AS THE GRAND MONTH APPROACHED, EVEN BEFORE THE CRESCENT COULD
BE SIGHTED, Nabee (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) gathered
the Sahaabah( radhiyallahu anhum )on the last day of
Sha'baan and according to the narration of Salmaan Faarsi(
radhiyallahu anhu) addressed them thus: "O people, there comes
upon you now a great month, a most blessed month, in which lies
a night greater in worth than a thousand months. It is a month
in which Allah has made fasting incumbent during the day while
farad-week salaah at night is Sunnah. Whoever tries to draw
nearer to Allah by performing any virtuous deed will be given
the reward of an obligatory act per formed at times other than
Ramadhaan. And whoever performs a fardh (obligatory act), will
receive the reward of seventy faraaidh (plural of fardh)
performed at other times. It is indeed a month of patience and
the reward for patience is jannah."'
While this is the kind of preparation Nabee (sallallahu alayhi
wasallam) exhibited, we begin to stock our refrigerators with
all kinds of food which we normally do not partake of during
the other months of the year. Although it is totally
permissible to purchase food and other items, it is not the
kind of preparation that is required of a true Believer.
Ramadhaan is a month of spiritual cleansing and devotion -
freeing oneself from mundane secular affairs and devoting the
maximum time for the Worship of Allah in the form of the
recitation of the Qur'aan, zikr and optional Salaah. It is that
time of the year when one’s batteries of Imaan' would be
charged to a peak. As the Hadeeth of Salmaan (radhiyallahu anhu)
exhorts us to perform the following four acts
a) Recite the Kalimah Shahaadah profusely,
b) Seek forgiveness for one's sins,
c) Implore Allah for entry into Jannah,
d) Seek refuge from the Fire of Hell.
The ideal situation would be to free oneself completely from
all secular matters and devote the entire month for Deen. The
most beneficial way of spending Ramadhaan would be in the
company of a pious saint or going out in the Path of Allah.
Those who cannot free themselves completely could nevertheless
use every spare moment and draw up a daily programme. Mundane
activities that can be totally given up should be avoided. If
something can be postponed till after Ramadhaan, it should
certainly be postponed. Many tasks can be scaled down while
one's working hours could be adjusted. Closing the business
earlier than usual can allow more time for the recitation of
the Qur'aan, while a longer lunch-break can allow for more rest
so that one is fresh for taraaweeh salaah at night. Remember
that your sustenance is pre-ordained and by having fewer
business hours, it will not decrease your income. In fact, by
devoting more time for Deen, there will be more blessings in
one's livelihood.
Muslim employers should make concessions for their Muslim staff
during this month and encourage them to use that time for Deen.
Their workloads should be decreased to whatever extent
possible.
Besides engaging in various forms of worship, it is absolutely
essential to refrain from all forms of sin and not to ruin
one's fast. Idle chatter usually leads to backbiting and
slander and should be totally avoided.
Approach Ramadhaan with the correct concept and preparation. Be
physically and spiritually geared up for this auspicious month
by reading books on the virtues of Ramadhaan to the whole
family. It will certainly bring about the desired change.
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