YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

mind, contemplating on the verses, he can understand the teachings of the Quran in greater depth and discover the deeper meaning of the Quran. Can you give an example of discovering the deeper meaning of the Quran? I think the following verse of the Quran opens a whole new meaning to the reader: “Believers, fasting has been prescribed for you, just as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard yourself against evil”. (2: 183) This verse highlights that fasting is a universal practice and it is a common element across religions. And ever since man inhabited earth, prophets were sent to guide him, and they enjoined their community to observe fasts. When man observes a fast today, he gets connected to a long history. When I understood this, I was gripped by the realization of this thrilling idea that those who observe fasts in the month of Ramadan become a part of that divine chain which begins from the first pious person and ends with the last man of history! The realization that you have got connected with the list of those pious and God-fearing men who led a rightly guided life is an overwhelming experience. Is overeating during sehri desirable? Those who indulge in overeating to curb the feeling of thirst and hunger during sehri, in effect do not observe the fast as they do not allow the purpose of Ramadan to be met. Let me clarify this with the following instance from the life of the Prophet. When the Prophet Muhammad was returning from Taif, he was overwhelmed with sorrow at the response he received from the leaders of Taif. The people of Taif ordered their children to throw stones at the Prophet Muhammad to drive him out of the city, causing him to bleed profusely. It was in this state of being wounded, hungry and thirsty, that God suggested turning the valley of Makkah into gold for him but the Prophet Muhammad replied, “No, my Lord, but let me have enough to eat and be hungry on alternate days; then when I am hungry, I shall make supplication to You and make mention of You, and when I have enough, I shall praise and thank You.” (Musnad Ahmad) From this Hadith, it can be drawn that the feeling of hunger and thirst serve the purpose of inculcating sensitivity within a person by making him experience helplessness. This develops piety in a person.