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How to Spend Ramadaan
The month of Ramadaan is the season of divine blessings. It is the
month of purification. it is meant for annual renovation of the
inner spiritual qualities. It is a golden opportunity for every
Muslim to strengthen his 'Iman, to purify his heart and soul and to
remove the evil effects of the sins committed by him. This month
invites a Muslim to minimize his other mundane involvement and
maximize the acts of worship. One should plan his schedule for this
month, before-hand, so as to spare maximum time for 'ibadah. Here is
a brief list of the acts which should be carried out in Ramadaan
with due care:
What Should be Done in Ramadaan |
1. To offer every prayer with jama'ah in a masjid.
2. To rise up a little earlier than the exact time of suhoor and to
offer the salah of tahajjud. There is no prescribed number of the
Tahajjud prayer. Yet, it is better to pray 8 Rak'at.
3. To offer the nafl prayers of Ishraq (two rak'at after sunrise)
Duha (Four rak'at which may be performed at anytime after Ishraq
before noon) and Awwabin (six rak'at after maghrib).
4. The recitation of the Holy Qur'an. No specific limit is
prescribed. But one should recite as much of it as he can.
5. Any Zikr or Tasbeeh. Apart from reciting these words, one hundred
times each, at a particular time, they may also be continued
frequently throughout the day, even if one is engaged in some light
work, when walking and when in bed. |
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6. Prayers and supplications: No particular prayer is prescribed.
One can pray for everything he needs both in this world and in the
Hereafter. However, the supplications of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho
Alaihi Wassallam) are so comprehensive that they encompass all that
a Muslim can need in his life and after his death. It is, therefore,
much advisable to pray Allah Almighty in the prophetic words used by
the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) .
There are several books where these prophetic supplications have
been compiled. Here is the name of a book which should be kept by
every Muslim in his home and be used for praying daily:
(i) Al-hisnul-hasin By Allamah al-jazri
7. Sadaqah (charity): Apart from paying zakah, which is obligatory,
one should also pay optional sadaqah in Ramadaan according to his
best ability. It is reported in authentic ahadith that the Holy
Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) used to pay special attention
in Ramadaan to look after the poor and to help them financially.
Therefore, a Muslim Should give as much money in sadaqah as he can
afford.
What Should be Avoided in Ramadaan
All sinful acts should be avoided completely during the month of
Ramadaan. Although the sinful acts are totally prohibited in Shariah,
whether in Ramadaan or at any other time, but their prohibition
becomes more severe in this month. It is evident that every Muslim
avoids certain lawful acts, like eating and drinking, during the
fasts. If he continues to commit sins in Ramadaan, it will be a
mockery to avoid lawful things and yet be engaged in unlawful acts
never allowed in Shari'ah. Thus, the abstinence from sins be comes
all the more necessary in this month. Specially the following acts
should be avoided totally:
(1) Telling a lie.
(2) Gheebah or backbiting i.e. condemnation of a person in his
absence.
(3) Quarrelling. (The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) has
particularly forbidden from it when one is in the state of fasting.
He has directed us that, if someone wants to quarrel in Ramadaan, we
should tell him that we are fasting, hence we are not prepared to
indulge in any quarrel.
(4) Eating unlawful things.
(5) Earning through unlawful means.
(6) Any act which may harm a person without a valid cause.
(7) Burdening one's servants or employees with a toilsome job beyond
their ability, without providing them facilities to carry it out.
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In short, one should try
his best to refrain from all kinds of sins, and protect his eyes,
ears, tongue and all other organs from indulging in an unlawful
activity. Once a Muslim spends the month of Ramadaan in this way, he
will insha Allah, find himself equipped with a spiritual strength
which will facilitate for him to conduct a good Islamic life in
accordance with the pleasure of Allah. |
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