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Hamza Asadullah
08-01-2011, 03:43 PM
12 Ways to Maximize Everyday in Ramadan



The most beautiful month has come upon us. Almighty Allah says:

“The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was sent down, a guidance for mankind, clear proofs for the guidance, the Criterion; so whoever amongst you witnesses this month, let him fast it." (Surah al-Baqarah 2:185)

In this blessed month good deeds are multiplied:

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever draws near to Allah during it (Ramadan) with a single characteristic from the characteristics of (voluntary) goodness, he is like whoever performs an obligatory act in other times. And whoever performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts in other times.” (Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 1887)


We should thank Allah abundantly for giving us the opportunity to be able to benefit from such a blessed month. But as we all know life is very uncertain & unfortunately many will have passed away before the coming of this blessed month & so it may well be our very last Ramadan as we may not be alive to see the next.

Therefore we should treat this Ramadan as our last and do our utmost to ensure that we maximize each precious second in this blessed month to ensure that we gain maximum benefit from it.


The following are 12 ways we can maximize each precious day in Ramadan:



1. Purifying our intentions


"Verily actions are judged by intention." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

It is crucial that we purify & correct our intentions before doing any acts of worship. This is because we may have other underlying intentions in our hearts without even realizing it. Like for e.g. we may have in our hearts that we fast because we don't want to look bad in front of our family or friends or because others fast etc.

So before doing any good deed we need to align & focus our intention to ONLY pleasing Allah. By doing this we will increase the sincerity in our worship & acts of virtues & by having better intentions when doing any good act is a means of earning greater rewards for whatever good deed we are doing.

Ibn Al-Mubaarak said: "Maybe a small action is made great by its intention, and maybe a great action is made small by its intention."

Even daily routines like eating, drinking, sleeping, waking up, traveling etc can be a source of great reward by having the right intentions. Having good Intentions is easy & great rewards can be gained without making any hard physical effort. By just spending a couple of seconds having the right intention in our hearts we can turn a whole day to a day of worship. It is like turning dust into gold.


2. Schedule & Monitor Daily Worship



One of the best ways that we can maximize each day in Ramadan is to plan & schedule our time effectively. By doing so we will have clearly defined goals and targets which we can strive towards achieving each day. In this way we can also check & monitor our daily progress & make adjustments & improvements accordingly.

The following two downloads will help us to plan, check & monitor our daily worship throughout Ramadan:


1. Daily Ramadan Worship check

Ramadan Planner.pdf


2. Daily Ramadan hourly scheduler






3. Avoiding distractions



There will be many things getting in our way & distracting us from our worship. But we must take all necessary precautions & measures in order to avoid any possible distractions.

The first thing we must do is to avoid major distractions like TV for a month or at least as much as possible. Putting away games consoles. If we meet with friends then not getting into useless & idle discussions. Not going to places like the mall or high street's unless it is absolutely necessary.

We must also not spend hours on end cooking a table full of food every single day for Iftaar for this is contrary to the purpose of Ramadan. We should spend as little time as possible on things other than worship. We should fulfill our daily duties as quickly as possible & spend as much time as possible in worshiping Allah.


4. Avoid eating excessively



Al-Hassan Al-Basri (RA): “The test of Adam (AS) was food and it is your test until Qiyamah.

Al-Miqdaam ibn Maadiy-Karib (RA) said: I heard the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying: “No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Adam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for his breath.” (Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasaa’I, Ibn Majah )

There is no doubt that excessive eating is not only a cause of many diseases but is also a major factor in stopping us from maximizing our daily worship.

Ibrahim al-Nakha’i (RA), one of the teachers of Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) mentioned: “The people ruined before you were done in by three characteristics: too much talking, too much eating, and too much sleeping.”

There is nothing worse than fasting the whole day & when time comes to open our fast we end up over eating until we can't move. Surely this will make us feel heavy & lazy in worship & make it harder for us to pray & to get up for Sehri.

Ash-Shafi’I (RA) said: I have not filled myself in sixteen years because filling oneself makes the body heavy, removes clear understanding, induces sleep and makes one weak for worship.

It used to be said: Whoever takes control of his stomach gets control of all good deeds.

Over eating goes against the very purpose of Ramadan which is to be moderate in eating & to remember those who have less than us. How can we remember the unfortunate if we constantly over eat before and after fasting?

One day, Al-Hassan (RA) offered some food to his companion who said: I have eaten until I am no longer able to eat.

To which Al-Hassan (RA) said: Subhaana Allah! Does a Muslim eat until he is no longer able to eat?

So let us control the amount we eat & instead have smaller meals. Have some fruit & dates for Iftaar then pray Maghrib & then have a small meal until we are satisfied. After Tarawee we can have another small bite to eat. In this way we are not over eating but spreading out what we eat. So we will not feel heavy or lazy but satisfied & full of energy which we can utilize for worship.



5. Recite the Qur'an abundantly



Ramadan is the month the Qur'an was revealed:

"The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was sent down, a guidance for mankind, clear proofs for the guidance, the Criterion.. (Surah al-Baqarah 2:185)

It is the month of the Qur'an so it should be recited in abundance:

Az-Zuhri used to say upon the coming of Ramadan, “It is only about reciting the Qur’an & feeding the poor.”

Abdur-Raziq said, “When Ramadan came, Sufyan Ath-Thawri would give up all acts of (voluntary) worship & devote himself to the recitation of the Qur’an.”

Outside of Ramadan there are 10 rewards for reciting each letter of the Qur'an:

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam) says: "Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah will receive a hasanah (good deed) from it (i.e. his recitation), and the hasanah is multiplied by ten. I do not say that Alif-Laam-Meem is (considered as) a letter, rather Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter, and Meem is a letter." [At-Tirmidhi, Ad-Darimi]

But in Ramadan ALL good deeds are multiplied by 70 or more. So for each letter of the Qur'an we recite we will gain 70 rewards or more. Can you imagine how much reward we would gain for reciting the entire Qur'an just once? How about twice? Subhaanallah!

Therefore we should concentrate most of our efforts this Ramadan in reciting the Qur'an. We should make a target of how much Qur'an we will recite each day. For e.g. 1 Juz (chapter) half a juz, 4 pages etc. We should aim to complete the Qur'an at least once by the end of Ramadan or as many times as we can.

Along with recitation we should also learn the meanings of what we are reciting & contemplate over the verses. We must try & implement what we learn into our daily lives. That is where the true reward is of reciting the Qur'an.

Note: We should try & recite Surah Ya-sin everyday particularly after Fajr time. We should also recite Surah Mulk before we go to sleep & Surah Kahf every Jumma. Other Surahs we should recite much of are Surah's Zilzalah, Al Kaafirun & Al Ikhlas

Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas & Anas Ibn Malik (RA) reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, ‘Whoever recited Surah Zilzilah (99) would get the reward of reciting half the Qur’an. Whoever recited Surah al Kaafirun (109) would get a reward as if reading a quarter of the Qur’an. Whoever recited Surah al Ikhlas (112) would get a reward as if reading one third of the Qur’an’. (At-Tirmidhi 2818/A)



6. Implementing the Sunnah into daily life



Following the Sunnah is a command from Allah:

"Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "If you (really) love Allah, then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic monotheism, follow the Quran and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Quran: 3:31)

Almighty Allah says: “There certainly is an excellent example in Allah's messenger for he who fears Allah and the last day and remembers Allah abundantly” (al-Ahzaab 21)

By following the Sunnah in every aspect of our daily lives, everything we do will become worship, even going to the toilet, having a bath, dressing & undressing etc.

Annas (RA) reports Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) advised, “Whoever cherishes my Sunnah, indeed he cherishes me & whoever loves me will be with me in Jannah.” (Tirmidhi: 2678: Ibid)

So let us cherish & revive the Sunnah this Ramadan:

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward.” (Tirmidhi)

The following free E book contains daily Sunnah's & dua's we can do from awakening in the morning up until going to sleep at night:

Download Beautiful Daily Sunnah's




7. Nafil (Voluntary) prayers



What better way of drawing closer to Allah this Ramadan than by doing voluntary prayers:

Allah says in Hadith Qudsi:

....and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nafil (voluntary deeds) until I love him, [Bukhari]

Want the company of Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in Jannah? Then increase in Nafil prayers:

Rabi'ah Ibn Malik al-Aslami reported that the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam said: "Ask (anything)." Rabi'ah said: "I ask of you to be your companion in paradise." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Or anything else?" Rabi'ah said: "That is it." The Prophet Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam said to him: "Then help me by making many prostrations (i.e., Nafil prayers)." (Muslim)

The reward for fard prayers outside of Ramadan is the greatest a Muslim can gain but in Ramadan we get the same reward for praying a Nafil prayer. Subhaanallah! What other time of the year are Nafil prayers rewarded equal to that of a fard prayer?

Therefore we should strive to pray as many Nafils as we can in order to get closer to Allah, gain the company of Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in Jannah & gain the rewards of a fard prayer! So we should set ourselves daily targets of praying as many Nafils as we can.


The following are Sunnah & Nafil prayers we can pray everyday in Ramadan & throughout our lives:


1. Pray 12 Raka'ahs of Sunnah daily: - 2 Sunnah of Fajr, 4 Sunnah & 2 Sunnah of Dhuhr and 2 Sunnah of Maghrib

Umm Habibah Ramilah bint Abu Sufyan (RA) narrated she heard the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying: “A house will be built in Paradise for every Muslim who offers twelve units of Prayers other than the obligatory ones in day and night, to seek pleasure of Allah.” (Muslim)


2. Salaatul Duhaa (Can be prayed from 20 mins after sunrise up until 20 minutes before Dhuhr begins)

So we should remain seated after Fajr prayer & recite the Qur'an or do Dhikr up until 20 minutes after Sunrise and pray Salaatul Duhaa. If not then we can pray it anytime before midday.

'Salat al-Dhuhaa consists of 2 - 12 Rakaats and it is preferable to perform 8 Rakaats.' (Raddul Mukhtaar vol.1 pg.505)

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said: Whoever prayed twelve rakaats (before midday), then Allah will, as a reward, prepare a palace of gold for him in Paradise. (Mishkat, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)

3. 4 Sunnah, 2 Sunnah & 2 Nafil of Dhuhr

Umm Habibah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever sticks to the habit of offering four rak`ahs before Noon Prayer and four rak`ahs after it, Allah will shield him against the Hell-Fire.” (Abu Dawud & At-Tirmidhi)

4. 4 Raka'ahs Sunnah of Asr

The Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi wa sallam) said: "May Allaah have Mercy on the one who offers four (Raka'ahs) before 'Asr prayer."(Abu Dawud)

5. Two Raka'ahs Sunnah after entering Masjid

Abu Qatadah (RA) narrated the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) as saying: “If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two rak`ahs before sitting.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

6. Tahiyyatul Wudu - 2 Raka'ahs Sunnah after doing Wudu (Ablution)

Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying to Bilal (RA): “Tell me about the best of your deeds (i.e. one which you deem the most rewarding) since your embracing Islam because I heard your footsteps in front of me in Paradise.” Bilal (RA) replied: “I do not consider any act of mine more rewarding than that whenever I make ablution at any time of night or day, I perform Prayer for as much as was destined for me to do.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)”


7. The MOST REWARDING Nafil Prayer of all is Tahajjud

Allah Most High said: “Establish worship at the going down of the sun until the dark of the night, and (the recital of) the Qur’an at dawn. Lo! (the recital of) the Qur’an at dawn is ever witnessed. And some part of the night awake for its recital, as voluntary worship for you. It may be that your Lord will raise you to a praised estate.” (Qur’an, 17: 78-79)

Imam Abu Sa'id al-Khadimi said,

"There is scholarly consensus (ijma`) that among the best of virtuous acts is the night vigil prayer." [al-Bariqa al-Mahmudiyya Sharh al-Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya]

The scholars derived the following in regards to Tahajjud from the Qur'an and prophetic Hadiths:

1. The minimal night vigil prayer is 2 Rakaats. [Hindiyya, quoting Fath al-Qadir]

2. Its optimal recommended amount is 8 Rakaats, because this was the general practice of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) [Hindiyya, quoting Fath al-Qadir]

3. Lengthier recitation of Qur'an is superior to a larger number of Rakaats prayed. [Durr al-Mukhtaar, Radd al-Muhtar]

If one has not memorized much of the Qur'an then one should recite whatever they know or recite Surah Ikhlas 3 times after Surah Faathiha in each rakah to gain reward of reciting entire Qur'an.

4. It is recommended to start the night vigil with two short Rakaats, because of the Hadith of Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "If you get up for night prayer, start with two short Rakaats." [Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Dawud]

During Ramadan we should aim to pray Tahajjud every night. We can do so by awakening a little earlier for Sehri, making Wudu & praying a minimum of 2 Raka'ahs, but best to pray 8 Raka'ahs.

Abu Hurayrah (RA), related that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the heaven of the earth and proclaims: Who is that who supplicates for Me, and I grant his supplication? Who is that who begs Me for anything and I grant it to him? And who is that who seeks My forgiveness, and I forgive him? (Bukhari, Muslim).

So the last third part of the night is the most blessed & dua's are readily accepted at this time. Therefore by praying Tahajjud it gives us the best opportunity to get closer to Allah & to make sincere dua, repenting for our sins past and present & to crying & asking of Allah for whatever we want.

If we cannot cry due to the hardness of our hearts then we should at least make the face as if we are crying. Just as a mother tends to her baby quicker & more promptly when it is crying in the same way Allah tends to his servants quicker when they are crying.

Ibn Mas`ud (Allah be pleased with him) was asked, "I cannot pray at night." He said, "Your sins have prevented you."



8. Doing excessive Dhikr (Remembrance) of Allah



Utter regret for each second wasted without remembering Allah:

Mu`adh Ibn Jabal (RA) said that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "The People of Paradise will not regret anything except one thing alone: the hour that passed them by in which they made no remembrance of Allah." Narrated Bayhaqi in Shu`ab al-iman (1:392 #512-513)

The highest rank in Jannah are for those who remembered Allah the most:

Abu Sa`id (RA) narrates the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was asked, "Which of the servants of Allah is best in rank before Allah on the Day of resurrection?" He said: "The ones who remember him much."I said: "O Messenger of Allah, what about the fighter in the way of Allah?" He answered: "Even if he strikes the unbelievers and mushrikin with his sword until it broke, and becomes red with their blood, truly those who do Dhikr are better than him in rank." (Ahmad, Tirmidhi, & Bayhaqi)

Therefore we should remember Allah as much as we can & glorify him night & day, not just in Ramadan but until our very last breath. What better time to start remembering Allah more than in this most blessed month.

So we should set ourselves daily targets of doing as much Dhikr as we can. We can remember & glorify Allah whatever we are doing throughout the day. At work, whilst cooking, shopping & even whilst relaxing. We should remember Allah in our heart's & not just by our tongues. We should also contemplate over his magnificence & his creations & imagine him in front of us as we glorify & remember him.


The following are 10 Dhikr, supported by Hadith that we can recite throughout the day & night in Ramadan until our last breath:

Note: We should try & aim to recite each of these 10 Dhikr a 100 times each which makes a total of 1000 a day minimum.

1. Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee - Recite this abundantly during the last ten nights of Ramadan.

2. Subhaanallah

3. Alhamdulillah

4. Allahu Akbar

5. Laa ilaaha illallah

6. LA HAWLA WA LA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH-HIL ALIYYIL ADHEEM

7. Asthaghfirullah-halladhee Laa ilaaha illa-huwal Hayyul Qayyuumu Wa athoobu Ilay

Or short version: Asthaghfirullah

8. SUB-HAAN'ALLAAHi WA BI-HAM'DIHI SUB-HAAN'ALLAH-IL ADHEEM

Or short version: SUB-HAAN'ALLAAHi WA BI-HAM'DIHI

9. Subhāna-llāhi, wa-l-hamdu li-llāhi, wa lā ilāha illā-llāhu, wa-llāhu akbar. Wa lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā bi-llāhi-l-aliyyi-l-azīm

10. Lā ilāha illā-llāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lahu lahu-l-mulku wa lahu-l-ḥamdu yuhyi wa yumītu wa huwa ḥayyu-llā yamūtu abadan abada, ḏū-l-jalāli wa-l-ikrām, biyadihi-l-khayr, wa huwa alā kulli Shay-in qadīr

Or the shortened version:

Laa ilaaha illal-laahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa ‘alaa kulli shay-in qadeer

We should also recite much of durood e Ibrahim which is the durood that is recited towards the end of Salaah.

Or the shortest durood is: Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallim



9. Dua & Repentance



Almighty Allah says in the Qur'an:

"When my servants ask you concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me." [2:186]

The place of Dua is so high in front of Allah, that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallim) has said: "Nothing is more honourable to Allah the Most High than Dua." [Sahih al-Jami` no.5268].

Allah loves repentance & loves those who turn to him in sincere repentance:

Truly Allah loves those who turn [to Him] in repentance... (Qur'an 2:222)

Many of us rush our Dua’s & quite often our hearts are not present whilst we are making dua to Allah. That is why we lose out on much of the benefits & blessings of Dua. Therefore we should not let our minds wonder whilst in Dua & we should concentrate more, making sure our hearts are present whilst asking of Allah. Whilst we are in dua we should imagine Almighty Allah in front of us & so we should humble ourselves in front of him in a state of meekness & humility.

It may also help if we made a list of what we want to ask Allah during our dua’s. We can then refer to this list as a reminder so that we can cover everything we need to ask him, which may help in making our Dua’s longer & more sincere. This is because we will not always remember everything we want to ask Allah unless we note it down & refer back to it when we need to.

The times when Dua's are most accepted during Ramadan are:

1. The third portion of the night shortly before sehri ends. 2. Whilst fasting. 3. Between Asr & Maghrib. 4. Just before fast opens. 5. On Jumma before & after khutba. 6. Between Adhan & Iqamah. 7. Whilst raining. 8. After Qur'an recitation. 9. The Night of Qadr

Let us not be of those who pass by Ramadan without gaining any forgiveness:

Rasullullah (sallahu’ ‘alaihi wasallam) said: ...the angel Jibra’il appeared before me and said: Destruction to him who found the blessed month of Ramadan and let it pass by without gaining forgiveness...’ Upon that I said: ‘Amin.’ (Al-Bukhari, Al-Tabrani)

We should ask of Allah to accept all of our good deeds & efforts throughout Ramadan & be hopeful that Allah will accept it from us. We should also have FULL hope that Allah will accept our Dua’s if not in this world then in the hereafter. We should accept his decree for he knows best in all matters.


10. Behaving in the best of ways & controlling our tongues


Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alahi Wasallam) used to say: “The best amongst you are those who have the best manners and character.” (al-Bukhari)

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had exemplery manners & was the best towards others. Surely he is the best example for us to follow & so we should also do our utmost to behave in the best of ways towards others and show exemplery manners like he did.

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “There is none heavier in the scales of the Hereafter than good character (Tirmidhi & Abu Dawud).

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) also said: “The best loved by me and the nearest to me on the seats on the Day of Resurrection are those who have the best manners and conduct amongst you, who are intimate, are on good terms with others and are humble, and the most hated by me and who will be on the furthest seats from me are those who are talkative and arrogant.” (Tirmidhi)

So if good character & manners are the heaviest on the scales in normal times then can you imagine how much more heavier they will be if we behave with good character and manners during the blessed month of Ramadan?

So let us be the best towards our parents & family, towards our friends & those we know & don't know. Let us be the best towards all Muslims and non Muslims alike.

Controlling our tongues

Ramadan is a time where we must control our desires (nafs) as well as our tongues:

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) 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)

Therefore we must protect our tongues at all times from vain speech and foul language. Protecting the tongue is preventing it from lying, back-biting, slander, tale-carrying, false speech and other things that have been forbidden in the Qur’an & Sunnah.

Those who control their tongues are of the best of Muslims:

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was asked: “Which Muslim is best?” He responded, “One who the other Muslims are safe from his tongue and his hand.” (Tirmidhi, #2504)

So how can we begin to control our tongues? This can be done by “THINKING BEFORE SPEAKING”.

We must not talk without even thinking about what we are going to say. Therefore before we saying anything we should always think whether or not what we are going to say is going to please or displease Allah.

If in doubt whether or not what were about to say will anger or displease Allah then we should just refrain from saying it altogether. If we have nothing good to say then surely it is better NOT to say anything at all.

Remember: We WILL be accountable for everything we said in our lives & so we MUST start taking responsiblity for what comes out of our mouths NOW otherwise we will regret it later when it is too late.

Therefore we must get into the habit of: “Thinking before speaking”.

REMEMBER: If we do not control our tongues then our fasts will be in vain:

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Allah does not need the fast of one who does not abandon false speech or acting according to his false speech.” (Sahih Bukhari)



11. Worship the last 10 nights of Ramadan & I'thiqaaf



Increasing worship in the last ten days of Ramadan:

Allah's Messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time." (Muslim).

Aisha (RA) reported: With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work harder) and used to pray all the night, & used to keep his family awake for the prayers. (Bukhari)

The Night of Qadr

So valuable is the Night of Qadr that the Quran devotes a special surah to it: “Lailatul Qadr is better than a thousand months” [97:3]

This one night surpasses the value of 30,000 nights. The most authentic account of the occurrence of the Night indicates that it can occur on any one of the last ten, odd numbered nights of Ramadan, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29. It may also occur on any of the even nights.

Therefore we should strive to stay up on all of the last 10 nights of Ramadan. If we can't do that then at least on the odd numbered nights of the last ten days. If we still can't manage that then let us pray on whatever nights we can, at least on the 27th night.

If we pray on all of the last ten nights then we have a far better chance of catching this most powerful night & gain the rewards of over 83 YEARS OF WORSHIP! Subhaanallah! Most of us will not even live upto such an age!

Aisha (RA) said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam): 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?' He said Say:

"Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee

Trans: 'Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.' " (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi).


Therefore we should increase our worship on the last ten days and nights of Ramadan & recite even more Qur'an, pray more Nafils, do more dhikr and make longer & more sincere dua's to Allah repenting remorsefully for our past & present sins, hopeful for mercy & forgiveness. We should also thank Allah abundantely.


Performing I'tikaf on the last 10 days of Ramadan


Aishah (RA) reported that the Prophet (Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam): "Used to perform i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah the Mighty and Majestic, took him." (Bukhari & Muslim)

Abu Said reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Whoever makes I`tikaf with me is to make I'tikaf during the last ten [nights]." (Bukhari)

I`tikaf is worshipping Allah in seclusion in the Masjid or for women in her designated place at home. It is done with the intention of becoming closer to Allah. If we cannot manage all 10 days then we can do I'tikaf for however many days we can manage. The more the better.

Each time we are in the Masjid or for a women in her designated place at home, then we can make intention of Nafil I’thikaf and gain reward for the duration of our stay in the Masjid or for women in her designated place at home even if it is for a very short while. A woman can also do I'tikaf whilst she is on her menses by remaining at her designated place at home doing dhikr etc



12. Charity & Generosity



Ramadan is a time of generosity, giving & remembering those who have less than us. Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) became even more generous in Ramadan than he already was:

Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was the most generous of the men; and he was the most generous during the month of Ramadan when Jibril visited him every night and recited the Qur'an to him. During this period, the generosity of Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) waxed faster than the rain bearing wind. (Al-Bukhari & Muslim).

Ramadan is also time where we appreciate what Allah has given us so that we may be thankful to him. Ramadan is an Honorable and blessed month, & the rewards for generosity are multiplied in it.

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said, “The best charity is that given in Ramadan.” (At-Tirmithi).

Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said, “He who feeds a fasting person will gain the same reward as he will, without decreasing from the fasting person’s rewards.” (Ahmad).

We should strive to feed as many fasting people as possible especially those less off than us & those in poorer countries.

Charity should be paid secretly: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Righteous deeds protect a person from an evil end; a charity spent in secret extinguishes Allah’s wrath; and maintaining good ties of kinship increases ones lifespan.” (Tabaraani)

Removing harmful objects from people’s way is also a charity: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam) said: “I saw a man enjoying himself in Paradise (simply) because he removed from a road a tree that used to harm people.” (Muslim)

Note: We should also give our Zakat in the month of Ramadan each year so that we can gain the huge rewards of giving Zakat in the most rewarding of months.

Therefore during Ramadan let us give as much as we can in the path of Allah & know that we will get SO much more in return in this world & the Hereafter. Surely in there hereafter we will regret that which we did not spend in the path of Allah.


Conclusion


My brothers and sisters what an amazing opportunity we have in this blessed month to gain such closeness to Allah as well as his mercy & forgiveness of our past & present sins.

There are immense rewards available for us in this blessed month if only we make the little effort required to gain them. Surely on the day of judgment we will BEG each other for just one good deed but we will not be able to get anything as we will all be in desperate need on that day.

Therefore the time to prepare for the Hereafter is NOW as we may not have a tomorrow. What better time to make lifetime changes than to do so in the most blessed of months - Ramadan.

May Allah enable us to maximize each & every precious second of Ramadan & may he make it a salvation for us in the Hereafter. Ameen
Reply

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Hamza Asadullah
08-02-2011, 01:13 AM
Best Dua for forgiveness throughout Ramadan:


1. Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee

أَللّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ كَرِيْمٌ تُحِبُّ العَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنّيْ
__________________
Reply

Hamza Asadullah
08-02-2011, 07:26 PM
This is the month of abundant rewards for our worship so let us grab these rewards and strive to gain closeness to Allah by remembering him EVERY second of Ramadan!

Let us all recite each of these 10 Dhikr a minimum 100 times each EVERYDAY which makes a total of 1000 a day minimum.

1. Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee - Recite this abundantly during the last ten nights of Ramadan.

2. Subhaanallah

3. Alhamdulillah

4. Allahu Akbar

5. Laa ilaaha illallah

6. LA HAWLA WA LA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH-HIL ALIYYIL ADHEEM

7. Asthaghfirullah-halladhee Laa ilaaha illa-huwal Hayyul Qayyuumu Wa athoobu Ilay

Or short version: Asthaghfirullah

8. SUB-HAAN'ALLAAHi WA BI-HAM'DIHI SUB-HAAN'ALLAH-IL ADHEEM

Or short version: SUB-HAAN'ALLAAHi WA BI-HAM'DIHI

9. Subhāna-llāhi, wa-l-hamdu li-llāhi, wa lā ilāha illā-llāhu, wa-llāhu akbar. Wa lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā bi-llāhi-l-aliyyi-l-azīm

10. Lā ilāha illā-llāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lahu lahu-l-mulku wa lahu-l-ḥamdu yuhyi wa yumītu wa huwa ḥayyu-llā yamūtu abadan abada, ḏū-l-jalāli wa-l-ikrām, biyadihi-l-khayr, wa huwa alā kulli Shay-in qadīr

Or the shortened version:

Laa ilaaha illal-laahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa ‘alaa kulli shay-in qadeer

We should also recite much of durood e Ibrahim which is the durood that is recited towards the end of Salaah.

Or the shortest durood is: Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallim
Reply

Souljette
08-03-2011, 12:10 PM
Asalamualaykum
Jazakallah khair for sharing
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Hamza Asadullah
08-04-2011, 04:45 PM
Want to be in the Prophet (Sallallahu alehi wasallam) in Jannah? Then pray many Nawafils!

Rabi'ah ibn Malik al-Aslami reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu alehi wasallam) said: "Ask (anything)." Rabi'ah said: "I ask of you to be your companion in paradise." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alahi Wasallim) said: "Or anything else?" Rabi'ah said: "That is it." The Prophet (Sallallahu alehi Wasallam) said to him: "Then help me by making many prostrations (i.e., Nawafil prayers)." (Muslim)
Reply

Hamza Asadullah
08-08-2011, 03:59 AM
Will we be the winners or losers at the end of Ramadan?



Hasan (al Basri) stated: Indeed Allah has made Ramadan a means of gain for His creation. (Within this month) they race to gain His pleasure through obedience to Him. Some individuals will gain (win), while others will remain back and lose. It is amazing to see a person playing and laughing on a day that the good doers will be rewarded, and the wrong doers will be defeated.


It is reported that Ali bin Abi Talib would call out on the last day of Ramadan: Where is the winner so that we may congratulate him, and where is the loser so that we may give him condolences. Oh winner, we congratulate you! Oh loser, may Allah give you ease in your time of calamity!

So by the end of Ramadan will we be among the winners or losers? That is upto us. So let us ACT NOW to be among the winners and not among the losers!
Reply

ayesha.ansari
08-08-2011, 04:44 AM
JAZAKALLAH khair really those people who find a way of distraction in Ramadan show that their intentions are not good and they all the time blame the devil that He is guiding him. However ALLAH is the leading power He tell us what is right and what is wrong. Instead of correcting our self we all started to blame each other.
Reply

Al-Mufarridun
08-08-2011, 06:39 AM
:sl:

Jazakallah Khair akhee Hamza for prepering this treasure and sharing with your brothers and sisters. May Allah(swt) reward you abundantly! Ameen


Allah(swt) says;



And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous(Al-Imran - 133)

May Allah(swt) make us all amongst those who hasten to the ultimate goal, and not those who fall behind. Ameen ya Hayy ya Qayyum!
Reply

Hamza Asadullah
08-09-2011, 04:37 AM
Night Prayer of The Prophet


Allah the Most Exalted ordered His Prophet to perform night prayer in the following:

"O you who wraps himself [in clothing], Arise [to pray] the night, except for a little - Half of it - or subtract from it a little. Or add to it, and recite the Quran with measured recitation."

[Noble Quran 73:1-4]



And He said:

"And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station."

[Noble Quran 17:79]



A'ishah said: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) would stand at night until his feet became cracked. I said to him: Why do you do this oh Messenger of Allah, while all of your sins past and future have been forgiven? He said: Shouldn't I be a thankful slave? " [Agreed upon]This proves that thankfulness is not only by the tongue. It is only done by the heart, the tongue, and the limbs. The Prophet (peace be upon him) established the duties of worship in the most complete manner, and in the most perfect form. He did all of this despite the fact that he had to spread the Islamic Aqidah, teach the Muslims, exert himself in the path of Allah, and fulfill the duties of his family and children.

He was as Ibn Rawaha said:

Among us is the Messenger of Allah reciting His book
When the courtesy is separated from the morning, glowing.

He showed us guidance after blindness, so our hearts
Are full of certainty that what he said is reality.

He spends the night separated from his bed
When the beds are heavy with the idol-worshippers.

Hudhaifa said: "I prayed with the Prophet (peace be upon him) one night. He started with Al-Baqarah, so I thought that he will make ruku after that. Then he started Al-Nisa' and recited it. Then he started Aal-Imran and recited it. He would recite slowly; when he came to an ayah with Tasbih, he would make Tasbih. When he came to a request, he would request. When he came to a seeking of refuge, he would seek refuge.. " [Narrated by Muslim]



Ibn Mas'ud said: "I prayed one night with the Prophet. He continued standing until I thought of a bad idea. Someone said: What did you think of doing? He said: I thought to sit down and leave him! " [Agreed upon]



Ibn Hajar said: "In this hadith is proof that the Prophet (peace be upon him) chose to prolong the night prayer. Ibn Mas'ud was strong-willed in preserving his emulation of the Prophet (peace be upon him). He did not think of sitting down until the prayer was much longer than he was used to."


Night Prayer And The Early Muslims


Imam Al-Hasan Al-Basri said: "I did not find any worship more powerful than salah in the middle of the night".

Abu 'Uthman Al-Hindi said: "I was the guest of Abu Huraira for seven [days]. He, his wife, and his servant would divide the night into three parts, praying one part and staying awake for another part".

When Shaddad ibn Aws would go to bed, he would be like a grain in a frying pan. Then he would say: "Oh Allah, hell-fire does not stop me from sleeping". Then he would stand to pray.

Tawus would strongly awaken his family, then he would make wudhu and face the qibla until morning. He would say "The sleep of the worshippers has caused them to completely stop remembering the hell-fire!"

Zum'a al-Abid would pray long hours of the night. When dawn would approach, he would raise his voice and announce: "Oh riders of the beds, are you going to sleep and waste away the entire night? Will you not get up and leave the bed!" He would then hear crying from one place, a person making du'a from another place, and someone making wudu from another place. When fajr time would come, he would say: "At the morning time, the people are thankful for the announcement"


The levels of the early Muslims with regards to Night Prayer


Imam Ibn-ul-Jawzi said: You should know that the early Muslims were at one of seven levels with regards to night prayer:

Level one: These would stay up the entire night. Some of them would pray Fajr with the same wudu as 'Isha'.

Level two: These would pray half of the night.

Level three: These would pray one-third of the night. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: " The most beloved salah to Allah The Exalted is the salah of Dawud. He would sleep half of the night, pray one-third, and sleep one-sixth". [Agreed upon]



Level four: These would pray one-sixth of the night or one-fifth.

Level five: These would not specify an amount of the night. He would only pray until he became sleepy, and would then sleep. When he woke up, he would pray.

Level six: These would pray two or four rak'ah.

Level seven: These would stay awake between the two Isha times [the early time for Isha and the later, recommended time], and they would sweeten their mornings [with du'a]. This way, they would join the night and morning. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Indeed in every night is a time wherein if the worshipper asks Allah for something good, He will give it. And this is in every night." [Narrated by Muslim]


Factors That Make Night Prayer Easy


Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali mentioned some external and internal factors that make Night Prayer easy.

External factors are four:

That the individual should not eat or drink too much. Then sleep will overpower him, and waking up will be difficult.

The person should not tire himself in the daytime with things of no benefit.

He should not avoid the mid-day nap because it helps with regards to waking up.

He should not make sins in the daytime because that will prevent him from night prayer.

Internal factors are four:

The heart should be free from these: malice towards the Muslims, bid'as, and excessive worldly interests.

The heart should have a lot of fear and not too much hope.

He should know the benefits of night prayer.

The best motivation: Love of Allah, and having strong Eman that in his prayer every letter that he utters is freeing him from the punishment of his Lord.

Source: http://www.fastramadan.com/night_prayers.php
Reply

Hamza Asadullah
08-10-2011, 06:23 AM
REVIVE THE SUNNAH THIS RAMADAN!


Every voluntary act is rewarded like a fard act. A fard act is the biggest reward a Muslim can gain so can you imagine the IMMENSE rewards of every Sunnah we act upon?

By following the Sunnah in every aspect of our daily lives, everything we do will become worship, even going to the toilet, having a bath, dressing & undressing etc. By cherishing the Sunnah we can be with the Prophet in Jannah!

Annas (RA) reports Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) advised, “Whoever cherishes my Sunnah, indeed he cherishes me & whoever loves me will be with me in Jannah.” (Tirmidhi: 2678: Ibid)

So let us cherish & revive the Sunnah this Ramadan:

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward.” (Tirmidhi)

Please download a FULL Sunnah collection which includes Sunnahs of ALL aspects of our lives:

Beautiful Daily Sunnah's

http://www.4shared.com/document/XI7O...nnah-s-of.html
Reply

Hamza Asadullah
07-16-2012, 02:02 AM
Ramadan: Reclaiming Yourself


"That You May Learn Self Restraint"



The challenge is to enter Ramadan with the correct intention, determination and sincerity and be consistent throughout this blessed month


Was there a time in your life when you seemed to be more productive? When you were able to do a lot in just a short amount of time? When you had more energy and motivation? More blessing in your sleep? In your money?

If you were not able to maintain the momentum, what happened? Why do you feel less blessing in your life now?

What mistakes and sins might you have committed that, perhaps slowly, removed the blessing from your life? In such a state, you might feel that you have lost sight of who you are and where your life is heading. In such a condition, you may need to salvage yourself; your life.


Islam teaches us that every child is born pure; with the natural disposition created within us by God Almighty. However, despite having once been pure, each one of us has experienced, learned and made choices which in turn either turn us away from our natural disposition or bring us closer to it.

If we find ourselves in a state of error, riddled with mistakes, and in a weakened state, we have taken the first step toward change; we have acknowledged who we are and what we have become. Living in a state of denial only leads us around in circles, doomed to keep repeating the same old mistakes. After recognizing our state of being, and realizing where we went wrong, comes the next point of call - turning to our Lord and repenting with sincerity and humility, asking for strength and guidance and being determined to forge forward and not regress.

Freshness of a New Beginning
It is a chance to reclaim our true selves; our true nature upon which we were created

Everyone likes to have a clean slate; a fresh start. As life goes on, we gain experience and we make mistakes, but with the mercy of God Almighty, we are given many opportunities throughout life to find that ‘purity’ again; that ‘freshness’ of a new beginning and one such time is the month of Ramadan. It is a time when we have the chance to be truly honest with ourselves and take a good close look within our hearts and put right what is wrong and get our lives back on track. It is a chance to reclaim our true selves; our true nature upon which we were created. Through controlling our physical selves and reining in our desires we can stop, look back on our lives and see what led us to where we are now.

It takes courage to look back on life and see the decisions we made and be honest about them. Only a brave soul can take ownership of its reality and the place it is now in. Truly, the honest at heart have a chance to learn from mistakes and allow the tangled web of life’s complexities to turn into wisdom. If we can be candid we will recall many times when we spoke or acted without thinking things through properly first. Perhaps a family tie or friendship ended or was broken; perhaps we had to bear the consequences of a hasty decision or a hasty word for many years to come; perhaps regret, guilt and grief now define the state of our hearts as we carry many burdens throughout each passing day. Perhaps we often think ‘I wish I’d had more self-restraint.’ If any of the above applies to you, read on, because Ramadan is your chance to find redemption.

Ramadan is a chance for us to bring life back to basics. Many of us weaken ourselves by overeating, oversleeping, procrastinating and living a life of heedlessness. But in Ramadan we face a tight regime and our self-discipline is put to the test. With fasting from day break to sun set, maintaining the five daily prayers as well as the extra prayers that are recommended in Ramadan, along with reading the Quran, giving charity and keeping ourselves positive, calm and thoughtful, we could safely call this blessed time a ‘spiritual boot camp’.

In Ramadan we learn just how determined and patient we can be if put to the test; we can go without food, without sleep and without distractions, and still survive!In short, we get to have a peak at our potential; what we can really do if we put our mind to it!

If we translate the sincerity to God that permeates everything we do in Ramadan (we make a conscious effort to be sincere in all what we do to receive the extra blessings), into our everyday life outside Ramadan and retain the spiritual momentum, we could truly be capable, with God’s blessing, of achieving many great things. The challenge is to enter Ramadan with the correct intention, determination and sincerity, be consistent throughout this blessed month and hold onto the blessing we receive throughout the rest of the year. Indeed, learning to restrain ourselves gives us the opportunity to use our energy and talents in fruitful ways that will enhance both this life and the next.

When we control ourselves and obey the rules of Ramadan with the sole aim of seeking the pleasure of God, we attune ourselves to the real meaning and core of life; to worship God, to know Him and be grateful.

How to Approach Ramadan to Gain the Full Benefit
Another important aspect of preparing for Ramadan is to eat light, healthy meals; do not overeat and over indulge

Many people complain about feeling lethargic during the month of fasting. If we do not make fasting our habit during the rest of the year, it will obviously be a shock to the system if we start our fasting just on the first day of Ramadan. To get your body, and mind, in gear before the blessed month arrives there are some simple but important things to do.

The first thing to do is to observe the voluntary fasts on Mondays and Thursdays and the three days in the middle of the lunar month. This includes getting up before the beginning of fajr Prayer to eat the pre-dawn meal (Suhoor). After a while your body gets used to fasting and your mind and heart learns patience, so when you begin the fast of Ramadan you have the energy and stamina to get on with your extra prayers, Quran reading and helping others.

Another important aspect of preparing for Ramadan is to eat light, healthy meals; do not overeat and over indulge. If we can focus on attaining spiritual satisfaction rather than being satisfied with having a full stomach once Maghrib down time comes around, we will not lose sight of the goal, which is gaining more self restraint and thereby more taqwa (God-consciousness).

Apart from the dietary concerns, it is also important to make it a habit to utilize our time wisely. If this becomes an all-year-round habit, when Ramadan comes it will not be such a big difference, because we will already be consistent in our prayer, Quran reading, and have our spiritual life up to standard.

For some of us, time in Ramadan tends to drag, especially toward the latter end of the day before Maghrib time. Sometimes we might be tempted to laze around and watch television or spend mindless hours surfing the net. If this is how we spend the daytime in Ramadan we might actually be on shaky ground because, after all, we do not want to be those Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) spoke of, who fast Ramadan but all they get from it is hunger and thirst. If we truly perceive the greatness of Ramadan we will be motivated to put every minute to good use.
So to prepare ourselves to utilize this blessed month to the fullest, it is advisable to cut down on the amount of time we spend in front of various ‘screens’ (TV, computer and so on), and get busy with Quran, gaining knowledge and doing good.

Mankind is weak and prone to forgetfulness and we all need support and motivation so before Ramadan, it is a great idea to talk to family and friends and make a plan for Ramadan and the goals we want to achieve. Make a pact to remind and support each other; pray together from now and ask God to make this Ramadan the best!

God says in the Quran: {Oh ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may learn self-restraint} (Al Baqarah 2: 183)

Truly, this month teaches us self restraint! The following verses from the Quran help us to understand how we should behave:

{Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant}(Al-A'raf 7: 199)

{And when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.} (Al-Furqan 25: 63)

{If [instead] you show [some] good or conceal it or pardon an offense - indeed, Allah is ever Pardoning and Competent.}(An-Nisa' 4: 149)

We will know that we have had a successful Ramadan if we continue in the good deeds, good behavior and self restraint that we were consistent in during this blessed month, after it has passed. At this point, we will feel the blessings of God come flooding into our lives. Our sleep will be blessed, our wealth and time will be blessed and we will have awoken and developed the strength and insight within us and with the help of God we will approach the coming year after Ramadan with the same sincerity, determination and endeavor that made this month so special.




Source: http://www.onislam.net/english/readi...-yourself.html
Reply

Hamza Asadullah
07-16-2012, 02:04 AM
Make This Ramadan Your Best Ramadan Ever


A short list to help us make this our best Ramadan EVER!

  • Strengthen your faith during this month by confirming your belief in the unity of God.

  • Have the intention of pleasing God with all your acts of worship.

  • Keep away from the things that nullify your faith.

  • Follow the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).

  • Feed the poor and the needy. Feel the gift of giving in Ramadan.

  • Before going out for `Eid prayer, make sure to pay Zakat al-Fitr.

  • Perform the daily prayers at their fixed times and in congregation as much as you can. Attend the Tarawih prayers constantly and perform extra prayers. Rediscover the power of prayer in Ramadan and concentrate much while praying. Leave this worldly life behind your back once you raise your hands and say Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest).

  • Visit your family members and relatives.

  • Observe i`tikaf (retreat in the mosque) during the last ten days of Ramadan, if you can.

  • Make the Quran your companion in Ramadan and have the intention to finish reading it at least once.

  • Have the intention to offer sincere repentance to Allah.

  • Have the intention to refine your manners and the way you treat others.

  • Make any dawah effort during Ramadan if you can, like distributing Ramadan-related dawah materials (CDs, booklets, videos, PDF files, etc.).

  • If you have the financial means, make iftar for new Muslims in your community to help them integrate with their fellow Muslims. You can also invite non-Muslims to such events to get to know them and introduce Islam to them through fasting.

  • Make iftar meals and gifts for orphans and marginalized children to make Ramadan a happy occasion for them.

  • Prepare your du`a (supplication) list. Write down the du`a (supplication) that you want to recite throughout the month. You can ask Allah for anything and everything. Choose the proper times and occasions of offering the du`a. The best supplication is during prostration, while offering the late night prayer, in the last days of Ramadan, and during Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power). Prioritize your list of supplications. Observe the etiquette of making supplication. Start your supplication with praising Allah and sending peace and blessings to the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Face the qiblah (direction) and raise your hands. Be sure that Allah will never let your hands empty when you pray to Him. Do not forget the oppressed people, the people of Syria, and Muslims in Burma (Myanmar).
We pray to Allah to allow us to live till next Ramadan, and make it the best Ramadan ever. Ameen

Excerpt taken from OnIslam
Reply

Hamza Asadullah
07-19-2012, 06:16 AM
Ramadan Worship Checklist



The most blessed month is here and it is a month where all good deeds are increased by 70 times or more, so we cannot afford to miss this opportunity to invest into our hereafter and get closer to Allah as this Ramadan may be our last.

To help us maximise this blessed month the link below is a daily worship checklist which will enable us to check & increase our daily worship in this blessed month.


Downloading the Ramadan Worship checklist:


Please download attached file or alternatively click on any of the links below to download it and then print and also forward to others so that we all maybenefit from making the best of each and every precious second this Ramadan!


Download Attachement:

Attachment 5028


Alternatives ways to download the Ramadan checklist:

Click on the "download this file" box in the 2 links below:

http://www.filedropper.com/ramadanworshipchecklist

Download as Pdf:

http://www.filedropper.com/100464477...ship-checklist


Alternatively download directly from Scribd by signing in using your Facebook account:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/100464477/...ship-Checklist



If you have any issues or problems with downloading or have any questions regarding the Ramadan Worship Plan then please do not hesitate to ask.

May Allah enable us all to make the best of the blessed month of Ramadan. Ameen
Reply

MustafaMc
07-19-2012, 11:15 AM
format_quote Originally Posted by Hamza Asadullah
Best Dua for forgiveness throughout Ramadan:


1. Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee

أَللّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ كَرِيْمٌ تُحِبُّ العَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنّيْ
__________________
Ma sha Allah, most excellent thread. What does this du'a mean in English?
Reply

~Zaria~
07-19-2012, 11:23 AM
format_quote Originally Posted by Hamza Asadullah
Ramadan Worship Checklist


This is the most comprehensive Ramadan worship checklist out there. Surely one of the best way we can make the best of each and every precious second in the blessed month of Ramadan is to have a worship checklist that we can refer to.

^^ SubhanAllah! ^^

This is incredible!

Thank you so much for sharing this with everyone.

May Allah (subhanawataála) reward you abundantly for each and every person who heeds this advice and passes this message on.
Ameen.

:wa:
Reply

Hamza Asadullah
07-19-2012, 07:53 PM
format_quote Originally Posted by MustafaMc
Ma sha Allah, most excellent thread. What does this du'a mean in English?
:sl:

Aisha (Ra), said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam): 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?'

He (The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:

'Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.' (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi).


The transliteration of this Dua is:

"Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee"

We should recite this dua as much as we can particularly during the last 10 nights of Ramadan.
Reply

IbnAbdulHakim
07-19-2012, 07:57 PM
jazakAllah bro, this has been very helpful :)
Reply

Jalal~
07-20-2012, 11:41 AM
:sl:
Brother, could you please explain more about Salatul Duhaa prayer and Salatul Ishraq. When should we pray both of them? Also what are the times of day when it is haram to pray? Jazakallah Khair.
Reply

Hamza Asadullah
07-21-2012, 05:02 AM
format_quote Originally Posted by Jalal~
:sl:
Brother, could you please explain more about Salatul Duhaa prayer and Salatul Ishraq. When should we pray both of them? Also what are the times of day when it is haram to pray? Jazakallah Khair.
:wa:

Salaatul Ishraq and Salaatul Duha are the same prayers but you can pray them seperately if you so wish to gain more reward for example pray 2 x 2 raka'ah 20 minutes after Sunrise and then pray another 2-12 raka'ah later on after breakfast or anytime before Dhuhur begins.

Regarding the forbidden times of prayer they are 3:

1. After the Fard of Fajr up until 20 minutes after Sunrise

2. When the sun is at its highest point (Zawwal) which is 20 minutes before Dhuhur begins

3. From after praying the Fard of Asr up until Maghrib begins.

So let us make the best of this precious month in praying as many voluntary praers as possible as they are worth the reward of a fard prayer! Subhaanallah!
Reply

Hamza Asadullah
07-21-2012, 05:11 PM
Maximize Ramadan with the following threads:


Ramadan Worship Checklist:

http://www.sunnimedia.co.uk/media/fo...-Checklist.pdf


Daily Ramadan Worship Routine

http://sdrv.ms/MAzgm9
Reply

Hamza Asadullah
07-31-2012, 11:23 PM
The Best Sale in the Universe is on Now!




This is it. The best sale in the Universe is on NOW but it only lasts for 30 days each year so grab what you can now before it is too late!!!

It is a forgiveness and good deed free for all like at no other time of the year!!!


Opportunity of a lifetime!

Imagine you were given an opportunity to go through a huge Supermarket and everything in store was 70% or more off. People would go crazy at such an amazing opportunity to grab the cheapest goods at ridiculous prices.

This same sort of analogy applies to the blessed month of Ramadan but this sale is far better than any other and there are far more generous rewards up for grabs not only for the benefit of this world but most of all that which wiull benefit us for the rest of eternity.

This is an opportunity to gain a lifetimes of forgiveness, immense rewards for even the smallest of deeds and Allah has made it easier for us to do good deeds in this blessed month!

So we have a once in a year opportunity for just 30 days to grab as much forgiveness and immense rewards as possible aswell as freedom from the fire, entry into Jannah and best of all an opportunity to please Allah and get closer to him.


Reward of 1000 months (83 years) and entire lifetime forgiveness in one night:


There is a night in the last 10 nights of Ramadan where we have the opportunity to grab 83 years of worship reward and an entire lifetime of sins in just one night. It is none other than in the night of power (Laylatul Qadr).


Summary of the special offers available in this blessed month only:


Forgiveness for an entire lifetime of sins

An opportunity to please Allah and get closer to him

An opportunity to do more good deeds more so than in any other month

EVERY Nawafil (Voluntary) prayer rewarded like a Fard (obligatory) prayer!!!

Every Fard prayer rewarded like 70 fard prayers!!!

Every letter of the Qur'an rewarded a minimum of 700 good deeds and double for those who struggle reciting who get minimum of 1400 for each letter!!!

These are just minimum as EVERY good deed could be multiplied from 70 to 700 or more! Allah is most generous!!!


Act fast as the sale ends soon!


So come on what are you waiting for? GRAB as much forgiveness and as many good deeds as you can before its too late. This may be our last chance ever to have such an amazing opportunity as we may not be alive to see next Ramadan just as many others who thought they would be alive this Ramadan were taken by death.


Surely on the day of judgement we will BEG each other for just one good deed but we will not be able to obtain any because we will all be in need on that day. So grab what you can now before its too late!!!


Offer ends very shortly at the end of Ramadan!
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Hamza Asadullah
07-06-2013, 01:01 AM
The 3 ways to turbo charge your Ramadan




At the end of every Ramadan there is always mixed feelings of loss that the blessed month has ended alongside the joys of the celebration of Eid. Then it gets to Hajj season and six months to the next Ramadan and we start fearing the return of the month of fasting. Rather than looking forward to Ramadan (and its blessings) we start to fear the long days, and the usual things like ‘how will we fast for so long?’, ‘I can’t go to work and fast, it’s just too hard,’ etc. In this article I will look at ways that you can start looking forward to Ramadan with such a passion that you will wish it was tomorrow In sha Allah!

We know that the Sahaba (may Allāh be pleased with them) used to start preparing for Ramadan six months in advance. If you can do that then that’s awesome. However, for many of us with busy lifestyles and the hustle and bustle of life, our priorities are not always right. That doesn’t mean it is too late. There is no doubt that we should be aiming to make the best of every act we do in Ramadan, and preparing for the blessed month will help us in multiple ways.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “Whoever draws near to Allah during it (Ramadan) with a single characteristic from the characteristics of (voluntary) goodness, he is like whoever performs an obligatory act in other times. And whoever performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts in other times.” [Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 1887].

The 3 things I recommend every year to prepare for Ramadan are:


Voluntary Fasting

Abu Hurairah (may Allāh be pleased with him) reported that the most the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) would fast would be Monday and Thursday. He was asked about that and he said: “On Mondays and Thursday Allah forgives every Muslim except two who have forsaken one another. He says: ‘Leave these two until they reconcile.’” [Ibn Majah].

Not that you need any more reason to do voluntary fasting but what is absolutely amazing is that modern scientific research is showing the benefits of intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting is basically the scientific name for fasting two days a week, or 3 days a month, or fasting every other day. Each of these are clearly set out within the Islamic tradition and it is wonderful that these practices are now being advocated by non-Muslims.

If you feel that doing a 16-hour fast is too difficult outside Ramadan at this stage, then I suggest you cut down on your food consumption for a few days a month so that you can prepare your body for the food reduction that will take place.

Giving Charity

This isn’t charity-giving in a conventional sense but working out how much you will give and planning it with your family- your spouse, your children, maybe others.

Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) when asked which charity is best, “He (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: Charity in Ramadan.” [Tirmidhi] and Aishah (may Allāh be pleased with her) narrated that “He (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: ‘Do as much of good deeds as you can, for Allah does not get tired (of giving reward) until you get tired. And the most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are continuous, even if they are a few.’ [Nasai]

These hadiths remind me that even though we should give charity in Ramadan, rather than being overzealous and giving everything in the first few days or saving it all for the last 10 days of Ramadan, why not work out how much you will give and then split it over the 30 days? For example: My children have £30 to give in charity. Through the ‘charity planning’ meeting we discuss how they will give this out and they usually decide to give £1 a day. They can then give this to any cause they choose and it’s the small consistent act that has powerful impact outside Ramadan. Often they will make charitable donations outside Ramadan because the habit of giving was formed in Ramadan. Alhamdulillah.

The Power of Dua

Many of us know how to make dua but at the same time we have no idea how to ask Allah (glorified and exalted be He) for the things that we desperately want. We go on year on year, day by day making the same old dua for the same old things. If you want to turbocharge your life this Ramadan, this needs to change. You need to adopt a new dua habit In sha Allah.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said “The most excellent worship is Du’a.” [Sahih Al-Jami', no. 1133]. And Allah (glorified and exalted be He) tells us in the Qur’an “And your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’ Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible.” [Qur'an: Chapter 40, Verse 60].

So why have we stopped asking Allah (glorified and exalted be He) for what we really want? In preparation for Ramadan I urge you to take some time out and dedicate it to working out what you really want from your life so you can strategically plan your duas this Ramadan. Don’t be shy of Allah (glorified and exalted be He), and don’t ask for a little. His bounty is huge and He can answer all your duas without diminishing his bounty.

Make this year’s dua planning session different to those you have done in the past by writing things down. Work out what it will look like when you have achieved it and also plan a few milestones.

Conclusion

If you are able to do these three things then In sha Allah this Ramadan will change your life. Many times I have read articles like this and then only put one of the recommendations into action or carried on without any change.

My suggestion to you, dear reader, is to take a few moments to reflect upon what you just read and think about how you can put this into your life. Remember it is small changes that are needed. There is nothing radical in these suggestions its just the impact is huge especially if you do all three… and I know this from personal experience!


Taken from: http://productivemuslim.com/3-things...#ixzz2YDrF1zNL
Reply

zoron
07-06-2013, 05:20 AM
WaalaikumSalam

Thank you for sharing,

But i think there is one particular thing that we should put more attention to it, that is the preparation for Ramadhan itself. We should prepare to make those list above as our habit before ramadhan comes, therefor when ramadhan is finally comes we wont feel heavy in practicing everything, or maybe just part of those list. Just an example when i about to play football, i should do an enough warming up, this is to prevent any injuries, so when it comes to play, i can really enjoy the games itself, the same as ramadhan, when we have a good preparation before it, when ramadhan comes, we will enjoy doing the worship/ibadah

Thank you :)
Reply

Hamza Asadullah
07-06-2013, 04:41 PM
format_quote Originally Posted by zoron
WaalaikumSalam

Thank you for sharing,

But i think there is one particular thing that we should put more attention to it, that is the preparation for Ramadhan itself. We should prepare to make those list above as our habit before ramadhan comes, therefor when ramadhan is finally comes we wont feel heavy in practicing everything, or maybe just part of those list. Just an example when i about to play football, i should do an enough warming up, this is to prevent any injuries, so when it comes to play, i can really enjoy the games itself, the same as ramadhan, when we have a good preparation before it, when ramadhan comes, we will enjoy doing the worship/ibadah

Thank you :)
:wa:

Yes brother I fully agree. I have been topping up the preparation for Ramadan thread for a while now:

10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan

http://www.islamicboard.com/fasting-...e-ramadan.html


but since Ramadan is only a couple of days away I thought it was now time to bring out the maximising Ramadan thread.


May Allah enable us to be fully prepared for this most precious month. Ameen
Reply

SirZubair
07-10-2013, 12:43 AM
Asalam alaikum,

Ramadan Kareem everybody :)
Reply

Hamza Asadullah
07-19-2013, 08:58 PM
The Ramadan Maximizing Guide

In this guide, there are 10 best tips and tricks to help you maximize your Ramadan.

Please click the link to download this very beneficial E book:

http://www.muslimlifehacks.com/eBook...izingGuide.pdf
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Hamza Asadullah
06-26-2015, 02:29 AM
Make This Ramadan Count!


by Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali | Translated and Edited by Shafiur Rahman

O the one who has wasted his life in disobedience, O the one who has neglected his month, nay his entire time, and has wasted it. O the one whose provisions are procrastination and neglect, what wretched provisions! O the one who has made the Qur’an and the month of Ramadan complainants against you, how do you expect them to intercede on your behalf? …………………………………………� �…………………………………

O servants of Allah, this is the month of Ramadan, in which the Qur’an was revealed and in its remaining days are bliss for the worshipers. This is the book of Allah recited and listened to amongst you; it is the Qur’an which, if it was sent upon a mountain, you would have seen the mountain split asunder out of fear and humility – but despite this, no heart fears, no eyes weep, the fasts do not prevent from haram [sin] so that they may be of benefit, the prayers at night are not such that the one praying can hope for intercession, hearts are bereft of the fear of Allah so they are deserted and empty of any goodness, the darkness of sins have shrouded them and therefore they cannot see nor hear.

How many ayat [verses] are recited upon us and still our hearts are like rocks or even harder? How many months of Ramadan pass by us and our states are like that of those condemned to wretchedness? No youth amongst us ceases to follow his youthful passions, and no elder amongst us takes heed of the warnings to give up evil deeds so that he may be amongst the pure ones.

Where are we in relation to the people when they hear the caller of Allah and respond to the call? And when the ayat are recited upon them, their hearts soften. And when they fast, their speech, hearing and sight also fast. Are they not examples for us to follow? How great a distance between us and the pure ones! We are further from them than the distance between Safa and Marwa., When our speech is good, our actions are bad. There is no power or might except by Allah, the most high the most majestic, and Allah is enough for us.

O self, the righteous ones have triumphed through taqwa1

They perceived the truth whilst my heart is blind,

O their splendid beauty—whilst the night conceals them

Their light exceeds that of the stars,

They spend the nights in the melody of remembrance

Their living made pure by this melody,

Their hearts have emptied for remembrance

Their tears are like pearls arranged,

Their daybreak shines radiant upon them

Honoured robes of clemency are the best allotment,

Woe unto you O soul will you not awaken?

And benefit before my feet slip?

In trivial matters and whims has time elapsed

So grasp what remains of it and profit.
Reply

Hamza Asadullah
06-15-2016, 03:09 AM
RamadanReminders - 7 Ways to Maximize your Ramadan!

https://youtu.be/JQ6k57qrgJU
Reply

Hamza Asadullah
05-28-2017, 06:48 PM
Advice to Make the Best of Ramadan

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Hamza Asadullah
05-31-2017, 12:46 AM
My best Ramadan:

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Hamza Asadullah
05-17-2018, 02:48 AM
Preparation for a Rewarding Ramadan

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Hamza Asadullah
05-17-2018, 05:02 AM
Best Tips to Prepare Your Mind, Body and Soul for Ramadan

http://www.withaspin.com/2018/03/07/...l-for-ramadan/

Twitter
Lost on where to begin your Ramadan preparation? Find practical and easy to follow checklist to prepare your mind, body and soul for Ramadan....
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Hamza Asadullah
05-26-2018, 05:16 AM
How To Get The Best Out Of RAMADAN (2018) *TIPS*

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rafhelp
06-04-2018, 07:37 PM
I watch a video which showed proof that fasting helps your body to heal and even combat the cold. So if you have a cold its better to fast (dependent on individual circumstances)
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Hamza Asadullah
05-06-2020, 01:02 AM
How To Get The Best Out Of RAMADAN (2020) *TIPS*

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Hamza Asadullah
04-03-2022, 02:42 AM
Is This Your Ramadan ?! Very Powerful Speech!

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Hamza Asadullah
04-07-2022, 06:36 AM
How to Maximise your Rewards in Ramadan

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