Second point:

 

Second point: As stated in the First Word, another purpose is to show that there is a price for the food brought by a servant from the king’s kitchen. Obviously, it would be an incredible folly to tip the servant and not recognize the king, a clear disrespect for that gift. In the same way, God Almighty spreads His countless bounties on the Earth and bestows them for a price: thanksgiving.

The apparent causes of those bounties or those who bring them to us are like the servant in the above example. We pay the servants, feel indebted to them and sometimes thank them, even though they are only causes or means. Thus we show them a degree of respect they have not merited. The true Giver of Bounties is infinitely more deserving of thanks for these bounties. Such thanksgiving assumes the form of acknowledging one’s need for the bounties, appreciating them fully, and ascribing them directly to Him.

Fasting Ramadan is the key to a true, sincere, comprehensive, and universal thanksgiving. Many people cannot appreciate most of the bounties they enjoy, for they suffer no hunger. For example, a piece of dry bread means nothing to those who are full, especially if they are rich, although even their sense of taste testifies that it is a very valuable bounty of God in the sight of believers breaking their fast. During Ramadan, everyone is favored with a heartfelt thanksgiving by understanding the value of Divine bounties.

While fasting, believers think: “As these bounties do not originally belong to me, I cannot regard them as mere food or drink. Since the One owns and grants them to me, I should wait for His permission to eat them.” By thus acknowledging food and drink as Divine gifts, believers thank God tacitly. This is why fasting is a key to thanksgiving, a fundamental human duty.

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi