Ten ways to receive Ramadan
- Categories: Fiqh of Fasting -
Ten ways to receive Ramadan
and ten incentives to make use of it
In the name of Allah,
the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
We praise Allah, Lord of the
Realms and peace be upon the most noble of Prophets' and
Messengers, our master Muhammad and upon all His family and
companions.
This Message addressed to the
Muslim who are approaching Ramadan, while being in good health, to
utilize it in the obedience of Allah Almighty. It deals with some
means and incentives to make a believer more energetic and
enthusiastic while worshiping Allah Almighty in that holy month.
This explains the title: Ten ways to receive Ramadan and Ten
incentives to utilize it. I ask Allah Almighty to aid me and grant
me success, and let this work be just for the sake of His Honored
Countenance; and may Allah's Prayers and Peace be upon our leader
Muhammad and upon all his family and companions.
How should we
receive Ramadan?
Q:
what are the correct ways to
receive that holy month?
A:
A Muslim must not abandon the
seasons of worship: on the contrary, he should hasten to proceed to
it and compete others for it, in response to the statement of Allah
Almighty: "So for this let the competitors compete." [Al-Mutafifin
83:26]
Transliteration:
wafee thalika falyatanafasi
almutanafisoona
My Muslim brother, be keen to
receive Ramadan with the following correct ways:
The first
way:
Supplicate to Allah to enable
you to approach Ramadan while being in good state and health, in
order to be active in worship of Allah Almighty, fasting, standing
(at night in prayer) and remembrance (of Allah).
Moreover, the righteous
forefathers used to supplicate to Allah, first to enable them to
approach Ramadan, and then to accept (their deeds in) it from
them.
When the crescent of Ramadan
appears, supplicate to Allah saying: "Allahu Akbar! 'O' Allah! Let
it approach us in peace, soundness and Islam, and aid us to do
what's beloved and pleases you (O new moon) my Lord and yours is
Allah" ["The goodly words"
p.162, Al-Albani said authentic with its
evidences]
«الله اكبر اللهم أهله علينا بالأمن
والأمان والسلامة والإسلام ,والتوفيق لما تحب وترضى,ربي وربك
الله» الكلم الطيب الصفحة 162، قال الألباني صحيح
بشواهده
The second
way:
Praise and thank Allah that he
enabled you to approach Ramadan. An-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy upon him,
said in his book 'Al-Athkar': "It should be known to you
that if one receives an apparent favor, or is relieved of an
apparent disfavor, he should prostrate out of gratitude to Allah
Almighty, or praise Him as much as is fitting His Glory." One of
the greatest favors Allah confers upon a servant is to enable him
to obey and worship Him. Just the emergence of Ramadan upon a
Muslim while being in good health is a great favor, which deserves
gratitude and gratefulness to Allah, its Giver, and Grantor out of
His Grace: all praise be to Allah, as much, good and blessed as is
fitting for the Glory of His Countenance and the Magnificence of
His Authority."
The third
way:
Rejoice and be cheerful. It is
proven that the Messenger of Allah, used to give his Companions the
glad tidings about the approach of Ramadan, saying: "The month of
Ramadan has approached you: Ramadan is a blessed month, which Allah
Almighty imposed its fast upon you. In it, the gates of Paradise
(of Paradise) are opened, and the gates of Hell-fire closed….."
[Reported by Ahmad]
Our righteous forefathers,
from among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah and their
followers, who followed them righteously, used to care for the
month of Ramadan, and rejoice upon its approach. Which delight is
better than being informed with the near upcoming of Ramadan, the
season of blessings and descent of mercies?
The fourth
way:
To previously be determined,
and plan to take advantage of Ramadan. Many people, and even the
religious among them, put detailed plans for the worldly affairs,
but few are those who plan for the hereafter matters. This goes
back to the lacking of perception to the mission of the believer in
this world, and forgetfulness, or say closing the eyes to the fact
that the believer has so many opportunities and important chances
with Allah Almighty to discipline himself and keep it firm on that
religion. Planning to utilize the month of Ramadan in doing the
acts of worship is typical planning for the hereafter. In this
issue, a Muslim could put a program to avail himself with the days
and nights of Ramadan in obedience of Allah Almighty. The message
you are reading helps you utilize the month of Ramadan in obedience
of Allah Almighty.
The fifth
way:
Declare firm-will to make use
of it and occupy its times with righteous deeds. Whoever is sincere
to Allah Almighty, Allah will be sincere with him, helps him to
obey Him, and makes easy upon him all ways of good. Allah Almighty
confirmed the previous saying: "if they had been true to Allah, it
would have been better for them." [Muhammad 47:21]
Transliteration:
falaw sadaqoo Allaha lakana
khayran lahum
The sixth
way:
Acknowledge and understand
well the rulings of Ramadan. A believer should worship Allah
Almighty based on knowledge, and not be excused for his ignorance
of the obligatory duties enjoined by Allah upon the servants. This
includes, for example, the fasting of Ramadan. The Muslim should
learn the questions and rulings related to fasting before Ramadan
arrives, in order that his fast would be valid and accepted by
Allah Almighty: "so ask the people of the message if you do not
know." [Al-'Anbiya' 21:7]
Transliteration:
faisaloo ahla alththikri in
kuntum la taAAlamoona
The seventh
way:
We have to receive it with
determination to give up misdeeds and sins, true repentance from
all mistakes, and decision not to return to them once again. It is
indeed the month of repentance. Whoever does not repent in it,
then, when will he repent? Allah Almighty says: "And turn to Allah
in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed."
[An-Nur 24:31]
Transliteration:
watooboo ila Allahi jameeAAan
ayyuha almuminoona laAAallakum tuflihoona
The eighth
way:
The spiritual preparation, by
reading religious books and leaflets, listening to Islamic
cassettes of lectures and lessons, which clarify the good merits
and rulings of fasting, in order that the soul would be prepared
for (doing the deeds of) obedience in this month. It was the habit
of the Messenger of Allah spiritually prepare his Companions to
utilize that month, saying to them on the last day of Sha'ban: "The
month of Ramadan has approached you…" [Reported by Ahmad and
An-Nasa'i] (Lata'if
Al-Ma'arif)
The ninth
way:
Be well prepared for inviting
people to the obedience of Allah in Ramadan through:
1.
Prepare some words and
instructions to deliver in the Masjid of the district.
2.
Distribute the Ramadan-related
instructive and juristic booklets and media on the people praying
and dwellers of the neighborhood.
3.
Prepare the "Gift of Ramadan,"
by placing two cassettes or cds and a booklet in an envelope
labeled "The Gift of Ramadan."
4.
Remember and remind others of
the poor and needy, give them alms and objects of
charity.
The tenth
way:
Receive Ramadan by opening a
new white page with:
1.
Allah Almighty, by turning to
Him in true repentance;
2.
The Messenger of Allah , by
compliance with his commands and orders, and avoidance of what he
forbade and deterred;
3.
Parents, relatives, kinsmen,
wife and children, by being dutiful to and maintaining kinship ties
with them;
4.
Lastly, the community in which
you live in, until you become a pious servant of benefit to the
people. The Messenger of Allah , said: "The best of people (in the
Sight of Allah) is the most advantageous of them to the people."
[Reported By Al-Albani]
This is the manner that a
Muslim should receive Ramadan with, like a dry land in thirst for
rain, a patient to his medication, and a lover to his absent
long-awaited beloved. O Allah! Enable us to approach Ramadan, and
accept (our deeds in) it from us: You are the All-Hearing,
All-Knowing.
How should you
enthuse to utilize Ramadan?
In order to enthuse to utilize
Ramadan in the acts of worship, follow the instructions
below:
1.
Fasting only
for the sake of Allah:
To be sincere to Allah
Almighty is the essence of all acts of worship, the key to
accepting the righteous deeds, and a means to obtain the aid and
guidance of the Lord of the beings. Allah Almighty assists His
believing servant in intending to do good in proportion to this
intention, sincerity, and honesty with Him. Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon
him, said: "Allah Almighty helps and guides a servant as
much as is fitting for his intention, endeavor, will, and desire
for good."
Allah Almighty commanded us to
be sincere in our deeds to Him Alone, when He said: "And they were
not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in
religion, inclining to truth" [Al-Bayyinah 98:5]
Transliteration:
Wama omiroo illa liyaAAbudoo
Allaha mukhliseena lahu alddeena hunafaa
If a fasting person knows that
sincerity in his fast to Allah Almighty is a means to obtain His
aid and success, he will be motivated to utilize the month of
Ramadan in obedience of Allah the Most Merciful: (Fasting +
sincerity to Allah Almighty) = (enthusiasm and
motivation).
2.
Know that the
Messenger of Allah used to give glad tidings to his Companions of
the arrival of that holy month.
Another incentive that enthuse
you to observe Ramadan in obedience of Allah, the Most Merciful, is
to know that the Messenger of Allah used to give glad tidings to
his Companions for it saying: "The month of Ramadan has approached
you, a blessed month, which Allah Almighty ordained upon you to
fast. In it, the gates of Paradise are opened, and the gates of
Hell-fire closed." [Reported by Ahmad]
This signifies the importance
of utilization of the month of Ramadan in worship and obedience of
Allah; and this is why the Messenger of Allah gave glad tidings to
his glorious Companions for it, in order to get ready to avail
their selves for it.
3.
To expect the
great reward prepared by Allah Almighty for the fasting person,
including:
a)
The reward of a fasting person
is so great that none is able to know except Allah Almighty: "All
deeds done by the son of Adam are for him, except fasting, which is
for Me, and for which I give reward." [Reported by
Muslim]
b)
Whoever fasts only a day for
the sake of Allah, Allah Almighty will distance Hell-fire seventy
years from this servant. What if he fasts a whole
month?
c)
Fasting will intercede for a
servant on the Day of Judgment until he enters
Paradise.
d)
In Paradise, there is a gate
called Ar-Rayyan, from which none will enter but the fasting
person.
e)
The fast of Ramadan expiates
all the previous sins.
f)
In Ramadan, the gates of
Paradise are opened, and the gates of the Hell-fire are
closed.
g)
The invocation of a fasting
person is answered in Ramadan.
Brother! Why do you not obtain
the great reward prepared by Allah for the fasting
persons?
You have but to roll up your
sleeves, and endeavor, actively and energetically, to be one of the
winners of those great rewards.
4.
Acknowledge
the diversity of acts of worship that the Messenger of Allah used
to perform.
He used to specify Ramadan
with kinds of worship that wasn't specified for other months of the
year. You would be enthused more to utilize the month of Ramadan if
you knew that your magnificent Messenger used to multiply the
various acts of worship such as prayer, remembrance, supplication
(of Allah), and giving in charity. He used to specify Ramadan with
kinds of worship that wasn't specified for other months of the
year. Now, do you believe that the Messenger of Allah is an
excellent pattern and a good example to follow? Allah Almighty says
"There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an
excellent pattern" [Al-'Ahzab 33:21]
Transliteration:
Laqad kana lakum fee rasooli
Allahi oswatun hasanatun
So, multiply the various acts
of worship in this month.
5.
Know that a
Muslim attains blessing in that holy month. You would be more
enthused, if you the features of this blessing:
a)
The blessing
in fiducial sensuality: in this month, the believer endued
with strong faith, living heart, permanent contemplation, and
responsive memory: this kind of blessing is indisputably apparent,
as a part of Allah's gifts to the fasting person.
b)
The blessing
in physical power: in
spite of your leaving food and drink, my fasting brother, you seem
stronger and more enduring of difficulties. On the other hand,
Allah Almighty blesses you in your power as you become able to
perform the obligatory prayers, along with their Sunan Ratibah
(i.e. the spererogatory prayers to be associated with obligatory
prayer performed regularly, according to a specific order and
number), and the other acts of worship, regardless of hunger and
thirst.
c)
The blessing
in time: consider how
blessed is time, to an extent you could achieve deeds in one day
and night (24 hours) in Ramadan what you could not accomplish
within a whole week in any other month.
So, avail yourself of the
blessing of Ramadan, besides the blessing of the Holy Qur'an, and
be eager to seek its aid on your obedience of Allah, the Most
Merciful, and adherence to uprightness every time and place,
perchance you would be enthused and motivated more to take
advantage of the blessing of that month.
6.
Recall to mind
the good merits of the month of Ramadan enthuses one more to
utilize that excellent month in obedience of Allah:
My dear brother! Allah
Almighty has favored Ramadan with a lot of good merits and
characteristics more than any other month, including:
1.
The odor coming out of the
mouth of a fasting person is better in the Sight of Allah Almighty
than the odor of musk.
2.
Angels keep praying for
forgiveness for the fasting persons until they break their
fast.
3.
The gates of Paradise are
opened, and the gates of the Hell-fire are closed.
4.
It has the Night of Al-Qadr,
which is better than one thousand months (of worship): whoever
deprived of its reward, indeed he's deprived of all
good.
5.
The fasting people are
forgiven on the last night of Ramadan.
6.
Allah Almighty liberates many
of his slaves from the punishment of Hellfire in the last night of
Ramadan.
7.
To be
well-aware of the fact that Allah Almighty has favored fasting for
Himself (with a special reward) over all the other
deeds:
A great privilege received by
one who likes to utilize Ramadan in good, encouraging him not to
abandon that month is that Allah Almighty has favored fasting for
Himself (with a special reward) over all the other deeds, to
estimate by Himself the amount of reward given for it (which is not
fixed). As confirmed in the Hadith in which the Messenger of Allah
said: Allah Almighty says: "All deeds done by the son of Adam are
for him, except fasting, which is for Me, and for which I give
reward." This selection enthuse the believer to utilize that great
superiority.
8.
To know to
what extent the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, and the
righteous forefathers exerted their utmost effort in obedience
during that holy month:
The pious Companions learnt
the superiority of the month of Ramadan in the Sight of Allah
Almighty; thereupon they exerted their utmost effort in worship:
they spent its nights in standing (in prayer) and recitation of the
Qur'an; and looked after the poor and needy by giving them charity
and doing good to them. They also used to feed people and serve
food and drink to the fasting people to break their fast. They
mortified their bodies by obeying Allah Almighty, and fought
enemies of Allah to raise His word, and all worship be
(acknowledged) only for Allah.
9.
To know that
fasting will intercede for its observer on the Day of
Judgment:
Another characteristic that
makes you more attached to and keener on fasting is that it will
intercede for its observer in front of Allah Almighty on the Day of
Judgment, and be a means to remove sins from him. What an excellent
companion is that which will intercede for you when you will be in
the gloomiest and the most difficult state. The Messenger of Allah
said: "Both fasting and Qur'an will intercede for a servant on the
Day of Judgment. Fasting will say: 'O Lord! I have caused him to
abstain from food and all desires by day. So, please, accept my
intercession for him.' The Qur'an will say: 'O Lord! I have caused
him to spend the night sleepless. So, please, accept my
intercession for him.' Thus, their intercession will be accepted
for him." [Reported by Ahmad in his Musnad]
10.
To know that
Ramadan is the month of the Qur'an, and the month of
patience:
That is, to spend its nights
standing (in prayer) and fast its days result in forgiveness of
sins. Fasting is a remedy for many social, psychological, sexual
and health problems.
To know all those worldly and
hereafter characteristics and merits of fasting enthuses the
individual to utilize it, and maintain it with care.
Those are some incentives,
which help the believer, utilize the seasons of the acts of
worship, and the month of mercy and blessed gifts. So, beware of
abandoning such seasons, lest you will be regretful, when regret
will be of no profit. Allah Almighty says: "But the Hereafter is
greater in degrees [of difference] and greater in distinction."
[Al-'Israa' 17:21]
Transliteration:
walalakhiratu akbaru darajatin
waakbaru tafdeelan
We ask Allah to accept from us
our fasting and standing (at night in prayer); and our last
supplication is all perfect praise be to Allah, Lord of the Realms;
and may Allah's Prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad ,
and upon his family and Companions.
Translated by
Wathakker.net website