THE HOLY MONTH OF FASTING AND PRAYER

According to another tradition of the Prophet, ‘There is purification for all things, and purification of the body is fasting.’ Just as bathing purifies the body, so does fasting purify the soul. But it must be borne in mind that Ramazan entails much more than fasting; it is the fostering of a culture of abstinence aimed at purification of thought, speech and general behaviour. Two things make up a human being—body and soul. While the material part of a person, the body, is indispensable for the performance of mundane tasks, it is his soul which will raise him to higher realities. The mind, or soul, must be preserved in a state of purity. Just as the body requires physical nourishment, so also must the soul be spiritually nourished. Fasting entails cutting oneself off from the world and turning to God; not in a physical sense, but having one’s heart and mind continually directed towards God, whatever bodily activity one may be engaged in. When a person has elevated himself from the world, God endows him with wisdom, which emanates from his lips. He is shown the ills of the world, and their remedies. He is brought safely to the abode of peace. The ‘Lailatal-Qadr’ (the Night of Destiny) is an important juncture in the last ten days which bring the period of fasting to a close. On this night, angels descend to earth, carrying the commands of God for the coming year. Believers then pray all night, and according to the Quran, praying on this night is better than praying for a thousand months. This night brings wisdom to the human soul. o Just as the body requires physical nourishment, so also must the soul be spiritually nourished. Reform through fasting Fasting fosters a culture of restraint aimed at purifying thought, speech and general behaviour.