Hakim Hayat
Faith and piety are the two pre-requisites to gaining blessings from Allah the Almighty, said His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam at Istana Nurul Iman last evening.
In a titah to mark Hari Raya Aidilfitri for 1443 Hijrah, His Majesty expressed hope that the nation could realise both obligations by citing an excerpt from Firman by Allah the Almighty in Verse 96 of Surah Al-A’raf, which says, “Had the people of those societies been faithful and mindful (of Allah the Almighty), we would have overwhelmed them with blessings from Heaven and Earth.”
The monarch also extolled the significance of Hari Raya Aidilfitri: “Muslims don’t just mark Hari Raya like any other occasion, but we also celebrate our accomplishment of the fast. This is why our celebration begins with Takbir and Tahmid as well as Sunnat Hari Raya Aidilfitri prayer as a form of gratitude.”
His Majesty noted that expressing gratitude through the praising and glorifying of Allah the Almighty is part of the Brunei culture, thus it is vital for it to be preserved and appreciated by all.
“In hardship and ease, we don’t want to distance ourselves from Allah the Almighty; we want to be eternally with Him. In Allah the Almighty we confide and pray to. Such is a belief that needs to be maintained,” said the monarch.
As we enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, His Majesty underlined the need to strive to be closer to Allah the Almighty through initiatives, such as the whole-of-nation Selawat in mosques, which the monarch described as “unique and extraordinary”.
His Majesty also expressed his appreciation to those who took part in Munajat, be it at the mosque or at home.
“We should be confident that Allah the Almighty will grant us blessings for our good intentions through Selawat. After all, Allah the Almighty’s promise to those who recite Selawat is certain because He does not break promises,” said the monarch.
His Majesty concluded the titah by extending Hari Raya Aidilfitri wishes to all citizens and residents in the Sultanate and prayed that all will receive guidance and protection from Allah the Almighty.
