Eighth point:

 

Eighth point: One purpose of fasting is to put people on a physical and spiritual diet. If the carnal self acts, eats, and drinks as it wishes, people’s physical health is harmed. But, and more importantly, their spiritual life is harmed because they do not discriminate between the lawful and the unlawful. Such a carnal self finds it very difficult to obey the heart and spirit. Recognizing no principles, it takes the person’s reins and drives him or her as it pleases. However, fasting Ramadan accustoms it to dieting, and self discipline trains it to obey; the stomach is not harmed from overeating before the previous meal has been digested properly and, learning to forsake the lawful, it can follow the decree of reason and religion to refrain from the unlawful. Thus the carnal self tries not to corrupt its owner’s spiritual life.

Also, most people suffer hunger to various degrees. To endure a long lasting hunger patiently, people should train themselves in self-discipline and austerity. Fasting Ramadan provides this patience based training by causing people to feel hungry for 15 hours, or even for 24 hours if the predawn meal is missed. Thus fasting cures impatience and the lack of endurance, which double humanity’s misfortune.

Many bodily members somehow serve the stomach. If that “factory” does not stop its daytime routines during a certain month, it keeps those members busy with itself and forgetful of their own worship and sublime duties. This is why saints always prefer austerity as a way to spiritual and human perfection. Fasting Ramadan reminds us that our bodily members were created for more than just serving the stomach. In Ramadan, many bodily members experience angelic and spiritual—as opposed to material—pleasures. As a result, fasting believers receive degrees of spiritual pleasure and enlightenment according to their level of spiritual perfection. Fasting Ramadan refines a person’s heart, spirit, reason, and innermost senses. Even if the stomach complains, these senses rejoice.

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi