Islamic World

“Ramadhaan is the month in which the Qur-aan—guidance to people, containing clear pronouncements of the guidance and the criteria of right and wrong—was sent down. Therefore, whoever of you is present in this month, must spend it in fasting. This is so that you exalt the greatness of Allaah for the favour that He has guided you, and so that you may give thanks.” (2:185)

We leave the blessed month of Ramadan, its beautiful days and its fragrant nights. We leave the month of the Qur'an, piety, patience, mercy,forgiveness and freedom from hellfire.
Have we fulfilled the requirements of Taqwa(piety)and graduated from theRamadan school with the diploma of the god-fearing?

Have we fought our souls and desires and defeated them, or have we been overtaken by our customs and blind imitations?

Have we performed our actions in a way that fulfills the conditions for receiving mercy, forgiveness and release from the Fire?

Many questions and numerous thoughts come to the heart of the sincere Muslim, who asks and answers with truthfulness.

What Have We Gained From Ramadan?
Ramadan is a school of Iman (faith) and a 'stop to recharge one's spiritual batteries' - to acquire one's provision for the rest of the year...

For when will one take a lesson and change for better if not in the month of Ramadan?

The noble month is a true school of transformation in which we change our actions, habits and manners that are in variance with the Law of Allah.

{Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they changewhat is in themselves}. [Ar-Ra`d: 11]

If you are from those who benefited from Ramadan, fulfilled the requirements of Taqwa, truly fasted the month, prayed in it with truthfulness, and strove against your soul, then praise and thank Allah, and ask Him for steadfastness upon it until you meet your death.

Be not like one who has sewn a shirt and then destroyed it
... Have you seen one who sewed a shirt or Thawb (i.e. garment), so when she looked at it, she liked it. Then she destroyed it pulling a thread by thread for no reason. What would people say about such a person?!

This is the condition of one who returns to sins and evil doing after Ramadan and leaves obedience and righteous actions. So after he was favored with the blessing of obedience and enjoyment of communicating with Allah here turned to the blaze of sins and evil actions.

My Dear Ones,
Falling short in one's commitment to Islam after Ramadan is manifested in many ways, including:
1) Men leaving the five prayers in congregation, after they filled mosques for prayers.

This is not thankfulness for blessings and favors, nor is it the sign of acceptance of one's actions; rather this is opposition to favors and absence of thankfulness.

These are from signs of one's deeds not being accepted - and Allah's refuge is sought - for one who truly fasts, rejoices on the occasion of `Eid,praises his Lord for helping him complete the fast, and remains fearful thatAllah may not accept his fasting, just as the early Muslims would continue asking for acceptance of their actions in Ramadan for six months after it.

From signs that one's deeds are accepted is that he or she has improved in his or her obedience to Allah.

{And remember when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor].}. [Ibrahim: 7]

Increase you in good, faith and righteous actions. So if the servant is truly thankful to his Lord, you will see him guided to more obedience and distanced from sinfulness. Thankfulness is leaving sins, as the early Muslims said.

And worship your Lord until there comes you to the certainty [i.e. death]}.[Al-Hijr: 99]

The Muslim must continuously be in the state of obedience of Allah, firm upon His Shari`ah, steadfast upon His Deen, so that he or she is not of those who worship Allah only during one month or only in one place. Rather,the believer knows that the Lord of Ramadan is also the Lord of other months, and that He is the Lord of all times and places, so he is steadfast upon the Shari`ah of Allah until he meets Him while He is pleased with him.

Allah Ta`ala said,
{So remain on a right course as you have been commanded,[you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allah]}. [Hud: 112]

And,{So take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness}. [Fussilat: 6]

And the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Say 'I believe in Allah', then be steadfast." [Sahih Muslim]

If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary night prayer throughout the year.

{They used to sleep but littleof the night}. [Adh-Dhariyat: 17]

If the charity in Ramadan and Zakat-ul-Fitr have ended, then there is the obligatory Zakat, and also there are many other open doors to charity,voluntary actions.

Reading of the Qur'an and contemplating it is not only for Ramadan, rather it is for all times.
Righteous actions are for all times and all places,

so strive - O my brother and sister - and beware of laziness. And remember that it is not allowed for us to leave the obligatory actions or delay them, such as the five daily prayers on time, in congregation etc.

And do not fall into forbidden actions, such as forbidden sayings, food and drinks, or by looking at or listening to what is forbidden.

Be steadfast and upright upon the Deen of Allah at all times, for you do not know when you'll meet the Angel of Death. Beware of him taking you while you are in a state of sin.

"O Allah, Who turns the hearts, keep our hearts steadfast upon Your Deen."
I ask Allah to accept from us and you our fasting, our prayers and otherrighteous actions, that our condition after Ramadan be a better one, thatthe state of our Ummah improves, that we are granted honor and that we truly turn to our Lord.
Ameen.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the month of Ramadhan is that it includes lailatul qadr (the night of power), which is the most blessed night of the year. This is that very night in which Allah Ta’ala chose to reveal the Holy Quran upon our beloved Rasool (s.a.w.). This is also the night wherein Allah decides the destiny, sustenance, birth, and death etc. for His creation. It is mentioned in the Holy Quran that this night is better than a thousand months (83 years & four months) as Allah himself speaks:

SIGNIFICANCE

“The night of al qadr is better than a thousand months.” (verse 3 Surah Al Qadr).

This means the worship performed in this night brings more reward than that worship carried out for the period of a thousand ordinary months.

In the authentic teachings of Rasoolullah (s.a.w.), it is mentioned that Allah Ta’ala showers his special mercy in this night towards the inhabitants of the earth, accepts the duaas made by his servants and forgives all those people who repent sincerely, as Rasoolullah (s.a.w.) has stated in a hadith

“Whosoever stood up in front of Allah on the night of qadr with Iman and true conviction of attaining reward from Allah, in return, Allah will forgive all his previous sins.” (Muslim)

WHEN?

According to authentic sources lailatul qadr falls in any one of the last five odd nights of Ramadhan i.e. 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29th, as we are told in the hadith related by Ibne Umar (r.a.), Rasoolullah (s..a.w.) said “ ...and, search for lailatul qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan.”

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE IN THIS NIGHT?

In this night a person should make worship of Allah Ta’ala exceptionally. One can engage in the offering of nafl (Sunnah) prayers as much as possible or in supplications, in the recitation of the Holy Quran or by any other good deed, which is not contrary to the Shariah.

“The person who deprives himself from the blessings of Lailatul qadr, indeed has deprived himself of all good and none other than an ignorant person is deprived from such good.” (Ibne Majah).

Considering this hadith, we should attempt to spare some time for the worship of Allah Ta’ala on this auspicious night.

The most profound way to derive benefit from the blessings of this night, is to stay awake for the whole night and spend it in prayers, but people who cannot do so, for any reason, should at least spare a reasonable portion of the night for Allah. Some rakaahs should be offered in the least, after midnight as tahajjud, the Quran should be recited, duaas be made, and any form of zhikr should be constantly uttered.

Once, the beloved wife Aiysha (r.a.) inquired from Rasoolullah (s.a.w.) as to what duaa should be made on the lailatul qadr, upon this Rasoolullah (s.a.w.) taught her the following duaa

"Allahumma innaka afuwwun kareemun tuhib-bul af-wa fa-afo anni"

(O Allah, You are the One who grants pardon for sins, loves forgiving, so forgive me.)

Indeed the blessings of our Lord are innumerable, but fortunate are those who reap them and regard them as significant.

The following is a reminder of some matters that help one to be among the winners in Ramadan by using its days and nights properly. “Remind, for indeed reminding benefits the believers.” (51:55)

1. Mujaahadah: struggling against the nafs

“As for those who strive hard in Our Cause, We will surely guide them to Our Paths.” (29:69)

Do you want guidance? Do you want steadfastness? Struggle against your soul, for if we bring ourselves closer to Allah, Allah will come closer to us.

2. Having high aspiration and determination

Ibnul Jawzi said, "The sign of completion of the mind is high aspiration, for he who is satisfied with low aspiration is disgraceful, and I didn't see a severer shortcoming than that of people who are capable of completion yet don't aspire for it."

3. Knowing the virtues of the month and its distinguishing characteristics

He who knows something develops interest in it and preserves it. Even if there was nothing in Ramadan but Laylat ul-Qadr (the Night of Power), which is better than one thousand months, that would suffice.

4. Recognizing Ramadan's few days and its speed of departure

“A fixed number of days…” (2:184) [From the verse, “(Observing fast is) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days”].

Yesterday we were congratulating each other for the beginning of Ramadan and today we give each other condolences for its departure. This is how both days and life are, passing quickly. So hurry up to benefit in Ramadan.

5. Competition of the righteous people in doing good deeds

The righteous people compete for good deeds, while the others are captives of their lusts and slaves to their desires.

“Then We gave the Book (the Qur'an) for inheritance to such of Our slaves whom We chose. Then of them are some who wrong their ownselves, and of them are some who follow a middle course, and of them are some who are, by Allah's Leave, foremost in good deeds. That is indeed a great grace.“ (35:32)

6. Remembering death and bewaring its suddenness

You might not reach another Ramadan, so watch for yourself!

Ramadhaan is a month of Forgiveness.
Ramadhaan is a month of Rahmah.
Ramadhaan is the month of generosity.
Ramadhaan, the month that Allaah subhaanahu wa taala accepts the Tawbah of the servants, and the month that Allaah blesses His servants.

We are in need of Ramadhaan to correct ourselves, for we have forgotten Allaah tabarak wa taala for the majority of the year.

To correct ourselves for we have been neglectful.
To correct ourselves for we are not upon the remembrance of Allaah.
To correct ourselves because our hearts have gotten hard, some hearts are dead, some hearts are sick, some hearts are stone-cold, some hearts are black, getting no benefit whatsoever. Some hearts are so bad, and so ill that they see a good as a Munkar, (as an evil), and they see an evil as a good. These are not as they should be.

We need a Ramadhaan.
We need a Ramadhaan because our connection with Allaah tabarak wa taala is not correct.
We need a Ramadhaan because we do not have any Khushoo or devotion in our Salaah.
We need a Ramadhaan because our Quraan has dust and is sitting o­n a shelf.

We need a Ramadhaan because we never read the books of Sunnah.
We need a Ramadhaan because we dont fast, and if we fast physically without food or drink, we dont fast with our eyes by lowering them and our tongue by not slandering and our tongue by not lying and back-biting.

We need a Ramadhaan to get ourselves back in order, to work for the Hereafter, to connect ourselves to Allaah tabarak wa taala.
We need a Ramadhaan because relationships brother to brother and sister to sister is in a miserable condition.

We need a Ramadhaan because we have bad thoughts about o­ne another.
We need a Ramadhaan because of zulm, injustice to o­ne another.
We need a Ramadhaan because there is backbiting, there is envy, there is jealousy, and there is slander.

We need a Ramadhaan because we are despicable, because we are sick, because we are ill. (All these are diseases of the heart)
We need a Ramadhaan because we dont believe in the promise of Allaah tabarak wa taala, or if we do, we do not implement it.
We need a Ramadhaan because it is time for us to change and become something better then we are now.

We need a Ramadhaan because that is the o­nly thing that is going to get us together…
We need a Ramadhaan because we dont have unity, theres no brotherhood
We need a Ramadhaan because theres no respect for elders

We need a Ramadhaan because theres no real love between us
We need a Ramadhaan, full of love and the Mercy of Allaah tabarak wa taala.

A Ramadhaan like we come in, like in a clinic or a hospital, trying to solve our illnesses, trying to come out of there without the disease we came with, trying to be better than we went in with.

We need a Ramadhaan.
Look around you, look to your right, look to your left, look in front of you and look behind you and you will say, "We need a Ramadhaan".

The sisters arent covering properly, we need a Ramadhaan.
Brothers and sisters are mixing. We need a Ramadhaan. Talking o­n phones and o­n the internet, we need a Ramadhaan. This is a mess, we are in a fix, we are in a bind, and this is a problem…

We need a Ramadhaan.
We need a Ramadhaan to get ourselves together.

We need a Ramadhaan, that we come in the Masjid and we face the Qiblah and we say "Allaahu Akbar" and we stand in qiyaamah a long time until those diseases, that filth, that sickness, that hardness the heart goes away.

We need a Ramadhaan that reminds us of the Hell-fire.
We need a Ramadhaan that tells us that we havent been given a certificate that we are people of Jannah.

We need a Ramadhaan that lets us known that we are servants of Allaah tabarak wa taala.

And if we were to spend our whole life, from the time we were born until Yawm al Qiyaamah in Sajdaah, it would not be enough to thank Allaah for His Mercy, His Grace and His Blessings.

We need a Ramadhaan and it is clear. If there is any fear of Allaah left in the hearts of ours and if there is any hope of Jannaah left in us, and if there is any desire to change and to be better and to be righteous and to come to the level of Ihsaan, to come to the level of a Mumim, to have taqwa, to fear Allaah … we need a Ramadhaan.

We need a Ramadhaan, a month of Tawbaah.
We need a Ramadhaan, a month of Maghfira.

We need a Ramadhaan to correct our behaviour, to correct the differences & the difficulties and the envy / jealousies in our relationship between o­ne another.

We need a Ramadhaan to understand that we have been committing injustice to o­ne another.

And as the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said : Az-Zulm (injustice) – "Zulumaat yawmal Qiyaamah" –will be changed physically into darkness o­n the Day of Judgement.

We need a Ramadhaan to understand the Hadith : to fear the duaa of the o­ne to whom we have done injustice. For there is not between Allaah and the person making the invocation, the person making that supplication of the person to whom injustice has been done, there is no veil between that person and Allaah. That duaa is immediately accepted.

Why I cant get ahead?
Why I cant progress in my Deen?
Why I cant memorize this ayah?
Why I cant understand this hadeeth?
We may be living under the invocation, the answer for invocation for someone whom we abused or stepped over.
You know you need a Ramadhaan.

I know I need a Ramadhaan.
We know we need a Ramadhaan.

We need to get ourselves together. We have been running around in filth, we have been having our hearts around the low matters; We need our hearts to be around the thrones of Allaah; We need to think about the high matters, high goals; We need to think about Jannah; We need a hope for al-Jannah.

You are planning for marriage, you are planning for education, you are planning for a job, but we need to plan for the Jannah.
We need to prepare for the Jannah during the month of Ramadhaan.

"'Nahnu be haajathin Ma aasa fir Ramadhaan."
We are in severe need for Ramadhaan, so that we come into Ramdhaan with repentance, we come into it with regret, we come into it realizing that we are weak, that we need Allaah tabarak wa taala to correct us, realizing that we are wrong and that we need Allaah tabarak wa taala to place upon us that which is right, realizing that we are weak and that we need Allaah tabarak wa taala to grant us strength.

We need a Ramadhaan.
Oh Yes !! We need a Ramadhaan.

We needs nights of Qiyaam, we need dua and sujood, we need nights of Ramadhaan to do tilawaah of Quraan.

We need a Ramadhaan to listen to the Quraan.
When was the last time that we listened to the Quraan??
When was the last time we recited Quraan?

We need a Ramadhaan to study Quraan, to implement the Quraan, and this Ramadhaan MAY BE OUR LAST Ramadhaan.

What is the guarantee that it is not our final Ramadhaan?

We have to come into it seriously. And we want to come out of it much better than we came into it. We want to come out of Ramadhaan with Taqwa, because that was the main reason that it was legislated.

"O you who believe fasting has been written upon you as it was written for those before you, so that you may gain Taqwa."

Taqwa is fear of Allaah. If we had taqwa, our condition will be better than it is now.
And we can achieve Taqwa during the month of Ramadhaan. I dont believe that our hearts are that hard, I dont believe that we cant change.

We need a Ramadhaan to be as the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was.
That he was the most generous, he was generous in general and he was most generous in Ramadhaan. Like a wind … spending, giving to his right, giving to his left, giving in front of him, giving behind him, giving to anyone who came. He gave without them asking.

We need a Ramadhaan to inculcate these qualities.
We need to control our desires.
We need to control our tongue.
We need to control our limbs.
We need to learn self-discipline.
We need to control our anger.
We must do things in Ramadhaan not out of habit, something that is just tradition., that we are more despicable when we went in.
We have to change our condition. We have to change our connection with Allaah tabarak wa taala.

Any other Ramadhaan do what you will.
But my sincere advice to you is, this Ramadhaan worry about yourself.
Am I backbiting?
Am I slandering?
Am I committing fahishah?
Am I committing gheebah?
Am I committing Nameemah (tale-carrying)?
Do I have hasad?
Do I have pride (Kibr) ?
Am I arrogant?
Am I too harsh?
Am I unkind?
Am I not gentle enough? Am I gentle enough?

Question yourself. Was my intention when I said what I said or did what I did for the pleasure of Allaah or to be noticed?
When I spoke what I spoke was it for the pleasure of Allaah or to be seen or heard?
Was I doing it "Haarisa min Qalbi--- sincerely from my heart
or I did it to be known? Khutbath Duroor --- Loving to be known breaks it.

If we find that we are not talking to our sisters or brothers too much, we need a Ramadhaan to learn to stop talking to those who are not halaal for us to talk to.

And if we find that we are mixing too much, we need a Ramadhaan to start mixing with those whom you are not supposed to mix with.

We find that we have jealousy in our hearts, vengeance in our hearts, distrust in our hearts for other Muslims based upon nothing but Shaitaan whispers to us, we need a Ramadhaan.

We need a Ramadhaan,
Our condition wont change.
We will continue to complain.
We need a Ramadhaan or we will forever be in pain.
We need a Ramadhaan or we will go insane.

Why cant we make excuses?
Why cant we forgive?
Why cant we forget?
Why cant we let things go?
Upon clarity, upon Haqq, knowing the Sunnah, knowing the Deen, connected to the scholars, not preceding them in any statement or action and if they make a statement, we make their statement (not add our own), This is important.
We need a Ramadhaan.

This blessed month where you can go in as the most despicable devil and come out like an angel. That blessed month when you can go in as a miser and come out as the generous … that blessed month where you can be o­ne of those hard-hearted brothers – (everybody usually gives you a smile but you dont give anybody a smile) – and if you do it right, you'll come out of Ramadhaan giving smiles to those brothers , not in the faces of the sisters but the faces of your brothers..

We need a Ramadhaan to correct our condition :
we are slow,
we are lazy,
we dont have any incentive towards the deen and the Aakhiraah, the Hereafter .

We need a Ramadhaan to clarify our situation.
We need a Ramadhaan to put us in position.
We need a Ramadhaan to give this Ummah a rebirth, air ..
we have to understand that we are global.

Whoever follows the Book of Allaah, the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) will be with him in the jannah.

And those who are upon ignorance, innovation, not mukaffarah, they are still brothers from a distant but from within this Ummah. So it affects all of us. And we are connected in that way.

If you sit there saying,
I dont care what they do to the Muslims in India doesnt concern me; I dont care if they bomb Afghanistan up the planet…
I dont care.... it has nothing to do with me …then you are a racist, a nationalist, you are not a muslim.
Because a Muslim concerns himself about this Ummah.
A muslim at night thinks about this Ummah.
A muslim cries in his salaah about the condition of this Ummah, he cries about all locally, he cries about their condition internationally. We need a Ramadhaan so that we can realize the Islaamic brotherhood again.

We need a Ramadhaan because some of them never practiced brotherhood ever in their lives and may have been Muslims 50 years. We need a Ramadhaan so that the sisters learn sisterhood,

We need a Ramadhaan so that we can focus o­n the Aakhirah -- Hereafter and we give Naseehah and advice to o­ne another that is of benefit and that our talking and our mixing is just not about the Dunya, and what you want to do in the Dunya and how you are gonna be in this Dunya.

We need a Ramadhaan so that people learn to inculcate in their children to be like Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq, Umar al-Khattab, Saad abi Ibn Waqqas and like this.
We need our Qiyaam at night, we need recitation of Quraan, we need to sit together and talk together o­nly about the deen, not about the Dunya, we need to worry about our status in the Aakhirah, in the Hereafter. We need to wake up from our sleep. Wake up Oh Sleepy o­ne. !! our slumber has been too long. You got to wake up, take wudoo, get within the caravan of Mohamed Ibn Abdullah, Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq, Umar al-Khattab, you have to get with it. How long are we going to stay sick? How long are we going to be unsettled? How long are we going to have our problems?

We need a Ramadhaan. And let this Ramadhaan be the o­ne where you come out of it better, come out of it committed, come out of it devoted, you come out of it with your head held high.

You are from the Ummah of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and dont you forget it!!

Ramadan Dua: DAY 1

ALLAH, on this day make my fasts the fasts of those who fast (sincerely), and my standing up in prayer of those who stand up in prayer (obediently), awaken me in it from the sleep of the heedless, and forgive me my sins , O God of the worlds, and forgive me, O one who forgives the sinners.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 2

ALLAH, on this day, take me closer towards Your pleasure, keep me away from Your anger and punishment, grant me the opportunity to recite Your verses (of the Qur'an), by Your mercy, O the most Merciful.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 3

ALLAH, on this day, grant me wisdom and awareness, keep me away from foolishness and pretension, grant me a share in every blessing You send down, by You generosity, O the most Generous.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 4

ALLAH, on this day, strengthen me in carrying out Your commands, let me taste the sweetness of Your remembrance, grant me, through Your graciousness, that I give thanks to You. Protect me, with Your protection and cover, O the most discerning of those who see.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 5

ALLAH, on this day, place me among those who seek forgiveness. Place me among Your righteous and obedient servants, and place me among Your close friends, by Your kindness, O the most Merciful.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 6

ALLAH, on this day, do not let me abase myself by incurring Your disobedience, and do not strike me with the whip of Your punishment, keep me away from the causes of Your anger, by and Your power, O the ultimate wish of those who desire.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 7

ALLAH, on this day, help me with its fasts and prayers, and keep me away from mistakes and sins of the day, grant me that I remember You continuously through the day, by Your assistance, O the Guide of those who stray.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 8

ALLAH, on this day, let me have mercy on the orphans, and feed [the hungry], and spread peace, and keep company with the noble-minded, O the shelter of the hopeful.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 9

ALLAH, on this day, grant me a share from Your mercy which is wide, guide me towards Your shining proofs, lead me to Your all encompassing pleasure, by Your love, O the hope of the desirous.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 10

ALLAH, on this day, make me, among those who rely on You, from those who You consider successful, and place me among those who are near to you, by Your favor, O goal of the seekers.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 11

ALLAH, on this day, make me love goodness, and dislike corruption and disobedience, bar me from anger and the fire [of Hell], by Your help, O the helper of those who seek help

Ramadan Dua: DAY 12

ALLAH, on this day, beautify me with covering and chastity, cover me with the clothes of contentment and chastity, let me adhere to justice and fairness, and keep me safe from all that I fear, by Your protection, O the protector of the frightened.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 13

ALLAH, on this day, purify me from un-cleanliness and dirt, make me patient over events that are decreed, grant me the ability to be pious, and keep company with the good, by Your help, O the beloved of the destitute.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 14

ALLAH, on this day, do not condemn me for slips, make me decrease mistakes and errors, do not make me a target for afflictions and troubles, by Your honor, O the honor of the Muslims.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 16

ALLAH, on this day, grant me compatibility with the good, keep me away from patching up with the evil, lead me in it, by Your mercy, to the permanent abode, by Your God ship, O the God of the worlds.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 17

ALLAH, on this day, guide me towards righteous actions, fulfill my needs and hopes, O One who does not need explanations nor questions, O One who knows what is in the chests of the (people of the) world. Bless Muhammad and his family, the Pure.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 18

ALLAH, on this day, make me love goodness, and dislike corruption and disobedience, bar me from anger and the fire [of Hell], by Your help, O the helper of those who seek help.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 19

ALLAH, on this day, multiply for me its blessings, and ease my path towards its bounties, do not deprive me of the acceptance of its good deeds, O the Guide towards the clear truth.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 20

ALLAH, on this day, open for me the doors of the heavens, and lock the doors of Hell from me, help me to recite the Qur'an, O the One who sends down tranquility into the hearts of believers.


Ramadan Dua: DAY 21

ALLAH, on this day, show me the way to win Your pleasure, do not let Shaytan have a means over me, make Paradise an abode and a resting place for me, O the One who fulfills the requests of the needy.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 22

ALLAH, on this day, open for me the doors of Your Grace, send down on me its blessings, help me towards the causes of Your mercy, and give me a place in the comforts of Paradise, O the one who answers the call of the distressed.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 23

ALLAH, on this day, wash away my sins, purify me from all flaws, examine my heart with (for) the piety of the hearts, O One who overlooks the shortcomings of the sinners.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 24

ALLAH, on this day, I ask You for what pleases You, and I seek refuge in You from what displeases You, I ask You to grant me the opportunity to obey You and not disobey You, O One who is generous with those who ask

Ramadan Dua: DAY 25

ALLAH, on this day, make me among those who love Your friends, and hate Your enemies, following the way of Your last Prophet, O the Guardian of the hearts of the Prophets.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 26

ALLAH, on this day, make my efforts worthy of appreciation, and my sins forgiven, my deeds accepted, my flaws concealed, O the best of those who hear.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 27

ALLAH, on this day, bestow on me the blessings of Laylatul Qadr, change my affairs from (being) difficult to (being) easy, accept my apologies, and decrease for me [my] sins and burdens, O the Compassionate with His righteous servants.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 28

ALLAH, on this day, grant me a share in its nawafil (recommended prayers), honor me by attending to my problems, make closer the means to approach You, from all the means, O One who is not preoccupied by the requests of the beseechers.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 29

O ALLAH, on this day, cover me with Your mercy, grant me in it success and protection, purify my heart from the darkness of false accusations, O the Merciful to His believing servants.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 30

O ALLAH, on this day, make my fasts worthy of appreciation and acceptance, according to what pleases You, and pleases the Messenger, the branches being strengthened by the roots, for the sake of our leader, Muhammad, and his purified family. Praise be to ALLAH, the Lord of the worlds.

B i s m i l l a a h i r R a h m a a n i r R a h e e m.

The Virtues of Ramadaan

a) The Hellfire is locked and the gates of Paradise are opened

Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: "When Ramadaan comes the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of the Fire are locked and the devils are chained..." Bukhari Eng, v.3, # 123) & Muslim eng, v..2, # .2361 from Abo Hurairah, radhiAllahu anhu.

All praise is for Allah Who out of His infinite Mercy locks the gates of Hell, chains and shackles the devils and opens up the gates of Paradise in this month for His servants, making it easier for them to devote this special time to His worship. It makes it harder for the evil jinn to corrupt the people as they usually do, because Insha'Allah the Muslims will be occupied with fasting, engaged in reading the Qur'aan, busy with extra prayers and in doing other righteous actions which help clean and purify their hearts.

b) Sins are Forgiven.

The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) explained to his Ummah that Ramadaan has such a high station that even if a Muslim's sins were as much as the foam upon the sea, they would be forgiven through fasting in this month.

He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

"He who fasts in Ramadaan due to eemaan and hoping for reward from Allah then his previous sins are forgiven."

(Narrated by Aboo Hurairah and collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (Eng. Trans. Vol.3, no.125) & Saheeh Muslim (Eng. Trans. Vol.1, no.1664). The hadeeth applies to one who affirms the obligation of fasting in Ramadaan and hopes for the reward of doing it, being pleased with it, not feeling aversion to it, nor thinking that standing in its night is a hardship)

Furthermore, in this month people are freed from the Hellfire every day and night, due to Allah's extreme Mercy. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) told us in this regard that:

"There are in the month of Ramadaan in every day and night, those whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim a supplication which he can make and it will be granted."

(Saheeh - Narrated by Jaabir and collected in Musnad Ahmad and al-Bazzar)

This supplication, which is never rejected occurs at the time of breaking the fast. (See Sunan ibn Maajah, 1/557)

c) Lailatul-Qadr

Another virtue of this blessed month is that in it falls the night that is better than a thousand months, in which descends the angels and the Rooh, [See Soorah al-Qadr (97): 4.]

and in which if one is standing in prayer out of faith and seeking reward, then his previous sins are forgiven. This is the Night of Decree - Lailatul-Qadr

The Virtues of Fasting:

Fasting itself is an action which has many virtues and rewards, Allah - the one free from all imperfections - revealed in His Book "..and fast, it is better for you if you did but know." [Soorah al- Baqarah (2) : 184]

To try and help us understand just how valuable it is, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) informed us that it is a shield against the Hellfire, a protection against desires, a cause to enter Paradise and a gate from the gates of Paradise has been particularized for it, as well as other merits.

A) A shield.

He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: 'Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the fire." [Saheeh - Jaabir in Ahamd 3/241,296]

Fasting weakens and cuts off desires and since it is desires which lead to the fire, it can be seen how fasting acts as a protection against them, as a barrier, a shield, between the fasting person and the fire. It safeguards one from indulging in foul speech, quarrels and fights. It also develops the habit of self-control and restraint.

It is for this reason that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), ordered the men who are unable to marry, to practice the act of fasting. Fasting will cut off the sensual desire by diminishing the vigor of the body, calming and constraining it.

" 0 youths, whosoever amongst you is able to marry then let him do so, since it restrains the eyes and protects the private parts, and he who is unable, then let him fast because it is a shield for him." [Narrated by Ibn Masood & collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (Eng. Trans. Vol.3, no.129)]

b) A Cause for Entering Paradise .

Since fasting distances one from the fire, it brings one closer to Paradise . The Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was asked by his Companion Abo Umaamah (radhi allahu anhu): "0 Messenger of Allah tell me an action by which I may enter Paradise ." He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: "Take to fasting, there is nothing like it."

[Saheeh - an-Nisaaee (4/165), al-Haakim (1/421) and others. Authentic by Shaikh al-Albanee in Saheeh al-Jamee. (no.4044)]

c) An Immense Reward

Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold rewards, each good deed receiving ten times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High has said: "Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will recompense it, he leaves of his desires and his food for Me. For the fasting person there are two times of joy; a time of joy when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, the smell coming from the mouth of a fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of Musk.."

[Reported by Muslim from Aboo Hurairah ( Eng. Trans. Vol.2, no. 2567)]

The main virtue of fasting, as with any action, is that it is done purely for the sake of Allah. The difference with fasting is that it is an act completely hidden from others so it is done merely for the pleasure of Allah (unlike for example: Prayer, Hajj etc.) and so Allah rewards His servant for it specially.

d) An Intercession

Another great virtue of fasting is that it will act as an intercessor with Allah on the Day of Judgement - a day when we will be in need of intercession.

He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: "Fasting and the Qur'aan intercede for a servant on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say: "0 my Lord I prevented him from food and desires so accept my intercession for him" and the Qur'aan will say: "I prevented him from sleep at night, so accept my intercession for him" So their intercessions will be accepted."

[Hasan- Ahmad (6626), al-Haakim (1/554) & Aboo Nu'aam (8/161) from Abdullah Ibn Amr]

Finally, Allah - the One free from all imperfections - has particularized a gate from the gates of Paradise for those who fast. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: "Indeed, there is a gate of Paradise called ar-Rayaan. On the Day of Resurrection those who fast will enter through it; no one enters it except for them, end when they have entered, it is closed so that no one (else) enters it."

[Bukhari eng. v.3,#.120, Muslim eng. V.2, # 2569 from Sahl ibn Sa'ad radhi'Alaahu anhu]

"The status of fasting and its place in lslaam should now be clear to us, by Allah's permission, and also the great rewards awaiting the one who fasts seeking the pleasure of Allah. The rewards can, however increase or decrease depending upon how close it is upon the way of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam). Therefore we must know the characteristics of his (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) fast, together with its obligatory duties, its manners and the relevant supplications and then put that into practice."

" May Allah - the Most High grant us the ability to do that which allow us to capture the fruits of this month and make us amongst those who enter His Paradise through the gate of Ar-Rayaan."

Ramadan is neither a month of bounties from the bazaar

Nor a month of beauties from the parlor

Ramadan is neither a month for the kitchen's savories

Nor a month for pastries from the bakeries.

Ramadan is neither a month of television programs

Nor a month of outing programs

Ramadan is the month of Dhikr

Ramadan is the month of Fikr

Ramadan is the month of bounties from Allah

Ramadan is the month of beautifying

the soul masha Allah

Ramadan is the month of insurance

from the fire of Hell

Ramadan is the month of investments

for the Judgment Day as well

Ramadan is the month of maintenance

of the body and soul

Ramadan is the month of repentance

from sins on the whole.

1 : Taking Ramadaan as a ritual

For many of us Ramadaan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibaadah. We fast from morning to night like a zombie just because everyone around us is fasting too. We forget that its a time to purify our hearts and our souls from all evil....we forget to make dua, forget to beseech Allaah to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Fire. Sure we stay away from food and drink but that's about all.

Although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Jibreel said to me, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person to who Ramadaan comes and his sins are not forgiven, and I said, Ameen.

Then he said, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (by not serving them) and I said, Ameen.

Then he said, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you, and I said, Ameen.’”

(Tirmidhi, Ahmad, others. Saheeh by al-Albaani)

2 : Too much stress on food and drink

For some people, the entire month of Ramadaan revolves around food. They spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking about only food, instead of concentrating on Salaah, Quraan and other acts of worship. All they can think of is FOOD. So much so that they turn the month of fasting into the month of feasting. Come Iftaar time, their table is a sight to see, with the multitudes and varieties of food, sweets and drinks. They are missing the very purpose of fasting, and thus, increase in their greed and desires instead of learning to control them. It is also a kind of waste & extravagance.

".....and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance)" [al-Araaf :31]

3 : Spending all day cooking

Some of the sisters (either by their own choice or forced by their husbands) are cooking ALL day and ALL night, so that by the end of the day, they are too tired to even pray Ishaa, let alone pray Taraweeh or Tahajjud or even read Quraan. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness. So turn off that stove and turn on your Imaan!

4 : Eating too much

Some people stuff themselves at Suhoor until they are ready to burst, because they think this is the way to not feel hungry during the day and some people eat at Iftaar, like there is no tomorrow, trying to make up for the food missed. However, this is completely against the Sunnah. Moderation is the key to everything.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air." (Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah. saheeh by al-Albaani).

Too much food distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship, makes him lazy and also makes the heart heedless.

It was said to Imam Ahmad: Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full? He said, I do not think so.

5 : Sleeping all day

Some people spend their entire day (or a major part of it) sleeping away their fast. Is this what is really required of us during this noble month? These people also are missing the purpose of fasting and are slaves to their desires of comfort and ease. They cannot bear to be awake and face a little hunger or exert a little self-control. For a fasting person to spend most of the day asleep is nothing but, negligence on his part.

6 : Wasting time

The month of Ramadaan is a precious, precious time, so much so that Allaah calls this month "Ayyamum Madoodaat" (A fixed number of days). Before we know it, this month of mercy and forgiveness will be over. We should try and spend every moment possible in the worship of Allaah so that we can make the most of this blessing. However, there are some of us who waste away their day playing video games, or worse still, watching TV, movies or even listening to music. Subhaan Allaah! Trying to obey Allaah by DISOBEYING him!

7 : Fasting but not giving up evil

Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. and some of us fast but do not give up cheating, stealing, dealing in haraam, buying lotto tickets, selling alcohol, fornication, etc. and all kinds of impermissible things without realizing that the purpose of fasting is to not stay away from food and drink; rather the aim behind it is to fear Allaah.

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” [al-Baqarah 2:183]

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food and drink." (Bukhaari)

8 : Smoking

Smoking is forbidden in Islam whether during Ramadaan or outside of it, as it is one of al-Khabaaith (evil things). And this includes ALL kinds of smoking material eg.cigars, cigarettes, pipes, sheesha, hookah etc.

"he allows them as lawful At Tayyibaat (all good and lawful things), and prohibits them as unlawful Al Khabaa'ith (all evil and unlawful things) [al-Araaf :157]

It is harmful, not only to the one smoking, but also to the ones around him. It is also a means of wasting ones wealth.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "There should be no harming or reciprocating harm."

This is especially true during fasting and it invalidates the fast. (Fatwa -Ibn Uthaymeen)

9 : Skipping Suhoor

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing."(Bukhaari, Muslim).

And he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The thing that differentiates between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is eating suhoor." (Muslim)

10 : Stopping Suhoor at Imsaak

Some people stop eating Suhoor 10-15 minutes earlier than the time of Fajr to observe Imsaak.

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: This is a kind of bidah (innovation) which has no basis in the Sunnah. Rather the Sunnah is to do the opposite. Allaah allows us to eat until dawn: "and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)" [al-Baqarah 2:187]

And the Prophet (pbuh) said: "….eat and drink until you hear the adhaan of Ibn Umm Maktoom, for he does not give the adhaan until dawn comes."

This imsaak which some of the people do is an addition to what Allaah has prescribed, so it is false. It is a kind of extremism in religion, and the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

"Those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed." (Muslim)

11 : Not fasting if they missed Suhoor

Some people are too scared to fast if they miss Suhoor. However, this is a kind of cowardice and love of ease. What is the big deal if you missed a few morsels of food? Its not like you will die. Remember, obedience to Allaah overcomes everything.

12 : Saying the intention to fast out loud or saying a specific dua to start fasting

The intention is an action of the heart. We should resolve in our heart that we are going to fast

13 : Delaying breaking fast

Some people wait until the adhaan finishes or even several minutes after that, just to be on the safe side. However, the Sunnah is to hasten to break the fast, which means breaking fast whenever the adhaan starts, right after the sun has set. Aaishah (RA) said: This is what the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to do. (Muslim)

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The people will continue to do well so long as they hasten to break the fast." (Bukhaari, Muslim)

Determine to the best of your ability, the accuracy of your clock, calendar, etc. and then have tawakkul on Allaah and break your fast exactly on time.

14 : Eating continuously until the time for Maghrib is up

Some people put so much food in their plates when breaking their fast and continue eating, enjoying dessert, drinking tea, etc., until they miss Maghrib. That is obviously not right. The Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) was that once he broke his fast with some dates, them he would hasten to the prayer. Once you are done with the prayer, you can always go back and eat some more if you wish.

15 : Missing the golden chance of having your Dua accepted

The prayer of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted at the time of breaking fast.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler." (al-Bayhaqi, saheeh by al-Albaani).

Instead of sitting down and making Dua at this precious time, some people forego this beautiful chance, and are too busy frying samosas, talking, setting the food, filling their plates and glasses, etc. Think about it....Is food more important than the chance to have your sins forgiven or the fulfillment of your Duas.

16 : Fasting but not praying

The fasting of one who does not pray WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. This is because not praying constitutes kufr as the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer." (Muslim)

In fact, NONE of his good deeds will be accepted; rather, they are all annulled.

"Whoever does not pray Asr, his good deeds will be annulled." (Bukhaari)

17 : Fasting and not wearing Hijaab

Not wearing the Hijaab is a major sin as it is obligatory for Muslim women. (See Surah Nur, Surah Ahzaab). So fasting and not wearing hijaab certainly takes away enormously from the rewards of fasting, even if does not invalidate it.

18 : Not fasting because of exams or work

Exams or work is NOT one of the excuses allowed by the Shariah to not fast. You can do your studying and revision at night if it is too hard to do that during the day. Also remember that pleasing and obeying Allaah is much more important than good grades. Besides, if you will fulfil your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allaah will make it easy for you and help you in everything you do.

"Whosoever fears Allah, He will appoint for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect, Allah is Sufficient for whosoever puts his trust in Him." (Surah at-Talaaq 2-3)

19 : Mixing fasting and dieting

DO NOT make the mistake of fasting with the intention to diet. That is one of the biggest mistakes some of us make (esp. sisters). Fasting is an act of worship and can only be for the sake of Allah alone.

Otherwise, mixing it with the intention of dieting may become a form of (minor) Shirk.

20 : Fighting over the number of Rakaah of Taraweeh

There is no specific number of rakahs for Taraweeh prayer, rather it is permissible to do a little or a lot. Both 8 and 20 are okay. Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: "No one should be denounced for praying eleven or twenty-three (rakaah), because the matter is broader in scope than that, praise be to Allaah."

21 : Praying ONLY on the night of the 27th

Some people pray ONLY on the 27th to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights, although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Seek Lailat ul-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan." (Bukhaari, Muslim).

22 : Wasting the last part of Ramadaan preparing for Eid

Some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadaan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting Ibadah and Lailatul Qadr. although, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to strive the hardest during the last ten days of Ramadaan in worship (Ahmad, Muslim) and not in shopping. Buy whatever you need for Eid before Ramadaan so that you can utilize the time in Ramadaan to the max.

Aaishah (RA) said: “When the (last) ten nights began, the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam)) would tighten his waist-wrapper (i.e., strive hard in worship or refrain from intimacy with his wives), stay awake at night and wake his family.” (Bukhaari and Muslim).

23 : Iftaar parties

Although inviting each other for breaking fast is something good and encouraged, some people go to extremes with lavish Iftaar parties with all sorts of disobedience to Allaah, from flirting, mixing of the sexes and hijaab-less women, to show-off and extravagance, to heedlessness to Salaah, and Taraweeh to even music and dancing.