“O Allah! Do not take me to task this day for my lapses; pardon me in it my slips and offences; and do not make me the target therein of afflictions and blights; with Your might, O Might of the Muslims.”

Hope you are all fine by the Grace of God in these days of soaring temperatures. You are fasts are really more worthy in the sigh of God, provided you have succeeded in abiding by the rules. Let us first read the special supplication.

“O Allah! Do not take me to task this day for my lapses; pardon me in it my slips and offences; and do not make me the target therein of afflictions and blights; with Your might, O Might of the Muslims.”

As we said, hopefully, you are all prepared for the long summer fasts, which in Iran last as long as 16-and-a-half hours, in the UK 19 hours, and in Moscow and the northernmost hemisphere over 21 hours. And this year the heat is somewhat more intense than the year before. Glory to God! His Wisdom, Compassion, and Justice is all evident in His determining of the dates of the lunar calendar for carrying out the annual obligatory acts of worship, such as fasting and the Hajj pilgrimage. This is indeed another proof of the dynamism of Islam. It provides the various nations of the world, fair and equal opportunities for carrying out the religious injunctions, without the least discrimination for any geographical area, since following the lunar months means gradual cyclic changes in the duration of days and nights, as well as variance in temperatures ever years, ranging from frigidly cold to torridly hot, to the benefit of all humanity all over the globe. If the solar calendar – which is vital for determining of the seasons and the harvesting of crops – had been fixed for religious injunctions, it would have been violation of the fundamental Islamic principle of Divine Justice. For in such a case, people in one part of the globe would have experienced ideally short days and pleasant weather, while those in the other part would have been exposed to lengthy hours and unpleasant climate.

So now, for a few years, it is our turn in Iran and lands with similar climatic conditions, to observe fasts for long hours and under scorching temperatures, while those in the southern hemisphere deservedly do it for shorter hours and in congenial weather, before the conditions are gradually reversed without causing inconvenience to anyone in any part of the Planet. At any rate, regardless of the constantly changing days and seasons, Fasting Ramadhan is indeed the month of blessings during which neither the faithful feel the heat of summer nor shiver from the cold of winter. It is the month in which the Doors of Divine Mercy are flung open for the seekers of God and salvation. It is the springtime for recitation of the holy Qur’an, contemplation of whose contents enlightens minds, soothes souls and fills tranquility in the hearts. Vie with each other for good deeds, since it is the exuberance of youth that is essential in performing sincere acts of worship. At the same time, thank Almighty God for having provided another excellent opportunity to cultivate good manners, in view of the fact that Ramadhan is the month of taking stock or our life, in order to reform ourselves, repent our misdeeds, and rectify our behaviour.

In the Iranian capital, the 21st International Holy Qur’an Exhibition is underway at Tehran’s Mosalla.  There are interesting things on display.    There are separate sections for youth, for the children, and for women, catering exclusively to the needs of these groups. A team of Islamic experts, both men and women, are available each night at the exhibit to answer the queries of the different age groups and genders as well.     There is a special section for the blind as well where those without sight learn the holy Qur’an through Braille. The exhibit is open till midnight from 17:00 hours onwards, and at the time of breaking the fast, iftar packages are provided for visitors. The benefits of cyber technology are on full display at the Tehran Exhibit, and is proof of the fact how quickly Iranian youths have mastered it to facilitate the study and recitation of the Heavenly Scripture, not just at homes, but also while travelling by plane, train, and even city buses. Rare manuscripts of the Holy Qur’an from the various libraries of Iran have been put on display, along with fascinating specimens of calligraphy. Moreover, there are sections featuring exposure of the intricate plots of the enemies of Islam around the world, including the sedition of those who masquerade as Muslims, but are actually the enemies of Islam in the service of the Zionists and Crusaders, such as al-Qa’eda and other terrorist outfits that desecrate Islamic sanctities, and brazenly kill innocent Muslim men, women, and children, as is happening in Syria, Iraq, Pakistan and other places. In short, there are CDs, there are books, there are magazines, there are cultural shows, there are films, there are puzzles and games for children with Qur’anic themse, and in addition to the quizzes along with prizes for contestants each night, special discourses are being held by some leading ulema and orators for the benefit of the visitors.