Muslims enter into last days of fasting

Accra, Aug. 22, GNA – Last Saturday saw the Muslim brethren enter the last ten days of Ramadan when many of them intensely dedicate themselves to worship as the month winds to a close.

The period known as “Laylatul-Qadar”, the Night of Revelation (also known as the Night of Power) is believed to fall on one of the odd numbered nights of the last days of the month of Ramadan: notably the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th, on which the believer earns a blessed reward.

During Ramadan, special evening prayers are conducted during which long portions of the Qur'an are recited. These special prayers are known as “Taraweeh”.

The word Taraweeh comes from Arabic which means to rest or relax. The prayer can be very long (well over an hour), during which one stands upright to read from the Qur'an and perform rituals of prayer several times - standing, bowing, prostrating, sitting.

After each fourth cycle, one sits for a brief period before continuing -- this is where the name Taraweeh ("rest prayer") comes from. During the standing portions of the prayer, long sections of the Qur'an are read.

Sheikh Hussein Idris, an Islamic Scholar, in a sermon to the congregation of Muslims at (UN) Libya Quarters in Madina Zongo to usher in the Layla-tul-Qadar, advised Muslims against the habit of making devout worship and the recitation of the Quran a seasonal affair for Ramadan alone, urging them to continue to allow such acts of devotion to permeate their lifestyles even after Ramadan.

“We must all continue and make prayers and recitation of the Holy Koran a constant part of our everyday life so as to benefit from the Glory and blessings of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and his teachings”.

Throughout Ramadan, and especially during the last 10 days of the month, Muslims are encouraged to call upon Allah for forgiveness, guidance and strength throughout the day and during the nights.

Sheikh Idris also stressed on time consciousness by all, reminding the brethren that with every beginning there is an end and so Muslims should at all times devote their times to offering prayers to pave the way for the glory of Allah and for salvation, forgiveness and good health.

“You should use the period of your denial of food and drinks during the Ramadan period to undertake social activities and share your experiences with the less fortunate and to avoid social vices”.

The Islamic Scholar said Ramadan should be used as a period of purification by all Muslims, adding “it is gratifying that with the beginning of Ramadan most Muslim men and women begin attending Mosques in their numbers.”

He urged them, therefore, to continue worshipping together in Mosques to benefit from the rewards of the fast, also asked the Muslim brethren to seek for forgiveness during the period of Ramadan and to continue to do good for their fellow Muslims and neighbours, so as to benefit from the mercies of Allah.

Sheikh Idris enjoined Muslims to use the Ramadan month to make sacrifices, lead decent lives, abhor wickedness, self-destruction, selfishness and greed, and the get-rich-quick attitude, especially among the youth, for them to benefit from the toils and denials of their worship.

Zakatul-Fitr or the giving of charity to the less privileged in the Muslim community at the end of the final day of Ramadan before the Eid prayer, is an important aspect of the month of Ramadan which every Muslim is enjoined to observe, to enable them to derive the full reward of the fast.