By: Kemo Kanyi
Baba F. Trawally, the Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamat in The Gambia, has urged Muslims worldwide to maintain the good morals cultivated during the Holy month of Ramadan to achieve higher spiritual standards, thereby drawing closer to Allah.
In his Koriteh sermon, Amir Trawally emphasized that Ramadan is a sacred month, the sanctity of which is highlighted in the Holy Quran. He referenced a verse from Surah Al-Baqarah (2:184), where Allah says: “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous.”
“Muslims around the world fast during this blessed month to improve their worship, seek nearness to Allah, and strive for His mercy, forgiveness, and salvation,” Amir Trawally explained, quoting another Quranic verse (2:187): “And when My Servants ask thee about Me, say: I am near. I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he prays to Me. So they should hearken to Me and believe in Me, that they may follow the right way.”
The Amir reminded Muslims that Ramadan serves as a reminder of the true purpose of creation: to worship Allah.
He urged that the good moral qualities and spiritual efforts made during Ramadan should not end with the month.
“The noble acts of worship, such as offering our five daily Salat on time, attending the mosques, waking up for Tahajjud and Nawafil prayers, reciting the Holy Quran—these are acts we must continue throughout the year, not just during Ramadan,” he said.
He advised that the mosques should not be abandoned once Ramadan ends, and that the Quran should not be left to gather dust.
“We should not stop waking up for Tahajjud or offering our obligatory Salat. Let us continue our worship and devotion,” he emphasized.
Amir Trawally also highlighted the importance of charity during Ramadan, pointing out that Muslims use the month to care for the poor, needy, and orphans.
“We provide for their needs, ensuring they share in the blessings of Ramadan with the hope of earning rewards from Allah Almighty. But we must remember to continue helping those in need even after Ramadan,” he said.
He drew inspiration from the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), noting that while he increased his worship and charity during Ramadan, he never stopped offering help to the needy or seeking closeness to Allah after the month.
“As Muslims, the example of the Prophet (saw) is what we must follow, as Allah Almighty says in the Quran: ‘Verily, you have in the Prophet of Allah an excellent model, for him who fears Allah and the Last Day and who remembers Allah much.”
The Amir concluded by further urging Muslims to nurture the moral and spiritual lessons learned during Ramadan throughout the year. He reminded the congregation that witnessing the next Ramadan is not guaranteed for anyone, “as some people, who were with us last year, are no longer present”.
“Let us strive for the highest moral and spiritual state that draws Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and nearness. May Allah make it easy for us all and grant us many more Ramadan,” he prayed.
