One of the instances of wisdom in fasting in Ramadan with regard to shattering the instinctual soul’s imaginary dominicality and making known its worship through pointing out its impotence is as follows:
The instinctual soul does not want to recognize its Sustainer; it wants its own lordship, like Pharaoh. However, much torment it suffers, it retains that vein. Hunger, however, destroys it. Hence, fasting in Ramadan strikes direct blows at the soul’s pharaoh-like front, shattering it. It demonstrates its impotence, weakness, and want. It makes it realize that it is a slave.
What am I and what are you?
Among the narrations of Hadith is the following: “God Almighty said to the instinctual soul: ‘What am I and what are you?’ The soul replied: ‘I am myself and You are Yourself.’ So He punished it and cast it into Hell, then asked it again. Again, it replied: ‘I am myself and You are Yourself.’ However He punished it, it did not give up its egoism. Finally, He punished it with hunger; that is, He made it go hungry. Then again He asked it: ‘Who am I and who are you?’ And the soul replied:
‘You are my Compassionate Sustainer and I am your impotent slave!’”
O, God! Grant blessings and peace to our master Muhammad that will be pleasing to You and fulfillment of his truth to the number of the merits of the words of the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan, and to his Family and Companions, and grant them peace.
Limitless in His glory is your Sustainer, the Lord of Almightiness, exalted above anything that men may devise by way of definition! And peace be upon all His message-bearers. And all praise is due to God alone, the Sustainer of All the Worlds!
By Master Said Nursi From His Book Series ” Risale-i Nur Collection”
