RAMADAN PREPARATION PROGRAMME
6 weeks before Ramadan
‘ Wake up call’ Week
* Recite the following dua’ to make it to Ramadan. Do this repeatedly throughout the day and every day leading up to Ramadan:
“Allahumma baarik lanaa fi Rajab wa Sha’baan wa ballighnaa Ramadaan”
* Write down specific targets, no more than five, of things that you want to achieve this Ramadan
* Start to read some books about Ramadan. This will help you get into the Ramadan mode and you will also learn about the do’s and don’ts of fasting, which is important if you want to derive the maximum benefit from it.
5 weeks before Ramadan
‘Heart Focus’ Week
* Make Tawbah Nasooha
* Listen to Islamic lectures, choose a scholar and topic that you feel will motivate you and get your heart in the right state
* Do your very best to pray all your salah on time
* Ensure that you pray the sunnah al-mu’akkadah rak’at with your five daily fard prayers
* Actively focus on improving your khushoo’ in salah by spending more time on it and concentrating on what you are saying
* Allocate time to doing tasbeeh and istighfar, especially after salah.
4 weeks before Ramadan
‘Fasting & Qur’an’ Week
* Start making up the qada of missed fasts from previous Ramadan(s)
* Once you have made up all your qada fasts, start fasting on Mondays and Thursdays
* Involve your family and friends by encouraging them to fast as well
* Allocate a certain amount of Qur’an to read every day and ensure that you read this amount regularly
* Get an English translation and a tafsir book to help you understand the Qur’an and read these regularly.
3 weeks before Ramadan
‘Night Prayer and start thinking about charity’ Week
* If one of your weak points is getting up on time for Fajr, now is the time to get this right by going to bed early and setting the alarm for Fajr time
* Start to pray Qiyam ul-Layl after ‘Isha
* Start getting up for Tahajjud; you only need to wake up half an hour before you normally would for Fajr
* Agree with a friend or family member to wake each other up for Tahajjud
* Think of ways you can benefit your community and the ummah with charitable acts. Be imaginative, try and involve as many people as you can and remember that even the smallest act of kindness counts as charity.
2 weeks before Ramadan
‘Increase your efforts & allocating Zakat & Sadaqah’ Week
* Spend more time than you already are reading and understanding the Qur’an
* Focus even more on your salah. You can start praying the sunnah ghair al-mu’akkadah and salatul Duha, for example
* Increase the number of rak’at your pray for Qiyam ul-Layl and Tahajjud
* Increase the amount of time you are spending on tasbeeh and istighfar
* Allocate your zakat if you are due to pay it
* Allocate the amount you want to pay for sadaqah in Ramadan and set it aside. As you do so, make an effort to read about the plight of those less fortunate than ourselves. This will have the two-fold effect of making you grateful for what you have and wanting to do more for charity.
1 week before Ramadan
‘Connecting with family and friends’ Week
* Organise a family get together
* Contact all of your family, those who live locally as well as those abroad, to wish them the best for this Ramadan
* Organise goody bags for your family and friend’s children to get them excited about Ramadan
General Preparation:
* Do your Eid shopping now so as to not consume precious time during Ramadan and especially the last ten days
* Find out where you will be praying Taraweeh
Things you will need for Ramadan:
* Qur’an with translation
* Tafsir book
* Print out the Muslim Diary checklist and the Ramadan check list and put it up on your wall
* Book of Adhkar (e.g. The Fortress of the Muslim by Sai’d bin Ali bin Wahaf Al-Qahtani, The Muslim Diary www.themuslimdiary.com)
* Lectures of a scholar you like and a topic that motivates you
* Books that inspire you and teach you more about Islam and how to become a better Muslim
* Dates
Prophet Muhammad’s [saws] Khutbah on Ramadan
"O People! The month of Allah (Ramadan) has come with its mercies, blessings and forgiveness’s. Allah has decreed this month the best of all months. The days of this month are the best among the days and the nights are the best among the nights and the hours during Ramadan are the best among the hours. This is a month in which you have been invited by Him (to fast and pray). Allah has honoured you in it. In every breath you take is a reward of Allah, your sleep is worship, your good deeds are accepted and your invocations are answered. Therefore, you must invoke your Lord in all earnestness with hearts free from sin and evil, and pray that Allah may help you to keep fast, and to recite the Holy Qur’an. Indeed!, miserable is the one who is deprived of Allah’s forgiveness in this great month. While fasting remember the hunger and thirst on the Day of Judgement. Give alms to the poor and needy. Pay respect to your elders, have sympathy for your youngsters and be kind towards your relatives and kinsmen. Guard your tongue against unworthy words, and your eyes from scenes that are not worth seeing (forbidden) and your ears from sounds that should not be heard. Be kind to orphans so that if your children may become orphans they will also be treated with kindness. Do repent to Allah for your sins and supplicate with raised hands at the times of prayer as these are the best times, during which Allah Almighty looks at His servants with mercy. Allah Answers if they supplicate, Responds if they call, Grants if He is asked, and Accepts if they entreat. O people! You have made your conscience the slave of your desires. Make it free by invoking Allah for forgiveness. Your back may break from the heavy load of your sins, so prostrate yourself before Allah for long intervals, and make this load lighter. Understand fully that Allah has promised in His Honour and Majesty that, people who perform salat and sajda (prostration) will be guarded from Hell-fire on the Day of Judgement. O people!, if anyone amongst you arranges for iftar (meal at sunset) for any believer, Allah will reward him as if he had freed a slave, and Allah will forgive him his sins. A companion asked: “but not all of us have the means to do so” The Prophet (SAAWS) replied: Keep yourself away from Hell-fire though it may consist of half a date or even some water if you have nothing else. O people!, anyone who during this month cultivates good manners, will walk over the Sirat (bridge to Paradise) on the day when feet will tend to slip. For anyone who during this month eases the workload of his servants, Allah will make easy his accounting, and for anyone who doesn’t hurt others during this month, Allah will safeguard him from His Wrath on the Day of Judgement. Anyone who respects and treats an orphan with kindness during this month, Allah shall look at him with kindness on that Day. Anyone who treats his kinsmen well during this month, Allah will bestow His Mercy on him on that Day, while anyone who mistreats his kinsmen during this month, Allah will keep away from His Mercy. Whomever offers the recommended prayers during this month, Allah will save him from Hell, and whomever observes his obligations during this month, his reward will be seventy times the reward during other months. Whomever repeatedly invokes Allah’s blessings on me, Allah will keep his scale of good deeds heavy, while the scales of others will be tending to lightness. Whomever recites during this month an ayat (verse) of the Holy Qur’an, will get the reward of reciting the whole Qur’an in other months. O people!, the gates of Paradise remain open during this month. Pray to your Lord that they may not be closed for you. While the gates of Hell are closed, pray to your Lord that they never open for you. Satan has been chained; invoke your Lord not to let him dominate you." Ali ibn Talib (ra) said: “I asked, ‘O messenger of Allah, what are the best deeds during this month’?” ‘He replied: ‘O Abu-Hassan, the best of deeds during this month is to be far from what Allah has forbidden’.”
How to make Tawbah
TAWBAH CONSISTS OF THREE PARTS; KNOWLEDGE, REPENTANCE AND DETERMINATION Knowledge: If you have knowledge of Islam then you will recognise your sins and understand why they are harmful for you and know what the punishment is if you continue doing those sins. You must also have sincere faith and devotion to Allah, because if you know that something displeases/angers Him them you will feel bad about doing it. Repentance: Once you understand that the sins you have done are harmful and that you have earned Allah’s displeasure, then you will feel bad about having sinned. You will feel deep regret and remorse, even grief at having committed those sins.
Determination: When you feel so bad about doing those sins, then you will refrain from doing them and be determined never to do them again, especially if you know what the harmful effects and punishment are for those actions. If you have committed a sin that involved taking away someone else’s rights, then you must return those rights and ask forgiveness from that person also.* *Adapted from Imam Al-Ghazali, Ihya Ulumuddin, translated by Maulana Fazlul Karim, Taj Company, 1982, Vol. 4
TIPS TO HELP YOU STAY AWAY FROM SINS
* Stay away from places of sinning
* Keep yourself in the company of those who remember Allah
* Keep your hands busy with useful work and your tongue busy with remembrance of Allah
* Understand the harmful effect of sins and read about the punishment for sinning
* Remind yourself about the rewards for doing good deeds, both in this life and in the Hereafter
From a Hadith Qudsi:
Allah has written down the good deeds and the bad ones. Then He explains it (by saying that): he who has intended a good deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as from ten good deeds to seven hundred times, or many times over. But if he has intended a bad deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, it’s written down as one bad deed. (Bukhari and Muslim)
Night Prayers
Any nafl (voluntary) prayers offered after ‘Isha but before Fajr are Night Prayers. If one prays after ‘Isha without going to sleep, then this prayer is often called Qiyam ul-Layl. If one prays after waking up from sleep, then this prayer is often called Tahajjud.Generally, both terms are used and have an equal meaning. Both Qiyam-ul Layl and Tahajjud consist of a minimum of 2 rak’at with no maximum limit, which are performed in sets of two rak’at. The Prophet *saws+ used to regularly perform 8 rak’at.
There are special night prayers during Ramadan and these are called Taraweeh. Taraweeh is a sunnah al-mu’akkadah which means that it is an emphasised sunnah i.e. sunnah that the Prophet *saws+ never left. It consists of eight or twenty rak’at which are performed in sets of two rak’at. Taraweeh can be performed at home or in the mosque, but as with any other prayer, praying in congregation carries a greater reward. Three rak’at of witr are prayed after Salatul Taraweeh.
THE FOLLOWING MEASURES HELP IN OBSERVING NIGHT PRAYERS:
* Read up about the merits of Night Prayer. This will motivate you and make you more determined to perform it
* Just before you go to sleep, ask Allah to help you wake up for Tahajjud
* Go to bed early
* Nap during the day, if at all possible
* Avoid overeating in the evening
Etiquette for reading the Qur’an
1 You should be in a state of taharah (ritual purity) before you can touch the Qur’an
2 You should begin with: “A’udhu billahi minsash-shaytanir rajim” [ I seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan, the cursed one], followed by
“Bismillahir rahman ar-rahim” [In the name of Allah, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful]
3 If you can read the Qur’an in the Arabic language, it is preferred to recite it with the basic rules of tajweed
4 It is recommended to beautify your recital with a pleasant voice
5 The speed of your recitation must be regulated by your ability to understand so that you can think about what you are reading
6 If the verse contains commands and prohibitions you should immediately decide to accept or restrain from them. But if it is something you have failed to do in the past, you should seek forgiveness and intend to do it in the future. In the event that the verse contains mercy, you should feel happy and request it, if it contains wrath, you should seek refuge in Allah. If the verse glorifies Allah, you should glorify Him
7 It is undesirable to stop reading to converse or talk to someone, laugh or play or look at something that takes away your attention, unless there is a valid reason
8 The best time to recite the Qur’an is during salah, then night-time reading, especially the latter part of it. The best time of day is after Fajr.* *Adapted from Khurram Murad, Way to the Qur’an, Islamic Foundation, 1985
Etiquette of Making Du’a
1 In order for du’as to be accepted, a person should ensure that their earnings and possessions are all halal
2 It is recommended to face the Qiblah while making du’a
3 There are certain times and places that are more opportune for making du’a, such as: the Day of Arafah, during the month of Ramadan, Friday, last third of the night, at dawn, during sajdah, during rainfall, between adhan and iqamah, after the fard prayers
4 It is recommended to raise your hands to your shoulders with the palms upwards
5 It is best to begin the du’a with the praise of Allah and blessings upon the Prophet [saws]
6 Du’a should be made with full attention and humility, in neither too loud a voice nor too quiet
7 You should not make du’a for anything that is haram or that involves harming certain people
8 You must be patient in having your du’a accepted
9 Be confident and have belief in Allah that He will accept your du’a
10 It is recommended to repeat your du’a three times
11 The best of prayers are the du’as of the Prophet [saw]* Adapted from As-Sayyid Sabiq, Fiqh us-Sunnah, American Trust Publications, 1991, Vol IV
Health Guidelines on Eating in Ramadan
AVOID:
* Fried and fatty foods. These can upset your stomach and give you indigestion and heartburn
* Foods containing too much sugar, especially at suhoor. These can cause your blood sugar levels to drop too quickly and can cause headaches, dizziness and tiredness
* Over-eating especially at suhoor. This can lead to indigestion, heartburn and constipation
* Too much tea at suhoor: Tea makes you pass more urine taking with it valuable mineral salts that your body would need during the day.
EAT:
* Slow-digesting foods at Suhoor. These last longer in the body thus making you feel less hungry
* Dates are excellent source of sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium
* Almonds are rich in protein and fibre with less fat
* Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates
DRINK:
*As much water or fruit juices as possible between Iftar and bedtime so that your body can adjust fluid levels in time.
The Three Levels of Fasting in Ramadan
IMAM AL-GHAZALI WRITES ABOUT THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES OF FASTING: First level: Ordinary Fasting This level requires abstention from three things: food, drink and sexual satisfaction. This is the minimum requirement and the reward is given accordingly.
Second level: Special Fasting Keeping one's ears, eyes, tongue, hands and feet and all other organs free from sin. For such people just abstaining from the minimum requirement is not sufficient, thus they take care not to say, hear or do a wrong thing. As they restrain their organs from all kinds of prohibitions, they are rewarded accordingly.
Third level: Extra-special Fasting This fast involves abstaining from all unworthy thoughts, loves, desires and wishes in total disregard of everything except the thought and remembrance of Allah. This is the perfection of tawhid (oneness of Allah). One may physically be present in the world but the internal self is exclusively engaged towards Allah.
Etiquette of Friday
1 Make preparations for Friday from ‘Asr time on Thursday by doing istaghfar and tasbeeh. Ensure that your clean clothes are ready so that this does not take up valuable time on Friday morning. Read Qur’an and extra prayers on Thursday night
2 Perform ghusl on Friday morning. It is best to clip the nails, cleanse the teeth and do everything necessary to be in a state of ritual purity
3 It is desirable to recite Surah al-Kahf on Friday
4 Spend plenty of time in prayer throughout the day, as there is a time in which dua’s are accepted on this day
5 Send salat and salaam on the Prophet [saws]
6 It is recommended to give charity on this day as the rewards are increased
7 It is recommended to minimise worldly affairs and concentrate on ‘ibadah. * Adapted from Imam-al Ghazali, Ihya Ulumuddin, translated by Maulana Fazlul Karim, Taj Company, 1982,Vol 1
Daily Prayer
THE DAILY PRAYERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
FAJR (Subh) (Dawn Prayer): Two rak’at of sunnah al-mu’akkadah followed by two rak’at of fard.
Dhuhr (Noon Prayer): Four rak’at of sunnah al-mu’akkadah, four rak’at of fard, followed by two rak’at of sunnah al-mu’akkadah
‘Asr (Afternoon Prayer): Four rak’at of sunnah ghair al-mu’akkadah, followed by four rak’at of fard. Note that it is forbidden to perform sunnah prayers after ‘Asr until sunset.
Maghrib (Sunset Prayer): Three rak’at of fard, followed by two rak’at of sunnah al-mu’akkadah.
‘Isha (Night Prayer): Four rak’at of sunnah ghair al-mu’akkadah, four rak’at of fard and two rak’at of sunnah al-mu’akkadah.
Witr: This comprises one rak’at, three rak’at etc (an odd number). Witr can be performed immediately after the two rak’at sunnah of ‘Isha, or it can be performed just before sleeping, or after Tahajjud.
Nafl: (Voluntary) prayers can be performed with any of the five daily prayers in sets of two rak’at apart from the time after Asr until sunset and after Fajr until sunrise.
Salatul Duha: This is a nafl prayer, which can be performed from after sunrise to before Dhuhr time. It consists of between two and twelve rak’at, performed in sets of two rak’at.
NOTE:
* Fard prayers are obligatory and neglecting these makes a person a sinner
* Sunnah al-mu’akkadah prayers are emphasises sunnah i.e. the Prophet [saws] never neglected to perform these
* Sunnah ghair al-mu’akkadah prayers carry a reward if performed but no punishment if not performed
* Nafl prayers bring extra reward if performed.
Reflection and contemplation: Some active help
Have you ever thought about how the fragrant and beautifully coloured flowers you see everyday have come out of pitch black, muddy soil? Have you ever watched your parents sleeping and realised how frail they are and that time goes by so fast?
Have you ever thought about how the peels of fruits such as bananas, watermelons, melons and oranges serve as wrappings of high quality, and how the fruits are packed in these wrappings so that they maintain their taste and fragrance?
Have you ever thought about the possibility that while you are asleep a sudden earthquake could raze your home, your office, and your city to the ground and that in a few seconds you could lose everything of the world you possess?
Have you ever thought of how your life passes away very quickly, and that you will grow old and become weak, and slowly lose your beauty, health and strength?
Have you ever thought about how one day you will find the angels of death appointed by Allah before you and that you will then leave this world? Have you ever thought about why people are so attached to a world from which they will soon depart when what they basically need is to strive for the Hereafter? Man is a being whom Allah furnishes with the faculty of thought. Yet, most people do not use this very important faculty as they should. In fact, some people almost never think. In truth, each person possesses a capacity for thought of which even he himself is unaware. Onceman begins to use this capacity, facts he has not been able to realise until that very moment begin to be uncovered for him. The deeper he goes in reflection, the more this capacity to think improves, and this is possible for everyone. One just has to realise that one needs to reflect and then to strive hard. * Adapted from Harun Yahya, Deep Thinking, Ta-Ha Publishers Ltd, 2000
Things you can do when you are menstruating.............
1 Read a translation of the Qu’ran or a tafsir book
2 Make du’a and spend time engaging in dhikr
3 Listen to the Qur’an or recite from memory
4 Read Islamic books or listen to lectures
5 Increase your da’wah activities
6 Give charity and think of ways of encouraging others to give charity
7 Help around at home with the intention of gaining thawab[reward]
8 Offer to help out with taking care of children at the mosque while others pray
9 Offer to baby-sit for someone who has children and may want to go to Taraweeh
10 Try to find out about Islamic activities going on in your local area and try and get involved with organising them
11 Try and feed as many fasting people as you can- go to places that organise mass iftars and offer to help or give sadaqah towards it
Remember it is your intention that matters!
Dhikr and Remembrance of Allah.......................................
‘Ali ibn Abi Talha relates that Ibn Abbas said, “All obligations imposed upon man by Allah are clearly marked and one is exempted from them in the presence of a genuine cause. The only exception is the obligation of dhikr. Allah has set no specific limits for it, and under no circumstances is one allowed to be negligent of it. We are commanded to ‘remember Allah standing, sitting and reclining on your sides’ (3:191), in the morning, during the day, at sea or on land, on a journey or at home, in poverty and in prosperity, in sickness of in health, openly and secretly, and in fact at all times throughout one’s life and in all circumstances.” “Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace” (13:28) “Those men and women who engage much in Allah’s praise. For them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” (33:35)
Excellence of saying La ilaha ill-Allah Jabir [ra] reported that the Prophet [saws] said, “The best remembrance of Allah is to repeat La ilaha illallah and the best prayer is Alhamdulillah.” (An-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Al-Hakim) Excellence of Tasbih, Hamd, Tahlil, Takbir and others Abu Huraira *ra+ reported that he Prophet *saws+ said, “There are two phrases that are light on the tongue but heavy on the scale of rewards and are dear to Allah. These are: Subhanallah wa bihamdihi (All glory is to Allah and all praise to Him) and Subhanallah al-Azim (Glorified is Allah the Great).” (Muslim, Bukhari and At-Tirmidhi) Samura ibn Jundab [ra] reported that the Prophet [saws+, “The dearest phrases to Allah are four: Subhanallah (Glorified is Allah), Alhamdulillah (all praise is due to Allah), la ilaha illallah (there is no god bud but Allah), Allahu akbar (Allah is the Greatest) There is no harm in beginning them in any order you choose while remembering Allah.” (Muslim) Abu Sa’id *ra+ reported that the Prophet *saws+ said, “Perform the enduring deeds more frequently.” They asked,” What are these enduring deeds?” The Prophet *saws+ replied: “At-Takbir, At-Tahlil, At-Tasbih, alhamdulillah and la hawla wa la quwatta illa billah [There is no power nor any might except with the permission of Allah+.” (An-Nasa’i and Al-Hakim)
(Takbir means saying Allahu Akbar, Tahlil means saying la ilaha illallah, Tasbih means saying subhanallah) Excellence of Istighfar ‘Abdallah ibn Abbas *ra+ said, “If one supplicates without fail for forgiveness from Allah, He finds a way out for him to get out of every distress and difficulty, and gives him sustenance through ways utterly unthought of.” (Abu Dawud, An-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah, Al-Hakim)
Suggested Activities for the Last Ten Days of Ramadan...
1 Make a big effort to increase all your religious activities for the last ten days, such as extra prayers and more dhikr
2 Keep reciting this special du’a: “Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbu’l-‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni” Oh Allah, you are indeed pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me
3 Make tawbah
4 Evaluate yourself and see how you could be a better person
5 Make long, sincere and deep du’as
6 Try to finish the Qur’an and read the du’a for the completion of Qur’an recitation
7 Spend some time in i’tikaf. If you cannot fulfil the sunnah of sitting in i’tikaf for 10 days then you can sit in seclusion for any length of time with the sole purpose of drawing closer to Allah and you will, insha’Allah, be rewarded accordingly
8 Try to minimise the time you spend on worldly matters. You could try not watching tv, or surfing the internet and this will all help you in drawing closer to Allah
9 Try to memorise surahs which you can recite in your salah e.g. some of the shorter surahs in the 30th juz
10 Read and learn some hadith and try to practise these in your daily life.
I’tikaf .............................................
I’tikaf is when a person stays in the mosque with the sole intention of worshipping Allah and drawing closer to Him, while turning his attention away from worldly affairs as much as possible. Women can do i’tikaf at home in a secluded area or the house where they usually pray. The retreat of the last ten days of Ramadan (sunnah i’tikaf) starts at Maghrib of the 20th and ends upon the announcement of Eid. If someone is unable to sit in i’tikaf for the whole ten day period, then they can also perform i’tikaf, but this would be a mustahabb or nafl i’tikaf. This can be performed for any length of time and the reward is given accordingly. This time in i’tikaf must be spent doing salah, dhikr, reading the Qur’an, making du’a, reading religious books, making tawbah and sending salutations on the Prophet [saws]. Permissible acts: 1) The person may go out at any time for some need that he must perform such as answering the call of nature, doing wudu or ghusl 2) It is permissible to leave the mosque to eat and drink if food and drink are not made available in the mosque
Actions that nullify the I’tikaf: 1) Intentionally leaving the mosque even if it is just for a short time (in the case of sunnah i’tifkaf) 2) State of menstruation or post-childbirth bleeding.
Zakat al-Fitr ......
Zakat al-Fitr becomes obligatory on every Muslim, male or female, adult or child, at the end of Ramadan as long as he/she has the means to do so, even those who have not fasted during the month of Ramadan for any valid reason. Ibn Abbas [ra] reported that the Prophet [saws] made zakat al-Fitr compulsory so that those who fasted may be purified of their idle deeds and shameful talk (committed during Ramadan) and so that the poor may be fed. Whoever gives it before salah will have it accepted as zakah, while he who gives it after the salah has given sadaqah. (Abu Dawud) Therefore, zakat al-Fitr is to provide those who fasted with the means of making up for their errors during the month of fasting, just as any sadaqah washed away sins. Zakat al-Fitr also provides the poor with the means with which they can celebrate Eid al-Fitr along with the rest of the Muslims. As mentioned in the above hadith it should be given before the Eid prayer so that it can be distributed to the poor in time for the Eid celebrations, so that they may participate also. The local mosque will advise as to the rate of zakat al-Fitr that should be given. The head of the household is responsible for the payment of himself and his dependants.
The Sunnah of Eid .............. .....
* To wake up early, in order to prepare for the sunnahs of the day
* To perform ghusl and apply perfume (men only)
* Wear the best clothes available to you (without excess)
* Eat before going for Eid prayer. The sunnah is to eat an odd number of dates
* To walk to the place of prayer, if at all possible, reciting the takbirat which is: “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illallah. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil hamd” Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no god but Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. All praise belongs to Allah.
* To return from the place of prayer using a different route to the one taken to get there.
EXTRAS TO RAMADAN PREPARATION PROGRAMME
TIP:
BEFORE RAMADAN
Write down all the positive things that you did last Ramadan as well as those areas that need improvement.
Examples for in your Ramadan target list ......... 1 Finish reading the Qur’an at least one ( try to read one Juz a day) 2 Concentrate on good manners, bettering my character, purifying my thoughts and intentions 3 Persevere and maintain the acts of worship that I decide to do, no matter how small 4 Spread the world, involve family, friends etc 5 Follow the Ramadan Preparation Programme and daily checklists as best as I can (eg the Muslim Diary daily chart and the Ramadan checklist) 6 Study great persons of Islam 7 Finish reading the translation of the Qur’an 8 Make a list with everything I want to do Tawbah for 9 Finish a MP3-lecture set (ie of Anwar Al-Awlaki) 10 Pick certain surahs to memorize 11 Pay for Iftar for someone 12 Think about every word said in salah 13 Memorise a Du’a of the Sunnah every night
TIP:
Do not fast the day before the announcement of Ramadan. Call and email all your relatives and friends to say Ramadan Mubarak.
TIP:
Make a travel schedule to go to Taraweeh. There might be friends who do not have a car and want to go to the mosque every night. You can start a car-pool, arrange this before Ramadan begins.
A Short Bibliography for Ramadan ...............
Spend time seeking knowledge in Ramadan and beyond about this blessed month. Here are some great books, videos, CDs and cassettes for all levels which can help you see Ramadan is about more than just not eating or drinking and that Islam is about a profound relationship with Allah that has far-reaching implications on our lives:
BOOKS 1. Translation of the Qur’an by Saheeh International (Buy in majority of Islamic bookshops or online: www.maktabah.net. To download: www.islambasics.com)
2. Series Tafsir by Ibn Kathir (Buy in majority of Islamic bookshops or online: www.maktabah.net. To download: www.tafsir.com)
3. The Fortress of the Muslim (Hisnul Muslim) by Sai’d bin Ali bin Wahaf Al-Qahtani (Buy in majority of Islamic bookshops or on online: www.maktabah.net. To download: www.hoor-al-ayn.com)
4. Companions of the Prophet by Abdul Wahid Hamid (Buy online: www.maktabah.net)
5. The Muslim Diary by Umm Dhirar and Umm Khuwaylid (www.themuslimdiary.com)
6. Fasting in Ramadan by Dr Abdul Karim Awad (Buy online: www.maktabah.net)
7. Inner Dimension of Islamic Worship Imam Al Ghazali (Buy online: www.maktabah.net)
8. Let Us Be Muslims by Sayyid Abul Ala Mawdudi (Buy online:www.maktabah.net)
AUDIO
1. Tafsir of the Whole Qur’an by Israr Ahmad (Download: www.maktabah.net)
2. Lectures in English by Anwar al-Awlaki (Download: www.hoor-al-ayn.com)
3. Audio & Video’s on Ramadan by various (Download: www.kalamullah.com/ramadan.html)
SCHOLARS
1. Ibn Taymiyyah
2. Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah
3. Ibn Rajab al Hanbali
4. Imam An-Nawawi
WEBSITES
1. www.maktabah.net (the biggest online Islamic Library worldwide)
2. www.theonehouraweekproject.co.uk (rewarding good deeds you can do from anywhere)
3. www.themuslimdiary.com (for a checklist & powerful explanations of daily acts of worship)
4. www.ramadhanzone.com (for a Zakat Calculator to see how much Zakat you should pay)
DURING RAMADAN
Du’a sample plan ........................ Everyone has their own way of making du’a, the following plan is just to help you break it down rather than dictate what you should be saying. Start your du’a by saying O Allah, or use one of the names of Allah starting your du’a. Ask yourself what you really want from Allah. Make a list of each and everything, no matter how small or how big it is, whether it deals with this world or not. Allah loves to hear from us. At the end of the sample plan is a list of Allah’s names. You can break down your du’as into categories: 1 DU’AS FOR YOURSELF AND ALL MUSLIMS (RELIGIOUS AMBITIONS AND GOALS) 2 MAKE DU’A FOR THE OPPRESSED, AND ALL THOSE ON ALLAH’S PATH 3 MAKE DU’A FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILIY (INCLUDING THOSE WHO PASSED AWAY) 4 TAKE TIME TO MAKE DU’A FOR YOUR FRIENDS AND THEIR NEEDS
Du’as for Yourself and all Muslims O Allah, Give all Muslims guidance & rahma O Allah, Lead all disbelieving people and Jinns with a good heart to Islam O Allah, Lead my family to Islam and make them die as Muslims O Allah, May all of us die as Mu’min O Allah, Give the Prophet [saws] wasila and intercession for us O Allah, Help us do deeds that will take us to Jannatul Firdaws Love Allah [swt] and the Prophet [saws] the most and only love people for the sake of Allah [swt] and make those people come on our path, and hate going back to Kufr as much as to hate being thrown in the Hellfire on Yawm al Qiyama O Allah, Remove the love for this dunya from our hearts O Allah, Let our heart never turn away from Islam and fill our hearts with desire for Islam O Allah, O Controller of the hearts, make my heart steadfast in Your religion O Allah, Never stop leading and guiding us O Allah, Increase our ‘ilm, practise our ‘ilm and give da’wah O Allah, Protect us against knowledge that doesn’t benefit us O Allah, Support us in our ideas in working/projects for the Ummah O Allah, Strengthen our Imaan, bring rahma in our heart for the Qu’ran, and make the Qur’an our light, medicin and a good argument for us on Yawm al Qiyama O Allah, Help us memorise the Qur’an O Allah Give the mujahedeen yaqeen, the oppressed strength, purify those who are ill and the highest rank to the shuhadaa O Allah, relief the hungry, take care of the widows & orphans and reward them with Jannatul Firdaws O Allah, Make us part of Your Victory, live a praiseworthy life and die for Your cause O Allah, Destroy our enemies and protect us from their hands and from those who do not fear You O Allah, Lead our brothers on the straight path and make them die as shuhadaa O Allah, Bring close to us what is good for us, our Deen in this life and our status in the Akhirah O Allah, Support us by giving us strength, hikma &sabr to bear the events of Qadr and to pass the test O Allah, Protect us against the evil of our tongues and lead us to the best character O Allah, Protect us from lying, arrogance and riyaa O Allah, Forgive us our sins and make us know when we have to do tawbah O Allah, Help us be good wives to our husbands and good husband to our wifes O Allah, Help us be good mothers and good fathers O Allah, Protect our marriage against waswaas and place rahma in between us O Allah, Help us obey our husband so we will earn Jannah O Allah, Give us a role in the Ummah that lead us to good deeds which will counts for us after our death O Allah, Help us play our role in supporting everyone in Allah’s path O Allah, Let us enjoy a good hearing, sight and body throughout our life span and use them for ‘ibadah O Allah, Help us increase our ‘ibadah and protect us from bidah O Allah, Make us join the Prophet [saws] in Jannah, united with the prophets and the martyrs O Allah, Make the Sharia’ win and take us to that place O Allah, Peace and blessings upon the Prophet, his Companions, his family and his followers O Allah, Make us belong to the sabireen, mohsineen and mutaqeen O Allah, Help us having tawakaltullaah O Allah, make all our Rizq halal O Allah, Protect our religion, all our matters are in Your Hands O Allah, Make my Deen the leader of all my matters O Allah, Set straight my faith & worldly affairs wherein is my living O Allah, Set straight my Akhirah O Allah, Make my life as source of abundance of all good O Allah, Make my death a source of protection, protect me from all the evil of the Creation O Allah, Make the best part of my life, the end of it, and the last of my deeds, the best, and the best of my days, the day that I meet You O Allah, I ask you for the best in my life, O Allah, I ask you for a good death and not a shameful return O Allah, make our graves wide and spacious and not pressing and narrow O Allah, I ask you for the best matters, the best du’as, the best success, the best knowledge, the best deed, the best belonging, the best life and the best death O Allah, Save us from the punishment of the Qabr and of the horror of Yawm al Qiyama O Allah, Make us cross the sirat easily, O Allah, Give us yaqeen, O Allah, Make our scales heavy, confirm my faith and raise my status in al Akhirah O Allah, Protect us from the shayateen O Allah, Forgive us our sins, give us Your Rahma, Your Mercy O Allah, Give us peace for each sin we repent for and the treasures of every reward O Allah, Give us paradise and protect us from the Fire O Allah, Make the result of all our matters good, and save us from the humiliation of this world and the torture of the Akhirah O Allah, lead us to the obedience which is needed to be permitted to Paradise and the firm belief necessary to get through the tests and fitna of this world O Allah, Allow us to enjoy our sight, hearing and power as long as we life and make this enjoyment our heritance, so that people can pray for us O Allah, place Your revenge on those that harmed us, O Allah, Give us victory over our enemies, and do not test us in our belief, and do not make this world our concern and do not give power to those whom would oppress us O Allah, make us all keep asking for forgiveness and lead our hearts to the sunnah O Allah, do not let any of our sins not forgiven, and no burden unrelieved, and no debt unpaid, and not difficulty in this life or the Akhirah without support O Allah, Protect us from poverty and debts O Allah, Protect us against forgetting things, O Allah, Let us know about that which we became ignorant of O Allah, Make us recite Qur’an day and night, Have mercy with us in the name of the Holy Qur’an O Allah, give guidance to our youth, our scholars and our leaders Oh Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity and independence Oh Allah, Turner of Hearts, turn our hearts toward Your obedience Oh Controller of the hearts, make my heart firm in Your religion Oh Allah, I seek your protection from inability, laziness, cowardice and miserliness; I seek your protection from the punishment of the grave; and I seek Your protection from the mischief of life & death. Oh Allah, I beg of You of Your love and the love of those who love You and I ask of You such deeds which will bring me Your love.
O Allah, Bring us together with the prophets and the martyrs in the highest chambers of Al Akhira O Allah, Bring us close to the Prophet [saws] O Allah, Lead us to deeds which will take us to the eternal life in the highest ranks of Al-Jannah O Allah, Give us the good of this world and the Hereafter and protect us from the Fire... Oh Allah, send peace and blessings to Muhammad sallahu alayhi wa sallam, his family, his Companions, his Family and all those who follow his footsteps until The Day of Judgement . AMEEN.
Du’as for Those in the Path of Allah & The Oppressed O Allah Revealer of the Book, Recompenser of the Final account, Destroyer of the confederates. O Most Powerful, O Most Magnificent! O Allah, verily we ask you to disperse their (the enemy's) gunfire (upon our warriors) and to shake the ground from beneath their feet and strike terror into their hearts. O Allah, cripple their support and blind their vision and send upon them decay and disease. O Allah, divide them against one another and disperse their unity and strike heavy discord amongst their ranks, and make them flee to their destruction, and show us from amongst your wonders and strength that you mete out to them, and make an example of them for those who are heedless. O Allah quicken their defeat and make their wealth war booty for the Muslims. O Allah grant aid and victory to our brothers, the mujahedeen (all over the world in general, and specifically in Chechnya, Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, from amongst the people of the land and the Helpers), and unite their ranks and bring them together upon the word of truth. O Allah, direct their aim and strengthen their support, and make them steadfast and send upon them your tranquillity and heal their hearts and guide them to all that is good, and cause us (who sit at home) to join their ranks, O Answerer of supplications." O Allah, give them authority and rule, and aid them with your Army of the Heavens and the Earth, O Lord of the Worlds And peace and blessings of Allah be upon His Messenger and his family and all the companions. O Allah, Grant the wives, children and families of the brothers strength, hikma, sabr and peace and blessings and Jannatul Firdaws O Allah, Free all the brothers and sisters in prison and give them yaqeen, sabr and Jannatul Firdwas O Allah, Free all the brothers and sisters in prison in Guantanamo Bay, Egypt, Algeria, Syria, Saudi, Morocco, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Palestine, Europe, America and all others O Allah, Give all the sisters whom are being attacked and oppressed and raped yaqeen, sabr and Jannatul Firdaws
Du’as for non-Muslim family O Allah, let my mother practise Islam, pray together with her in this life and make her die as a Mu’min O Allah, open my father’s heart for Islam together with my mother and make them die as Muslims O Allah, guide my brothers and sisters and their spouses and children to Islam and make them die as Muslim O Allah, help me doing da’wah with them O Allah, show them the Truth, lead them and protect them against the Naar
Du’as for Muslim family O Allah, Guide my siblings on the straight path, fill their hearts with desire for Islam O Allah, Lead them to pious spouses, forgive their sins and bless them with a pious and healthy offspring O Allah, Keep guiding them to the Sunnah and protect them from bid’ah O Allah, Help me in doing da’wah with them O Allah, Lead them to deeds that will take them to Jannatul Firaws
Du’as For myself O Allah, give me yaqeen and make me die as a Mu’min O Allah, make me die on the Path of Allah [swt] O Allah, support me and draw me close to You when something happens to my spouse O Allah, lead me to the highest chambers of Paradise O Allah, give me a role in the Ummah and deeds that will lead me to Jannatul Firdaws O Allah, Help me to pray on time, pray the sunnah and Qiyam ul-Layl and dhikr O Allah, Help me to purify me in my ‘ibadah and niyaa O Allah, Help me memorise Qur’an and practise its contents O Allah, Support me in learning the Arabic language O Allah, Grant me with a health and pious offspring as soon as is good for me and easy pregnancies O Allah, Lead me to the best character and protect me against the danger of my tongue O Allah, Let me be a good spouse and parent O Allah, Protect me from the hands of the kuffaar
Du’as for My friends O Allah, never stop leading them, their spouses and children O Allah, help them with memorising and practising the Qur’an O Allah, lead them to pious spouses O Allah, grant them health and yaqeen O Allah, help them play a beneficial role in the Ummah O Allah, protect them from the enemy O Allah, protect their marriages and their religion O Allah, protect them from the horror of Yawm al Qiyama and grant them Jannatul Firdaws and protect them from the Fire
Du’as by name O Allah, Give the best of this life and of the Hereafter and protect from the Fire: (fill in the names of persons you know)
TIP:
Wake up an hour before suhoor to ask Allah for anything and everything you want that is halal, this can be done using the Du’as of the Sunnah, but also Du’as in your own language, with sincerity and conviction.
“The life of the Prophet [saws]: Reading about the Prophet's life, increases your love for him and Islam so much more by seeing how much he struggled for Allah's sake. It may inspire you to push yourself even harder during these days and nights of Ramadan. This community is built on sacrifice.”
Make a ‘Daily Sadaqah’ box and put it in the living room. Tell your family that they put whatever they want in it, nothing is too small or too big. So put in it whatever you want to spend on sadaqah that day. You can take it out on Friday and give it to whatever cause.
TIP:
What the Prophet [saws] and the Companions asked for: The way how the Prophet *saws+ and the Sahabah made du’a is beautiful. When they would raise their hands and asked The Lord of the Worlds they did it with conviction, trust, sincerity and deep love towards Allah. That is why we should study the du’as they made and apply them ourselves. Memorise a different du’a every night. They don't have to be long; they can be just one line. And be sure to know what they mean. You can put them on index cards (or and keep them with you during the day, glancing at them during work, while driving, waiting in line, etc.) Then practice them at night in prayer.
TIP:
Invite friends or family around that don’t go to Taraweeh but you feel might if you encourage them and take them along with you. Be tactful!
Quiet your mind, turn off the...
TV, internet, radio, phone, etc. Find a quiet place, close your eyes and connect with Allah [swt]. At first, your mind will swirl with the useless and not-so-useless information in your head. But force it to think of three things in these few minutes:
a. Allah
b. your purpose in life
c. are you living your life on purpose?
TIP:
Organise a short lecture and Iftar afterwards. If you provide an Iftar meal for a fasting person, you will have the same reward as the person who has been fasting all day! (from the Prophet’s Khutbah on Ramadan)
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The Qur’an
The Holy Qur’an is Allah's [swt] way of talking to us. It's one of the most important keys to spiritual upliftment. This Ramadan, connect to the Qur’an in a new way. If you already read Qur’an regularly, perhaps you can choose a new theme to focus on or select a Surah you haven't read in a while. If you don't read Quran regularly, maybe you can read a half a page of Qur’an a day and build it up every day , reading only from the first page you encounter when you open up the Book.
In addition, try to keep a Qur’anic journal to record your reflections, questions and thoughts about what you've read.
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TIP:
Get a book of Adhkar and keep it with you at all times.
Take care of others
Whether it's someone who's away from their family, a person who's having problems with a spouse or their kids or a fellow student or colleague struggling, make an extra effort this Ramadan to help others out. The spiritual boost you get in return is well worth it.
Try to find some form of worship that you can do altogether as a family. I.e. you can sit down and do du’a together before iftar.
TIP:
“Give up one lifelong bad habit
Ask yourself what some of your defining traits are. Then decide which is the worst of them. Is it a hot temper? Apathy? Laziness? Impatience? Whatever it is, use this Ramadan to put an end to it. Practice the opposite of your bad habit every day until the end of the month. By then Insha’Allah, you'll look back and be amazed at what a change you've made for the better. ”
Help out with keeping the children in place at your local mosque
TIP:
----------------------------- The Great Muslims
These days we seem to forget who we are as Muslims. We have the richest history of all people. The Muslim legacy is the greatest one. But yet we find ourselves copying the ways and the lifestyles of the non-Muslims. A great remedy for our restless hearts is learning about great Muslims. Read about or listen to the story of a Companion daily, the famous but also the completely unknown ones. This is the way for us to see how other Muslims retained their strength of faith against incredible odds. ----------------------
Don’t waste your non-praying/fasting days on non Islamic matters. Instead do Tasbeehs remembering the blessings, do Istighfars remembering the sins.
TIP:
“ Hadith to act upon!
Ibn ‘Abbas related that the Prophet *saws+: “Every night of Ramadan at the time of iftar, Allah frees a million people from the Hellfire. When Jumu’ah comes, hourly He frees a million people from the Hellfire, all of them deserved to be punished therein. When the last day of Ramadan comes, He frees on that day alone, a number equal to the number that He freed from the beginning of the month. (Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali) ”
TIP:
If you get invited to an iftar then try to keep focused and in Ramadan mode. Make sure you leave early for Taraweeh.
The Nights of Power Self Evaluation plan
The last ten nights or Ramadan aren't emphasized for their importance for nothing. Use these precious times for deep, heartfelt Du’a, self-analysis, reflection and serious thought.
Laylat-ul Qadr (the Night of Power) is described in the Qur’an as, "better than a thousand months" (97:3). Any action done on this night such as reciting the Qur’an, remembering Allah, etd is better than acting for one thousand months which do not contain the night of Qadr. This is more than 80 years of worship!
“The Prophet *saws] said: "Whoever prays during the night of Qadr with faith and hoping for its reward will have all of his previous sins forgiven." (Bukhari and Muslim)
Ramadan, as usual, has flown by. Despite planning beforehand, many of us may have gotten caught up in a routine after accustoming ourselves to the change in schedule the blessed month brings.
This may have affected our initial plans to increase our worship, contemplation and to seek Allah's Forgiveness and Mercy with greater fervor. But the last ten days and nights of Ramadan are still ahead for us to benefit from. Ask yourself these questions and see what you can do to make the most of what's left of Ramadan this year, Insha’Allah:
1 Have I kept pace with the amount of Qur’an I wanted to read, or have I fallen behind?
2 If so, how much do I have to read on a daily basis the rest of Ramadan to catch up?
3 Have I tried to attend Taraweeh regularly, or did I use weak excuses to get out of it?
4 Did I ever pray the night prayer?
5 Did I try praying my five daily prayers with more sincerity, concentration, and focus than usual?
6 Did I invite anyone over for Iftar (breaking the fast)?
7 Did I help any needy person, even a panhandler or beggar, when I was fasting?
8 Did I regularly seek Allah's Forgiveness and Mercy with sincerity, fear and hope?
9 Did I encourage my family to fast or participate in regular opportunities for more rewards that come with Ramadan (i.e. good deeds in general, but also Taraweeh, more reading of the Quran, etc.).
10 Did I memorize any more Quran than what I knew before Ramadan started?
11 Did I try to be more patient in Ramadan than I normally am?
12 Did I try to control my anger, especially while fasting?
13 Did I try harder to avoid backbiting and slander?
14 Did I constantly check my intentions, to make sure that my good deeds were for the sake of Allah alone, not to impress others, gain their favor, or to show off?
15 Was there even an atom of pride in my heart?
16 Was I quieter and more contemplative?
17 Did I cry in my prayers?
18 Did I read more Islamic literature apart from the Qur’an?
19 Did I make sincere repentance to Allah, really feeling sorry for my sins?
20 Did I forgive those who hurt me?
21 Did I avoid hurting anyone with my attitude, words, intentions or actions?
22 Did I give any more Sadaqah (charity) than I normally give?
23 Did I share the message of Ramadan and Islam with a non-Muslim?
24 Did I share the message of Ramadan and Islam with a non-practicing Muslim family member or friend?
25 Did I feel annoyed at being hungry while fasting or did I rejoice?
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A passage from Ibn Al-Qayyim’s book ‘Zad Al-Ma’ad’ about i’tikaf: The basis purpose of I’tikaf is that the heart gets attached to Allah, and, with it, one attains inner composure and calmness; preoccupation with the mundane things of life ceases, and the state is reached in which all fears, hopes and apprehensions are superseded by the love and remembrance of Allah; every anxiety is transformed into the anxiety for Him; every thought and feeling is blended with the eagerness to gain His nearness and to earn His good favour, and devotion to the Almighty is generated instead of devotion to the world. This is the provision for the grave where there will be neither a friend nor a helper. This is the high aim and purpose of i’tikaf, which is the specialty of the most sublime part of Ramadan, that is, the last ten days. ---------------
AFTER RAMADAN
Keep making du’a: : O Allah [swt] accept all the deeds I did in Ramadan. The Sahabah used to say this du’a for 6 months after Ramadan!
Fast six days after Eid within the month of Shawwal, if you do this you can get a reward equal to that as if you have been fasting for the whole year!
Now.... after Ramadan try to do your utter best to keep up with your daily ‘ibadah. Keep yourself in check with the daily charts of the Muslim Diary and keep reading the explanations in the Sunnah of all the deeds you do, to keep motivated and to become so acquainted with them, that you can share them with as many others as possible!