Bilal Philips – Quranic Reflections #39

			Salam Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh My dear brothers and sisters,
		

			this is another verse from the Quranic reflection series and it is from Surah Al Baqarah.
		

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Quinta, taco
		

			Are you believe fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you so that you
may become mindful of God. That's verse 183.
		

			This verse addresses the fact that the main goal of fasting is the attainment of God consciousness.
		

			So the first point of reflection is that fasting was prescribed for all nations, to whom prophets
and messengers were sent. It is not something restricted to Muslims.
		

			And this is verified in Christian texts describing Jesus's 40 days of fasting, as well as Jewish
texts describing Prophet Moses 40 days of fasting likewise.
		

			The second point of reflection, is that the main goal of fasting is attaining mindfulness of God.
		

			The same as salah.
		

			Allah said Akima Salah decree established the formal prayers to remember me.
		

			So, in the same way that we realize or should realize, that Salah in which we are not conscious of
God
		

			doesn't earn us any reward.
		

			Similarly, fasting, in which we are not conscious of God doesn't earn us anywhere, we're just going
through the cultural rituals. The whole society is fasting, so we go along with it. This is not what
was prescribed for us.
		

			The third point of reflection, is that currently, for most people, Ramadan is a month of feasting
and not fasting, consequently, Allah will not be remembered. Instead, it is the enjoyable, tasty
meals we ate during the month that will be remembered.
		

			That's what we will take out of it.
		

			The
		

			many enjoyable meals that we had,
		

			instead of
		

			remembering a law
		

			and making some form of sacrifice, and this month, in remembrance of Allah
		

			BarakAllahu li Walakum wa salaamu alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh