Step Away the Demon of Eating Disorder, Here Comes the Majestic Day of Arafah
I had a phone call from a Mother, who told me that her Daughter’s therapist advised against fasting on the day of Arafah. She said her husband wished for all the family to be part of this great day, so she felt stuck between her husband, daughter and the therapist. According to the therapist, they could arrange for their daughter to go out after school to movies and to spend a night at friend’s house to get away from the triggering fasting culture. Her daughter wants to observe the fast and her husband cannot understand how going to cinema and spending a night at Friend's house was going to solve any underlying Eating Disorder issues. I am not a therapist and I am not qualified to give any advice, but I do think that a 16 year old, who has been maintaining her weight for over 7 months now, should be able to participate in the day of fasting. I doubt that one day of fasting will result in a relapse or her dropping significant amount of weight.
The ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah (the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar) is the Day of 'Arafah. It is the day when pilgrims stand on the plain of 'Arafah to pray. On this day, Muslims all over the world who do not witness the annual Hajj should spend the day in fasting, in preparation for the three days festivity following 'Eid ul-Adha (the celebration marking the end of the Hajj commemorating the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness of sacrifice).
Why Fast on the Day of Arafah?
Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) encouraged us to do righteous deeds in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah; and indeed fasting is one of the best of deeds. Almighty Allah says, “All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except fasting, which is for Me and I shall reward for it.”’ (Sahih Al Buhari)
Note: The 10th of Dhul Hijjah is the day of Eid ul Adha and it is prohibited to fast on this day.
If you’re Fasting on the Day of Arafah, then Remember try to distance yourself from your dangerous Eating Disorder Behaviours and instead focus on the blessings of the day and doing good deeds. Try to lock away the demon of Eating Disorder for this Day.
Disloyalty to Eating Disorder
You have a choice to be loyal or disloyal to your Eating Disorder.
You'll be sad and upset, if you spend your day exhausting your body with compulsive exercise, planning elaborate evening meals, or planning future weight loss programs. Before you know the day of Arafah will be over and you have allowed this demon to rule the day. Instead pray for recovery, for healing, for world to be a better place and try to be happy and seek closeness with Allah.
Don’t Forget that “The best of supplications are those on the Day of `Arafah.” (Tirmidhi, Ahmad, Malik, and others).
Should People with Eating Disorder Fast on the Day of Arafah?
It's just for One Day and I believe why not. We know the significance of fasting on this day, the rewards are immense. We who suffer from Eating Disorder and other ailments are in desperate need for some solace and blessings; indeed Arafah is the day of immense blessings, so lets renew our intentions and observe this day for its greatness.
I also believe that one day of fast, doing it for the sake of Allah will not Inshallah result in relapse or in the empowerment of the demon of Eating Disorder. Why? Because Fasting on the Day of Arafah is more than refraining from Food and Drink.
Tonight, on the eve of Arafah, Muslims will spend their evening and remainder of the night supplicating to Allah to forgive their sins.
Tip: Eat light and hydrate well. If you will be staying up until Fajr, then the more you eat, the harder it will be for you to stay up and the less productive you will be! Keep some water with you at all times during the night. This will help you stay up, feel energised and refreshed and have a clearer mind.
On the Day of Arafah, which is tomorrow, Monday, Muslims seeking blessing from their Lord will spend their time in prayers, doing good deeds and abstaining from bad behaviors.
‘O you who believe fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you can learn Taqwa (God consciousness)’.
As I mentioned before, please bear in mind that fasting in Islam is not like crash dieting, it is adequate in calorie intake and involves no malnutrition.
Intentions behind Fasting
All religious acts in Islam begin with a Niyyah (Intentions). First of all, behind any action or form of behavior there are certain motives. What Islam regards as essential is that the motives behind what we say or do should always be directed towards God. They should always be directed towards the purpose of perusing the pleasure, approval and satisfaction of God. Fasting in this month is purely voluntary and for those who are healthy and able to do so. A person suffering from Eating Disorder at times may be unaware of some of the inner motives that motivates them to fast. Whatever your motive for fasting, Don’t forget that God sees us and knows what is in our hearts. These last few days of Dhul Hijjah are all about connecting with Allah and seeking His mercy. Don’t let the Demon of Eating Disorder take away the joy and blessings of Dhul Hijjah away from you.
Don’t Forget that Eating Disorder is a demon that is insincere to Allah, to you and to your loved ones. An individual suffering from this disorder often pushes this reality into their subconscious and act as if they were entirely perfect and right. At the basis of this insincerity there lies the assumption that nobody will know about the secret thoughts they have in their minds.
Consider that Allah knows all the thoughts and secrets of all hearts. The subconscious mind is also included in this knowledge, even if the individuals do not themselves know what lies there. Allah states this fact in the following verses:
“He knows what is in the heavens and on earth; and He knows what you conceal and what you reveal: and Allah knows well the secrets of all hearts.” (Surat at-Taghabun, 64:4)
The Benefits of the Day of Arafah
Beauty of Islam: The Day of Arafah
On this day, Allah grants fasting Muslims forgiveness for their faults of two years, if they have committed any, if not, Allah elevates their degree in Paradise.
The Day of `Arafah is one of the days when supplications (du`a) are more likely to be accepted.
(Ibn al-Haajj,al-Madhkhal; Saffarini, Ghidha’ al-Albab)
Day of Arafa is one of the great gifts of Allah that people all over the world can benefit from.
The Muslims should celebrate the day of Arafa by restraining themselves from committing sins and iniquities in order that Allah may forgive them.
The Prophet of Allah (pbuh) said:
"On this day (of Arafa) whomsoever holds his hearing, sight, and tongue (from committing sins), he will be forgiven by Allah.
On This Day:
Muslims should say the Tahlil (La ilaha il Allah),
Tasbeeh (Subhanallah)
and Takbeer (Allahu Akbar).
It is also recommended to do as much dua (supplication) as possible on this day, since "there is no other day on which Allah frees a larger number of His slaves from the Fire of Hell than the Day of Arafah." (Sahih Muslim)
Forgiveness of the Sins even if they are like the foam on the Sea
As for you staying till the evening in Arafah, then Allaah descends to the sky of the Duniya and He boasts about you to the Angels, and says: ‘My slaves have come to Me, looking rough, from every deep valley hoping for My mercy, so if your sins were equivalent to the amount of sand or the drops of rain or like the foam on the sea I will forgive them. So go forth My slaves! Having forgiveness and for what or who you have interceded for.’
It is the day on which the religion was perfected and Allaah’s Favour was completed.
In Al-Saheehayn it was reported from ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) that a Jewish man said to him, “O Ameer al-Mu’mineen, there is an aayah in your Book which you recite; if it had come to us Jews, we would have taken that day as an ‘Eid (festival).” ‘Umar said, “Which aayah?” He said: “This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” [al-Maa’idah 5:3 – interpretation of the meaning]. ‘Umar said, “We know on which day and in which place that was revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). It was when he was standing in ‘Arafaah on a Friday.”
Allaah Expresses His pride to His Angels –
It was reported from Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah expresses His pride to His angels at the time of ‘Ishaa’ on the Day of ‘Arafaah, about the people of ‘Arafaah. He says, ‘Look at My slaves who have come unkempt and dusty.’”
Narrated by Ahmad and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani.
Invocation to be recited on the Day of Arafat
The Prophet (SAW) said: The best invocation is that of the Day of Arafat, and the best that anyone can say is what I and the Prophets before me have said:
لا إِلَهَ إلاَّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَريكَ لَهُ، لَهُ المُلْكُ ولَهُ الحَمْدُ وهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَديرٌ.
237. Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa Huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer.
None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things.
Reference: At-Tirmithi. Al-Albani graded it good in Sahih At-Tirmithi 3/184, and also Silsilatul-'Ahadith As-Sahihah 4/6.
Performing Good Deeds is very Important in Islam. Here are some Very Easy, Quick & Rewarding Good Deeds for all of us to do on the Day of Arafah.
Earn a thousand good deeds in Minutes Say Subhanallah-
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "Is anyone of you incapable of earning one thousand Hasanah (rewards) a day?" Someone from the gathering asked, "How can anyone of us earn a thousand Hasanah?" Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "Glorify Allah a hundred times by just saying “Subhanallah” and a Good deeds will be written for you, or a thousand sins will be wiped away.” (Muslim 4:2073)
Uphold the ties of kinship
Treat people with respect and kindness
Be considerate of your friends and family’s feelings
Seek Forgiveness and Forgive Others- Practice the art of forgiveness
Say Alhamdulilah- Show gratitude to Allah and His people. Forget the Past- the past is gone forever. Do not live in the nightmares of former times or under the shade of what you have missed. Save yourself from the ghostly apparition of the past and focus on the blessings of present, here and now and being grateful to Almighty Allah- Say Alhamdulilah- Today is all that you have.
Visit the Sick and elderly
Spend time with your elder relatives
Visit your neighbours
Give Charity
Read Quran
Help your Family with chores
Smile and Smile
Please try to make most of this day. Remember it is in your hands, what you want to day with this day. (You're choice, whether you want to spend the eve of Arafah and tomorrow seeking Allah’s mercy and Blessings, or you want to spend that time remaining in the slavery of your Eating Disorder).
Jazakallah sister
ReplyDelete[…] Eating Disorders and Fasting on Arafah- Who are you going to Fast for, Allah or the Demon of Eating … (waragainsteatingdisorder.wordpress.com) […]
ReplyDelete