Ramadan: Optimal Conditions for Purification of The Soul

Dur-e-Shewar Anwar, Manchester

In contemporary culture fasting in its various forms is being increasingly revered for its health benefits. However, fasting is an age-old tradition; practised historically by religious or spiritual individuals seeking some form of detachment from the physical world in order to progress in their spiritual development. In Islam fasting is prescribed by the Holy Qur’an as a means for Muslims to attain righteousness.^[1] The characteristics comprising righteousness are vast; encompassing the entire essence of the teachings of the Holy Qur’an, through which Muslims are able to fulfil their duty to mankind and to Allah.^[2] Specifically fasting in the month of Ramadan is fundamental for Muslims; it is a means of developing our spiritual condition, facilitating our journey to righteousness and purifying the soul.

For many, the concept of soul is something of an enigma, oftentimes perceived as an entity wholly distinct from the body. However, through reflecting on the teachings of the Holy Qur’an the Promised Messiah and founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be on him) explains that in fact the soul is in inherent part of the human being, describing the body as the mother of the soul to emphasise the almost symbiotic connection between body and soul.^[3] He further explains that there are three states of the soul, from which three distinct human conditions exist. The first is the self that incites to evil, which forms the natural or physical state of being. This is an unrefined condition where we are driven by our natural, base desires. The second is the reproving self which forms our moral state; it motivates us to reflect on our actions and become cognisant of our weaknesses. The reproving self allows refinement and discipline of the self that incites to evil, converting our natural inclinations into moral qualities that are expressed in an appropriate way. Finally, there exists the soul at rest which forms our spiritual condition, a state of peace and tranquillity. Wherein all words and deeds are for the sake of Allah and the individual has attained complete righteousness; they have the power to abstain from sin whilst being safeguarded against harm.^[4]

Attaining this spiritual condition, of the soul at rest, when a person is imbued with complete righteousness is the ultimate goal for Muslims. In concurrence with the philosophy of the teachings of Islam, fasting in the month of Ramadan and its associated practises, serve to benefit all three states of the soul in order to fulfil the goal of fasting, to achieve righteousness. To illustrate its significance in the attainment of righteousness the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said that during Ramadan the gates of Hell are shut, that rebellious elements are disciplined and satanic forces are chained and the gates of Heaven are flung open.^[5] Thus the Holy month of Ramadan creates an optimal environment for Muslims for the purification of the soul.

Ramadan cultivates a unique balance that is not found in other months where some faculties are restrained whereas others are enlarged. There is abstinence from all forms of indulgence, even lawful ones such as eating and drinking, thereby supressing the self that incites to evil. Simultaneously there is an encouragement to increase in almsgiving, to sympathise with the needs of the less-fortunate. To be proactive in serving humanity whilst also increasing worship of Allah and contemplation of the Holy Qur’an. All behaviours that promote the reproving self which eventually, through striving in the way of Allah transforms into the soul at rest. In one of his discourses, The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) beautifully elaborates on this concept, stating that:

“Fasting is not merely staying hungry and thirsty; rather its reality and its impact can only be gained through experience. It is human nature that the less one eats, the more one’s spirit is purified and thus his capacity for [spiritual] visions increases. The will of God is to decrease one kind of sustenance and to increase the other. A person who is fasting should always be mindful that he is not just required to stay hungry. On the contrary, he should remain engaged in the remembrance of God so that he can cut asunder ties of worldly desires and amusements and is wholly devoted to God. Hence, the significance of fasting is this alone that man gives up one kind of sustenance which only nourishes the body and attains the other kind of sustenance which is a source of comfort and gratification for the soul.”^[6]

References:

1. The Holy Qur’an with English translation by Malawi Sher Ali. Chapter 2, verse 184.
2. Friday Sermon delivered by His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V (may Allah be his Helper) on May 18^th 2018. Available at URL: [https://www.alislam.org/friday-sermon/2018-05-18.html]
3. The Essence of Islam Vol II by The Promised Messiah, His Holiness Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be on him). Available at URL: [https://www.alislam.org/book/philosophy-teachings-islam/]
4. The Philosophy of The Teachings of Islam by His Holiness Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be on him). Available at URL: [https://www.alislam.org/book/philosophy-teachings-islam/]
5. Ramadan and Its Blessings by Sheikh Mubarak Ahmad. Available at URL: [https://www.alislam.org/book/ramadhan-blessings/]
6. Quote cited in article: The Significance of Ramadan by Aizaz Ahmad Khan. Available at URL: https://www.alislam.org/articles/significance-of-ramadan/