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**10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan **

The blessed & most beautiful month is near and what better time to prepare for it than right now. Some of us deceive ourselves into thinking that when Ramadan comes we will suddenly change and worship Allah night and day but we are only decieving ourselves in thinking like this.

The Sahaaba used to prepare for Ramadan six months in advance. So if we really want to make the best of this Ramadan then we need to prepare for it now!

This may be our last Ramadan for life is so uncertain. Then there is NO doubt that we must make the best of it for the Reward of EVERY good act in the month of Ramadan is multiplied many times over:

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever draws near to Allah during it (Ramadan) with a single characteristic from the characteristics of (voluntary) goodness, he is like whoever performs an obligatory act in other times. And whoever performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts in other times.” (Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 1887)

If there was a 75% sale on in the shops surely people would go crazy and even cue all night outside in order to be the first in the store to take advantage of this special offer. So in the same way why should we not take advantage of the immense rewards that are available in Ramadan?

The best way we can make the best of this Ramadan and grab the immense rewards that are available is to prepare for it NOW.

The following are 10 ways in which we can prepare for this beautiful month starting from NOW:

**1. Voluntary Fasts **

What better way of preparing ourselves to fast for 30 consecutive days in Ramadan than to fast the voluntary fasts.

**Fasting Monday and Thursday: **

Abu Hurairah reported that the most the Prophet, (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasalam) would fast would be Monday and Thursday. He was asked about that and he said: “The deeds of people are presented to Allah on every Monday and Thursday. Allah forgives every Muslim except for those who are deserting each other." He says: "leave them for later”. (Ahmad; Hasan)

Another is to fast the white days (13, 14 & 15th of each Islamic month):

Abu Tharr Al-Ghefari said: “The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said “O Abu Tharr! If you fast three days of every month, then fast the 13th, the 14th and the 15th [these are call the al-ayaam al-beedh, the white days]”. (Ahmad, an-Nasaa’i & at-Tirmithi; Sahih)

Therefore we should fast these days in order to prepare for the fasting of Ramadan and even after Ramadan we should continue to do so for fasting will intercede for us on the day of judgement:

Rasulallah (Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede for the slave on the Day of Resurrection. **Fasting will say: **“O My Rabb! I prevented him from food and desires, so accept my intercession for him.’ And the Qur’an will say: “I prevented him from sleep during the night, so accept my intercession for him.’ He (Sallallahu `Alaihi Wasallam) said: ‘And they will (be allowed to) intercede.’” (Ahmad, at-Tabarani, Al-Hakim, Sahih)

2. Reciting Qur’an

Allah the exalted says:

“The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was sent down, a guidance for mankind, clear proofs for the guidance, the Criterion; so whoever amongst you witnesses this month, let him fast it." (Surah al-Baqarah 2:185)

Ramadan was the month in which the Qur’an was first revealed so it is the month of the Qur’an. We should devote much of this blessed month reciting the Qur’an.

Az-Zuhri used to say upon the coming of Ramadan, “It is only about reciting the Qur’an and feeding the poor.”

Abdur-Raziq said, “When Ramadan came, Sufyan Ath-Thawri would give up all acts of (voluntary) worship and devote himself to the recitation of the Qur’an.”

But for many of us the Qur’an has gathered a lot of dust since the last time we picked it up.

As Ramadan is fast approaching we must blow off the dust and start to build a close relationship with the Qur’an for it will intercede with us on the day of judgement:

“Recite the Holy Qur’an as much as we can for It will come as an intercessor for its reciter’ on the Day of Judgement” (Muslim)

The Recitor will be in the company of Angels:

‘Aa’ishah related that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Indeed the one who recites the Quran beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. As for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have twice that reward.” (Al-Bukhaari & Muslim)

There are Ten Rewards for Every Letter Recited from the Quran in normal times but in Ramadan these rewards are multiplied:

“Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allaah, he will have a reward, and this reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that ‘Alif, Laam, Meem’ (a combination of letters frequently mentioned in the Holy Quran) is a letter, rather I am saying that ‘Alif’ is a letter, ‘Laam’ is a letter and ‘Meem’ is a letter.” (At-Tirmithi)

So what better time for us to get into the habit of reciting the Qur’an than to begin to do so right now. We should recite the Qur’an with its meanings and try to understand and implement it into our daily lives.

We should set ourselves realistic targets for how much we should begin to recite each day for e.g. we will recite 1 or 2 pages a day, half a juz (chapter), or 1 juz etc. We should recite however much we can manage and then build up gradually.

**3. Praying Superogatory (Nafil) prayers
**

In Ramadan every voluntary prayer carries the reward of a Fard prayer in normal times and there is nothing more rewarding than a Fard prayer so one can imagine the immense rewards that are available in Ramadan for every voluntary prayer we pray.

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever draws near to Allah during it (Ramadan) with a single characteristic from the characteristics of (voluntary) goodness, he is like whoever performs an obligatory act in other times. And whoever performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts in other times.” **(Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 1887) **

In order for us to take advantage of these immense rewards we should start begin now by praying all of the daily Sunnah and Nafil prayers so by the time Ramadan comes we will already be in the habit of praying all of our Sunnah and Nafils and so we cna increase our voluntary prayers even more so during Ramadan. This would be difficult if we were not in the habit of praying Sunnah and Nafil prayers in normal times.

By increasing our voluntary worship we can gain closeness to Allah as well as the company of Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in Jannah:

Rabi’ah ibn Malik al-Aslami reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Ask (anything).” Rabi’ah said: “I ask of you to be your companion in paradise.” The Prophet (Sallallahu ALaihi Wasallam) said: “Or anything else?” Rabi’ah said: “That is it.” The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said to him: “Then help me by making many prostrations (i.e., supererogatory prayers).”

**4. Making Dua
**

Many of us do not spend as much time as we should do in Dua. Even if we do we rush our dua and our hearts and minds are not present whilst supplicating to Allah.

Many of us rush our Dua’s and our hearts are often not present whilst we are supplicating to Allah. Therefore we lose out on much of the benefits and blessings of Dua. We must give more attention to our Dua’s and try to concentrate more and be more sincere in our Dua’s imagining Allah watching us supplicate to him. We should humble ourselves making ourselves low and not worthy in front of Allah. We should try to cry if we can and have FULL hope that Allah will accept our Dua’s if not in this world then in the hereafter.

Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an: “When my servants ask you concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me.”

The place of Dua is so honourable to Allah that the Prophet (Sallallahu AlaIhi Wasallim) said:

"Nothing is more honourable to Allah the Most High than Dua." **(Sahih al-Jami no.5268).**

It is the most excellent of worship:

He also said: “The most excellent worship is Du’a.” **(Sahih Al-Jami` no. 1133) **

So let us get into the habit of making sincere Dua’s from deep within our hearts and let us not be heedless when supplicating to Allah. What better time than now for us to get into the habit of making more intense and sincere Dua’s. So by the time Ramadan arrives we would have already got into the habit of making the long, sincere and intense Dua’s which will readily be accepted during this blessed month especially whilst we are fasting and in the latter part of the nights during Tahajjud.

It may help to make a list of what we should ask of Allah suring dua’s which we can refer to as a reminder as this may help us to make our dua’s longer and more sincere covering everything we want to ask of Allah.

**5. Sincere Repentance
**

Ramadan is the month where we can gain mercy and forgiveness from Allah for all of our sins past and present.

We should know that Allah is most merciful and most forgiving and loves to forgive:

Allah says: O son of Adam, if your sins were to reach the clouds of the sky and you would then seek My forgiveness, I would forgive you.

When a person sins and then sincerely turns to Allah for forgiveness, one will find Allah ready to accept his repentance and to forgive him, as this verse indicates: And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself, but then seeks forgiveness from Allah, he will find Allah forgiving and merciful. (Surat an-Nisaa 4:110)

Allah loves repentance and loves those who turn to him in repentance:

Truly Allah loves those who turn [to Him] in repentance, and He loves those who keep themselves in purity. **(Qur’an 2:222) **

Therefore we should get into the habit now of repenting to Allah so that in Ramadan we will make the best of repenting to Allah and continue to do so throughout everyday of our lives.

How unfortunate is a person who after the end of Ramadan does not gain any forgiveness of his sins from Allah but ends up piling more sins onto his account.

6. Generosity & Charity

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) became even more generous in Ramadan than he already was.

Ramadan is a time for generosity and giving. It is a time when we think about those who have less than us as well as thank Allah for everything he has given us. Ramadan is an honourable and blessed month, and the rewards for generosity are multiplied in it.

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said, “The best charity is that given in Ramadan.” (At-Tirmithi).

Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said, “He who feeds a fasting person will gain the same reward as he will, without decreasing from the fasting person’s rewards.” (Ahmad).

Therefore we should get into the habit of giving in charity now so by the time Ramadan arrives we would increase in our generosity, giving to those less fortunate than ourselves. We should give whatever we can afford as Allah looks at our intentions.

Surely in there hereafter we will regret that which we did not spend in the path of Allah.

7. Controlling the tongue

Ramadan is a time where we must control our desires (nafs) aswell as our tongues:

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Fasting is not (abstaining) from eating and drinking only, but also from vain speech and foul language. If one of you is being cursed or annoyed, he should say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.” (Ibn Khuzaimah, Ibn Hibban)

Therefore we must protect our tongue from vain speech and foul language. Protecting the tongue is preventing it from lying, back-biting, slander, tale-carrying, false speech and other things that have been forbidden in the Qur’an & Sunnah.

Those who control their tongues are of the best of Muslims:

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was asked: “Which Muslim is best?” He responded, “One who the other Muslims are safe from his tongue and his hand.” (Tirmidhi, #2504)

We must not deceive ourselves into thinking that by the time Ramadan comes we will all of a sudden break a lifetime habit and control our tongues. Again this is another big deception. We must start controlling our tongues now for we cannot for changing lifetime bad habits is not an overnight process.

So how can we begin to control our tongues? This can be done by **“THINKING BEFORE SAYING ANYTHING”. **Not just talking without even thinking what we are going to say.

We must think before we speak and before saying anything we should think whether or not what we are going to say is going to please or displease Allah.

If we doubt that what we are about to say may anger or displease Allah then we should refrain from saying it. If we have nothing good to say then surely it is better NOT to say anything at all. Remember we WILL be accountable for everything we said in our lives so we MUST start taking responsiblity for what comes out of our mouths NOW otherwise we will regret it later when it is too late. Therefore we must get into the habit of “thinking before speaking”.

So let us begin to control our tongues now so that by the time Ramadan comes we would have adopted good habits and would have been used to controlling our tongues and refraining from saying anything which may anger or displease Allah.

REMEMBER: If we do not protect our tongues then our fasts will be in vain:

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Allah does not need the fast of one who does not abandon false speech or acting according to his false speech.” **(Sahih Bukhari) **

**8. Improving Character & manners
**

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) came to perfect the character of man and the best of this Ummah are those wioth the best of characters:

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alahi Wasallam) used to say: "The best amongst you are those who have the best manners and character.” **(al-Bukhari) **

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "There is none heavier in the scales of the Hereafter than good character **(Tirmidhi & Abu Dawud). **

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) also said: “The best loved by me and the nearest to me on the seats on the Day of Resurrection are those who have the best manners and conduct amongst you, who are intimate, are on good terms with others and are humble, and the most hated by me and who will be on the furthest seats from me are those who are talkative and arrogant." **(Tirmidhi) **

Again as with making any big change perfecting our character and manners cannot be done overnight but we must make a start now so that by the time Ramadan comes we would have gained momentum in making the necessery changes to our characters in order for us to be the best of this Ummah and those closest to Allah.

Surely if good character and manners are the heaviest on the scales then can you imagine how much more heavier they will be if we behave with good character and manners during Ramadan?

So let us strive to perfect our manners, character and conduct towards others and know that these good deeds will be of the heaviest on the scales and will enable us to reach the highest ranks of Jannah and the closest to Allah.

**
9. Moderation in eating
**

On the authority of Al-Miqdaam ibn Maadiy-Karib who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: “No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Adam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for his breath.” (Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasaa’I, Ibn Majah )

Ibrahim al-Nakha’i, on of the teachers of Imam Abu Hanifa, may Allah have mercy on them both, mentioned: “The people ruined before you were done in by three characteristics: too much talking, too much eating, and too much sleeping.”

There is no doubt that excessive eating is not only a cause of many diseases but is also a major factor in stopping us from maximising our worship to Allah.

Ash-Shafi’I said: I have not filled myself in sixteen years because filling oneself makes the body heavy, removes clear understanding, induces sleep and makes one weak for worship.

Many of us fast during Ramadan fast during the day and after Iftaar make up for all the food we missed throughout the day by binge eating.

Surely this goes against the very purpose of Ramadan which is to be moderate in eating and to remember those who have less than us. How will we remember the unfortunate when we constantly over eating before and after our fasts?

By controlling what we eat now we will not only benefit our health in the short and long term but moderate eating will make us less heavier and enable us to maximise the amount of worship we do everyday during Ramadan and the rest of our lives.

Al-Hassan Al-Basri: “The test of Adam (AS) was food and it is your test until Qiyamah.

And, it used to be said: Whoever takes control of his stomach gets control of all good deeds.

And: Wisdom does not reside in a full stomach.

One day, Al-Hassan offered some food to his companion who said: I have eaten until I am no longer able to eat. To which Al-Hassan said: Subhaana Allah! Does a Muslim eat until he is no longer able to eat?

**10. Implementing Sunnah’s into Daily life
**

Following the Sunnah is a command from Allah:

"Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “If you (really) love Allah, then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic monotheism, follow the Quran and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Quran: 3:31)

Surely if we follow the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in every aspect of our lives then everything that we do will become a worship to Allah, even going to the toilet, having a bath, dressing and undressing etc

**Reviving the Sunnah into our daily lives: **

Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward.” (Tirmidhi)

The best habit we can ever have in our lives is to implement the Sunnah into EVERY aspect of our lives so that our whole life and everything we do during it can become a worship to Allah.

We can do this by gradually learning all of the Sunnah’s and dua’s of every aspect of our day waking up, leaving and entering the Masjid and house, dressing and undressing etc. So let us get into the habit right now of implementing every Sunnah’s into our daily lives so by the time Ramadan comes we can continue to implement Sunnah’s and gain even more rewards for them.

Download Comprehensive Sunnah collection to implement everyday of our lives:

Download as Microsoft Word

Beautiful Sunnah’s of Rasulallah to do Everyday FINAL COPY.doc

Download file as PDF

26863499-Beautiful-Sunnah-s-of-Rasulallah-to-Do-Everyday.pdf

May Allah enable us to make the best of this Ramadan and make it a salvation for us in the Hereafter. Ameen

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Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan

Shouldn't we be doing all of this all year long (apart from may be voluntary fasts)? We're such part time muslims, it's funny to see the likes of my praa coming out of hibernation during Ramadan.

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Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan

Asalaamu Alaikum, yes of course we should sister and Ramadan is the perfect time for us to prepare ourselves and train ourselves for the rest of the year. But those who go back to their old ways after Ramadan will have just wasted a whole month only gaining hunger from fasting and tiredness from praying. We must never be part timers as Allah tells us to go into Islam FULLY!

This may even be our very last Ramadan so we must try our best to ensure we make the necessery changes because time is not on our side and death is very near. So the time to change is NOW for tomorrow may NEVER come!

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Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan

**Preparing for Ramadan **

The righteous predecessors were very attentive to the worship to Almighty Allah, including paying great attention to the holy month of Ramadan.

So it is known that many of them used to pray to Allah during 6 months after the end of Ramadan to accept their fasting, and then in 6 months they would ask Allah to allow to see the next Ramadan, so that they have another opportunity to make this great worship, which is the fasting in this holy month.

In other words, we can see how the pious predecessors of this Ummah (community of Prophet Muhammad, pbuh) were prepared to meet the Ramadan.

So Abu Bakr al-Balkhi, may Allah bless him with mercy, said:

“Rajab is the month to sow the seeds; Shaban is the month to irrigate the crop; and Ramadan is the month to reap the harvest”.

And he also said:

“Rajab is like the wind; Shaban is like the water-laden clouds; and Ramadan is like the rain”.

  • Here a question arose: how do we need to prepare for Ramadan?

The answer is: while preparing for the Holy Ramadan, bear in mind the following:

**1. Sincere repentance **

Repentance is demanded to be performed continuously, at any time. But it would be better for you with the approach of the blessed month to hurry up with repentance for all the sins you committed against Allah, and also against His creations.

So with the advent of the Blessed Ramadan, you could proceed to the commission of worship with pure and quiet heart. **Almighty Allah says in the Quran: **

“And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed”.

**Al-Agharr ibn Yasar al-Muzani, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam) said: **

“O people! Turn in repentance towards Allah and ask His forgiveness. I turn towards Him a hundred times a day”.

**2. Dua (supplication) **

It is reported from some of the righteous predecessors that they used to ask Allah for the six months to extend their lives to see Ramadan in good health. Then, they used to ask Allah for five months after Ramadan to accept their good deeds committed in it. Therefore, you, by following their example, pray Allah that He gives you an opportunity to celebrate Ramadan in good health and with a strong faith, and ask Him for the help in worshiping Him, and for acceptance of good deeds.

**3. Joy in light of the coming of the Holy month of Ramadan **

The approach of this blessed month is a great boon for every believer after all, because this month is a period of blessing. It is a month when the gates of Paradise are open and the gates of Hell are closed. It is a month when the Holy Quran was sent down.

Allah said:

“Say, In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy - in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate”.

4. Replenishment of the left obligatory fastings

**It is reported from Abu Salama, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: **

“I heard Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, as saying: “Sometimes I missed some days of Ramadan, but could not fast instead of them except in the month of Shaban”.”

**Ibn Hajar, may Allah bless him with mercy, said: **

“It can be drawn from the desire of Aisha to make up the missed days of Ramadan in the month of Shaban that any missed fasts to make up have to be made up before the next Ramadan comes”.

**5. Acquisition of knowledge related to the dignity of the month of Ramadan, and with certain provisions of the fast. **
**6. The coming completion of all deeds that can distract you from worship in the month of Ramadan. **

7. Explanation to the household, relatives and friends of the basic provisions of the fast.

Motivation to “little ones” to participate in the fast, so that they could become accustomed to the basic kinds of worship in Islam from their childhood.

**8. Fasting in the month of Shaban, in order to prepare for the month of Ramadan. **

It is reported in an authentic hadith from Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, that she said:

“Sometimes the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, fasted so much that he even thought he did not break his fast in that month, and sometimes he broke his fast so much that we would say he did not fast. I did not see the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) fast in the whole month except Ramadan. I never saw him fast in any month more than he did in Shaban”.

**It is also reported from Osama Bin Zeid, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: **

“O Messenger of Allah! I did not see you fasting in any month as you do in the month of Shaban”.

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam) said:

“People neglect this month which is between Rajab and Ramadan, in this month the deeds of the people are presented to Allah; so I like my deeds to be presented while I am fasting”.

This hadith explains the wisdom of fasting in the month of Shaban, namely the fact that deeds or actions are presented to Allah. Also, some scholars have pointed out other wisdom of the fasting in the month of Shaban, which lies in the fact that this fasting is like a sunna-prayer committed before the obligatory farz-prayer. Thus, a man prepares himself, a sort of warm-up before the fulfillment of the obligatory form of worship.

**9. Reading the Quran **

Salamah Ibn Suhayl, may Allah be pleased with him, used to say:

“The month of Shaban is the month of reciters of the Quran”.

When Shaban came, Amr Ibn Qays al-Malai, may Allah be pleased with him, used to close his store and devote his time to reading the Quran.

Now, having said all this, let’s look at our situation, and answer ourselves, being honest, how we prepare for this blessed month, and how we are going to meet it?

We ask Almighty Allah for help and assistance in preparing for the fasting, and for a worthy meeting of the Holy month of Ramadan!

**Source: **http://islambrowser.blogspot.com/2010/07/preparing-for-ramadan.html

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Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan

:jazak:

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Re: 10 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan

Have you Prepared for the Big Arrival?

Many people don’t understand or misunderstand the true essence of fasting, and they make it an occasion for eating and drinking, making special sweets and staying up late at night and watching shows on TV. They make preparations for that long before Ramadan; they look through aisles of grocery stores and skim through the satellite TV guide to plan their meals and accompanying TV shows! Ramadan is the month of fasting, a month of training and recharging, a month to be filled with worship; not a month of feasting and reclining!

Here are some practical tips on the best ways of preparing for the month of Ramadan like no other:

1. Feel Sincere Regret:

Actually repentance is necessary at all times, but as this amazing blessed month is approaching, it is more incumbent upon us to hasten back to Allah, to regret our sins, to fix our relationship with Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala), to amend relations with people; this is so when Ramadan begins you may work on yourself and perform acts of worship with a clean heart and mind inshaAllah.

Allah says what means: “And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful” (24:31)

The Prophet (peace be upon him), a man of exalted character, was reported seeking forgiveness from Allah seventy times a day. (Muslim)

The fact of the matter is that we have committed so many sins, major and minor, and those are just the ones we are aware of; what about all the sins we commit which we don’t even recognize, forget, or overlook? This Ramadan is an opportunity to turn back to Allah, begging for forgiveness for our sins, major and minor, intentional and unintentional, those we’ve commited once and those we’ve done repeatedly. Now is the time to repent.

2. Du’aa’ (Supplication):

It is reported that the Salaf would approximately pray to Allah for half the year that they would live until Ramadan, and then they would pray almost the other half that He would accept it from them, SubhanAllah!

As Muslims, we should ask Allah to let us live until Ramadan with a strong religious commitment and good physical health, and should ask Him to help us in obeying Him during this month and in asking Him to accept our good deeds.

3. Rejoice at Ramadan

The arrival of Ramadan is a great blessing that Allah bestows upon Muslims, because Ramadan is one of the occasions in which the gates of Paradise are opened and gates of Hellfire are closed. It is the month of the Quran and of decisive battles in Islamic history.

As mentioned in the Quran: “Say: In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy – in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate.” (10:58)

4. Complete Qada Fasts

This is particularly important in preparation for Ramadan as often those who missed fasts in the previous year may have to rush in making them up before Ramadan. It is of great importance for women, the old, or those who were ill last Ramadan. You should complete any outstanding obligatory fasts from the previous Ramadan before this Ramadan arrives.

5. Seek Knowledge

Seek knowledge from your local mosque, trusted scholars, authentic books/Cd’s etc in order to understand and follow the rulings on fasting; otherwise like many a Ramadan you may not attain the spiritual sustenance and learn the key to fulfilling fasting. This will also help you understand the virtues of Ramadan, and to increase your knowledge, love, fear, good deeds. Then sit with your family to tell them of the rulings on fasting, and other things you learned – get them in the Ramadan mode early!

6. Fast in Sha’ban: Preparation for Ramadan

The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was reported to have fasted the most in Sha’ban.
(Bukhari, Muslim)

Therefore we should take advantage of opportunities to fast in this month.

7. Read Quran

The Salaf used to read Qur’an in preparing themselves to Ramadan:

• When Sha’ban began, ‘Amr ibn Qays would close his shop and free his time for reading Qur’an.

• Abu Bakr al-Balkhi said: “The month of Rajab is the month for planting, the month of Sha’ban is the month of irrigating the crops, and the month of Ramadan is the month of harvesting the crops.”

• He also said: “The likeness of the month of Rajab is that of the wind, the likeness of Sha’ban is that of the clouds and the likeness of Ramadan is that of the rain; whoever does not plant and sow in Rajab, and does not irrigate in Sha’baan, how can he reap in Ramadan?”

**Source:**http://www.productiveramadan.com/have-you-prepared-for-the-big-arrival/

May Allah enable us to make the best of now in order to prepare for the arrival of ramadan.

We still have a week left so let us finalise our preperations so that we can be ready to make the best of every second of Ramadan upon its arrival in a weeks time.

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Welcoming Ramadaan

Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullaah

This is an advice that we need because we have a noble, honorable guest coming. Our grand guest is the blessed month of Ramadaan. We need to magnify the symbol of Allaah.

Jabir Ibn 3Abdillaah was reported to have said: “Do not allow the days that you eat be the same as your fasting days, do not make them equal.”

In order to make our Ramadaan different, as it was meant to be, we have to set the stage to welcome Ramadaan. We must have moments of truce/tranquility, we need moments of truce/time off, a break.

We need a BREAK from the following:

(click to continue reading)](Welcoming Ramadaan | TowardsHuda)

(All questions or queries about this article should be directed to the following site/blog).

Source:
http://towardshuda.wordpress.com/

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12 Ways to Maximize Everyday in Ramadan

**12 Ways to Maximize Everyday in Ramadan **

The most beautiful month has come upon us. Almighty Allah says:

“The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was sent down, a guidance for mankind, clear proofs for the guidance, the Criterion; so whoever amongst you witnesses this month, let him fast it." (Surah al-Baqarah 2:185)

In this blessed month good deeds are multiplied:

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever draws near to Allah during it (Ramadan) with a single characteristic from the characteristics of (voluntary) goodness, he is like whoever performs an obligatory act in other times. And whoever performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts in other times.” (Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 1887)

We should thank Allah abundantly for giving us the opportunity to be able to benefit from such a blessed month. But as we all know life is very uncertain & unfortunately many will have passed away before the coming of this blessed month & so it may well be our very last Ramadan as we may not be alive to see the next.

Therefore we should treat this Ramadan as our last and do our utmost to ensure that we maximize each precious second in this blessed month to ensure that we gain maximum benefit from it.

The following are 12 ways we can maximize each precious day in Ramadan:

**1. Purifying our intentions **

“Verily actions are judged by intention.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

It is crucial that we purify & correct our intentions before doing any acts of worship. This is because we may have other underlying intentions in our hearts without even realizing it. Like for e.g. we may have in our hearts that we fast because we don’t want to look bad in front of our family or friends or because others fast etc.

So before doing any good deed we need to align & focus our intention to ONLY pleasing Allah. By doing this we will increase the sincerity in our worship & acts of virtues & by having better intentions when doing any good act is a means of earning greater rewards for whatever good deed we are doing.

**Ibn Al-Mubaarak said: **“Maybe a small action is made great by its intention, and maybe a great action is made small by its intention.”

Even daily routines like eating, drinking, sleeping, waking up, traveling etc can be a source of great reward by having the right intentions. Having good Intentions is easy & great rewards can be gained without making any hard physical effort. By just spending a couple of seconds having the right intention in our hearts we can turn a whole day to a day of worship. It is like turning dust into gold.

**
2. Schedule & Monitor Daily Worship
**

One of the best ways that we can maximize each day in Ramadan is to plan & schedule our time effectively. By doing so we will have clearly defined goals and targets which we can strive towards achieving each day. In this way we can also check & monitor our daily progress & make adjustments & improvements accordingly.

The following two downloads will help us to plan, check & monitor our daily worship throughout Ramadan:

1. Daily Ramadan Worship check

Ramadan Planner.pdf

**2. Daily Ramadan hourly scheduler **

http://dc388.4shared.com/img/2BNat9vk/Ramadhaan_Time_Table.pdf

**3. Avoiding distractions
**

There will be many things getting in our way & distracting us from our worship. But we must take all necessary precautions & measures in order to avoid any possible distractions.

The first thing we must do is to avoid major distractions like TV for a month or at least as much as possible. Putting away games consoles. If we meet with friends then not getting into useless & idle discussions. Not going to places like the mall or high street’s unless it is absolutely necessary.

We must also not spend hours on end cooking a table full of food every single day for Iftaar for this is contrary to the purpose of Ramadan. We should spend as little time as possible on things other than worship. We should fulfill our daily duties as quickly as possible & spend as much time as possible in worshiping Allah.

**4. Avoid eating excessively
**

Al-Hassan Al-Basri (RA): “The test of Adam (AS) was food and it is your test until Qiyamah.

Al-Miqdaam ibn Maadiy-Karib (RA) said: I heard the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying: “No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Adam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for his breath.” (Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasaa’I, Ibn Majah )

There is no doubt that excessive eating is not only a cause of many diseases but is also a major factor in stopping us from maximizing our daily worship.

Ibrahim al-Nakha’i (RA), one of the teachers of Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) mentioned: “The people ruined before you were done in by three characteristics: too much talking, too much eating, and too much sleeping.”

There is nothing worse than fasting the whole day & when time comes to open our fast we end up over eating until we can’t move. Surely this will make us feel heavy & lazy in worship & make it harder for us to pray & to get up for Sehri.

Ash-Shafi’I (RA) said: I have not filled myself in sixteen years because filling oneself makes the body heavy, removes clear understanding, induces sleep and makes one weak for worship.

It used to be said: Whoever takes control of his stomach gets control of all good deeds.

Over eating goes against the very purpose of Ramadan which is to be moderate in eating & to remember those who have less than us. How can we remember the unfortunate if we constantly over eat before and after fasting?

One day, Al-Hassan (RA) offered some food to his companion who said: I have eaten until I am no longer able to eat.

To which Al-Hassan (RA) said: Subhaana Allah! Does a Muslim eat until he is no longer able to eat?

So let us control the amount we eat & instead have smaller meals. Have some fruit & dates for Iftaar then pray Maghrib & then have a small meal until we are satisfied. After Tarawee we can have another small bite to eat. In this way we are not over eating but spreading out what we eat. So we will not feel heavy or lazy but satisfied & full of energy which we can utilize for worship.

5. Recite the Qur’an abundantly

Ramadan is the month the Qur’an was revealed:

"The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was sent down, a guidance for mankind, clear proofs for the guidance, the Criterion.. **(Surah al-Baqarah 2:185) **

It is the month of the Qur’an so it should be recited in abundance:

Az-Zuhri used to say upon the coming of Ramadan, “It is only about reciting the Qur’an & feeding the poor.”

Abdur-Raziq said, “When Ramadan came, Sufyan Ath-Thawri would give up all acts of (voluntary) worship & devote himself to the recitation of the Qur’an.”

Outside of Ramadan there are 10 rewards for reciting each letter of the Qur’an:

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam) says: “Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah will receive a hasanah (good deed) from it (i.e. his recitation), and the hasanah is multiplied by ten. I do not say that Alif-Laam-Meem is (considered as) a letter, rather Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter, and Meem is a letter.” [At-Tirmidhi, Ad-Darimi]

But in Ramadan ALL good deeds are multiplied by 70 or more. So for each letter of the Qur’an we recite we will gain 70 rewards or more. Can you imagine how much reward we would gain for reciting the entire Qur’an just once? How about twice? Subhaanallah!

Therefore we should concentrate most of our efforts this Ramadan in reciting the Qur’an. We should make a target of how much Qur’an we will recite each day. For e.g. 1 Juz (chapter) half a juz, 4 pages etc. We should aim to complete the Qur’an at least once by the end of Ramadan or as many times as we can.

Along with recitation we should also learn the meanings of what we are reciting & contemplate over the verses. We must try & implement what we learn into our daily lives. That is where the true reward is of reciting the Qur’an.

Note: We should try & recite Surah Ya-sin everyday particularly after Fajr time. We should also recite Surah Mulk before we go to sleep & Surah Kahf every Jumma. Other Surahs we should recite much of are Surah’s Zilzalah, Al Kaafirun & Al Ikhlas

Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas & Anas Ibn Malik (RA) reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, ‘Whoever recited Surah Zilzilah (99) would get the reward of reciting half the Qur’an. Whoever recited Surah al Kaafirun (109) would get a reward as if reading a quarter of the Qur’an. Whoever recited Surah al Ikhlas (112) would get a reward as if reading one third of the Qur’an’. (At-Tirmidhi 2818/A)

**6. Implementing the Sunnah into daily life

**

Following the Sunnah is a command from Allah:

"Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “If you (really) love Allah, then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic monotheism, follow the Quran and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Quran: 3:31)

**Almighty Allah says: **“There certainly is an excellent example in Allah’s messenger for he who fears Allah and the last day and remembers Allah abundantly” (al-Ahzaab 21)

By following the Sunnah in every aspect of our daily lives, everything we do will become worship, even going to the toilet, having a bath, dressing & undressing etc.

Annas (RA) reports Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) advised, “Whoever cherishes my Sunnah, indeed he cherishes me & whoever loves me will be with me in Jannah.” (Tirmidhi: 2678: Ibid)

So let us cherish & revive the Sunnah this Ramadan:

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward.” (Tirmidhi)

The following free E book contains daily Sunnah’s & dua’s we can do from awakening in the morning up until going to sleep at night:

Download Beautiful Daily Sunnah’s

http://dc395.4shared.com/img/XI7Ox9Im/26863499-Beautiful-Sunnah-s-of.pdf

**7. Nafil (Voluntary) prayers
**

What better way of drawing closer to Allah this Ramadan than by doing voluntary prayers:

Allah says in Hadith Qudsi:

…and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nafil (voluntary deeds) until I love him, [Bukhari]

Want the company of Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in Jannah? Then increase in Nafil prayers:

**Rabi’ah Ibn Malik al-Aslami reported that the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam said: **“Ask (anything).” Rabi’ah said: “I ask of you to be your companion in paradise.” The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Or anything else?” Rabi’ah said: “That is it.” The Prophet Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam said to him: “Then help me by making many prostrations (i.e., Nafil prayers).” (Muslim)

The reward for fard prayers outside of Ramadan is the greatest a Muslim can gain but in Ramadan we get the same reward for praying a Nafil prayer. Subhaanallah! What other time of the year are Nafil prayers rewarded equal to that of a fard prayer?

Therefore we should strive to pray as many Nafils as we can in order to get closer to Allah, gain the company of Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in Jannah & gain the rewards of a fard prayer! So we should set ourselves daily targets of praying as many Nafils as we can.

**The following are Sunnah & Nafil prayers we can pray everyday in Ramadan & throughout our lives:

**

  1. Pray 12 Raka’ahs of Sunnah daily: - 2 Sunnah of Fajr, 4 Sunnah & 2 Sunnah of Dhuhr and 2 Sunnah of Maghrib

Umm Habibah Ramilah bint Abu Sufyan (RA) narrated she heard the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying: “A house will be built in Paradise for every Muslim who offers twelve units of Prayers other than the obligatory ones in day and night, to seek pleasure of Allah.” (Muslim)

  1. Salaatul Duhaa (Can be prayed from 20 mins after sunrise up until 20 minutes before Dhuhr begins)

So we should remain seated after Fajr prayer & recite the Qur’an or do Dhikr up until 20 minutes after Sunrise and pray Salaatul Duhaa. If not then we can pray it anytime before midday.

‘Salat al-Dhuhaa consists of 2 - 12 Rakaats and it is preferable to perform 8 Rakaats.’ (Raddul Mukhtaar vol.1 pg.505)

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said: Whoever prayed twelve rakaats (before midday), then Allah will, as a reward, prepare a palace of gold for him in Paradise. (Mishkat, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)

  1. 4 Sunnah, 2 Sunnah & 2 Nafil of Dhuhr

Umm Habibah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever sticks to the habit of offering four rakahs before Noon Prayer and four rakahs after it, Allah will shield him against the Hell-Fire.” (Abu Dawud & At-Tirmidhi)

  1. 4 Raka’ahs Sunnah of Asr

The Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi wa sallam) said: “May Allaah have Mercy on the one who offers four (Raka’ahs) before 'Asr prayer.”(Abu Dawud)

  1. **Two Raka’ahs Sunnah after entering Masjid **

Abu Qatadah (RA) narrated the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) as saying: “If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two rak`ahs before sitting.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

  1. Tahiyyatul Wudu - 2 Raka’ahs Sunnah after doing Wudu (Ablution)

Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying to Bilal (RA): “Tell me about the best of your deeds (i.e. one which you deem the most rewarding) since your embracing Islam because I heard your footsteps in front of me in Paradise.” **Bilal (RA) replied: **“I do not consider any act of mine more rewarding than that whenever I make ablution at any time of night or day, I perform Prayer for as much as was destined for me to do.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)”

  1. The MOST REWARDING Nafil Prayer of all is Tahajjud

**Allah Most High said: **“Establish worship at the going down of the sun until the dark of the night, and (the recital of) the Qur’an at dawn. Lo! (the recital of) the Qur’an at dawn is ever witnessed. And some part of the night awake for its recital, as voluntary worship for you. It may be that your Lord will raise you to a praised estate.” **(Qur’an, 17: 78-79) **

Imam Abu Sa’id al-Khadimi said,

“There is scholarly consensus (ijma`) that among the best of virtuous acts is the night vigil prayer.” [al-Bariqa al-Mahmudiyya Sharh al-Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya]

The scholars derived the following in regards to Tahajjud from the Qur’an and prophetic Hadiths:

  1. The minimal night vigil prayer is 2 Rakaats. [Hindiyya, quoting Fath al-Qadir]

  2. Its optimal recommended amount is 8 Rakaats, because this was the general practice of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) [Hindiyya, quoting Fath al-Qadir]

  3. Lengthier recitation of Qur’an is superior to a larger number of Rakaats prayed. [Durr al-Mukhtaar, Radd al-Muhtar]

If one has not memorized much of the Qur’an then one should recite whatever they know or recite Surah Ikhlas 3 times after Surah Faathiha in each rakah to gain reward of reciting entire Qur’an.

  1. It is recommended to start the night vigil with two short Rakaats, because of the Hadith of Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “If you get up for night prayer, start with two short Rakaats.” [Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Dawud]

During Ramadan we should aim to pray Tahajjud every night. We can do so by awakening a little earlier for Sehri, making Wudu & praying a minimum of 2 Raka’ahs, but best to pray 8 Raka’ahs.

Abu Hurayrah (RA), related that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the heaven of the earth and proclaims: Who is that who supplicates for Me, and I grant his supplication? Who is that who begs Me for anything and I grant it to him? And who is that who seeks My forgiveness, and I forgive him? (Bukhari, Muslim).

So the last third part of the night is the most blessed & dua’s are readily accepted at this time. Therefore by praying Tahajjud it gives us the best opportunity to get closer to Allah & to make sincere dua, repenting for our sins past and present & to crying & asking of Allah for whatever we want.

If we cannot cry due to the hardness of our hearts then we should at least make the face as if we are crying. Just as a mother tends to her baby quicker & more promptly when it is crying in the same way Allah tends to his servants quicker when they are crying.

Ibn Mas`ud (Allah be pleased with him) was asked, “I cannot pray at night.” He said, “Your sins have prevented you.”

****8. Doing excessive Dhikr (Remembrance) of Allah

Utter regret for each second wasted without remembering Allah:

Muadh Ibn Jabal (RA) said that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:** "The People of Paradise will not regret anything except one thing alone: the hour that passed them by in which they made no remembrance of Allah." **Narrated ****Bayhaqi in Shuab al-iman (1:392 #512-513)

The highest rank in Jannah are for those who remembered Allah the most:

Abu Sa`id (RA) narrates the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was asked, “Which of the servants of Allah is best in rank before Allah on the Day of resurrection?” He said: "The ones who remember him much."I said: “O Messenger of Allah, what about the fighter in the way of Allah?” He answered: “Even if he strikes the unbelievers and mushrikin with his sword until it broke, and becomes red with their blood, truly those who do Dhikr are better than him in rank.” (Ahmad, Tirmidhi, & Bayhaqi)

Therefore we should remember Allah as much as we can & glorify him night & day, not just in Ramadan but until our very last breath. What better time to start remembering Allah more than in this most blessed month.

So we should set ourselves daily targets of doing as much Dhikr as we can. We can remember & glorify Allah whatever we are doing throughout the day. At work, whilst cooking, shopping & even whilst relaxing. We should remember Allah in our heart’s & not just by our tongues. We should also contemplate over his magnificence & his creations & imagine him in front of us as we glorify & remember him.

**The following are 10 Dhikr, supported by Hadith that we can recite throughout the day & night in Ramadan until our last breath:

**Note: We should try & aim to recite each of these 10 Dhikr a 100 times each which makes a total of 1000 a day minimum.

  1. Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa’fu 'annee - Recite this abundantly during the last ten nights of Ramadan.

  2. Subhaanallah

  3. Alhamdulillah

  4. Allahu Akbar

  5. Laa ilaaha illallah

  6. LA HAWLA WA LA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH-HIL ALIYYIL ADHEEM

  7. Asthaghfirullah-halladhee Laa ilaaha illa-huwal Hayyul Qayyuumu Wa athoobu Ilay

Or short version: Asthaghfirullah

  1. SUB-HAAN’ALLAAHi WA BI-HAM’DIHI SUB-HAAN’ALLAH-IL ADHEEM

Or short version: SUB-HAAN’ALLAAHi WA BI-HAM’DIHI

  1. Subhāna-llāhi, wa-l-hamdu li-llāhi, wa lā ilāha illā-llāhu, wa-llāhu akbar. Wa lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā bi-llāhi-l-aliyyi-l-azīm

  2. Lā ilāha illā-llāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lahu lahu-l-mulku wa lahu-l-ḥamdu yuhyi wa yumītu wa huwa ḥayyu-llā yamūtu abadan abada, ḏū-l-jalāli wa-l-ikrām, biyadihi-l-khayr, wa huwa alā kulli Shay-in qadīr

Or the shortened version:

Laa ilaaha illal-laahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa ‘alaa kulli shay-in qadeer

We should also recite much of durood e Ibrahim which is the durood that is recited towards the end of Salaah.

Or the shortest durood is: Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallim

**9. Dua & Repentance
**

Almighty Allah says in the Qur’an:

“When my servants ask you concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me.” **[2:186] **

The place of Dua is so high in front of Allah, that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallim) has said: “Nothing is more honourable to Allah the Most High than Dua.” **[Sahih al-Jami` no.5268]. **

Allah loves repentance & loves those who turn to him in sincere repentance:

Truly Allah loves those who turn [to Him] in repentance… **(Qur’an 2:222)

**Many of us rush our Dua’s & quite often our hearts are not present whilst we are making dua to Allah. That is why we lose out on much of the benefits & blessings of Dua. Therefore we should not let our minds wonder whilst in Dua & we should concentrate more, making sure our hearts are present whilst asking of Allah. Whilst we are in dua we should imagine Almighty Allah in front of us & so we should humble ourselves in front of him in a state of meekness & humility.

It may also help if we made a list of what we want to ask Allah during our dua’s. We can then refer to this list as a reminder so that we can cover everything we need to ask him, which may help in making our Dua’s longer & more sincere. This is because we will not always remember everything we want to ask Allah unless we note it down & refer back to it when we need to.

**The times when Dua’s are most accepted during Ramadan are: **

  1. The third portion of the night shortly before sehri ends. 2. Whilst fasting. 3. Between Asr & Maghrib. 4. Just before fast opens. 5. On Jumma before & after khutba. 6. Between Adhan & Iqamah. 7. Whilst raining. 8. After Qur’an recitation. 9. The Night of Qadr

Let us not be of those who pass by Ramadan without gaining any forgiveness:

Rasullullah (sallahu’ ‘alaihi wasallam) said: …the angel Jibra’il appeared before me and said: Destruction to him who found the blessed month of Ramadan and let it pass by without gaining forgiveness…’ Upon that I said: ‘Amin.’ (Al-Bukhari, Al-Tabrani)

We should ask of Allah to accept all of our good deeds & efforts throughout Ramadan & be hopeful that Allah will accept it from us. We should also have FULL hope that Allah will accept our Dua’s if not in this world then in the hereafter. We should accept his decree for he knows best in all matters.

**10. Behaving in the best of ways & controlling our tongues

**
Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alahi Wasallam) used to say: “The best amongst you are those who have the best manners and character.” **(al-Bukhari) **

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had exemplery manners & was the best towards others. Surely he is the best example for us to follow & so we should also do our utmost to behave in the best of ways towards others and show exemplery manners like he did.

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “There is none heavier in the scales of the Hereafter than good character **(Tirmidhi & Abu Dawud). **

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) also said: “The best loved by me and the nearest to me on the seats on the Day of Resurrection are those who have the best manners and conduct amongst you, who are intimate, are on good terms with others and are humble, and the most hated by me and who will be on the furthest seats from me are those who are talkative and arrogant.” **(Tirmidhi) **

So if good character & manners are the heaviest on the scales in normal times then can you imagine how much more heavier they will be if we behave with good character and manners during the blessed month of Ramadan?

So let us be the best towards our parents & family, towards our friends & those we know & don’t know. Let us be the best towards all Muslims and non Muslims alike.

Controlling our tongues

Ramadan is a time where we must control our desires (nafs) as well as our tongues:

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Fasting is not (abstaining) from eating and drinking only, but also from vain speech and foul language. If one of you is being cursed or annoyed, he should say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.” (Ibn Khuzaimah, Ibn Hibban)

Therefore we must protect our tongues at all times from vain speech and foul language. Protecting the tongue is preventing it from lying, back-biting, slander, tale-carrying, false speech and other things that have been forbidden in the Qur’an & Sunnah.

Those who control their tongues are of the best of Muslims:

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was asked: “Which Muslim is best?” He responded, “One who the other Muslims are safe from his tongue and his hand.” (Tirmidhi, #2504)

So how can we begin to control our tongues? This can be done by “THINKING BEFORE SPEAKING”.

We must not talk without even thinking about what we are going to say. Therefore before we saying anything we should always think whether or not what we are going to say is going to please or displease Allah.

If in doubt whether or not what were about to say will anger or displease Allah then we should just refrain from saying it altogether. If we have nothing good to say then surely it is better NOT to say anything at all.

Remember: We WILL be accountable for everything we said in our lives & so we MUST start taking responsiblity for what comes out of our mouths NOW otherwise we will regret it later when it is too late.

Therefore we must get into the habit of: “Thinking before speaking”.

REMEMBER: **If we do not control our tongues then our fasts will be in vain: **

Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Allah does not need the fast of one who does not abandon false speech or acting according to his false speech.” **(Sahih Bukhari) **

**11. Worship the last 10 nights of Ramadan & I’thiqaaf

**

**Increasing worship in the last ten days of Ramadan: **

Allah’s Messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time." **(Muslim). **

Aisha (RA) reported: With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work harder) and used to pray all the night, & used to keep his family awake for the prayers. (Bukhari)

The Night of Qadr

So valuable is the Night of Qadr that the Quran devotes a special surah to it: “Lailatul Qadr is better than a thousand months” [97:3]

This one night surpasses the value of 30,000 nights. The most authentic account of the occurrence of the Night indicates that it can occur on any one of the last ten, odd numbered nights of Ramadan, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29. It may also occur on any of the even nights.

Therefore we should strive to stay up on all of the last 10 nights of Ramadan. If we can’t do that then at least on the odd numbered nights of the last ten days. If we still can’t manage that then let us pray on whatever nights we can, at least on the 27th night.

If we pray on all of the last ten nights then we have a far better chance of catching this most powerful night & gain the rewards of over 83 YEARS OF WORSHIP! Subhaanallah! Most of us will not even live upto such an age!

Aisha (RA) said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam): ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?’ He said Say:

"Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa’fu 'annee

Trans: ‘Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.’ " (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi).

Therefore we should increase our worship on the last ten days and nights of Ramadan & recite even more Qur’an, pray more Nafils, do more dhikr and make longer & more sincere dua’s to Allah repenting remorsefully for our past & present sins, hopeful for mercy & forgiveness. We should also thank Allah abundantely.

Performing I’tikaf on the last 10 days of Ramadan

Aishah (RA) reported that the Prophet (Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam): “Used to perform i’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah the Mighty and Majestic, took him.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

Abu Said reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever makes I`tikaf with me is to make I’tikaf during the last ten [nights].” (Bukhari)

I`tikaf is worshipping Allah in seclusion in the Masjid or for women in her designated place at home. It is done with the intention of becoming closer to Allah. If we cannot manage all 10 days then we can do I’tikaf for however many days we can manage. The more the better.

Each time we are in the Masjid or for a women in her designated place at home, then we can make intention of Nafil I’thikaf and gain reward for the duration of our stay in the Masjid or for women in her designated place at home even if it is for a very short while. A woman can also do I’tikaf whilst she is on her menses by remaining at her designated place at home doing dhikr etc

**12. Charity & Generosity

**

Ramadan is a time of generosity, giving & remembering those who have less than us. Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) became even more generous in Ramadan than he already was:

Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was the most generous of the men; and he was the most generous during the month of Ramadan when Jibril visited him every night and recited the Qur’an to him. During this period, the generosity of Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) waxed faster than the rain bearing wind. (Al-Bukhari & Muslim).

Ramadan is also time where we appreciate what Allah has given us so that we may be thankful to him. Ramadan is an Honorable and blessed month, & the rewards for generosity are multiplied in it.

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said, “The best charity is that given in Ramadan.” (At-Tirmithi).

Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said, “He who feeds a fasting person will gain the same reward as he will, without decreasing from the fasting person’s rewards.” (Ahmad).

We should strive to feed as many fasting people as possible especially those less off than us & those in poorer countries.

**Charity should be paid secretly: **The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Righteous deeds protect a person from an evil end; a charity spent in secret extinguishes Allah’s wrath; and maintaining good ties of kinship increases ones lifespan.” (Tabaraani)

Removing harmful objects from people’s way is also a charity: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam) said: “I saw a man enjoying himself in Paradise (simply) because he removed from a road a tree that used to harm people.” (Muslim)

Note: We should also give our Zakat in the month of Ramadan each year so that we can gain the huge rewards of giving Zakat in the most rewarding of months.

Therefore during Ramadan let us give as much as we can in the path of Allah & know that we will get SO much more in return in this world & the Hereafter. Surely in there hereafter we will regret that which we did not spend in the path of Allah.

**Conclusion

**
My brothers and sisters what an amazing opportunity we have in this blessed month to gain such closeness to Allah as well as his mercy & forgiveness of our past & present sins.

There are immense rewards available for us in this blessed month if only we make the little effort required to gain them. Surely on the day of judgment we will BEG each other for just one good deed but we will not be able to get anything as we will all be in desperate need on that day.

Therefore the time to prepare for the Hereafter is NOW as we may not have a tomorrow. What better time to make lifetime changes than to do so in the most blessed of months - Ramadan.

May Allah enable us to maximize each & every precious second of Ramadan & may he make it a salvation for us in the Hereafter. Ameen

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Re: 12 Ways to Maximize Everyday in Ramadan

:jazak:

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Re: 12 Ways to Maximize Everyday in Ramadan

JazakAllah , very informative . loving the planner!

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:jazak:

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:salam2: &

Hope this ramadhan comes upon us with the blessing of Almighty Allah SWT and HE accepts our fasting and give its ‘Naim-ul-badl’ Ammen.

**Objective of this thread:

**To post helpful links about the Holy month of Ramadhan,
fasting,
Quranic verses about ramdhan and fasting,
Hadiths in this regards,
activities in ramdhan and
greetings to each others.
etc., etc.,

All information other then discussion topic must be posted in this thread. I Hope by following simple guideline we can benefit ourself more and more

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Re: ALL ABOUT RAMADHAN - The Random Thread

*15 Easy Good deeds to do throughout Ramadan
*

  1. Sitting after Fajr remembering Allah until sunrise:

“Whoever prays fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until sunrise, then prays 2 rakats of salat has a complete reward of (Nafil) Hajj and Umrah. (The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) repeated the word ‘complete’ *3 times for emphasis) *[Tirmidhi]

  1. *A house in Jannah for praying 12 Sunnah each day: *

“Allah will build house in Jannah for whoever is diligent in obsering 12 sunnah rakat (as follows) 4 rakat before and 2 after Dhur, 2 after the Maghrib, 2 after Ishaa, and 2 before Fajr.” [Tirmidhi]

  1. *Attending lectures in the Masjid. *

“Whoever goes to the mosque not desiring except to learn or teach what is good has the reward of a pilgrim who completed his Hajj” [Tabarani]

  1. Visiting a sick Muslim.

“There is no Muslim who visits a sick muslim early in the morning but 70 thousand angles send blessings upon him until evening comes, and if he visits him in the evening,** 70 thousand angles send blessings upon him until morning comes, and he will have a garden in paradise*.” *[Tirmidhi]**

  1. Providing food for breaking the fast.

“Whoever provides food for breaking of the fast for a fasting person receives the reward of the fasting person, without the reward of the fasting person being reduced in any way.” [Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah]

  1. *Standing in prayer on Laylatul Qadr. *

*“Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months.” [Quran 97:3] *

So it is, superior to approx 83 years of worship! Subhaanallah most do not even live for that long!

  1. Millions of Good deeds remembering Allah whilst shopping:

“Whoever enters a market and says:

‘Laa ilaha illallah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu yuhyi wa yumeetu wa huwa hayyun laa yamoot, bi yadihil khair, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shayin qadeer’

There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, alone without partner, to Him belongs dominion and praise, He causes life and feath and He is the Living and does not die. In His Hand is all the good, and He is over all things competent]

… Allah will write for him/her a million good deeds and erase a million bad deeds and raise him a million levels.”** [Tirmidhi]**

  1. That Which Shall Have no Equal on the Day of Resurrection:

Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:”

Whoever says one hundred times in a day:

“La ilaha illal-lah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu-l-mulk wa lahu-l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in qadir,”

{”None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Alone Who has no partners, to Him belongs Dominion and to Him belong all the Praises, and He has power over all things (i.e. Omnipotent)”,}

he will get the same reward as given for manumitting ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be written in his accounts, and one hundred sins will be deducted from his accounts, and it (his saying) will be a shield for him from Satan on that day till night, and nobody will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he.” [Bukhari,Book #75, Hadith #412]

  1. *Asking Allah to forgive ALL Muslims. *

“Whoever seeks forgiveness for beleiving men and believing woman, Allah will write for him a good deed for each believing man and believing woman.” [Tabarani]

That is a reward for EVERY believer we make dua for. Since it is Ramadan then we get 70 good deeds for every believer we make dua for. So for simple dua taking a few seconds will give us BILLIONS of good deeds! Subhaanallah!

  1. Forgiveness like the foam of the sea:
  • Abu Hurayrah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: ‘Whoever says: *Subhanallah wa bi hamdih *(Praise and glory be to Allah)

100 times, morning and evening, his sins will be erased even if they are like the foam on the sea.” [Bukhari]

  • Jaa’bir (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “For the person who recites: SUB-HAN’ALLAH HIL AZEEM WA BI-HAM’DIHI, (Pure and perfect is Allah in his glory and praise) –

A date palm will be planted for him in Paradise” Tirmidhi]

  1. Thousand Good deeds in 2 Minutes

If a person says “Subhanallah” (glory be to Allah) 100 times, a thousand good deeds are recorded for him and a thousand bad deeds are wiped away. [Muslim]

  1. Being pleased on the Day of Resurrection:

Allah has promised that anyone who says this three times every morning or evening will be pleased on the Day of Resurrection:

رَضِيتُ باللهِ رَبَّاً، وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِيناً، وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ صَلَى اللهُ عَلِيهِ وَسَلَّمَ نَبِيَّاً”.

Radheetu billaahi Rabban, wa bil-’Islaami deenan, wa bi-Muhammadin (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) Nabiyyan.

I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, with Islam as my religion and with Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as my Prophet.** [Fortress of the Muslim] **

  1. Reciting three phrases heavy on the scales:

Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith reported: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) came out from my apartment in the morning as I was busy in performing the dawn prayer. He came back in the forenoon and found me sitting there and said,”Are you still in the same position as I left you.” I replied in the affirmative. Thereupon the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “I recited four phrases three times after I had left you. If these are to be weighed against all you have recited since morning, these will be heavier. ***These are:*

**Subhan-Allah wa bihamdihi, ‘adada khalqihi, wa rida-a nafsihi, wa zinatah ‘arshihi, wa midada kalimatihi

{Allah is free from imperfection and I begin with His praise, as many times as the number of His creatures, in accordance with His Good Pleasure, equal to the ink that may be used in recording the words (for His Praise).”** [Muslim]**

  1. A Rare treasure of Paradise:

Abu Dharr (RA) narrated that Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Should I not tell you of one treasure of the unlimited treasures of Paradise?” I replied spontaneously “Oh Rasulallah that would be an honour indeed!” Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam) said: “That rare treasure is: LA HAWLA WA LA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH.”

(“The strength to do good and to refrain from evil comes from the grace and mercy of Allah!”) Ibn Majah]

*15. Beautiful Supplication for Forgiveness: *

Shaddad bin Aus (RA) narrates that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:
“The best supplication for seeking forgiveness (Syed-ul-Istighfar) is to say:

Allahumma Anta Rabbi, la ilaha illa Anta, khalaqtani wa anaabduka, wa ana alaahdika wa wadika mastatatu, audhu bika min sharri ma sanatu, abu‘u laka binimatikaalayya, wa abu‘u bidhanbi faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta.

(O Allah! You are my Rubb. There is no true god except You. You have created me, and I am Your slave, and I hold to Your Covenant as far as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge the favours that You have bestowed upon me, and I confess my sins. Pardon me, for none but You has the power to pardon).’

He who supplicates in these terms during the day with firm belief in it and dies on the same day (before the evening), he will be one of the dwellers of Jannah; and if anyone supplicates in these terms during the night with firm belief in it and dies before the morning, he will be one of the dwellers of Jannah.” [Al-Bukhari].

So let us not be in UTTER regret on the day of judgement:

Hadhrat Mu’az (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “THE INHABITANTS OF PARADISE WILL NOT BE GRIEF-STRICKEN OR SORROWFUL ABOUT ANYTHING THEY DID IN THE LIFE OF THE WORLD EXCEPT FOR THE TIME THEY SPENT WITHOUT BEING IN THE DHIKR-(REMEMBRANCE) OF ALLAH.” – [Tab’raani]

Therefore let us act upon these EASY good deeds throughout Ramadan and until our very last breath!

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Re: ALL ABOUT RAMADHAN - The Random Thread

:jazak:

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Re: ALL ABOUT RAMADHAN - The Random Thread

Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullaah

Some good resources about Ramadan available for download here
http://towardshuda.wordpress.com/ramadaan-resources/

may Allaah give us tawfeeq to do good deeds in this month & free us from fire.

ameen

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Re: ALL ABOUT RAMADHAN - The Random Thread

:jazak: