The beautiful month of Ramadan is just around the corner. Let us talk about how to make the best of this month.
Before we begin, let us brush up some bits of information about the holy month.
The root of the word “Ramadan” is “ramad”. “Ramad” is an adjective which means “something scorchingly dry or intensely heated by the sun”. According to some resources, Ramadan was the name for the hottest month of the year in the Pre-Islamic era.
Although the Muslims follow the lunar calendar which means that the month falls in a different season every year, it is said to absolve the sins. Hence, it is called Ramadan.
Ramadan is a beautiful month.
A commemoration of the revelation of the Holy Qur’an…
A reminder for us to be empathetic to our fellow human beings and
A nudge to remember our Lord and implement His teachings in our daily lives.
The Dos of fasting in ramadan:
- Rushing to break the fast as soon as one is certain that sunset has commenced is recommended. When the call for Maghrib prayer is heard, break your fast on water, a few dates, or fruit juice, before praying Maghrib. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “People will always be in a good state [or be at ease], as long as they haste to do Iftar [breaking fast when it is time for Maghreb].
- At the time when you break your fast on that first sweet date, remember to make a supplication, to ask Allah for what you desire such as Paradise, forgiveness, health, and wealth. In the authentic Hadith, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “There are three whose dua [supplication] is never rejected: the fasting person when he breaks his fast, the just ruler, and the one who is oppressed.” (Ahmad and Al-Tirmidhi)
- In Ramadan one should choose the best deeds that you may have neglected throughout the year, and spread goodness. You can gain rewards by spending more time with your parents, visiting relatives, helping anyone in need whether it is through charity or by helping take care of problems he/she may be facing. The fasting person is like a fragrant rose; his pleasantness is sensed by and extended to those around him. Feeding others when it is time to break the fast, as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, will receive the same reward for fasting, except that nothing will be reduced from the fasting person’s reward.” (Ahmad and Al-Tirmidhi)
The Don’ts of Ramadan:
- Do not listen to music because your heart should be occupied with supplication, remembrance of Allah, and the Holy Qur’an and not with songs.
- Do not waste your time. The days and nights of Ramadan are too precious to be wasted away watching TV, going on shopping , oversleeping, and cooking feasts.
- Do not engage in idle talk, gossip, lying, quarreling, cursing, or any form of speech, especially if it is hurtful to someone else. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever does not give up false speech and acts upon it, Allah has no need of him giving up his food and drink.” (Al-Bukhari)
- Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also said, “The true fast is not to merely abstain from food and drink, rather true fast is to abstain from futile activities and obscene talk.”
- Stressing the importance of a refined and gracious code of conduct, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “When one of you is fasting, make sure not to use obscene language and not to be foolish and irresponsible in your speech. And if someone provokes you, have control over yourself and say, ‘I am fasting.
This Ramadan let’s try to connect with ALLAH and make it meaningful.
