Ramadan Lecture Series 1445 A.H.

Presented by Al-Sayyid Abdul Malik Badruddin Al-Houthi

Lecture Twenty-Five

Tuesday, 30 Ramadan 1445 A.H. (9 April 2024 A.D.)

The Conclusion
Eid Greetings and the Way Forward after Ramadan!

I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the outcast.

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Praise is to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. I believe that there is no god but Allah, the Sovereign and the Manifest Truth, and that Muhammad, our master, is His servant, Messenger, and Last Prophet.

O Allah! Confer Your salat and blessings upon Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad as You conferred Your salat and blessings upon Ibrahim and the Family of Ibrahim. You are Owner of Praise, Owner of Glory! And be pleased with Muhammad's good companions and all Your righteous servants and mujahidin.

O Allah! Guide us and grant us acceptance, for You are the Hearing, the Knowing; accept our repentance, for You are the Relenting and the Merciful.

Brothers and sisters, peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.

At the close of the blessed month of Ramadan and with the advent of Eid Al-Fitr, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to our dear Yemeni Muslim people, to their dear mujahidin stationed on all fronts, and to all members of the armed forces and security services.

We also extend our congratulations and best wishes to the entire Islamic Ummah, especially to the Palestinian people and their dear mujahidin in the Gaza Strip, who have combined the virtue of fasting and righteous deeds during the month of Ramadan and the virtue of striving in the cause of Allah (the Almighty) as they face the enemies of Allah and humanity in a sacred battle and in the noblest field.

Additionally, we send our congratulations and best wishes to the dear Palestinian people who stand firm in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Quds, the West Bank, and throughout all parts of Palestine.

Eid is not a celebration for being relieved of fasting and the month of Ramadan, nor is it merely such joy centred around eating, drinking, and other such activities. Rather, it holds a significant meaning in Islam. Otherwise, how can there be true joy amid the suffering, pain, and sorrow of the Islamic Ummah, given, first and foremost, the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza and throughout Palestine, as well as the distressing conditions faced by all Islamic countries? Eid is a celebration of divine grace for successfully fasting the blessed month of Ramadan (which is a great pillar of Islam), for successfully performing good deeds and acts of charity and kindness during this blessed month of Ramadan, and for being granted by Allah a tremendous opportunity for spiritual purification and the cultivation of piety. It is also a celebration of the spiritual growth that Ramadan offers, along with the abundant blessings that Allah grants His servants during this holy month, such as the acceptance of supplication and the chance to strive for salvation from the Fire. Eid, therefore, is an occasion for expressing gratitude to Allah (the Almighty), accompanied by glorifying and exalting Him for that.

This is why the concluding verses about the obligation of fasting (the fasting of the month of Ramadan) state, {'And so that you may glorify Allah for what He has guided you to, and perhaps you will be grateful'}. And the act of glorifying Allah (Glory be to Him) is prescribed in the Eid prayer more than in other prayers, as the blessing of guidance is the greatest of all blessings. Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed, and one of the key aspects of this holy month is the increased engagement with the recitation of the Holy Quran compared to other months, which plays a vital role in acquiring guidance, awareness, insight, and purity, along with all the important and blessed effects that come from approaching the Holy Quran and contemplating its verses.

Therefore, with regard to Eid,

• it is important to pay attention to the Eid prayer and to engage more in mentioning Allah, the Almighty. Great caution must be exercised to avoid transgressions on the day of Eid, such as indulging in desires to the extent of committing sins or following one's whims and desires to the point of falling into wrongdoing—may Allah protect us from that—which can immediately nullify the rewards he has earned during the blessed month of Ramadan. The day of Eid should be a day dedicated to remembering Allah, the Almighty. Even the celebratory atmosphere should be guided by ethical principles.
• it should also be an occasion to strengthen bonds of brotherhood and love among Muslims, ties of kinship, and other Islamic values.
•  attention must be given to paying Al-Fitra, which is obligatory and prescribed to support the poor on the day of Eid so that they are not left to suffer from hunger on this special day.

Striving to continue the spirit of the holy month by reinforcing piety

One should also seek to make the period after Ramadan an extension of the blessed month itself. This is a very important matter, as one should not see the end of Ramadan as a complete break, separating his journey in life from the spiritual atmosphere of the holy month. It is crucial that a person does not mentally detach from the state he was in during the month of Ramadan—when he was striving for increased faith, insight, piety, and righteousness. This is a very important matter.

Being mindful of this is of great importance: After Ramadan, a person should strive to continue the progress made during the blessed month of Ramadan. This requires seeking Allah's help and making heartfelt supplications. This is a very important matter, as one should keep striving to strengthen the state of piety and uprightness and pursuing all that can help him purify his soul and keep growing in his faith in Allah, the Almighty.

The blessed month of Ramadan is a season of goodness and blessings, and it is the springtime of the Quran. The blessing of success and the great reward granted by Allah (the Almighty) for a person in this month—through fasting, nighty prayers, and the benefits he can gain at the spiritual level and in terms of faith, awareness, and insight—are reserved for those whose fasting, night prayers, and good deeds have been accepted by Allah. Signs of the acceptance of fasting and good deeds during Ramadan can be perceived through the positive spiritual impact a person feels within himself, which then reflects in his daily life and actions. It is not like in the past, during the times of certain prophets or at the dawn of humanity, when clear signs indicated whether a person's deeds were accepted—such as a fire consuming a sacrifice or a lightning strike. Instead, what reveals to a person and serves as glad tidings of the acceptance of their fasting and deeds is the positive spiritual impact he experiences internally and reflects on his actions and everyday life—he feels a greater closeness to Allah, sensing a wholesome effect within his soul, conscience, and feelings.

The great gain of Ramadan is for those who have benefited from its spiritual gift and tangible impact on self-purification, received the manifold rewards it bestows, and seized the opportunity it provides for answering their prayers and delivering them from the Fire. It narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&F) said that the rewards are distributed after the Eid prayer. In other words, what is written for a person in relation to the blessed month of Ramadan is determined and fulfilled after the Eid prayer, and this significant reward is the salvation from the Fire and the acceptance of both fasting and good deeds.

This era is filled with dangerous events, significant responsibilities, and so many negative influences that can lead people astray from the path of righteousness and uprightness and down the slippery slope of sin. Therefore, a person now more than ever needs to:

• establish a conscious faith, whose fruit is piety;
• strengthen his spiritual relationship with Allah (Glory be to Him), cultivating fear of Him, hope in Him, and love for Him; and
• devote greater care than ever before to the purification of the soul, given how serious and significant this era is.

What should be continued and preserved after Ramadan?

The activities and practices that people focused on during the blessed month of Ramadan, as part of their schedules and deeds, are highly important. Most of these should be preserved and continued after Ramadan, even if the level of attention might not remain as high.

Giving attention to prayer, reviving mosques, and invoking Allah

Foremost among these activities is paying attention to prayer and reviving mosques. During the month of Ramadan, many people usually give more attention to observing the obligatory prayers and reviving mosques. This is a very important matter, as one should ensure that his care for prayer extends beyond Ramadan, serving as a continuation of the month’s spirit.

It is essential to reinforce the importance of prayer, particularly the obligatory prayers, given the fact that they are at the forefront of religious duties and that they represent a significant pillar of Islam and have a great spiritual impact in purifying the soul: {'Indeed, prayer restrains from indecency and wrongdoing'}. Therefore, one should strive to maintain the obligatory prayers and not neglect them. Many people particularly neglect the Fajr prayer, sleeping until its time is over. This is a serious issue, and if a person makes this a habit, he is, in effect, showing a lack of respect for prayer, choosing personal comfort and extra sleep over one of Islam’s essential pillars and most significant obligations. This is a grave sin, a heavy burden, and a departure from true piety. This also has harmful effects on a person's soul, severe repercussions on his relationship with Allah, and grave impacts on his life and deeds. One must be wary of neglecting prayer. If someone sleeps through the Fajr prayer because he stays up late—as many people do so without any real necessity—he can adjust his habits and schedule and sleep earlier. This will enable him to rise and perform this important obligation.

Similarly, one should pay attention to supplication, especially after the ritual prayers and at important times, such as during the last third of the night and before the Fajr prayer. Indeed, caring for and maintaining supplication is very important, as stated in the noble hadith, 'Supplication is the essence of worship.' It holds great significance and has a profound impact on the person's faith-based relationship with Allah (the Almighty) and on the person's life.

It is also important to keep up with the practice of remembering Allah (Glory be to Him): He (the Almighty) says, {'O believers! Always remember Allah often, and glorify Him morning and evening. He is the One Who sends blessings upon you, as do His angels, so that He may bring you out of darkness into light. For He is ever Merciful to the believers. Their greeting on the day they meet Him will be, “Peace!” And He has prepared for them an honourable reward'}.

Exercising remembrance of Allah frequently holds great importance. It ensures that a person remembers Allah not only with his tongue but also deeply in his heart. This practice benefits a person in many ways:

• It helps a person to grow in faith.
• It helps maintain adherence to the path of Allah, the Almighty.
• It shields a person from the influence of Satan’s whispers.
• It brings a sense of tranquillity, calmness, and reassurance to the heart.

There are very important results and blessings that one can get by frequently remembering Allah (Glory be to Him) through acts such as seeking forgiveness and glorifying Allah. One can dedicate certain times for the practice of divine remembrance: For example, at specific times, he could dedicate himself to reciting certain athkar, to glorifying Allah, to seeking forgiveness, and to invoking and praising Allah. These practices can be spread out over the day in an organised way, so they do not become burdensome, allowing one to become accustomed to such practices. A person can grow so used to this that it becomes a source of comfort. This way, he might even feel distress, sadness, and dissatisfaction if he misses any part of it, striving to make up for it. As the saying goes, 'Goodness is but a habit.'

Also, when it comes to athkar, this is extremely important. If there were no other encouragement for this practice, these words of Allah alone should suffice: {'So remember Me, and I will remember you'}. This practice is also vital for a person’s spiritual well-being. When someone neglects remembering Allah for extended periods, this can have a negative impact on him, harden his heart, make him experience anxiety, tension, and an increased sense of unease. As a result, his psychological state turns negative.

Giving attention to the Holy Quran, charity, generosity, and acts of kindness

One should also give attention to reciting the Holy Quran. The end of Ramadan should not mean bidding farewell to the Quran, as some people do. For instance, some individuals, once Ramadan ends and Eid arrives, abandon the Quran until the next Ramadan or rarely recite it. This is a significant form of neglect and abandonment of the Book of Allah.

A person should strive to maintain a close relationship with the Holy Quran and use Ramadan as an opportunity to strengthen and deepen this connection. After Ramadan, he should continue reciting the Holy Quran daily, even if just a small portion. This daily recitation of the Quran is important, reading whatever is feasible from the Quran.

A connection with the Holy Quran is, in essence, a connection with Allah (the Almighty), for the Quran is His guidance, His light, and His words. A person needs to return to the Holy Quran daily and recite it to reflect, grow in awareness, to gain insight, light, and understanding, to deepen his knowledge of Islam, and to benefit from its profound psychological and spiritual effect in purifying his soul. This is why Allah (the Almighty) says, {'Verily, those who recite the book of Allah and perform Salat and spend out of what We have provided for them secretly and openly, hope for a trade that will never fail. He will reward them in full and increase them out of His grace. He is truly Forgiving, Appreciative'}. In this, there is immense goodness and benefit for a person.

It is also important to continue to pay attention to acts of kindness, generosity, and spending in charity, according to one’s circumstances. This is something that should be maintained consistently. Allah says, {'who … spend out of what We have provided for them'}.

This carries great significance:

• It purifies the soul.
• It strengthens faith.
• It earns the pleasure of Allah, the Almighty.
• It brings rewards.
• It qualifies a person for what Allah grants in return—blessings in his provision, the well-being of his life, and an abundance of His bounties.

Therefore, it brings a profound and positive impact on a person’s soul, life, and conditions. The same applies to other acts of goodness, kindness, and charity, as well as striving to help those in need and to meet their requirements and offering any service within one’s means with genuine goodwill towards others. {'And whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will find it with Allah far better and more rewarding'}.

Being mindful of Allah regarding major responsibilities and striving in His way!

It is also important to be mindful of Allah regarding major responsibilities—those important responsibilities that lie at the core of our religion and among our fundamental faith commitments, such as caring for the affairs of Muslims. This is something that should be ongoing, something a person should consistently persist in due to its great importance. These responsibilities encompass caring for the affairs of Muslims, striving in the way of Allah, and engaging in all forms of jihad for His cause that one can participate in according to the responsibilities assigned to him. Furthermore, they include cooperating in righteousness and piety, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong. Within this framework, the issue of Palestine holds a central position.

It is truly a blessing from Allah, which we praise and thank Him for, that He has granted our people the honour of contributing to the support of the Palestinian people, bearing the banner of jihad, and actively striving in His cause to support the Palestinian people. Our people are currently engaged in an actual battle against the enemies of Allah and humanity. We are indeed in a state of war and jihad against the Israeli enemy, as well as America and Britain, which have attacked our country as part of their effort to support the Israeli enemy, to shield its crimes in the Gaza Strip, and to enforce a blockade on the Palestinian people and prevent food and medicine from reaching Gaza.

This position we adopted—whether through military participation, involvement in various activities, such as mobilisation, demonstrations, and the weekly million-person turnout—is truly remarkable. It is a tremendous blessing and a great divine favour, especially when compared to the state of passivity shown by most Muslim countries that failed to take any noticeable stand. Some of them barely make any noticeable effort. Our position is indeed a tremendous blessing; therefore, one must be diligent in continuing what he does in this context, realising that it is an immense blessing upon him: {'This is the favour of Allah. He grants it to whoever He wills. And Allah is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing'}. This is also a very great honour and a magnificent deed—a means of drawing closer to Allah, the Almighty. Thus, one should make every effort to keep moving forward and beware of laziness.

For example, participating in the weekly demonstrations is an accessible and significant act because it goes hand in hand with other activities. Moreover, it is not so exhausting that one might justify skipping it or being lazy about it. People go out for very simple reasons—perhaps just stepping out to fetch an onion, pick up the simplest of items, or even take a short trip to secure something ordinary, or simply for a stroll or something similar. If this is so, how about when that outing is for the sake of Allah (Glory be to Him) and an act that brings one closer to Him, the Almighty? Therefore, the activities should continue as planned, coordinated, and announced.

Another remarkable Ramadan initiative was the second conference titled 'Palestine: The Central Issue of the Ummah,' which was held in Sana'a. The event enjoyed participation from various countries—even from several different continents. This conference was an outstanding official and academic contribution and presented studies, research papers, and speeches. We extend our gratitude to those who organised this conference, as it represented excellent participation and a good contribution to supporting the Palestinian cause, offering insightful studies, perspectives, and research.

It is also important to continue with mobilisation activities. The mobilisation effort is one of the most important avenues concerning the Palestinian cause and the confrontation with America and Britain. Some of its activities were halted during the month of Ramadan due to the circumstances of this month. Therefore, these activities should resume on a larger scale after Ramadan, Allah willing.

The agricultural sector and the need for attention to it: Key recommendations!

It is also important to take care of agriculture as we are approaching the agricultural season. Paying attention to agriculture is a very important matter. Regarding agriculture, there are several points which we will summarise and briefly touch upon:

• Efforts should be made to reclaim more land, cultivate it, and benefit from the rainy season.
• In addition, initiatives should also be taken to create more barriers and dams. There are ongoing efforts in this area that are of immense importance. It is crucial to maintain continuity and foster collaboration. Some of our brothers have remarkable experiences in this field that we can benefit from. Furthermore, it is important to contribute to this and collaborate on it, taking advantage of the rainy season.
• It is also important to activate the associations that have been established. Several associations have been founded, but they need to be activated. Also, the obstacles to their activities need to be addressed, and they should be activated in various tasks that benefit society socially and economically.
• The same applies to social initiatives related to agriculture and dams. Social initiatives should focus on road repairs, creating barriers, reclaiming land, providing suitable seeds, and offering ploughing services at minimal cost. There are very important experiences in this domain. The official sector should collaborate in activating associations and contribute to that. Specifically, district managers and governors in the governorates should give attention to this aspect.

• For farmers as well, we emphasise the need to refrain from purchasing solar energy units through usurious methods. Usurious practices are very dangerous. Some individuals engage in usurious sales, and some farmers buy from them. The official sector should prevent such practices. If it knows of someone selling using usury, they should be prohibited from doing so. Farmers, for their part, should be careful when making purchases.
• It is also important to pay attention to giving zakat. Farmers should recognise that one of the most significant ways to bring about blessings and goodness is through the giving of zakat. At the same time, it is a great and important obligation, and neglecting such an obligation is a grave sin.
• It is essential for factories in both the private and public sectors to receive and accommodate local agricultural crops and fruits and to work on transforming these into locally manufactured goods. Traders, for their part, should focus on purchasing and distributing local products instead of relying on imported goods.

Another important aspect to focus on after Ramadan is the upcoming summer courses. These courses are very significant and beneficial for nurturing the younger generation: in their upbringing, education, personal development, acquiring useful skills, gaining knowledge, raising their awareness and insight, and protecting them from misguidance, falsehood, and negative influences.

The last thing we emphasise in this regard is the importance of being cautious of the steps of Satan, the pitfalls of what is forbidden, bad companions, and misleading and corrupt media outlets—some media outlets focus on misleading people, while others focus on spreading corruption among people. These are among the most dangerous factors that distance a person from piety and lead him astray from being mindful of Allah (Glory be to Him). Allah says in the Holy Quran, {'O you who have believed, do not follow the footsteps of Satan. And whoever follows the footsteps of Satan, then he enjoins immorality and wrongdoing'}. This is because the tactic of Satan is to lure a person step by step. Therefore, a person should be cautious in the face of desires, temptations, moments of anger, emotional outbursts, fears, and other similar influences. Additionally, he should always be keen to seek refuge in Allah (Glory be to Him) for success, guidance, support, steadfastness, and insight.

We ask Allah (Glory be to Him) to accept our fasting, night prayers, and good deeds, and to hasten relief and victory for the oppressed Palestinian people, the patient and steadfast, and their dear mujahidin.

O Allah! Have mercy on our virtuous martyrs, heal the wounded among us, set free our captives, and grant us victory. You are the Hearer of Prayer!

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.