Should We Quit Fasting at the End of Ramadan? (10 Min. Read)
Poetry and Prose to Remind Us About True Fasting and the Essence of Ramadan
(The poems in this document are also posted in text form for easier reading and for those using text-to-speech, as the feature does not read text in images.)
“Essence of Ramadan”
As the month of Ramaḍān comes to an end
another ethical test or trial begins.
Have we been able to change our behavior
or will we just go back to our previous sins?
Well, some of us didn't really quit sinning
in spite of our claim of daily fasting.
Others may have abstained for this sacred month
yet the effect may not be long-lasting.
Everyone is exactly where they are at,
and trust me, I know I'm no one to judge.
On the spiritual path of soul advancement
I admit that, at times, I barely budge.
But right now, we actually have a chance here
to continue on with our positive ethical trend.
Let's extend the true fast past this one month,
so the Essence of Ramaḍān doesn't come to an end.
Khayāl ‘Aly
March 12, 2021 (Original)
March 29, 2025 (Updated)
The Esoteric Fast of the Inner Self According to Mawlana Mustansir bi'llah⁽ᶜ⁾ (Imam Gharib Mirza⁽ᶜ⁾, the 34th Ismaili Imam)
The whole year you must fast, just as exotericists (ẓāhiriyān) fast one month. The meaning of this fast is austerity. Control yourselves, keep yourselves away from bad qualities, evil and indecent actions and devilish acts, so that the mirror of your hearts may be gradually polished.
Also know that those thirty days during which the exotericists (ẓāhirīs) fast, the (real) fast lasts only one single day. They fast thirty days only in order not to miss that single day, and this is also a symbol (ramz). And just as they keep on fasting for thirty days in order to fast on that particular day, so you must through the whole of your lives experience difficulties and suffering for the sake of the attainment of the vision (liqā’) of the Creator. You must be patient, persevering in austerities, and keeping your inner self fasting for as long as you live.
Here we specify the parts of the fast of the inner self: the fast of the head means to treat one's own head with the same humility as the feet of other people, casting out from one's head the lust for superiority, greatness and pride, because greatness and superiority are only suitable to the all-great substance of the Truth (Ḥaqq), Who is eternal, and the King of the Authority.
The fasting of the eye means that one must keep away coveting looks from the women who are not lawful to one. The fasting of the ear means that one should abstain from listening to slander. The fasting of the tongue means that one should keep one's tongue from uttering abuse or slander. The fasting of the heart means to keep the heart free from doubt. The fasting of the foot is to hold one's foot back from a wrong step. The fasting of the hand is to keep all one's limbs away from treachery so that they may not do evil.
This especially applies to one's tongue which must be kept from uttering lies. And there is no greater lie than the denial of (the existence of) the Imam, saying that he has disappeared. God has cursed liars, who talk about such a disappearance (of the Imam), and make the ignorant people follow them in order to enjoy their short lived respect.
Imām Mustanṣir bi'llāh (Likely referring to Imam Gharīb Mīrzā, the 34th Ismaili Imam) Pandiyāt-Jawānmardī (Counsels of Chivalry), translated by W. Ivanow as Pandiyāt-i Jawānmardī or “Advices of Manliness”, Jawānmardī IX, p. 37 (page number refers to the PDF pagination).