Your Guide To A Successful Ramadhan

Your Guide to the Month of Mercy

Virtues of Ramadhan

‘The doors of Jannah are opened on the first night of Ramadhan. Not a single door is closed until the last night of Ramadhan.’ (Bayhaqi)

‘When Ramadhan comes, the gates of Jannah are thrown open, the doors of Jahanam are closed and the Shayateen are imprisoned.’ (Bukhari)

‘The fishes in the sea seek forgiveness for those fasting until they break their fast. Allah decorates His Jannah every day and then says, “The time is near when My pious Servants shall cast aside the great trials and come to me.”’ (Ahmad)

‘During each day and night of Ramadhan, Allah sets free a great number of souls from Hell. And for every Muslim, during each day and night, at least one du’aa is certainly accepted.’ (Bazzaaz)

Virtues of Suhoor (sehri)

‘Verily, Allah and His Angels send mercy upon those who eat suhoor.’ (Tabraani)

‘Eat suhoor because in suhoor lies blessings.’ (Mishkaat)

Iftar‘Not a single prayer made by a fasting person at the time of breaking fast is rejected’ (Ibn Majah) (please remember this writer in your humble dua’as at this blessed time)

Nights of Ramadhan

‘Whoever stands in prayer and worship (in the nights of) Ramadhan, with Imaan and with sincere hope of gaining reward, all his previous sins are forgiven.’ (Bukhari and Muslim)

‘For every prayer offered during the nights of Ramadhan (tarawih, tahajjud etc), Allah the Almighty records one and a half thousand good deeds for every sajdah (prostration).’ (Bayhaqi)

‘Allah the Almighty has ordained fasting in Ramadhan compulsory, and I have decreed (by the Command of Allah) wakefulness at night (tarawih etc) sunnah. Whoever in the state of Iman with hope of gaining reward, fasts in Ramadhan and stays awake at night (tarawih), emerges from sin, purified as the day when his mother gave birth to him.’ (Nasa’ee)

Layatul Qadr (Night of Power)

‘Whoever stands in prayer and worship in the night of power with Imaan and with sincere hope of gaining reward, all his previous sins are forgiven.’ (Muslim)

‘Look for Laylatul Qadr among the numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan.’ (Mishkaat)

Last Night of Ramadhan

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘On the last night of Ramadhan the fasting Muslims are forgiven.’ The Sahaabah (may Allah be pleased with them) enquired, ‘O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is that the night of power?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, ‘No! But it is only right that servant should be give his reward on having completed his duty.’ (Ahmad)

Rules Regarding Fasting

Sunnah’s in the Month of Ramadhan

1. To observe Tarawih.
2. To increase the recitation of the Holy Qur’an.
3. To observe i’atikaf during the last ten days of Ramadhan.

Mustahab (desirable) Acts

1. To eat sehri.
2. To delay the sehri up to a little before subha sadiq (early dawn).
3. To break the fast immediately after sunset.
4. To break the fast with dates. If dates are not available then with water.
5. To recite this dua’aa at the time of breaking fast:

Things that do not break the fast

1. To eat, drink or indulge in cohabitation in forgetfulness.
2. To vomit without intention.
3. To vomit intentionally less that mouthful.
4. To have a wet dream.
5. To oil the hair.
6. To use surma in the eyes.
7. To drop water or medicine in the eyes.
8. To clean the teeth with wet or dry miswak.
9. To apply or smell perfume.
10. To swallow a fly, mosquito, smoke or dust unintentionally.
11. To swallow one’s slaiva or phlegm.
12. Water entering the ears.
13. To take an injection.

Makrooh (detestable) While Fasting

1. To chew items such as rubber, plastic etc.
2. To taste food or drink and spit it out.
3. To collect one’s saliva in the mouth and then swallow it.
4. To clean the teeth or mouth with tooth powder or toothpaste.
5. To complain of hunger or thirst.
6. To quarrel, fight aruge with filthy words.

Things That Break the Fast

1. To eat, drink or indulge in cohabitation intentionally.
2. To burn incense (agarbatti) and inhale its smoke.
3. If water goes down the mouth while gargling.
4. To vomit a mouthful intentionally.
5. To swallow vomit intentionally.
6. To swallow something edible, equal to or bigger than a grain or gram, which was stuck between the teeth.

A Timetable

1. We must wake up for suhoor as is a Sunnah or our Prophet . We should arrange our time for suhoor in such a way that we are also able to perform at least 4 to 8 rak’aat of tahajjud, with dua’aa for about 15 min or more more. The Prophet has said that the dua’aa in the darkness of the night (after tahajjud) is readily accepted by Allah. (Tirmidhi)

2. After tahajjud and suhoor, we must pray our Fajr Prayer with congregation. Ladies should also perform with their obligatory prayer.

3. Every morning after Fajr, remain engaged in ‘ibadaah till 15-20 mins after sunrise and peform 4 rak’aat of ishraaq. This is highly rewarding, in a hadith we are told that whomsoever remains in the remembrance of Allah after Fajr and then performs 2 or 4 rak’aat ishraaq will receive the reward of Hajj and Umrah.

4. Go about our business and stay away from the opposite sex. Fasting is not just of the stomach, it is of the eyes, ears, mouth, hands, legs etc also.

5. Send Durood Shareef (salutations) to the Prophet in abundance whilst in class or at times
when you have nothing to do.

6. Perform Zuhr in congregation.

7. Once college finishes go home straight away and engage in worship unless you are having Islamic talks, Gatherings etc.

8. Perform Asr and Maghrib in congregation. The time between these two prayers are very important, especially for dua’aa. Try to stay in the masjid from Asr to Magrib. (sisters, please do not spend too much time making samosas.)

9. After Maghrib, go home and eat with the family. Sit together and enjoy the company of each other. This way Ramadhan will pass joyfully with an abundance of prosperity in the home.

10. Thereafter return to the Masjid for Isha and tarawih. Do not waste your time in futile talk and don’t lie to your parents with the excuse of tarawih and then go to play pool instead. Sisters must also pray Tarawih at home as it is Sunnat e mu’akkadah.

11. After Tarawih engage in worship or go straight home. Then sleep with the intention of waking up for Fajr and Tahajjud, even this attracts mercy.

Note: Try your upmost best to finish the recital of the entire Qur’an in this month. Increase your worship in the final ten days.

Please remember us in all your du’aas.
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