FASTING

FASTING

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

O you who believe! You do not know what it is, to fast unto Allah, as it ‘was prescribed’ for those who were before you! Take heed, because this ‘is not the true fast’ which you think that you fast. Behold, in the day of your fast you ‘find pleasure’ and press on with all your labors — profiting ‘nothing’ with Allah. Will you call this a fast, and an acceptable day unto the Lord?

What reward can you expect, when you fast like the hypocrites — wondering ‘what’ you will eat and drink? Behold, he eats, and ‘his soul is empty!’ The Lord does not desire such a ‘needless fast.’ For in ‘this manner’ you advance nothing in righteousness!

Fasting is ‘prescribed for you’ a certain number of days! The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur’an was revealed, and the Treasury! Allah desires your well being, and He desires you to ‘fast the whole month’ so you may ‘magnify Him’ and ‘render thanks’ to Him for giving you Guidance!

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Woe unto the soul which ‘depends’ upon the flesh! Do you not understand that He Who made the inside is also He Who made the outside, and that there is a ‘two-fold abstinence?’ These are ‘the bounds’ set by Allah — thus therefore do, and you shall perfect a ‘great fast’ and one ‘acceptable’ unto the Lord!

The day on which you fast, you shall taste nothing at all but ‘bread and water’ and ‘computing’ the quantity of food which you are wont to eat on other days — you shall ‘lay aside the expense’ that you should have made that day, and give it to the widow, the fatherless, and the poor!

Eat and drink until you can tell ‘a white thread from a black one’ in the light of the coming dawn, then ‘strictly observe the fast’ until nightfall! Stay away from your women at such times, and ‘do not approach them.’ Wretched is a body that depends upon a body! Allah knew that you were deceiving yourselves! These are the limits ‘set by Allah’ so do not go near them! Allah is ‘Mighty and Wise’ and Allah ‘loves’ those who ‘turn to Him’ and strive to keep pure! Wherefore ‘join yourself’ to the Spirit which has Power. Take heed to yourself, and purify your mind from all vanity of this present world!