Why is Tamraya Fasting?


Why am I fasting? Simply, I am on a spiritual journey. As cliche as that sounds, I cannot think of a better phrase to explain this moment in my life. It all began a few years back when I took time off from naturopathic medical school for the promise of an adventure in a foreign land. Well--not exactly a foreign land, but rather the country in which my parents were raised; and coincidently, my new husband. It was only supposed to be a six month expedition. However, the six months turned into almost two years, a new found appreciation for the simple things in life, and a new baby.
I spent the first year in almost a state of stupor. I found myself with a lot of time on my hands, pregnant, and alone most days due to my husband's business travels. I can truly say I was sick of my own company. Honestly, How much time does one really need to spend in a state of personal discovery? For me, one year was definitely too much. By the end of the year I was extremely aware of my flaws and idiosyncrases (I was just hoping my husband was not as aware). I could truly say it was one of the hardest years of my life. I could also say, although not knowing this at the time, it was the beginning of my spiritual journey.
Today, two years later, I feel that I am ready to embark on a new phase in my journey. After extensive research (which I will gladly share in the days to come) about the health benefits of fasting, and after compiling many ahadith (narrations of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH)) about the desired days of fasting; I came to the conclusion that to expedite my spiritual discovery I must fast. Fasting for Muslims, is abstaining from food, drink, and other indulgences from dawn to dusk. In doing so, one is detached from his basic desires, and his heart is more pure and ready for enlightenment. I am not pushing my luck and setting my sight on enlightenment. I just want to be a better person, a better citizen, a better wife, a better mother, and simply, a person who can enjoy her own company.

Days of Fasting

Friday, January 1, 2010

...with a single step

First step. I am not big on New Year's resolutions; I do not like the idea of waiting to make a change. I believe that once the motivation hits, just start. And even if the motivation doesn't hit, just start and the motivation will follow. However, my fasting journey is beginning on the 1st of January and I am not about to object. Hey, why not? Let me have a New Year's resolution this year, I anticipate no harm. Actually, it is rather nice. Nice in the fact that I am giving myself one full year for this phase of my spiritual journey.

   So here we are, January 1st, the official start of my fasting Journey, and it is a "White Day". I am definitely fasting, right? Wrong. I was supposed to fast today. I did not fast. I will elaborate, but let me first get back to explaining the concept of the "White Days". The "White Days" are the 13th, 14th and 15th of each month on the Hijri Calendar and based on many ahadith it is a recommended time for fasting. There are different opinions on why these days are named the "White Days"; one opinion is that these days occur in the middle of the lunar month, therefore the moon appears all night--hence the name "White Days". Another opinion, as stated by Sheikh Atiyyah Saqr of Al-Azhar, is that these were the days in which Allah (swt) granted forgiveness to Prophet Adam and whitened his book of deeds. Whatever the reason is, I intend on fasting these days for the pure reason that it is a recommendation of the Prophet (pbuh).

--Now back to why I did not fast today--

   Today is Friday. And Fridays are like mini holidays for Muslims, similar to a quick carwash as opposed to a full service one(???)--Anyway, It is not recommended to fast on Fridays unless you fast a day before or a day after. So I will be starting my fast on Monday. Why Monday? Well, my plan, based on the calendar above, is to fast Mondays and Thursdays, The "White Days", extra days in the month of Shaaban, The obligatory fast of the month of Ramadan, the six days of Shawal, The day of Arafat, and the day of Ashurah. Phew! What a mouthful, or rather, an empty mouthful. I will go into more detail in the days to come. But for now, I am starting on Monday, and that is my first step.

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2 comments:

  1. T.L.January 2, 2010 at 12:14 PM

    Awesome blog! I love your writing. Really looking forward to the rest of the posts. I think fasting is the missing link in everyone's spiritual journey. May Allah give you success in your journey.

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  2. TamrayaJanuary 2, 2010 at 1:00 PM

    Ameen! Yes, I do believe it is definitely one of the pillars of a spiritual journey. I hope that by the end of this year I will be able to attest to that :).

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