Ramadhan Plan

Before Ramadhan

Among the best ways of preparing for the month of Ramadhan are:

Sincerity

قال تعالى: وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ حُنَفَاءَ وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلاةَ وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَذَلِكَ دِينُ الْقَيِّمَةِ

And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give Zakah. And that is the correct religion.

Repentance

This is obligatory at all times, but because of the approach of a great and blessed month, it is even more important to hasten to repent from sins between you and your Lord, and between you and other people by giving them their rights, so that when the blessed month begins you may busy yourself with acts of worship with a clean heart and peace of mind.

قال تعالى: ‏‏وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful” [al-Noor 24:31].

قال تعالى: وَسَارِعُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ .. الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي السَّرَّاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَالْكَاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ .. وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَن يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّوا عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلُوا وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ .. أُولَٰئِكَ جَزَاؤُهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَجَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ

“And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).

Those who spend (in Allah’s Cause) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinoon (the good doers).

And those who, when they have committed Faahishah or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; — and none can forgive sins but Allah — and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know.

For such, the reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath (Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever. How excellent is this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds according to Allah’s Orders)” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:133-136].

وقال تعالى: قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

“Say: “O ‘Ibaadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful” [al-Zumar 39:53].

وقال تعالى: وَمَن يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ يَجِدِ اللَّهَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

“And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah’s forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful” al-Nisa’ 4:110.

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ من تاب قبل أن تطلع الشمس من مغربها تاب الله عليه ‏‏.. رواه مسلم‏‏‏‏‏

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who repents before the sun rises from the west, Allah will forgive him". [Muslim].

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ فَإِنِّي أَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ فِي الْيَوْمِ مائةَ مرِّةٍ. رَوَاهُ مُسلم

It was narrated from al-Agharr ibn Yasaar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “O people repent to Allah for I repent to Him one hundred times each day.” Narrated by Muslim 2702.

Du’aa (supplication)

It was narrated from some of the successors of the companions that they used to pray to Allah for six months that they would live until Ramadhan, and then they would pray for five months afterwards that He would accept it from them.

The Muslim should ask his Lord to let him live until Ramadhan with a strong religious commitment and good physical health, and he should ask Him to help him obey Him during the month, and ask Him to accept his good deeds from Him.

During Ramadhan

In this month, Allah opens the gates of Paradise and closes the gates of Hell, and chains up the devils

وروى الترمذي وابن ماجه وابن خزيمة في رواية: إذا كان أول ليلة في شهر رمضان صُفِّدت الشياطين ومَرَدَة الجن، وغلقت أبواب النار فلم يُفتح منها باب، وفتحت أبواب الجنة فلم يغلق منها باب، وينادي منادٍ: يا باغي الخير أقبل، ويا باغي الشر أقصر. ولله عُتقاء من النار وذلك كل ليلة. وحسنه الألباني في صحيح الجامع 759

Al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah and Ibn Khuzaymah narrated in one report: “When the first night of the month of Ramadhan comes, the devils and rebellious jinn are chained up and the gates of Hell are closed, and not one gate of it is opened. The gates of Paradise are opened and not one gate of it is closed. And a caller cries out: ‘O seeker of good, proceed; O seeker of evil, desist. And Allah has those whom He redeems from the Fire, and that happens every night.” Classed as Hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 759.

Fasting Ramadhan is a means of expiation for the sins committed since the previous Ramadhan, so long as one avoids major sins

ثبت في "صحيح مسلم" 233 أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: الصلوات الخمس والجمعة إلى الجمعة ورمضان إلى رمضان مكفرات ما بينهن إذا اجتنبت الكبائر

In Saheeh Muslim (233) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: The five daily prayers, from one Jumu’ah to the next and from one Ramadhan to the next are expiation for (sins committed) in between, as long as you avoid major sins

Fasting in Ramadhan is equivalent to fasting ten months.

عن أبي أيوب الأنصاري قال: "من صام رمضان ثم أتبعه ستا من شوال كان كصيام الدهر". وروى أحمد 21906 أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: من صام رمضان فشهر بعشرة أشهر، وصيام ستة أيام بعد الفطر فذلك تمام السنة

In Saheeh Muslim (1164) narrated from Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari: Whoever fasts Ramadhan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.” Ahmad (21906) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadhan, a month is like ten months, and fasting six days after al-Fitr will complete the year.

Every night Allah has people whom He redeems from the Fire

عن أبي أُمامة أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "لله عند كل فطر عتقاء". قال المنذري: إسناده لا بأس به. وصححه الألباني في "صحيح الترغيب" 987

Imam Ahmad (5/256) narrated from the Hadeeth of Abu Umaamah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “At every breaking of the fast, Allah has people whom He redeems.” Al-Mundhiri said: there is nothing wrong with its Isnaad; and it was classed as Saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 987.

وروى البزار من حديث أبي سعيد قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن لله تبارك وتعالى عتقاء في كل يوم وليلة -يعني في رمضان- وإن لكل مسلم في كل يوم وليلة دعوة مستجابة

Al-Bazzaar narrated that Abu Sa’eed said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Allah has people whom He redeems every day and night – i.e., in Ramadhan – and every Muslim every day and night has a prayer that is answered

Set your priorities correctly

Make doing lots of acts of worship and drawing closer to Allah your priority in this blessed month.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَة رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُول اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى قَالَ: "مَنْ عَادَى لِي وَلِيًّا فَقْد آذَنْتهُ بِالْحَرْبِ، وَمَا تَقَرَّبَ إلَيَّ عَبْدِي بِشَيْءٍ أَحَبَّ إلَيَّ مِمَّا افْتَرَضْتُهُ عَلَيْهِ، وَلَا يَزَالُ عَبْدِي يَتَقَرَّبُ إلَيَّ بِالنَّوَافِلِ حَتَّى أُحِبَّهُ، فَإِذَا أَحْبَبْتُهُ كُنْت سَمْعَهُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ بِهِ، وَبَصَرَهُ الَّذِي يُبْصِرُ بِهِ، وَيَدَهُ الَّتِي يَبْطِشُ بِهَا، وَرِجْلَهُ الَّتِي يَمْشِي بِهَا، وَلَئِنْ سَأَلَنِي لَأُعْطِيَنَّهُ، وَلَئِنْ اسْتَعَاذَنِي لَأُعِيذَنَّهُ رواه البخاري

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Verily Allah ta’ala has said: ‘Whosoever shows enmity to a Wali (friend) of Mine, then I have declared war against him. And my servant does not draw near to me with anything more loved to Me than the religious duties I have obligated upon him. And my servant continues to draw near to me with Nafil (supererogatory) deeds until I Love him. When I Love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, and his sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him; and were he to seek refuge with Me, I would surely grant him refuge.’ ” Al-Bukhari.

Allah has made fasting Ramadhan and spending its nights in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward a means of forgiveness of sins

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ. وَمَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ. وَمَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ

Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, "He who fasts during Ramadhan with faith and seeking his reward from God will have his past sins forgiven; he who prays during the night in Ramadhan with faith and seeking his reward from God will have his past sins forgiven; and he who passes Lailat al-Qadr [Night of Decree] in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from God will have his past sins forgiven." (Bukhari and Muslim.).

In this month Allah revealed the best of Books to the best of the Prophets (peace be upon them). So we should make the most of the opportunity that the month of Ramadhan brings to strengthen your connection to the Book of Allah and Strive to apply the commands that you read in the Book of Allah.

قال تعالى: شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ

“The month of Ramadhan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)” [al-Baqarah 2:185].

قال تعالى: إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنْذِرِينَ * فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ * أَمْرًا مِنْ عِنْدِنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ

“We sent it (this Qur’an) down on a blessed night (i.e. the Night of Al Qadr) Verily, we are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship].

Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments.

As a Command (or this Qur’an or the Decree of every matter) from us. Verily, we are ever sending (the Messengers)” [al-Dukhaan 44:3-5].

وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما‏:‏ قال‏:‏ كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أجود الناس، وكان أجود ما يكون في رمضان حين يلقاه جبريل وكان جبريل يلقاه في كل ليلة من رمضان فيدارسه القرآن فَلَرَسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم  حين يلقاه جبريل أجود بالخير من الريح المرسلة‏"‏ ‏متفق عليه

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

وروى أحمد والطبراني في معجمه الكبير عن واثلة بن الأسقع -رضي الله عنه– قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (أُنزلت صحف إبراهيم أول ليلة من شهر رمضان، وأُنزلت التوراة لِسِتٍ مضت من رمضان، وأُنزل الإنجيل لثلاث عشرة مضت من رمضان، وأُنزل الزبور لثمان عشرة خلت من رمضان، وأُنزل القرآن لأربع وعشرين خلت من رمضان). حسنه الألباني في السلسلة الصحيحة 1575

It was narrated by Ahmad and by al-Tabaraani in al-Mu’jam al-Kabeer that Waathilah ibn al-Asqa’ (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The Scriptures of Ibrahim were sent down on the first of the month of Ramadhan. The Tarawa was sent down on the sixth of Ramadhan. The Injeel was sent down on the thirteenth of Ramadhan. The Zaboor was sent down on the eighteenth of Ramadhan, and the Qur’an was sent down on the twenty-fourth of Ramadhan. Classed as Hasan by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 1575.

Allah has blessed Ramadhan with Laylat al-Qadr, The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).

عن أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ -رضي الله عنه- قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: أَتَاكُمْ رَمَضَانُ شَهْرٌ مُبَارَكٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَيْكُمْ صِيَامَهُ تُفْتَحُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَتُغْلَقُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ الْجَحِيمِ وَتُغَلُّ فِيهِ مَرَدَةُ الشَّيَاطِينِ لِلَّهِ فِيهِ لَيْلَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ، مَنْ حُرِمَ خَيْرَهَا فَقَدْ حُرِمَ رواه النسائي 2106 وأحمد 8769 صححه الألباني في صحيح الترغيب 999

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There has come to you Ramadhan, a blessed month which Allah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 2106; Ahmad, 8769. Classed as Saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 999.

Suhour and Iftar

عَنْ أَنَسٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: تَسَحَّرُوا فَإِنَّ فِي السَّحُورِ بركَة

Anas reported God's messenger as saying, “Take a meal a little before dawn, for there is a blessing in taking a meal at that time.” (Bukhari and Muslim).

وَعَنْ سَهْلٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: لَا يَزَالُ النَّاسُ بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الْفِطْرَ

Sahl reported God’s messenger as saying, “The people will continue to prosper as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast.”* *This refers to each day during Ramadhan, and recommends that the fast should be broken as early as that may lawfully be done. (Bukhari and Muslim.).

حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَاصِمٍ الأَحْوَلِ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا هَنَّادٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنْ عَاصِمٍ الأَحْوَلِ، وَحَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ عَاصِمٍ الأَحْوَلِ، عَنْ حَفْصَةَ بِنْتِ سِيرِينَ، عَنِ الرَّبَابِ، عَنْ سَلْمَانَ بْنِ عَامِرٍ الضَّبِّيِّ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"إِذَا أَفْطَرَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيُفْطِرْ عَلَى تَمْرٍ‏"‏ زَادَ ابْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ ‏"‏ فَإِنَّهُ بَرَكَةٌ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَلْيُفْطِرْ عَلَى مَاءٍ فَإِنَّهُ طَهُورٌ‏"‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ

Salman bin Amir Ad-Dabbi narrated that: the Prophet said: "When one of you breaks his fast, then let him do so with dried dates. And whoever does not find dates, then water, for it is purifying.".

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا أَفْطَرَ قَالَ: ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الْأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ الله. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Ibn ‘Umar told that the Prophet said when he broke his fast, “Thirst has gone, the arteries are moist, and the reward is sure, if God wills.”.

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، عَنْ سَعْدَانَ الْقُبِّيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي مُجَاهِدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي مُدِلَّةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم "‏ثَلاَثَةٌ لاَ تُرَدُّ دَعْوَتُهُمُ الصَّائِمُ حَتَّى يُفْطِرَ وَالإِمَامُ الْعَادِلُ وَدَعْوَةُ الْمَظْلُومِ يَرْفَعُهَا اللَّهُ فَوْقَ الْغَمَامِ وَيَفْتَحُ لَهَا أَبْوَابَ السَّمَاءِ وَيَقُولُ الرَّبُّ وَعِزَّتِي لأَنْصُرَنَّكَ وَلَوْ بَعْدَ حِينٍ‏"‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ وَسَعْدَانُ الْقُبِّيُّ هُوَ سَعْدَانُ بْنُ بِشْرٍ ‏.‏ وَقَدْ رَوَى عَنْهُ عِيسَى بْنُ يُونُسَ وَأَبُو عَاصِمٍ وَغَيْرُ وَاحِدٍ مِنْ كِبَارِ أَهْلِ الْحَدِيثِ وَأَبُو مُجَاهِدٍ هُوَ سَعْدٌ الطَّائِيُّ وَأَبُو مُدِلَّةَ هُوَ مَوْلَى أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَائِشَةَ وَإِنَّمَا نَعْرِفُهُ بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ وَيُرْوَى عَنْهُ هَذَا الْحَدِيثُ أَتَمَّ مِنْ هَذَا وَأَطْوَلَ

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “There are three whose supplication is not rejected: The fasting person when he breaks his fast, the just leader, and the supplication of the oppressed person; Allah raises it up above the clouds and opens the gates of heaven to it. And the Lord says: ‘By My might, I shall surely aid you, even if it should be after a while.’”.

Avoid vain talk

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏"من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فليكرم ضيفه، ومن كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فليصل رحمه، ومن كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فليقل خيراً أو ليصمت” ‏متفق عليه‏‏‏

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain good relation with kins; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابه. رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If one does not abandon falsehood and action in accordance with it, God had no need that he should abandon his food and his drink.” Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ يُضَاعَفُ الْحَسَنَةُ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا إِلَى سَبْعِمِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: إِلَّا الصَّوْمَ فَإِنَّهُ لِي وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ يَدَعُ شَهْوَتَهُ وَطَعَامَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِي لِلصَّائِمِ فَرْحَتَانِ: فَرْحَةٌ عِنْدَ فِطْرِهِ وَفَرْحَةٌ عِنْدَ لِقَاءِ رَبِّهِ وَلَخُلُوفِ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ وَالصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ وَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ صَوْمِ أَحَدِكُمْ فَلَا يَرْفُثْ وَلَا يصخب وفإن سَابَّهُ أَحَدٌ أَوْ قَاتَلَهُ فَلْيَقُلْ إِنِّي امْرُؤٌ صَائِم

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, "Every [good] deed a son of Adam does will be multiplied, a good deed receiving a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward. God has said, ‘With the exception of fasting, for it is done for my sake and I give a reward for it. One abandons his passion and his food for my sake. The one who fasts has two occasions of joy, one when he breaks his fast and one when he meets his Lord. The bad breath of one who fasts is sweeter to God than the fragrance of musk. Fasting is a protection, [i.e. from acts of disobedience in this world and from hell in the next. Pt. VI.] And when the day of the fast of any of you come he must not use vile language or raises his voice, and if anyone reviles him or tries to fight with him he should tell him he is fasting.” (Bukhari and Muslim).

Zakat Al-Fitr

وَعَن ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: فَرَضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ زَكَاةَ الْفِطْرِ طُهْرَ الصِّيَامِ مِنَ اللَّغْوِ وَالرَّفَثِ وَطُعْمَةً لِلْمَسَاكِينِ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Ibn Abbas said that God’s messenger prescribed the Zakat relating to the breaking of the fast as a purification of the fasting from empty and obscene talk and as food for the poor. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

An opportunity

It is Mustahabb in Ramadhan to offer Iftaar to those who are fasting.

عن زيد بن خالد الجهني، رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏‏ "‏من فطر صائمًا، كان له مثل أجره غير أنه لا ينقص من أجر الصائم شيء‏"‏ ‏رواه الترمذي وقال‏:‏ حديث حسن صحيح.‏

Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He who provides a fasting person something with which to break his fast, will earn the same reward as the one who was observing the fast, without diminishing in any way the reward of the latter." [At-Tirmidhi].

Umrah in Ramadhan without efforts

وَعَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: مَنْ صَلَّى الْفَجْرَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ ثُمَّ قَعَدَ يَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ كَانَتْ لَهُ كَأَجْرِ حَجَّةٍ وَعُمْرَةٍ. قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: تَامَّةٍ تَامَّةٍ تَامَّةٍ. رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وحسّنه الألباني

Anas ibn Maalik reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone, prays the dawn prayer in a company, then sits making mention of God till the sun rises, then prays two Rak'as, he will have a reward equivalent to that for a Hajja and an ‘Umra.” He reported God’s Messenger as adding, “A perfect one, a perfect one, a perfect one.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Beware from the thieves of Ramadhan!

Allah has forbidden to the Muslims all means that lead to Haraam things, and undoubtedly watching bad movies and the evils that are shown on TV are among the means that lead to Haraam things or lead one to take such matters lightly without denouncing them.

قال تعالى: وَاللَّهُ يُرِيدُ أَن يَتُوبَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَيُرِيدُ الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الشَّهَوَاتِ أَن تَمِيلُوا مَيْلًا عَظِيمًا

 “Allah wishes to accept your repentance, but those who follow their lusts, wish that you (believers) should deviate tremendously away (from the Right Path) [al-Nisaa’4:27].

ويقول سبحانه في سورة الفرقان في صفة عباد الرحمن: وَالَّذِينَ لا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَاماً

والزور يشمل جميع أنواع المنكر، ومعنى لا يشهدون: لا يحضرون.

“And those who do not bear witness to falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity”[al-Furqaan 25:72]

Falsehood (al-zoor) includes all kinds of evil, and the phrase “do not bear witness” means that they do not attend where these things are happening.

وقال تعالى: وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ * وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ آيَاتُنَا وَلَّىٰ مُسْتَكْبِرًا كَأَن لَّمْ يَسْمَعْهَا كَأَنَّ فِي أُذُنَيْهِ وَقْرًا ۖ فَبَشِّرْهُ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ

“And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing) to mislead (men) from the path of Allah without knowledge, and takes it (the path of Allah, or the Verses of the Qur’aan) by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment (in the Hell-fire). And when Our Verses (of the Qur’aan) are recited to such a one, he turns away in pride, as if he heard them not — as if there were deafness in his ear. So announce to him a painful torment”[Luqmaan 31:6-7].

ويقول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: (ليكونن من أمتي أقوام يستحلون الحر والحرير والخمر والمعازف) رواه البخاري في صحيحه معلّقاً مجزوماً به، والمراد بالحر: الفرج الحرام، والمراد بالمعازف: الغناء وآلات اللهو.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There will be among my Ummah people who will permit adultery, silk, alcohol and musical instruments.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari in his Saheeh in a mu’allaq majzoom report). What is meant by adultery is illegal sexual relations, and musical instruments include singing.

After Ramadhan

Remember that the most beloved of actions to Allah are those which are continuous even if they are little. At the beginning of the month a person may be keen to do acts of worship, and then he may slow down. Beware of that, and strive to persist in all the actions that you do in this blessed month.

The Lord of Ramadhan is also the Lord of all the other months!

The Muslim should make Ramadhan an opportunity to turn over a new leaf by repenting, turning to Allah, persisting in worshipping Allah, always being aware that Allah is watching at every minute of every hour. So after Ramadhan the Muslim should continue to obey Allah and should avoid sin and evil actions, as a continuation of the way he was during Ramadhan and the things that he did then to draw closer to the Lord of creation.

قال تعالى: قُلْ كُلٌّ يَعْمَلُ عَلَىٰ شَاكِلَتِهِ

“Say (O Muhammad to mankind): ‘Each one does according to Shakilatihi (i.e. his way or his religion or his intentions)…” [al-Israa’ 17:84]

Every person acts according to his way or the character that he is used to. This is condemnation for the kaafir and praise for the believer. 

Those which are continuous, even if they are little!

You should know that the dearest of deeds to Allah are those that are continuous, even if they are little.

يقول الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم: أيها الناس عليكم من الأعمال ما تطيقون فإن الله لا يمل حتى تملوا، وإن أحب الأعمال إلى الله ما دووم عليه وإن قل وكان آل محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا عملوا عملاً ثبتوه. أي داوموا عليه، رواه مسلم.

The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “O people, you must do whatever you can of good deeds; for Allah does not get tired until you get tired. The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those which are continuous, even if they are little. The family of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), when they did something, they would persist in doing it.” Narrated by Muslim. 

وسئلت عائشة رضي الله عنها كيف كان عمل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم هل كان يخص شيئاً من الأيام قالت: لا، كان عمله ديمة، وأيكم يستطيع ما كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يستطيع. رواه البخاري

‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked about what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did and whether he used to do certain things on particular days. She said, “No, his good deeds were continuous. Who among you could do what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to do?” Al-Bukhari.

The acts of worship prescribed in Islam are based on certain conditions which must be fulfilled, like remembrance of Allah, Hajj and ‘Umrah and their Naafil actions, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, seeking knowledge, Jihaad, and other good deeds. So strive to worship continuously according to your capability.

The Muslim should strive to organize his time in this blessed month so that he will not miss out on a great opportunity to do more good and righteous deeds.

يَوْمَ تَجِدُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَا عَمِلَتْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ مُحْضَراً وَمَا عَمِلَتْ مِنْ سُوءٍ تَوَدُّ لَوْ أَنَّ بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَهُ أَمَداً بَعِيداً وَيُحَذِّرُكُمُ اللَّهُ نَفْسَهُ وَاللَّهُ رَؤُوفٌ بِالْعِبَادِ

The Day every soul will find what it has done of good present [before it] and what it has done of evil, it will wish that between itself and that [evil] was a great distance. And Allah warns you of Himself, and Allah is Kind to [His] servants."

We ask Allah to perfect for us the blessing of Ramadhan, and to help us fast and pray Qiyaam throughout the whole month, and to accept (these acts of worship) from us, and to forgive us for our shortcomings.