Barka da Sallah to all muslims
Today, Muslims throughout the world will mark the end of 30 days of fasting with the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr.
During the past 30 days, Muslims have denied themselves many things to seek better relationships with Allah.
The 30 days of fasting, otherwise called Ramadan, is one of the pillars of Islam that must be observed by all able-bodied Muslims, except those who are not physically fit to undergo the rigours of fasting.
In Muslim communities today, adherents will rededicate themselves to the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed, after which there will be merry-making and the sharing of food with the poor and friends, including non-Muslims.
Muslims, no matter their status, do not joke with the month-long fast because it is their belief that during that period, they receive bountiful blessings from Allah.
While fasting, they deny themselves food and merriment in order to engage in prayers and seek favour and protection from Allah through the recitation of the Holy Quran in the morning, afternoon, evening and in the night.
It is generally believed that Ramadan presents many opportunities for spiritual purification and uplift. Those who deny themselves food in order to pray to Allah also reap the health benefits associated with the denial of food by way of detoxifying the system.
Muslims will turn up at the various prayer grounds not just because another Ramadan has ended. Far from that. They will look very resplendent in their best clothing because the Almighty Allah has added another year to their existence on earth, besides the many blessings that have come their way in the course of the Ramadan.
The experience of getting up at dawn to start the fast and the temptations of failure because of what happens during the period do not come by chance.
Those who do not have the discipline of sacrifice and self-denial are not able to complete the religious injunction and so to all those who successfully participated in the exercise, we pray that Allah grant you bountiful blessings.
The Daily Graphic knows that during the 30-day fast, Muslims did not only abstain from food but also sought the face of Allah to stay away from all the vices that all mortals are unable to withstand.
This year’s Ramadan, otherwise known as the month of charity and generosity, belongs to history, but during the exercise, Muslims extended a hand of help to the needy, while some well-endowed Ghanaians assisted Muslim communities, including the Chief Imam, to extend their benevolence to the poor and vulnerable for them to also observe Eid-ul-Fitr.
On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the Daily Graphic wishes all Muslims Barka da Sallah.
It is our hope that they will bring the renewal they have gained during the Ramadan fast to bear on nation-building during these trying times in Ghana.
