The Official Ramadan Thread. Ramadan 1431 A.H/August 2010

Ramadan Pointers

By Shaykh Haitham Al-Haddad
​


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The bounties and opportunities of Ramadan are many and unlimited yet the number of days we have to take advantage of it are few and limited.


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Patience

…those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure!1
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Patience is inseparable from the purpose of Ramadan. Scholars mention four areas where patience is required: fulfilling acts of obedience to Allah; refraining from prohibitions; bearing trials and tribulations; and preserving one’s heart and intellect from misguidance. Fasting allows us to exercise and develop all these types of patience.


For Days Passed By!
Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent on before you in days past!2​
Al-Hasan al-Basri is reported to have said, ‘The Hur al-'Ayn will say to a wali of Allah whilst reclining with her by a river of honey and being presented with a cup, "Allah looked upon you on a very long hot day, experiencing severe thirst and so Allah boasted about you before the Angels saying, 'Look at my slave, he has forsaken his wife, desire, pleasure, food and drink for my sake and for what is with me, bear witness that I have forgiven him!' So he forgave you that day and wed me to you".'

The All-Seer

The fasting day is much longer this year and it will get even longer with the years to come. This creates more difficulty for everyone, especially those at work. It is important to realise that we are all under the watchful gaze of the One who is above us all and that He is reserving our reward for us and soon enough we will find that reward with great happiness and joy. This is a matter we should often remind ourselves of throughout the day especially when we feel the pangs of hunger; when we fast all the while being conscious that Allah is watching us, our rewards multiply.


A Private Affair

The fast is a secret between the slave and his Lord, no one knows about the difficulty and hardship the fasting person is going through except Allah. He is the one who determines the reward, and His bounty is unlimited! Allah’s Messenger said, ‘Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving ten times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, 'Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.' Fasting is a type of communication with Allah just as prayer is. It is as though we are calling out to Him, ‘I am only doing this action that no one knows about except for you. And this action that I do, even though I am doing it, it belongs to you.’


Striving to Win

Abu Musa al-‘Ashari is an example of one who came before us who truly understood the rewards and virtues of fasting and would love to increase his worship of Allah. He said, ‘Allah decreed upon Himself that whoever goes thirsty for Him on a hot day, that He would grant him water on the Day of Judgement.”3 Abu Musa would often fast and choose days that were hot and long.


The Highest Objective
O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain taqwa (piety).4​
We fast in order to attain taqwa. One scholar defined it in the following manner, ‘Taqwa is to act in obedience to Allah, upon a light from Allah, hoping for reward from Allah; and to abandon disobedience of Allah, upon a light from Allah, fearing punishment from Allah.’5



The Glorious Qur’an
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).”6​
It is almost as though Allah is telling us that we should shift our focus and efforts during the holy month of Ramadan to reading the Qur’an. This is what some of the past scholars did as they would stop delivering lectures and answering questions. Many of them completed it dozens of times during this blessed month. This is a great opportunity for us to become more proficient in our recitation and ponder much over the Quran.


Translating Guidance

We should read the Quran with its translation as this will help us to understand what Allah is saying to us and will aid us in learning the Arabic words that appear in the Quran often. Reading the Quran is not enough; we must understand and ponder over it. This is why Allah said it is guidance for mankind so that we know what is right and what is wrong. Only when we know what is being read can we take it as a source of guidance. An easy step to take in this regard is to simply select a small portion of your daily recitation and read the English whilst following the Arabic. By doing this every Ramadan one can really build up their Quranic Arabic vocabulary.


Intimacy of Tawheed

“And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me. So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.”7​
This verse is among the same set that commands us with fasting; as we read the words of Our Lord and comply with what is asked from us, we should also ask Him what we need and want from Him. We should feel close to Allah in this month more so than any other month. As Allah speaks to us through his words in His book, we should speak to Allah in our supplications.

Whenever people questioned the Prophet about a matter and Allah addressed it in the Qur’an he would start by saying, ‘Qul’ (Say) Yet, when Allah was asked about Himself as in this ayah, he did not say, ‘Qul’. This shows us that we do not need to go through anyone to reach Allah and ask of Him, emphasising the greatness and importance of His Oneness. This also shows us how close Allah is to us. Allah also expresses His nearness to us by attaching the slave to Himself, ‘And when My slave asks you.’ This also shows the great heights a human being can reach by being a slave of Allah. Other verses refer to the slave as though they are distant and many, whilst here the slaves are being addressed as being near and as one individual.
So we know how close Allah is to us and that He promised to respond to His slave. Now imagine that this slave is fasting and the Prophet has told us that the supplication of the fasting Muslim will not be rejected!8. The bounties and opportunities of Ramadan are many and unlimited yet the number of days we have to take advantage of it are few and limited.

Let us make this Ramadan different to all our previous ones. They say that actions speak louder than words, so let your actions (worship) therefore be as though you are speaking to your Lord.



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Notes:

source: www.islam21c.com

[1] Surah Al-Zumar verse 10
[2] al-Haaqqah verse 24
[3] Al-Bazzar and declared hasan by Al-Albani in Sahih al-Targhib, Vol 1 pg 412
[4] Surah Al Baqarah, 2:183
[5] Talq Ibn Habib, related by Ibn Abi Shaybah in Kitaab al-Iman (no. 99)
[6] Surah Al Baqarah, 2:185
[7] Surah Al Baqarah, 2:
[8] Al-Tirmidhi
 
oh my my my peeeps are still awake in the UK, i thought it was Suhoor in the Uk :-\ or end or start times :-\

Tut Tut :-\
 
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Well, peeps in the UK are like machines; we don't stop working. Especially in Ramadan. :thumbs_up

мυѕℓιмαн 4 ℓιfє;1359050 said:
oh my my my peeeps are still awake in the UK, i thought it was Suhoor in the Uk :-\ or end or start times :-\

Tut Tut :-\
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MashaAllah. A wonderful and truly beneficial thread. May Allah reward you brother. Ameen.
 
The Likeness of Ramadan and Prophet Yusuf
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In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]By Ibn al-Jawzi [/FONT]
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From Ibn al-Jawzi's 'Bustan al-Wa'idhin wa Riyad as-Sami'in' (p. 213-214):

"The month of Ramadan to the other months is like Yusuf to his brothers. So, just like Yusuf was the most beloved son to Ya'qub, Ramadan is likewise the most beloved month to Allah.

A nice point for the nation of Muhammad (saw) to ponder over is that if Yusuf had the mercy and compassion to say {"There is no reproach for you today..."} [Yusuf; 92], Ramadan is likewise the month of mercy, blessing, goodness, salvation from the Fire, and Forgiveness from the King that exceeds that of all the other months and what can be gained from their days and nights.

Another nice point to think about is that Yusuf's brothers came to rely on him to fix their mistakes after all those they had made. So, he met them with kindness and helped them out, and he fed them while they were hungry and allowed them to return, and he told his servants: "Carry their belongings with you so that they don't lose them." So, one person filled the gaps of eleven others, and the month of Ramadan is likewise one month that fills the gaps of our actions over the other eleven months. Imagine the gaps and shortcoming and deficiency we have in obeying Allah!

We hope that in Ramadan, we are able to make up for our shortcomings in the other months, to rectify our mistakes, and to cap it off with happiness and firmness on the Rope of the Forgiving King.

Another point is that Ya'qub had eleven sons who were living with him and whose actions he would see at all times, and his eyesight did not return because of any of their clothing. Instead, it returned due to Yusuf's shirt. His eyesight came back strong, and he himself became strong after he was weak, and seeing after he was blind. Likewise, if the sinner smells the scents of Ramadan, sits with those who remind him of Allah, recites the Qur'an, befriends on the condition of Islam and faith, and avoids backbiting and vain talk, he will (by Allah's Will) become forgiven after he was a sinner, he will become close after he was far, he will be able to see with his heart after it was blind, his presence will be met with happiness after it was met with repulsion, he will be met with mercy after he was met with disdain, he will be provided for without limit or effort on his part, he will be guided for his entire life, he will have his soul dragged out with ease and smoothness when he dies, he will be blessed with Forgiveness when he meets Allah, and he will be granted the best levels in the Gardens of Paradise.

So, by Allah, take advantage of this greatness during these few days and you will soon see abundant blessing, high levels of reward, and a very long period of rest and relaxation by the Will of Allah.

By Allah, this is the true relaxation..."

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Narrated
by Abu Huraira (RA): I heard Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) saying
regarding Ramadan, “Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of
Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then
all his previous sins will be forgiven.”[Bukhari Volume 3, Book 32,
Number 226]
Click to expand...

I have missed first day of Tarawee. If I start from day 2nd, will I get the same rewards? Will my sins be forgiven?

Allah knows the best!
 
Salaam InshaAllah your Ramadan's going well.

Just thought I'de share an article from productiveRamadan.com - 8 Easy Steps to Finish the Quran this Ramadan

It has been said that everything has a beloved & that the month of Ramadan has a beloved, too: The Glorious Qur’an. And so for the duration of this month, Muslims worldwide honour Ramadan’s Beloved & aspire to complete the recitation of the Qur’aan.

In this article you’ll learn how you too, can work towards achieving this noble goal, inshaAllah

Quran

Step 1: Establishing an intention.

Our beloved Messenger (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) taught us – through his words & actions – the important of ones intent or purpose. Establishing one’s intention is an effective catalyst to implementation. Once your intention has been established, remember to renew it often. Whilst reciting & even upon completion of Qur’an, recall your intention & renew it, thus ensuring that it is constantly purified & you are seeking His Divine Acceptance, inshaAllah.

Step 2: Don’t be Overwhelmed.

For some, as much as they aspire to complete the recitation of the Qur’an during Ramadan, they are overwhelmed by the number of pages or the length of some surahs. Remove ‘I can’t’ from your vocabulary & eliminate negative thinking for the believer puts their trust in Allah matched by striving with their actions. Remind yourself that you are (Allah Willing) fully capable of achieving your Qur’aanic aspirations, whether it be completing 1 or 5 times the completion of Al-Qur’an. This second point is key. Put your heart into this accomplishment & reap the rewards throughout, inshaAllah.

Step: 3 Plan Ahead

Prior to commencing with your recitation it’s important to plan around your routine and block out time for your Qur’an goal Eg. your work hours, rest hours & any other commitments which you may have. Structure a realistic plan of how to complete the recitation of Qur’aan within the month by dividing each Juzz up per day. Draw up this personal plan, review it constantly, and put it into action!

As you put your plan to paper, consider past Ramadans and ask yourself if there have been instances where you were unable to complete Qur’anic recitation. Reflect over why & how this occurred? Is there a different mechanism that you could put into place? How could you enhance your daily Qur’an routine if these distractions were dealt with?

Take the first opportunity that comes, to begin your Qur’anic quest. So when the moon is sighted & the announcement has been made for the 1st Salaatul-Taraweeh, begin in earnest, with Surah Al-Fatiha, Surah Al-Baqarah.. etc

Step 4: Understanding Qur’an.


Read the translation of the Juzz you will be reciting daily. Having a basic knowledge of the theme, topic, message & meaning of what you are reciting makes the recitation of the Qur’an an incredibly uplifting experience that you do not want to miss out on!

Step 5: Find Qur’an Buddies & Compete in Good

Develop close bonds with brothers/sisters who are known for their attachment to the Qur’an, they’ll be your spiritual friends. Engage a Qur’an Buddy in your noble Qur’an productivity goals. Request that they remind you to fulfil your goals & spiritual aspirations so they can help you at times of slacking.

In life we compete with many materialistic goals and race one another but what about following the footsteps of the best generations that had come before us in a competition this Ramadan? In striving & competing with our friends & colleagues, in a good-natured way, towards our noble goals we can motivate ourselves to finish our Qur’an goal.

One of the common aspects which deter a Muslim from completing this task is excessive communication. Often, many of us spend too much unnecessary time surfing the net, chatting, texting, etc. Reduce this even by a third & you will see, feel and witness the blessings in your time, inshaAllah.


Step 6: Seize the Moment.

A deeply inspiring story with ‘lessons from the waiting room’ – where a mother who has taken her unwell child to the hospital waits for the doctor to see to her child. She notices a young Muslim who uses his time in the waiting room, in a most effective & spiritually rewarding way, reciting from a pocket-sized Quran. Lesson to be taken here: Invest in a pocket-sized Qur’an and make it your Best Friend this Ramadan. Seize every opportunity & moment to be with Allah swt through your recitation.

One of the best times at which to recite Qur’an, is after Suhoor. Having partaken from the sunnah meal, and with a hour or two still to go before work or school this is the ideal jumpstart to your day. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) asked Allah Subhanhu wa Ta’ala to bless our Ummah in the early hours, and you will also be more likely to memorise ayahs at this time. Research shows that morning study creates better performance in students so don’t miss the morning recitation!

Time Tip: Salah Followed by Qur’an.

Consider the following option that has worked well for numerous people in past Ramadans. Try reciting 6 – 8 pages of Qur’an (depending on the Mus-haf that you are using) after each of your 5 daily salah. Add Qiyaamul-Layl as a 6th addition, and you will reach the end of Ramadan, having completed your Qur’aan recitation with ease & perhaps, even before the last 5 days of Ramadan so long as you remain committed.

Time Tip: Recite before going to sleep.

Allah Subhanhu wa Ta’ala says: “Truly the rising by night is most potent for governing (the soul) and most suitable for (framing) the Word (of Prayer and Praise).” [73:6] Reciting during the day is also beneficial, however the night time recitation is easier as well during ramadan as there are less distractions and noise.

Step 7: Remain steadfast & consistent.


The key to any success is consistency. Once you’ve mapped your plan, stick to it. Remind yourself of the greatness of this month, of the opportunities that it provides for your spiritual growth & your relationship with the Qur’an. Don’t be willing to compromise it in this month.

Step 8: Make dua’a to Allah Subhanhu wa Ta’ala

Nothing can be achieved without the Aid & Guidance of Allah ‘Azza wa jal. When making your intention to complete your memorisation of Qur’an, supplicate to Allah ‘Azza wa jal to ease this noble pathway & to crown your efforts with success, inshaAllah.

That’s 10 ways I wanted to share with you on starting and completing your journey through recitation of the Qur’an this Ramadan. Indeed Allah swt says in Surah Al-Baqarah: ’’This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah’’ [2.2] Let the Qur’an be your means for attaining tawqa this Ramadan.

In the hours of the days & nights of this sacred month, May the Qur’an be your companion of light & guidance, resonating through your words, actions & life mission. May your relationship with the Qur’an be strengthened, enriched & enlivened with the Profound Wisdom & Divine Message from Allah Most High.

Check out ProductiveRamadan.com and sign up to the mailing list to recieve e-newsletter and daily productivity tips to your inbox inshaAllah

Share with friends too so they can make the most of their Ramadan :D
 
بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم و الصلاة و السلام على خير المرسلين و إمام المتقين و الحمد الله و السلام عليكم و رحمة الله



Advice from Shaykh Bin Baaz (RH) about preparing for Ramadhan​



Q: What is your advice oh shaykh for the Muslims, for preparing for this virtuous month?



A: My general advice to all the Muslims is that they fear Allah most high. And that they welcome this month with sincere repentance for their sins. They should learn more about their religion, and learn the rulings concerning fasting, and night prayer. This is from the saying of the Prophet (SAW), “Whoever Allah wants for them good, he will give them understanding in the religion.” (Bukhari) And, “When Ramadhan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.” (Bukhari) And, “On the first night of Ramadhan, the doors of Paradise are opened, and the doors of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained, and a caller calls out, “Oh seeker of good come, and oh seeker of evil go away, and to Allah is the safety from the Fire, and this is in every night.” (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majaa) And he (SAW) used to say to the sahaba, “The month of Ramadhan has come, which is the month of blessings, Allah cover you in blessings this month, so He sends down mercy, and the evil deeds are wiped out, so show to Allah good from yourselves, for indeed the evil one is the one who is prohibited from the mercy of Allah in this month.” (Tabari) And the Prophet (SAW) says, “Whoever fasts Ramadhan with faith and anticipation, his previous sins are forgiven, whoever prays in Ramadhan with faith and anticipation his previous sins are forgiven, and whoever worships during laylatulQadr with faith and anticipation, his previous sins are forgiven.” (Bukhari, Muslim) And the Prophet (SAW) says that Allah says, “Every act of the son of Adam, has the reward of 10 times of it, till 700 times, except for fasting, that is for Me, and I reward it. He left his desires, and hunger, and thirst for My sake. For the fasting person there are two points of happiness, the happiness when it is time to eat, and the happiness when he meets His Lord. And the smell of the breath of a fasting person is more beloved to Allah then the smell of musk.” (Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Majaa) He (SAW) also says, “If one of you is fasting, then he should not act immodestly or wickedly, and if someone curses them or fights them, let them say, “I am fasting.” (Bukhari) And he (SAW) said, “Whoever does not refrain from false speech and acting on it and ignorance, then Allah does not need him to refrain from food and drink.” (Bukhari)

So my advice to all the Muslims is that they fear Allah, and protect their fasting from all sins. And it is prescribed for them to struggle to do good, and to race worship from charity, and reading much Qur’an, and making tasbeeh and thikr of Allah, seeking forgiveness, because this is the month of Qur’an. “The month of Ramadhan, the month in which the Qur’an was revealed.” So it is prescribed for a Muslim to struggle hard to read the Qur’an. It is recommended for the men and women to increase in reading the Qur’an night and day. Each letter is a good deed, and each good deed is multiplied by ten as the Prophet (SAW) said. While being careful of performing any sins or acts of disobedience. As well as giving truthful advice, and enjoining good and forbidding evil. It is a great month where the good deeds are multiplied, and the evil sin is magnified, so it is on every Muslim to struggle to do what Allah has prescribed, and to be very cautious from committing any sins, and they should be ever more cautious and careful in Ramadhan. It is prescribed for a Muslim to struggle hard to do good, from charity, visiting the sick, following the funeral, and keeping the ties of kinship, and to increase in reading, thikr, seeking forgiveness, and supplication, and other acts of good. Hoping for the reward of Allah, and fearing His punishment.

We ask Allah to guide the Muslims to that which pleases Him. We ask Allah to allow us to pass this month with faith and anticipation. We ask Allah to grant us and all Muslims understanding in the religion and the ability to act on it, and to be safe from any acts that might anger Allah or receive punishment from. We ask Allah to guide the leaders of the Muslims, and make their acts righteous, and to give them the ability to rule by the Shari’ah of Allah in all of their rulings. We ask Allah to give them the ability to do this and to act upon the verse, “Judge thou between them by what Allah hath revealed” and to act upon the verse, “Do they then seek after a judgment of (the days of) ignorance? But who, for a people whose faith is assured, can give better judgment than Allah?” and to act upon the verse, “But no, by the Lord, they can have no (real) Faith, until they make thee judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against Thy decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction.” And to act upon the verse, “O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day: That is best, and most suitable for final determination.” And to act upon the verse, “Say: "Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger.” And to act upon the verse, “so take what the Messenger assigns to you, and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you.”


This is what is prescribed on all the Muslims and their leaders. It is obligatory on the leaders of the Muslims, the scholars of the Muslims, and the laypeople, to fear Allah, and to stick closely to the ruling of Allah. And to rule by the rulings of Allah between themselves. Because through the Shari’ah of Allah is righteousness, guidance, the pleasure of Allah, and the attainment of the truth, and the protection from oppression. We ask Allah for all of us, the ability, and the guidance, and the correct intentions and acts. And may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad and on his family and companions.
 
As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):​

Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 37: ​

Narrated Abu Huraira: ​

Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven." ​
 
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