The Mystical Essence of Fasting: A Reflection on "Baashirayi Karuthulla Nool"

Fasting in Islam is often seen as a mere physical act—abstaining from food and drink from dawn to dusk. However, within the depths of Sufi thought, it takes on a far deeper, esoteric meaning—a journey of purification, self-annihilation (Fana), and ultimate union with the Divine (Baqa). The poem "Baashirayi Karuthulla Nool" is a mystical reflection on fasting, unveiling the spiritual secrets of Ramadan and its transformative power.

The Black and White Thread: Beginning the Fast

"ബാശിറായി കറുത്തുള്ള നൂല്
ബയ്യിനായാൽ തുടങ്ങുന്ന നോമ്പ്"
(Baashirayi Karuthulla Nool, Bayyinaayaal Thudangunna Nombu)

The black and white thread is a reference to Surah Al-Baqarah (2:187), where Allah describes the beginning of the fast:

"And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black thread of night...""And eat and drink until the white thread becomes clear to you from the black thread at dawn." (Quran 2:187)

This verse metaphorically refers to the clarity of spiritual knowledge, where the white thread represents the unveiling of truth, and the black thread represents the darkness of ignorance.White represents pure divine knowledge—it is absolute truth, untouched by human reasoning.Just as someone who continues to eat after dawn is not excused, a person who has seen divine truth but still attributes power to anything other than God is also accountable

The ordinary person fasts from food,

The Sufi gnostic fasts from seeing anything but God in existence (Tawhid Haqiqi – True Oneness).

• This marks the transition from ignorance (darkness) to divine clarity (light).
• The fast begins when the veils of the world lift, allowing the seeker to recognize truth from falsehood.
• It is not just a time-based restriction but an awakening of spiritual perception.

Burning the Ego: Fasting as Purification

"മൂടി മൂടി മറയിട്ട ലോകം
മൂടി കത്തി തെളിഞ്ഞാലാനന്ദം"
(Moodi Moodi Marayitta Lokam, Moodi Kathi Theliyumaal Anandam)

• The "veiled world" represents the ego (nafs) and material attachments, which obscure divine light.
• Fasting is like a fire that burns away the veils, revealing true joy (Anandam).
• The spiritual hunger that fasting creates destroys arrogance and purifies the heart, leading to enlightenment.

Ramadan as Divine Self-Disclosure (Tajalli)

"ശഹറ് റമളാനിലല്ലോ തജല്ലീ
സാറ ജബലോ ഹവാഅൻ മിസല്ലീ"
(Shahru Ramadhanilallo Tajalli, Saara Jabal Ho Hawa’an Misalli)

• Tajalli means Divine Self-revelation.
• In the Quran (2:185), Ramadan is the month when the Quran descended—a symbol of spiritual unveiling.
• The "Jabal" (mountain) dissolving into air represents the crumbling of the ego—a reference to Surah Al-A'raf (7:143), where Moses’ mountain crumbles before divine light.

The Barzakh (Interspace) and the Gnostic Moon

"ശൂന്യമായ് തീരും, ശൂന്യമായ് തീരുമ്പോൾ
അന്തരാളം ശുദ്ധിയാലേ തെളിയുന്ന താളം"
(Shoonyamaayi Theerum, Shoonyamaayi Theerumpol
Antharaalam Shuddhiyale Theliyunna Thaalam)

• Shoonya (emptiness) refers to the dissolution of the self.
• Antharaalam (Interspace) is the Barzakh, the veil between this world and divine truth.
• As the ego disappears, divine guidance (Nur) appears, aligning the seeker with the rhythm (Thaalam) of the Divine.Some knowledge can be attained through reasoning, but true divine wisdom comes from direct spiritual experience. This is why fasting is not just about abstaining from food—it is about emptying oneself for divine reception.The true fast is to avoid consuming illusions and remain in the state of divine presence.The one who fasts properly does not just avoid food; they avoid anything that distracts from divine unity.

"കാർമുകിലെല്ലാം നീങ്ങിത്തെളിയും
അസ്സമാനത്ത് തിങ്കൾ തെളിയും"
(Kaarmukil Ellam Neengi Theliyum, Assamaanath Thinkal Theliyum)

• The "clouds" represent the veil of the Interspace—the final illusion separating the seeker from truth.
• The "moon" is the light of gnosis (Ma’rifa), appearing only after the seeker clears his state.
• It connects with Surah Al-Mutaffifin (83:6)—"A day when mankind will stand before the Lord of the worlds."

The Two Eids: The Dual Joy of Fasting

"ഈദു രണ്ടുണ്ട്, ഈദു രണ്ടുണ്ട്
അറവിൻ തിരുനാൾ
പിന്നെ നൂറിൻ ലിഖാഇൻ പെരുന്നാൾ"
(Eedu Randundu, Eedu Randundu, Aravin Thirunal
Pinne Noorin Likhaain Perunnal)

• There are two joys of fasting as mentioned in Hadith:
  1. Eid al-Fitr—The slaughter of the ego, celebrating spiritual discipline.
  2. Eid of Noor (Divine Meeting)—When the soul returns to divine reality, witnessing Nurun Ala Nur (Light upon Light).

The Ultimate Annihilation (Fana) and Divine Reward

"മൗല തന്നെ സിയാമിൻ ജസാഅ്
മൂന്ന് ‌മായുമ്പോളല്ലോ ഫനാഅ്"
(Maula Thanne Siyamin Jasa’a, Moonnu Maayumbollallo Fanaa’)

• Fasting leads to spiritual annihilation (Fana)—when the self completely submits to the Divine Will.
• The Prophet ﷺ said: "Fasting is Mine, and I Myself will reward it."
• The three that disappear:
  1. Ego (Nafs)
  2. Illusion (Dunya)
  3. Attachment (Hawa)

The phrase "മൂന്ന് ‌മായുമ്പോളല്ലോ ഫനാഅ്" (Moonnu Maayumpollallo Fanaa') suggests that three things must disappear in order for the seeker to reach the state of Fana' (annihilation in the Divine Presence). These three aspects correspond to the fundamental abstentions of fasting:

1. Food (Eating - طعام)
2. Drink (Drinking - شراب)
3. Desires (Shahawat - شهوات)The reward (Sawaab) is nothing less than divine proximity (Qurb)

"ഐൻ ആദിയാ, ഐൻ ആദിയായുള്ള കരാറ്
ഐ.ആറിലൂട്ടന്ത സവാബ്"
(Ayn Aadiyaa, Ayn Aadiyaa Ullal Karaar
I.Riloottantha Sawaab)

• "Ayn Aadiyaa"—The Eye of Eternity, referring to God’s timeless vision.
• "I.Riloottantha Sawaab"—The reward for fasting mirrors the 30 birds of Simurgh, who find themselves in divine reality.
• The 30 days of fasting complete the seeker’s journey from existence (Wujud) to extinction (Fana) to divine subsistence (Baqa).The three disappearances correspond to:
  1. Food → Leaving Dunya (Material World)
  2. Drink → Leaving Nafs (Ego & Dependencies)
  3. Desires → Leaving Hawa (Lower Desires)

Conclusion: Fasting as the Path to the Divine

This poem is not just about Ramadan—it is a blueprint for the seeker’s spiritual journey. It beautifully integrates Sufi cosmology, Quranic insights, and mystical metaphors to present fasting as:

• A fire that burns away illusions
• A self-disclosure (Tajalli) of divine wisdom
• A journey from Barzakh (Interspace) to absolute clarity
• A witnessing of Nurun Ala Nur (Light upon Light)
• A pathway to Fana (self-annihilation) and Baqa (divine permanence)

In the end, fasting is not just abstention, but elevation. It is a return to our true state of divine union, where we realize that what we sought was within us all along.

"Fast from phenomenal being, and do not break your fast!
The God of creation will bring you close, taking charge of you by that." — Ibn Arabi