EsinIslam
Ramadan
Ramadan Explorer
By: Muhammad Al-Shareef
Imagine that you are on the beach. You are four years old. The camp leader has
told you that you have five minutes to build a great castle.
"Quickly," your three year old Ameer tells you, "the sand here is too soft.
Run closer to the water and get better sand!"
Off you run and grab, with your tiny hands, as much sand as you can hold. But,
as you run back, plop, plop, plop, you feel the sand slipping through your
fingers. You can do nothing about it. In your haste, all the sand has slipped
away. Bang. The competition is over. This is the analogy of our lives. This is
the analogy of our time in Ramadan.
For many living in Western countries, Ramadan is passed daily with 9 to 5 jobs
or school - nights where we may or may not go for Taraweeh. A peak at the TV
(may Allah protect us) and the night is over. Back to work where all around us
people are eating and drinking from crystal water fountains. Blink. Ramadan is
over.
The question of the hour is: how do we take full advantage of this gift of
Allah? This is our topic, before the sands of Ramadan slip away.
How many years have we been fasting Ramadan? 10 or 15 or 40 years? Are we 10
or 15 or 40 times better? Or, does it seem like we have arrived back at the
drawing board every time Ramadan comes around? All acts of worship are for our
own benefit! Don't do it and harm befalls you, which is the way life was
programmed.
Ramadan is no small matter. It is one of the pillars of this Deen of Islam -
without it one's Islam would not be complete. In this month, Rasul Allah - sal
Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - would intensify his worship of Allah ta'ala. In
doing so, he laid the foundation for his Ummah after him to emulate.
Ibn AlQayyim - rahimahullaah - wrote: "From his blessed guidance - sal Allaahu
alayhi wa sallam - in Ramadan is that he used to intensify and diversify his
actions of worship. So, for example, Jibreel used to rehearse the Qur'an with
him during the nights of Ramadan. When Jibreel would visit him, he would
intensify the amount of Sadaqah that he would give. He was the most generous
out of all people - sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - and Ramadan was the time
when he was most generous. In Ramadan, he would fill his time with Sadaqah,
treating people kindly, reciting Qur'an, performing Salah, remembering Allah,
and performing I'tikaaf." - from the book 'Zaad AlMa'aad'
Observers described the way Allah's Messenger- sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam -
gave like Ar-Reeh AlMursalah, like the blessed wind. Why? The blessed wind, as
they knew it, was a wind that brought coolness to everyone - no one was denied
its blessing. The blessed wind, additionally, was not lazy in bringing its
goodness to the people. It would come swiftly to all. This is how Rasul Allah
- sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - was described, and this is how our service to
humanity should be: swift and encompassing. Bi idhnillah.
Below are ten ideas to and help make the most of Ramadan - before it slips
through our hands.
Idea one: Compound Your Siyaam!
If you told
your financial broker that you just want to keep money in the bank and save
it, he would say, "You are wrong." "Invest it in the stock market. That way
your money will be compounded - you will earn multiple times what you put in."
So now I ask the question: Wouldn't you love to get two times the reward of
fasting Ramadan? How?
Zayd ibn Khaalid AlJuhanee narrates that the Prophet - sal Allaahu alayhi wa
sallam - said, "Whoever gives a fasting person (food) to break his or her
fast, he (the one feeding) will get the reward equivalent to the (fasting
persons) reward - without diminishing anything from the reward of the (fasting
person)."
How do we do this? Ask any Muslim relief agency if they have a feed a fasting
person program. Subhan Allah, you may find that it only costs $1 to feed a
person! So, for $30 you could come out of Ramadan having doubled your reward.
And, we should not forget the needy in our city. We think that in a 'modern'
western country or city there are no needy people. That is not true. There are
many needy families that are waiting to be discovered. Ask around and you will
find a gold mine of people to help, in your own backyard.
I speak about Washington, DC. If one was to have a food drive, all the food
could go to needy Muslim families in DC and still not be enough! I've seen
this with my own eyes. How blessed it would be to get the youth that just hang
out in the back of the Masjid during Taraweeh to take on this task. Organize
the collection of the food and distribute it. It can happen! It just takes a
leader with vision to set this up for the youth and all the good people who
want to make a difference.
Idea two: Operation Guide the Youth
Often in
Ramadan, there are khaatirahs, words of wisdom, halaqahs and reminders, all
geared to the adults praying Taraweeh. The youth, it seems, are being
disrespectful by talking in the back of the masjid.
"Shhhhhsh!" someone shouts at them. "Listen or go outside (and we prefer if
you just go outside)!" So, quietly they sneak out of the Masjid and chat and
chill all Ramadan. How Eman boosting is that? Remember, Allah commands that
you protect your wife and children also.
Try this: Just like there are things for the adults, we could have Ramadan
activities and reminders geared specifically for the youth. And, it need not
be 'in' the Masjid. Let's say the youth like to chat and chill outside in the
parking lot. Why not organize the activity there? Yes, on the basketball court
or in the parking lot. Have a 5-minute Khatirah, play games with them, and
give them some noble projects to complete in Ramadan.
Again, making a difference like this needs a leader with vision, one who
recognizes that the youth are his or her responsibility. I pray that person is
you!
Idea Three: Turnoff TV Month
Every parent knows
that when they want their child to do well in their studies they tell them,
"no TV." If this is for Dunya, then how about someone who wants to excel in
Ramadan?
"Fasting and the Qur'an will come and testify on behalf of the 'Abd on the Day
of Resurrection. The Fasting will say: O my lord, I denied him food and
desires, so allow me to be a means for him to enter paradise. And the Qu'ran
will say: O my Lord, I denied him sleep at night so allow me to be a means for
him to enter Paradise. And (he will be entered into paradise) because of those
two." - Musnad Ahmad
Try this: Announce in your household that Ramadan is the official turnoff TV
month. Be an example for others and do fun and rewarding things instead. Visit
people, take on a Ramadan feeding project, increase yourself in knowledge,
etc. Turn off the TV and turn on life.
Idea Four: Dua' Time
Ramadan is the month of
making dua' to Allah, an essential compliment to fasting. Rasul Allah - sal
Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - said, "There are three persons dua' that will be
accepted (by Allah). The fasting person, the oppressed one, and the traveler."
Try this: Make a list of all your goals in life. Make a section for your a)
personal goals; b) spiritual goals; c) economic goals; and d) contribution
goals. Every day during Ramadan, take out your list and make dua' to Allah to
grant you the tawfeeq to accomplish your goals. Insha Allah, you will attain
your goals with hard work, both during and after Ramadan.
Idea Five: Parent Appreciation Month
We all
know that the one who wakes us up for Suhoor is our mom. I know it was for me.
If not for her alarm clock, her early morning cooking, her motherly love to go
and wake everyone up . well, let's just say our iftars would have become our
suhoors. If you are living away from your parents, you know what I'm talking
about.
Remember the hadith of the person who doesn't reach Ramadan with forgiveness?
The end part of the Hadith says they found their parents in old age and they
were not a means for him to enter Jannah!
So, why not announce it loud and clear this month, "Thank you Mom! Thank you
Dad!" Let's take care of them this month with extra calls, extra hugs, and
extra love.
Idea Six: Masjid Power Hour
During Ramadan, why
not spend a few more moments in the Masjid before taking off. This could be
done after Fajr or after Asr. Sit back, grab a Qur'an and remember Allah. As
your time in the Masjid increases, bi idhnillaah, your love and heart
attachment will increase. Make this your personal Masjid power hour.
Idea Seven: Bad Habit Buster
Many people
already do this. They may have a smoking problem or a TV addiction. When
Ramadan comes around they say, "I'm going to train myself to stop smoking or
to stop watching excessive TV by abandoning it throughout Ramadan."
So, you don't have a smoking problem huh? Everyone has a bad habit and
everyone has a recurring sin they pray they could desist from. Make Ramadan
the training month by telling yourself to go without this sin for the entire
month. Then, if Allah grants one Tawfeeq to complete the month, one should
continue to pray to Allah to keep them away from the sin after Ramadan.
Idea Eight: The Gift Groove
Have you ever
noticed how beloved a bottle of perfume is when it is handed out by a little
four year old Muslim? Everyone loves a gift.
Why not take this a step forward? Go to your local Islamic bookstore and
request a bulk purchase of some beneficial Islamic materials, something in the
$1 range. Then, hand it out to everyone that comes to your masjid. Bi
idhnillaah, you will find for the little effort one may put, people all
throughout Ramadan will be learning from the gift.
Idea Nine: Ramadan Muslims, Convert!
It is true
that on the first day of Ramadan, the number of Muslims in the local Masjid
multiplies considerably. And, it is a sad moment on the first day after
Ramadan that the Masjid attendance drops significantly. This idea is Operation
No More Ramadan Muslims. We want people all year long!
Ibn Abbas I'tikaaf: A man came to Ibn Abbas while he was doing I'tikaaf in the
masjid and asked him for his assistance. So, Ibn Abbas stood to leave and
people around him warned him, 'but you are in I'tikaaf'. He replied, "To
assist my brother in fulfilling his need is more beloved to me than to perform
I'tikaaf for 2 months in the Masjid of Rasul Allah - sal Allahu 'alayhi wa
sallam."
Try this: Make a 'compassion crew' that reaches out specifically to Ramadan
Muslims. Extra special attention is showered on them and roles of
responsibility are delegated to them so that they can participate more in the
Masjid. Invite them to special Iftars where they are the center of attention.
With this extra attention and responsibility, bi idhnillaah, every month will
be Ramadan for them and the masjids will be full all year.
Idea Ten: Home Halaqah
Muslim families often
keep their worship for the Masjid, but why not make Muslim family time at
home. It could work like this: After Taraweeh or Asr, the family gathers
together for 15 minutes. There are many things you could do in your Halaqah,
the main thing is that you set time aside for it.
For example, each family member may recite a few verses of Qur'an. Or, one of
the kids can read a story of the Sahaabah so that all family members can be
reminded. Or, each family member can speak about the blessings of Allah upon
them and what they have in their lives for which they are thankful.
Just 15 minutes for the home Halaqah. For the entire family, bi idhnillah, it
will be a spring of Eman.
Ten ideas to enhance your Ramadan:
Idea one: Compound Your Siyaam!
Idea two: Operation Guide the Youth
Idea Three: Turnoff TV Month
Idea Four: Dua' Time
Idea Five: Parent Appreciation Month
Idea Six: Masjid Power Hour
Idea Seven: Bad Habit Buster
Idea Eight: The Gift Groove
Idea Nine: Ramadan Muslims, Convert!
Idea Ten: Home Halaqah
The past saw Muslims that spent their nights of Ramadan awake praying to
Allah. It saw days where people, for the sake of Allah, went thirsty.
They knew that this season may never return on them and they heard Allah's
words "Ayyaman Ma'doodaat"- a limited number of days. Don't let the sand of
Ramadan slip away.
EsinIslam
Ramadan
Team
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