Islam As It Is
The Five Pillars of Islam
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distance from what has been decreed unlawful by
the Almighty. In adhering to the path of truth, he is
bound to face difficulties in life. But he must bear
with them, and avoid wasting precious time in
reacting to the hurdles placed in his way by others.
In this way he will be able to persevere in his life’s
duties in spite of all obstacles. Impervious to the
losses incurred by him in this world, he will press
on in quest of the gains of the next world. Even
when his pride is severely wounded, and the
unpleasantness of events causes him great irritation,
he refrains from displaying a negative reaction and
continues to pursue positive ends. None of this can
be achieved without the virtues of patience and
endurance.
The path of Islam can be followed only by those
who have unlimited reserves of patience, and it is
precisely this virtue which is inculcated by the
annual lesson of fasting. This lesson, painfully
learned during the month of Ramadhan, stays with
devotees throughout their entire lives.
The whole life of a believer is, in a sense, a life of
fasting: he is required to abstain not just from food
