A different Ramadan this year

We praise Allah lord of the Realms and May Allah’s Prayers, blessings and peace be upon his Prophet, the seal of His Messengers and upon all his Family and companions.

Ramadan arrives each year, awaited with enthusiasm, excitement and joy…but?!!
Did you think dear brother and sister to have a different Ramadan this year?
Ramadan is the month of victory in all levels… Ramadan is a chance to enhance our personalities to the better…That’s why we have devised for you fellow Muslim observing fast, a daily program. A day in Ramadan is considered a great chance to get closer to Allah with the different kinds of acts of worship and varying of deeds, thus gaining more good deeds.

The reason behind the program

The most efficient way to make use of a day in Ramadan, every hour of the day must be utilized considerably through performing a good deed or a benefit that passes to others, seeking from it the great reward and pleasing of Allah. By applying the following program you could recite the whole Qur’an two or three times by the will of Allah during the holy month of Ramadan, but if you could do more then you are better rewarded by the will of Allah. It must be noted that this program does not restrict reciting the Qur’an and remembrance of Allah (Thikr) to specific hours; nevertheless it could be done at any time and place.

The crack of Dawn

1- Answering the Athan of Al-Fajr (dawn) prayer

O Allah, Owner of this perfect call and Owner of this prayer to be performed, bestow upon Muhammad al-waseelah (A rank in Paradise that is only befitting one person with certain qualities among all human beings) and al-fadeelah and send him upon a praised platform, which You have promised him. [Reported by Al-Bukhari]

2- Observing the Two Rak’as sunnah associated before Fajr.

The Messenger of Allah said: The two Rak'as at dawn are better than what’s within this world and what it contains. [Reported by Muslim]
 

Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of recited in the two (supererogatory) Rak'as of the dawn (prayer): "Say: O unbelievers," [Al-Kaafiroon 1:106] and "Say: Allah is one" [Al-Ikhlaas 1:112] [Reported by Muslim]
 

3- Performing Al-Fajr Prayer in congregation (for men) and be keen to arrive early:

The Messenger of Allah said: “The most burdensome prayers for the hypocrites are the night prayer and the morning (Dawn) prayer. If they were to know the blessings they have in store, they would have come to them, even though crawling.” [Agreed upon]
 

And he also said: “Glad tidings to the walkers of the darkness to the Masjid with complete light in the Day of Resurrection illuminating their path.” [Reported by Al-Tirmizi and Ibn Majjah, Authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

4- To be occupied with supplication and Allah’s remembrance before commencing obligatory prayer.

The Messenger of Allah said: “The supplication between the Athan and Iqamah (call to commence the prayer) is not rejected. [Reported by Ahmad, Al-Tirmzi and Abu Dawud, authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

5- Sitting in the Masjid for Men and for Women, their prayer places doing the following:

i) Remembrance of Morning supplication: The Prophet used to sit in his place after the Dawn prayer till sunrise supplicating to Allah. [Reported by Muslim]
 

ii) Reciting Qur’an: Allah almighty said “Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed” [Al-Isra’ 17:78]
 

Transliteration: inna qurana alfajri kana mashhoodan

Importance of maintaining as much as you can recite quarter of a part (Juz’) to complete one whole read for the month, half a part to complete two full reads and one full part for three whole reads in the month and so on. Whoever wants to increase recitation sets he will head for more reward by the will of Allah.

iii) After sunrise by approximately fifteen minutes, observe two Rak’as with the intention of making a pilgrimage and Umrah with their reward. The Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever observed the Dawn Prayer in congregation and sat waiting in his place, in a state of Remembrance of Allah until sunrise, following that by observing Two Rak’as. He will be rewarded with the reward of a perfect pilgrimage and a perfect Umrah.” [Reported by Al-Tirmizi and Al-Albani with an authentic chain]
 

After leaving the Masjid

1- Sleep and recall an intention for it. Mu’ath Ibn Jabal – May Allah be pleased with him – said, “I recall an intention for my sleep similar to the intention I recall for standing (for voluntary night prayer).”

2- Observing Al-Duha (forenoon) prayer. Abu Dharr narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “In the morning charity is due from every bone in the body of every one of you. Every utterance of Allah's glorification is an act of charity. Every utterance of praising Him is an act of charity, every utterance of profession of His Oneness is an act of charity, every utterance of profession of His Greatness is an act of charity, enjoining good is an act of charity, forbidding what is disreputable is an act of charity, and two Rak'as which one prays in the forenoon will suffice all the previous.” [Reported by Muslim]
 

3- Going to work and school while recalling good intentions for them The Messenger of Allah said, "Nobody has ever eaten a better meal than what had been earned by working with one's own hands. The Prophet of Allah, David – May Allah have peace on him - used to eat from the earnings of the product of his own hands." [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
 

He said: “he who treads the path in search of knowledge, Allah would make that path easy, leading to Paradise.” [Reported by Muslim]
 

4- Occupying oneself with remembrance of Allah Almighty, He Almighty said “Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.” [Al-Ra’d 13:28]
 

Transliteration: ala bithikri Allahi tatmainnu alquloobu
The Prophet said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah that you die whilst your tongue in a state of remembrance of Allah.” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

Noon Time

1- Answering the Mu’adhin for Duhr (Noon) Prayer. The Messenger of Allah said: “If you hear the call for prayer (Adhan), answer the call of Allah.” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

Then perform Al-Duhr prayer in congregation. The Messenger of Allah also said: “O people, pray in your homes, indeed the best prayer after the obligatory Prayer (in congregation) is praying at one’s own home.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
 

2- Observing Al Sunnan Al Rawatib (Sunnah Prayers associated with Obligatory Prayers). It consists of Four Rak’as before Duhr prayer and two after. The Messenger of Allah said: “A house will be built in Paradise, for anyone who prays in a day and a night twelve Rak'as.” [Reported by Muslim]
 

Time of Al-Asr

1- Answering the Mu’adhin for Asr (Afternoon) Prayer. The Messenger of Allah said: “If you hear the call for prayer (Adhan), answer the call of Allah.” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

Then perform Al-Asr prayer in congregation. The Messenger of Allah also said: “Whoever hears the call for prayer and does not answer it his prayer will not be accepted except for whom had a sound excuse.” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

2- Observing the Evening remembrance of Allah. Allah almighty said “and exalt [Allah] with praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its setting” [Taa-Haa 20:130]
 

Transliteration: wasabbih bihamdi rabbika qabla tulooAAi alshshamsi waqabla ghuroobiha

3- Recite the holy Qur’an. Importance of maintaining as much as you can recite quarter of a part (Juz’) to complete one whole read for the month, half a part to complete two full reads and one full part for three whole reads in the month and so on. Whoever wants to increase recitation sets he will head for more reward by the will of Allah.

4- Listen to a lecture or sermon given in the Masjid. The Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever comes to the Masjid frequently with the intention of acquiring knowledge or passing it to others, only, he will be rewarded with the reward of a pilgrim in full." [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

5- Taking a short nap and recalling a good intention for it. Narrated by Abdullah Ibn Amr – May Allah be pleased with them- that the Prophet said: “Even your body has a right upon you.” [Agreed upon]

Before sunset

1- Do the following activities:

i) Taking care of the house and maintaining the needs of the household.

ii) Listen to lectures and sermons that softens the heart

iii) Dawa over the internet

iv) Memorizing Qur’an

v) Give out provisions and aid in the Masjid to fasting people so they would break their fast.

2- Occupy yourself with Supplicating. The Messenger of Allah said: “Duaa’ (supplication) is the Worship.” [Reported by the narrators of the 4 Sunan, Authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

After Maghrib (sunset)

1- Repeat the Adhan of Al Maghrib after the Mu’adhin. The Messenger of Allah said: “If you hear the call for prayer repeat it in the same manner uttered by the Mu’adhin” [Agreed upon]
 

2- Break your Fast by having some dates in odd number or water then invoke the supplication of breaking the Fast and recall the intention of applying the sunnah. When the Messenger of Allah broke his fast he says: “Thirst has gone, the veins are quenched and the reward is confirmed by the will of Allah.” [Reported by Abu Dawud and authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

3- Observe the Maghrib prayer in congregation for men.

4- Perform the Two Rak’as sunnah associated with Al-Maghrib Prayer.

5- Having the meal of Iftar with the family on one table.

6- Get ready for ‘Isha’ Prayer and Tarawih Prayer (the additional night prayer often observed after Isha’ during Ramadan). The prayer is performed in congregation. Being ready by Making Wudu’ (Ablution), wearing a scent (permissible for males only and prohibited for women out of their home) contemplating on the reward for every step walked to the Masjid, The Messenger of Allah said, “whenever a woman wears a scent-perfume- then left her home whilst people smelling her scent she is an adulteress” [Reported by Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhi, Al- Nasa’I and authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

The Messenger of Allah said: “Whenever a woman fumigates herself with perfume should not join us in the 'Isha' prayer.” [Reported by Muslim]
 

The Messenger of Allah said: “Do not prevent female slaves of Allah from coming to his House (the Masjid) non fragranced (without wearing a scent).” [Reported by Abu Dawud and authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

He Also said : “He who purified himself in his house, and then walked to one of the houses of Allah for the sake of performing a Fard (obligatory act) out of the Fara'id (obligatory acts) of Allah, both his steps (would be significant) as one of them would obliterate his sin and the second one would raise his status.” [Reported by Muslim]
 

Isha’ Time

1- To be occupied with supplication and Allah’s remembrance before commencing obligatory prayer. The Messenger of Allah said: The supplication between the Adhan And Iqamah (call to commence the prayer) is not rejected. [Reported by Ahmad, Al-Tirmdhi and Abu Dawud, authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

2- Answering the Mu’adhin for ‘Isha’ (evening) Prayer. The Messenger of Allah said: If you hear the call for prayer (Adhan), answer the call of Allah. [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

Then perform ‘Isha’prayer in congregation. The Messenger of Allah also said: Whoever hears the call for prayer and does not answer it his prayer will not be accepted except for whom had a sound excuse. [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

3- Perform the Two Rak’as sunnah associated with Al-‘Isha’ Prayer.

4- Performing Al Tarawih Prayer (all) in congregation. The Messenger of Allah said: Whoever observes the whole prayer with the Imam untill he leaves (the Imam), a complete night prayer will be written for him ( granted as a reward). [Reported by Al-Tirmidhi and authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

5- Recite the holy Qur’an. Importance of maintaining as much as you can recite quarter of a part (Juz’) to complete one whole read for the month, half a part to complete two full reads and one full part for three whole reads in the month and so on. Whoever wants to increase recitation sets he will head for more reward by the will of Allah.

6- Doing the following activities:

i) Visiting relatives, to strengthen family ties.

ii) Interact in any Ramadanic educational program.

iii) Listen to a lecture/sermon or Heart softening preach given in the Masjid.

iv) Dawa through the internet

v) Studying and memorizing the Qur’an

Last Third of the night

1- Observe night prayer. Elongate your bowing and prostration for more reward. It could be observed in congregation the last ten days of Ramadan.

2- Perform the Witr Prayer if not observed with the Imam. The Messenger of Allah said: “Allah have granted you an additional prayer, treasure it, it’s the Witr Prayer (Odd Prayer)” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

3- Recite the holy Qur’an. Importance of maintaining as much as you can recite quarter of a part (Juz’) to complete one whole read for the month, half a part to complete two full reads and one full part for three whole reads in the month and so on. Whoever wants to increase recitation sets he will head for more reward by the will of Allah.

4- Having Suhur (Meal taken before Fajr to support the person fasting through his day of fasting) with the intention of worship to Allah and applying the Sunnah. The Messenger of Allah said: Observe Suhur, there is blessings in Suhur. [Agreed upon]
 

5- Sitting for supplication and asking forgiveness until Al-Fajr (Dawn) Prayer. The Messenger of Allah said, "When it is the last third of the night, our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, descends every night to the heaven of the world and says, 'Is there anyone who invokes Me (demand anything from Me), that I may respond to his invocation; Is there anyone who asks Me for something that I may give (it to) him; Is there anyone who asks My forgiveness that I may forgive him?'” [Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
 

In the End…

We ask Allah to make us amongst whom have fasted and stood in prayer perfectly with pure faith and intention in Ramadan. And be Amongst who are spared from the torment of hellfire.

May Allah give success to everyone to grasp the best from Ramadan; He is the All-Hearing the Answerer.

May Allah’s Prayers, blessings and peace be upon his Prophet, the seal of His Messengers and upon all his Family and companions. We seal our Supplication with praising Allah lord of the Realms.



Translated by Wathakker.info website