Ten Ways to Receive Ramadan Muslims should not neglect the seasons of worship; rather, they must be among the first to excel in and compete in them. Allah the Almighty Says (what means): {So forthis let the competitors compete. }[Qur'an 83:26] So, we must try our best to receive the month of Ramadanin the following recommended ways: The first way: Supplicate Allah the Almighty to keep you alive and in good health until Ramadancomes so that you will be able to actively worship Allah the Almighty. It was narrated on the authority of Anas ibn Maalik that when the month of Rajabcame, the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhiwa sallam, said: “O Allah, bless Rajab andSha„baan for us, and let us live till the coming of Ramadan.”[Ahmad and At- Tabaraani] The righteous predecessors used to supplicate Allah the Almighty to let them live until the coming of Ramadanand to accept it from them. At the sighting of the new moon, supplicate Allah the Almighty saying: “O Allah, let this moon come to us with security and faith; with safety and Islam;and guidance to what You love andapprove. My Lord and your Lord isAllah.”[At-Tirmithi, Ad-Daarimi, and Ibn Hibbaan: Saheeh] The second way: Thanking Allah the Almighty for attending this month. In his book Al-Athkaar, Imam An-Nawawi says, “Itis recommended for the person whoexperiences an obvious favor or is protectedfrom an obvious curse that he prostrates ingratefulness to Allah the Almighty or praisesHim duly.”Among the greatest blessings Allah the Almighty grants the slave is guiding him to obedience and worship. When Ramadancomes and the Muslim is in good health, this is a great blessing worthy of thankfulness and it requires the praise of Allah the Almighty Who bestows it. All perfect and continuous praise be to Allah the Almighty as suits the majesty of His Face and His Great Authority. The third way: Happiness and joy. The Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, was authentically reported to have congratulated his Companions on the coming of Ramadan. The Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhiwa sallam, said: “Ramadan has come to you. It is a blessed month during whichAllah the Almighty prescribed fastingand in this month the gates of theheavens are open and the gates of Hellare shut…”[Ahmad] Our righteous predecessors, the Companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu„alayhi wa sallam, and those who followed them in the best way, used to take great care of the month of Ramadanand were happy with its arrival. There is no happiness greater than receiving the news of the approach of Ramadan, the season of blessings and the descent of mercy. The fourth way: Planning in advance how to benefit from Ramadan. Unfortunately, many people — even practicing Muslims —draw detailed plans for worldly affairs of this life, whereas only a few of them plan for the affairs of the Hereafter. This results from the lack of awareness about the mission of the believer in this life, or forgetting or deliberately ignoring that there are numerous chances for the Muslim with Allah the Almighty and important periods of time to train oneself in to be firm in this regard. Planning for the affairs of the Hereafter includes planning to invest Ramadanin acts of worship. A Muslim must put a practical plan into action that spans the days and nights of Ramadanin obedience to Allah the Almighty. This message is supposed to help Allah said in sura Ar-Ra'd 11„Verily! Allah will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves“.THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM The Message of Islam July 29 2011 28 Sha’ b an 1432 Email: www.imamsedin.wordpress.com
