The Muslim Judicial Council would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every Muslim a happy and joyous Ramadan. It is during these challenging times that the arrival of this Blessed month, like an oasis in the desert, brings with it great hope, comfort and the necessary inner reflection sorely needed to empower the soul until it has reached a state of authority over the body.

During this Holy month, Muslims share the condition with those less fortunate than ourselves and we also remind ourselves of the favors and bounties which we have been blessed with. We remind and encourage our community to increase all efforts towards benefiting the helpless and the needy who are affected by the high levels of poverty and unemployment.  During this time of sacrificing our desires we learn through abstinence, how tranquility can be gained through the remembrance of Allah (God) Almighty; love through respect for others and increased spiritual wealth through giving.

Ramadan is a month wherein we spiritually revive ourselves and a month during which we see the beauty of Islam, which constantly encourages mankind to take cognizance of his relationship with his creator, his benefit to mankind and striving towards perfecting his inner and outer state.

Allah attaches great reward to fasting. In a sacred Hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) quotes God as saying: “All actions a human being does are done for his own sake, except fasting which is done for My sake. I will reward it accordingly.”

The Prophet defines sound faith as that “which is deeply rooted in one’s heart and to which credence is given by action.” Thus, action is most important. Fasting is an action by abstention, which overcomes basic needs and desires. Hence it testifies strongly to one’s faith.

We pray that the Almighty Allah (God) strengthens us and keeps our faith strong towards his remembrance and increases our ability to help those in need. We wish our community well for the month of Ramadan, and we pray that our sincere efforts towards pleasing our Most Merciful Creator, Allah (SWT) during this great month will be accepted and that we may in unity of purpose be of benefit to mankind.