Benefits of hunger

The first benefit is that the heart becomes pure and radiant.  On the other hand, a full stomach blinds the heart and it creates doubts in the mind.

 

The second benefit is that hunger makes the heart soft, because of which a certain pleasure is felt in Dua and Dhikr of Allah Ta’ala.  Eating to the full capacity of the stomach, hardens the heart.  Any Dhikr done after this remains on the tongue only and because of the hardness of the heart, does not reach the heart.

 

The third benefit is that by remaining hungry, sincerity and humility are developed.  A full stomach breeds heedlessness (Ghaflat in Urdu).  If a person eats even one morsel, because that morsel, humility will not remain in that person and the illumination of the heart is replaced with darkness.  The greatness and majesty of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) leaves the heart.

 

The fourth benefit is that if we fill our stomach, we will forget the hungry and we will not be affectionate towards the creation of the Lord Almighty.  We will forget the punishments and the tortures of the hereafter as well.  When we remain hungry, because of hunger, we will be reminded of the people of hell and when we remain thirsty, our thirst will remind us of the people in Qiyamah.  When one is reminded of the people of hell and the people in Qiyamah, then we will be affectionate towards the creation of Allah Ta’ala and the earnestness for the hereafter will be developed.  In short, because of fear of the hereafter and affection on the creation of Allah Ta’ala, the door of Jannah will be opened for us.

 

The secret of all honor is to keep the Self (Nafs in Urdu) under our command and all deprivation is because of coming under the command of the Self.  Rebellious Self cannot be tamed except with hunger.  When someone tames the self through hunger, then like alchemy, innumerable benefits are gained from this.  Remaining hungry is a rare pearl from the treasures of Allah Ta’ala, but it is not given to every person, only to those who are friends of Allah Ta’ala.

 

Our life is a treasure and each breath is an invaluable pearl, but through sleep, life is wasted and hunger removes sleep.  In this way, life, which is the treasure of man remains safe and each breath, which is an invaluable pearl, also remains safe.  Through both of them, the honor of the hereafter can be achieved.  The person who fills his stomach, sleep overpowers him and he remains lying down like a corpse.  His life is wasted in this only.

 

A certain Shaykh would call out to his disciples in the following way:

 

O my disciples! If you eat more, drink more and sleep more, then remember on the day of Qiyamah, you will cry a lot because of deprivation of those good things.

 

The seventh benefit is that the person who eats less remains healthy and remains safe from sorrow and diseases and does not have to drink bitter medicines.