As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, it’s a time for reflection, prayer, and fasting. It’s also a time to seek wisdom and inspiration from those who have walked this spiritual path before us. One such source of wisdom is the 13th-century Sufi poet, Rumi. His words have transcended time and culture, offering profound insights into the human experience and our relationship with the divine. In this blog post, we will explore some of Rumi’s most inspiring quotes on Ramadan and fasting, each accompanied by a brief explanation to help illuminate their deeper meanings.
Rumi Quotes on Ramadan
- “Rise up nimbly and go on your strange journey to the ocean of meanings… Leave and don’t look away from the sun as you go, in whose light you’re sometimes crescent, sometimes full.”
- This quote encourages us to embark on the spiritual journey of Ramadan, reminding us that just like the moon, our spiritual light may wax and wane, but it’s always present.
- “Brother stand the pain; Escape the poison of your impulses. The sky will bow to your beauty, if you do.”
- Rumi advises us to resist our impulses during Ramadan, suggesting that this self-discipline can elevate our spiritual beauty.
- “Learn to light the candle. Rise with the sun. Turn away from the cave of your sleeping. That way a thorn expands to a rose. A particular glows with the universal.”
- This quote speaks to the transformative power of Ramadan, where the act of fasting and prayer can turn our hardships into spiritual growth.
- “Fasting is the first principle of medicine.”
- Rumi views fasting not just as a religious practice, but also as a healing process for the body and soul.
- “Patience does not mean to passively endure. It means to be farsighted enough to trust the end result of a process.”
- This quote reminds us that patience, a key virtue in Ramadan, is not about passive waiting but about trusting in the outcome of our spiritual journey.
- “What does patience mean? It means to look at the thorn and see the rose, to look at the night and see the dawn.”
- Rumi suggests that patience during Ramadan involves seeing beyond immediate discomfort and recognizing the potential for growth and renewal.
- “Impatience means to be shortsighted as to not able to see the outcome. The lovers of God never runs out of patience, for they know that time is needed for the crescent moon to become full.”
- This quote emphasizes the importance of patience in the journey of Ramadan, likening it to the gradual process of the moon reaching its full state.
- “There’s a hidden sweetness in the stomach’s emptiness. We are lutes, no more, no less. When the sound box is filled, no music can come forth.”
- Rumi metaphorically describes the state of fasting as a lute that can only produce music when it’s empty, suggesting that spiritual enlightenment often comes from emptiness or sacrifice.
- “When you fast, good habits gather like friends who want to help.”
- Rumi portrays fasting as a catalyst for cultivating good habits, as it provides an opportunity for self-discipline and self-improvement.
- “A table descends to your tent, Jesus’s table. Expect to see it, when you fast, this table spread with other food better than the broth of cabbages.”
- Rumi uses the metaphor of a divine table descending during fasting, symbolizing the spiritual nourishment that comes from fasting, which is far superior to physical nourishment.
Related: Rumi Quotes
Rumi Quotes on Fasting
- “Fasting is the first principle of medicine; fast and see the strength of the spirit reveal itself.”
- Rumi views fasting as a healing process and a means to reveal the strength of the spirit.
- “There’s a hidden sweetness in the stomach’s emptiness. We are lutes, no more, no less. If the soundbox is stuffed full of anything, no music.”
- This quote suggests that fasting, though it involves physical emptiness, can lead to a form of spiritual fulfillment.
- “When you’re full of food and drink, Satan sits where your spirit should, an ugly metal statue in place of the Kaaba.”
- Rumi warns that indulgence in physical desires can distract from spiritual focus, using the metaphor of Satan occupying the place of the spirit.
- “When you fast, good habits gather like friends who want to help.”
- This quote portrays fasting as a catalyst for cultivating good habits and self-improvement.
- “Fasting is Solomon’s ring. Don’t give it to some illusion and lose your power.”
- Rumi compares fasting to the legendary ring of Solomon, a symbol of power, suggesting that fasting can empower us spiritually.
- “But even if you’ve lost all will and control, they come back when you fast, like soldiers appearing out of the ground, pennants flying above them.”
- This quote suggests that fasting can help regain control over our desires and impulses, likening it to an army that helps us regain control.
- “The fog clears, and a new energy makes you run up the steps in front of you.”
- Rumi describes fasting as a process that clears the fog of physical desires, leading to a renewed energy for spiritual pursuits.
- “Be emptier and cry like reed instruments cry. Emptier, write secrets with the reed pen.”
- Rumi encourages embracing the emptiness that comes with fasting, suggesting that it allows us to express our innermost spiritual secrets.
- “If the brain and the belly are burning clean with fasting, every moment a new song comes out of the fire.”
- This quote portrays fasting as a purifying fire that leads to a constant renewal of spiritual insights.
- “There is an unseen sweetness in the stomach’s emptiness. We are lutes. When the sound box is filled, no music can come forth.”
- Rumi suggests that the physical emptiness from fasting can lead to a form of spiritual sweetness, using the metaphor of a lute that can only produce music when it’s empty.
Conclusion
Rumi’s quotes on Ramadan and fasting offer profound insights into the spiritual journey of this holy month. They remind us that Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink, but about embarking on a journey of self-discovery, self-discipline, and spiritual growth. As we navigate through the days of fasting and nights of prayer, let us keep Rumi’s wisdom in our hearts, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of ourselves and our relationship with the divine.