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As we enter the last 10 days of Ramadan, now is the time to up our game. Here’s a checklist of Ramadan ‘to do’s to help you make the most of every last hour of the month of blessings.
Read the Qur’an
Not everyone can perform a khatam –complete reading of the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan. But, yet, slow Arabic readers can dedicate a couple of hours each night to read more than usual. If you can’t read in Arabic, read the transliteration and translation. Download it onto your smart phone or mp3 player, and listen to it on your commute to work. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“The fast and the Qur’an are two intercessors for the servant of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The fast will say: ‘O Lord, I prevented him from his food and desires during the day. Let me intercede for him.’ The Qur’an will say: ‘I prevented him from sleeping at night. Let me intercede for him.’ And their intercession will be accepted.” –Ahmad
Recite Salawat
Salawat is the invocation of peace and blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). There are numerous hadith about the benefits of reciting Salawat, while its importance is highlighted in the Holy Qur’an as follows:
Verily, God and His angels bless the Prophet: [hence,] O you who have attained to faith, bless him and give yourselves up [to his guidance] in utter self-surrender! –Holy Qur’an 33:56
Do your Night Prayers
Also known as Tahajjud – the voluntary Night Prayer is usually performed in the last third of the night, though its time extends between Isha and Fajr. There are numerous hadiths about the excellence of the Night Prayer, but performing it in the month of Ramadan comes with greater blessings. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever stands in the night prayer during Ramadan out of faith and seeking his reward, then all of his previous sins will be forgiven.” –Sahih Muslim; Sahih Bukhari
Give Charity and Forgive Others
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Ramadan is the month of generosity and giving –both of which come in many forms. Forgiving your brother/sister and humbling yourself to extend the olive branch of reconciliation is as much an act of generosity as giving to charity. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Charity does not decrease wealth, no one forgives another except that Allah increases his honor, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises his status.” –Sahih Muslim
Give Sadaqah Jariya
This is lasting charity, from which the giver will continue to reap blessings and rewards even after he/she has passed away. There a various forms of Sadaqah Jariya, but it always involves an act of charity which will benefit beneficiaries for years and years. Educating a child; installing a well; building place that provides an ongoing public service like a mosque, school or hospital are forms of Sadaqah Jariya. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“When a man passes away, his good deeds will also come to an end except for three: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased)” –Sahih Muslim
Give Zakat
The Arabic word ‘zakat’ literally means ‘to cleanse’ or ‘that which purifies.’ The third pillar of Islam, zakat is obligatory charity for the poor. It is mandatory to all Muslims whose income and/or savings are above a set minimum amount (nisab). Most Muslims pay their annual zakat contribution in the month of Ramadan. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Invite the people to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and I am Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ), and if they obey you to do so, then teach them that Allah has enjoined on them five prayers in every day and night (in twenty-four hours), and if they obey you to do so, then teach them that Allah has made it obligatory for them to pay the Zakat from their property and it is to be taken from the wealthy among them and given to the poor.” –Sahih Bukhari
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Ask Forgiveness
Ramadan is a month of blessings, when the reward for our good deeds multiplied by 70 and our sins are forgiven. It is the best time in the Islamic calendar to seek forgiveness. According to a hadith reported by Aisha (ra) the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) advised her to pray as follows on the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr) in Ramadan:
Allahumma innaka `Afuwwun TuHibbul `Afwa Fa`fu `Annii.
“O Allah, you are pardoning and generous. You love to forgive, so forgive me.” –Sunan al-Tirmidhī
Give Zakātul-Fit'r
Zakat ul-fitr, also commonly known as ‘fitrana’, is the compulsory charity paid by every Muslim at the end of Ramadan. It is a way for Muslims to give thanks that they were able to complete the month of fasting. It is important that zakat fitrana reaches the poor in time for Eid. According to the Hadith, Ibn Umar (ra) reported:
“Allah’s Apostle made it incumbent on all the slave or free Muslims, male or female, to pay one Sa’ of dates or barley as Zakat ul-Fitr.” –Sahih Bukhari
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Give Fidya
Fidya is for people who have a valid reason for not fasting, (like illness, pregnancy or old-age). It involves paying to provide a person’s daily sustenance, for every fast that they miss.
Fast a certain number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] – then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] – a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. –Holy Qur’an 2:184
May Allah grant us the ability to do all these. Aāmēn.
Amuda Rasheed A.
Founder TECHSALAF INNOVATION.
إرسال تعليق
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