notifications_active Weekly Meshkat-e Noor Session: Thursdays at 20:30 at Haj Reza Mosque
Dear teacher, fasting is nourishment for the spirit. Just as eating invigorates the body, fasting invigorates the spirit. My question is: Does eating less revive the spirit, or does fasting itself have particular effects and blessings that help the spirit grow and attain perfection? Please explain the difference between the two.
Eating less means consuming only what the body needs. It helps us care responsibly for our bodies and worship more effectively. Fasting, by contrast, is an act of worship in its own right and is not simply a matter of eating less. Its value lies in the act of worship itself, which brings us closer to God.
Rather than “eating little,” it is better to speak of eating only as much as one needs. When a person nourishes the body according to its needs, they show that they are fulfilling their trust to preserve and care for it. A balanced, wholesome diet also helps them succeed in worship and devotion to God.
Fasting has nothing to do with eating sparingly. Its value and measure lie in the very act of worship, though it also brings many additional benefits. Fasting is a means of drawing near to God, and it retains its exalted place.