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Let’s Welcome This Guest!
Just
like a dear guest giving a brief visit, Ramadan comes and goes.
Ramadan is the season when rewards are doubled, devils are chained,
the gates of
Paradise
are opened, and the doors of the Hell are closed. It is the season
of blessings.
Muslims
are thus required to pay it special welcome. So, let’s get ready
for Ramadan so that we reap its fruits in full. Truly happy is the
one who makes the best use of every second of the month of Ramadan.
How
to Reap the Fruits of Ramadan
Fast
in Sha`ban
This
is the sunnah as mentioned in the hadith narrated by Usama ibn Zayd
(may Allah be pleased with him) when he asked the Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him), “I have never seen you offer fast in a
month as you do in Sha`ban.” The Prophet said, “It is a month
people disregard that is between Rajab and Ramadan. In that month
deeds are presented to the Lord of the Worlds, so I like my deeds to
be presented while I am fasting.”
Make
Du`aa’(supplication)
We
should spare no effort in supplicating Almighty Allah to give us
life till we reach this blessed month. This was always the practice
of the Salaf (righteous predecessors); they used to supplicate for a
whole six months that they would live till Ramadan. Once it came and
departed, they would spend another six months in imploring Allah to
accept the deeds they had offered in Ramadan. What a great reception
and great love for that month!
Have
a Good Heart for All Muslims
A
Muslim never carries malice, hatred, or bad feelings against any
fellow Muslim. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Allah looks to His servants on the fifteenth night of Sha`ban and
forgives all of them except a muskrik (one who associates
others with Allah) or a mushahin (one who carries malice or
envy to his Muslim brothers).”
Carry
Out Religious Duties
We
should show utmost care to our religious duties, such as attending
congregational prayer, observing Fajr Prayer on time, and leaving
all types of major and minor sins because they hinder us from
gaining reward.
Gain
Heaps of Reward
Qiyam
Al-Layl
(Night Vigil Prayer), du`aa’ (supplication), and the daily
quota of reading Qur’an are all sources of plenty of rewards. A
Muslim may also specify certain times between Prayers for reciting
the Qur’an.
Learn
the Rulings on Fasting
A
Muslim should resort to books and tapes to learn about fasting and
its rulings.
Make
Da`wah (invite others to Islam)
Helping
others find their way to Allah is really amazing.
Be
a Mentor
Teach
others by being a mentor and a good example of practicing what you
preach. Avoid all forms of bad manners and be manifest morality.
Use
Your Time Well
Schedule
your time in Ramadan and never lose any moment. Spend your time in
good deeds that bring you great reward and make you win Allah’s
pleasure.
Build
a Spirit of Unity
Encourage
your mosque mates to hold a collective iftar (meal to break
the fast), even if only once in the whole month. Let them know how
meritorious it is to exchange visits. Organize a get-together after
`Eid Prayer at the mosque or somewhere else.
May
Allah help us welcome Ramadan and spend it in good deeds! Amen!
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