The Pain of Hunger and Empathy for the Poor: The True Secret of Roza, Vrat, and Fast!

Brothers and sisters, Ramadan-ul-Mubarak starts tomorrow, February 19, 2026. Our Christian brothers’ fasts before Easter have already begun from yesterday. Every religion commands fasting, roza, or vrat. Some highlight health benefits, which may be true. But the real purpose is to feel the pain of the poor and hungry. They toil hard all day, yet struggle to earn even two rotis. Their entire family depends on that. Fasting makes us feel their suffering, ignites love in our hearts, and urges us to help them.The Quran clearly states that the purpose of fasting is to attain Taqwa. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:183), Allah says: “O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was for those before you, so that you may become righteous.” Taqwa means fear of God and compassion for the poor. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Whoever fasts and avoids evil will enter Paradise.” Fasting rids us of lies and deceit.The Bible echoes this. Matthew 6:16-18 advises not to show off while fasting, but do it sincerely. Isaiah 58:6-7 says: “Is not this the fast I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice, to share your food with the hungry, and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter?” The essence of fast is to alleviate the hunger of the poor, not just fill your own stomach.In the Gita, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna (17:14-16): “Speech that is truthful, purity of heart, and austerity – these are the true forms of fasting.” Fasting purifies the mind and controls the senses. Manusmriti (6:62) states: “Abstaining from food through fasting destroys sins and purifies the soul.” The Vedas, in Rigveda (10:117:6), call one sinful who does not feed the hungry. All teach: Fast to feel the poor’s pain and help them.Some stay awake at night and sleep during the day – that’s wrong. Keep your routine like normal days, work hard. Only then will you truly feel the poor man’s struggle. Scientific reasons are valid, but do poor laborers working on empty stomachs live the longest? No! The real goal is to awaken humanity – abstinence, love, and service. Fasting also purifies intentions: Avoid lies and cunning.This Ramadan, Lent, and vrat, let your hearts burn for the poor. Feel their helplessness, yearn to help. That’s true humanity!