WELCOME O RAMADAN : AS MUSLIMS, WE SHOULD BE READY FOR THE HOLY MONTH FULL OF GOODNESS, PIETY
AND BENEFITS
by Syarif Hidayat
Marhaban Ya Ramadhan! (Welcome O Ramadan!), as Muslims, we should be ready
for the holy month of Ramadan, the month of goodness and piety and the month
that is full of benefits.
Allah SWT says in Al Qur’an:
“O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as
it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqûn (the
pious).” (Al Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 183)
Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان Ramaḍān, IPA: [rɑmɑˈdˤɑːn];[variations]
Persian: Ramazān; Urdu: Ramzān; Turkish: Ramazan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar;
Muslims worldwide observe this as a month of fasting. This annual observance is
regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month lasts 29–30 days based
on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to numerous
biographical accounts compiled in hadiths. The word Ramadan comes from the
Arabic root ramida or ar-ramad, which means scorching heat or dryness. Fasting
is fardh (obligatory) for adult Muslims, except those who are ill, travelling,
pregnant, diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding.
While fasting from dawn until
sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and
engaging in sexual relations; in some interpretations they also refrain from
swearing. Food and drink is served daily, before sunrise and after sunset.
According to Islam, the thawab (rewards) of fasting are many, but in this month
they are believed to be multiplied. Fasting for Muslims during Ramadan
typically includes the increased offering of salat (prayers) and recitation of
the Quran.
Muslims are called upon to use this month to
re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with
those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away
with bad habits -- essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our
feelings. The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) literally means
"to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink,
but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.
During
Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be
restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from
looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does
not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene
words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every
part of the body observes the fast. Therefore, fasting is not merely physical,
but is rather the total commitment of the person's body and soul to the spirit
of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse
the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one's self on the worship of
God.
8 simple steps to prepare for
Ramadan
This is because these ‘statements’ or ‘feelings’ are based on impulse and not a real thought out plan. We usually don’t prepare for Ramadan or hajj or have a plan for our faith to stay at the increase; we just go with the flow and expect it all to happen. Well, it doesn’t!
Wouldn’t you love to enter the month of Ramadan on a real high and have the effects of this beautiful month be a permanent impact on your life thereafter?
How can this be done? Below are the 8 steps for a Legacy of a Ramadan.
Step 1 – Create a Ramadan Count Down
Counting down for Ramadan (whether it is done mentally or by keeping physical signs around the home or office) will help create hype and buzz in your mind and amongst the people around you. When you and others are counting down to the same event, it becomes part of regular conversation and excitement spreads.
Step 2 – Seek knowledge about Ramadan
This will help you ensure you will do things correctly and perfectly for Ramadan, it will create a hype as there are many motivational aspects and events in the month to look forward to and finally it is a reward reaper. The more you know about Ramadan the more you can apply, hence multiplying your rewards.
Step 3 – Make a Ramadan plan
Be it reading the entire Quran, ensuring you pray taraweeh every night or inviting families over for iftaar; make a list of things you would like to achieve in the month and then how you plan on achieving these goals. It is important that goals are realistic and it is better that your life doesn’t need to entirely take a different road in this month (i.e. take the month off work or change work hours etc.) so that you may continue to do these deeds after Ramadan. Knowing what you want to achieve in the month will help you stay focused. Ensure you plan your day every night before you sleep when Ramadan starts (try to continue this even after Ramadan).
Step 4 – Know your life
Be aware if Ramadan affects anything that is happening in the month or shortly after. Do you have exams during Ramadan? Or is there a major family wedding after Ramadan by a short time? Moving house? If so, plan for these events from now. Study now so that you are prepared for the exams before the month starts. Be packed and ready to go before Ramadan or plan that you do it after so that it doesn’t take time away from your worship. The last thing you want to do is spend Ramadan at the shopping centres. Buy any Eid presents and prepare for any wedding before the month starts.
Step 5 – Prepare spiritually
We all know that Ramadan is about Fasting, Praying, Reading Quran and giving in charity. Start these worships early; don’t expect to just click into it as soon as the first day of Ramadan starts. Start doing extra prayers from now, start revising and regularly reading Quran now, get used to being generous and follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) and fast during Sha’baan.
Step 6 – Prepare your mind
Fasting is to refrain from more than just what we consume in our mouth. Start working on your patience; be extra vigilant with your conversations: ensure you are not backbiting, slandering or talking about useless things.
Step 7 – Say ‘good riddance’ to bad habits
Know what bad habits you have and stop them from now, don’t wait until Ramadan begins. If you sleep late, start sleeping early, if you are a Facebook junky start cutting down, have a coffee craze, slow it down etc. It might sound much easier said then done, but once you’ve committed yourself, purified your intentions – make sincere dua for guidance. Insh’Allah, these bad habits will be easier done with than you ever expected.
Step 8 – Plan your life around your worship
For instance; instead of working through your prayer or setting up meeting etc., at prayer times, plan that you have a break at prayer time. Don’t take your phone with you to the place you pray and forget the world as you stand between the hands of the almighty Allah(glorified and exalted be He).
Benefits of Ramadan
The
lessons learned during Ramadan should last throughout the whole year. Ramadan
is a period of fasting, reflection, devotion, generosity and sacrifice observed
by Muslims around the world. While major holidays of other faiths have largely
become commercialized events, Ramadan retains its intense spiritual meaning. The
word "Ramadan" comes from the Arabic root word for "parched
thirst" and "sun-baked ground." It is expressive of the hunger
and thirst felt by those who spend the month in fasting. As opposed to other
holidays, when people often indulge, Ramadan is by nature a time of sacrifice.
Through fasting, a Muslim experiences hunger
and thirst, and sympathizes with those in the world who have little to eat
every day. Through increased devotion, Muslims feel closer to their Creator,
and recognize that everything we have in this life is a blessing from Him. Through
increased charity, Muslims develop feelings of generosity and good-will toward
others. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said, "A man's
wealth is never diminished by charity."
Through self-control, a Muslim practices good
manners, good speech, and good habits.
Through changing routines, Muslims have a chance to establish more
healthy lifestyle habits -- particularly with regards to diet and smoking. Through family and community gatherings,
Muslims strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, in their own
communities and throughout the world.
Ramadan is a very special time for Muslims,
but the feelings and lessons we experience should stay with us throughout the
year. In the Qur'an, Muslims are commanded to fast so that they may "learn
self-restraint". This restraint and devotion is especially felt during
Ramadan, but we all must strive to make the feelings and attitudes stay with us
during our "normal" lives. That is the true goal and test of Ramadan.
May Allah
accept our fasting, forgive our sins, and guide us all to the Straight Path.
May Allah bless us all during Ramadan, and throughout the year, with His
forgiveness, mercy, and peace, and bring us all closer to Him and to each
other.
THE QURAN ON FASTING
(Fasting)
for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same
number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with
difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to
feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it
is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you
know." (2:183-84)
"The
month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and
clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So
whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of
Ramadan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same
number (of days which one did not fast must be made up) from other days. Allah
intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you.
(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must
magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him"
(2: 185).
"It
is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of
the fasts. They are garments for you and you are the same for them. Allah knows
that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you and forgave you. So
now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allah has ordained for
you, and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you
distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your fast
till the nightfall.
And do not have sexual relations with them (your
wives) while you are in Itikaf in the mosques. These are the limits (set) by
Allah, so approach them not. Thus does Allah make clear His signs to mankind
that they may become Al Muttaqun (the pious)" (2:187).
"Verily!
We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr. And what will make
you know what the night of Al-Qadr is? The night of Al-Qadr is better than a
thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Gabriel) by Allah's
Permission with all Decrees, Peace! until the appearance of dawn (97:1-5)
THE HADITH ON FASTING
Abu
Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will
have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with
faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And
he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from
Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).
Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said:
If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or
without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could
not make up for it (Bukhari).
Abu
Huraira related that the Prophet said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted said:
"Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam
(fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two
occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other
when he will meet his Lord" (Muslim).
Abu Huraira
related that Rasulullah said: Many people who fast get nothing from their fast
except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it
except wakefulness (Darimi).
When to start fasting
Anas related that Rasulullah said: Take the Suhoor
meal, for there is blessing in it (Bukhari, Muslim).
Breaking your fast
Salman ibn Amir Dhabi related that the Prophet
said: Break your fast with dates, or else with water, for it is pure (Abu
Dawud, Tirmidhi).
Fasting during a journey
Aisha
related that Rasulullah was asked whether one should fast when on a journey,
and he replied: Fast if you like, or postpone it if you like (Bukhari, Muslim).
Behavior while fasting
Abu
Huraira related that the Prophet said: If a person does not avoid false talk
and false conduct during Siyam, then Allah does not care if he abstains from
food and drink (Bukhari, Muslim).
Forgetfully eating or drinking while fasting
Abu
Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone forgets that he is fasting and
eats or drinks he should complete his Siyam, for it is Allah who has fed him
and given him drink (Bukhari, Muslim).
Providing for those who are breaking the fast
Zaid ibn
Khalid Juhni related that the Prophet said: He who provides for the breaking of
the Siyam of another person earns the same merit as the one who was observing
Siyam diminishing in any way the reward of the latter (Tirmidhi).
Lailat al-Qadr
Aisha
related that the Prophet said: Look for Lailat al-Qadr on an odd-numbered night
during the last ten nights of Ramadan (Bukhari).
Anas ibn
Malik related that Rasulullah said: When Lailat al-Qadr comes Gabriel descends
with a company of angels who ask for blessings on everyone who is remembering
Allah, whether they are sitting or standing (Baihaqi).
Ramadan -a month of obligatory daily fasting
in Islam is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Daily fasts begin at
dawn and end with sunset. Special nightly prayers called, Taraweeh prayers are
held. The entire Quran is recited in these prayers in Mosques all around the
world. This month provides an opportunity for Muslims to get closer to God.
This is a month when a Muslim should try to:
- See not what displeases Allah
- Speak no evil
- Hear no evil
- Do no evil
- Look to Allah with fear and hope
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah
will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan
with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.
And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward
from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).
Ramadan
ends with a day long celebration known as Eidul-Fitr. Eidul-Fitr begins with a
special morning prayer in grand Mosques and open grounds of towns and cities of
the world. the prayer is attended by men, women and children with their new or
best clothes. A special charity, known as Zakatul-Fitr is given out prior to
the prayer. The rest of the day is spent in visiting relatives and friends,
giving gifts to children and eating.
Fasting - Summary
Fasting is of six kinds:
1.
Fardu
2. Wajib
3. Sunnat
4. Nafl
5. Makruh
6.
Haram
1. Fard - The whole month of Ramadan
“He who
witnesses the month of Ramadan (being of age and in good health) must
fast" (Al-Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah verse 185)
The
fasting of the month of Ramadan cleanses them from their sins, brings them
closer to their Lord and pushes the fires of hell away from them. Those who
fast the month of Ramadan with love and sincerity will be permitted to enter
Paradise through the gate of Fasting.
Hazrat Au Sa’eed Khudri (r.a.) reports that
the Holy prophet has said: "When a person fasts for a day for the sake of
Allah, then Allah drives hell away from him to a distance of seventy years
travelling." Sahih Bukhari and Muslim.
Hazrat
Abu Hurairah (r.a.) said that the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s) said: "A
person who fasts the month of Ramadan with faith and self scrutiny, will have
his past sins remitted." Bukhari and Muslim
Hazrat
Sahl ibn Sa’d tells us that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) said:
"There is a gate in Paradise known as Ar-Riyan through which only a
fasting person will pass on the Day of Judgement and no one else. It will be
said: 'Where are the fasting people?' They will come forward and no one will
enter through it save them. After they have entered the gate will be closed and
no one will enter through it thereafter." Bukhari and Muslim
2. Wajib
These
fasts are performed to fulfil a vow or hajat and should be performed as soon as
possible.
3. Sunnat : observed by
the Prophet (s.a.w.s) but optional:
These are
the fasts that the Holy prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) always observed and which he
urged his companions (the sahabah) to do likewise. However they are not
compulsory but highly recommended.
They are:
Ashura fasts
of the 9th and 10th of Muharram
Hazrat Ibn
Abbas r.a says that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) himself observed the fast on the
day of Ashoora (the 10th day of Muharram) and he exhorted others to fast on
that day. Bukhari and Muslim
The Day of Arafah on the 9th Zulhajj
Hazrat Abu
Qatadah (r.a.) relates (once) the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) was asked about
observing the fast on the day of Arafa (hajj). He (s.a.ws) replied: "It
makes amends for the sins (committed) during the past year and the subsequent
year." - Muslim
The White days
Hazrat Ibn
Abbas (r.a.) reports that the Holy prophet (s.a.w.s) never missed observing
fasts on the white days (i.e. during the three nights of the full moon) whether
at home or on a journey Nasai
Hazrat Qatadah ibn Milhan (r.a.) relates the Holy
Prophet (s.a.w.s) ordained us to fast on the three shining days (of every
month), that is the 13th, 14th and 15th of the Lunar month. Abu Daud
4. Nafl
Voluntary fasts which carry great rewards.
Six days in Shawwal
Hazrat Abu
Ayyub (r.a.) states that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) said: "One who
observes the fasting through out the month of Ramadan then followed by fasting
the six days of Shawwal, is as good as if he observed the fast throughout the
year." Muslim
The fast of every Monday and Thursday
Hazrat
Abu Qatadah (r.a.) relates that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) was asked about
fasting on Monday. He (s.a.w.s) said “This (Monday) is the day on which I
was born and the day on which I was
commissioned for Prophethood", or he (s.a.w.s) said: "the day on
which I received the first call.” Muslim
Hazrat
Abu Hurairah (r.a.) relates that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) said “On Monday and
Thursday a report on a man’s action is presented and as such I wish that when
my deeds are reported I should be fasting" Tirmizi
The fast of the 15th of Shaaban
The fast of the first ten days of Zilhajj
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (r.a.) relates that the Holy
Prophet (s.a.w.s) said “There are no other days during which virtuous actions
are so pleasing to Allah as the first ten days of Zilhajj.” The companions
submitted: "Not even fighting in the cause of Allah (jihad)?" He
(s.a.w.s) answered: “Yes, not even fighting in the cause of Allah except in the
case of a person who goes on jihad along with his life and his property and
does not come back with either (i.e. he is martyred in the Jihad)." - Bukhari
The Holy
Prophet (s.a.w.s) has said about the fasting of the day of Arafah (9th
Zil_Hajj): “I hope from Allah S.W.T that He will accept as the fasts of the day
of Arafah as expiation (for the sins) of both the past and the coming
year". - Hadith Tirmizi
The Holy
Prophet (s.a.w.s.) also said “The reward of fasting the day of Arafah is equal
to the reward of fasting a thousand other days". Al-Targhib
The fasting of Rajab, Shabaan and Ramadan
From
Al-Muwatta of Imam Malik no. 36 page 144: Yahya related to me from Malik that
he used to hear the people of knowledge say: ”There is no harm in fasting
continuously as long as one breaks the fasts on the on the days on which the
Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s) forbade fasting namely the days of Mina, the day
of Adha and the day of Fitr."
5. Makruh: Undesirable fasts
Fasts observed only on a Saturday or Sunday
It is
however permissible to fast Friday and Saturday together and Saturday and
Sunday or Sunday and Monday. It is also permissible to fast these days
separately if one is fasting the fasts of Prophet Daud (a.s.), i.e. one day
fasting and one day not fasting.
Fasting on 10th Muharram
A fast observed only on the 10th of muharram.
A woman’s fast without her husband's permission
(This of
course does not included the fasting of Ramadan or the paying back of days not
fasted as these are compulsory on all of mankind) Saum wisal – fasting without
a break
Yahya
related to me from Malik from Nafi from Abdullah ibn Umar that the Messenger of
Allah (s.a.w.s) forbade the fasting of two days or more without breaking the
fast in between. They said “But Messenger of Allah, you practise Wisal".
He (s.a.w.s) replied “I am not the same as you. My Lord feeds me and gives me
to drink." From Al-Muwatta of Imam Malik no 38 and 39 page 144.
6. Haram: forbidden fasts
On the day
of Id al-Fitr.
On the day
of Id al-Adha.
During the
days of Tasriq (The days of Mina).
(HSH)
Sources:
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