How To Welcome Ramadhan

Dr Muhammad S AnwarRedbridge Islamic Centre - London

Introduction

• Ramadhan is the ninth month of Islamic calendar.

• Fasting in this month is a pillar of Islam.

• The month has many special merits.

• Purpose of fasting is to attain piety.

• It is a spiritual journey for the believer.

Types of Fasting

• There are three types of fasting.1. General fasting ( العموم preventing :(صوم

the stomach & genitals from fulfillment from dawn until dusk.

2. Special fasting ( الخصوص protecting :(صومeyes, ears, tongue, hands, stomach, genitals & feet against major & minor sins

3. Elect fasting ( خصوصالخصوص :(صومfasting of the heart from low aspirations, worldly thoughts & gain.

Attaining Spiritual Heights

• Through fasting, one achieves several benefits including:

1. Piety (تقوى) 2. Trust in Allah (توكل)3. Patience (صبر)

4. Asceticism (زهد)5. Generosity (سخاوة)

Purification of Soul

• Fasting in this month purifies human soul from many spiritual diseases including:

1. Ostentation (ريا) 2. Heedlessness (غفلة)3. Laziness (كسل)4. Lust (شهوة)5. Stinginess (بخل)6. Greed (حرص)7. Anger (غضب)8. Arrogance (كبر)

Things To Do Before Ramadhan

Self Inspection

• What state I am in physically and spiritually?

• Is my earning Halal?• Do I pray? What is the state of my

prayers?• How do I nurture my body, my faith, my

family?• Which major sins I am involved in?• Which minor sins I am habituated to?

Sincere Repentance

• Spend some time in seclusion - Ideally night prayers over weekend!

• Make wudhu thoroughly and pray two rak’aat with sincerity and tranquility

• Weep and repent for the sins past and present, major and minor, individual and collective, overt and covert, from external organs and internal organs, voluntary and involuntary.

• Have determination for never committing the same sin again.

• Compensate for the violated rights of people, if any

An Attitude of Anticipation and Enthusiasm

• Eagerly wait for Ramadhan• Moon sight on the presumed dates• Decide & try to achieve some personal goals in

the blessed month.• Plan to assess your progress every week and

after Ramadhan.• Attend talks & courses on the Ramadhan if

possible.• Arrange family gathering and read some

ahadeeth about Ramadhan and fasting.• Buy a Quran with good translation.

Plan Ahead

• Free yourself from unnecessary engagements

• Finish your assignments & shopping etc for Eid before Ramadhan starts

• Start attending prayers in congregation

• Book your annual leave for as many days as possible. E.g. Fridays, last 10 days, Eid day

ChecklistDAILY REQUIREMENTS

Got up for suhoor

10 salutation upon the Prophet SAW outside prayers

Prayed 4 Rak’aat Tahajjud prayer

Did morning adhkar Istighfaar 100 times Went to sleep in the state of Wudu

Prayed all prayers on time Did a special deed that is

secret between me & Allaah

Went to sleep without ill

feeling towards any MuslimPrayed all the 12 Raka'at of

Sunnah prayersMade evening adhkar ON FRIDAYS

Read Surah Al-Kahf

Prayed more than 1 Fard

prayer in Masjid (males)

Prayed Taraweeh prayer Extra salutation upon the Prophet SAW

Read the Tafseer of

1 verse of the Quran

Prayed the Witr prayer Clipped nails & moustaches, removed extra hairs

Recited 1 Juz of Quran Read last 2 ayat of surah

al-Baqarah

WEEKLY REQUIREMENTS

Memorised 1/4 page of Quran

Attempted to practice

1 Sunnah

Read 4 Quls before sleeping Memorised 1 Hadith & 1 Dua from the Sunnah

Made my parents smile,

hugged and kissed them

Read Surah Al-Mulk before sleeping

Fed some people for the

sake of Allah

Did not argue, nor backbite Pondered about my death &

the day of judgment

Read a book on Seerah or any religious topic