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 Ramadaan. 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. Ramadaan 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 in abundance; ?
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 Ramadaan 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
Ramadaan, 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 Ramadaan with the correct concept and preparation. Be
physically and spiritually geared up for this auspicious month by
reading books on the virtues of Ramadaan to the whole family. It
will certainly bring about the desired change.
