Month of Ramadhan
“Buniyal Islamu ala khamsin; Shahdati l a ilaha illal lahu wa ana Muhammadar rasulul lahi; Wa iqamis Salati, Wa ita’iz Zakati, wal Hajji, wa Sawmi Ramadhan.” (Bukhari)
Islam is based on five things: declaring that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) is the messenger of Allah, the establishment of Salah, the payment of Zakah, the Hajj and Sawm in the month of Ramadhan. The All-Mighty and the All-Wise has preferred certain people over others; certain places over others and certain times over other times n doe such time is the month of Ramadhan.
During this month we should pay much attention to our intentions and deeds. It is so easy to fall into the habit of going hungry dawn till dusk without ever wondering as to the reasoning behind this glorious month or paying any attention to what can be gained through fasting.
If your anything like me then you’ll spend the whole month just repeating to yourself “Ahh; tomorrow I will recite the Quran, I shall do this and that, before you realise, Eid has arrived and that very big opportunity for seeking help and forgiveness from Allah has been lost.” This Ramadhan I have decided not to make the same mistake, so I’m going to share with you an extract of my plan for the month.
Read and Learn more!
(1) Intention
“Actions shall be judged only by intention; a man shall get what he intends.” (Bukhari)
Firstly; before the commencement of Ramadhan one should ensure correct intentions (Niyyah) and strong determination (Iradah). The intention should be to please Allah through our actions. It should be understood that each and every action in Ramadhan has the objective of instilling God consciousness (Taqwa) in your heart. You should take part in Zikr (Remembrance of Allah) and partake in much Istighfaar (Seeking Forgiveness).
“Glad tidings are for him who finds abundant requests for forgiveness (istighfaar) recorded in his deeds.” (Prophet Muhammad Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam)
Related Reading...
- 4 Prayers you should memorize
Remember that prayers are always answered, but for prayers to be accepted it needs to be done in a manner that is agreeable to Allah. You also need to maintain regularity, sincerity, purity and loyal devotion to Allah and your prayers. - How Does Allah (God) Speak To Us?
ALLAH (GOD) ALSO SPEAKS TO US Sometimes we are just not ready to hear or accept what God (Allah) says to us, which is why we think we are alone and God does not speak with us. - Islam and the Holy Quran
Once you have read the Quran you will then realise that a person who fully submits him or herself to the will of Allah and accepts Islam as a way of life will never participate in an action which simple nullifies his belief.
(2) Recitation of The Holy Quran
“The Quran will either be evidence in your favour or evidence against you.” (Prophet Muhammad Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam)
The month of Ramadhan provides us with a perfect opportunity to develop a routine in reciting the Quran. The only problem being many of us are either lazy or just too busy with the world to contemplate twenty minutes of Quran recitation. By reciting and pondering on the meanings of the verses in the Quran. Tranquillity descends and our heart becomes soft thereby invoking the need to seek help and forgiveness from Allah.
It is unfortunate for many of us Arabic still remains a foreign language due to which one is unable to fully appreciate the splendour of our Holy book The Quran. Therefore it is imperative that we attain a version of the Arabic Quran with English translation so that, at the time of reading we can also understand it.
Develop your character during Ramadan!
Along with the above one should also, during the month of Ramadhan aim to do the following:
(1) Refraining from acts of Disobedience.
(2) Searching for Reward through ones conduct and virtuous deeds.
(3) Zikr and Dua.
(4) Qiyam ul-Layal – Nights of Ramadhan should be spent in prayers and recitation of The Quran. This may not be possible during weekdays for many of us, in such situations one should do in greater quantity Zikr and Dua. And try to observe Qiyam ul-Layal during weekends.
(5) Laylatul Qdar & Itikaaf – This is the night The Quran was revealed. It is the night which is “Better than a thousand nights”. Whoever stands in prayer during this night, Allah will forgive is sins. Indeed the looser is he who misses this blessed night.
(6) Spending in the way of Allah.
(7) Kindness to other people – “..Allah is not kind to him, who is not kind to other people..” (Bukhari & Muslim)
(8) Dawah work – Inviting others to the Truth.
Certainly observing the above is not just restricted to this blessed month but as Muslims it should be one of our life long objectives. Hence, it is so important that we do not despair at our faults or at the inability to attain some or all of these above forms of worship. What one should remember is that practice and patience will be rewarded and as revealed in The Quran:
“..Seek help from Allah and be patient, the earth belongs to Allah. Anyone He wishes from among His servants shall inherit it...” (7:128)
“..Surely Allah does not change the condition of people f they do not change themselves..”
I pray to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) that He makes this a fruitful month for all Muslims during this Ramadhan.
