The Grand Mufti of Lebanon, Sheikh Abdul Latif Darian, sent a message to the Lebanese people on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. He said, "Praise be to God who has prescribed fasting for His servants, to purify their souls and cleanse them from sins. I praise Him, as He is deserving of praise, and I thank Him for His countless blessings. I bear witness that there is no deity but God, alone with no partner in His worship, just as He has no partner in His dominion. I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the most pious one who prayed, fasted, performed pilgrimage, and obeyed his Lord in private and public. May peace and blessings be upon him, his family, and companions, and upon all who follow his guidance and adhere to his Sunnah until the Day of Judgment.
He continued: "As the crescent of the blessed month of Ramadan rises, we are commanded to observe its fasting and to live in it and with it, considering it a month of worship, repentance, good conduct, and righteous deeds. The month of Ramadan comes to us each year as a good occasion. Fasting is a duty prescribed in the Holy Quran, as God Almighty says: 'O you who believe, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.' It is also the practice of the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, whose love and performance of acts of obedience is evidenced by the numerous Hadiths encouraging the performance of this duty and explaining the moral, humanitarian, and social virtues of Ramadan and its fasting.
If prayer is the pillar of faith, and pilgrimage is the place of gathering of the Muslim community, then fasting—besides being a principal act of worship in Islam and the laws of the messengers and prophets—has become a marker of Islam in the world. God Almighty has defined two reasons for the obligation of fasting, specifically in the month of Ramadan: the first is that it is a mandated act of worship like that prescribed for those before us in all laws; and the second is that it is the month in which the Quran was revealed, as He says: 'The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it.'
He explained: "The first reason is a devotional one, with psychological, moral, and social virtues. The second reason is for gratitude and praise to God, whom we thank for the blessing of sending down the Quran and the sending of the last of the prophets, Muhammad, peace be upon him. God says: 'This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as religion.' These three matters—perfection of religion, completion of favor, and divine pleasure—indicate the divine mercy that encompasses all things. God says: 'And My mercy encompasses all things, so I will decree it for those who fear [God] and give zakah and who believe in Our verses.'
In Ramadan, and in every month and year, we are under the mercy, blessings, and care of God Almighty, who has dominion over creation and command. The showers of mercy and blessings, and the care bestowed upon humanity, are intended to transform into morals for individuals and virtues for dealings among people in kindness. This appears to be a great educational lesson in Ramadan through fasting, charity, caring for family and children, and engaging in good works with people, to the best of one’s ability, as God does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.
Yet the noble verse adds: 'For it is what [good] it has gained, and against it is what [evil] it has earned.' This is a wonderful balance; O believer, between you and God there is a covenant and promise, and the covenant is indeed a responsibility. Do what you can, based on that responsibility and trust you bear. Know that it is part of that responsibility that whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it, because the rational and active human soul has what it has earned and against it is what it has acquired."
Darian continued: "Believers are always responsible by virtue of the covenant and the pact between them and God, and are responsible by virtue of the nature with which God has created people. There are signs and occasions for reminder and appreciation, and Ramadan, through its fasting and worship, is one of those signs of this religious, moral, and humanitarian responsibility. Scholars say: People are responsible for five essential needs: the soul, the intellect, religion, dignity or honor, and property or wealth. The soul pertains to life, how a person tends to their body and health, and their food and drink, and morals. How one looks after their intellect and thoughts, and how they organize their affairs, safeguard their dignity or honor or reputation, and preserve their religion.
He highlighted how one earns their livelihood, how they spend it, and how they act with it. The responsibility is fundamentally individual, for free individuals, but it is also collective, as people live in families and communities. The virtues of intellect, reasoning, faith, and dignity only become virtues when practiced with or towards others. Morality means, as the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, said: 'You should love for your brother what you love for yourself.' In another narration: 'Love for the people what you love for yourself.' This is the measure of virtuous ethics. Just as you wish for yourself health, wealth, and comfort in life, you should know that these matters will not be secured for you, nor will they last unless you strive to make them available for your kin, brothers, and community, and for all people."
He stated: "The crescent of the blessed month of Ramadan will rise, and we are ordered to fast it, as it is a month of worship, repentance, good conduct, and righteous deeds. However, this year, Ramadan does not come under the same circumstances due to the Zionist aggression against Gaza, Palestine, and the southern areas of our beloved Lebanon, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of children, women, and elderly.
With scenes of killing and massacres in the media and communications, the cries of the wounded and starving, and those who have been displaced two or three times in the past two to three months, it raises the question: what remains of the international order, of protecting civilians, and of making peace for the oppressed, amidst conflicts driven by bloodthirsty tyrants? We urge the Arab and international community, especially the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Security Council, to put an end to the tragedy of the Palestinian people and stop the Zionist aggression against the people of Gaza, Palestine, and southern Lebanon."
He added: "The challenges to living and order in Lebanon did not begin with the Gaza war. They have been exacerbated by the deaths of many and the displacement of people from southern Lebanon. We thought that UN resolution 1701 would protect Lebanon, but that has not proven to be true, as the Zionist enemy does not commit to it and violates all international resolutions with its aggression against Lebanon, killing our people and destroying our homes. An attack on any area in Lebanon is an attack on all of Lebanon; we do not distinguish between one area and another. What is happening in the south is under the look of those who make decisions in the international community, and there is no solution to the Palestinian cause except by establishing an independent Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital."
He expressed: "We yearn for the month of Ramadan because everyone desires to bring an end to the killing and fighting during Ramadan, as if killing is permissible outside Ramadan and forbidden within it. Yes, Ramadan has always been a month of peace, serenity, security, and safety. It’s a month of mercy and compassion. We pray for our brothers in Gaza and Palestine, and throughout the Arab and Muslim lands, that they find sufficiency after hunger and security after fear in Ramadan and beyond. For a hundred years, the killing in Palestine has not ceased. For decades, Palestinians have faced persecution and oppression in their prayers in Jerusalem and Hebron, and now their mosques are being demolished in Gaza. The Holy Quran states: 'God does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes, from being righteous towards them and acting justly towards them. Indeed, God loves those who act justly.' The Palestinians have been fought against in their religion and homes, and they only defend themselves to the best of their ability."
He continued: "As Ramadan approaches this year, we remember the pains of our brothers as we remember our own pains. These pains are evident to all except for our politicians and businessmen. For years, politicians have been chewing over the talk about the port disaster, the detention of people’s money in banks, crumbling institutions, and continuous migration, as if the homeland is coming to an end, and its epochs of dignity, elevation, and advancement are over. The first sickness that has afflicted us is the lack of accountability. Anyone can do as they wish, remaining safe and continuing in their whims, as if they bear no responsibility before God or people."
He pointed out that "Lebanon is in a state of danger, with the primary reason being the presidential vacuum. Electing a president for the republic is the first step towards building the state, the correct and straight path, to activate the functioning of the state’s flaccid institutions. No matter how political views differ, we must cooperate and come together for stability and continuity in our homeland, which needs all of us for its good governance by its people. The absolute priority today is to elect a president for the republic, and we cannot overcome our crises without achieving this milestone to preserve our national unity. Lebanon cannot live except with its two wings, Muslim and Christian, and we do not accept anything less than the equality stipulated in the Taif Agreement. Lebanon is not governed by the logic of winners and losers, or the strong over the weak, but rather, we are all strong by the word of truth and victorious for our country and people."
He said: "From the House of Fatwa, the home of Muslims and Lebanese, we call on everyone to rise above and make mutual concessions, placing the higher national interest above all else to salvage Lebanon. Otherwise, chaos and the law of the jungle will be the alternative if political forces continue their stubbornness and obstinacy. We should collaborate with the good efforts and wholesome initiatives undertaken by the quintet committee to help us resolve our first crises, which is to elect a unifying president, form an effective government, and initiate reforms and the battle to end rampant corruption. There is no salvation for Lebanon except through sincere intention, determination, will, and serious work in arranging our priorities, to avoid falling into the trap of what awaits us if we do not hasten to take steps to relieve our homeland from the suffering we are enduring.
We are with our people in their struggles and needs during this blessed month, and we will not abandon them. We will remain by their side during these difficult times they are going through. Those who are able should provide for our families and children in need, especially those who are modest among them, for Ramadan is the month of giving, and what could be more honorable than giving during these blessed days, confirming the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, 'The most beloved people to God are those who are most beneficial to people.'"
He added: "No one despairs of the mercy of God except the disbelievers. At a time when crises are intensifying and many abandon their responsibilities, I want to commend the noble brothers who feel the needs of the people and come forward to social and religious institutions with donations and contributions. We Muslims are used to giving zakat in Ramadan, which is a virtuous tradition that has become rooted in our society and increases our confidence in our generations’ ability to endure and our youth's commitment and loyalty.
What I want to say is that the political crisis, or the escalating political crises, should not distract us from the existence of this virtuous elite who have adopted noble ethics and are inclined to rescue institutions and build what is needed within them. Yes, there is a commitment to doing good from individuals and groups all across Lebanon. This is a promising and encouraging phenomenon."
He continued: "You remember the hadith of the ship from the Messenger of God regarding responsibility. The Messenger said: 'The example of those who uphold the limits of God and those who violate them is like the example of a people who cast lots on a ship. Some of them were in the upper part, and some were in the lower part. When those who were in the lower part wanted to fetch water, they had to pass by those above them, and they said: 'If we make a hole in our part, we will not harm those above us.' If they prevent them from doing so, they saved themselves and saved everyone, but if they let them do what they wanted, they would all perish.'
The ship, in the words of the Messenger, symbolizes society and the interconnected world; when corruption and deviation appear, it is upon the good remainder of society to intervene to correct and prevent chaos from continuing, or else everyone will suffer. This is what the virtuous elite do as they fulfill their duty. They seek the community’s commitment to combating corruption and moral degradation."
Darian concluded: "Ramadan has come, and we have accustomed ourselves to it being a month of goodness, moderation, peace, and solidarity. O Allah, the Most Forgiving and Merciful, through the blessings of Ramadan and our worship within it, save our children, women, and elders from being killed, and protect our homes from destruction, and the people’s world from the evils of wars, famines, and the corruption of the wicked. Grant us and our homeland and people a way out of this looming distress. O Allah, we call upon You upon the arrival of the month of Ramadan, the month of mercy, good deeds, and answered prayers, to rectify our weaknesses, and to have mercy on our children, women, and elders from the horrors of strife and wars, and grant our homelands peace, security, and safety, and bring us out of these intractable tribulations, and bestow tranquility and reassurance upon our homeland. Indeed, You, O Lord of the worlds, are Wise and Capable. God Almighty said: 'Those who have believed and have not mixed their faith with injustice, those are the ones for whom there is security, and they are [rightly] guided.' And He said: 'Indeed, those who have said, 'Our Lord is Allah' and then remained steadfast, the angels will descend upon them, [saying], 'Do not fear and do not grieve, but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised.' True is the word of Allah. I ask God Almighty to accept this fast, filled with good deeds, and His blessings and satisfaction. Wishing you all a blessed Ramadan."
