Malfuzat – Volume II — Page 192
192 Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad does it forbid Muslims from fasting. In fact, the government has made available all forms of nourishment which were nowhere to be found in the awful reign of the Sikhs. They have made available things like ice, soda water, biscuits, bread, etc. , and all other food items, and have provided to us every form of comfort. This is an indirect form of support that they have given to our Islamic practices. Now if someone does not fast themselves, this is another matter. It is regrettable that Muslims themselves dishonour the shariah. Therefore, observe that those who have fasted during these days have not become any thinner, and those who have taken this month lightly also have not put on any weight. Time has passed for both the former and the latter all the same. These were winter fasts. All that was required was a change in eating schedule. Instead of eating at seven or eight o’clock, everyone would eat at four or five o’clock in the morning. Despite such convenience, there were plenty who failed to honour the holy rites prescribed by God, and who looked at this revered guest of God Almighty—the month of Ramadan—with great contempt. The coming of Ramadan in these months of ease was a kind of touchstone as it were, and these fasts served as a measure to distinguish between the obedient and the sinner. God Almighty had granted ease, the government had given every kind of freedom, diverse fruits and other foods were available, there is no means of comfort and convenience that cannot be made available in this age. Then despite all this, what is the reason for the lack of concern prevalent in this respect? The reason is that hearts have lost faith in God. It is unfortunate that people do not even afford God the same regard that is given to a lowly sweeper. In a way, people think that they will never meet God, they will never be presented before Him and will never be made to stand in His court. Alas! If only the disbelievers would ponder and reflect over the proofs of the existence of God Almighty, which shine more brilliantly than the light of millions of suns. It is regrettable that on seeing a shoe it is accepted to a level of certainty that it has a maker. How unfortunate then is it that on observing the countless creations of God Almighty, people do not believe in Him, or if they do, their faith amounts to nothing. The favours of God Almighty upon us are count- less and one of them is that He pulled us out from a burning furnace. The Sikh reign was like a flaming furnace and the arrival of the British heralded the dawn of mercy and blessing. I have heard that when the British first arrived here, a muezzin made the call to Prayer loudly in Hoshiarpur. Since these were the early days of British rule,