FASTING, MUHARRAM, AND GAZA
Mosque Foundation
Fasting the tenth day of the sacred month of Muharram is a great voluntary act of devotion. By Allah’s grace, it invites mercy and forgiveness. By fasting this day, we commemorate the great event in human history when Moses (peace be upon him) and his people were freed from the bondage and humiliation of Pharaoh. As we fast this day, our hearts are heavy with the barbaric violence that has been unleashed on the people of Gaza, who now, it seems, are under Pharaohnic terror themselves.
Let us, then, fast this day with our sincerest prayers that the people of Gaza are freed. When we feel hungry, let us remember the hundreds of thousands who are now hungry in Gaza. When we feel thirst, let us remember those who feel thirst in Gaza. When we drop off our children in school, let us remember those children of Gaza who perish in school as it is bombed. And when we speak out about this outrage, let not the sinful, cowardly, and obscene silence of many cause us to join their silence. Please give in charity to help those who are in need.
Let this day be a day of remembrance. Let it be a day in which we pray with all of our hearts that the violence in Gaza will end. Let us also celebrate the greatness of our faith and our devotion to truth. Hold your heads high. With every hardship, ease follows. Any good deed that you do with excellence will be of benefit to all. Finally, do not underestimate prayer. Allah said to call upon Him, and He will answer. So, call upon Him. He is all-wise and all-knowing. |