Ramadan Moonsighting Information
Shahr Raman 2024/1445 AH Message
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Salmun alaykum!
O you who believe! Prescribed for you is fasting, just as it was prescribed for those who were before you, so that you may be God-conscious (2:183).
I would like to extend my tabrkt, tayyt,and best wishes for the arrival of the blessed month of Raman!
1. Based on reports the moon was sighted with the aid of binoculars therefore tomorrow, Monday March11th will be the first day of Shahr Raman in the Bay Area for followers of yatullh Khamenei and other marji that allow the moon to be sighted through optical aid.
2. The moon was not reported as having been seen with the naked eye and therefore Tuesday March 12th will be the first day of the month of Raman in the Bay Area for the followers of yatullh Sistani and other marji who require the moon to be sighted by the naked eye.
Note: The moon was sighted with an optical aid in the Los Angeles area, where the moon sighting conditions were such that a sighting there applies to the Bay Area.
It is recommended for all believers to start fasting tomorrow.
As the verse of the Noble Qurn mentions, we are embarking on a journey to gain and increase taqw, or God-consciousness,and inshAllh through the blessings of this month and our dedication and commitment, we will come out of this blessed month as muttaq n, pious and God-conscious.
Along with the pursuit of individual taqw, we should expand our efforts for societal taqw, as fulfilling our responsibilities to those who surround us are a defining factor of success in our journey toward taqw. One way we can do this is by knowing the rights of others upon us, fulfilling those rights, and developing strong bonds and connectionsboth those who are aligned with our mission and those who are seeking and searching for the truth.
Indeed Allah enjoins justice and kindness, and generosity towards relatives, and He forbids indecency, wrongdoing, and aggression. He advises you, so that you may take admonition.
As we embark on the blessed journey of the month of Raman, let us reflect deeply on the concept of justice, both within ourselves and within our communities. True peace and tranquility, sukn, can only be attained when justice permeates every aspect of our lives - from our interactions with our families to our dealings with society at large.
Without a foundation of community justice, family justice, justice in our words and actions, we risk building a facade of peace that is superficial and fleeting. It is only through justice that true peace can be achieved.
Adlah, justice, or putting everything in its right place as much as possible in this world, is integral to this endeavor. This concept of justice, encompassing fairness, equity, and righteousness, can only be fully realized by following the guidelines and ideology given to us by Islam. While true justice may only be realized in the hereafter, it is our responsibility to strive for justice in this world by aligning our priorities and responsibilities with divine guidance.
Injustice, on the other hand, brings about darkness in the soul and darkness in the society. Prophet Muammad () said, Avoid in justice! For Injustice is indeed darkness layered upon darkness.
One of the key dus we recite after every prayer during this month gives usthe golden principles to renew our journey of justice.
O Allah, (please do) give pleasure to theinhabitants of graves (i.e. the dead).
O Allah, (please do) enrich all the poor.
O Allah, (please do) satisfy all hungry ones.
O Allah, (please do) provide all theunclothed with clothes.
O Allah, (please do) help all the debtorssettle their debts.
O Allah, (please do) relieve all theaggrieved ones.
O Allah, (please do) help all the strangersto return home.
O Allah, (please do) release all prisoners.
O Allah, (please do) rectify all theMuslims affairs that are wrong.
O Allah, (please do) heal all the ailed ones.
O Allah, (please do) fill our poverty withYour richness.
O Allah, (please do) change our ill statethrough Your excellent state.
O Allah, (please do) help us settle ourdebts and save us from poverty.
Verily, You have power over all things.
This du instillswithin us a mindset of communal justice, reminding us to consider the needs ofothers as we seek closeness to Allah. The culmination of this du imploresAllah to free us from all forms of neediness, encompassing not only materialwealth but also spiritual and emotional fulfillment.
As we celebrate the birth anniversary of Imm asan (a),commemorate the Night of Qadr, and celebrate Eid, let us remember the profound lessons of justice they impart. Eid, in particular, serves as a touchpoint for individual and communal justice, Zaktul Fir being a simple example of this. By resolving conflicts and nurturing contentment with in our hearts, we can truly embrace the spirit of Eid and find deeper meaning in our celebrations.
Therefore, let the theme of Shahr Raman this year is be peace and justice. Let us approach this month with hope, conviction, and remembrance of Allah, recognizing that truepeace and tranquility can only be attained through the establishment of justice in our hearts, homes, and communities.
I urge all of you to partake in the reward of this great month by volunteering, helping, donating, sponsoring ifr in your homes and centers and giving from the talents and resources you have.
While fasting and remaining mindful of justice within our families and communities, this year, unfortunately, we are witnessing unprecedented global injustice. Our hearts and minds are with our brothers and sisters in Palestine and Gaza. May Allah bring justice to those oppressed by the Zionist regime. Those hypocritically claiming to advocate for justice and human rights have miserably failed, revealing their true faces and losing credibility. Even in Western countries, many are disillusioned and taking to the streets in protest.
Please pray for the arrival of the Imm (aj) so that he may remove all oppression and establish justice on this earth.
We pray to Allah that we exit the month of Shabn in the way the Noble Prophet () and Ahlul Bayt (a) exited it, and enter Shahr Raman the way they entered it. May Allah give barakah to our zakh and enhance our connection with the community, and barakah to our alh and enhance our connection to our Creator during this blessed month of Raman.
With Dus,
Nabi R. Mir (Abidi)
Note: If you need to pay fidyah for a fast you could not make up from last Shahr Raman, the price is $6 for each missed day of fasting.