The danger of overeating during iftaar

Abu Hamid al-Ghazzali was an Islamic thought leader who lived between 1058 - 1111 AD. A towering scholar, jurist, theologian and mystic, his work especially on Islamic spirituality has remained influential to date.

One of his best religious literature works is the Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din (The Revival of Religious Sciences), in which he discusses fasting.

It examines the spiritual discipline of fasting by mentioning both its outward and inward principles and conditions.

In focusing on the inward principles and rules of fasting, referred to as the ‘secrets of fasting,’ Imam Ghazali points out: “a fruit is usually encased in two successive husks, the outer husk and the inner husk which also contains the pith.”

Al-ghazzali implies that people tend to exhaust their energies in guarding the husks but ignoring the pith. This is unfortunate as it is the pith which ought’s to represent the ultimate goal of every worshipper.

Take the issue of our present-day food culture during Ramadhan. While Muslims abstain from food and drink from morning to early evening, our Iftars (fast-breaking meals) have been turned into feasts.

“When breaking his fast, a person should not overeat. For there is no vessel more abominable unto Allah than a belly stuffed with lawful food,” said al-Ghazzali.

The spirit of fasting is to weaken the flesh which is Satan’s tool for inducing evil. Secondly, the principle of maintaining the flesh in a state of weakness has been linked to ease in observing night worship, including Tahajjud prayers and Quran recitation, whose value increases immeasurably during Ramadhan.

“It is hoped then that Satan will not hover around one’s heart and that he will be able to lift his eyes unto the Kingdom of Heaven,” he wrote.

Even after breaking the fast, one should not assume a satisfactory attitude that their fast has been accepted by God. “His heart should remain in state of suspense since he does not know whether his fast will be accepted or rejected.