FASTING AND FEASTING — Semblance of The World and The Hereafter

FASTING AND FEASTING Semblance of The World And The Hereafter T HE Prophet is reported to have said: 'The fasting person has two delights: one at the time of breaking the fast and the other at the time of meeting with his Lord God most High.' Hadith – Sahih Muslim. Fasting, and the breaking of the fast; both are different experiences in their own right. The reality of this life can be realized through the experience of fasting. Eating, drinking and certain other specific activities are prohibited during the fast for a temporary period throughout the day. Similar prohibitions are imposed upon the true believer throughout his life. He has to abstain from all that has been forbidden by God and live life as a ‘fasting’ person. Fasting gives us an awareness of the patience and struggle of this life. The very purpose of life is the ‘testing’ of man. Fasting is a semblance of this test. This worldly life is only to do good deeds as enjoined by God, to follow the path He has shown and refrain from all that He has prohibited. For this conscientious life the promise of God is boundless rewards in the Hereafter; rewards which are not manifest in this worldly life. Fasting thus gives an awareness of the patience and struggle of this life. In contrast to fasting, Iftar (breaking the fast), presents a semblance of life Hereafter. In the same spirit, the whole month of Ramazan resembles the conditioned life of this world. Likewise, Eid-ul-Fitr, the day of feasting, also gives us a faint taste and semblance of the life Hereafter. The day of the festival brings an end to the prohibitions and restrictions placed during the period of fasting. Eid reminds us of the joys and pleasures of the Hereafter for a believer who has successfully passed this worldly test. A true believer, having undergone the period of fasting in a most