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 yesterday reminded Muslims on the obligation to be grateful while performing fasting blessed with sustenance and good health.
“The challenge of performing fasting is not small. It requires patience at its highest level. If there is patience, then it is easy to face such a challenge,” His Majesty said in a special titah in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri for 1445 Hijrah.
“I am confident that Muslims understand the significance of fasting and have no problems in performing the act.”
“Syukur (being grateful) is a noble and an honoured trait as it is demanded by Allah the Almighty who promised that those in gratitude are rewarded with multiple blessings. The meaning of being grateful is to be thankful to Allah the Almighty for the blessings and the way to do it is by saying Alhamdulillah,” the monarch said.
“As we succeed in fasting in the month of Ramadhan, we should say Alhamdulilah just as we are blessed with good health and sustenance to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri in comfort.”
Expressing the word Alhamdulillah is of high value. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said if any of my ummah is blessed with this world and its content and then they say Alhamdulillah, then such remark (Alhamdulillah) is more important than the world and its content. That is the priceless value of saying Alhamdulillah, praising Allah the Almighty as a sign to show our gratitude.
Apart from uttering words, our actions can also portray our feelings of gratitude by performing the act of zakat (tithe).
His Majesty said the purpose of giving zakat is to purify wealth. If zakat is paid on such wealth, it will be blessed and such wealth will not be reduced but multiplied. It will not also be destroyed but secured.
Hence, besides paying zakat fitrah (obligatory tithe), those who are capable should also pay zakat harta (property tithe).
Paying zakat is obligatory after it reaches its haul (the length of time that an individual must possess the wealth that they will pay zakat on) and become a condition for a person to be recognised as a faithful.
“Let us strive to fullfil such a big responsibility for our safety in the days of hereafter and to assist eligible recipients and to generate prosperity of the people and the nation,” the monarch said. His Majesty concluded the titah by extending Hari Raya Aidilfitri wishes to all citizens and residents in the Sultanate and wherever they are and pray that all will receive blessings and protection from Allah the Almighty. – Azlan Othman
