Starving oneself as a spiritual exercise

Q: Is starving oneself (i.e. eating just enough to sustain oneself for prayers/ibaadah/tazkiyah etc.) permissible in Islam?

A: These spiritual exercises are not objectives and goals in themselves, but are remedies for certain spiritual maladies. Hence, these spiritual exercises should not be carried out except under the supervision and guidance of a qualified spiritual mentor.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)

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