Introduction
Alḥamdulillāh; all praises are due to Allāh. All thanks are for Allāh. All good are in the Good Hands of Allāh. All affairs shall be returned to Allāh. We seek His forgiveness at all time, and to Him, alone, we repent. May His Peace and Blessings be upon our Master, Habibi Muhammad, his family members, his ṣaḥābah, and all those who follow their guided path.
As much as we are excited for the arrival of the most awaited month; Ramaḍān, we should thank Allāh for granting us another opportunity to live, to see and to experience it, this year.
This is a highlight of 6 virtues, which I strongly believe we should achieve in Ramaḍān. It must be the basics for our observations of the holy month of Ramaḍān. Feel free to add one or more of your own. In fact, share yours with us (readers of GSalam.Net), by commenting below, and you will be rewarded for drawing the attention of your Muslim brothers and sisters towards righteous deeds, insha Allāh.
1. Let’s Fast Extra-Ordinarily
Understandably; there’s no Ramaḍān without fasting from dawn to sunset. I mean; the Muslim may not feel the significance of Ramaḍān, if they are unable to practically observe fasting, regardless of whether or not, they have excuse for not fasting. Any other ‘ibadah that is observed in Ramaḍān comes as an additional to fasting, and the otherwise is not true.
In addition to that, although every matured Muslim fasts, those who fast meaningfully are those who are take their fasting to the extraordinary level.
The objective of fasting goes far beyond refraining from food and sexual intercourse, to instilling self-discipline and developing higher level of human compassion. Thus, if one is able to control his desire over food and sex, and even over backbiting and extending his eyes, he is expected to be able to control his desire over other prohibited acts, i.e. injustice, lies, falsehood, hypocrisy, and etc.
Imām Al-Bukhārī reported a hadīth which was narrated by Abu Hurairah, raḍiya Allāhu ʿanhu, that Rasūlullfāh ṣallā Allāhu ʿalaihi wa sallam, said:
مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ
“Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allāh will have no need of him giving up his food and drink.”
2. Let’s Take the Needy Amongst Us into Consideration
Allāh subḥānahū wa taʿālā has bestowed His favours upon you, by making your means of living easier, so to see how much appreciative you can be. One of the ways we can show our appreciations and gratefulness towards the abundant favours of Allāh on us, is by sharing Bestowals with those who are less fortunate than we are.
So let Allāh be pleased with you by sharing His Bounties on you with others, on top of fasting extra-ordinarily.
The one who goes to sleep with a filled stomach while his neighbour goes to bed emptied stomach, is ranked low in ʾIman, what more about those who neglect their needy neighbours in Ramaḍān?
3. Let’s Take Another Look at Our Tarāwīḥ
Here, I’m not going to discuss about the number of rakaʿahs supposed to be offered in tarāwīḥ. I leave that to you to decide. Rasūlullāh, ṣallā Allāhu ʿalaihi wa sallam, himself did not impose specific number of raka’ah on his Ummah.
Instead, I would l would like to say, that although tarāwīḥ is Sunnah, it should be done with full of sincerity and concentration. The Muslim Ummah is matured enough, and thus has to stop the old argument, which repeats itself every other year, ineffectively.
The bottom line is; the minimum of tarāwīḥ is 2 rakaʿahs, whereas the maximum is up the amount one can afford! Does this mean that tarāwīḥ can be offered more than 20 rakaʿah? The answer is: YES! Can it be offered less than 8 rakaʿah? The answer is also YES!
Instead of arguing on the number of rakaʿahs offered by Rasūlullāh, ṣallā Allāhu ʿalaihi wa sallam, it would be wise to reflect on the quality of those rakaʿahs which he offered. It’s not about quantity. It’s rather about quality; spirit and sincerity. Unless it’s otherwise instructed by Islam.
The tarāwīḥ of the one who offers only two rakaʿahs, with better concentration, sincerity and focused communication with Allāh (supplication), is better than that of the one who offers 20 rakaʿahs, in 20 minutes.
Whether we decide to offer eight rakaʿahs, more or less, it’s very important that one person does not be the cause for an entire mosque to offer only 8 rakaʿahs, in accordance to his desire or wish. One can always leave after 8 rakaʿahs, and allow the tarāwīḥ to continue. There’s nothing wrong with doing that.
Also, if we decide to offer 20 rakaʿahs, the decision should come after we have ensured we are going to do it with heart. There’s no need for us to offer 20 rakaʿahs in 30 minutes. A prayer, even if offered as Sunnah, it’s ‘ibādah. ‘Ibādah (of various kinds) has to be offered with respect. Rewards are granted in accordance to the amount of sincerity and respect shown.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ إِذَا عَمِلَ أَحَدُكُمْ عَمَلاً أَنْ يُتْقِنَهُ
“Allāh loves, when one of you does something, for him to do it well.” ~ Ḥadīth.
Rasūlullāh also said, in a ḥadīth narrated by Abu Hurairah, raḍiya Allāhu ʿanhu, and authenticated by Imām Muslim:
أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ طَيِّبٌ لا يَقْبَلُ إِلا طَيِّبًا
“O people, Allāh is Good and does not accept anything but that which is good.”
The common sense in effective tarāwīḥ is that we remember to be moderate in our consumption of food and drinks, during iftār (breakfast). Therefore, we can make it a point to breakfast with light meals, have sufficient fluids after Maghrib, and enjoy our tarāwīḥ, accordingly.
One is unlikely to retire from tarāwīḥ after 6 or 8 rakaʿahs if he feels fresh. To stay fresh and active during tarāwīḥ, let us not fill our stomachs during iftār.
Rasūlullāh ṣallā Allāhu ʿalaihi wa sallam said in a ḥadīth narrated by Imām Muslim:
مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيـمَاناً وَاحْتِسَاباً غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ
“Whoever spends the nights of Ramaḍān in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward [from Allāh], his previous sins will be forgiven.”
4. Let’s Make Our Fridays in Ramaḍān More Special
Rasūlullāh did encourage us to make our Fridays special, as he himself lived Fridays specially. We can live our Fridays specially by increasing the amount of ‘ibādah we do. Such ‘ibādahs include reading the Qur’an (Surah Al-Kahf, basically), sending more peace and blessings (ṣalawāt) upon Rasūlillāh ṣallā Allāhu ʿalaihi wa sallam, going to Friday prayers earlier, giving charity, being ‘extra' kind to human, animals, plants; and etc.
Rasūlullāh ṣallā Allāhu ʿalaihi wa sallam said in a ḥadīth of Abi Hurairah, raḍiya Allāhu ʿanhu, reported by Imām Muslim:
مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ فأَحْسَنَ الوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ أَتى الجُمُعَةَ، فاسْتَمَعَ وَأَنْصتَ، غُفِرَ لَهُ ما بَيْنَه وَبَيْنَ الجُمُعَةِ وزِيَادة ثَلاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ
“Whoever masters his wudhu, goes to the mosque (for Friday prayers) and listens silently, will have his sins forgiven for the next three days.”
Reading Surah Al-Kahf on Friday entitles us for brightness. The Prophet said in a ḥadīth:
مَنْ قَرَأَ سُورَةَ الكَهْفِ فِي يَوْمِ الجُمُعَةِ أَضَاءَ لَهُ مِنَ النُّورِ مَا بَيْنَ الجُمُعَتَيْنِ
“Whoever reads Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, will have a light that will shine for him from one Friday to the next.”
Every peace and blessing we send upon the Prophet entitles us for a return of peace and blessing upon us, in multiples of tenfolds, from Allāh Himself. Rasūlullāh said:
إِنَّ مِنْ أَفضَلِ أَيَّامِكُمْ يَوْم الجُمُعَةِ ، فأَكثروا عليَّ مِنَ الصَّلاةِ فِيهِ
“The best day among your days is Friday, so send more solawat upon me on [Fridays].”
All the above are achievable in our normal Fridays. When it comes to Ramaḍān, they are multiplied in 10s and 100s, even 1000s, or up to what Allāh wills.
5. Let’s Prepare for Lailatul-Qadr in Advance
Every moment in Ramaḍān is precious. Every night in Ramaḍān is significant, and is unlike any other night. But the most significant night of all in Ramaḍān is Lailatul-Qadr (the Night of decree).
Allāh said with regards to this special night in Sūrah Al-Qadr, 97:3-5:
لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ * تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ * سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ
“The Night of Destiny (Decree) is better than a thousand months; on that night, the angels and the Spirit (Jibril) come down by the permission of their Lord with His decrees for all matters; it is all peace till the break of dawn.”
The night of Lailatul-Qadr is a one night, that occurs once a year, and only in Ramaḍān. It falls on odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramaḍān, which can be the night (evening) of 21, 23, 25, 27 or 29 of Ramaḍān.
Due to the importance of this night, each one of us is encouraged to prepare his wish-list, which he will be presenting before Allāh subḥānahū wa taʿālā. All wishes and requests are granted, as well as all sins are forgiven, except those unprepared nor presented or sought forgiveness for.
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah raḍiya Allāhu ʿanhu narrated a ḥadīth, which was authenticated by Imam(s) Al-Bukhārī and Muslim, that Rasūlullāh ṣallā Allāhu ʿalaihi wa sallam said:
منْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ القَدْرِ إِيمَاناً وَاحْتِسَاباً، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ
“Whosoever performs (coincides) Qiyam during the Lailatul-Qadr, out of faith and in the hope of reward [from Allāh], his previous sins will be forgiven.”
They (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) also reported another ḥadīth, that Sayyidatuna ‘Aishah raḍiya Allāhu ʿanhā said:
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا دَخَلَ العَشْرُ الأَوَاخِرُ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ أَحْيَا اللَّيْلَ وَأَيْقَظَ أَهْلَهُ وَجَدَّ وَشَدَّ المِئْزَرَ
“When the last ten nights (of Ramaḍān) would begin, Rasūlullāh ṣallā Allāhu ʿalaihi wa sallam would keep awake at night (for prayer and devotion), awaken his family and prepare himself to be more diligent in worship.”
Sayyidatuna ‘Aishah raḍiya Allāhu ʿanhā also said in another ḥadīth reported by Imām Al-Tirmidhī:
قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ عَلِمْتُ أَيَّ لَيْلَةٍ لَيْلَةُ القَدْرِ، مَا أَقُولُ فِيهَا؟ قَالَ: قُولِي: اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ العَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
“I asked: “Yaa Rasūlullāh! If I realize (coincide with) Lailatul-Qadr, what should I supplicate in it?” Rasulūllāh ṣallā Allāhu ʿalaihi wa sallam replied, “You should supplicate: Allāhumma innaka `afuwwun, tuhibbul-`afwa, fa`fu `anni (O Allāh, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me).”
In the last 10 days, most of us supplicate to their fullest, something that is obviously good. It is important to know one can say his duʿā in his language of convenience; in the language he they can easily break down (in tears) to show his humility before Allāh subḥānahū wa taʿālaa. One can preferably recite those duʿās, said by Rasūlullūh ṣallā Allāhu ʿalaihi wa sallam during these days.
6. Let’s Celebrate Our Eid Together
Eid marks the happy moments of a successfully accomplished Ramaḍān. We are allowed to celebrate it in any righteous way that our respective cultures approve. But not in any way accepted by our cultures and disapproved by Islam.
SubḥānAllāh! During Eid, children get excited automatically, and so does every Muslim. This excitement is usually translated into the various activities we do and the new clothes we wear.
However, not all among us will have the privilege to celebrate it equally with us. If you really don’t believe this, think of the children of Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and elsewhere. That’s if we think far. If we think near and look around, those you don’t expect to be suffering are the ones suffering. Share with them your happiness, or take away some of their sorrow. This is why Zakatul-Fitr is imposed. So don't forget to pay your Zakatul-Fitr on time, generously. Zakatul-Fitr is imposed to ensure the less fortunate are provided with something to eat on the day of Eid. You may, however, donate more to ensure the children can afford new clothes too.
On the day of Eid, as we go out for the Eid Prayers, Allāh will be proud of us, in front of His angels. And He would bestow upon us his Presents. And inshā Allāh, we look forward to be more pleased in the Hereafter.
Conclusion
You are granted Jannah!. But you have to make a successful transit to reach there. This transit is made through death. The more righteous your deeds are, the smoother and more successfully you can pass through this transit. The season of Ramaḍān is one of such; in which a small/one righteous deed earns you endless rewards and points.
Last year, we may have not welcomed the blessed month of Ramaḍān well. So, this year, let’s seize the opportunity and welcome our Ramaḍān appropriately and bid it the farewell it deserves. “Lailatul-Qadr (The Night of Decree) is better than a thousand months”.
Ramaḍān ends the moment it starts. Let’s ensure by the time it passes, we don’t regret for wasting any moment of it.
Are we prepared? Yes I am! What about you?
Don’t forget to share with us your plans for this Ramaḍān (leave your comment below). Let’s inspire one another, in Allāh’s Sake. Do you have anything to add, so we can practise them together? Remember to enjoin us in your Ramaḍān secrets… 🙂
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PS: You can read this article and other Ramaḍān-related articles in my new book, Reviving the Spirit of Ramaḍān. Kindly obtain your copy from http://www.gsalam.net/ramadan-spirit.
Allāhu Hāfiẓ 🙂
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