Ref: PR/AF/006/20 Date: 24th March 2020
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
All
praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His
Messenger Muhammad al-Mustafa and his Pure Progeny.
Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain taqwaa (righteousness).” (Holy Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 2:183)
Our Holy Prophet Muhammad al-Mustafa (SAWW) used to fast during the months of Rajab and Sha’ban. He encouraged Muslims around him to increase in worship during Ramadhan, before it actually arrived, by mentioning the extra rewards for doing good deeds during these blessed months. He tried to motivate them in advance.
During the holy month of Ramadhan fasting abstains one not only from eating and drinking, but also keeps one away from evils and bad activities, and encourages to engage oneself in prayer, charity and other good deeds, and brings one closer to Allah (SWT). Furthermore, the holy month of Ramadhan is not only the month of fasting, but it also is the month of the Holy Qur’an. It is the month in which The Holy Qur’an was revealed as a guidance for mankind.
Ten ways to Prepare for the holy month of Ramadhan:
- Keep praying daily that Allah (SWT) gives us the chance and grants us good health that will enable us to fast the way that He likes and wants during the holy month.
- Start repenting (Isteghfaar) and seeking forgiveness of the Almighty for all our wrongdoings before the holy month of Ramadhan.
- Seek the Wasilah of the Ma’sumeen (AS) especially the Imam of our time (ATFS) and build your relationship with them.
- Recite and reflect upon the Holy Qur’an.
- Seek forgiveness from all members of your family, workmates, neighbours, and relatives for any wrongdoing against them.
- Give more Charity (Zakaat and Sadqah) to the needy and poor.
- Refrain from backbiting, slandering, and unlawful mixing with people.
- Clean your heart and soul from envy, jealousy, hypocrisy, arrogance and improve your character.
- Seek the blessings of your parents and their forgiveness for your shortcomings towards them.
- Increase your Du’a and commitment to your daily duties and obligations, and not to abandon enjoining good (what is right), and forbidding evil (what is wrong).
Medical Advice:
If you have concerns over your ability to fast, for example; due to medical reasons, be it diabetes, high blood pressure or reflux, now is the time to schedule an appointment with your doctor. Check with your doctor if it is safe for you to fast, and to provide proper scheduling of medications intake during the Holy Month of Ramadhan.
Challenging Times Ahead:
The World is currently going through challenging and difficult times; unprecedented in the recent history. The Covid-19 outbreak is first and foremost a human tragedy, affecting the health of ever-growing numbers of people in several countries including Africa. It is also having a growing impact on the global economy. The outbreak is spreading rapidly, and businesses are having to react and adapt in real-time, having had no ability to plan for the depth of the economic slowdown. Similarly, the close down of several essential services like travelling, restrictions on large gatherings will potentially hamper movements of people and also will affect our normal religious functions and events, like the daily congregational prayers, majlises, iftar etc.
This is an unfortunate reality hence our Jamaats should proactively consider the best possible way and means to conduct the programs for the month of Shabaan and the Holy Month of Ramadhan for members of our Community in the best possible manner to preserve our religious activities and spiritual well-being while at the same time trying our best to flatten the curve and maintain the necessary social distancing in consideration of the health and safety of all due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
We wish to reemphasize the importance of Madrassah classes for boys and girls of our Community during this close down situation. Jamaats should work on alternative methods like having the E-Classes (Online Learning) twice or thrice a week since the schools are closed down for unforeseeable period. For more guidance, kindly contact Africa Federation Tabligh Board (AFTAB) – Email: aftab@africafederation.org
Africa Federation has two of its officials in the Covid-19 Task Force of the World Federation, should you require more information and guidance, please email Alhaj Zuhair Jaffer, Hon. Secretary of AFED and Dr. Mazaher Jaffer, Member of AFED Central Health Board (CHB) – Email: secretariat@africafederation.org
We are going through a major crisis as stated here-above, let us all pray to Allah (SWT) for the safety and well-being of all people worldwide who are engulfed in an ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), a novel infectious disease which is spreading rapidly claiming over 15,000 lives so far. Our Community members are also facing economic difficulties due to downturn of the economy globally which is exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
We pray to Allah (SWT) to give us all the tawfeeqat and patience to remain steadfast and united during these difficult times, Ameen.
SECRETARIAT