Message From Imam Sawadogo
“O’ you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you, just as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be God-conscious. [Fasting] for a fixed number of days. But if any one of you is sick or on a journey, then [let him fast] an equal number of other days. For those who can fast [with extreme difficulty], compensation should be made by feeding a needy person [for every day not fasted]. Whoever volunteers to do good, that is better for him. And to fast is better for you, if only you knew” (Quran 2:183-184).
As-salamu Alaykum
I pray that you all and your families are staying safe and are in the best state of health and Iman.
Ramadan is a month meant to develop in us a quality of righteousness, God-consciousness, and self-restraint. Through fasting and avoiding sinful deeds and thoughts we train ourselves to gain control over our actions, our thoughts, and our desires. Ramadan also compels us to experience hunger and taste the feeling of those who do not have enough food to live a healthy and active life.
The significance of Ramadan to Muslims was summarized by Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him when he said, congratulating his companions for the coming of Ramadan:
“أَتَاكُمْ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ، شَهْرٌ مُبَارَكٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ صِيَامَهُ، تُفْتَحُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَتُغْلَقُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ الْجَحِيمِ، وَتُغَلُّ فِيهِ مرَدَةُ الشَّيَاطِينِ، لِلَّهِ فِيهِ لَيْلَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ مَنْ حُرِمَ خَيْرَهَا فَقَدْ حُرِمَ”
“The month of Ramadan has come to you, a blessed month which Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has enjoined you to fast. In it, the gates of the heavens are opened, whereas the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious Shaytans are chained. In it, there is a night better than a thousand months. Whosoever is deprived of its blessings is indeed deprived.”
The whole world is still going through a difficult time due to the spread of Covid-19. Though many signs of progress in fighting the pandemic can be seen, caution must still be exercised as the light at the end of the tunnel is yet to be seen. Consequently, the Masjid activities are still limited. Tarawih prayers inside the masjid will be limited to one hundred congregants and the length of the prayers will be shorter than normal. For these reasons, community members are encouraged to pray Tarawih in their homes, with their own families.
Although the spiritual impact of this limitation on the community is heartbreaking, the life-threatening nature of the Novel Coronavirus is a painful reality that must be acknowledged. The limited Tarawih in the Masjid, at a time when we need it most, may stir up some spiritual emotions and questions in us about the alternative.
Our religion is flexible and always has alternatives and solutions. The Prophet peace be upon him said to a group of his companions who were waiting to join him to pray the Ramadan sunnah prayer (Tarawih), “I have seen and understood what you did. You should pray in your houses, for the best prayer of a person is that which he prays in his house except for the compulsory prayers.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
CIMIC has made arrangements for Tarawih in the Masjid to be viewed online. The link to view Tarawih on YouTube or Facebook directly or CIMIC Live Events Page
The current situation is an opportunity for us to bring more prayers and Quran to our homes and turn our houses into masjids.
O Allah! Make us among those who are blessed with your forgiveness and those who are freed from Hell Fire in this Ramadan. Amin
Have a Blessed Ramadan!
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