Friday Sermon: Fasting Is More Than One-dimensional

Fasting is supposed to be more than one-dimensional. It's supposed to be both external and internal, both physical and spiritual. When it comes to the sacred day of Ashura this coming Monday (8/8/22) - the day in the Islamic Hijri calendar that Moses and his people were saved from Pharaoh and his henchmen - in order to properly and fully benefit from it, a person must reflect deeply and reflect critically internally: am I treading the path of Moses or Pharaoh? And if the silent claim is that Mosaic footsteps are being taken, reflect even deeper: is that claim sincere and clear, or hypocritical and cloudy? This day also commemorates the day Sayyidna Husayn, the beloved grandson of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, was mercilessly martyred. Again, an instance between good and evil - similar to Moses and Pharaoh. He intended to tread a Mosaic path of justice vs injustice, and paid the ultimate price in the end. Moses triumphed through victory. Husayn triumphed through martyrdom. We love and learn from both. May God gather us with them in paradise.