The Almighty (SWT) said: "O Ahmad (SAW)! Were you
only to taste the sweetness of hunger, silence, solitude, and were you to taste
their legacy!"
The Prophet (SAW) said: "Lord! What is the
legacy of hunger?”
The Almighty (SWT) said: "It is wisdom, the
safeguarding of the heart, the nearness to Me, continued grief, the carrying of
a light burden compared to others, the saying of the truth without being
concerned whether one lives in ease or in hardship.- From the Hadith Qudsi of Me'raj
The "Hunger Games" are about to begin again soon as we rapidly approach Shahru Ramadhan; its a month that embodies our religion as it shows our total dedication (if we understand it and our intention is for it) to the Almighty (SWT).
At MIC, Sheikh Jaffer H. Jaffer has organized three weeks of classes to prepare for Shahru Ramadhan. We go over why we fast (with some of the apparent reasons); the ahkam (laws/rules) of fasting; and how to improve our spirituality. I bring this up because one of the benefits he presented was really thought-provoking and gave me the idea behind this post. So if anybody picks up any benefit from this post, the credit goes to him as well; and any shortcomings would be of my own.
On a side-note, we tend to under-appreciate some of our scholars (which I'll have a blog post as well about at some point). And on another side note, check out those classes IslamiCentre as they're really helpful.
We know that fasting has been ordered to us in the Holy Qur'an:
"O you who have believed! Decreed upon you is fasting as it was upon those before you, so that you become God-conscious." (Surah al-Baqarah; 2:183)
And we also know that no other nation has had the type of fasting & the devotion it requires that we have.
Another reason is based on part of the Hadith Qudsi of Me'raj (the Night of Ascension) that I posted above where the Almighty (SAW) speaks to Rasoolullah (SAW) and mentions the benefits of hunger. The full Hadith Qudsi of Me'raj can be found here: http://www.al-islam.org/ascension/1.htm
To quickly go back to the class and when this was brought up; the class itself provided reasons on why they thought each one of those benefits could be accomplished through hunger & fasting. My post will be based on my own thoughts, experiences, & ideas.
Wisdom
Staying hungry gives the opportunity to really reflect on ourselves. We have the chance to do a SWOT Analysis on own self (strengths; weaknesses; opportunities; threats) on a lot of different aspects and try to find ways we can get closer to the Almighty (SWT). If we truly have a sincere, genuine intention on this, then the Almighty (SWT) might find us worthy of bring granted hikmah (wisdom). As it says in the Holy Qur'an:
"He grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and whoever is granted wisdom, he indeed is given a great good and none but men of understanding of mind."
(Surah al-Baqarah; 2:269)
From my own personal experience, I know I get a lot of personal reflection done when I stay hungry. During my college/university time, it also helped me to think and understand when I was studying for exams on what I was studying. I used to eat nothing or very minimal prior to any exam (water was the main thing I needed). I don't have much more to say on hikmah; hopefully if I'm blessed with some hikmah, I could expand on this.
Safeguarding the Heart
This could be viewed from a few different angles. From a physical standpoint, it prevents us from eating haraam food or other foods that aren't so healthy (especially all those spicy & oil-filled foods which clog up the arteries and harm the heart & body). As well, our energy level may not be as high physically so we may tend to rest; our energy would then be preserved to for acts of worship/service and not towards haraam acts. With both those points, it would then help us spiritually as well as it prevents us from the sins & vices. The heart is suppose to be a sanctuary of the Almighty (SWT) and it is the best way that we can close to Him. If it isn't pure, how can one seek closeness to the One (SWT)? Remember as well that He looks at what is in our hearts:
"Allah Almighty does not look at your appearances, nor at your possessions, rather He looks at your hearts and actions."
- Prophet Muhammad (SAW) (Amali al-Tusi; p.536; no.1162)
Nearness to Allah (SWT)
One element of this goes back to safeguarding the heart as the heart is the best way we can get close to the Almighty (SWT). Staying hungry also tests our patience; patience is a virtue that will bring us closer to the Almighty (SWT), especially when we remember that we are fasting solely for Him, His pleasure, and to serve Him. A hadith that relates to this is attributed to Amir ul-Momineen (AS) (and who better to go over what patience is then him):
"Whoever patiently endures the path to Allah reaches Him."
- Imam Ali (AS) (Bihar al-Anwar; v.77; p.88; no.2)
Our service to Him then also builds our reliance on Him; it builds our yaqeen (certainty) in Him; and it also builds our trust in Him and His plan for us (i.e. Tawakkul - refer to my last post on Tawakkul; its incredible how things tie to each other isn't it?). And our conversations (i.e. salaat/prayers & duas) with Him also improve. The perfect verse from the Holy Qur'an that sums this up is the following:
"O you who believe! Seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely Allah is with the patient." (Surah al-Baqarah; 2:153)
Continued Grief
As I mentioned before, we get the opportunity to properly and constantly reflect when we are hungry. If reflect, we feel sadness repeatedly. On a first step, we would reflect on the bounties and blessings we have been given by Him but yet we tend to complain and focus on what we don't have. We realize that other people are in more terrible conditions: orphaned children who don't have food; families living under the constant fear that they could be killed at any moment; a person who is struggling to find a suitable spouse and a life companion despite searching for some time; etc. This doesn't mean that we don't have any wants, etc.; but rather, we're grateful to Him on what we have been given through His mercy and have faith in His plan on whatever happens (i.e. Tawakkul).
From there, we then reflect on how much wrong we've done to our hearts & souls; how we've gone off the path of the 14 Masumeen (AS); but more importantly, how we've disobeyed the Most Merciful (SWT) and His command. When we constantly reflect this way, we stay in a state of sadness.
From this sadness then, we then seek forgiveness. And during the nights of Laylatul Qadr, we get that opportunity through two tasbihs of istighfar. And if we are truly in a continued state of grief and sadness, we'll pour our hearts out for every wrong that we've done and our eyes will flow with tears to perform the tasbihs with the most sincerest, genuine, and purest of performances. From this, we can then also get closer to Allah (SWT) and safeguard our heart.
Carrying of a Lighter Burden Compared to Others
From a physical standpoint, it allows us to complete tasks and reduces the laze. When one is full, its really hard to do anything. Personally speaking, I feel too tired to do anything when I'm completely full. I also then have a hard-time breathing a bit (and run the risk of a stomach ache; and people who know me, know previously what's happened when I get stomach aches). Praying salaat, learning something new, etc. all becomes a challenge and we don't do it with our heart totally in it, thus reducing how close we get to Him (tying back into the two points above). Physically as well, it becomes much easier to move compared to others who fill their bellies right to the very brink (and then some).
As well from a spiritual view, it goes back to reflection. When we reflect and understanding where our weaknesses, etc. are, we can then also reflect on figuring out solutions. That helps to lighten our own spiritual burdens compared to others as we've taken the opportunity to improve ourselves and then can remain one step ahead of others. And as mentioned with the point above, we can also repent whole-heartedly and reduce the burden of sins from ourselves.
Speaking of Truth Without Being Concerned Whether One Lives in Ease or in Hardship
I do not have much hikmah on this. The only two things that come to mind tie into some of the points above. When we fast though and if we are sincerely doing it with the intention to serve and please Him, then we'll also speak the truth as per His commands. Speaking the truth will keep us in the path of haqq while speaking of lies will put us on the path of batil. Through speaking the truth as well, we safeguard our hearts by avoiding a sin (of lying) and thus can get closer to Allah (SWT) as well. It may also keep us in a continued state of grief because we can then truly reflect on ourselves and not try to cover up own shortcomings/faults by telling ourselves lies. Thus we can then repent because we truthfully admit our faults/shortcomings to Him. We can also then rely on Him and trust Him with whatever happens (i.e Tawakkul). We also don't have the burden of lies on our mind, which eases our burden (as one lie can then create a snowball effect of other lies and one would then have to constantly keep up with the lies and burden their mind/energy doing that). Plus the energy level may be low to try and think of a lie; its much easier and better overall to speak the truth. Through speaking the truth, the Almighty (SWT) may then deem a person worthy of receiving hikmah. It could also be that speaking the truth will lead us to Paradise (if we act upon it) while speaking the false will lead to the Inferno. A hadith attributed again to Amir ul-Momineen (AS) that sums this up:
"Truthfulness saves you even though you fear it whereas lying ruins you even though you feel safe from it."
- Imam Ali (AS) (Ghurar al-Hikam; no.1118-1119)
Again, these are just some of my thoughts, experiences, and ideas. I hope we take some benefit away from it and really take up this opportunity of Shahru Ramadhan to the best of our abilities as it could be our final one. I'd also look forward to seeing what other people's thoughts are on any/all of these points above. I hope I get some comments from people on this (either on this post; wherever I share the link; or even via email).
