Page:Five Pillars of Islam (IA fivepillarsofisl00kamauoft).djvu/17

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

13

devotion and my duty to my Lord. I am commanded to rise very early in the morning and after making proper ablutions to stand in the Holy Presence of my Maker. Similarly I am commanded to repeat these exercises five times a day, in order that they may serve as constant reminders to me of my duty to spend my time in interests other than mine. If these holy, selfless, and pious activities so many times a day become the regular course of my life, it would not be a difficult thing for me to spend my time to help the happiness of others at the cost of my own business.

FASTING

In reality Islam has, through its rational teachings, induced its votaries not only to abandon what is unlawful to them, but even to give up what otherwise rightfully belongs to them in the hope that it may tend to the welfare and happiness of others. For one who has become accustomed under the inspiration