His Majesty Sultan of Brunei Highlights the Significance of Ramadhan and Encourages Religious Devotion
Bandar Seri Begawan, The Gulf Observer: His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, underscored the immense significance of Ramadhan, highlighting it as the sacred month in which the Holy Quran was revealed.
In a special titah, His Majesty emphasized the words of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who described Ramadhan as the month of patience, with its reward being entry into paradise. The Prophet (pbuh) also stated, “The beginning of Ramadhan is mercy, the middle is forgiveness, and the end is freedom from hellfire.”
His Majesty urged Muslims to cherish Ramadhan by adorning it with religious obligations beyond fasting, recognizing its unparalleled spiritual rewards. He cited a narration that during this holy month, the doors of heaven are opened, the doors of hell are closed, and devils are chained, preventing them from disturbing Muslims in fulfilling their fasting obligations.
Elaborating further, His Majesty shared another narration emphasizing that any prayer performed during Ramadhan holds seventy times the value of prayers in other months, while a single Sunnah prayer is equal in merit to a Fardh prayer.
His Majesty called upon Muslims not to overlook these great spiritual benefits and to seize the rare opportunity presented by Ramadhan to engage in religious practices such as reciting the Quran, performing Tarawih and Qiamullail, and giving alms. Speaking on Qiamullail, a night prayer that strengthens one’s closeness to Allah Almighty, His Majesty encouraged Muslims to enliven the nights of Ramadhan, either individually or in congregation. He commended the continuous efforts by relevant authorities in organizing congregational Qiamullail prayers, particularly during the last ten nights of the holy month.
His Majesty also emphasized the need to uphold the true essence of fasting. He recalled the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that fasting serves as a barrier against sin, and thus, one must avoid foul language, immoral actions, and ignorance of religious principles. If provoked, a fasting individual should respond by saying, “Indeed, I am fasting.”
Addressing the importance of food intake during Ramadhan, His Majesty stressed that all food consumed should be clean, halal, and free from harmful or prohibited elements. Islam, he noted, places great importance on health, and one of the most effective ways to maintain it is through a balanced diet. Citing a hadith of the Prophet (pbuh), he reminded Muslims to follow the principle of moderation—one-third of the stomach for food, one-third for drink, and one-third for breathing—to avoid excessive eating and wastefulness.
“A healthy body enables individuals to perform religious duties perfectly and reap the full blessings of this sacred month,” His Majesty said.
Concluding his titah, His Majesty extended warm greetings from himself and the royal family to Muslims worldwide, wishing them good health and prosperity as they fulfill their fasting obligations with devotion.
