Ahmadiyyat or The True Islam — Page 82
82 is an increase in the national welfare. It is obvious that the welfare of the nation is bound up with the welfare of the individual. Another aspect of fasting is that Islam seeks to discourage in its followers sloth and laziness and a disinclination to bear hardships. It desires them to be ready and able to accept all manner of privations and inconveniences in times of need. Fasts habituate the Muslims to bear hunger and thirst and to restrain them- selves in all their desires and passions, and those who faithfully carry out this command never become lazy or self-indulgent. Fasting secures one against sin, for sin is born of inclination towards material indulgence. When a man becomes accustomed to a course of conduct it is diffi- cult for him to renounce it. But a man who is able to give up a habit or a course of conduct at will, never becomes its slave. A man who, in order to seek the pleasure of God, gives up for a whole month, all mate- rial pleasures, and learns to exercise control and re- straint, can easily overcome temptations that lead to sin. Again, as a man has to wake up during the month of fasts in the latter part of the night for his breakfast, he gets extra opportunities of prayer and worship which speed him on the path of spiritual progress. When he sacrifices his ease and comfort for the sake of God, the latter strengthens his spirit and draws him towards Himself. The fourth form of worship prescribed by Islam is the pilgrimage to Mecca. Its main objects are similar to those of S al a t and the fasts, viz. , to accustom a man