by Muzaffar Deshmukh

Kuwait: Indian Muslim Association (IMA) in cooperation with the Ministry of Awqaf & Islamic Affairs organized a public lecture on the subject of the importance of the holy month of Ramadan for the people of Indian subcontinent at Masjid Yousuf Al-Adsani, Kuwait City.

Maulana Mohammad Taher Madani, one of the leading Islamic Scholar from Indian sub-continent in his best oratory explained what the holy month of Ramadan expects from us. He explained that  the holy book ‘Qur’an’ is central of this month & therefore the implementation of the Qur’anic teachings is vital in every walks of human endeavor. He stressed on the learning of holy Qur’an, and the way we give importance to the holy book in our daily lives.

He further added that The Almighty Allah draws our attention and said in the Holy Qur’an, “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who were before you, in order that you may learn taqwa (piety) (Al-Baqarah 2:183).

While explaining about taqwa he lamented, “taqwa is a very important spiritual and ethical term of the Qur’an. It is the total sum of all Islamic spirituality and ethics. It is a quality in a believer’s life that keeps him/her awareness of Allah all the time. A person who has taqwa loves to do well and to avoid evil for the sake of Allah. Taqwa is a piety, righteousness and consciousness of Allah. Taqwa requires patience and perseverance. Fasting teaches patience, and with patience one can rise to the high position of taqwa.  The Prophet (PBUH) said that fasting is a shield. It protects a person from sin and lustful desires.” 

A well-known scholar Dr. Khalil-Ur-Rahman Chishti in his speech on the subject of ‘Ramadan – A pre-curser for ones’ personality growth’ said that it is a month of patience. “Indeed it is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer's sustenance is increased, whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, and then all his past sins will be forgiven,” he said. He meticulously explains how this month trains every Muslim individual about their behavior towards their brethren & countrymen. Explaining the celebrated night of the holy month of Ramadan ‘Lailatul-Qadr’ he added, “Its excellence is great, since in this night the Noble Qur'an was sent down, which leads one who clings to it, to the path of honour and nobility, and raises him to the summit of distinction and everlasting life.”

He further added “The month of Ramadan provides an opportunity for forgiveness from Allah and emancipation from our sins. It is the month for performing good deeds. It is the month when the gates of the heavens are opened and the rewards for our deeds are magnified many times over and the status of the worshipper is elevated”.

The Programme started with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an. Abu Abdur-Rahman a representative of Ministry of Awqaf & Islamic affairs along with Naif Al-Mutairi and Majidi Abu Anas from Jamayya Noorie were the chief guests. IMA president Mohammed Aslam was present on the dais. The programme was convened by Masood Shehab. Huge number of expatriates participated during the occasion with their families. Dinner kits were arranged for all the participants at the end.