The Message of the blessed month of Ramadan

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful

All praise is to Due to Allah alone, and Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon Muhammad and his family and companions.

These are short and restricted advice and guidelines about the month of Ramadan and the acts of worship that are desired in it; this in addition to the defaults and shortage that are observed in some Muslims. This article contains some guidelines of righteous deeds for every Muslim, takes care of his self, to do his best to fulfill them in order to achieve honor, dignity, power and have his previous sins forgiven by Allah. It has been written by our young brother “Khaled Al-Hamody”, one of the students of knowledge who are known by loving good and giving advice for Muslims; may Allah provide him success, relief him, and protect us all. So, every Muslim should consider it and do his best to apply from it as much as he can.

May Allah guide us all to whatever He likes, and prayers and peace of Allah be upon Muhammad and his family and companions.

By: Abdullah bin Abdurrahman Al-Jibreen
Member of Fatwa committee,
18th Shaban 1416 A.H

Dear Muslim brothers and sisters,
Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you

I send to you this message with the scented greetings from a heart that loves you for the sake of Allah. I invoke Allah to gather us with you in the abode of honor. I present to you, by the approach of the month of Ramadan, this advice as a humble present. I did not say something new; rather it is exhortation and reminding, for verily, the reminding benefits the believers.

I hope you would receive it with clear intention and also exchange with me advice and invocation. May Allah preserve you, and make your steps firm on the righteous path.

First: Allah Almighty has distinguished the month of Ramadan by many advantages and merits that include the following:

• The breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah, on the Day of Judgment, than the fragrance of musk.

• Angels seek forgiveness to the observers of fast till they break their fast.

• The devils are chained up.

• The gates of paradise are opened and the gates of the hell are closed during the month of Ramadan.

• In it, there is Lailatul- Qadr, which is a night better than one thousand month of worship; the one who is deprived from its good is surly deprived.

• The sins of the observers of fast are forgiven in the last night of Ramadan.

• Allah frees some people from hellfire in each night of Ramadan.

Dear kind brothers and sisters,
How should we receive a month with all these advantages and merits?! Would we receive it by business, entertainment, and awakening? Would we feel bad because of its coming and feel that it is a heavy burden? We seek refuge in Allah from that… However, the righteous servant receives it with the right repentance and the right intention to take its advantages and occupy its times with the righteous deeds. We invoke Allah to help us worship Him the way that pleases Him.

Second: the righteous deeds which are obligatory or recommended in Ramadan:

1-Fasting:

The Messenger of Allah (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah said: Every act of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting. It is (exclusively) meant for Me and I (alone) will reward it. Fasting is a shield. When any one of you is fasting on a day, he should neither indulge in obscene language, nor raise the voice; or if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him he should say: I am a fasting person. By Him, in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah on the Day of Judgment than the fragrance of musk.” [Agreed upon]
 

Also, the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “He who observed the fasts of Ramadan with faith and seeking reward (from Allah), all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Agreed upon]
 

Surly, this great reward is not for the one who deserts food and drink only; rather the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The one who does not neglect saying the untruth, behaving according to it and ignorance; Allah is in no need for neglecting his food and drink (fasting).” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
 

He (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) also said: “When one of you is fasting, he should abstain from indecent acts and unnecessary talk, and if someone begins an obscene conversation or tries to pick an argument, he should simply tell him, ‘I am fasting.’ ” [Agreed upon]
 

2- Observing night prayer:

The Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “He who observed prayer at the nights of Ramadan with faith and seeking reward (from Allah), all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Agreed upon]
 

* Important note: Dear Muslim brother, you should observe Taraweeh prayer with the Imam in order to be mentioned among those who pray at night; the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “He who observes prayer at night with his Imam till he ends the prayer, (the reward of) praying a (complete) night will be recorded for him.” [Reported by At-Tirmizi, Ibn Habban and Ibn Khuzaymah]
 

3- Charity:

The Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) was the most generous human kind, and he was more generous in Ramadan. Moreover, he was more generous than the wind that bears rain. [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]
 

Charity has many ways and forms:

A) Giving food:

Allah almighty says: {And they give food, inspite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to the Miskîn (the poor), the orphan, and the captive (Saying): "We feed you seeking Allâh’s Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you. Verily, We fear from our Lord a Day, hard and distressful, that will make the faces look horrible (from extreme dislike to it)." So Allâh saved them from the evil of that Day, and gave them Nadrah (a light of beauty) and joy. And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken garments, because they were patient} [Al-Insan 76:8-12]
 

Transliteration: WayutAAimona alttaAAama AAala hubbihi miskeenan wayateeman waaseeran (8) Innama nutAAimukum liwajhi Allahi la nureedu minkum jazaan wala shukooran (9) Inna nakhafu min rabbina yawman AAaboosan qamtareeran (10) Fawaqahumu Allahu sharra thalika alyawmi walaqqahum nadratan wasurooran (11) Wajazahum bima sabaroo jannatan wahareeran

The righteous forefathers used to provide food and give preference for feeding over many acts of worship, whether it is by feeding a hungry man or feeding a righteous brother, because it is not necessary that the eater must be poor.

*Some ancestors used to give food to their brothers although they (themselves) were fasting while doing this and serving the eaters and entertaining them. Among those were Al-Hassan and Ibn Al-Mubarak.

Abu As-Sur Al-‘Awey said: “Men of ‘Adi tribe were praying in this Masjid, none of them had ever broke his fast alone; if the one of them found someone to share him his food, he would eat; otherwise, he would bring his food to the Masjid and share it with people.”

The act of giving food produces many other acts of worship include; having kindness and mutual love with your brothers that you fed them. This would be reason for entering paradise; The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “You will not enter paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love each other.” [Reported by Muslim]
 

Moreover, it leads to sitting with the righteous people and taking the reward of helping them to practice the acts of worship, by acquiring strength from your food.

B) Providing breakfast for the fasting people:

The Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever provides food for a fasting person to break his fast, will have a reward equal to him without having the reward of the fasting person diminished in any aspect.” [Reported by Ahmed and An-Nasa’i, and Al-Albani said that it is authentic]
 

4- Reciting the Holy Qur’an frequently:

Dear brother, you should care for reciting the Holy Qur’an with contemplation and submissiveness; the righteous forefathers (may Allah mercy them) were touched by the words of Allah Almighty.

5- Sitting in the Masjid till sunrise:

The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) used to sit in praying place, after performing the Fajr prayer, till sunrise. [Reported by Muslim]
 

At-Tirmidhy reported on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever prays Dawn in congregation, then sits in remembrance of Allah till sunrise, and then prays two Rak’as; he will receive a reward equal to the complete reward of performing Hajj and Umra (He Said complete three times).” [Al-Albany said that it is authentic]
 

This is in the ordinary days; so, what about the days of Ramadan!

6- I’tikaf

“The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) used to practice I’tikaf for ten days in each Ramadan; however, in the last year of his life, he practiced I’tikaf for twenty days.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
 

7- Performing ‘Umra in Ramadan

The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Umra in Ramadan equals Hajj (pilgrimage).” [Agreed upon]
 

8- Seeking Lailatul- Qadr (The night of decree):

Allah Almighty says: {Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’ân) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree). And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allâh in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months)} [Al-Qadr :1-3]
 

Transliteration: Inna anzalnahu fee laylati alqadri (1) Wama adraka ma laylatu alqadri (2) Laylatu alqadri khayrun min alfi shahrin

And The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “He who observed prayer on Lailat-ul- Qadr with faith and seeking reward (from Allah), all his previous sins will be forgiven” [Agreed upon]
 

The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) used to seek Lailatul- Qadr and orders his companions to seek it, and he used to awake his wives in the last ten nights of Ramadan in order to have the opportunity of praying in Lailatul- Qadr. Lailatul- Qadr is in the last ten nights of Ramadan, and it is more likely to be in the odd nights. It is reported in the Saheeh on the authority of ‘Aisha that she said: “O Messenger of Allah, if I prayed at Lailat-ul- Qadr; what should I say?” The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Say; O Allah, You are Oft-forgiving loves forgiveness, so forgive me.” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

9- Observing remembrance of Allah, invocation and seeking forgiveness much:

Dear generous and blessed brother,

The days and nights of Ramadan are blessed times; so, take advantage of them by remembrance of Allah, invocation and seeking forgiveness much; especially at the times of answering the invocation. The following are among these times:

• The time of breaking your fast; the fasting person has an accepted invocation at the time of breaking his fast.

• The last third of the night when Allah Glory be to him Almighty descends and says: “Who asks Me so that I may give to him? Who asks Me forgiveness so that I may forgive him?” [Narrated by Muslim]
 

• Asking forgiveness in the hours before dawn; Allah Almighty says: {And in the hours before dawn, they were (found) asking (Allâh) for forgiveness} [Az-Zariyat 51:18]
 

Transliteration: Wabialashari hum yastaghfiroona

• Seeking the hour of invocation acceptance on Fridays; it might be the last hour on the Friday’s day.

Notes and cautions:

1-Making the night day and making the day night.

2-Sleeping at times of prescribed prayers.

3-Excessive eating or drinking.

4-Nervousness during driving.

5-Wasting time.

6-Eating Suhur early and sleeping at the time of Fajr prayer.

7-Driving furiously in the last minutes before breakfast.

8-Not praying Tawraweeh prayer till its end.

9-Sitting on the sides of the roads and making assemblies of disobeying Allah.

10-Having assembly with the colleagues in work time and nullifying fasting by backbiting.

11-Women spending most their time in the kitchen and markets.

Finally … Dear brother,

Although I encourage you to invest your time, I think I talked much. However, do you allow me to refer to an important subject? Indeed, it is very important.

Do you know this subject? It is sincerity! Yes, sincerity.

How many people observe fasting and gain nothing from it but hunger and thirst! How many people observe prayer at night and gain nothing from their prayer but awakening and exhaustion! May Allah protect us all from that. That is why the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) emphasized this issue by saying: “With faith and seeking reward (from Allah).”
 

Hence, we invoke Allah to give us all sincerity in word and deed, and in Public and private.

Dear brother, grasp this opportunity in life because life is short. Don’t you know where are those who fasted and prayed Taraweeh in Ramadan with us in the previous year? Some of them had been taken by the angel of death, and some became sick and are no longer able to fast or pray at night. Hence, dear brother, you should praise Allah and take a provision (with you) for the journey as long as you are in the time of grace, and the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness).

O Allah, help us to fast Ramadan and pray in its nights, and make us among those whom You accept in this month, and make us among those whom You free from hellfire in this month; Ameen.

Third: many people ask about the invocation that would be said in Taraweeh and night prayers to lengthen the times of bowing and prostration during observing these prayers. I had found a valuable message written by the Sheikh and brother “Riyadh Al-Haqeel”; so, I decided to post it as he written it (may Allah reward him well). This message contained some of the prophetic invocations that would be said during bowing, prostration, between the two prostrations and so on. And I mentioned those invocations hoping they may be easy for those who pray (at night) to memorize them and recite some of them in Taraweeh and night prayers, especially in the last ten nights of Ramadan when they lengthen bowing and prostration between the hands of the Lord of the worlds. May Allah accept our good deeds.

Moreover, I mentioned them because some people may be ignorant about them, or face difficulty in gathering them, or invoke with invocations the Prophet did not say them; it is preferred to invoke only what the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said, to gain the reward of invocation and the reward of remembering Allah in addition to the reward of following the Sunnah.

The Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “So far as Ruku’ is concerned; glorify in it the Great and Glorious Lord.” [Reported by Muslim]

So, you should say: “Glory be to my Lord most Great and with His praise.”

Then choose among the following remembrances whatever you like:

- “All Glory be to You O Allah, our Lord, and I praise You. O Allah, forgive me.” [Agreed upon]
 

Transliteration: Subhanaka Allahuma Wa Bi-Hamdik, Allahuma Ighfir lee

- “O Allah, it is for You that I bowed. I affirm my faith in You and I submit to You, You are my Lord and submit humbly before You my hearing, my eyesight, my marrow, my bone and my sinew and everything my feet bears to Allah Lord of the Realms.” It is narrated in another Hadeeth that he said: “And in You I put my trust, You are my Lord. My hearing, my eyesight, my blood, my flesh, my bone and my sinew are submitted humbly before Allah the Lord of the Realms.” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
 

Transliteration: Allahuma Laka Raka’t, Wa Bikaa ‘Amantu, Wa Lakaa Aslamtu, Anta Raby Khasha’a Lakka Sam’y Wa Basari, Wa Mukhi, Wa ‘Athmi (Wa ‘Ithaami), Wa ‘Assabi wa Ma Isttaqalat Bihi Kadami, Lilahi Rab Al-‘Alameen.

Or

Allahuma Laka Raka’t, Wa Bikaa ‘Amantu, Wa Lakaa Aslamtu, Wa Álayka Tawakalt, Anta Raby Khasha’a Sam’y Wa Basari, Wa Dami, Wa Lahmi, Wa ‘Athmi, Wa ‘Assabi Lilahi Rab Al-‘Alameen

- “Perfect and Holy (He is), Lord of the angels and the Ruuh (i.e. Jibraa’eel).’ [Narrated by Muslim]
 

Transliteration: Subuhun Qudus Rabil Mala’kati Wa ruh

- Glory be to the Lord of Mightiness, Worlds, Pride, and Greatness. [Narrated by Abu Dawud and An-Nisa’i]
 

Transliteration: Subahna thil – Jabaroot Wal Malakoot Wal Kibrya’ Wal ‘Athama.

After returning to the erect position:

We could say: “Our Lord to You is all praise,” “All Praise is to You,” or “O Allah, our Lord, All praise is to You.”
 

Transliteration: “Raban Walaka Al-Hamd” or “Laka Al-Hamd” or “ Allahuma Rabana Walaka Al-Hamd” or “Allahuma Rabana Walaka Al-Hamd”.

Then choose among the following invocations whatever you like:

-Our Lord, and to You be all Praise, so much pure praise, inherently blessed, [externally blessed, as our Lord loves and is pleased with]
 

Transliteration: Rabbanawalakalhamd, hamdankasthiran taiyibanmurakafiih",[mubarakaaalaih, kamayuhibbunrabbanawayardha].

- “All praise is due to you ,O Lord and The heavens and the Earth and all between them abound with Your praises, and all that You will abounds with Your praises the way that Allah loves and pleases Him....” [Narrated by Muslim]

Transliteration: Rabana walaka Al-Hamd, Mil’a Asamawati Wal ‘Ard, Wa Mil’a Ma Shi’ta Min Shay’in Ba’d Kama Yuhibu Rabuna Wa Yarda

Or add: "O Possessor of praise and majesty, the truest thing a slave has said (of You) and we are all Your slaves. O Allah, none can prevent what You have willed to bestow and none can bestow what You have willed to prevent, and no wealth or majesty can benefit anyone, as from You is all wealth and majesty.” [Narrated by Muslim]
 

Transliteration: Ahl Athana’i Wal Majd, Ahaqu Ma Qal Al ‘Abd wa Kuluna Laka ‘Abd, Allahuma La Mani’a Lima A’tayt Wala Mu’tya Lima Mana’t Wala Yanfa’u Thal Jadi Minkal Jad

Or add: “O Allah! purify me with snow, (water of) hail and with cold water; O Allah, cleanse me from the sins and errors just as a white garment is cleansed from dirt.” [Narrated by Muslim]
 

Transliteration: Allahuma Tahirni Bithalj Wal Barad Wal Maa’ Al Barid, Allahuma Taherni Minal Thunubi Wal Khattaya Kama Yunaqa Al-Thawbu Al-Abyadu Minal Danas.

Prostration remembrances:

The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “And while prostrating be earnest in supplication, for it is fitting that your supplications should be answered.” [Reported by Muslim]
 

And he (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The nearest a servant can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so increase your supplication (in this state).” [Reported by Muslim]
 

You should say: “Glory be my Lord the most High” three times, or repeat it much, or say: “Glory be my Lord the most High and with His praise” three times.
 

Transliteration: Subana Rabya Al ‘A’laa or Subhana Rabya Al ‘A’laa Wa Bihamdih

- Glory be to You, O Allah, our Lord, and praise be to You, O Allah, forgive me

Transliteration: Subhanaka Allahuma Rabana Wa Bihamdik, Allahuma Ighfir lee

- “Perfect and Holy (He is), Lord of the angels and the Ruuh (i.e. Jibreel).’

Transliteration: Subuhun Qudus Rabil Mala’kati Wa ruh

- O Allah, it is to You that I prostrate myself and it is in You that I affirm my faith, and I submit to You, You are my Lord. My face is submitted before the One Who created it, and shaped it and perfected it, and opened its faculties of hearing and seeing. Blessed is Allah, the best of Creators.

Transliteration: Allahuma Laka Sajadt, Wa Bika Amant Wa Lakaa Aslamt Wa ‘Anta Raby, Sajada wajhi Lilathi Khalaqah Wa Sawarah Fa Ahsan Suwarah, Wa shaq Sam’ahu Wa Basarah, Fatbaraka Allahu Ahsanul Khaliqeen.

- O Lord, forgive me from all my sins, small and great, first and last, in open and secret.

Transliteration: Allahuma Ighfir Thanbi, Diqahu Wa Julah, ‘Awaluhu Wa Akhirahu Wa ‘Alaniatuhu Wa Sirah(u).

- Glory be to the Lord of Mightiness, Worlds, Pride, and Greatness.

Transliteration: Subhan Thil Jabarut, Wal Malakut, Wal Kibrya’, Wal ‘Athamma.

- All Glory be to You O Allah, our Lord, and I praise You; there is no god except You.

Transliteration: Subhanaka Allahuma Wa Bihamdik, La Ilaha Ila ‘Ant.

- O Allah, place within my heart light, and upon my tongue light, and within my ears light, and within my eyes light, and place underneath me light and above me light and from my right light and from my left light and place from in front me light and behind me light. O Allah, bestow upon me light and illuminate it.

Transliteration: Allahuma Ij’al Fee Qalbi Nuran, Waj’al fee Lesani Nuran, Waj’al Fee Sam’ee Nuran, Waj’al fee Basari Nuran, Waj’al Min Tahti Nuran Waj’al Min Fawqi Nuran Wa ‘An Yamini Nuran Wa ‘An Yasari Nuran, Waj’al Amamy Nuran Waj’al Khalfi Nuran, Waj’al Fee Nafsi Nuran, Wa ‘Athim Lee Nuran.

- O Allah, I seek refuge with Your satisfaction from you dissatisfaction, and I seek refuge with Your forgiveness from Your punishment, and I seek refuge with You from You. I can not praise You as You deserve; You are as You praise Yourself.

Transliteration: Allahuma Iny A’uthu Biridaka Min Sakhatik, Wa A’uthu Bimu’afatika Min ‘Uqoobatik, Wa A’uthu Bika Mink, La ‘Uhssi Thana’an ‘Alayk, Anta Kama Athnayta ‘Ala Nafsik.

- O Allah, forgive what I concealed and what I declared.

Transliteration: Allahuma Ighfir Ma Asrart Wama A’lant.

The remembrances which are recited in the sitting between the two prostrations:

- My Lord forgive me, My Lord forgive me.

Transliteration: Rabi Ighfir lee, Rabi Ighfir Lee

Or add, as it is mentioned in another narration Sheikh Al-Albany sees it authentic, “O Allah, forgive me, have mercy upon me, raise my rank and guide me, give me health, grant me sustenance.’”

Transliteration: Rabi Ighfir lee, Warhamni, Warfa’ani, Wa-Ihdini, Wa’afini, Warzuqni.

The remembrances of the prostration of reciting the Holy Qur’an:

- Praise be to my lord The Most High

Transliteration: Subhan Rabya Al-A’la

- ‘My face fell in prostration before He who created it and brought forth its faculties of hearing and seeing by His might and power. “So Blessed is Allah, the best of creators.”’

Transliteration: Sajada Wajhi Lilathi Khalaqah Wa Shaq Sam’ahu Wa Basarahu Bihawlihi wa Quwatih.(Fa Tabarka Allahu Ahasan Al-Khaliqeen)

- O Allah, record for me a reward for this (prostration), and remove from me a sin. Save it for me and accept it from me just as You had accepted it from Your servant Dawud.’

Transliteration: Alahuma Uktub Lee Biha Ajran, Wa Da’ ‘Ani Biha Wizran, Wa-Ij’alha Lee ‘Indaka Thukhran, Wa Taqabalha Mini Kama Taqabaltaha Min ‘Abdika Dawood.

It is recommended to say after the end of Wetr (odd) prayer:

- “Glory be to the King the most Holy” three times in loud voice.

Transliteration: Subhana Al Malik Al Qudoos

Then I advise you, Beloved brother and Muslim sister to seek forgiveness, observe Tasbeeh (i.e. saying Subhan Allah), Tahleel (i.e. saying La Illah Illa Allah), invocation and supplication to Allah Glory be to him Almighty to grant victory to Islam and Muslims and gather them round the truth. Also, you should invoke for yourself, family and all Muslims with the good of this life and the good of the hereafter too.

Moreover, I advise you to say: “O Allah, You are Oft-forgiving likes forgiving, so forgive me” especially in the odd nights of the last ten lights of Ramadan, as The Prophet (peace and prayers of Allah be upon him) taught ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) to say in Lailat-ul- Qadr.

Beloved brother and Muslim sister, finally; you should consider the meanings of these invocations and remembrances during saying them because “Allah does not respond to invocation from inattentive and unmindful heart.” [Reported in the authentic chain by Al-Albani]

Also, you should evoke the intention and submissiveness during reciting them. May Allah benefit us with remembering Him and invoking Him.

Before leaving you, I ask you, Beloved brother and Muslim sister, not to forget whoever compiled this message, wrote it, or conveyed it; invoke to him sincere invocation from the heart. May Allah accept our deeds.

Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you

Your lover for the sake of Allah,
Who seeks the forgiveness of his Lord,
Khaled bin Abdullah Al-Hamody

Note:

All the Ahadeeth that have been mentioned had been proved to be true by the willing of Allah. They had been declared to be authentic or good by Al-Albany or Al-Arnaoot; May Allah have mercy on them.

References:

Al-Azkar by An-Nawawy, the characteristics of the prayer of the prophet (peace of Allah be upon him), Saheeh Al-Kalim At-Tayeb, Saheeh At-Tirmizy, Saheeh bin Maja, Saheeh Abu-Dawud, Jame Al-Usul Libn Katheer by Al-Arnaoot Vol. 4, and Saheeh Al-Wabel As-Sayeb min Ak-Kalam At-Tayeb by Al-Qayim and Al-Hilaly, and other books.

Important note:

Not all the above mentioned remembrances and invocations are to the Taraweeh prayer only; rather they are for all prayers. So, we should know this.


Al-Watan House

Translated by Wathakker.info website