Fasting and its typologies (I)
Thus it came to pass that this year, we shall be observing fasting under conditions that even our fathers and probably their own fathers never witnessed before. If someone were to ask Professor Sani Zahradeen, our eminent leader, teacher, the Grand Imam of Kano and former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, if he ever […]
Thus it came to pass that this year, we shall be observing fasting under conditions that even our fathers and probably their own fathers never witnessed before. If someone were to ask Professor Sani Zahradeen, our eminent leader, teacher, the Grand Imam of Kano and former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, if he ever witnessed this type of pandemic before. He would probably say that this is the first time ever that he would be under restriction and lockdown.
To test the above ‘hypothesis’, a couple of days ago, I asked Prof D.O.S Noibi, unarguably one of the very few patriarchs that we have left in Arabic and Islamic scholarship in this part of Nigeria whether he ever experienced this kind of pandemic before. He shook his in the negative. After spending over eighty years on terrestrial earth, after seeing the beauties and the ugliness that life constantly offers, this is the first time he would be fasting in the month of Ramadan without observing congregational tarawih in the mosque. What a lesson life teaches. If indeed somebody were to say that he has seen it all, the current world-wide lockdown as a result of COVID- 19 is instructive of the fact that it is only the Almighty who has seen it all; it is He who creates it all; it is He alone who knows it all.
This is therefore a reminder. Recall, that fasting became obligatory on Muslims during the second year after the Hijra (migration of the Prophet from Makkah to Madinah). Thus, the Prophet fasted nine times in the month before he transited from this world to the other. The Almighty says: “O you who have believe Fasting is decreed upon you as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous (Quran 2: 183).
As we begin this year’s (1441 A.H) fasting, it is important to bear in mind that fasting can be divided into three. According to Imam al-Ghazali, there are ordinary fasting (șawm al-ʻUmmῡm), fasting of the elites in the spiritual realm (șawm al-khawāș) and fasting of the elite of the believing elite (șawm khawāș al-khawāș).
The first, which is ordinary fasting, means abstaining from food, drinks and sexual intercourse during the day though the person fasting may indulge in vain talks and watch forbidden scenes and images. This type of fasting is of the lowest level.
The second type of fasting which is fasting of the elite implies a type of fasting that entails, in addition to abstinence from eating and drinking) keeping one’s ears, eyes, tongue, hands, feet and all other organs of the body free from sins. The third variant or form of fasting- fasting of the elite of the believing elite- refers to fasting of the heart from unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts. It implies a type of fasting in which the servant disconnects himself or herself completely from this world and set her face and concern upon those mercies and favours which only the Almighty, the Great and the Glorious could grant. This kind of fasting is broken by thinking of worldly matters, except for those matters that are conducive to religious ends, since they constitute provisions for the Hereafter and are not exclusively of and for this lower world.
It is has been suggested by those imbued with discernment and knowledge of the spiritual states of the heart that it is not an ideal or a virtue for one to be concerned throughout the day with arrangements for breaking fast. Such anxiety stems from lack of trust in the bounties of the Almighty and from lack of faith in His promised sustenance. To this third degree belong the Prophets, the friends of the Almighty.
Now how can the believer join the elite of the believing elite through his fasting? Simple. Try and follow the following steps: one: see not what displeases the Almighty. Prophet Muhammad, on him be peace, says: “The furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Satan, on him be God’s curse. Whoever forsakes it for fear of God will receive from Him, Great and Glorious is He, a faith the sweetness of which he will find within his heart”.
Two- speak not what displeases the Almighty. Guarding one’s tongue from idle chatter, lying, gossiping, obscenities, rudeness, arguments and controversies during the month of Ramadan are ways by which one could attain higher stations with the Almighty through fasting. Someone observing fasting is expected to be taciturn on worldly matters except such become absolutely necessary. He is expected to engage in much remembrance of God, the Great and the Glorious. This is why recitation of the glorious Quran is one of the most virtuous deed a believer could engage in during the month. The Prophet is quoted to have said: “Two habits annul Fasting: backbiting and telling lies”.
Three. While abstinence from chattering and idle talks is a virtue during the month, someone fasting is equally expected to avoid listening to things that are forbidden or reprehensible. The rule or principle is this- that which is unlawful to utter is likewise unlawful to be heard.