Ramadhan Preparation #3 – Restrain Your Speech

#3 – Restrain Your Speech

As basic as it sounds, it’s an important reminder that’s worth repeating again and again: restrain your speech, guard your tongue.

Now of course, when we refer to ‘guarding’ “the tongue”, this literally refers to all forms of speech and communication – WhatsApp, Facebook & Twitter included.

Our tongues can result in some pretty major disasters. Disasters such as, resulting in our entire Ramadhan efforts completely wasted.

The Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said:

"Whoever does not give up false statements (i.e. telling lies), and evil deeds, and speaking bad words to others, Allah is not in need of his (fasting) leaving his food and drink." 

(Sahih Al-Bukhari Book #73, Hadith #83)

He also said,

“Fasting is not (abstaining) from eating and drinking only, but also from vain speech and foul language. If one of you is being cursed or annoyed, he should say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.” (Ibn Khuzaimah, Ibn Hibban)

In fact, taking Ramadhan out of the picture, the tongue is capable of such major catastrophes, that, if left completely unrestrained, can cause such a major bankruptcy that in fact cancels out every single one of our good deeds..

The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Do you know who is the one who is bankrupt?”

They said: “Among us, the one who is bankrupt is the one who has no dirhams and no goods.”

He said: “Rather, the one who is bankrupt amongst my ummah (nation) is the one who will come on the Day of Resurrection with (his good deeds, of) prayer, fasting and zakaah,

but he will come having insulted this one, slandered that one, consumed the wealth of this one, shed the blood of that one and beaten this one,

all of whom will be given some of his hasanaat (good deeds), and if his hasanaat run out before the scores have been settled, some of their sins will be taken and thrown onto him, then he will be cast into the Fire.” (Sahih Muslim, Book #032, Hadith #6251)

Gathering good deeds is one thing – RETAINING THEM, is a different challenge altogether. And one of the core aspects of overcoming that challenge is by restraining ourselves from inflicting any and all forms of harm/injustice to others. And the most common form of ‘harm’ we are prone to inflict on a daily (if not hourly) basis, is the harm from our speech.

And considering the massive rewards that await us in Ramadhan, we really don’t want to put ourselves in situations that just gives it away.

While too vast to go into detail, some of the negative and foul speech that we should strive against ourselves are as follows:

Backbiting (gheebah)

Commonly referred to as “mengumpat” in BM, the most common form of foul speech is gheebah (backbiting) - so common in the media and every day speech today, but an act that is in fact so filthy in the sight of Allah that He likens the act to eating the flesh of your dead brother – “Do not backbite one another. Would any one of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother?! You would certainly hate it!” (Surah Al-Hujarat 49:12)

What is the meaning of backbiting? It is to speak about others what they do not like to be said about them. Whether behind them – or in front of them.

The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Do you know what is gheebah (Backbiting)?”

They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best”

He said, “Talking about your brother what he would dislike’

It was said, “(But) what about if what I say about my brother is true?”

He said, “if what you said about him is true, then you would have backbitten him; and if it’s not true, you have slandered him”

(Sahih Muslim Book #032, Hadith #6265)

Defaming/Mocking others

The Prophet said,

“A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. He does not betray him, nor does he lie to him, nor does he forsake him.

All of the Muslim to (another) Muslim is sacred – his honour, his wealth, and his blood.

Taqwa (righteousness and consciousness of God) is here (while pointing to his chest).

It is enough evil for a person to look down upon his fellow Muslim” (Narrated in Tirmidzi)

Boastfulness & Pride

The Prophet said

“Allah has revealed to me that you should all be humble, so that no person would oppress another, and neither should there be anyone displaying pride, or boast to another person” (Muslim)

He also said, “a person with an atom’s weight of arrogance shall not enter paradise” – it is “to deny the truth, and to scorn/look down upon others”. (Muslim)

And these are some of the many negative forms of speech we should restrain ourselves from.

Don’t wait until Ramadhan comes before we start hitting stumbling blocks and losing off our good deeds; train now with the consciousness of retaining your good deeds for the Hereafter, and with the clear intention to be the Best of the Muslims.

A person asked the Prophet who was among the Best of the Muslims.

The prophet said: "(the one) whose hand and tongue, other Muslims are safe (from)"

(sahih Muslim, Book #001, Hadith #0064)

After all, Ramadhan or not, restraining the tongue is in fact the proof of one’s Faith and belief in Allah & The Last Day:

the Prophet said,

“.. whomsoever believes in Allah and the Last Day (i.e. Day of Judgment), let him speak what is good, or just remain silent!” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book #73, Hadith #47)

And if we can actually train ourselves, and sustain this great act of self-restraint, even until after Ramadhan, we can in fact, guarantee ourselves a spot in Paradise. The Prophet said:

"Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw-bones and what is between his two legs (i.e. his tongue and his private parts),

I guarantee Paradise for him."  (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book #76, Hadith #481)

And would you want a guarantee to enter Paradise?

Yeah, me too.

Next : Tip #4 - Moderation in Eating

Ramadhan Preparation #2 – Make Du’aa (i.e. doa) to Allah

"Ramadhan : Hitting the Ground Running"

#2 – Make Du’aa (i.e. doa) to Allah

The righteous predecessors of the past used to make constant du’aa to Allah to be granted the best from their Ramadhan. In fact, if you think about it, their mindset focus of the entire year revolves around Ramadhan itself.

Ma’la Ibn al-Fadhl said about the Salaf (the pious predecessors): “They used to call upon Allah for six months for Ramadhan to be granted to them,

then they would call on Him the other six months that Allah may accept it from them.”

Thus we can see that, from the habit/culture of the righteous Muslims,

it all begins – and ends – with du’aa to Allah.

Allah can leave you distracted as Ramadhan passes by, or He can Make this the Ramadhan that can change your life forever – all you have to do is ASK (Him) : sincerely!

the Prophet Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said: "The most excellent worship is Du’a." (Sahih Al-Jami` no. 1133)

Allah says in the Qur’an:

“And your Lord said: "Invoke Me, [i.e. Make du’aa to Me, and ask Me for anything), I will respond to your (do’a).

Verily! Those who are too arrogant to worship Me [i.e. do not invoke Me] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!" (Surah Ghafir 40:60)

Here, Allah actually commands us to ask from Him & that He has Guaranteed a Response. In fact, to leave off making du’aa to Him is a sign of arrogance and lack of recognition that Allah is Capable of Granting what we want – when in fact He is

·         Al-mujeeb ( المجيب ) : The One Who Answers & Responds (to those who ask of Him)

·         Al-Ghaniy (الغني) : The All-Rich & Free from any needs

·         Al-wahhab (الوهاب) : The Bestower and Granter of Gifts

·         An-nasir (للناصر) : the One Who Helps

·         Al-Jawwad (الجواد) : the Bestower of Good

·         Al-kareem (الكريم) al-Akram (الأكرم) : the ever Most Generous

·         Al-mu'tee (المعطي) : the Supreme Giver

Think about it: for us to not make du’aa is in fact, by our actions, denying Him of these Attributes which He affirmed for Himself – which is a major weakness in our aqidah.

And that’s why the poet, he says,

“Allah gets angry if you stop asking Him,

Whereas the son of Adam, when he is asked, he gets angry!”

What we’ll want to do now in the weeks leading up to Ramadhan, is to make lots and lots of du’aa – not just for Allah to grant us the maximum and best benefit out of Ramadhan, but in general, asking Allah for anything you want.. or, rather, anything you NEED.

Capitalize on this opportunity to mentally and spiritually train ourselves to set aside time to make sincere, personal du’aa to Allah – as simple as it sounds, unfortunately many of us, due to our busy schedules & intensive entertainment demands, we barely spend time to make du’aa to Allah, and hence merely resort to blurting our scripted du’aas which we don’t understand the meaning of, or worse yet, only say “ameen” to what the imam says in his du’aa.

We need to be wary of this, as the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) warned -  "…And know that Allah does not answer a du’aa that comes from a careless and inattentive heart." [Narrated by At–Tirmidzi]

So let’s train from now to speak from our hearts to ask of Allah, so that by Ramadhan, we are more than eager to go through our wishlist!

When should I Make Du’aa?

Alhamdulillah, with some notable exceptions (e.g. in the ttoilet) there are no real restrictions as to when or where we can make du’aa – it can be made virtually anytime, anywhere.

In several authentic hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) informs us of many different times in which du’aa is recommended and has a higher likelihood of being responded to – the last third of the night, while being musafir (traveler), during times of rain, time between azan and iqamah, etc.

But in preparation for Ramadhan, one of the best times we recommend to practice making lots of du’aa would be during sujood (prostration) while in solah (prayer).

The Prophet said:

“The closest that any one of you may be to his Lord is when he is in sujood (prostration),

so make plentiful du’aa’ during that time!”

(Narrated in Sahih Muslim, Book #004, Hadith #0979)

We pray five times a day anyway, so in addition to the usual dzikir and recitation we recite during sujood, why not add more? Allah is in fact more pleased with you when you ask of Him!

With Ramadhan coming, and regular taraweeh prayers being part of the schedule, there are even more plentiful opportunities to make du’aa to Allah in our sujood.

Specific Virtues of Du’aa in Ramadhan

So we can prepare ourselves to “hit the ground running”, here are reminders on some specific benefits of making Du’aa in Ramadhan :

The Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said;

“Three du’aa will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT)), the du’aa of the parent for his child, the du’aa of the one who is fasting, and the du’aa of the traveler.”

[al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]

“When Ramadhan comes, the Doors of Mercy (in one narration: of Paradise) are opened, and the Doors of Hell are closed, and the Shayatin are chained up.” (Bukhari #1899, Muslim #1079).

It can be inferred from this hadith that du’aa during Ramadhan has a greater chance of being accepted, as the Gates of Paradise and Mercy are opened (“Du’aa: the Weapon of the Believer”, Yasir Qadhi).

So let us get into the habit of constantly making sincere Dua's from deep within our hearts and let us not be heedless when supplicating to Allah, insha Allah by the time Ramadan arrives we would have already got into the habit of making the long, sincere and intense Dua's which will readily be accepted during this blessed month especially whilst we are fasting and in the tahajjud/tarawih prayers.

‘O Allah, keep us safe until Ramadan, and make Ramadan faultless for us, and secure it for us as an accepted (month of virtue).

O Allah, make us amongst those who always ask of You, and make us not amongst the heedless and miserly who abandon du’aa.

O Allah, Grant us steadfastness towards preparation of this month & make us not tired or bored from seeking Your Pleasure.

O Allah, Grant us a Ramadhan that will really have a positive impact in changing our lives for the better, and make this a means to attain your Pleasure and Love, perhaps that, by your Mercy, You will grant us acceptance into your Jannah’

Ameen!

“And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near.

I respond to the du’aa of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.

So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.”

(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:186)

Musuh-Musuh kepada Kebaikan?

Dalam usaha kita ke arah kebaikan dan mencari keredhaan Allah, perlu kita ingat, kadangkala walau seikhlas-ikhlas macam mana pun niat untuk membuat sesuatu kebaikan, tidak dapat dielakkan, masih ada mereka yang cuba memusuhi, menyusahkan dan/atau menghalang usaha kita.

Perlu kita ingat:
 
1) Ini adalah sunnatUllah untuk membuktikan sama ada kita benar-benar ikhlas dan benar dalam usaha kita ke arah kebaikan tersebut.

Allah berfirman dalam surah Al-Ankabut ayat 2-3
“Adakah manusia berkira, bahawa mereka akan dibiarkan (setakat hanya) mengatakan: “kami beriman!”, sedangkan mereka tidak diuji?
Dan sesungguhnya kami telah menguji orang-orang yang sebelum mereka, maka sesungguhnya Allah mengetahui orang-orang yang benar dan sesungguhnya Dia mengetahui orang-orang yang dusta”

2) Ini tanda Allah cinta kita

“Apabila Allah mencintai seorang hamba, maka Dia akan mengujinya.” (Hadith Riwayat Tirmidzi)

3) Para Nabi & sahabatnya : Orang yang TERBAIK di kalangan manusia, jauh lebih baik dari kita, niat yang lebih suci, kaidah yang lebih bijaksana, telah dikenakan ujian yang jauh lebih dahsyat.

Rasulullah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) bersabda:
أَشَدُّ النَّاسِ بَلاَءً اْلأَنِبْيَاءُ ثُمَّ اْلأَمْثَلُ فَاْلأَمْثَلُ يُبْتَلَى الرَّجُلُ عَلٰى حَسًبِ ( وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ قَدْرِ ) دِيْنُهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ دِيْنُهُ صَلَبًا اِشْتَدَّ بَلاَؤُهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ فِي دِيْنِهِ رِقَةٌ اُبْتُلِيُ عَلٰى حَسَبِ دِيْنُهِ

“Manusia yang paling dashyat diuji adalah para nabi-nabi, kemudian orang-orang serupa mereka, lalu orang-orang yang serupa.

Seseorang itu diuji menurut ukuran (dalam suatu riwayat ‘kadar’) agamanya. Jika agama kuat, maka ujiannya akan bertambah susah. Dan jika agamanya lemah, maka ia diuji menurut agamanya"
(Hadith riwayat At-Tirmidzi yang menilai: “Hadits ini hasan shahih.”)

Lebih dahsyat ujian, insha Allah itulah tanda lebih tinggi darjat kita di sisi Allah.

Ingatlah, ujian yang kita hadapi ini hanyalah satu ujian kecil, berbanding dengan apa yang telah dihadapi oleh Nabi dan sahabatnya.

Rasulullah bersabda,
“Dahulu sebelum kalian, ada orang disiksa dengan dikubur hidup-hidup. Ada yang kepalanya digergaji menjadi dua bagian.
Ada pula yang kepalanya disisir dengan sikat besi hingga kulit kepalanya terkelupas.
Tetapi siksaan-siksaan itu tidak langsung membuatkan mereka berpaling dari agamanya.” (Riwayat Al-Bukhari)

Allah berfirman
“Janganlah kamu bersikap lemah, dan janganlah (pula) kamu bersedih hati, padahal kamulah orang-orang yang paling tinggi (derajatnya), jika kamu (benar-benar) orang-orang yang beriman.” (Surah Al-Imran, 3:139)

Sebaliknya, apabila dikenakan tentangan teruk oleh mereka yang memusuhinya, inilah nasihat Allah kepada Rasul-Nya.
“Kami lebih mengetahui tentang apa yang mereka katakan,
dan kamu sekali-kali bukanlah seorang pemaksa terhadap mereka.
Maka beri peringatanlah dengan Al Quran kepada orang yang takut dengan ancaman-Ku.”
(Surah Qaf 50:45)

Semoga Allah menjadikan kita di kalangan mereka yang, apabila diuji, bertambah iman dan istiqamah mereka dalam mencari ke-redhaan-Nya. Ameen!

Ramadhan Preparation #1 – Eyes on the Prize: Recognize the Virtues and Excellence of Ramadhan

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

http://islamqa.com/en/ref/13480/virtues%20of%20ramadan

http://muslimmatters.org/2008/08/27/hitting-the-ground-running-in-ramadan/