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temporary, yet there is no doubt that the experience makes him realize the severe
effects of such pains on others, who might be deprived of essential commodities for
days or weeks or probably months together. The meaning of this experience in a
social and humanitarian sense is that such a person is much quicker than anybody else
in sympathizing with his fellow men and responding to their needs. And that is an
eloquent expression of unselfishness and genuine sympathy
6. It is an effective lesson in applied Moderation and Willpower. The person who
observes his Fasting properly is certainly a man who can discipline his passionate
desires and place his self above physical temptations. Such is the man of personality
and character, the man of willpower and determination
7. It provides man with a Transparent Soul to transcend, a Clear Mind to think and a
Light Body to move and act. All this is the never failing result of carrying a light
stomach. Medical instructions, biological rules and intellectual experience attest to
this fact
8. It shows man a new way of Wise Savings and Sound Budgeting; because normally
when he eats less quantities or less meals he spends less money and effort. And this is
a spiritual semester of home economics and budgeting
9. It enables man to master the art of Mature Adaptability. We can easily understand
the point once we realize that Fasting makes man change the entire course of his daily
life. When he makes the change, he naturally adapts himself to a new system and
moves along to satisfy the new rules. This, in the long run, develops in him a wise
sense of adaptability and a self-created power to overcome the unpredictable
hardships of life. A man who values constructive adaptability and courage will readily
appreciate the effects of Fasting in this respect
10. It grounds man in Discipline and Healthy Survival. When a person observes the
regular course of Fasting in consecutive days of the Holy Month and in the Holy
Months of the consecutive years, he is certainly applying himself to a high form of
discipline and a superb sense of order. Similarly, when he relieves his stomach and
relaxes his digestive system, he is indeed insuring his body, not to mention the soul,
against all harm that results from stomach overcharge. In this manner of relaxation he
may be sure that his body will survive free from the usual disorder and break, and that
his soul will continue to shine purely and peacefully
11. It originates in man the real Spirit of Social Belonging, of Unity and Brotherhood,
of Equality before God as well as before the Law. This spirit is the natural product of
the fact that when man fasts, he feels that he is joining the whole Muslim society in
observing the same duty in the same manner at the same time for the same motives to
the same end. No sociologist can say that there has been at any period of history
anything comparable to this fine institution of Islam. People have been crying
throughout the ages for acceptable belonging, for unity, for brotherhood, for equality,
but how echoless their voice has been, and how very little success they have met!
Where can they find their goals without the guiding light of Islam?
12. It is a Godly prescription for self-reassurance and self-control, for maintenance of
human dignity and freedom, for victory and peace. These results never fail to manifest
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