The Levels of Fasting and Its Status in the Journey Toward God

Seyed Hashem Moosavi

Introduction

As we previously promised, in the coming weeks, we will explore the greatness of the blessed month of Ramadan, the effects and blessings of fasting, and the duties of fasting believers during this sacred period.

In the previous issue, we discussed-based on the invaluable words of Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali (peace be upon him)-the necessity of understanding and gaining knowledge about the month of Ramadan. We emphasized that comprehending the true essence and blessings of this month requires a deep awareness of its significance and the philosophy behind the obligation of fasting.

Additionally, by referring to the sermon of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny) on the last Friday of Sha’ban, we pointed out that the Holy Qur’an and the narrations of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) are the most important sources for understanding both the outward and inward dimensions of the blessed month of Ramadan and its values.

Delving into the inner reality of this sacred month is like diving into an endless and mysterious ocean. The deeper one immerses in this blessed sea, the more unique opportunities they will find and the greater benefit they will derive from its precious treasures.

Before delving into the inner aspects and secrets of fasting, it is appropriate to first examine the effects and blessings of Ramadan and fasting. This analysis will help us determine whether these effects and blessings are primarily related to the outward aspects of fasting or its inner and spiritual dimensions.

The Effects and Blessings of Ramadan and Fasting

The Holy Qur’an and the narrations of the Infallibles (peace be upon them) mention numerous benefits of fasting, especially during the blessed month of Ramadan. Some of these benefits include:

• Piety: According to verse 183 of Surah Al-Baqarah, the greatest outcome of fasting is attaining the highway of piety and reaching the essence of God-consciousness and salvation.
• Tranquillity: Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) beautifully states, «الصیام تسکین القلوب» “Fasting brings peace to the hearts.”
• Generation of Wisdom: Imam Ali (peace be upon him) narrates from the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny) that during the Mi’raj (ascension), the Prophet asked Allah about the effects of fasting. Allah replied, “Fasting produces wisdom, and wisdom leads to knowledge and awareness. Through knowledge, one attains certainty and belief.”
• Reminder of the Hereafter: Imam al-Ridha (peace be upon him) states, “People have been commanded to fast so that they may experience the pain of hunger and thirst, and through it, comprehend the poverty and hardship of the Hereafter.”
• A Test of Sincerity: Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her) says, «فرض الله الصیام تثبیتا لاخلاص» “Allah has made fasting obligatory to strengthen and establish sincerity in His servants.”
• Humiliation of Satan: One day, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny) addressed his companions, saying, «الا اخبرکم بشیء ان انتم فعلتموه تباعد الشیطان منکم کما تباعد المشرق من المغرب؛ “Shall I inform you of something that, if you do it, will cause Satan to be distanced from you as far as the east is from the west?” The companions eagerly responded, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah!” The Prophet then said, «الصوم یسود وجهه» “Fasting blackens his face.”
• Preparation for Other Acts of Worship: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny) described fasting as the gateway to the city of servitude, saying, «لکل شیء باب و باب العباده الصوم» “Everything has a door, and the door to worship is fasting.” Fasting is the starting point for achieving closeness to Allah.
• Limitless Reward: In a divine narration (Hadith Qudsi), Allah says, “Every good deed has a set reward, ranging from ten to seven hundred times its value, except for fasting, which is for Me, and I shall determine its reward.”
• Spiritual Connection: The blessed month of Ramadan fosters spiritual engagement through practices such as reciting the Qur’an, seeking forgiveness, and performing recommended prayers. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny) said, “Whoever recites a single verse from the Qur’an in Ramadan will receive the reward of completing the entire Qur’an in other months.” Imam Ali (peace be upon him) advised, “During Ramadan, engage in abundant supplication and seek much forgiveness, for supplication repels affliction, and forgiveness purifies sins.”

Ali ibn Hamzah, one of the companions of Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), narrates that they once visited the Imam together. Abu Basir asked the Imam about the significance of Ramadan. The Imam replied, «ان لرمضان لحرمه و حقا لایشبهه شیء من الشهور، صل ما استطعت فی رمضان تطوعا باللیل و النهار» “Ramadan has a sanctity and a right that no other month possesses. Pray as much as you can in this month, both at night and during the day, through voluntary prayers.”

Does the Impact and Blessings of Fasting Only Relate to Its Outward Aspects, or Do They Extend to Its Inner Dimensions?

Fasting, on the surface, consists of abstaining from eating, drinking, and other nullifiers. However, can this external aspect alone lead a person to the great rewards and blessings mentioned in religious sources? Or does fasting have a deeper reality-an inner dimension-that requires knowledge and awareness to truly benefit from its spiritual effects and hidden secrets?

The Qur’anic verses and narrations of the Infallibles (peace be upon them) indicate that fasting and the blessed month of Ramadan are not limited to their outward aspects; rather, they encompass profound inner realities full of divine mysteries. Some of these secrets are revealed in the form of fasting’s benefits and blessings to guide seekers of knowledge and spirituality. Those who strive with determination can gain a glimpse of this vast reality and prepare themselves for spiritual ascension toward divine perfection.

A fast that is limited to mere abstention from food and drink may provide certain physical benefits, but to attain the higher spiritual ranks and reach “the meeting with the Divine” (liqā’ al-Ḥaqq), one must understand the true essence of fasting. Beyond physical restraint, a fasting person must also purify their soul, elevate their consciousness, and draw closer to God. Only then can one truly achieve the profound results and real blessings of this sacred month.

Imam Ali (peace be upon him) beautifully explains this concept: “In fasting, the level of a servant’s love for God is revealed, but not through mere hunger and thirst.”

Similarly, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny) warns about fasting without spiritual awareness: «کَم مِن صائمٍ لیسَ لَهُ مِن صِیامِهِ إلّا الجُوعُ والعَطَشُ»“How many fasting people gain nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst!” and also, He emphasize: “The easiest aspect of fasting that God has made obligatory is abstaining from food and drink.”

The Journey from Physical Fasting to Spiritual Fasting

To reach the inner essence of fasting and its higher ranks, one must first start with the basic level-physical fasting-before gradually advancing toward the supreme stages, which involve the fasting of the soul and the five senses.

Imam Ali (peace be upon him) offers a profound distinction between two types of fasting: the fasting of the body and the fasting of the soul:

• Fasting of the body: «صوم الجسد الامساک عن الاغذیه بارادة و اختیار خوفا من العقاب و رغبة فی الثواب و الاجر» “It is the voluntary and deliberate abstention from food and drink, out of fear of punishment and hope for reward.”
• Fasting of the soul: «و صوم النفس امساک الحواس الخمس عن سائر المآثم و خلوّ القلب من جمیع اسباب الشرّ» “It is the restraint of the five senses from committing sins and the purification of the heart from all evil inclinations.”

Avoiding sins that involve the five senses is relatively easy for those with strong willpower. However, keeping the heart pure from all negative thoughts and corrupt influences requires constant effort, self-discipline, and spiritual struggle.

The Three Levels of Fasting According to Ethical Scholars

Based on narrations like these, scholars of ethics classify fasting into three levels, believing that fasting has varying degrees of depth and impact:

1. General Fasting (Ṣawm al-ʿĀm): This is the most basic level of fasting, where an individual merely refrains from eating, drinking, and marital relations during daylight hours. While this type of fasting saves a person from divine punishment, it does not lead to profound spiritual transformation.
2. Special Fasting (Ṣawm al-Khāṣ): Beyond abstaining from food and drink, the person also guards their bodily senses-eyes, ears, tongue, hands, and feet-from sin. This type of fasting carries immense rewards, as promised by Allah to those who fast with sincerity.
3. The Fasting of the Elite (Ṣawm Khuṣūṣ al-Khuṣūṣ): At this highest level, a person not only refrains from eating and sinning but also purifies their heart from worldly thoughts and undesirable traits, focusing solely on the remembrance of Allah. Even the slightest distraction from God is considered a violation of this type of fasting. The ultimate goal of this fasting is to reach a state where the heart turns away from everything except Allah, as the Qur’an states: « «قل الله ثم ذرهم» “Say: ‘Allah [is sufficient for me] and leave them to their ways.'” (Qur’an 6:91)

Conclusion

Fasting is not just a religious obligation but an unparalleled opportunity for spiritual growth and nearness to Allah. As derived from narrations and religious teachings, fasting is not limited to mere abstention from food and drink; rather, it has higher stages that involve controlling one’s senses from sin and, ultimately, purifying the heart from anything other than God. Only by understanding this reality and striving for true fasting can one attain its infinite blessings and reach the essence of piety (taqwa) and servitude (ʿubūdiyyah).