Hawzah News Agency- In remarks marking the significance of Ramadan, Hojatoleslam Shabbir Hassan Maisami, Secretary General of the Shia Ulema Council of Pakistan, stated that the essence of fasting lies in controlling one’s inner desires and safeguarding all faculties from disobedience to God.
“Ramadan is not merely a month of hunger and thirst,” he said. “It is a month in which the eyes, ears, tongue, and conduct of a believer must also fast. True fasting manifests itself in restraining the ego and protecting one’s limbs and senses from sin.”
Worship with Awareness and Humility
Maisami stressed that the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) present worship as more than the mechanical performance of obligatory acts. He said acts of devotion must be accompanied by sincerity, humility, and conscious awareness.
“Real fasting means guarding one’s gaze, speech, and actions from moral lapses,” he noted, adding that Ramadan provides a vital opportunity for spiritual elevation and ethical self-purification.
Emphasis on Supplication and Remembrance
The senior Pakistani scholar described supplication (dua), seeking forgiveness (istighfar), gratitude, and invoking blessings upon Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) as among the most important practices of the sacred month.
He encouraged believers to regularly recite well-known transmitted supplications such as Dua Abu Hamza al-Thumali and Dua al-Iftitah, describing them as powerful means of deepening one’s spiritual connection with God and cultivating inner transformation.
According to Maisami, consistent engagement with the Qur’an and devotional prayers fortifies believers against moral decline and strengthens their resilience in the face of contemporary challenges.
Palestine and the Question of Resistance
Turning to regional developments, Maisami said that the world is witnessing so-called peace initiatives that overlook the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people. He warned that ignoring Palestinian rights or remaining silent in the face of injustice amounts to complicity with oppression.
Referring to ongoing tensions and diplomatic developments involving the Islamic Republic of Iran, he stated that Iran’s resistance in the face of sanctions and pressure reflects steadfastness against excessive demands.
He characterized the confrontation not merely as a geopolitical dispute, but as an ideological and value-based struggle centered on justice, sovereignty, and resistance to domination.
Call for Unity and National Solidarity
In conclusion, Maisami called on believers to uphold piety, make proper use of Ramadan’s spiritual opportunities, and maintain continuous engagement with the Holy Qur’an and supplication.
He also urged active participation in religious and social spheres, praying for lasting peace, sustainable security, and the eradication of terrorism in Pakistan. Stressing the importance of unity, he underscored the need for national and religious solidarity in pursuit of stability and justice.
“Ramadan is a school of self-discipline and collective responsibility,” he said. “If its lessons are internalized, they can transform not only individuals, but entire societies.”
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