THE MONTH OF RAMADAN-UL-MUBARAK SPEECH

Ramadan, a form of divine worship, awakens in man the feelings of gratitude to God.

Mr. President and worthy audience, Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar and very auspicious to the Muslims all over the world. Our Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) used to start fasting during the month of Sha'baan-ul-Moazzam so as to make preparation for the holy month of Ramadan. During this month, the Muslims are ordained to observe fast for thirty days (sometimes 29 days, owing to the early sighting of the crescent). It is customary to break the fast with a sip of water, dates or some other fruits. The Holy Book of Muslims, Qur'an was revealed during this month. Our Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was chosen as Messenger to compile the Holy Book. The last ten days of Ramadan i.e. the nights preceding the 21st, 23rd, 25th , 27th and 29th are specially significant as the faithful watch for Laila-Tur-Qadar (The night of value), during which the revelation of the Holy Book to the Prophet was completed. As a Muslim, it is imperative on us to spend these nights in the worship of Allah as in the Holy Qur'an, the night of value is stated to be better than a thousand months.

Mr. President, fasting teaches us complete surrender and submission before the commandments and this act makes the believer spiritually very high as addicted to eat and drink all the time. Almighty Allah has proclaimed in the Holy Qur'an Chapter-2 Verse-183: "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn self-restraint." Highlighting the significance of Ramadan, Allah has elucidated in the Holy Qur'an Chpter-2 Verse-185: "Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Qur'an as a guide to mankind, also clear signs for guidance and judgment between right an wrong. So everyone of you, who is present at his home during that month should spend it in fasting, but if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period should be make up by days later. Gd intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties. He wants you to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him, in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful."

Worthy President, Ramadan is the month of training and teaches mankind to be united in their action and thoughts irrespective of color, creed, tribe, nation or sex. It give a lesson to behave others nicely means with honor and dignity, to earn living with the sweat of brow without cheating others and avoiding involvement in any type of fraudulent acts. Fasting refrains Muslims from telling lies, backbiting, insulting and looting others. The Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said, "if one does not abandon falsehood in words deeds, Allah has no need for his going without food and drink." (Shahih Bokhari Sharif).

Worthy audience, fasting is a sacrifice for the sake of Allah. During this holy month, all the lawful food is strictly banned from dawn to dusk. The love with wife, which is legitimate and fully allowed during normal course of life, is forbidden during the fasting time. Fasting relieves us from certain type of intestinal and stomach ailments and keeps human body sturdy and stout. In certain diseases, the physicians do not prescribe any medicine but advise the patients to starve for a particular time in order to get speedy recovery. Apart from it, fasting is also an effective means to get rid of bad habits like smoking and overeating during the holy month of Ramadan. Allah says: "All acts of worship have their reward from ten times up to seven hundred times and more; but fasting is for Me only and it is I Who reward it." In thankfulness for this unlimited reward, a Muslim should show more generosity than usual to the weak and the needy during the month of abstinence. God bless all the mankind to keep fast during the month of Ramadan.