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• 17 Shabban 1445

The representative of the Supreme Religious Authority in Europe congratulates Muslims on the approaching arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan and calls upon them to prepare spiritually and mentally to enter this month with important and beneficial steps.

His Eminence Sayyid Murtada Al-Kashmiri, the representative of the Supreme Religious Authority in Europe, addressed the believers regarding the approaching of the blessed month of Ramadan, whereby he said:
One of the important religious occasions for which a person must prepare ahead of time psychologically, spiritually, and mentally for it is arrival is the blessed month of Ramadan. This holy month is the master of all months and it is a precious opportunity for us to diligently take advantage of in the best way possible. The Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp) says, “If only the servant knew what is in Ramadan, he would wish for Ramadan to last the whole year.” For this reason, the Prophet (pbuh&hp) urged us by saying, “O people, a great and blessed month has drawn near—a month in which there is a night worth a thousand months... It is a month whose beginning is mercy, whose middle is forgiveness, and whose end is liberation from the Fire…"
It is narrated that Imam al-Rida (p) addressed his companion, Abu al-Salt al-Harawi, by saying “O’ Abu al-Salt, most of the month of Shaban has now passed, and this is its last Friday. So, use what remains from it to make up for your shortcomings in what has passed from it. Increase in your supplications, seeking forgiveness, and reciting the Holy Quran, and turn to Allah in repentance from your sins, so that the month of Ramadan arrives and you are in a state of sincerity to Allah. And, strive not to leave any trust in your neck that you have not fulfilled yet, or a grudge in your heart against another believer that you have not removed yet, or a sin you committed that you have not abandoned yet, and fear Allah and trust in Him in all your affairs, for Allah says, (… And whoever puts his trust in Allah, He will suffice him. Indeed, Allah fulfills His commands. Certainly, Allah has decreed a measure for everything [Quran 65:3]). In the remaining days of this month, strive to say as much as possible, (O’ Allah, if You have not forgiven us for what has passed from the month Shaban, then forgive us for what remains of it). For indeed, Allah liberates slaves from the Fire in this month due to the sanctity of the month of Ramadan.’”
Believers should not occupy themselves solely with rushing to shop for food and drinks to commemorate the month of Ramadan with feasts and eating. Rather, they should prioritize the importance of the spiritual and moral dimension of this Holy Month. Therefore, one must pause and reflect on welcoming the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan through the following points:

1 - Self-Accountability: This involves reviewing one's actions throughout the past year, building on the positive aspects, and working to eliminate the negative ones. The Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp) said to Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari, “O’ Abu Dhar, hold yourself accountable now before you will be held to account tomorrow, for this will make your questioning easier then. And, weigh yourself before you will be weighed, and prepare for the great presentation on the Day when nothing will be hidden from Allah." Imam Ali (p) has said, "A person must have a moment in which nothing preoccupies him, so that he takes account of himself, reflecting on what he has gained and lost during his nights and days!" Imam al-Kadhim (p) has said, "He is not one of us who does not hold himself to account every day. For if he had done good, he should praise Allah and ask Him to increase him in doing good. And, for the wrongdoings committed, he should seek forgiveness from Allah and repent.” Self-accountability allows one to realize their strengths and weaknesses. It reveals to oneself the good deeds he has accomplished throughout the year and where he has fallen short. This indicates seriousness and responsibility in one's life and allows one to properly prepare for the arrival of the month of Ramadan. It is reported that one year when the month of Ramadan approached, the Prophet (pbuh&hp) repeated three times, “Glory be to Allah, how great is that which you have welcomed! And, how great is that which has arrived!

2 - Taming the Soul: This is achieved through training and conditioning one’s soul to perform acts of obedience and abstain from the prohibitions. One of the qualities of the month of Ramadan and its features is that it burns away sins, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Ramadan is named thus because it scorches (burns) sins." Regarding the struggle of the soul to avoid the prohibitions, Imam Ali (p) said, "Fasting is to also abstain from all other prohibitions in addition to abstaining from eating and drinking." On that note, it is therefore recommended to start preparing for the month of Ramadan by fasting during the preceding months of Rajab and Shaban, or at least to fast some days of them. One should not enter Ramadan without having accustomed oneself to fasting. It is narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (p) that he said, "Whoever fasts the last three days of the month of Shaban and connects them with the month of Ramadan, Allah will write for him the reward of fasting two consecutive months."

3 - Sincere Repentance: Every human being is vulnerable to making mistakes and committing some sins and acts of disobedience. However, it is from the mercy of Allah toward His servants that He has opened the door of repentance for them, so that they may return to Him. Allah has said, (It is He who accepts the repentance of His servants, and excuses their misdeeds and knows what you do [Quran 42:25]). One of the important steps to prepare for the month of Ramadan is sincere repentance from all sins and transgressions, so that a person may enter the month of Allah with sincere intentions and a pure heart. It was narrated that Imam al-Rida (p) has said, “Repent to Allah from your sins, so that the month of Ramadan may come to you while you are sincere to Allah.” Imam Zayn al-Abidin (p) used to recite this supplication every day of the month of Ramadan: “O’ Allah, indeed this is the month of Ramadan, the month of fasting, the month of repentance, the month of seeking forgiveness and mercy, the month of liberation from the Hellfire, and the month of attaining Paradise... O’ Allah, grant me in it devotion, diligence, strength, vitality, repentance, and returning to You." However, if Ramadan comes and a person is immersed in sins and disobedience, this prevents the acceptance of fasting, because Allah only accepts deeds from His pious servants. Allah says, (Indeed, Allah only accepts from the pious ones [Quran 5:27]).

4 - Purifying the Heart: This involves removing all grudges, and animosities, and eliminating any hatred, resentment, or envy from your heart. Imam Ali (p) has said, "Purify your hearts from grudges, for it is a disastrous disease." He (p) also said, "The purified hearts of Allah’s righteous servants are the places where Allah looks. So, whoever purifies his heart, Allah looks at him." It is narrated from Imam al-Rida (p) that he said, “Remove from your heart any grudge you have towards another believer.” A pure and clear heart is inclined towards worship and fasting with eagerness and desire, while a heart filled with grudges and animosities will find no benefit in its worship and fasting.

5 - Purification of Wealth: It involves purifying one's wealth from Haram (that which is forbidden). It is narrated from the Prophet (pbuh&hp) that he said, “Worship combined with the habit of consuming from forbidden sources is like the one who building on an unsteady foundation like sand (or water).” And he also said, “Be accustomed to eating only from Halal (permissible) sources, and your fasting will be complete." Imam Ali (p) has said, “How wretched is Haram food." One of the forms of purifying wealth is by fulfilling obligatory religious rights, such as paying Zakat (Almsgiving), Khums (Islamic tax), settling debts, and returning trusts to their rightful owners. Imam al-Rida (p) has said, "Do not leave behind any trust around your neck unfulfilled." It is upon the believer to purify their wealth by fulfilling both the rights of Allah and the rights of the people. When one purifies their wealth, it is then that they can break their fast with food from lawful and pure earnings.

6 - Reviewing One's Thoughts: It is essential for individuals to review the thoughts and convictions they adopt. One might embrace incorrect or negative beliefs or even ones that have no basis in the religion. Fasting helps in clearing the mind and attaining wisdom. It is narrated in a sacred narration that: "Fasting brings wisdom, and wisdom brings knowledge, and knowledge brings certainty. When the servant possesses certainty, it will not matter much to him whether he is faced with hardship or ease." Fasting instills mental alertness for many who are heedless of Allah and adhering to His commands, and abstaining from His prohibitions. Thus, the month of Ramadan marks an intellectual beginning for many. It is an opportunity to reform one's thoughts, draw closer to Allah, and return to the values and ethics of religion.

May Allah grant all of us success in fasting during this blessed month, as well as upholding its worship, performing its prayers, and commemorating its nights. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the Answerer.