Secondly, fasting is an act by which one subdues the devil. This fact guards one’s intention against being corrupted, unlike prayer, charity and, Hajj (pilgrimage). Why does God (SWT) say that fasting, to the exclusion of other acts of worship, is for Him? Is not our prayer and charity for His sake as well? Al-Ghazālī writes that God (SWT) has given the action of fasting an extra degree of honor, by attributing it to Himself, in two waysįirstly, fasting is a hidden act of worship no one is actually able to see you fast. “All of the actions of the son of Adam are for him, except for fasting. Al-Ghazālī deems this point central to realizing the objectives of fasting.Īl-Ghazālī quotes the well-known hadīth (tradition) in which the Prophet SAW says that God, subhanahu wa ta`ala (exhalted is He), said: It is by overcoming one’s desires that one finds refuge from the devil and tranquility. Our desires, namely, are food, drink, and intimacy. He begins by stating that the way by which the devil influences the hearts of people is through their desires ( shahawāt). For the sake of space, we will limit ourselves to a few points he mentions. In his magnum opus, Ihyā’ ʿUlūm al-Dīn, al-Ghazālī discusses the “secrets” of fasting and the method by which one can attain them and fulfill the objectives of fasting. To remedy this issue who better to turn to than Abū Hāmid al-Ghazālī (taken from Ihyā’ ʿUlūm al-Dīn, pp. After all, it is doubtlessly easier to appreciate an act of worship when not burdened by the grueling fast. The night has become the focal point for many, and, not to undermine its significance, most people do not appreciate the spirituality that can be enjoyed during the day. Certainly, many of us feel the spiritual ecstasy after satiating ourselves, whether it is by praying tarawīh (nightly Ramadan prayer) or enjoying qiyām (late-night prayer) at the masjid (mosque). Despite being aware of this, for many of us, the daylight hours of Ramadan remain drawn-out moments of thirst and hunger.
To claim that the act of fasting is more than mere abstention from food, drink, and intimacy with one’s spouse is a cliché.
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