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A FEW
IMPORTANT DIRECTIVES FOR THE MONTH OF RAMADHAANUL
MUBAARAK By the Late Hadhrat
Maulana Muhammad Badre Aalam
I write these few important words to Muslims generally and
especially to my associates, be they menfolk or womenfolk. The
Mubarak fasting month of Ramadaan comes but once a year, and
this is a month bestowed with a lot of Barakat. One of its
special qualities is that if this time is spent in righteous
devotion then the Barakat of this month will remain for the
full year, and if this time is unfortunately wasted
negligently then no Barakat will remain until the next
Ramadaan. Because of this it is urgent that all my Muslim
brothers and associates should make a programme for the month
of Ramadaan in which, according to inclination and
opportunity, they set aside a special time for devotion in
this month.
- When one awakes for Sehri, and by eating prepares for
the following day, similarly should it be considered
necessary to prepare spiritually for the same period, by
making at least 8 rakats or the full 12 rakats of Tahajjud,
and if there is time, by sincerely reciting Tasbeeh
(Subhanallah), Tahleel (La ilaha illallah), Tahmeed
(Alhamdulillah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar), and Istighfaar
(Astaghfirullah). In the same way these 5 praises should not
be forgotten after each of the 5 Fard Salaats. This should
in earnestness, be the daily schedule. In the second ten
days devotion should be increased, and in the last ten days
of Ramadaan-ul-Mubarak, in search of Laylatul Qadr,
devotions should be further intensified. For obtaining this
Sawaab, if possible, the whole night or most of the night
should be spent in Tilaawat (recital of Quraan) and
repeating of Kalima Tayyeba, Kalima Tamjid, Kalima Tawheed,
Istighfaar, Towba and performing Salaat etc. During this
time there is no objection in taking food and drink or
discussing religious matters to assist in staying awake, but
it should be borne in mind that by staying awake, the Fajr
Salaat should not be jeopardised. For these devotions,
sacrifices have to be made; for instance to stay awake one
should eat less. To eat one has the remaining eleven months.
Hadhrat Anas RA. relates: "Once with the approach of
Ramadaan Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam)
said. 'On you has come such a month in which there is a
night which is superior to one thousand months. That
unfortunate person who has missed this night has deprived
himself of all good and only that person is excluded from
the bounty of this night who is in fact very unfortunate"'.
In many Ahadeeth, mention has been made about the
auspiciousness of this night.
- During this month of Barakat Kalima Tayyeba, Durood and
Istighfaar should frequently be read even whilst sitting,
walking etc. This month is important for the Tilaawat of
Quraan, for it was revealed in this month. It is our duty to
read Durood on Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi
Wasallam) and this should be read and repeated as many
times as practicable.
- Fasting during this month is just as obligatory as the
five Fard Salaats. No Muslim should be lax with his Sawm and
should be more mindful of his five Fard Salaats than at
other times. More attention must be given to Tahaarat
(Paaki), Jama'at and modesty in this month. To neglect the
Sawm and make Salaat is as sinful as to observe fast and be
careless with ones Fard Salaat.
- In this Mubarak month it is more important to stay away
from evil than to do good deeds. As much as possible one
should endeavour to save the eyes, ears, tongue, heart and
all parts of the body from the slightest sin. One should
especially refrain from slander and harmful talk. Kindness,
good manners and the remembrances of Allah are the ornaments
of this month of Barakat, and these should not be destroyed
by vulgarity and bad manners.
- This is the month in which sympathy should be shown to
the needy and poor. Therefore one should give as much as can
be afforded in Sadaqa, Khayrat, Iftari, Sehri etc., and
preparation should be made for the Hereafter. It is stated
in the Hadeeth that anyone who provides a fasting person
with Iftari, it will assist him in having his sins forgiven,
save him from the fire, and he will receive as much reward
(Sawaab) as the person who has fasted. When giving charity.
It must be clearly borne in mind that ones Niyyat should be
free of attaining fame and publicity, for this will nullify
the reward. 'A good way of making charity is to send some
money at the end of every ten days with the niyyat of Sawab
to the homes of the poor and needy (those who do not go out
to beg). In this way one could sympathise with them.
- Especially on the night of Eid, staying awake, being
aware of its importance, and knowing that it is the end of
the Mubarak month, one should ask for whatever one wants and
seek forgiveness for ones sins. Similarly on Eid day make
Miswaak, change into clean clothes and use Itr. All this
should be done with the Niyyat of observing Sunnat and not
in imitation of other unbelieving people. If unfortunately
on this Islamic occasion one takes part in cinema shows and
places of evil, then it so much resembles the ways of the
unbelievers that it is difficult to call it an Islamic
festival. Therefore people who regularly do these
undesirable things during the year should refrain from these
acts, so that non-Muslims can see the difference between the
Eid of Muslims and the festivals of non-Muslims. The
happiness of Muslims on this day should be because of the
completion of the important Ibaadat of Roza. Contrary to
this on Eid day Muslims are indulging in all sorts of
unlawful activities. How wonderful will it be if Muslims
could show other nations what a true Islamic Eid should be.
Note:- With regard to Ramadaan, Sheikh-ul-Hadeeth Maulana
Muhammad Zakariya Saheb of Mazahirul Uloom, Saharanpur,
India has written a book entitled 'Faza'le Ramadaan'
(Virtues of Ramadaan) in which he has selected Ahadeeth with
translation and commentary. It is important to obtain and
read or listen to it as opportunity allows, so that it
includes a yearning for devotion during this Mubarak month.
It is my sincere Duaa that Allah make this
Mubarak month bountiful for all Muslims and especially for my
associates and bless them to obtain as much of its Barakat as
possible and guide them according to the Sunnat and His
wishes. I appeal to all gracious readers and all my associates
to include me in their Isaale Sawaab and Duaas.
Waterval Islamic
Institute
Ramadhaan
1419
Source: Jamiatul Ulama (Kwazulu-Natal)
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