Alhamdhulilah. Indeed, all praise is due to Allah. We praise Him and seek His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from our souls’ evil and our wrong doings. He whom Allah guides, no one can misguide; and he whom He misguides, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no (true) God except Allah – alone without a partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His ‘Abd (servant) and messenger

The foregoing are a few things one can do during the month of Ramadan. It is high time for us to think about how we are going to meet this blessed month. Is it as in the same fashion we encounter other months, in which we disobey Allah and pay no heed to His commandments? Or will it be with honor that we greet this month, because of its advantages and virtues? Or will it be with the intention of deserving to be admitted to Paradise and to be saved from Hell- Fire?

The pious servants of Allah will welcome this blessed month, awakening from their negligence, beseeching Allah’s pardon, and repenting to Him. They will take a very pledge that they are, with immense pleasure, going to fully utilize this blessed month of Ramadan with all of its mercies and the bliss that it brings. Moreover, they will spend their precious time worshipping Allah, increasing their righteousness and good deeds. Thus, this month is meritorious for special pious deeds in which there are surely many virtues.

1. Read Qur’an

The blessed month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed. Thus, this blessed month of Ramadan is even more special in relation to the Qur’an, because Allah distinguished it by revealing the Qur’an during it. Aside from recitation of the Qur’an, learning the translation of the meaning, pondering over its Verses are also recommended and encouraged acts.

Narrated Ibn Mas’ood (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

“Whoever reads a single letter from Allah’s book will receive a blessing and each blessing is worth ten times its value.”

And he (peace be upon him) said,

"Whoever reads one letter from the Book of Allah, will receive one Hasanah (reward for a good deed), and one Hasanah comes with ten like it. I do not say that Alif – Lam - Mim is a letter. Indeed Alif is a letter, and Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter."

Although the Qur’an has been made easy to read and remember, it is also easy to forget, hence it is recommended to read it everyday. Narrated Aboo Moosa (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

"Keep on reciting the Qur’an, for, by Him in Whose Hand my life is, Qur’an runs away (is forgotten) faster than camels that are released from their tying ropes."

One should have realistic goals for himself, and read as much as he can, even if just a few lines per day. If a person wants the Prophet’s intercession on the Day of Judgment, then he needs to read and act according to the Qur’an. Aboo Umamah said he heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) say:

“Recite the Qur’an, for on the Day of Resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite It…”

As the mentioned above, we should be realistic and not go in extremes. Moderation and consistency is also very important. Try to make a plan for your self. Perhaps you should read a page of the Qur’an, followed by its translation, and then followed by its Tafsir. This way, the verses will have a greater impact on you. The Qur’an was sent as a guided, and its imperative we read it with understanding.

If we look at the practice of the Salaf: ‘Umar ibn al – Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him), is reported to have said, “Learn the Qur’an five verses at a time, for verily, Jibreel used to descend with the Qur’an for the Prophet (peace be upon him) five at a time.”

For a good translation of the Qur’an, I would recommend the one by Dr. Muhsin Khan www.thenoblequran. com

For a good Tafseer (commentary and explanation) , Imam Ibn Katheer’s is considered one of the best: http://www.darussal am.com/product_ info.php? cPath=71_ 54&products_id= 435

2. Du’a

One should make as much Du’a for himself, family and the Muslim Ummah as much as he can during Ramadan. Narrated Anas (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

"None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself."

Umm Darda’ reported: My husband reported that he heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying:

“He who supplicates for his brother behind his back (in his absence), the Angel commissioned (for carrying supplication to his Lord) says: Ameen, and it is for you also.”

3. Family ties

Ramadan is a time where a person who may have problems or disagreements between his family members should clear them. There is great reward for one who upholds kinship.

Allah, the Most High, said:

“Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? Such are they whom Allah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.”

Narrated Jubair bin Mut’im (may Allah be pleased with him): That he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying,

"The person who severs the bond of kinship will not enter Paradise."

Narrated Anas bin Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him): Allaah ’s Apostle (peace be upon him) said,

"Whoever loves that he be granted more wealth and that his lease of life be prolonged then he should keep good relations with his Kith and kin."

Narrated ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "

The word ‘Ar-Rahm’ (womb) derives its name from ‘Ar-Rahman’ (i.e. Allaah). So whosoever keeps good relations with it (womb i.e. Kith and kin), Allaah will keep good relations with him, and whosoever will sever it (i.e. severs his bonds of Kith and kin) Allaah too will sever His relations with him.”

Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported Allaah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) as saying:

“The earth will vomit long pieces of its liver like columns of gold and silver, and the murderer will come and say: It was for this that I committed murder. The breaker of family ties will come and say: It was for this that I broke the family ties; and the thief will come and say: It is for this that my hands were cut off. They will then leave it and will not take anything out of it.”

4. Praying Qiyaam / Taraweeh/ Tahajjud (the Night Prayer)

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him): I heard Allaah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) saying regarding Ramadan,

"Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allaah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."

Please note: There’s a trend (especially with the youth), of not praying the whole day, except Taraweeh. This is very odd and it would be like someone working over time, but not working during the normal time!! I.e. how can you have any benefit from voluntary actions, if you are not doing the obligatory?

5. Making Da’wah

Ramadaan is a perfect time for Muslims to make Da’waah to those that are not practicing, as well as non-Muslims. One can do this by being a kind person and showing the right example of the good Muslim, or even reminding his fellow Muslims what the obligations are of Islam.

There is also an excellent Da’waah Course by Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, it’s free and very beneficial. It’s a must for anyone who wishes to give Da’wah. www.islamiconlineun iversity. com/moodle

6. Nawafil / Voluntary Prayers

At-tatawwu’, or nawafil or supererogatory prayers, have been legislated to make up for any deficiencies left in the performance of fardh Salah (obligatory prayers). In Salah, there are virtues that are not found in any other form of worship.

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“The first of his deeds for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayer. If it is sound then he will have succeeded but if it is not sound then he will be lost and doomed. If anything is lacking from his obligatory prayers, the Lord will say: ‘Look and see whether My slave has any voluntary (prayers),’ and the shortfall from his obligatory prayers will be made up from that. Then all his deeds will be dealt with in like manner.”

-> FAJR – 2 Rak’ahs Sunnah + 2 Rak’ahs Fardh

-> DHUHR = 4 Rak’ahs Sunnah OR (2 + 2) Rak’ahs Sunnah + 4 Rak’ahs Fardh + 4 Rak’ahs Sunnah OR (2 + 2) Rak’ahs Sunnah

-> ASR = 4 Rak’ahs Sunnah OR (2 + 2) Rak’ahs Sunnah + 4 Rak’ahs Fardh

-> MAGHRIB = 2 Rak’ahs Sunnah + 3 Rak’ahs Fardh + 2 Rak’ahs Sunnah

-> ISHA = 2 Rak’ahs Sunnah + 4 Rak’ahs Fardh + 2 Rak’ahs Sunnah + 3 OR 1 Witr

-> JUMU’AH = 2 [Greeting the mosque] Rak’ahs Sunnah + 2 Rak’ahs Fardh + 2 [at home] OR (2 + 2) [in the mosque] Rak’ahs Sunnah

7. Duha Prayer

The Duha Prayer is a voluntary Salah prayer between the time after Fajr (i.e. Dawn) and the time before the Dhuhr prayer (i.e. forenoon). Ishraq, Salat – ul Awwabin (prayer of the penitent) and Duha are different Names for the same prayer. The minimum Rak’ahs for Duha prayer are two and the maximum are twelve. The preferable amount among them is four, which is supported and approved by the ahadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him). It may also be remembered that this Salah was a tradition of the previous Messengers and they used to perform it during their times. Hence this prayer is Sunnah and Mustahab (desirable).

8. Sitting in the Mosque Until Sunrise

Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said that he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say:

"That I sit with people remembering Almighty Allaah from the morning (Fajr) prayer until sunrise is more beloved to me than freeing four slaves from among the Children of Isma’il. That I sit with people remembering Allaah from the afternoon (’Asr) prayer until the sun sets is more beloved to me than freeing four slaves from among the Children of Isma’il."

Anas (may Allaah pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that,

“Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits and remembers Allaah (makes dhikr) until the sun rises, then prays two rak’ahs, will have a reward like that for Hajj and ‘Umrah, complete, complete, complete.”

9. Make Dhikr Of Allaah

Allaah, the Most High, said in the Qur’aan,

“O you who believe! Remember Allâh with much remembrance.”

And He, the Most High, also said:

“And remember your Lord by your tongue and within yourself, humbly and with fear without loudness in words in the mornings, and in the afternoons and be not of those who are neglectful.”

Narrated Aboo Moosa (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

"The example of the one who celebrates the Praises of his Lord (Allaah) in comparison to the one who does not celebrate the Praises of his Lord, is that of a living creature compared to a dead one."

10. Fasting

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

"Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allaah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allaah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."

Narrated Aboo Sa’eed (may Allaah be pleased with him):  I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying,

"Indeed, anyone who fasts for one day for Allaah’s Pleasure, Allaah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years."

Narrated Sahl (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

"There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to observe fasts?’ They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it."

11. Itikaaf

Narrated ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to practice Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice Itikaf after him.

12. Not Missing the Witr Salah

“Witr” literally means odd number. Witr has two different meanings in the Sunnah: The last one or three Rak’ahs of the night prayer, or it means all of the night prayers (because in essence they are odd – numbered). This discussion refers to the former meaning. We learn from the following hadith that Witr is not obligatory but desirable. But it would not be correct to show any slackness in performing it because every Muslim should do his best to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

13. Giving Charity

Allâh, the Most High, says in His Noble Book:

“O you who believe! Spend of that with which We have provided for you, before a Day comes when there will be no bargaining, nor friendship, nor intercession. And it is the disbelievers who are the Wrongdoers.”

Aboo Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported Allaah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) as saying:

“In the morning charity is due from every bone in the body of every one of you. Every utterance of Allaah’s glorification (Subhan’Allaah) is an act of charity. Every utterance of praise of Him (Alhamdulilah) is an act of charity, every utterance of profession of His Oneness (La ilaha illa Allaah) is an act of charity, every utterance of profession of His Greatness (Allaahu Akbar) is an act of charity, enjoining Maruf (good) is an act of charity, forbidding what is Munkar (evil) is an act of charity, and two rak’ahs which one prays in the forenoon will suffice.”

14. Providing for one to open the fast

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, will have a reward equal to his, without it detracting in the slightest from the reward of the fasting person.”

The rich reward of helping others break their fast can be achieved to one’s best ability, and is not required for a people to over burden themselves in this regard.

15. Be Consistent and Moderate

It’s very easy to have a sudden burst of energy and do a lot in one day and then not do anything during the rest of the month (due to tiredness). It’s Sunnah to be moderate and consistent. Don’t over burden yourself, and don’t look at what others are doing. You should do what you can to your ability (and properly) and be constant with those deeds.

Narrated ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her): Allaah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) said,

"Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allaah’s is the most regular and constant even though it were little."

Narrated ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her): The Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked,

"What deeds are loved most by Allaah?" He said, "The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few." He added, ‘Don’t take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability."

Narrated Alqama: I asked ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), mother of the believers, "O mother of the believers! How were the deeds of the Prophet (peace be upon him)? Did he use to do extra deeds of worship on special days?" She (may Allaah be pleased with her) said, "No, but his (peace be upon him) deeds were regular and constant, and who among you is able to do what the Prophet was able to do (i.e. in worshipping Allaah)?"

Oh Allaah allow us to make the most of Ramadaan. Oh Allaah, let us meet you with a clean heart, with all our sins erased. Oh Allaah grant us mercy, and make us from those that you have freed from hell fire. Oh Allaah allow us to be from those that you enter in heaven.

And It is Only Allaah Who grants success. May Allaah Exalt the mention of His slave and Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him), and render him, his household and companion safe from Evil.

Jazak’Allah Kh’air to Sr. Nilofer Fathima