THE INNER REALITY OF FASTING

by hunger and thirst, he understands how weak he really is; he realizes how much he is in need of God’s succour. In the evenings, after a whole day of fasting, people eat and drink their fill: that is when their hearts are flooded with a sense of gratitude to God for His having made complete provision for their needs. That is when they praise God and offer up their thanks to Him. This feeling of dependence on God’s bounty also makes them adopt a properly cautious attitude to life. The Prophet is reported as saying that God rewards good deeds from tenfold to 700-fold. His reward for fasting, which is especially for Him, will be countless. In another Hadith2 he is reported as saying, “There are many who fast and receive nothing in return, but hunger and thirst”. What is the difference between one fast and another, while in appearance both are alike? In actual fact, the appearance is not all that there is to it. The act serves only as a symbol of the essence. One who observes fasting in its essence as well as in its outward form will deserve the promised reward. On the other hand, one who attaches importance to symbols alone, will have nothing to his credit when he comes before God. Fasting of the latter type is of no value in the eyes of God, since the true value of something which is symbolic in its nature, is always determined by the will to virtue which it represents. The greater significance of fasting lies in its symbolism of an inner spiritual eagerness to make all kinds of sacrifices. But there is much more to fasting than the caution and gratitude induced by the purely outward, physical forms of abstention. Its greater significance lies in its symbolism of an inner, spiritual eagerness to make all kinds of sacrifices. Obviously, one who refrains from taking food and water on specific days, but who goes throughout his life without any qualms about telling lies, persecuting his fellowmen, thwarting justice, and so on, has missed the whole point of the fast of Ramazan. He has concerned himself all along with outward forms and not with inner realities. Such a man cannot expect to find favour in the eyes of his fellowmen and will certainly incur the wrath of God, his Maker. One who fasts in all sincerity takes care to cast his entire life in 2. Deeds or sayings of the Prophet.