Ramadan: A Month of Purification

While on a fast, a man may have food and water before him but, despite his hunger and thirst, he exercises self-control. God desires that he should also exercise the same restraint whenever he has the opportunity to display his ego and his arrogance. He must not fall into unjust ways. If man is to earn God’s favour, he must eschew the path forbidden by Him, and set his feet firmly on the path of modesty and humility. The path followed perforce by the universe has to be adopted by man of his own free will. That is why it is desirable that he should lead a life of selfimposed curbs. This is the only way to seek nearness to God Almighty. FASTING FOR GRATITUDE AND PENITENCE x The month of fasting is a period of spiritual purification. A time of proximity to the Lord, it is