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| Wishing All - Marhaban Ya Ramadhan 2015 |
WHAT ARE VIRTUES OF FASTING?
Nabi
SAW said:”Every good deed of the child of Adam is incresed (in
reward) from 10 to 700 times.” and Almighty Allah says:”Except
fasting, for verily it is for me and I,Myself will reward it.” “The
fasting person abstains from food and desire for my sake.”
(Mishkaat Shareef). Nabi SAW said: “For the fasting person there
are two occasions of joy-pleasure at the time of breaking the fast
and at the time of meeting his Rabb (Sustainer).” (Mishkaat
Shareef)
PREPARING
FOR RAMADHAN-THE
‘MONTH OF MERCY’
The dawn of Ramadhan approaches, offering us glimpse of its golden
rays of purity, every Muslim around the world prepares to experience
the warm ambience which only this month can bring. From Suhur to
Iftar to Taraweeh Salaah, Ramadhan brings together brothers,
sisters, parents and children. In order to derive the utmost benefit
from the sacred month of Ramadhan, it is crucial to recognize the
spiritual significance and importance of this month. Fasting during
this month should be only for Allah SWT, and that HE will give
the reward for it, for the reward of Allah SWT, the Bountiful and
Munificent, is greater and vaster than anyone could imagine,
Subhana-ALLAH!
A
Hadith so beautifully encapsulates:
”The reward for every good deed
of Adam will be multiplied anywhere between ten and seven hundred
times. ALLAH said: ‘Except for fasting, because it is for ME and I
MYSELF will give recompense for it. He gives up his food and his
passion for ME.’ For the one who fasts, there are two times of
rejoicing, one when he breaks the fast, and one when he meets his
Lord. Verily the smell that comes from the mouth of one who is
fasting is more pleasing to ALLAH than the scent of musk.”
(Hadith:Bukhari and Muslim)
Beloved
Reader! This is a month which Allah SWT has designated for the
revitalization of the soul and one’s spiritual ascension after a
year full of sin and spiritual retrogression. However, all this will
only be possible if we value this precious month and prepare for it
accordingly. It is reported that Rasulullah SAW used to commence His preparation two months prior to
Ramadhan by reciting the following supplication at the beginning of
Rajab, “O ALLAH! bless us in Rajab and Sha’baan and make us reach
Ramadhan” .
This shows the importance of conditioning oneself
mentally and spiritually for the advent of this month. Ramadhan is a
long- awaited celestial guest; accordingly, we ought to prepare the
grandest reception in appreciation for all of it’s beautiful
blessings and barakah. It is only through such yearning and longing
that the significance of Ramadhan will develop in our hearts serving
as a catalyst to increase our good deeds and to fulfil the objectives
of Ramadhan.
Therefore,
we should strike a balance, during this all-too-short blessed month,
between our domestic duties and the opportunity this month brings, to
draw closer to Allah SWT through worship and good deeds. Do not let our
household chores and other work distract us from performing the
obligatory Salaah at the appointed times or from reading the Qur’aan
Kareem or Nafl Salaah. Nor should we let traditional late-night
family gatherings keep us from performing Qiyaam al-Layl and making
Du’a.
There are three main objectives to attain from this blessed
month, namely absolution of one’s sins, attainment of piety and
enhancing one’s communion with ALLAH TA’ALA.
In regards to
absolution of sin, Rasulullah SAW mentioned,
“Whoever fasts and stands for worship in Ramadhan out of faith and
anticipation of reward, all of his previous sins will be forgiven.”
(Ibn Majah)
The
main element mentioned in this Hadith is that our effort and striving
in worship throughout the month should be with the zest of Imaan and
zeal of reward. The recompense of this will be a thorough effacement
of sins. The veil of inhibition that impedes a person from his or her
Rabb will be removed and the doors to a life of spiritual bliss,
ecstasy and harmony will be flung open. Subhaan-ALLAH!
Allah SWT states,
“O
you who believe, fasting has made compulsory upon you as it made
compulsory upon those before you so that you may become ALLAH
fearing.” (Quran:2:183)
Alhamdulillah!
Fasting is one of the best spiritual exercises to establish piety,
patience and a perpetual consciousness of ALLAH TA’ALA and the
reward for true patience is Jannah. In this beautiful month four
things you should continue to perform in great number, two of which
shall be to please your Rabb, while the other two shall be those
without which you cannot do.
Those which shall be to please your
Rabb, are that you should in great quantity bear witness that there
is no diety to worship except Allah SWT (i.e. recite the Kalimah Tayyibah
Laa Ilaaha Illallaah) and make much Istighfaar (beg Allah SWT forgiveness with Astaghfirullaah).”
And as for those without which
you cannot do, you should beg of Allah SWT , entrance into Paradise and
ask refuge in HIM from Jahannam(Hell).” Once a person feels the
bliss of being completely pardoned and relieved from the burden of
sins coupled with the feelings of Allah Omnipresence, he or she
would have reached a very high pedestal of divine communion. This
pedestal is what referred to as the stage of Ihsaan; where a person
worships Allah SWT as if he or she is seeing HIM or with the full
conviction and cognizance that Allah SWT is watching him or her.
Beloved
Reader!
The Mubarak month of Ramadhan requires special preparation
because it requires complete dedication on part of the Mu’min.
Below are a few easy ways to Inshaa-Allah SWT (Allah's willing) help
prepare our minds and hearts for this upcoming Month of Mercy.
1.
INTENTION TO PREPARE:
One of the most essential elements of
preparing for the arrival of Ramadhan is to make the intention for
preparation for verily “every action judged by it’s
intention”(Hadith-Bukhari). The preparation begins the day you
start practicing humility and patience and learn how to control your
nafs (desires) and anger.
2.
PERFORM REWARDING ACTIONS:
In the spirit of Ramadhaan, it is best
to start preparing for the blessed month by performing actions that
are rewarding and appreciated by our beautiful Allah SWT According to a
Hadith, “If a person says, “SubhanaAllah”(Glory be to ALLAH)
100 times, a thousand good deeds are recorded for him and a thousand
bad deeds are wiped away.”
3.
INCREASE THE WORSHIP:
To start preparing for the blessed month of
Ramadhan, it is best if you start increasing your worship. This will
allow you to adjust your routine for the arrival of Ramadhan.
Increase all forms of Ibadah(worship) such Fasting,recitation of
Qur’an, Zikr, Sadaqah(Charity) , Nafl (voluntary) Salaah etc
4.
DETERMINE SPECIFIC DAYS FOR FASTING:
To adjust your body to
fasting, it is best that you start fasting beforehand. You should
define specific days for fasting. For example, if you fast every
Monday and Thursday, you will be more fully prepared for Ramadhan
making the adjustment much easier.
5.
READ THE MUBARAK QUR’AN REGULARLY:
For individuals who have not
prepared for reading and reciting Qur’aan during Ramadhan, Qur’an
Kareem recitation while fasting becomes difficult. It is best if you
start reading the Mubarak Qur’aan after Fajr salaah on a daily
basis just to prepare for the Ramadhan spirit.
6.
ADJUST SLEEPING HABITS:
Ramadhan teaches us to adjust the way we
lead our life. Therefore, before the arrival of Ramadhan, it is
ideal if you start adjusting your sleeping habits. You should start
off by going to bed early and rising early. If you are used to this
routine, you will not feel sleepy and tired when Ramadhan arrives.
7.
DEFINE OBJECTIVES:
Ramadhaan is the ideal month to embark on your
journey to fresh objectives. If you are a smoker and want to quit
this habit, you should start off with this month. If you want to be
an early riser, still Ramadhan is the perfect month for you. In
essence, Ramadhan is the most blessed and rewarding month.
Therefore, all Muslims should try their best prepare for this
auspicious month of Ramadhan. Regular recitation of Qur’aan,
voluntary charity and recitation and offering prayers will help you
prepare for the Ramadhan spirit. Inshaa-Allah!
O
Beloved Reader!
Let us embellish our Akhlaaq(character) in this
beautiful and blessed month with gifts presented by Rasulullah SAW. Let us make this Ramadhaan a
means of gaining nearness to Allah Ta’ala and preparing for the
eternal journey that each and every one of us must traverse.
