An Elementary Study of Islam — Page 45
Mirza Tahir Ahmad 45 2. Other obligatory fasting is most often related to the condoning of sins by God. This also includes violation of the obligatory fasts. The optional fasting is so well promoted that it becomes a part of the righteous Muslim’s way of life. Although a majority of Muslims do not go beyond the month of obligatory fasting, some keep fasts now and then particularly when in trouble. As it is expected that the prayers offered in fasting are more productive, some people keep extra fasts to ward off their problems, but some do it only for the sake of winning Allah’s special favours. There is no limit to this, except that the Founder of Islam strongly discouraged those who had vowed to fast continuously for their whole life. When the Holy Prophet sa came to learn of one such case, he disapproved of the practice and censured the man for attempting to achieve liberation as if by forcing his will upon God. He told the person concerned that, ‘By putting yourself to trouble or discomfort, not only will you be unable to please God, but you may even earn His displeasure. ’ He pointed out that over emphasis on austerity is likely to make one negligent towards one’s wife and children, kith and kin, friends etc. The Holy Prophet sa reminded him specifically of his responsibilities in the area of human relationship; ‘Do your duty to God as well as to the creation of God equitably’ was the advice. To some, after their insistent petulant begging, he permitted optional fasts only in the style of David as , peace be upon him. The Holy Founder of Islam told them that it was the practice of David to fast one day and abstain from doing so the next. Throughout his life, after he made this vow, he kept the fast on alternate days. So the Holy Prophet sa said, ‘I can only permit you that much and no more. ’ The institution of fasting is extremely important because it cultivates the believer in almost every area of his spiritual life. Among