In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Allahu-Akbar! Allahu-Akbar!! Allahu-Akbar!!!
Allah is the Greatest! Allah is the Greatest!! Allah is the Greatest!!!
Many citations have been written about the auspicious month of Ramadaan. Intense discussions take place, especially from the mimbars, describing how we should use this opportunity to build our Taqwa (God Consciousness)…
Allaah (SWT), the Most High, has chosen the month of Ramadaan to reveal the Holy Quraan. In Surah Baqarah (Chapter 2 Verse 185-186) we are guided:
“It was during the month of Ramadaan that Allaah revealed the Quraan…”
This greatest book contains the instructions from the Creator of everything in the Heavens and Earth, whereby man can administer all his day-to-day actions. It is also a book that warns man about the consequences of his actions. The ability of man to rise to the status of ‘Gheira Ummah’ (the best of peoples) is an indication of how much mercy He, Allaah (SWT) has bestowed on mankind – if only we take heed of all the warnings in this Holy Book.
It is in response to the Devine exhortation that we commit ourselves to fast for the whole month. That is, abstain from food, drink and sexual gratification from sunrise to sunset – even if it is Halaal (permissible). Millions of Muslims all over the world adhere to this instruction and exhibit the most exemplary behaviour during this month. Furthermore, they display the most benevolent actions by giving more charity and having more tolerance.
We are often reminded that abstaining from food, drink and sexual gratification is good for us (legal requirements according to Shariah) during this month of Sacrifice. However, this alone is not good enough! We are reminded in various Ahadeeth that Allaah (SWT), the Most High, rejects the fast of someone who does not refrain from lewd behaviour, vulgar speech, lying or acting on lies or gossiping; and in so doing causing harm to others.
Fasting is the action of laying the foundation for the development of Thankfulness to Allaah (SWT).This exercise of fasting prepares the sincere slave with the physical and mental consciousness in order to show gratitude to the One True Creator.
This disposition of gratitude is the one of the most important and noble concepts in Islam. The fact that we observe the fasting in Ramadaan to attain Taqwa needs to be extended – because the opportunity to ‘perhaps’ become ‘Allaah Conscious’ is a mercy unto us.
Therefore, if we use this occasion to intensify our ‘Allaah Consciousness’, then our gratitude to Allaah (SWT) must be equally expressed by observing our fasts with much greater care. In doing this, we will obtain the fruits of ‘Allaah Consciousness’ and Gratitude/Thankfulness.
The PAGAD Movement wishes that all the sacrifices made during this month will be a springboard to greater action against the evil scourge of Gangsterism & Drugs. We believe that in order to keep our children away from drugs, we must teach them to fight drugs.
Drugs paralyse all the intellectual and mental capacities of the individual, and therefore render him/her incapable of righteous actions. Can you imagine a nation whose future consists of directionless zombies? This is how our youths’ future looks like.
The need for a PAGAD in this society is of paramount importance; if we are to address the mother of all evils: Drugs. Our Brothers, who have spent time in various parts of this country, report that spiritual leaders and communities are at their wits’ end. Desperate pleas for help by parents and youth greeted our PAGAD Brothers wherever they spoke.
Mimbars that was previously denied to PAGAD are now being made available, and the helping hand of the Movement is now eagerly embraced. We must continue to respond. We must help to restore the dignity of Allaah’s creation. We cannot afford to sit, watch, and not do anything! How are we going to answer when Allaah (SWT) asks of our response to the cry of Allaah’s creation? We cannot (and must not) be paralysed when we are given the opportunity to build our Taqwa.
Let the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr be a reminder to us to be grateful for all the mercies the Allaah (SWT) has bestowed on us. Let the gratitude be manifested by our actions to create a drug-free and gangster-free environment.
Allaah’s creation must be free to worship Allaah (SWT) only. Our Beloved Prophet Mugammad (SWS) liberated nations so that they could worship only Allaah (SWT).
Let us strengthen ourselves in order to liberate our communities from the
clutches of the ‘merchants of death’ and their drug-dens.
PAGAD wishes you and your family an Eid Mubarak!
We greet you in the name of Peace & Justice.
Assalamu ‘Alaikum Warahmatu Laahi Wabarakatu.
