As I begin to write this reflection, I am myself currently observing the fast of Ashura. Fasted yesterday – “tasu’a” – and today also fasting for “Ashura” – remembering the events that have led to this practice, and giving praise that Allah so graciously delivered Musa (عليه السلام) from his many trials and even facing death.
Yet I am touched by more than this – the daily deliverance we all experience – whether we take note of it or not.
Every morning we wake from sleep, we have already witnessed a small deliverance.
However, this “small deliverance” is not small at all, at least in my humble opinion. I mean – do any of us really have any control over whether we awake again or not? Do any of us have any true control over our own existence as to whether we make it to the next breath?
We rise after what the Prophet ﷺ described as the "minor death." Our hearts continue beating through the night without our command. Our lungs continue breathing. New strength fills our bodies. Food is placed before us. Doors open that we never expected. Difficulties pass. New mercies replace yesterday's worries.
We awaken from that small death every day. We don't control our breathing. Allah grants it. Our breathing goes on of its own accord, obeying Allah's command, and stopping only according to His command. Therefore every day is itself a deliverance.
Most of these deliverances are so ordinary that we hardly notice them.
Yet Ashura calls us to notice.
It reminds us that Allah is not only the Lord of great miracles recorded in history. He is the Lord who continues to deliver His servants every single day.
We are all aware of the miraculous story of Musa (عليه السلام) – how he himself was delivered from the door of death soon after his birth, from punishment of a crime he committed albeit with best intentions, from Pharoah and guided his people to safety and security; how he was supported by the presence of his eloquent brother to assist in the presentation of the message; how he was delivered through the wall of the sea in front and Pharoah and his armies behind him. All of these instances in which he was delivered into safety and security by the grace and permission of Allah.
The rescue of Musa (عليه السلام) and the believers from Pharaoh's oppression was one of the greatest public demonstrations of Allah's deliverance.
But we have deliverance and miracles in our own existence daily.
We call them "ordinary" because they happen so often. Many of them happen without our conscious effort—or before we have even thought to ask for them.
How is it that Nuh was able to build that magnificent Ark that carried pairs of every living species? How is it that Ibrahim emerged from the midst of the burning fire unscathed? How is it that Hajar and Isma'il were provided the life-saving water of Zamzam when none was in sight? How is it that Ya'qub never lost hope of seeing Yusuf again? How is it that Yusuf was saved from the depths of the well, from slavery, and from prison, only to be raised to a position of authority over the land? How is it that Dawud was enabled to defeat the mighty Jalut? How is it that Maryam was provided sustenance while in the care of Zakariyah? And how is it that Isa was enabled to heal the sick and, by Allah's permission, bring the dead back to life?
All of this is only possible through Allah’s grace and permission.
And so a fitting response from us becomes fasting to give recognition to Allah’s grand and magnificent blessings of sustenance and deliverance from trials and tribulations.
Fasting also cultivates compassion for those less fortunate who do not have the immense sustenance easily available to us all. It is also not only a means of expiation of sins.
Fasting is not merely an outward act of devotion, nor is it simply a means of strengthening our faith. It is an act of worship that reflects our awareness of Allah's all-encompassing knowledge, wisdom, and presence.
In fact, it is the embodiment of all of this, and more. It is the least we can “do” to express our gratitude for the immense blessings bestowed upon us daily – our own deliverance momentarily from the perils and dangers that accompany this earthly life. And our path towards ultimate life in Allah’s mercy and blessings.
As we have been told in the Qur'an, fasting is intended for our own spiritual growth in faith and steadfastness. It helps us build patience and perseverence, two qualities that run throughout the teachings of Islam.
As this Ashura passes, perhaps take a few quiet moments before Allah and ask yourself: From what has He delivered me this past year? Which blessings have become so familiar that I no longer notice them? Then let your fast become more than abstaining from food and drink. Let it become an act of remembrance, gratitude, and renewed awareness of the Lord who continues to deliver His servants every single day.
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