From where shall I bring provisions for food and sleep?
From where shall I bring the means of comfort?
Fasting is my faith, Ghalib! But
From where shall I bring an icehouse and ice water?
This rubai by Ghalib humorously reflects on the practical challenges of observing the Islamic fast (roza), particularly in the harsh summer heat, for someone lacking the means to afford comforts like a cool khaskhana (a room cooled with wet grass screens) or iced water. It showcases Ghalib's characteristic wit, blending personal struggle with a lighthearted yet poignant commentary on the demands of religious observance amid material constraints, without questioning the faith itself.
wit & rebuke · the world's unfairness (shikwa)