The month of fasting has come, the emperor’s banner has arrived;
withhold your hand from food, the spirit’s table has arrived.
The soul has escaped from separation and bound nature’s hands;
the heart of error is defeated, the army of faith has arrived.
Fasting is our sacrifice, it is the life of our soul;
let us sacrifice all our body, since the soul has arrived as guest.
Fortitude is as a sweet cloud, wisdom rains from it,
because it was in such a month of fortitude that the Koran arrived.
…Wash your hands and your mouth, neither eat nor speak;
seek that speech and that morsel which has come to the silent ones.

– Translation by A.J. Arberry