“By the dawn, and by the ten nights.”
— Surah Al-Fajr, 89:1–2
As these words echo from the Qur’an, they serve as a divine spotlight on the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah—days honored by Allah, beloved by the Prophet ﷺ, and filled with opportunity for every seeker.
This year, I committed to fasting all ten days leading up to Eid ul-Adha, following a Sunnah that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ practiced and highly recommended. These days are a spiritual gift, and fasting during them is a chance to reset—not just physically, but spiritually.
Today is my fourth fast, and already, I feel like I’ve lived through a full spectrum of challenges, both seen and unseen.
🌑 Day One – The Sudden Silence
I jumped in cold. No build-up, no prep, just a firm internal decision to begin fasting. As the sun rose, the reality sank in. The absence of food and water was more than a habit change—it felt like my body went into shock.
By midday, I was feeling it: waves of hunger, dry mouth, foggy thoughts. My body was clearly asking: “Why are you doing this to me?” But my heart responded with something even stronger: “Because it’s time to return.”
The day was difficult, but when sunset came, it felt like more than just the end of a fast—it felt like the first stone laid on a spiritual path.
💢 Day Two – Headaches and Humility
If the first day challenged my hunger, the second challenged my head. A dull, consistent headache followed me like a shadow all day. It may have been dehydration, or perhaps my body detoxing caffeine or sugar. Either way, it was relentless.
But then came the water—literally. After I broke my fast, I went for a swim. Submerging in water felt like submerging into calm. The headache didn’t vanish completely, but my spirit lifted. My body was beginning to submit, and that act of surrender itself brought clarity.
🌡 Day Three – The Heat Within
This day was deceptive. I didn’t feel hungry. I didn’t feel thirsty. But my body was burning from the inside—as if I had a low-grade fever. I checked: no temperature. Still, the inner heat and weakness were real.
By midday, my energy levels had dipped dangerously low. I didn’t have the strength to do much. And yet, I wasn’t afraid. There was something strangely peaceful about it. I felt like I was shedding layers—not just of physical energy, but emotional baggage too.
This day reminded me that fasting isn’t just about managing food—it’s about managing ego. My body was no longer in control. My will, my intention, and my surrender were.
🌤 Day Four – A Gentle Shift
Today feels different. Not easier, but gentler. I’m not experiencing the extreme hunger or headaches of previous days. There’s a faint tension in the background, but it’s not overwhelming. Maybe it’s because I’m moving slower. Maybe it’s because my body is adapting. Or maybe my soul is finally settling into the rhythm.
There’s a quiet strength in discomfort when it becomes familiar. The roar of hunger has faded into a whisper. And that whisper reminds me: this is working.
🌿 What Fasting in Dhul-Hijjah Is Teaching Me
These fasts are not just about abstaining from food and drink. They are about presence. About discipline. About remembering. They pull me out of the everyday grind and place me in a sacred space where time feels slower, thoughts feel deeper, and my heart feels more awake.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
So what could be more beautiful than spending these days in fasting, reflection, prayer, and quiet transformation?
Through this journey, I’ve come to see fasting not as deprivation—but as liberation. Each hour without food is an hour spent tuning into the Divine. Each pang of weakness is a whisper from the soul: You’re not meant to rely on the world. Rely on Him.
🧭 A Note to Fellow Seekers
If you’re fasting these blessed ten days—or even just reflecting and reconnecting—you’re not alone. These days carry a sacred energy. They are an invitation. A doorway to renewal.
Let us use them not just to resist food, but to resist forgetfulness. To remember who we are. Why we’re here. And Who we’re returning to.
Are you observing the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah? What has your experience been like—physically, emotionally, spiritually?
Let’s share our reflections and grow together in this sacred season.
Wasifreflects 