The Essence of Islam – Volume IV — Page 24
24 Essence of Islam-IV order to attract the heavenly lights; thus pointing out that I too should observe this tradition. Hence, I thought it appropriate to observe fasts for some time. But, at the same time, I felt that it would be better not to disclose this to anyone. So I would have my meals delivered to me in the men's quarters of the house and gave them away to some orphans with whom I had arranged that they should come at speci- fied times. Thus I would spend all day fasting. No one, except God, knew about these fasts. After a few weeks, I surmised that it was no difficult matter for me to fast when I was still having one full meal eve- ryday. I, therefore, decided to start cutting down on my food intake. I started reducing my food gradu- ally, until I would subsist on one chapatti in the entire day and night. I continued reducing my food in the same manner until I reduced my food intake to a few ounces in 24 hours. This I continued for ap- proximately eight or nine months. Although I was taking so little food as could not suffice even for an infant two or three months old, God Almighty pro- tected me from all ill-effect and illness. Wonders Experienced through Fasting Among the wonders of this kind of fasting that I ex- perienced are the fine visions which were bestowed upon me during that time. I met some past Prophetsas and some of the exalted Muslim Auliyā. " Once-in a state of complete wakefulness-I met the Holy 17 Men of God or Saints. [Publisher]