Syed Mussarat Khalil Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Famous scholar and preacher Junaid Qasmi said Allah Almighty has given five gifts to Muslims in the holy month of Ramadan. He was delivering a lecture on the virtues of Ramadan at Abdullah Bin Masood Qur'an Memorization Center in Aziziyah District of Jeddah last Thursday. The program was organized by the Jeddah-based Maulana Hifzur Rahman Seoharwi Academy, a world-renowned institution for Islamic education. A large number of people from the local sub-continental communities attended. There were separate arrangements for women listeners. The program was presided over by Dr. Sahabzada Qari Abdul Basit, principal of Abdullah Bin Masood Qur'an Memorization Center. Maulana Habib-ur-Rehman and Altaf Hussain Awan were the guests of honor. Qasmi said Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. It is a very important month because the Qur'an was first revealed in this month. Explaining the five special gifts of Allah in Ramadan, he quoted the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as saying: “My Ummah (the Muslim nation) has been given five special things that were not given to anyone before them: “The smell from the mouth of the fasting person is more pleasing to Allah than the smell of musk. “The fish in the sea ask for forgiveness for the person who fasts. “The third gift given to the fasting persons is that Jannah (paradise) is decorated for them. “The devils are chained during the month so evil is less common. “Lastly, in the last 10 nights of Ramadan forgiveness is granted to all worshippers.” Qasmi praised the efforts of well-known philanthropist and director of the academy, Bhajat Ayub Najmi, in successfully hosting the program on the virtues of Ramadan. Qari Abdul Basit emphasized the importance of the month of Ramadan. He said Allah brings mercy in the first part of the month. In the middle of the month, He brings forgiveness and in the last part, He gives freedom from hellfire. Abdul Basit released the book “Naqsh-e-Dawam” (Continuity Refines), which was compiled by Altaf Hussain Awan. Awan gave a PowerPoint presentation on “Naqsh-e-Dawam” and also highlighted the contributions of Muslim scholars and scientists. Maulana Habib-ur-Rehman also spoke on the occasion. He prayed for the well being of Muslims everywhere. The program started with the recitation of a few verses from the Holy Qur'an by Qari Imran. Anwar Ali Qasmi conducted the proceedings. Delivering the vote of thanks, Bahjat Najmi, Seoharwi Academy's senior official, expressed his gratitude for the cooperation of Abdul Sattar, Ashfaq Ahmad, Habib Maimani, Arif Maimani and Ahsan Iqbal in organizing the event.
