HOW timely that Muslims in Malaysia are ushering in the arrival of the holy Ramadan month as Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, wife Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and the Malaysian delegation who are on a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia completed their umrah (mini haj) yesterday (March 22).

Praying from Makkah for the well-being of Malaysians and hoping that the “efforts to make Malaysia strong again” will be fulfilled, Anwar’s Ramadan message centres around uplifting the values of modesty and humanity across all religious boundaries, factions and groups by igniting charity and love for the underprivileged.

“From the Holy Land, Azizah and I pray that Malaysia will continue to prosper, be peaceful and always be in the protection of Allah SWT,” the Tambun MP who is also the Finance Minister penned on his Facebook (FB) page.

Former PM and Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin described Ramadan as “the best month for us to improve ourselves by increasing our spiritual practices to obtain forgiveness from Allah SWT”.

“We will begin the tarawih prayer tonight (March 22) and throughout Ramadan, we are required to perform other righteous acts such as tadarus (recite) and tadabur al-Quran (pondering over the meaning of Quranic phrases), giving alms and caring for the less fortunate,” the Bersatu president noted in his Ramadan message.

“Let’s never miss this opportunity because all our (noble and righteous) acts during this holy month will be multiplied by Allah SWT. Let us increase our recital of the Quran, dhikr and charity. This is the time to strengthen brotherhood and bond among family members, neighbours and friends.”

PAS president Tan Sri Hadi Awang urged Muslims to make this Ramadan “the month to return to the light of the Quran”.

“Besides that, grab it when there is still a chance by increasing the recitation of the Quran, sunat prayers, doing self-pondering, giving charity and strengthening the bond between Muslims,” he penned in his Ramadan message.

“May this year’s Ramadan be the best Ramadan in the history of our lives in the quest to seek forgiveness and achieve the highest degree of taqwa (virtuousness).”

Meanwhile, Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai also wished “Happy Ramadan and Happy Fasting to all Muslims around the world”.

“During the month of Ramadan, fasting is not only about suppressing hunger and drinking, but also abstaining from bad things,” shared the PN-nominated senator in his Ramadan message.

“Ramadan is also a time for self-introspection, to improve ourselves to be better and to get closer to God. Hence, we need to go through the fasting rite earnestly and sincerely.” - March 23, 2023

https://focusmalaysia.my/ramadan-a-good-time-for-self-reflection-seeking-forgiveness-so-expect-less-political-flare-ups/