Fasting for Taqwa and Thanksgiving

FASTING FOR TAQWA AND THANKSGIVING While fasting when he is consumed by hunger and thirst, man realizes how weak he really is; he realizes how much he is in need of the succour of God. It is when man experiences this helplessness, ijz which is made manifest during the times when man feels hunger and thirst, that his true self meets God. Thus it is the discovery of the real benefactor that brings along with it immense pleasure and satisfaction. This experience makes him aware of his duties as God’s humble servant. This feeling leads to caution in life. It makes one God-conscious and live a life of piety, taqwa. On the other hand, fasting is a training in taqwa or living a God-fearing life. Taqwa means that man should keep himself away from all those things that God has forbidden in this life and he should do only those things that God has allowed him to do. as well. Otherwise, he will be deemed a usurper.