Fasting: Voluntary Trade and Spiritual Realities

The Beginning of Guidance for Muslim Women

This is a detailed episode divided into two parts.

In the first part, Imam al-Ghazali discusses the voluntary fasts that are recommended on an annual, monthly and weekly basis. The rewards and reasons for fasting at these times are explained and the commentary provides supplementary proofs and insights into the merits of these non-compulsory fasting days.

In the second part, the inward realities of restraining oneself from partaking in food and drink in daylight hours are discussed with much depth and clarity. Controlling the limbs from disliked acts so as to not nullify the blessing of the fast is emphasized.

Also, the importance of breaking one's fast on halal food, monitoring the quantity of food consumed in the evening and the abundant reward that awaits the fasting person in the Afterlife are all discussed, with the eloquence and experiential knowledge of the great masters of spiritual purification and wayfaring to God.