Fasting is an ancient ritual which is common in all religions. Those who like controversy always ask, “How come that God creates for us a mouth, teeth, pharynx and stomach to eat and then ask us to fast?! How come He creates beauty and lust then asks us to lower our gaze and be chaste? Is that reasonable?”
I say to them it is the only reasonable thing. God gives you a horse to ride and not to be ridden by it. You are supposed to subjugate the horse and lead it, not to be led by it. Your body is your horse which is created for you to ride, control, lead and use for your own purpose. You are not supposed to be subjugated by your body or used to achieve its lusts and desires. Hence, controlling desire, steering whim and bridling stomach are the signs of man.
Dr. Mustafa Mahmoud
