EsinIslam
Ramadan
Ramadan Explorer
Shaykh Muhammad Yusuf Islahi
1. Start preparing your mind from the month of Sha'ban for according a
befitting reception to Ramadan. Keep fasts frequently before the Month of
Sha'ban. Sayeda 'A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) relates; "The Holy
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to keep fasts more
often in Shaban than in any other month".
2. Make an effort to sight the Ramadan moon with full attention and eagerness
and say this prayer on sighting the moon:
''God is the
Greatest! O God! Do make the appearance of this moon a token of peace, faith,
salvation and Islam (obedience) for us. Do make this moon arise as a favour to
us so that we may perform deeds which conform to Thy Will and are dear to
Thee. Our Lord and thy Lord is God!"
And say the same
prayer on sighting the moon of each month. (Reported by Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban,
etc.)
3. Do take special interest in offering devotions during the month of Ramadan.
In addition to obligatory prayers, make it a point to observe supererogatory
prayers (Nawafil) also, Make a firm resolve to win the maximum favour of God.
God has reserved His special favours and blessings for this great and
propitious month. On the final day of Sha'ban, the Holy Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) in a discourse on the blessings of the month
of Ramadan affirmed:
"O people! A great and blessed
month is going to set in on you. Each night of this month is better than a
thousand months. God has made fasting obligatory during this month and has
ordained Taravih as a supplementary prayer. Any man who performs a good deed
during this month of his own free volition will receive a reward equal to the
reward for obligatory deeds performed during other months. And any man who
performs a single obligatory act during this month, he shall receive a reward
equal to the reward of seventy obligatory acts during other months.''
4. Keep fasts whole of the month with deep eagerness and zeal. Even if you
can't observe fast due to some serious illness or for any other reason
permissible in shariah, strictly avoid eating before others out of respect for
the sanctity of Ramadan. To all intents and purposes, you must appear as if
you are fasting.
5. Make it a point to recite the Holy Qur'an. The month of Ramadan has a
special connection with the Holy Qur'an. The Holy Qur'an was revealed in this
month and the other Divine Books also descended in the same month. Prophet
Ibrahim (peace be upon him) received scriptures on the first or the third day
of this month. Zabur descended on Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) on the
twelfth or eighteenth day of this month. Torah was revealed to Prophet Musa
(peace be upon him) on the sixth day of this propitious month. On the twelfth
or thirteenth day of the same blessed month, the Bible was transmitted to
Prophet Isa (peace be upon him). Hence recite Qur'an as many times as possible
in the course of this month. Angel Gabriel (peace be upon him) used to recite
the Holy Qur'an to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
and also heard recitation of the Qur'an from the Holy Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) every year during the month of Ramadan. In the
final year of the Holy Prophet's (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
earthly life angel Gabriel (peace be upon him) completed the whole text of the
Qur'an twice during the month of Ramadan.
6. Try to recite the Qur'an distinctly and with understanding. Along with
frequent recitation, be careful to grasp the meaning of the Holy Qur'an with a
clear impact of its message on your mind and heart.
7. During ‘Taravih' do listen to the recitation of the whole text of the
Qur'an. The Holy Prophet used to listen to the whole text of the Holy Qur'an
at least once during Ramadan.
8. Say 'Taravih' prayers with humility, eagerness and devotion. Do not just
complete the number of Rak'ahs in a mechanical fashion. Offer prayers with
understanding and devotion so that your life may be influenced by the
propitious influence of the Namaz (Salat) and your devotion to God may become
firm and deep. Do offer Tahajjud prayers also by the favour of God.
9. Give charity and spend whatever you can in the way of Allah. Look after the
needs of the poor, the widows and the orphans and arrange provisions for them
for 'Sahri' and ‘Iftari'. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him) has affirmed: "This is a month of Mawasat"[1].
Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports: "The Holy
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was by nature generous and
munificent, but his munificence (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
knew no bounds during the month of Ramadan. When Gabriel (peace be upon him)
visited the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) each night
and recited the Holy Qur'an to the Prophet and heard the recitation of the
Holy Book from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), during
that period the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) became
even more generous than the blowing wind.''
(Continued)
[1] The word ‘Mawasat' means to show sympathy to the poor and the needy,
Sympathy means offering financial help to the poor or expressing your sympathy
in conversation. Be nice in your speech and behaviour towards them. Provide
all facilities to your employees and give them financial support.
Source: Etiquettes of Life in Islam
EsinIslam
Ramadan
Team
©
EsinIslam.Com
Add Comments