Ramadan is also a month of self-discipline. However, Ramadan is almost over now, so let’s ask ourselves: What impact did Ramadan have on us? Have we continued to perform our Prayers in the masjid regularly? Do we feel more inclined to read the Qur’an and ponder over its vast meanings? Are we still reading the Qur’an as regularly as we were during Ramadan?

Have we been able to give charity and lend a helping hand to those who need our assistance as we used to do during Ramadan? Or have we simply gone back to our previous lifestyle as if we had never witnessed Ramadan?

Now it is time for self assessment and reconsideration. We are asking: What kind of person have you become since Ramadan?

Feel free to share your contributions, feelings and experiences with us.

Source: http://www.onislam.net

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1. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “When Ramadan begins, the doors of heaven are opened.” A version has, “the doors of Paradise are opened and the doors of Hell are closed, and the Satans are tied with chains.” Another version has, “the doors of Mercy are opened.” [Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 1, Page 255 and Sahih al-Muslim, Vol 1, Page 346]

Hadrat Shaykh ‘Abd al-Haq Muhaddith-e-Dehlwi comments:

The meaning of the “Doors of heaven” being opened is the continous descending of mercy, and the ascension of good deeds to the Court of the Almighty without any obstacle (preventing it from ascending). It also means the acceptance of (permissible) supplications. The meaning of the “doors of Paradise” being opened is being encouraged and granted the ability to perform good deeds, and the acceptance of these good deeds. The meaning of the “doors of Hell” being closed is the protection of the souls of those who fast, from things which have been forbidden by the Islamic Law, and rescue from the things which provoke a person on doing bad deeds. It also means to break the desire which the heart has of things of lust. The meaning of Satan being tied with chains is the sealing off of all the ways by which evil whispers enter the mind. [Ashi’ah al-Lam’at]

2. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward (from Allah) all his past sins will be forgiven. Whoever prays during the night in Ramadan with faith seeking his reward (from Allah) all his past sins will be forgiven. And whoever passes Lailat-ul-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward (from Allah the Most Exalted) all his past sins will be forgiven.” [Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 1, Page 255 and Sahih al-Muslim, Vol 1, Page 259]

3. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “When the first night of Ramadan comes, the satans and the rebellious Jinn are chained, the doors of hell are closed and not one of them is opened (during the entire the month of Ramadan); the doors of Paradise are opened and not on of them is closed (the entire month of Ramadan); and a crier calls, ‘Those who desire what is good, come forward, and those who desire evil refrain from it’, and many people are freed from Hell by Allah, and that happens every night.” [Tirmidhi, Vol 1, Page 153 and Ibn Maajah, Vol 1, Page 118]

4. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Ramadan, a blessed month, has come to you during which Allah the Most High has made it obligatory for you to fast. In it the doors of Heaven are opened, the doors of Hell are closed, and the rebellious satans are chained. In it there is a night (worshipping in it) which is better than (worshipping for) a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good (and blessing) has indeed been deprived of all good.” [Nasa’i, Vol 1, Page 299 and Mishkat, Vol 1, Page 173]

5. Hadrat Salman al-Farisi reported that on the last day of Sha’ban the Messenger of Allah delivered a sermon. He said, “O people, a great month, a blessed month, a month wherein there is a night which is better than a thousand months has come to you. Allah has made the observance of fasting during it as obligatory, and the standing (in prayer) in its nights as voluntary. Whoever draws near to Allah during it with some good (voluntary, optional) act he is like the one who fulfils an obligatory duty in another month, and whoever fulfils an obligatory duty in it is like the one who fulfils seventy obligatory duties in another month. [Mishkat, Page 173]

It is the month of endurance and the reward of endurance is Paradise. It is the month of sharing with others, and a month in which the believer’s provision is increased. Whoever gives one who has been fasting something with which to break his fast it shall result in the forgiveness of his sins and it shall save him from Hell, and he will have a reward equal to his without his reward being diminished in any respect.”

We said, “O Messenger of Allah, no one from among us has the means to give one who is fasting something with which to break his fast. He said, “Allah gives this reward to him who gives one who is fasting some milk, or a date, or a drink of water with which to break his fast; and whoever gives a full meal to one who is fasting Allah will give him the drink from my Pond (fountain – Kauthar) and he will not feel the thirst till he enters Paradise.It is a month whose beginning is Mercy, whose middle is Forgiveness, and whose end is Freedom from Hell. Whoever makes things easy for his slave during it, Allah will forgive him and free him from Hell.”

6. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Holy Prophet has said, “My Ummah is granted forgiveness in the last night of Ramadan. It was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, is it Lailatul Qadr?” He said, “No, but a workman (slave of Allah) is paid wages in full when he finishes work.”[Musnad Imam Ahmad, Vol 2, Page 567]

7. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “It is not necessary to fast again (do qaza) for a person who naturally vomited. Those who vomit on purpose, then it is necessary on them to fast again.” [Tirmidhi, Vol 1, Page 153 and Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol 1, Page 324]

8. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “If one (who is fasting) does not give up falsehood and action according to it, Allah has no need that he should give up his food and his drink.” [Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 1, Page 255]

Shaykh ‘Abd Al-Haq Muhaddith-e-Dehlwi comments:

This means that his fast shall not be accepted, as the main purpose of fast being made obligatory on a Muslim is not that one stays hungry and thirsty; but in fact the main purpose is to break the desire for lust, and to cool the fire of selfishness, so that the soul instead of being inclined towards the desires of lust, it becomes obedient towards the commands of The Almighty. [Ashi’ah al-Lam’at Vol 2 Page 85]

9. Hadrat Salmah ibn Muhabbaq reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever has a riding animal (conveyance) which carries him to where he can get sufficient food, he should observe the fast of Ramadan wherever he is, when it comes.” [Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol 1, Page 327]

10. Hadrat Anas ibn Malik al-Ka’bi reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah has remitted half the prayer to the traveller ; and fasting to the traveller, the woman who is suckling an infant and the woman who is pregnant.” [Tirmidhi, Vol 1, Page 152 and Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol 1, Page 327]

Hadrat Shaykh ‘Abd al-Haq Muhaddith-e-Dehlwi comments:The Islamic Law allowing the omission of fast for the breast-feeding and the pregnant woman is only in the situation when fasting shall harm or damage herself or the child (otherwise there is no permission not to fast). [Ashi’ah al-Lam’ah Vol 2 Page 94]

11. Hadrat Abu Ayyub al-Ansari reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever fasts during Ramadan then follows it with six days in Shawwal, it will be like a perpetual fast .” [Sahih al-Muslim, Vol 1, Page 369]

12. Hadrat Abu Qatada reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of ‘Arafah may atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming year.” (It is disliked for a Haji, who is in the plain of ‘Arafah on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, to fast on that day (so that he can perform worship and engage himself in the rememberance of Allah to his maximum). [Sahih al-Muslim, Vol 1, Page 367]

13. Hadrat Hafsah reported, “There were four things which the Holy Prophet never omitted: fasting on ‘Ashurah (10th of Muharram), the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and three days (13th, 14th and 15th) every (Islamic) month and praying two rak’ats before the Fard prayers of Fajr.” [Nasa’i, Vol 1, Page 328]

14. Hadrat Abu Dhar reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “O Abu Dhar! When you intend to fast three days in a month, fast on the thirteenth, fourteenth and the fifteenth.” [Nasa’i, Vol 1, Page 328 and Tirmidhi, Vol 1, Page 159]

Important Notes:

1. It is Makruh-e-Tehrimi (strongly disliked) and not permissible to fast on the 1st of Shawwal and the 10th, 11th, 12th or the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. [al-Tahtawi Page 387, Radd al-Muhtar Vol 2 Page 86]

2. A person who woke up in the state that Ghusl was wajib upon him due to ihtilam (nocturnal emission) or after having intercourse, and stay in that state for the whole duration of the day, then he/she is very sinful due to missing the prayers, but the fast kept shall have to be kept (as fast does not break due being in a defiled state). [al-Bahr al-Ra’iq Vol 2 Page 273, and Fatawa-e-‘Alamgiri – Vol 1, Page 187]

3. If an ill person has a strong chance that his/her illness shall increase or shall heal after a long period of time or a healthy person has the chances of becoming ill, then these persons are allowed to break their fast.

4. There are 3 conditions needed in order to establish a strong estimation of something happening:

a) There are visible signs present.
b) The person has their own experience.
c) A Sunni Muslim doctor who is an expert in the field and who is Mastur-ul-Hal (not a fasiq) has informed the patient of this.

5. If there are no visible signs, nor is there any experience nor has he/she been informed by a Sunni Muslim expert doctor; but rather on the informing of a Non-muslim, a fasiq, a misguided doctor or a physicist, the person broke his fast, then they are obliged to give a kaffara (atonement) for it. [Radd al-Muhtar Vol 2 Page 120 and Bahar-e-Shari’at]

6. A person who purposely eats in front of people, then the Islamic Sultan (ruler) should kill him.

7. It is not permissible for people other than the Mu’takif to break their fast (do iftari), eat or drink in the Masjid.Hence, all those besides the mu’takif, who want to eat, drink or break their fast in the Masjid should make the intention of I’itikaf, then enter the Masjid. Now, after performing some dhikr and having recited Durud, one is permitted to eat and drink. However, even in this situation, it is necessary to take into consideration the cleanliness of the mosque. We see many people who disrespect the mosque; making it unclean by eating and drinking in it. This is strictly forbidden and Haram. People who have responsibilities and have authority should pay attention to this and prevent such disrespect to the mosque.

Taken from:

“Anwaar al-Hadith” by Hadrat Allama Mawlana
Mufti Jalal al-Din al-Qadiri al-Amjadi Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho, Chapter 6, Page 152 to 157

Source: http://ahlejannat.wordpress.com/

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It is narrated from Sahl bin Sad (radiyAllaahu anhu): Allah’s Apostle (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa salam) said: “The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast.” [Bukhari: Book 3 Vol 31 #178; Muslim: Book 6 #2417]

It is narrated from Abu Hurayrah (radiyAllaahu anhu) that The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa salam) said: “Religion will continue to prevail as long as people hasten to break the fast, because the Jews and the Christians delay doing so.” [Dawud: Book 13 #2346]

Abu ‘Atiyya (radiyAllaahu anhu) reported: I and Misruq went to ‘A’isha (radiyAllaahu anha) and Masruq said to her: “There are two persons among the Companions of Muhammad (may peace be upon him) none of whom abandons the good, but one of them hastens to observe sunset prayer and break the fast, and the other delays in observing the sunset prayer and in breaking the fast”, whereupon she said: “Who hastens to observe sunset prayer and break the fast?” He said: “It is ‘Abdullah.” Upon this she said: “This is how the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to do.” [Muslim: Book 6 #2419, 2420]

Saying the Pious Predecessors:

Sa’id b. Al-Musayyib reports from his father, “I was once sitting with ‘Umar when a group of people arrived from Al-Sham. ‘Umar enquired about them and how they were; he asked, ‘Do the people of Al-Sham hasten to break the fast.’ He said, ‘Yes.’ [‘Umar] said, ‘They will not cease to remain upon good as long as they do this, and do not wait for the stars [to come out] as the people of Iraq do.’” [‘Abd Al-Razzaq Al-San’ani, Al-Musannaf 4:225.]

‘Amr b. Maymun Al-Awdi reports, “The Companions of Muhammad – Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – used to be the quickest to break the fast and the slowest in taking the pre-dawn meal.” [Ibid. p226.]

Ibn Al-Musayyib also reports that ‘Umar wrote to the commanders of the various regions, ‘Do not be of the procrastinators when breaking the fast, and nor of those who wait for the stars before they start praying [al-maghrib].’ [Ibid. p225.]

Musa b. Anas reports that Anas [ibn Malik] used to have his slave-girl go to the top of his house, instructing her, ‘When the horizon becomes even (evenly lit, marking sunset), tell me.’ [Ibn Abi Shaybah, Al-Musannaf 2:430.]

Abu Al-Tiyah Al-Daba’i reports that “he used to break fast with Ibn ‘Abbas during Ramadan. When evening approached he would send a girl from his household to the roof [to look out], and when the sun set he would make the call to prayer (adhan). He would eat with us, and when he had finished, the call for the commencement of prayer (iqamah) would be given, and he would pray, and we would pray with him.” [Ibid. p429.]

Source: navedz.wordpress.com

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Question
What are the virtues of completing the Qur`an more than once during Ramadan?

Answer

By: `Ali Jum`ah

Wa `alaykum as-Salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear brother, thank you for your question that shows your interest in Islam and your zeal in reciting the Qur’an.

`Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying, “The one who recites a letter from Allah’s Book (i.e. the Qur’an), would receive a reward (hasanah), and the hasanah is multiplied to ten likes. I don’t say ALM (alif lam meem) is a letter, but A (alif) is a letter, L (lam) is a letter, and M (meem) is a letter.” (At-Tirmidhi)

Responding to your question, Dr. `Ali Gom`ah, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, stated,

Ramadan is the month of the Qur`an. Allah Almighty says about the Qur’an, “The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur’an was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction; therefore whoever of you is present in the month, he shall fast therein, and whoever is sick or upon a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days; Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire for you difficulty, and (He desires) that you should complete the number and that you should exalt the greatness of Allah for His having guided you and that you may give thanks.” (Al-Baqarah 2: 185)

And says, “Surely We revealed it on a blessed night surely We are ever warning…” (Ad-Dukhan 44: 3)

And also says, “Surely We revealed it on the grand night.” (Al-Qadr 97: 1)

Al-`Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “The Prophet was the most generous of people, and he was most generous during Ramadan when Gabriel (Jibril) would meet him. Jibril used to meet him every night of Ramadan to teach him the Qur`an. Jibril would find him quick to extend his generosity even quicker than the good wind.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that her father informed her that Jibril (peace be upon him) would recite the Qur’an to him once a year but recited it twice on the year of his death.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The above hadiths show clearly the preference of reciting the Qur`an and completing it once or more in Ramadan and reciting it day or night in abundance though at night is better and garners a greater reward. Allah Almighty says, “Surely the rising by night is the firmest way to tread and the best corrective of speech.” (Al-Muzzammil 73: 6)

In a Qudsi hadith Allah says, “My servant continues to draw closer to me with supererogatory prayers so that I shall love him. If I love him, I shall be the hearing with which he hears, the sight with which he sees, the hands with which he holds, and the feet with which he walks. If he asks Me (for something), I will surely grant it to him and if he seeks refuge in Me, I will grant it to him. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about (seizing) the soul of a faithful servant; he hates death and I hate hurting him.” (Al-Bukhari).

Allah Almighty knows best.

Source: xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com

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Remembering The Most Merciful Allah by His Most Beautiful Names in Ramadan, The Month of Mercy

ASH-SHAFI‘-The Intercessor

Or have they adopted intercessors besides Allah? Say: “Even though they do not control a thing and have no awareness?” Say: “ Intercession is entirely Allah’s affair . The kingdom of the heavens and Earth is His. Then you will be returned to Him.” ( Surat az-Zumar, 39:43-44)

Those who have faith in Allah and yet associate partners with Him assume that these partners will intercede for them on the Day of Judgment. According to their belief, such “guardians” will take responsibility for their followers or purify them. And so they undertake strenuous efforts to earn their approval and constantly think of them. But this is no more than a huge delusion, for Allah states that He will be the only Protector on the Day of Judgment, as follows:

Abandon those who have turned their religion into a game and a diversion, who have been deluded by the life of the world. Remind [them] by it [the Qur'an], lest a person is delivered up to destruction for what he has earned with no protector or intercessor besides Allah. Were he to offer every kind of compensation, it would not be accepted from him… ( Surat al-An‘am, 6:70)

On that Day, no one will befriend another or bear someone’s sins. As Allah informs us, only those who please Him will be allowed to intercede, and this person will surely say the truth. Unbelievers will find no guardian or intercessor on that Day, and no support, protection, or intercession, for Allah is the only Guardian and Intercessor:

Allah created the heavens and Earth and everything between them in six days, and then established Himself firmly upon the Throne. You have no protector or intercessor apart from Him. So will you not pay heed? ( Surat as-Sajda, 32:4)

By Harun Yahya

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It is always good to ponder the true meaning of our religious practices. The month of Ramadan has started and almost 1.5 billion Muslims around the globe are fasting, taking part in an individual and spiritual journey as well as a communal religious celebration. Ramadan is a time to come back to our selves; to come back to our families, our communities, and our societies. It is time for meditating on and for assessing our lives. Beyond being a religious obligation—and often a family tradition—fasting is a school with different levels of knowledge, understanding and commitment.

For every single believer, fasting is an opportunity to think deeply about the meaning of life, its priorities and objectives. We stop eating and drinking during the day, the better to master ourselves to hold in check the human features of our being while we attempt to touch the positive aspiration within us, like a divine spark in our hearts. There is nothing easy about Ramadan: it demands physical effort to gain spiritual achievement. Here lies the meaning of education (tarbiyya) in Islam, as the Lord is the Supreme Educator (ar-Rabb).

Thus, the main objective is to reform and purify ourselves, our bodies, our minds, our hearts through demanding exercises, such as praying, fasting and paying zakah (the purifying social tax). It is not enough not to eat, not to drink and to avoid sex: to fast is to rediscover a philosophy of life that demands constant effort to improve, and to reconcile ourselves with the values and the objectives we have set for our lives. To fast is to rediscover the meaning of mercy (rahmah) and compassion, starting with our own selves. It implies that we remain trustful, optimistic and stop being overcome with guilt. The month of Ramadan is the month of mercy and peace (salam), inner peace as well as peace in the community. It is a month of love, when we show our love to the Most Loving One (al-Wadud) and spread love around us towards our parents, our children, our fellow human beings and especially the poor. This is the way the Most Loving will love us, reminding us by saying “Call me I shall respond to you”, “come to me walking I shall come running to you.” The One God is closer to every one of us than our jugular vein. He is so near (Qareeb) that He is the caring and loving Witness (Shaheed) to all that we do.

Ramadan is the time when the search for life’s meaning, for self-restraint and discipline should prevail over superficial desires, illusions and artificial appetites. It is time to eat less; to meditate and give more. Unfortunately, the statistics are cause for concern: Muslims tend to eat more during the month of Ramadan, ending the fasting days with large and festive meals, or even banquets, turning the month of spiritual restraint into a month of material opulence and excessive consumption. Some Christians have expressed concern about Christmas becoming a kind of family tradition, losing its spiritual meaning and justifying, with a spiritual veneer, the consumerist system of capitalism. People give more during Christmas because people spend more on food, fashionable products, etc. It has become a period of buying and selling: good for the marketplace but not very good for the soul. Muslims should be aware that they might end up doing the same with Ramadan: many are more interested in Ramadan’s nights (of eating and even partying) than in its days of restraint and moderation. Many Muslims are transforming Ramadan into a copy of Christmas: they end up spending more, eating more and forsaking the spiritual objectives of their fast. Reform must start with our selves, by controlling our consumption and deepening our understanding.

Ramadan is also a month of human solidarity. While we may experience hunger until sunset, people are starving to death in many countries and especially in Somalia over these last weeks and months. The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was always generous but even more so during the fasting days. To fast signifies to become closer to the Only One, the First, and to care for the last ones, the poor, the disenfranchised, and the excluded. This is the time to give of one’s time, one’s money, and one’s heart. The spiritual meaning of solidarity is nurtured by the way we deal with our own selves: we should not give to justify, or to excuse our laziness, our lack of commitment, our contradictions or even our lies. The spiritual quality of our giving depends on our personal struggle to be better and more dignified individuals. Our personal self-discipline during Ramadan teaches us that the way we give is as important in the sight of God as what we give. He calls upon us to remain dignified and to give to people with dignity, be they Muslims or people of other faiths, whose dignity we respect profoundly, dearly. This is the meaning of the Qur’anic verse: “We (God) assuredly gave dignity to human beings” (Al-Isra’ 17: 70), female, and male, white and black, rich and poor, Muslims or not.

Fasting also involves justice, as we pay attention to our heart’s rights and to our spiritual needs. To fast is an act of justice towards the self. It should also be an act of justice towards human beings around the world, those who are oppressed and unjustly treated. God is the Just and He commands justice, as the Qur’an tells us. This is the message we Muslims should never forget as we watch Syrian and Bahraini civilians being killed while they demand justice, freedom and dignity. Our hearts and prayers should be with the oppressed, acknowledging that resistance against the oppressors is legitimate, especially in non-violent ways, and especially during Ramadan. To fast is to make ourselves aware of the implications of how we behave and of what we consume. Supporting the people of Syrian and the ongoing protests throughout the Arab world is consistent with this month of love, compassion, solidarity and justice. It also means we must check what we eat, to avoid and boycott products coming from occupying countries or occupied territories. How could we fast and at the same time eat dates exported by Israel, stained with the blood of so many innocent Palestinians. Fasting is awareness, commitment to justice and peaceful resistance.

Between an individual’s spiritual experience and that of the community, there is one common dimension that defines fasting. To fast is an act of liberation. To fast is to liberate one’s self from one’s ego, one’s selfishness, and one’s illusions in order to reach the true inner freedom of those who are at peace with themselves. To fast means to free society from artificial collective emotions, consumerism, insane competition and love of power in order to set ourselves free from injustice, oppression and war. Eventually to fast means to learn individually and collectively to give, to resist and to serve. In the light of our love of the One, and from our human perspective, to serve is to be spiritually freer than to be served.

Source: onislam.net

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How can I achieve spiritual growth in Ramadan amid such busy and hectic life?

I can’t concentrate while I read Quran because I’m so tired of work and the roads are always noisy and crowded?

I face some difficulty as well concentrating in prayers as they are either performed during work allowances or at night after work while I’m totally exhausted and mind-occupied with family burdens.

This really makes me sad. Any ideas or supplications to help me overcome this and enhance my spirituality?

Thank you,  for your question.

What you mentioned in your question is the concern of most people today. Work, kids, family, money, etc. occupy everybody’s mind. But if we surrender and give up, we will miss a lot.

Try to free yourself from such burdens for a while.

Forget everything else and think of God and standing before Him.

In your prayers, try to mediate on the verses you are reading if you are praying alone, or you are hearing from the imam if you are praying in a congregation.

Try to sleep for a while before you go the mosque to pray the Tarawih prayer so that you do not lose track with the imam.

While reading the Quran, feel the presence of God. Feel that God is addressing you with the verses you are reading.

I can tell you about something that will work out insha’a Allah.

Make a lot of du`aa (supplication) to God and surely He will answer you. Ask Him to relieve you from such thoughts and help you concentrate in your prayers.

Source: On Islam/Live Dialogue

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In order to derive the utmost benefit from the sacred month of Ramadān, it is crucial to recognize the spiritual significance and import of this month. Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd radiallahu anhu states, “The master of months is the month of Ramadān and the master of days is the day of Jumu‘ah.” Ramadān is the month, after a year full of sin and spiritual retrogression, which Allah Ta’ala has designated for the revivification of the soul and one’s spiritual ascension. Ramadān is the month, after drifting away from Allah, wherein a servant once again is able to draw near to his Cherisher. However, all this will only be possible is we value this precious month and prepare for it accordingly.

Preparing for Ramadān

It is reported that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam used to commence preparation two months prior by reciting the following supplication at the beginning of Rajab, “Oh Allah, bless us in Rajab and Sha‘ban and make us reach Ramadān.” This shows the importance of conditioning oneself mentally and spiritually for the advent of this month. Ramadān is an long-awaited celestial guest; accordingly, we ought to prepare the grandest reception in appreciation for all of its concomitant blessings and barakah. It is only through such yearning and longing that the significance of Ramadān will develop in our hearts serving as a catalyst to increase our good deeds and to fulfill the objectives of Ramadān.

Objectives of Ramadān

There are three main objectives to attain from this blessed month, namely absolution of one’s sins, attainment of piety and enhancing one’s communion with Allah Ta’ala. In regards to absolution of sin, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam mentioned, “Whosoever fasts and stands for worship in Ramadān out of faith and anticipation of reward, all of his previous sins will be forgiven.” The main element mentioned in this Hadīth is that our effort and strife in worship throughout the month should be with the zest of Iman and zeal of reward. The recompense of this will be a comprehensive exoneration from sins. Generally, we fail to fathom what that really entails. Everyone knows what sins he or she has committed throughout the year. Furthermore, everyone also knows the quality of his or her repentance. This is a chance to submerge oneself in the endless ocean of Allah Ta’ala’s mercy and pardon wherein complete forgiveness is guaranteed.

The burden and anguish of sin, which leads to frustration and anxiety, will be lifted; the veil of inhibition that impedes a person from his Rabb will be removed and the doors to a life of spiritual bliss, ecstasy and harmony will be flung open. In regards to attaining piety, Allah Ta’ala states, “Oh you who believe, Fasting has been made compulsory upon you as had been made compulsory upon those before you so that you may become Allah-fearing.” Fasting is one of the best spiritual exercises to establish piety and a perpetual consciousness of Allah Ta’ala. It is such a personal and sincere act of worship that is only known by Allah and the person keeping the fast. What is it that prevents a person from breaking his fast before sunset? One can easily deceive the people; it is only the consciousness of Allah and fear of His divine reproach that prevents a person from doing so.

Once the realization sets in that the same Omni-cognizant and Omnipotent Allah who knows about the state of our fast is aware of all our actions throughout the year, it will be extremely easy to abstain from any other type of sin. Once a person feels the bliss of being completely pardoned and relieved from the burden of sin coupled with the feeling of Allah’s figurative omnipresence, he or she would have reached a very high pedestal of divine communion. This pedestal is what is referred to as stage of Ihsān; where a person worships Allah as if he or she is seeing Him or with the full conviction and cognizance that Allah is watching him as mentioned in the famous Hadīth of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam . May Allah grant us the ability to reap the benefits of Ramadān.

Source: daruliftaa

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Ramadan comprised of 29 or 30 days is the ninth month according to the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims have been ordered to fast for the sake of Allah during the Holy month of Ramadan. It is obligatory for them to do fasting. The fast begins early in the morning at dawn and the fast breaks at the dusk or in the evening. Muslims observe the fasting and offer more prayers than usual. They are encouraged to recite Holly Quran during the day and at night during Traweeh and Isha prayer. They visit the mosques every night throughout the month to gain blessings of Allah Subhana wa Tallah. They perform supplication, invocation and some of the Muslims go for eitakaaf.

Ramadan brings new awareness and helps in building relations with Almighty Allah. Muslims and believers are taught to focus on self-reformation. Cleansing of the soul and spiritual enlightenment are achieved by doing good deeds. Islam centralizes and stresses up on love and kindness for all. Allah Subhana wa Tallah is merciful and asks His creature to be helpful to others.

Blessings of Allah Subhana wa Tallah shower day and night specifically on Laila-tul-Qadar. The Night of Decress can fall between 21^st and 27^th day of Ramadan. Quran was revealed on this blessed night. Prophet Muhammad Sallah-o-alleh-e-waallehi wsalaam used to increase his amount of nafal prayers, recitation of Quran Pak and invocations in the last ten days of Ramadan. Ramadan is called to be the core or heart of all holly months due to this special night. ,

“Verily! We have sent it down in the Night of Decree. And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees, Peace! Until the appearance of dawn.” [97:1-5]

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Ramadan is the only holy month in which Muslims from all over the world go for the fasting to please their Allah Subhana Wa Tallah. It is necessary for them from not only Islamic point of view, but also it is important for the maintenance and growth of their physical health. Fasting in Ramadan is an effective treatment for both emotional and psychological illnesses.

Fasting is not simply the orderly skipping of harmful meals but it is helpful to boost the person’s will power, improve his taste and manners, reinforce his beliefs, encourages doing well and avoiding of sins. It also strengthens the faith of a believer and the person during the fasting has to avoid disagreement, sulkiness, rashness and all that does not contribute towards a well-balanced and healthy personality.

Besides nutrition, the resistance and ability to face hardships and endurance develops and enhances. Fasting reflects on external physical appearance by eliminating greediness and getting rid of negative thoughts. There are number of benefits of fasting on health, which are instrumental in alleviating a number of physical diseases, such poor digestive system, chronic stomachache, indigestion and so on. Obesity, high blood pressure and other threatening maladies can also be cured with the help of fasting in Ramadan. Scientists and physicians have suggested that fasting should be regarded as an effective means of restoring youthfulness and longevity. However, Islam exempts the sick and old from fasting.

In order to take full benefit of fasting and improve your general health in Ramadan you must follow some rules and regulations improvised by Islam. You can have a good Sehari and eat sensibly at iftar. Do not eat too much fried or spicy products to avoid the fat building and drink lots fluids for the detoxification process of your body during Seher and Iftar.

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Fasting in Ramadan is not very different from normal fasting but it is done for against special nyiah and for a very special purpose to please Allah Subhana wa Tallah. Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory for the all healthy and adult Muslim men, women and older children who crossed the stage of puberty.  On the other hand fasting for weight reduction and other purposes is optional or as prescribed by the doctor. Many patients go for fasting for a number of laboratory tests and other treatment including surgical methods.

When you are not fasting and on crash dieting you may feel:

• Tired and lethargic
• Cold and shivery
• Slow in thinking
• Food cravings
• Stomach ache and grumbling
• Depression and anxiety

When you are fasting for Allah Subhana wa Tallah you will feel:

• Refreshed and energetic
• Warm and comfy
• Charismatic, Focused, alert  and conscious
• Hardly think of having food
• Adopt Good eating habits
• Happier, healthier and comfortable

Fasting in Ramadan is not only meant for weight reduction and fat burning. Fasting otherwise, is not a good way to reduce weight by punishing yourself. Fasting in Ramadan for the pleasure and blessing of Allah Subhana wa Tallah cannot be the same as crash dieting, fasting and not eating. Fasting is a blessing and supports focus on yourself rather than food.

Allah says in Quran Surah Baqra, “O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become Muttaqoon.” [2: 183]

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Iftar or iftari is a meal that people take to break their fasting of almost 12 hours or more. There are many traditions about iftari that people follow but they have less to do with the religion and more to the culture and society. Many families arrange get togethers within the family, for their friends and business associates or contacts.

Traditionally, iftar was not a cultural event but nowadays people have turned it into a source of increasing their business clientele and opportunities by inviting their prospective clients to the iftar dinner, buffet or party. After 15^th of Ramadan, people start inviting their relatives and acquaintances important for their bilateral and corporate relations. These lavish iftar dinners and parties are arranged in big hotels or at other venues.

As soon as the Muslims hear the Maghrib prayer call, they break the fast with dates, salt or water. Iftari can be light or heavy that includes protein enriched foods and lots of carbohydrate rich dishes. Many people prefer to have a light iftari and leave for the mosque for traweeh and isha prayer. In the eastern culture, women are usually responsible for arranging the iftari for everyone in the family. Everyone can enjoy food, drink sorbets and chat for a while before leaving for supplication and invocation.

Feeding some needy in order to seek the mercy or blessings of Almighty Allah is the essence of Ramadan. Many Muslims arrange iftar as a charity that pleases their souls as it was practiced by our last beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallaho alaih-e-Waalehi Wasalam and His SAAS companions and disciples. It is considered a good act of kindness to stick to invite the poor to your dinner table. Simplicity is the best thing one can learn and adopt during and after Ramadan. Along with enjoying the cultural activities, it is mandatory for the Muslims to follow the basic guidelines and principles.  Keeping Islamic ideology foremost and always in your mind will lead to achieve longer lasting blessings of Allah Subhana Wa Tallah in Ramadan and afterwards.

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Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-’As: Mujahid said that Abdullah ibn Amr slaughtered a sheep and said: Have you presented a gift from it to my neighbor, the Jew, for I heard the Apostle of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: Gabriel kept on commending the neighbor to me so that I thought he would make an heir? (Abu Dawud).

The Prophet Muhammad said: “He is not a believer who eats his fill while his neighbor remains hungry by his side” (Baihaqi).

“By Allah, he has no faith (the Prophet repeated it three times) whose neighbors are not safe from his wickedness” (Bukhari).

Ramadan is a great opportunity to share Islam and more specifically, its values of spirituality, generosity and kindness with others, especially your neighbors. It’s a great time to do Dawa. And Dawa is very much needed in the current atmosphere of anger, tension and sadness in the wake of September 11, 2001.

Here are some ideas on how you can share the joy with your neighbors this Ramadan.

1. Begin with Dua

Make Dua that Allah give you and your family the sincerity, strength, motivation and wisdom to do this. Dawa is hard work, and it needs preparation, commitment and organization.

2. Put up a Ramadan banner on your door

This can be something handmade or something more formal.

But don’t stop there. Print out a factsheet on Ramadan and stick that on the door to educate readers passing by about the blessed month and what it means to Muslims.

3. Send neighbors Iftar snacks

Include a note with the food that the month of Ramadan is here and you are sharing your joy with them.

You can offer snacks that are not just “American” but also “ethnic” (i.e. African, Middle Eastern, Indo-Pakistani, etc.). You can include index cards with the snacks listing all of the ingredients. This will help neighbors avoid food that causes allergies.

4. Give kids Ramadan Mubarak balloons and candy

Let your neighbors’ kids also feel the happiness of Ramadan by including chocolate and candy among your snacks. Balloons also add a nice touch, and if you can get some printed which have “Ramadan Mubarak” written on them, they may remember the blessed month even after it has passed.

5. Publish Ramadan information in your neighborhood newsletter

If you are part of a tenants’ association, a group within your housing complex or your neighborhood block parents’ association and they publish a newsletter, inform them about Ramadan and prepare a short write-up about the month. This is a great way of informing many more neighbors about Ramadan.

6. Have a neighborhood Iftar gathering

You don’t have to invite everyone. Perhaps just the closest neighbors can attend this event. Send handmade invitations for an “Iftar gathering” at most a week in advance (avoid the word “party” as it may be misunderstood to mean a gathering including alcohol, loud music, etc.).

Ask about allergies or other food issues before establishing the menu. Include American and “ethnic” food.

Be sure to invite Muslim family and friends who are comfortable interacting with non-Muslims to this event, and brief them about how they should properly share Ramadan with the neighbors.

Also, have some written material on Ramadan available for your guests. You can print out this factsheet and put it on some fancy paper to add to the festive air of the evening.

At the gathering:

Be cordial, generous and friendly, but maintain Islamic rules of behavior and modesty. This should not be a “party” in the common understanding, but more of a religious celebration that is spiritual and respectful to all.

Don’t impose information. Just let non-Muslim guests ask questions, if they want to. As well, be ready for questions about Islam and violence/terrorism, the oppression of women, etc. Give neighbors the benefit of the doubt and clarify their misunderstanding in a calm, gentle manner.

7. Get your kids on it

Tell your kids to inform other neighbors’ kids what Ramadan is all about and have the children invite their classmates to your Iftar gatherings.

8. Talk about what Ramadan means to you

What’s it like to fast? How do you work/go to school and still fast? These are some questions you may be asked. Don’t just point your guests to the pamphlets. Tell them and use some personal examples they can relate to.

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