast and time management were regarded as a matter of priority.

Prophet Mohammed ﷺ stated that “patience is half of faith”(Ibn Hajar) and “Fasting is half of patience.” (at-Tirmidhi) What happens with body during the fasting period could be classed as cleansing, as the inner healing properties governed by the Life Force/ Ruh / Chi are enabled to engage in, higher than normal intensity, work on self-repair. The first stage of rejuvenating, also known as healing crisis requires endurance as it produces symptoms of detoxification such as headaches, skin issues, dizziness, low blood sugar level and lethargy among many. On micro level this process include catabolic state, which breaks down stored nutrients and put them in use . Further state called ketosis helps body  to feed on its fat  rather than glycogen stores . Stored lipids and proteins have a potential in a longer run to be converted into energy in the process of gluconeogenesis, and fasting person experiences boost of immunity , mental clarity and often revers of acute or chronic symptoms.

This process can be easily disturbed and sabotaged with counterproductive, anti-healing food choices, which include non-alkaline and fat saturated, carb loaded and sugar full ingredients. Your first meal during closing the fasting window therefore can either jump-start your metabolism or  increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic disorders. Therefore, Ramadan and Sawm were set up as divine sunnah in order to encourage the healthy relationship with whole-based food.  The idea of eating for healthy life could be rephrased into a rule of ‘less is more’. Sharia regulates every little detail of mondain life (i.e. personal hygiene, manners of eating, methods of prayers) but offers only few suggestions for Suhur and Iftar.  “Break your fast with dates, or else with water, for it is pure.” (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).  “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would break the fast with fresh dates before performing Salah. If there were no fresh dates then (he would break the fast) with dried dates, and if there were no dried dates then he would take a few sips of water.”(Tirmidhi)

Hunger and fasting were therefore meant to overcome the power of desires in the lower Nafs, so that one might eat and enjoy without desire, or at least without an enslavement to it.  The disciplining of the lower Nasf results not only in resistance to sinning but also in spiritual uplifting. The most important  effect of fasting is the ultimate spiritual transcendence and soul catharsis resulting in cognitive openness to guidance, wisdom, channelling. The mortification of the Nafs and physical body with withdrawing from food and drink brings about  a freeing element to the soul, whereby it becomes divine-like and is more susceptible to intuition and influences of unseen - Geheyb.  Persian mystic Rūmī (d. 1273 CE) conceptualise this phenomena as  wisdom-susceptibility on subconscious, conscious and celestial levels  which he called the Universal Intellect. Prophet Muhammed ﷺ had a habit of meditating in his Cave Hira, where he would stay without a food or water, Prophet Musa or Isa had maintained similar sunnah to the universal effect of bringing revelations of prophethoods and guidance to their people.

When we turn toward the hadith we learn that  Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was minimalist, semi vegetarian and had applied moderate asceticism. The prophetic hunger habit was not out of compulsion but choice and often grace as they had no ingredients to eat at home. ‘Ā’isha complained that “the first innovation (bid‘a) introduced after the death of the Messenger of God ﷺ was satiety (shab‘)”(Bukhari)  and reminded  that the days on which he fasted outnumbered all others. Fasting can get one only closer to God under condition of Niya – pure intention. Therefore,  if done properly in the atmosphere of Zuhud but also Balance, Sawm has a real potential to be Mubrur-Accepted.  Ibn al-‘Arabī (d. 1240 CE) conceptualised this secret law by explaining that if one’s fast was motivated solely by a desire to heal ( or lose weight) then the act was not sawm but rather ḥamiyya,/zeal for wellness.  Correctly performed sawm starts with end goal in mind - the ultimate pleasure of God. Fasting involves al Amalu Saliha, meaning terraforming ones Adba -morals and character – Akhlak for the pleasure of Allah ST, which may include  mindful restrictions of gazing, hearing and speech. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said  “The adultery of the eye is the lustful look and the adultery of the ears is listening and the adultery of the tongue is immodest speech and the adultery of the hand is the lustful grip and the adultery of the feet is to walk (to the place where he intends to commit adultery) and the heart yearns and desires, and the private parts put this into effect or reject it.” (Mulsim, Bukhari). Ramadan represent The Ultimate Time to challenge oneself to become better and useful to society as whole, by activating consciousness of inner Niya and generous Gifting (Sadaka) from your highest self for the sake of Allah.

Start your own healing Journey with AJ!

Here is a quick checklist to get you started with free therapy session. Remember imperfect action beats inaction, get started and keep re investing in your growth for Khair!

• Create your vision board

• Reflect on things which you know Must Go in order for your life to change

• Start planning your therapy sessions topics by Identifying what resonates with your Heart.

• Create an outline the list of your Eternal Life goals.

• Write down the conversations you normally have with your self, like if you were telling a story to a friend

• Pick the most disturbing sentences and connect them with emotions you feeling when you hear them

• Perform several Ibadah types consciously (taddabur, dua, prayers, sadaka, fasting) and Honestly reflect on what is it you experiencing and what is it that you were hoping to experience

• Write down reasons why some of your relationships broke down and be clear on your ways about it as well

• Have a courage to name things you appreciate about your self, or are proud of - or ask you family and friends to remind you

• Take 10 minutes to edit your list and BOOK A CALL WITH AJ !