The Muslim community at San Quentin has expressed its thanks to Allahu Ta’ala, whose aid, guidance and grace were instrumental in making this year’s Ramadan a humble reality. Ramadan is the month of fasting, one of the five pillars of Al-Islam, and is obligatory for every Muslim.
Muslims not only abstain from food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk, but also from evil deeds and desires. Every act of worship performed during the month of Ramadan adds award. It is therefore the season of devotional rituals and self-restraint as well as goodwill and benevolence.
At San Quentin classes were given by the Muslim chaplain, Brother Hossain, during the evenings in Arabic learning and a collection of aHadith (the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), on the significance of charity in deeds, and good manners toward each other and toward all of humanity.
Muslims expressed their appreciation to the brothers who were especially helpful in the preparation of meals and the other accommodations for a peaceful experience. They thanked and acknowledged the work and help from the Muslim chaplain for the introduction of Sheik Nawáz, who is learned in the Qur’an, aHadith, Fiqh and Shariah. Sheik Nawáz, originally from Pakistan, visited from South Africa, where he has been living for several years.
He shared gifts of wisdom that were truly inspiring, relating the story of an 80-year-old woman that memorized the Holy Qur’an. He noted that her mind-set and/or belief at such an age was phenomenal.
