Friday, June 21, 2013

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


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