MY dear brothers and sisters – I greet you with the universal greetings of Islam.
Assalamu-O-Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahe Wabarakatuhu. May the Peace, Mercy and Blessings of Allah (SWT) be with you. On this auspicious occasion, the end of the Holy month of Ramadan, I extend, on behalf of myself, family, and the Central Islamic organization of Guyana, to all Guyanese, and especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, Eid Mubarak!! Eid Mubarak!! Eid Mubarak!!
On this day of Eid-ul-Fitr, we join with Muslims worldwide to congratulate each other with greetings of Eid Mubarak!
The Holy Month of Ramadan was a month of great sacrifice, during which we intensified our devotions to Allah (SWT) by fasting from dawn to sunset, whilst remaining in the remembrance of Allah (SWT) and being in a state of goodwill, by giving charity to the poor, needy and the vulnerable, by feeding those suffering from hunger, and the increase of prayers to complement the compulsory five-daily prayers.
We perform these actions knowing that by the promise of Allah (SWT), we will obtain taqwa or God Consciousness, and at our journey’s end obtain His paradise.
The obligation of fasting in the month of Ramadaan for the believers, men and women, who are sane and healthy, is a clear message to Mankind that unrestricted indulgence in fulfilling the desires of one’s base or animal self has to be curbed for some time, to give an upliftment to one’s spiritual self. The object of fasting, as described in the Holy Quran, is “so that you may guard against evil.”
During the auspicious month of Ramadan, a fasting person abstains from food, drink and sexual relations from dawn until sunset, in obedience to the command of his Creator, Allah.
The month is a period of training, whereby the believer’s trait of the God-conscious is nurtured. Even though he may be in a place of total privacy and seclusion, on the hottest day of the year, he does not submit to the temptation of sipping even a few drops of water, for he is convinced that he cannot evade the sight of the All-Observing Almighty.
If the spirit of fasting were to become a reality in the society of Muslims who have observed the fasts of Ramadaan and advanced in his piety, then Mankind would see a society in which every person becomes the guardian of the respect, honour, property and possessions of others; a society in which the needy, the poor, the destitute, and the underprivileged are taken care of; a society in which honesty, chastity, nobility, kindness, compassion, mercy and forgiveness shine forth like the midday sun; a society in which no harm is caused to any human or animal without a just reason; and a society in which material progress does not bring about a moral collapse.
Man is a created being, and only divine guidance can solve his problems. The reality is clear: The heavy arm of the law on its own, just legislation, the imposition of fines and jail sentences cannot and will not solve problems that face Mankind.
The only sure deterrent to crimes of all kinds is firm conviction and belief in our Creator, Allah, a life hereafter, and a day of judgment, where complete justice will be meted out. These are long-term solutions, and solutions that were proven to give the best results and create the best societies on the face of the earth.
Eid-ul-Fitr signifies the end of this fasting period, and is a day of joy and thanksgiving. But despite being a day of celebration, the day commences with an additional prayer after sunrise, reminding believers that the object of fasting must be fully borne in mind even after Ramadan.
Whilst conveying to the Muslim community best wishes for a Happy Eid, I make a humble appeal to every Muslim brother and sister to keep the spirit of fasting alive. Let obedience of Allah Ta’ala shine forth from this day forward! Let the rest of Mankind observe the effect that fasting has in changing the outlook of a believing Muslim! Let the world observe a community free from all sins, crime and vice, and let us be an example which is worthy of emulation and of others accepting Islam!
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the guidance to resolve that we shall make the Quran and Sunnah our guiding lights, and practise Islam as much as possible. If the non-Muslim inhabitants of our country see Islam in the lives of Muslims, they will not require much persuasion to accept our beautiful way of life.
May Allah (SWT) bless us, and may He continue to guide and protect us.