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The most important consideration in
undertaking a fast, as in any act of devotion, is to seek nearness to
God, and seek His pleasure and Forgiveness. This itself generates a
spirit of piety in man.
- Creating the conditions of hunger and
thirst for oneself, simply in obedience to the Divine order, measures
the faith of man in God and helps strengthen it by putting it to a
severe test.
- Fasting enhances through creation of
artificial non-availability, the value of the bounties of God which man
often takes for granted. This inculcates in man a spirit of gratitude
and consequent devotion to God. Nothing else can bring home to a man the
worth of God's bounties than a glass of water and a square meal after a
day long fast. This also reminds man that the real joy in enjoying God's
bounties lies in moderation and restraint and not in over indulging.
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Fasting makes us deeply conscious of the
pangs of hunger and discomfort suffered by the less fortunate among our
brethren. They have to put up with difficult conditions all through
their lives. It thus kindles in man a spirit of sacrifice leading to
change towards his suffering brethren.
- Fasting gives man an unfailing training
in endurance, a spirit of acceptance. This could well prepare him to put
up with the unchangeable situations in life in the same spirit of
resignation as cultivated during the fasts.
- Fasting develops courage, fortitude, and
a fighting spirit in man to surmount the heavy odds in life with a cool
and tranquil mind. It sharpens his power of concentration to overcome
obstacles through a vigorous exercise all throughout the month, leading
to a steeling of his will power and resolve, that could help him in
challenging situations in life. It is seen than many an undesirable
habit which is difficult to give up, is more easily given up during the
days of fasting.
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Fasting teaches man reliance on God, and
confidence in Him. Just as the vigorous state of fasting for a whole
month is undertaken with His assistance, bitter situations in life could
also be surmounted with His help.
- Fasting develops a spirit of patience in
man, with the realization that the days of fasting, though seemingly
unending, do have a successful and happy end. Thus is life. All bitter
situations pass, and come to an end.
- Fasting is meant to conquer anger and
develop self-control in man. The vigorous effort required to put up with
hunger and thirst can well be extended to conquer other infirmities of
human character that lead man into error and sin.
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Fasting inculcates a spirit of tolerance
in man to face unpleasant conditions and situations without making his
fellow beings the victim of his wrath. Many people, when facing
discomfort and deprivation, become irritable and annoyed. This anger is
then vented on those around them. Fasting helps a man become more
tolerant despite his own discomfort.
- Fasting mellows a man and enhances his
character, giving a jolt to the human instincts of pride, haughtiness,
jealousy and ambition. Fasting softens his character, and clears his
heart and mind of many negative emotions.
- Fasting exposes the weakness of man in
the event of his being deprived of two basic bounties of God; food and
drink. It infuses into him a spirit of weakness and submission,
generating humility and prayer in an otherwise arrogant being.
- Fasting breathes the spirit of
forgiveness in man towards others, as he seeks God's forgiveness through
fasts and prayers.
- Fasting gives lessons in punctuality.
Man has to adhere to a strict schedule of time in the observance of the
fast.
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Fasting could affect the economy of the
individual as he is less wasteful on food and meals.
- Fasting demands a rigid sense of
discipline, mental, spiritual and physical. This forms characteristics
which are an essential ingredient to success in life.
- Fasting creates spiritual reformation in
man, infusing him with a spirit of enthusiasm and zest to change and
become a better human being in the eyes of God. This is an excellent
opportunity, given to believers each year, to change themselves and
consequently their destinies.
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On the physical side, fasting cleanses
the human system of the accumulated impurities of uninterrupted eating
throughout the year. It prepares the body to face diseases or conditions
of scarcity. The rigid abstinence of a fast regulates man's health,
sharpens his intellect and enhances the qualities of his heart.
(Adapted from an article by Marhum Ahmed
Sheriff Dewji, published in the Light Magazine) |
