You are invited to provide iftar for needy individuals who are fasting in this blessed…
A Message Welcoming the Holy Month of Ramadan by Sayyid M.B. Kashmiri
In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful
From the Desk of the Representative of the Supreme Religious Authority in North America
To my fellow believers in North America,
I offer you my warmest greetings and sincerest congratulations on the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, and I pray that it brings you and your families immense blessings.
Beginning with the most important point, I remind myself and all of you, my beloved brothers and sisters, of what Allah has said about the philosophy of why we are required to fast, which is so “…that you may be pious (God-conscious)”. In addition, the words of Imam Hussain (p) should resonate with us and engender not only piety but also compassion, because he reminds us that “Allah obligated fasting so the wealthy might feel the pangs of hunger and thus act with beneficence towards the needy.” And so, this year let us adhere to these fundamental principles so we can address the state of spiritual drought that we find ourselves in and renew our closeness to Allah. Then we will be able to face worldly distractions, meaninglessness, or despair with firm determination.
This month is also an opportunity for us to cultivate benevolence towards those who are displaced and struggling for basic necessities like food, drink, clothing, and safety. As such, Allah reminds us to “…be virtuous, indeed Allah loves the virtuous.” So let us reap the benefits of this holy month by strengthening our relationship with Allah and serving our fellow human beings who are in need of help.
I ask Almighty Allah to accept all of our acts of worship and devotion and to hasten the appearance of our master, Imam Mahdi (atf), and finally I ask that you remember us in your prayers
Sayyid M. B. Kashmiri