Honesty-a Sign of Righteousness
Shams Umadaly

God decrees fasting at other times as well. As atonement for violating our oaths (5:89), for killing
game during Hajj (5:95), and for estranging our spouse (58:4). God knows that fasting can be very
difficult, but God also knows how quickly He can get our attention by decreeing it for us. These very basic needs are constant remind-ers of God’s absolute mercy.

Preparation for the month of Ramadan extends beyond the 30 days of fasting. We are aware of the
calen-dar, the months passing. As the days approach, we begin to plan for them and pray that we
will have a better Ramadan this year, and thus, com-memorate God more frequently. We are
grateful for shorter days and we pay more attention to weather fore-casts, hoping for cooler days.
During the days of fasting, we look forward to a "family celebration" with our broth-ers and sisters
each Friday evening. We spend time planning for that meal with joy. Some may experience
head-aches, lightheadedness, stomach rum-bling, etc. We count minutes and hours more closely.
Our attention is more focused on our bodily needs. Or is it?

The effects of fasting are many. What is perceived as a loss by some, is a real gain for our soul and
its growth. We have the chance to focus on our "real self," our soul and its nourish-ment. Our body’s needs turn into re-minders of God and the growth of our soul. We grow more alert to our
pro-visions and their source. And through God’s mercy, He weaves reminders of Zakat for the
poor. And we know hunger and thirst as the poor often do, to better understand why Zakat is so
important. And each Salat prayer brings us closer to the day’s end and provisions. More reminders.

We come to understand the words "steadfast" and "patience" more specifically, as the days of fasting proceed and we refrain from suspicion, anger and bad thoughts. Verse 33:35 takes on new meaning, "for the fasting men and women, for the commemorating men and the commemorating
women... forgiveness and a great recompense."

All of these activities and thoughts are opportunities to remember God alone, from whom all things
come. As we reflect on God’s creation, we might notice that even the animals, plants, and
mountains, who did not accept the responsibility of "freedom of choice," are not exempt from fasting.

There is no place on earth that does not experience drought at one time or another. The
consequences of a severe lack of water include a reduction in all other provisions as well. And since these other creatures endure much longer that the human lifetime, they endure periodic fasting much longer than we. Yet, heaven is assured for each of these creatures. And by God’s design, where life seems to disappear with the lack of water and the suste-nance which come from it, life springs back repeatedly once water is received.

Our lifetime is so brief compared to eternity. We are deprived of nothing during this brief period,
including re-peated, individualized messages of God alone. Twenty-four hour God-consciousness is
our goal. It is that which we strive toward, with stead-fastness and patience. We know that "God
never burdens any soul beyond its means...." (2:286) and that fasting is not an ordeal but rather
a great op-portunity to run, not walk, along God’s path. How awesome is God. He takes His
creation with all its limits and uses it to remind individually and constantly that He alone is our Lord
and Master. Given our previous be-havior, God is merciful beyond our wildest dreams, and
provides us with a gift of remembrance that can only lead us closer to Him for all eternity.

ALL PRAISE BE TO GOD.

Kathryn Kolton