Today, Sheikh Abdel Monem spoke briefly after the Isha prayer reminding the worshippers like he usually does. He said that when it comes to going after God’s blessings on this earth, which involves working, trading and crafting in order to sustain one’s life and that of his family God asks to strive and move around. God uses the Arabic word SaAAa (Sa3a) to aim, to move around; to walk calmly.

However when it comes to going after God’s acceptance of us and pleasure with us, God asks us to be quick in the race for forgiveness from him, and for his humongous and bountiful Gardens prepared for the righteous (WasariAAoo ila maghfiratin min rabbikum wajannatin AAarduha alssamawatu waalardu oAAiddat lilmuttaqeena). The Arabic verb God chose in this context is “SariAAoo” which means run faster and faster. This is an indication that a race and competition is encouraged. This verb is stronger in action than the previous verb SaAAa. This is to emphasize that the acts and the race for God’s pleasure is far much more important than merely going for earthly pleasure.

So while we await the blessed month of Ramadan, may God extend our life so we can benefit from it, we need to move and run faster and faster after God’s pleasure by communicating with God more through prayer and studying the Quran; by giving charity and helping others (family, co-workers, school, students, neighboors etc)