HOW TO PREPARE AND MAXIMIZE YOUR MONTH OF RAMADAN.
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullah wabarakaatuh.
As we anticipate the arrival of Ramadan, let us reflect on the importance of this blessed month. Ramadan is not only a time of fasting but also a period of immense spiritual growth and reflection.
It needs not be repeated but we would for the benefit of reminder, that the month of Ramadan is a month that's full of blessings and is the month of mercy and forgiveness from Allah, upon those who adhere strictly and meet up all the requirements of this holy month.
Moreso that this is also the month in which the Qur'an was revealed and a night known as LAYLATUL QADR (the night of power/destiny) is greater in virtue than 1000 months. Al-Qadr 97:3
لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.
(Q:97 v 3).
Having realized and understood that the month of Ramadan is an opportunity not to miss, it's expedient and extremely important for all Muslims to plan and prepare for how best they can maximize the countless benefits embedded in this month.
Below we'd mention some of the Tit-bits that would assist us in our preparation.
1. An Hadith narrated:
١. قال ﷺ: "من صام رمضان إيمانا واحتسابا، غفر له ما تقدم منذنبه". #متفق_عليه
The Prophet PBUH said ((whoever fasts the month of Ramadan, faithfully and in sincere hope for the reward of His lord, he will have his past sins forgiven))
Agreed upon
We can deduce from this authentic Narration that in order to reap the benefits of this blessed month, we first have to ensure we are fasting with complete Iman, and we have to do so with the sincerest of intentions, only doing it for the sake of Allah and hoping that Allah Alone would reward us.
2. Another Hadith narrated:
.عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ( ليس الصيام من الأكل والشرب إنما الصيام من اللغووالرفث فإن سابك أحد أو جهل عليك فقل إني صائم إني صائم )
It was reported from Abu hurairah (R.A) that the Prophet PBUH said ((Fasting is not on abstinence from eating and drinking, fasting entails abstinence from veil talks and obscenity. And if someone should come to you with aggression or foolishness, you should say "I am fasting")).
From this Hadith we learn so many lessons. But the major lesson embedded in this Hadith is that the fasting in the month of Ramadan is purely based on the practice of self restraint.
So it follows that as Muslims who want to attain the highest benefit of this month, we have to start practicing the habit of restraining ourselves from immoral and indecent things. Ranging from what we do, what we say, what we consume, even up to cleaning our thought process.
Ramadan teaches us self-restraint and patience, which are essential virtues.
3. ALLAH said in the glorious Qur'an;
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَٰتٍ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِۚ…
(The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion...)
This verse of the Qur'an reveals to us that the month of Ramadan is the month of the Qur'an and the month in which the guidance of the Qur'an came upon us.
Hence it's highly encouraged that in the quest to build up our Level of eeman, and draw ourselves closer to Allah, we have to engage and get engrossed in reciting the Qur'an and also looking through to understand the deep meaning of the glorious Qur'an so as to be guided by the guidance of the Qur'an.
Remember the Qur'an is not something you can pick and just start developing seriousness and commitment towards it overnight. Therefore we must as it is important that we start keeping ourselves busy with the Qur'an today.
4. REPAY ALL OUTSTANDING FASTS.
We all understand as Muslims, that there may be conditions or necessities that may lift the compulsion of fasting from a person.
These conditions could be severe sickness, terminal illness, pregnancy, breast feeding, old age, journey, and many more examples. For cases like this, Allah shows his mercy by saying;
…وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
(and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.) (Q:2 vs 185)
While certain conditions may exempt individuals from fasting, it is important to make up missed fasts before the next Ramadan. This demonstrates obedience to Allah's commands and ensures that one enters Ramadan with a clean slate.
5. FEED THE POOR AND THE NEEDY.
The month of Ramadan is everything that has been aforementioned and even more.
Ramadan is a time of compassion and generosity towards the less fortunate. In addition to fulfilling the obligatory Zakat al-Fitr, we should actively seek opportunities to feed the poor and assist those in need. The Prophet (PBUH) taught us that aiding a fasting person in breaking their fast carries great reward.
Also very essential is the act of feeding a fasting person and assisting him to break his fast. This is a very recommend Sunnah of the Prophet PBUH as he said in an authentic Narration that;
قال ﷺ: من فطر صائمًا كان له مثل أجره من غير أن ينقص من أجر الصائم شيء
(( Whoever helps a fasting person in breaking his fast, he will have equal reward as the fasting person without having a reduction from that of the Fasting person)) Related by Imam Ahmad.
These and many more are basic things we must pay attention to if indeed we must get the best from our fasting in the month of Ramadan. We Ardently pray that Allah is in.
Let us approach Ramadan with sincere intentions and a commitment to maximizing its spiritual benefits. May Allah grant us the opportunity to witness Ramadan and make it a means of purification and elevation for our souls.
اللهم بلغنا رمضان اللهم سلمنا في رمضان، وسلم لنا رمضان،واجعله لنا متقبلا.