PETALING JAYA: The motivation in performing ibadah during Ramadan should be driven by the spirit of mujahadah (striving), says Anwar Ibrahim.
In a post on Facebook, the Prime Minister said the spirit of mujahadah does not only aspire towards eternal goals but also enhances self-discipline, wholehearted dedication in work and responsibility in daily tasks.
"All praise be to Allah, we express our utmost gratitude to Allah SWT for granting us the opportunity to once again meet the noble and long-awaited month of Ramadan.
"The obligation of fasting and all other acts of worship in Ramadan is not merely about fulfilling the conditions and pillars, but more profoundly about attaining the wisdom and objectives of the sacred rules," he said on Wednesday (Feb 18).
Anwar said the pinnacle of delight behind these acts of worship is the attainment of taqwa (God-consciousness), which must be realised through fasting as a process of tarbiyah (spiritual training) in character formation.
"It is rooted in the awareness of conscience and inner vigilance, awakened by the fear of Allah SWT," he added.
Starting on Thursday (Feb 19), Keeper of the Rulers' Seal Syed Danial Syed Ahmad announced that Muslims will begin the Ramadan dawn-to-dusk fast.
He said on Tuesday (Feb 18) that the date was set by the order of His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia and was consented to by the Rulers.
The sighting of the new moon for the commencement of Ramadan took place on Tuesday.
