The Spiritual Stages of Ramadan Fasting

In Ramadhan Madrasah there are class levels that indicate the quality of students in following the education process. This reflects the spiritual stages of a person in observing the fasting of Ramadhan. In relation to class levels, Imam Al-Ghazali in Ihya’ Ulum al-Din divides fasting into three levels: “Fasting has three levels: general fasting, special fasting, and very special fasting.”

First, general fasting. That is the fasting of the common people, which is limited to withholding the stomach from eating and drinking, and restraining the genitals from lustful desires. In other words, this general fasting merely involves performing the fasting according to the rules prescribed in fiqh. Meanwhile, other parts of the body are not kept from actions that could invalidate the reward of fasting.

outward fasting consists of taking sahur and intending to fast for the day, then refraining from eating, drinking and intercourse with one’s spouse from dawn until sunset. If this is observed, fiqh regards that one has fulfilled the obligation of Ramadan fasting.

Second, special fasting. That is, the person who fasts refrains not only from eating and sexual activity, but also from the rest of the senses and limbs—ears, eyes, tongue, hands, feet, and all bodily parts—from acts of disobedience. This level of fasting is higher than general fasting and higher than that of ordinary people. It is the level of the pious.

This level requires a Muslim to be constantly mindful and vigilant. He must guard his eyes from looking at what is forbidden, his ears from listening to what is forbidden, his tongue from uttering forbidden words, his hands from performing forbidden acts, his feet from moving toward forbidden places, and all other limbs from forbidden actions.

Third, the fasting of khusushul khushus. That is, in addition to all that is mentioned in general and special fasting, there is restraining the heart from thinking worldly pleasures, and focusing solely on worship of Allah. The fasting of the heart and mind is the essence of the most exclusive fasting. The fasting of the heart and mind is considered void when one thinks of matters other than Allah, the Day of Judgment and pursuing worldly desires, except for worldly matters that assist the hereafter. This is the fasting of the prophets, the siddiqin and the muqarrabin.

Among the three levels of fasting in Ramadhan’s madrasa, a Muslim should strive to occupy the level of special fasting. This is the fasting of the righteous. Those who attain the level of special fasting will endeavour to perfect six matters.

First, lowering and restraining the gaze from looking at things that can distract from remembering Allah. The eye is the first gateway to corruption. Hence, at this level one must guard one’s eyesight.

“Memandang wanita adalah panah beracun dari berbagai macam panah iblis. Barangsiapa yang meninggalkannya karena takut kepada Allah, maka Allah akan memberikan balasan iman kepadanya yang terasa manis baginya.” (HR. Hakim).

The influence of looking at the opposite sex who is not a mahram is severe. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) even stated that a purposeful second look is a calamity. He said to Ali, “O Ali, do not continue the first glance with a second. For the first glance is a gift for you, whereas the second is a trial for you.” (HR. Abu Dawud and Tirmizi).

Second, guarding the tongue. Therefore, the one who fasts should guard himself from lying; backbiting; gossip; vile speech, quarrelling, arguing; and other matters connected with controlling the tongue from evil.

“Hendaklah kalian senantiasa berlaku jujur, karena sesungguhnya kejujuran akan mengantarkan pada kebaikan dan sesungguhnya kebaikan akan mengantarkan pada surga. Jika seseorang senantiasa berlaku jujur dan berusaha untuk jujur, maka dia akan dicatat di sisi Allah sebagai orang yang jujur. Hati-hatilah kalian dari berbuat dusta, karena sesungguhnya dusta akan mengantarkan kepada kejahatan dan kejahatan akan mengantarkan pada neraka. Jika seseorang sukanya berdusta dan berupaya untuk berdusta, maka ia akan dicatat di sisi Allah sebagai pendusta.” (HR. Muslim).