In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, which is of paramount significance. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Islam is built upon five pillars: testifying that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing Prayer, paying the zakah, making the pilgrimage to the Sacred House (Hajj), and fasting the month of Ramadan.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Surely, the month of Ramadan is the best season for offering good deeds and gaining reward. It is the duty of every Muslim to prepare himself for that blessed month...
Allah says, (O
you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to
those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint, (fasting) for a
fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the
prescribed number (should be made up) from days later.
For
those who can do it (with hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one
that is indigent but he that will give more, of his own free will, it is
better for him. And it is better for you that you fast, if you only
knew. Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a
guide to mankind, also Clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between
right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home)
during the month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or
on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later.
Allah
intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to
difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to
glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance you shall be
grateful. When My servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed close (to
them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me:
let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me: that
they may walk in the right way.”) (Al-Baqarah 2:183-186)
Allah is giving us another opportunity in our life to witness the month
of Ramadan. Ramadan is a great time of Allah’s blessings and His mercy.
Every Muslim should take full advantage of this time. We should get
ready to welcome this month and receive it with happiness.
Following are
some ways to welcome this month:
1. Special du`aa’:
Pray to Allah that this month reaches you while you are in the best of
health and safety so that you can fast and do all your acts of devotion
with ease and enthusiasm. It is reported by Anas ibn Malik that the
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say from the beginning
of Rajab in his prayers, “O Allah bless us in Rajab, bless us in Sha`ban, and bless us in Ramadan.” (Ahmad)
When he used to see Ramadan’s crescent, he used to pray: “O
Allah, make this crescent shine on us with safety, faith, security,
Islam, and good fortune to do what is beloved and pleasing to our Lord.
Our and your Lord is Allah.” (Ad-Darimi)
2.
Thanks and happiness: When the month comes, then you should be thankful
to Allah and show happiness. The Companions of the Prophet (may Allah
be pleased with them all) used to greet each other on the beginning of
Ramadan. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said giving the
good news of the month to his Companions, “The month of Ramadan
has come to you. It is a blessed month. Allah has made obligatory on you
to fast during this month. The gates of heaven are opened in this month
and the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained. In this
month there is a night that is better than one thousand months.
Whosoever is deprived of its blessings is indeed deprived.” (Ahmad)
3.
Planning and determination: You should make a good plan for the whole
month about how you are going to organize your days and evenings during
Ramadan. Plan special schedules for your work so that you can pray on
time, read the Qur’an, and take sahur and iftar on time. Have sincere intention and determination to take full advantage of this time.
Also
have a full determination and commitment that you will not do any sin
or anything wrong during this time. Make sincere repentance and seek the
forgiveness of those whom you might have offended. In this way you can
benefit much more from your fasting and prayers.
4.
Learn about the rules of fasting: Fiqh of fasting is very important so
that you do not do anything that will spoil your fasts. Learn the way of
Prophet Muhammad in fasting. That is the best way. Fast is not spoiled
only by eating and drinking during the fast, but also by speaking bad
words and doing wrong things. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon
him) said, “Whoever does not give up bad words and bad deeds, Allah has no need in that he leaves his food and his drink.” (Al-Bukhari)
5.
Charity, generosity and kindness: The month of Ramadan is the month of
kindness, charity, and generosity. Plan to invite your neighbors,
co-workers, friends — Muslims and non-Muslims — to have iftar
with you. Let your non-Muslim friends and neighbors know about this
month and its blessings. Be more generous and help the poor and needy.
Plan to give your zakah and sadaqah at this time and help others as much as you can.
It
is reported in a hadith that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon
him) was the most generous person, but in Ramadan he used to be more
generous when Jibreel (Angel Gabriel) used to meet him. Jibreel used to
see him during Ramadan every night and he used to read the Qur’an with
him. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was then more
generous with goodness than the blowing wind. (Al-Bukhari)
Allah knows best... :)
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