Muslims in Brunei Darussalam celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri tomorrow, the day of victory after having performed the obligatory month-long fast, faithfully, with full devotion and sincerity. The holy month of Ramadan has ended and the month of Shawal begins with Hari Raya prayers and celebration.
Fasting during the month of Ramadan brings enormous blessings and rewards. Apart from that, fasting is also a religious act, because through the month of Ramadan, day and night are filled with religious and welfare activities. Â
During daytime, Muslims fast, abstaining from food and drink and other activities that can affect fast, and perform other religious deeds such as prayers, contributions and welfare activities. Fasting in the month of Ramadan can also be seen as an educational institution where Muslims are fully immersed in practicing the fast and its principles.
At night, Muslims perform the Terawih Prayer and Witr, both commendable acts that are strongly advocated, as well astedarus to enliven the nights of Ramadan. The culmination of the Ramadan nights is the Night of Lailatul Qadar, the benefit of which is better than a thousand months. Allah makes many offers of benefits in the form of multiple rewards to every servant of Allah who seeks blessings and well-being that are not offered during other months.
Throughout Ramadan, Muslims are required to increase reading of the Al-Quran, as it is the constitution of life bestowed by Allah to all Muslims. Al-Quran lights up the universe with the Light of Islam and religious faith, to lift up the status of mankind towards a perfect life. Allah also guarantees that those who faithfully perform their religious obligations and adhere to the teachings of Al-Quran, will be safe and successful in this world and the hereafter.
Ramadan is also filled with religious recitals such as wirid, tahmid, tasbih and praises to Allah Subahanahu Wata'ala. Ramadan teaches and guides people to be prudent in spending, besides being a platform for physical and spirtitual education, guiding the ummah towards becoming ideal individuals.
Ramadan also spurs one's intention to make visits and cooperate with one another. In fact, Ramadan also acts as an institution for moral training. Prohibiting intakes of food and drink during the day from dawn til sunset, helps train the body to maintain a balance for health, as well as being a cure for several types of diseases.
Ramadan can also produce noble characteristics among the community, such as benevolence and generosity who are attentive towards their social responsibilities. This reflects a responsive attitude, and faithfulness towards religious commitments. With such individuals in the community, contributions or donations would pour in from various sectors for those in need including orphans, special needs people and disaster victims. This shows that Bruneians are responsible towards religious requirements and give serious attention to their social responsibility, exemplifying moral values that can overcome community defects. Sincere assistance or charity work carried out in the name of Allah is not futile, as the reward will be manifold.
Ramadan has passed and its exit is lamented by the faithful, who fear they may not see Ramadan again. Those who had responded well to the call for the religious fast, can feel the sweetness of iman or fatih and the beauty of the fasting obligation. The greatness of the religious fast is in its ability to save the ummah from disgrace in this world and painful punishment in the hereafter. Let us hope that the religious fast and welfare deeds carried out during this holy month of Ramadan are accepted by Allah and with that, the ummah will receive blessings and rewards as well as forgiveness from Allah Subhanahuwataala.