Ramadan

Whoever a person may be, he can always find someone who is poorer and more needy than himself in some respect. It is his duty to show compassion to that person. Unless he himself has experienced hunger, he cannot fully provide the help and assistance that true compassion requires. And even if he does offer such help, it will remain incomplete, for he has not genuinely experienced that condition himself.

The Fourth Point

One of the many wisdoms behind fasting during the blessed month of RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and in which the Qur’an was first revealed. with respect to disciplining the nafsThe aspect of the soul associated with lower desires and negative traits. is the following:

By its very nature, the nafsThe aspect of the soul associated with lower desires and negative traits. desires freedom and independence and imagines itself to possess them. It even harbours an innate longing for an imaginary lordship, wishing to act entirely according to its own will. It refuses to acknowledge that it is nurtured through the countless blessings of Allah. Especially when wealth and power are combined with heedlessness, it greedily devours the blessings bestowed by Allah like a usurper.

During the blessed month of RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and in which the Qur’an was first revealed., however, every person—from the wealthiest to the poorest—comes to realise that he is not an owner but a servant, not independent but under authority. If Allah does not permit it, he cannot perform even the simplest action or so much as stretch out his hand for a drink of water. Thus, his imagined lordship is shattered, and he enters a state of servitude, fulfilling his true duty of gratitude.

The Fifth Point

One of the many wisdoms behind fasting during the blessed month of RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and in which the Qur’an was first revealed. with respect to refining the character of the nafsThe aspect of the soul associated with lower desires and negative traits. and curbing its rebellious tendencies is the following:

Out of heedlessness, the human being forgets himself. He neither perceives nor wishes to perceive his infinite weakness, boundless need, and profound deficiency. Nor does he reflect on how frail he is, how vulnerable he is to decay, how often he is exposed to calamities, or that he is merely a body of flesh and bones that quickly deteriorates and falls apart. Clinging to this world as though he possessed an indestructible body, he imagines himself immortal and behaves as though he will live forever. With intense greed and insatiable desire, with overwhelming attachment and passion, he throws himself into worldly pursuits. He binds himself to everything that promises benefit or pleasure, neglecting his Creator, Who nurtures him with perfect love and care. He gives no thought to the outcome of his life or to the life of the Hereafter, and instead sinks into wrongdoing and immoral conduct.

Indeed, fasting during the blessed month of RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and in which the Qur’an was first revealed. causes even those most deeply immersed in heedlessness and the most stubborn among people to recognise their weakness, helplessness, and need. Through hunger, they become aware of the needs of their stomach and realise how fragile the human body truly is. In this way, they recognise their profound need for mercy and compassion. They abandon the Pharaoh-like arrogance of the nafsThe aspect of the soul associated with lower desires and negative traits. and, acknowledging their absolute weakness and poverty, seek refuge in Allah. With hearts not corrupted by heedlessness, they prepare themselves to knock on the door of His mercy with the hand of gratitude.