A Few important directives for the month of Ramadhaan
I write these few important words to Muslims generally and
especially to my associates, be they menfolk or womenfolk. The
Mubarak fasting month of Ramadaan comes but once a year, and
this is a month bestowed with a lot of Barakat. One of its
special qualities is that if this time is spent in righteous
devotion then the Barakah of this month will remain for the
full year, and if this time is unfortunately wasted negligently
then no Barakah will remain until the next Ramadaan. Because of
this it is urgent that all my Muslim brothers and associates
should make a programme for the month of Ramadaan in which,
according to inclination and opportunity, they set aside
a special time for devotion in this month.
When one awakes for Sehri, and by eating prepares for
the following day, similarly should it be considered necessary
to prepare spiritually for the same period, by making at least
8 rakats or the full 12 rakats of Tahajjud, and if there is
time, by sincerely reciting Tasbeeh (Subhanallah), Tahleel (La
ilaha illallah), Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar),
and Istighfaar (Astaghfirullah). In the same way these 5
praises should not be forgotten after each of the 5 Fard
Salaats. This should in earnestness, be the daily schedule.
In the second ten days devotion should be increased,
and in the last ten days of Ramadaan-ul-Mubarak, in search of
Laylatul Qadr, devotions should be further intensified.
For obtaining this Sawaab, if possible, the whole night
or most of the night should be spent in Tilaawat (recital of
Quraan) and repeating of Kalima Tayyeba, Kalima Tamjid, Kalima
Tawheed, Istighfaar, Towba and performing Salaat etc.
During this time there is no objection in taking food
and drink or discussing religious matters to assist in staying
awake, but it should be borne in mind that by staying awake,
the Fajr Salaat should not be jeopardised. For these devotions,
sacrifices have to be made; for instance to stay awake one
should eat less. To eat one has the remaining eleven months.
Hadhrat Anas RA. relates: "Once with the approach of Ramadaan
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ?layhi Wasallam) said. 'On you has come
such a month in which there is a night which is superior to one
thousand months. That unfortunate person who has missed this
night has deprived himself of all good and only that person is
excluded from the bounty of this night who is in fact very
unfortunate"'. In many Ahadeeth, mention has been made about
the auspiciousness of this night.
During this month of Barakat Kalima Tayyeba, Durood and
Istighfaar should frequently be read even whilst sitting,
walking etc.
This month is important for the Tilaawat of Quraan, for
it was revealed in this month.
It is our duty to read Durood on Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
alayhi Wasallam) and this should be read and repeated as many
times as practicable.
Fasting during this month is just as obligatory as the
five Fard Salaats. No Muslim should be lax with his Sawm and
should be more mindful of his five Fard Salaats than at other
times.
More attention must be given to Tahaarat (Paaki),
Jama'at and modesty in this month.
To neglect the Sawm and make Salaat is as sinful as to
observe fast and be careless with ones Fard Salaat.
In this Mubarak month it is more important to stay away
from evil than to do good deeds. As much as possible one should
endeavour to save the eyes, ears, tongue, heart and all parts
of the body from the slightest sin. One should especially
refrain from slander and harmful talk.
Kindness, good manners and the remembrances of Allah are
the ornaments of this month of Barakat, and these should not be
destroyed by vulgarity and bad manners.
This is the month in which sympathy should be shown to
the needy and poor. Therefore one should give as much as can be
afforded in Sadaqa, Khayrat, Iftari, Sehri etc., and
preparation should be made for the Hereafter. It is stated in
the Hadeeth that anyone who provides a fasting person with
Iftari, it will assist him in having his sins forgiven, save
him from the fire, and he will receive as much reward (Sawaab)
as the person who has fasted. When giving charity. It must be
clearly borne in mind that ones Niyyat should be free of
attaining fame and publicity, for this will nullify the reward.
'A good way of making charity is to send some money at the end
of every ten days with the niyyat of Sawab to the homes of the
poor and needy (those who do not go out to beg). In this way
one could sympathise with them.
Especially on the night of Eid, staying awake, being
aware of its importance, and knowing that it is the end of the
Mubarak month, one should ask for whatever one wants and seek
forgiveness for ones sins. Similarly on Eid day make Miswaak,
change into clean clothes and use Itr. All this should be done
with the Niyyat of observing Sunnat and not in imitation of
other unbelieving people. If unfortunately on this Islamic
occasion one takes part in cinema shows and places of evil,
then it so much resembles the ways of the unbelievers that it
is difficult to call it an Islamic festival. Therefore people
who regularly do these undesirable things during the year
should refrain from these acts, so that non-Muslims can see the
difference between the Eid of Muslims and the festivals of
non-Muslims. The happiness of Muslims on this day should be
because of the completion of the important Ibaadat of Roza.
Contrary to this on Eid day Muslims are indulging in all sorts
of unlawful activities. How wonderful will it be if Muslims
could show other nations what a true Islamic Eid should be.
In
the Name of Allah, Most
Gracious, Most Merciful
