Text Box: بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Friday Sermon Hazrat Amir’ul Momeneen Muhyi-Ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim 21 August 2009 RAMADHAN MUBARAK (Summary of Friday Sermon) After having greeted everybody with the Salutations of Peace, the Khalifatullah read the Tashahhud, Taouz and Surah Al Fatiha and then he read the following verse of the Holy Quran:  “Yaaa’-ayyu-hallaziina ‘aamanuu kutiba ‘alay-kumus-siyaamu kamaa kutiba ‘alallaziina min-qablikum la-‘alla-kum tatta-quun” O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you, as it was decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation. (Chapter 2 Verse 184) First of all, I wish all brothers, sisters and children who are present here and even those who are absent a Ramadhan Mubarak, for the month of fasting is finally coming so that we may leave all our routines and thus concentrate more on acts of worship and multiplying good actions. First of all, what is Fasting? In Quran and Hadiths the word defining Fasting is “Sawm” which means “to abstain”. In our current language, this means that we must not drink or eat, and abstain from sexual relations from the beginning of dawn till sunset. Fasting existed even before the advent of Islam, for all people before Islam received divine commandments to fast, even if the quantity and quality of the different fasts are not the same. For example, it is evident from the Quran and Hadiths books complied by Bukhari and Muslim that the past people and even prophets such as Moses (on him be peace) and his followers used to observe the fast especially on the day of Consultation (Ash-Shura). In the pre-islamic periods, the Quraish used to fast on this day also and the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) also fasted on this day. Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) has said that “the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded the Muslims to fast on the Day of Consultation (Ash-Shura); when Allah prescribed the month of Ramadhan as the month of fasting, that day (Ash-Shura) became optional for fasting (that is, the Muslim had the choice to fast or not on that day). (Bukhari) There is another version (Bukhari) reported by Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) which says that when the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was in Medina, he saw that the Jews used to observe a fast on the Day of Consultation. He asked them why they were fasting and they replied that this was a good day for it was on this day that Allah saved the people of Israel from their enemies. Thus Moses (on him be peace) observe a fast on that day. Then he (the Holy Prophet – peace be upon him) asked those Jews: “We have more right on Moses than you.” Thus, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) fasted on that day and commanded the Muslims to fast on that day. (Bukhari, Muslim) The Prophet Solomon (on him be peace) used to fast half the year at interval, that is, he used to fast one day, and then leave one, and then fast again the day afterwards... (Bukhari) In Quran (Chapter Mariam), Allah mentions the example of Mary who received instructions from Allah to observe a fast and not to talk to anyone. Fasting is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam. The first pillar being the Attestation of Faith, the second being Salaat (Prayer), the third being Fasting (especially in the month of Ramadhan where it is obligatory for a believer except if one is ill, on a long journey, and for the ladies who are in their menses – a state of impurity), then afterwards there is Zakaat and Hajj. Fasting is a divine institution for the purification of a person. It enables a believer to improve himself morally and spiritually, and definitely it is good for health. It is Allah the Almighty who has instituted the month of Ramadhan as being sacred and commanded all believers to participate by observing these fasts. Allah says in the Quran, in Chapter 2, Verse 186:  “Shahru Ramazaa-nallaziii ‘unzila fiihil-Qur’aanu hudal-linnaasi wa bayyinaatim-minal hudaa wal furqaan. Faman shahida min kumush Shahra fal yasumh. Wa man-kaana mariizan ‘aw ‘alaa safarin-fa-‘iddatum-min ‘ayyaamin ‘u-khar. Yuriidullaahu bikumul-yusra wa laa yuriidu bikumul ‘usr. Wa litukmilul ‘iddata wa litukabbirullaaha ‘alaa maa hadaakum wa la’-allakum tash-kuruun.” Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or travelling may substitute the same number of other days. Allah wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfil your obligations, and to glorify Allah for guiding you, and to express your appreciation. Through this verse it is quite clear that Allah, as our Creator wants us to observe fasting without considering it as a burden for us for a whole month. Allah loves those who submit completely to His will. The one who submit and follow His commandments all the time will never fall in obscurity. And exactly like this, Allah has illumined the month of Ramadhan by sending the command to observe fasting as a light so that we, believers, His humble creatures may never fall into darkness. Allah has mentioned the merits of the month of Ramadhan whereby it is during this blessed month the the Holy Quran has been revealed to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Unfortunately today our youngsters in the Islamic world are suffering at a spiritual level (lack of spirituality in them) because they do not know the principles of Islam about fasting, especially fasting in the month of Ramadhan. Fasting in the month of Ramadhan must become a good habit which a Muslim must observe so that he may keep himself pure morally and spiritually, and by this means, detaching himself slowly but surely from this world so that he may go in quest of Allah, and His satisfaction (the pleasure of Allah). The prescription of fasting is for our own good. Allah gives precision in the above-mentioned verse that He does not want difficulty for us. There are hadiths which is reported by Ibn Abbas and Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with them) where the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has said: “Do not practice Wisal (that is, fasting on a non-stop basis till the next dawn).” The people asked the Prophet: “But you practice Al-Wisal!” The Prophet (peace be upon him) has then replied: “I am not like you, because (Allah) provides me food and drink during the night (in my sleep).” (And in the version reported by Abu Hurairah, he adds and says that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has said: “Perform only the things (the good actions) which are within your capacity.” (Bukhari) That is, this Hadith makes us understand, that there is a limit in all things, even in the good ones. This is so, because to prevent one to get tired with an act of worship and thus to prevent one from abandoning it completely. Each thing has its measure (limit) and Allah never burdens someone more than he can bear even if it be a good action. For example, let us take the example of fasting itself. A person must not fast everyday non-stop for his body has a right on him; Not only his body, but also his wife or wives. The example of such a case presented before the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and he advised the companion to observe fasting in a reasonable way. He told him that if he could, he can observe fasting like the like of Prophet Solomon which was a flexible fasting. (Bukhari, Muslim) There is another Hadith which is reported by Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Take Suhur (the pre-dawn breakfast before the daylight fast during Ramadan) as there is a blessing in it.” (Bukhari) We have to bear in mind also that we must have respect for this blessed month and thus also respect those who are fasting. There is a Hadith reported by Abu Hurairah that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) has said: “When any one of you gets up in the morning in the state of fasting, he should neither use obscene language nor do any act of ignorance. And if anyone slanders him or quarrels with him, he should say: "I am fasting, I am fasting.” (Bukhari, Muslim) Hadith: Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has said: “One who does not abandon lies and wrongs, Allah does not need him to leave his food and drink (that is, Allah does not need this kind of fasting). (Bukhari, Muslim) Fasting is for Allah and it is Allah who will give him reward for it. Hadith: Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has said: “Allah, the Majestic and the Exalted, said: “Every act of the son of Adam is for him except fasting. It is done for My sake, and I will give a reward for it. By Allah in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk.” (Bukhari, Muslim) Therefore, we, each brother and sister, must make it a duty to accomplish this act of worship which is characterised by fasting. Fasting holds lots of benefits like I mentioned at the beginning. Allah wants the best for us, and we will obtain the best if we obey Allah and follow Him for He knows what is best for our physical, moral and spiritual health. Ramadhan Mubarak again. May Allah make us all Mubarak and forgive us for our weaknesses and sins, and may He raise our rank, for no one else except Him can forgive and have mercy upon us. We have a special thought for all our Muslim brothers, sisters and children and all humanity who are undergoing all sorts of calamities like the A H1N1 Virus. We, as one body must all turn to the Unique Lord, Allah in worship and we must abandon all the banalities of this temporal world. Allah has given us a month filled with His blessings and favours where we are able to come closer to Him. Thus, may each one among us achieve the maximum benefits from this blessed month which is really behind the door, so that we may be able to obtain the forgiveness, love, mercy and protection of Allah against His Wrath, His Malediction, the harm of Satan, the afflictions of Hell and the harm of Our common enemies. Insha-Allah. Ameen Soumma Ameen.