Fasting of the Body and Soul
Fasting has been classified into two groups by Imam Ali: body fasting and soul fasting.
As the names indicate, body fasting is physical, while soul fasting is everything else; it is mental, emotional, and spiritual. Although both are vital, the physical is always easier than the mental. Body fasting is considered easy in comparison to soul fasting. Body fasting is merely to abstain from eating and drinking for a specific period of time. Even though it is easier, it still requires a strong will and immense amounts of discipline; hence, body fasting can act as a stepping stone to a higher level of fasting, soul fasting. Soul fasting covers a much wider range of self control and self discipline. It includes overcoming doubts, temptations, and incentives, which are not achievable only by the physical.
When body fasting, only the stomach fasts, but when soul fasting, all organs fast; the ears, eyes, tongues, hands, and brains all practice fasting. Body fasting ends within a few hours by consuming food, but soul fasting never stops; it requires consistency and longevity.
Imam Ali states that soul fasting is the avoidance of the sins of the five senses, so souls can be set aside from filth. If one practices soul fasting, the five senses would always be vigilant, so no sins are ever committed.
Imam Ali states that soul fasting is the avoidance of the sins of the five senses, so souls can be set aside from filth. If one practices soul fasting, the five senses would always be vigilant, so no sins are ever committed.