A Few important directives for the month of RamadHAaN

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 Barakah of this month will remain for the full year, and if this time is unfortunately wasted negligently then no Barakah 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 ?layhi 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.

By Maulana M Badre Aalam