Taqwa the Ultimate Aim of Fasting, 120 Converts Attend Pre-Ramadan 1447H Forum

ᵇʸ: ᴹᴼᴴᴰ. ˢʸᴬᴴᴿᴵᴸ ᴿᴼˢᴰᴵ ᴬᴴᴹᴬᴰ ᶻᴬᴴᵁᴰᴵ

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 15, 2026 – Taqwa, or God-consciousness, was underscored as the supreme objective of fasting as 120 converts gathered for the Pre-Ramadan 1447H Forum organised by the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM) at its Surau Jumaat here.

The forum marked a spiritually uplifting prelude to the holy month, drawing converts from diverse ethnic backgrounds including Chinese, Indian, Punjabi, Iban, Kadazan, Murut and Dusun communities, as well as participants from Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia and Taiwan. The multiracial presence reflected Islam’s universal message transcending race, culture and language.

Titled “Experiencing Ramadan in a Muslim’s Journey”, the forum was moderated by PERKIM National Dakwah Executive I, Ustaz Muhammad Jais Mariappan Abdullah.

The two panelists were PERKIM Deputy President, Ustaz Muhammad Fitri Abdullah and Medical Director KPJ Centre for Sight and Head of Ophthalmology Speciality KPJ Healthcare Berhad, Dr Norazlina Bachik Ng.

The event began with welcoming remarks by master of ceremonies Fatin Akmal Aksah, followed by a recitation of prayers led by Mohd Firdaus Pompeyos Abdullah.

Opening the forum, Ustaz Jais Mariappan called on attendees to express gratitude for being chosen by Allah SWT to sit in a gathering of knowledge.

“Not everyone is granted the opportunity to be in an environment that reminds us to prepare spiritually for Ramadan,” he said.

He stressed that fasting is not merely abstaining from food and drink, but a means to nurture taqwa as stated in Surah al-Baqarah, verse 183.

“The real question is not whether we are capable of fasting, but how we will emerge from Ramadan with stronger faith than before,” he added.

The forum was specifically designed to equip converts with holistic preparation with mentally, emotionally and physically, particularly those still living with non-Muslim family members.

Challenges such as concealing sahur, explaining changes in daily routines or responding to family inquiries are realities that must be handled with wisdom and patience.

Sharing his personal experience as a convert, Ustaz Fitri spoke candidly about the fear and uncertainty he felt during his first Ramadan.

He acknowledged that new Muslims often struggle with doubts, worrying whether they can endure the fast, whether their worship will be accepted by Allah, or how to cope with familial pressure.

However, he described Ramadan as a profound gift for believers. Citing a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), he said a single day of Ramadan fast deliberately missed without valid excuse cannot be replaced even by fasting for a lifetime, underscoring the immense value of the holy month.

He also recounted a narration about two companions who embraced Islam together, but the one who lived longer and experienced another Ramadan entered paradise first due to his additional deeds, including fasting.

“This illustrates how Ramadan offers an extraordinary opportunity that should never be squandered,” he said.

Addressing family relations, Ustaz Fitri noted that some converts have publicly declared their conversion while others continue to keep it private for safety and harmony.

“Islam does not demand that ties of kinship be severed. Compassion and respect must remain,” he said, adding that safeguarding personal safety and emotional stability aligns with the higher objectives (maqasid) of Islamic law.

He shared how he once stored food discreetly for sahur during his bachelor days and resisted the temptation to eat after the Subuh call to prayer.

“The essence of Islam is obedience to Allah even when no one else is watching,” he said, highlighting the concept of ihsan, excellence in worship with full awareness that Allah is ever watchful.

Dr Norazlina approached the discussion from both scientific and spiritual perspectives. “Embracing Islam does not mean changing one’s race, but transforming one’s beliefs and way of life. Islam is a way of life with its own manual,” she said.

She likened the human body to a vehicle that requires periodic servicing. The digestive system works almost continuously for 11 months, and Ramadan functions as a “system reset” that facilitates natural detoxification.

Among her practical advice were sleeping earlier, reducing caffeine intake, increasing water consumption and breaking fast moderately, beginning with dates and water, followed by fibre-rich foods before heavier meals.

“Ramadan is not a month for overindulgence,” she cautioned.

She explained that mild headaches, fatigue or slight weakness during the early days of fasting are part of the body’s adaptation process.

However, for those with chronic conditions such as diabetes or gastritis, consultation with a doctor is necessary to adjust medication dosage and timing.

“Islam does not prohibit healthcare. Health is a trust,” she said.

Ustaz Fitri reiterated that sincerity of intention (niyyah) is the foundation of all acts of worship.

“The intention to fast need not be lengthy in wording. A simple resolve in the heart for the sake of Allah suffices. Even waking up for sahur indicates intention,” he said.

He described Ramadan as a spiritual training ground to cultivate taqwa, a constant awareness that Allah observes every action.

“Knowledge must be accompanied by practice. Learning without action is futile, and action without knowledge can lead to error,” he added, encouraging attendance at religious talks, pre-iftar reminders and congregational prayers.

For those not yet fluent in Quranic recitation, listening to recitations and lectures is also nourishment for the soul, he said.

He reminded participants of a hadith warning that some who fast gain nothing but hunger and thirst, as fasting extends beyond abstaining from food to restraining the tongue, ears and limbs from sin.

Citing another narration about the “bankrupt” person in the hereafter, one who arrives with prayers and fasting but has wronged others, he said such a person’s rewards will be transferred to those wronged until depleted, eventually bearing others’ sins before being cast into Hell.

“This is the true bankruptcy,” he said, urging participants to seek forgiveness and reconcile outstanding debts or grievances during Ramadan.

Dr Norazlina emphasised empathy, particularly towards converts and the elderly, advising them to manage sleep, meals and hydration wisely.

“Fatigue and emotional fluctuations are part of adjustment, not signs of weak faith,” she said.

She added that worship is not confined to the prayer mat; daily life lived with sincere intention for Allah is also an act of worship.

“Ramadan is not a competition of who spends the longest hours in the mosque, but who is most sincere in their relationship with Allah,” she said.

The forum concluded with a lively question-and-answer session covering practical issues such as sahur, workplace fatigue and family dynamics.

PERKIM National Dakwah Executive, Ustaz Muhammad Farhan Tee Abdullah delivered welcoming remarks on behalf of PERKIM National Administration Director Dr Suariza @ Hidayah Muhammad, who was unable to attend due to prior commitments.

He encouraged participants to be grateful for the gift of guidance and announced various Ramadan programmes organised by PERKIM, including iftar gatherings, tarawih prayers, tadarus sessions, Nuzul al-Quran commemorations and Aidilfitri celebrations.

Ustaz Fitri later officiated the forum with the recitation of basmalah, reminding the audience that Muslims have been praying since the month of Rejab to be granted the opportunity to meet Ramadan.

“That opportunity is now close at hand and must be welcomed with joy and careful preparation,” he said.

Ustaz Farhan Tee also presented tokens of appreciation to the panelists.

Among the organising committee members present were Ustazah Siti Munirah Sayed Mohd Hamdan, Ustazah Siti Fatimah Ladda Abdullah, Azura Abdul Rahman, Umi Musfirah Abdul Ghani, Farah Irisha Hazlizam and Muhamad Fardly Johan.

 

New converts filled in their personal details during the registration session for the Pre-Ramadan Forum.

 

Converts of various nationalities completed their breakfast before attending the forum.

 

Fatin Akmal served as master of ceremonies prior to the start of the forum.

 

Ustaz Jais Mariappan, as moderator, together with panelists Ustaz Fitri (left) and Dr Norazlina (right), led the Pre-Ramadan Forum titled “Experiencing Ramadan in the Journey of a Convert” held at the PERKIM Surau Jumaat.

 

Ustaz Jais stressed that fasting is not merely abstaining from hunger and thirst, but aims to cultivate individuals of taqwa as stated in Surah al-Baqarah, verse 183.

 

Ustaz Fitri shared his personal experience as a convert who went through phases of fear and uncertainty during his first Ramadan.

 

He emphasised that Ramadan is a spiritual training ground to nurture taqwa, a continuous awareness that Allah observes every action.

 

Converts from various ethnic backgrounds and nationalities listened attentively to the forum.

 

In her presentation, Dr Norazlina said Ramadan functions as a “system rest” period that supports the body’s natural detoxification process.

 

She added that among the recommended early preparations is to break fast moderately, beginning with dates and water, followed by fibre-rich foods before heavier meals.

 

A Chinese convert posed a question regarding the issue of sahur.

 

Responding light-heartedly, Dr Norazlina explained that for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes or gastritis, consultation with a doctor is necessary to adjust medication dosage and timing.

 

An Indian convert asked Dr Norazlina about the consumption of caffeinated beverages during iftar or sahur.

 

Ustaz Farhan Tee delivered the welcoming address on behalf of the PERKIM National Administration Director.

 

Ustaz Fitri, as PERKIM Deputy President, officiated the Pre-Ramadan Forum with the recitation of the basmalah.

 

Ustaz Farhan Tee presented a token of appreciation to Ustaz Fitri as the forum’s first panelist.

 

Dr Norazlina, as the second panelist, received a token of appreciation from Ustaz Farhan Tee.

 

Ustaz Farhan Tee also presented a token of appreciation to Ustaz Jais Mariappan as the forum moderator.

 

New converts helped themselves to lunch served buffet-style.

 

The lunch menu featured dishes such as beef cooked in coconut milk (masak lemak daging), fried sardines, fried bitter gourd and an assortment of traditional raw vegetables (ulam-ulaman) for participants in attendance.