Our disunity has created a situation whereby we as an ummah are unable to resolve the crises in areas of sectarian conflicts around the world, where innocent Muslim men, women and children are not only being subjected to unthinkable persecution and oppression, but also being killed.Eid is a day of peace and thanksgiving, a day of forgiveness and moral victory, and a day of festive remembrance of Allah (SWT).We thank Allah (SWT) for giving us the will, the strength, and the endurance to observe fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.We are among the most blessed people for the simple reason that we have been guided to Islamthe path of all the prophets and messengers of Allah (SWT).
Our differences in color, race, nationality, and cultural background do not divide us from being an ummah; a community of believers. We are the beacon of light for humanity for Allah (SWT) says. Aal Imran, 3:110). We must convey this message sincerely, kindly and with the wisest of manners. The spirit of Islam is to nurture and strengthen our conscience and to prepare us as better human beings so that we can live at peace with ourselves and spread peace amongst others. Harmony, peace and justice are essential ingredients for our stewardship of the world. More often than not, we tend to forget the spirit of religion and, over time, change them into mechanical rituals, perhaps because human beings are very prone to ritualizing religion. Take the case of the month-long fasting in Ramadan, a unique practice that Allah (SWT) has prescribed for the believers. Taqwa protects us from engaging in activities that are harmful to us. We prepare ourselves to welcome the month, and when it comes, most of us fast and become extra observant of our religion. We try not to miss the salat which many of us may disregard in other times. Our relationship with the Masjid increases; we become more charitable; we recite the Quran more, and most of us attend the tarawih prayers at night. In the last ten days of Ramadan, we are anxious to seek the Lailatul Qadr. Are we, individually and as a community, achieving the desired objective of fasting in Ramadan Does the level of our God-consciousness really go up, and if it does, how long does it stay with us It is difficult to say how many Muslims would pass this test of God-consciousness and are able to build a deeper relationship with Allah (SWT), but if manners and moral character of a people are some pointers, then we have a long way to go. Our not-so-satisfactory performances in personal, family, neighborhood and social lives point a finger to our general failure in reaping the benefit from the noble month of Ramadan. It is reported that he (SAW) clasped his hands with the fingers interlaced and said, A believer to another believer is like a solid brick structure, each brick supporting the other. These conflicts do not necessarily involve Muslims against a common enemy. Sadly enough, the enemies are mostly from within; Muslims killing Muslims. These actions are not sanctioned in our faith. No one is permitted to take the life of any innocent person, what to speak of taking the life of a brother in faith.
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