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<strong>in</strong>g. However, we may, for the sake of truth and enlightened<br />

curiosity, substantiate our contentions by compar<strong>in</strong>g this <strong>in</strong>-<br />

stitution of <strong>Islam</strong> with the other types of fast<strong>in</strong>g:<br />

Comparison of Fast<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Various Religions<br />

1<br />

.<br />

In other religions and dogmas, <strong>in</strong> other philosophies<br />

and doctr<strong>in</strong>es, the observer of Fast absta<strong>in</strong>s from certa<strong>in</strong><br />

k<strong>in</strong>ds of food or dr<strong>in</strong>ks or material substances, but he is free<br />

to substitute for that and fiil his stomach to the top with the<br />

substitut<strong>in</strong>g stuff, which is also of material nature. In <strong>Islam</strong><br />

one absta<strong>in</strong>s from the th<strong>in</strong>gs of material nature- food, dr<strong>in</strong>k,<br />

smok<strong>in</strong>g, etcetera. <strong>in</strong> order to have spiritual joys and moral<br />

nourishment. The Muslim empties his stomach of all the ma-<br />

terial th<strong>in</strong>gs; to fiil his soul with peace and bless<strong>in</strong>gs, to fiil<br />

his heart with love and sympathy, to fiil his spirit with piety<br />

and Faith, to fiil his m<strong>in</strong>d with wisdom and resolution.<br />

2. The purpose of Fast<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> other religions and philosophies<br />

is <strong>in</strong>variably partial. It is either for spiritual aims, OR<br />

forphysical needs, OR for <strong>in</strong>tellectual cultivations; never for<br />

all comb<strong>in</strong>ed. But <strong>in</strong> <strong>Islam</strong> it is for all these ga<strong>in</strong>s and many<br />

other purposes, social and economic, moral and humanitari-<br />

an, private and public, personal and common, <strong>in</strong>ner and out-<br />

er, local and national- all comb<strong>in</strong>ed together as mentioned<br />

above.

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