Preparation tip #1 involves the simple task of Goal Setting
- ‘eyes on the prize’. Athletes put go through immense physical and
mental training to prepare themselves for victory(s) because they recognize the
value of that victory – to their career, reputation, pockets. The prize of
victory is so great in their minds that they are willing to break and go beyond
their mental/physical limits to attain victory.
Likewise, for us to have the drive to gear up for Ramadhan,
we need to recognize the value of excelling and emerging triumphant in Ramadhan!
The #1 basic goal of Ramadhan : to come completely
clean from sins, and hopes of seeking a great reward, by the end of
Ramadhan.
The Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said:
من صام رمضان إيمانا
ً واحتساباً غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه
“Whomsoever fasts in Ramadhan out of iman (faith) and in
the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins” (Narrated Sahih
Al-Bukhari, Book #2, Hadith #37)
He also said:
"Whoever establishes prayers during the nights* of Ramadan
out of iman and hoping to attain Allah's rewards (not for showing off), all his
past sins will be forgiven." (Sahih
Al-Bukhari, Book #2, Hadith #36)
* What is meant by “prayers during nights of Ramadhan”
is the prayer of taraweeh, qiyamullayl /tahajjud
If you think about it reward : coming out clean, in hopes of
attaining a great reward from Allah – that is, in fact, the Purpose of Life
itself.
The key word here is “iman” – out of sincere faith,
and “ihtisab” – the hope of reward from Allah. Without meeting these
pre-requisites, we won’t come clean.
In the context of “iman” (faith):
* Set out your intention clearly upfront, that you are not fasting because of mere tradition and culture. Instead, have the clear conviction that the intention that you are fasting & praying in Ramadhan for the Pleasure of Allah and for your investment in your Hereafter
* Focus on acts that will
strengthen and increase your iman so that when Ramadhan comes, you do these
acts with iman, and not be struggling to develop it
In the case of “ihtisab” – hoping in the reward of Allah, one of the ways is to recognize, understand, and strive towards obtaining: the virtues and benefits which Allah has promised in this blessed month.
Some of the virtues are as follows:
1. Allaah revealed the Qur’aan in this month
as He says in the verse quoted above (interpretation of the
meaning):
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a
guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion
(between right and wrong)…” [al-Baqarah 2:185]
And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of
Al-Qadr (Decree).” [al-Qadr 97:1]
2. Allaah has Blessed Ramadhan with Laylat al-Qadr in
this month, a night which is better than a thousand (1,000) months’
(worth of worship)
as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) 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 Allaah in that night is better than
worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).
Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel
(Gabriel)] by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees, (All that night), there is
peace (and goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance
of dawn” [al-Qadar 97:1-5]
Explaining the great status of this blessed night, Soorat
al-Qadr was revealed, and there are many ahaadeeth which also speak of that,
such as the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said:
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said:
“There has come to you Ramadaan, a blessed month which
Allaah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened
and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up.
In
it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is
deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.”
(Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 2106; Ahmad, 8769. classed as
saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 999)
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said:
“Whoever spends Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and
in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari,
1910; Muslim, 760)
3. In this month, Allaah opens the gates of Paradise
and closes the gates of Hell, and chains up the devils
As is stated in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 1898; Muslim,
1079), from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah who said that the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“When Ramadaan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened
and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up.”
4. Every night Allaah has people whom He redeems from
the Fire.
That person could be you!
Imam Ahmad (5/256) narrated from the hadeeth of Abu Umaamah
that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“At every breaking of the fast, Allaah has people whom He
redeems.”
(Classed as
saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 987)
Al-Bazzaar (Kashf 962) narrated that Abu Sa’eed said: The
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Allaah has people whom He redeems every day and night –
i.e., in Ramadaan – and every Muslim every day and night has a prayer that is
answered.”
5. Fasting Ramadaan is a means of expiation for the
sins committed since the previous Ramadaan, so long as one avoids major sins.
It was proven in Saheeh Muslim (233) that the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“The five daily prayers, from one Jumu’ah to the next and
from one Ramadhan to the next are expiation for (sins committed) in between,
so long as you avoid major sins.”
6.Fasting in Ramadaan is equivalent to fasting ten
months
Ahmad (21906) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan, a month is like ten
months, and fasting six days after al-Fitr will complete the year.”
7. Whoever prays qiyaam in Ramadaan (Taraweeh, Witr) with
the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole
night in prayer,
Narrated by Abu Dawood (1370), the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Whoever prays qiyaam with the imam until he finishes, it
will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer.”
Classed as
saheeh by al-Albaani in Salaat al-Taraaweeh, p. 15
8. (Reward of) ‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj.
Al-Bukhaari (1782) and Muslim (1256) narrated that Ibn
‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said to a woman among the Ansaar, “What kept you from doing Hajj with
us?”
She said, “We only had two camels that we used for bringing
water.” So her husband and son had gone for Hajj on one camel, and he left the
other for them to use for bringing water.”
He said, “When Ramadaan comes, go for ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah
in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj.” According to a report narrated by
Muslim, “… is equivalent to doing Hajj with me.”
9. It is Sunnah to observe i’tikaaf (retreat for the
purpose of worship) in Ramadaan,
because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) always did that, as it was narrated in the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may
Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) used to spend the last ten days of Ramadaan in i’tikaaf until he
passed away, then his wives observed i’tikaaf after him.” Narrated by
al-Bukhaari, 1922; Muslim, 1172.
10. It is mustahabb (recommended) in the sense of being
strongly recommended in Ramadaan to study the Qur’aan together and to read it a
great deal.
You may study the Qur’aan together by reciting it to someone
else and by having someone else recite it to you. The evidence that this is
mustahabb is the fact that Jibreel used to meet the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) every night in Ramadaan and study the Qur’aan
with him. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6; Muslim, 2308.
Reading Qur’aaan is mustahabb in general, but more so in
Ramadaan.
11. It is mustahabb (recommended) in Ramadaan to offer
iftaar to those who are fasting,
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said:
“Whoever gives iftaar to one who is fasting will have a
reward like his, without that detracting from the fasting person’s reward in
the slightest.”
(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 807; Ibn Maajah, 1746; classed as
saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 647)
Insha Allah, bear these in mind at all times, to keep our “eyes
on the prize”, as we strive towards achieving our target achievement of wiping
our bad records clean, and hoping in a great reward from Allah.
Next: Tip #2 Make Du’aa to Allah
ref
The internet is also full of resources on Ramadan and Islam, and more tech-savvy Muslims can utilise these to increase their knowledge. Interactive downloads are particularly great for engaging the younger generation.
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