Life Supreme — Page 47
50. LIFE SUPREME 7. FASTING TOWARDS RIGHTEOUSNESS "O ye who believer Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous. " (2:183). Almighty God has exhorted Muslims to excel one another in righteousness for this is the ideal quality of character; and they have been urged to strive continually towards the perfection of this attribute because in the sight of God this virtue is the most distinguished mark of honour. God says in the Holy Quran: 'Verily the most honourable among you in the sight of Allah is the one who is most righteous among you. ' (49:14). The acquisition of righteousness is the highest and noblest of all ambitions and should be the foremost aspiration of every Muslim. . This divine attribute is a heavenly and magnetic energy which is so powerful and attractive that hearts are moved and swayed by its radiation. Said Hazrat Ali: 'He who sets righteousness as his ideal has the hardest persons softened and the remotest strangers attracted. '. The Islamic form of fasting is strictly a spiritual exercise and is one of others which also serve as aids towards the development of righteousness. Muslims have been repeatedly reminded in the Holy. Quran that they should cultivate the spirit of rightousness in their hearts: "O ye men worship your Lord Who created you and those who were before you that you may become righteous. (2:22) 'The best provision is righteousness. " (2:198). The cultivation of this heavenly attribute has also been emphasised by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah and Holy. Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement who writes in one of his poems: 'Wonderful is the jewel the name of which is righteousness. Blessed is he who practises righteousness. So, O ye Muslimsı perfect your righteousness. '. Successful fasting leads to righteousness providing one imbues oneself with the spirit of fasting which calls for the promotion of a strong desire and resolve to attain spiritual elevation during the period