Categories
Fasting New Muslims

Ramadan’s Chronicles: One Supplication a Day

Ramadan is almost here!

Millions of Muslims around the world are eagerly and passionately waiting for the new moon of Ramadan.

The majority of Muslims will celebrate the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan on Wednesday, July 10, while some Muslim minorities will observe the dawn-to-dusk month a day earlier.

As we dedicate our time during the Holy Month to get closer to Allah through prayers, reading the Qur’an, supplication is a key component that our prayer should contains during the Holy Month of Ramadan, which was also an authentic sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Every day of fasting is a forward step to the next, that is, we need to plan and prepare our Ramadan’s chronicle right from the first night of the precious month.

So, what kinds of supplications are there, and what should we say? What if I don’t speak Arabic? How can I supplicate, talk to my Lord, get in touch with Him? Dr. Tariq Ramadan will guide us through this.

[ica_orginalurl]

Categories
Fasting New Muslims

Ramadan’s Chronicles: Day 1

Here we are on the first day of Ramadan with a new life, a new beginning and a new breath….

With Dr. Tariq Ramadan series Ramadan Chronicles: One Supplication a Day we learn a new du`aa’ each day of the Holy Month.

Here’s the first day’s….

 

[ica_orginalurl]

Categories
Fasting New Muslims

Ramadan’s Chronicles: Day 2

It’s the second day of our fasting, and in efforts to get closer to God every day, what supplication should we learn today?

What should we ask God today? How could we get closer to Allah, truly feel that intimacy?

The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say: “Allahumma a`inni `ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husn `ibadatika (O Allah help me in remembering You, in thanking You and in worshipping You in the best way).”

Let’s learn the meaning of this du`aa’ with Dr. Tariq Ramadan…

[ica_orginalurl]

Categories
Fasting New Muslims

Ramadan Checklist: Get on the Right Track

Why are we fasting? What is the true purpose of fasting? And what is the wisdom behind this act of worship? What is intended to teach us? And how is it supposed to transform our life?

Let’s ponder on God’s words:

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn taqwa (God-consciousness). (Al-Baqarah 2:183)

So, how could we do this; attain taqwa through our fasting?

How could we make use of the Holy Month to transform our whole life, be better individuals, get closer to God, etc?

What exactly should we do, focus on? How to ascend gradually in our worship over the whole month?

Follow these very productive, practical tips….

[ica_orginalurl]

Categories
Fasting New Muslims

Ramadan Daily: Extra Good Deeds

Ramadan is a very special and precious quest, make use of its limited presence while the doors of paradise are swung open, and the doors of hell-fire are shut.

Through the 30 days of fasting increase good deeds and acts of worship as possible as you can, knock earnestly on the doors of God’s mercy, get closer and closer to Him. But, how?

Here are some tips to help you reach these goals gradually…

[ica_orginalurl]

Categories
Fasting New Muslims

Plan Your Schedule in Ramadan

Daily Planning

During these 30 days of mercy and forgiveness, we have the privilege of getting closer to Allah so much that we are expected to be given whatever we ask for.

Abu Hurairah reported that our dear Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “He who observes fasting during the month of Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward from Allah, will have his past sins forgiven.” (Al-Bukhari)

We are now witnessing the most important yearly spiritual experience in a Muslim’s life. During these 30 days of mercy and forgiveness, we have the privilege of getting closer to Allah (Exalted be He) so much that we are expected to be given whatever we ask for. This article will focus on tips to follow during Ramadan.

The First Night of Ramadan

Before the first night of Ramadan, Muslims all around the world wait for the announcement of the month. So, how to collect reward from this moment?

Try to look for the new moon with the family, make the little ones busy with this. However, if the religious authority in your country announces the beginning of Ramadan and you are still unable to see the new moon, you should accept the decision without any fuss.

Send greetings to family members and friends. If you live in a non-Muslim community, try to explain the significance of Ramadan to your neighbors. It is important to explain to them that Ramadan is more than just abstaining from eating and drinking.

Share the joy of Ramadan with your children. Do not refer to the night of `Eid (festival day)! Kids should feel that the coming of Ramadan is a special event to celebrate, even if they do not fast it yet. Involve them in decorating the house, making lamps using craft work, etc.

Do not miss Tarawih (night Prayer in Ramadan). Many people miss the Tarawih Prayer on the first night of Ramadan for different reasons. They say the first day of Ramadan starts after midnight, and thus they don’t attend the first Tarawih. Others are occupied with congratulation calls regarding the coming of Ramadan. Some others may just forget it.

Keep Niyyah

Ibn `Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Actions are judged by intention. A man will be rewarded only for what he has intended.” (Al-Bukhari)

Intention (niyyah) in Islam has an immense importance. During the first night of Ramadan, make a lot of good intentions and ask Allah to help you fulfill them. Examples of intentions:

–      Fasting for Allah’s sake

–      Having a rewarded month

–      Attaining inner peace

–      Pardoning friends and family members

–      Witnessing the Night of Qadr and getting its rewards

–      Preparing food for the fasting persons to get the reward

Daily Planning

While planning your schedule, there are two points that should be taken into account. First, do not pile tasks on our schedule and wait till the appropriate minute to fulfill them. Instead, you should allocate an enough time for each task. Second, there are blessed moments in Ramadan that we should not miss by focusing on other tasks. For example, you should not visit people during Tarawih (night Prayer in Ramadan), or watch a religious program right after Fajr when you are supposed to do dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and read the Qur’an.

Divide your day into at least 6 parts:

– The morning: For sahur (pre-dawn meal) Tahajjud (Night Prayer), Fajr Prayer, reciting Qur’an after Fajr, istighfar (asking forgiveness).

– Work: Fasting is not an excuse to be inefficient at work. It does not justify being ill tempered because you miss your coffee or cigarette. Concentrate on dhikr (remembrance of Allah) especially while waiting in traffic, driving to and from work, etc.

– From `Asr to Maghrib: 30 minute nap, family time, reciting Qur’an, watching an educational program, reading about the Prophets´ stories, preparing Iftar (breaking the fasting meal) and any other task you planned for.

– Breaking fast

– `Isha’ and Tarawih: It is unnecessary to spend hours in traffic to go to a mosque with the best sheikh in the city. Choose a masjid in your neighborhood.

– Night: This time depends on when you complete the Tarawih Prayers. (Family time, completing other tasks, Qiyam)

– Keep each salah as a time interval between tasks, so you can pray at the masjid if possible.

– Have intention for i´tikaf (staying in the masjid for a particular time period in the worship of Allah with certain conditions).

Monthly Planning

– Divide the month into three parts where each part consists of 10 days. This is an efficient way to accomplish your schedule in this blessed month.

– Set the goals you want to fulfill in each of the 10 days. Write them in a separate column. You could concentrate on social tasks in the first 10 days, family tasks the following 10 days, du`aa’ and dhikr (personal spirituality) in the last ten days. I do not mean to totally separate your tasks, but give you a rough time period to focus on.

– Start dividing these tasks and goals. If your lifestyle is organized with minimal surprises, you can plan these 10 days in advance. If not, try and make a draft for 2 days. Making a draft helps you feel less guilty if something unexpected happens. This does not mean that you get out of your actual task but, you might need to double the effort for the next 2 days. Place an X on completed tasks, to give you a sense of accomplishment.

– For the last 10 days of Ramadan, try to intensify all kinds of `ibadat (acts of worship), especially praying at night.

– Recite the whole Qur’an. In case you cannot read, listen to it and read the translation.

‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: I asked: “O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Laylat Al-Qadr (Night of Decree), what should I supplicate in it?” He replied, “You should supplicate: Allahumma innaka `afuwwun, tuhibbul `afwa, fa`fu `anni (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me).”(At-Tirmidhi)

Last Night of Ramadan

After all the effort of planning, helping others, praying, fasting and keeping good intentions, we will reach the last night of Ramadan hoping for the great reward of being saved from the fire and accepted in the Heaven. It is important to trust Allah that He will accept your hard work. At the night of `Eid, the joy is not because we are not supposed to fast the next day. Yet, it is because we have accomplished an act of worship that is most beloved to Almighty Allah.

– Supplicate Allah that He accepts all of your efforts done in Ramadan, and that He supports you to sustain your productivity after Ramadan.

– Share greetings for `Eid (feast).

– Give the kids the joy of `Eid (new clothes, money, decorating the house, gifts, going to the park and making plans for the day of `Eid)

– Do not forget to pay Zakat Al-Fitr (the charity paid during the month of Ramadan). It is preferable to delay it to the last days of Ramadan, as reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) in this concern. However, scholars stated that it is permissible to give it during the whole month.

– Do not forget the families with limited income. Although you pay your Zakat Al-Fitr, you are still asked to donate for those people in order to bless them with Ramadan and `Eid.

– As soon as the authorities prove it to be the end of Ramadan, start repeating the Takbir (Saying “Allahu Akbar” [i.e. Allah is the Greatest]) and teach it to the young ones.

These are some of my tips for Ramadan, please share yours! I will pray from the heart that Allah accepts all of our good deeds and efforts this Ramadan. Please do not forget me in your du`aa’.

_________________________

Source: productivemuslim.com

 

[ica_orginalurl]

Categories
Fasting New Muslims

Ramadan’s Chronicles: Day 3

On our journey to learn, understand supplications we can’t overlook what the prophets and messengers of Allah (peace be upon them all) were saying and asking Allah when there were facing hardships, calamity, when they were facing people rejecting them or even in times of success and achievements while calling to Allah and conveying His message.

So, what did the prophets and messengers of God say in their du`aa’ to God, what did they ask Him?

The Qur’an mentions many examples of these supplications. Learn here one of Prophet Abraham’s (peace be upon him) supplications….

[ica_orginalurl]

Categories
Fasting New Muslims

Ramadan’s Chronicles: Day 4

Are you one of those who ask God only when facing calamity and hardships, those who ask God to give them more and more in this life, forgetting about the hereafter?

About these people God say:

Some people say, “Lord, give us what we want in this life,” but in the life hereafter they have no beneficial share. (Al-Baqarah 2:200)

Could this be the sole objective behind making supplication to God, talking to Him? Could getting our worldly needs and desires met be the reason why we pray to God, worship Him?

Do we try to connect to God only in times of hardships and adversity? Is this the only way we talk to Him?

Is this sincere belief in God? Could it keep a true tie with our Lord?

So, what should we learn to ask God in order that we get a balance between this life and the hereafter; what should the true believer ask God?

This is what the Qur’an teaches us…

[ica_orginalurl]

Categories
Fasting New Muslims

Ramadan’s Chronicles: Day 5

Out of true belief in Allah, we turn to Him, ask Him to remain true believers with deep unshakable faith in Him. So, what should we ask God to help us remain mindful of Him, be always on His true path?

Allah (Exalted is He)  says in the Qur’an:

They say, “Lord, do not cause our hearts to deviate from Your guidance, and grant us mercy. You are the Most Awarding One”. (Aal `Imran 3:8)

So, what is the significance of this du`aa’, what do we understand from it? How does it help in strengthening our relation with God, be always mindful of His presence?

Listen attentively to Dr. Tariq Ramadan here…

[ica_orginalurl]

Categories
Fasting New Muslims

Special Du`aa’ Not to Miss in Ramadan

Supplication and du`aa’ in Ramadan is an act of Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Here are some authentic supplications related to the Holy Month…

Supplication and du`aa’ in Ramadan is an act of Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Here are some authentic supplications related to the Holy Month…

1- The supplication of seeing the new crescent of Ramadan:

It is to say, “Allahumma ahillahu `alayna bil-amni wal-iman was-salamati wal-islam. Rabbi wa rabbuka Allah (Oh Allah, make it a start full of peace and faith, safety and Islam. My lord and your lord is Allah.)

Notice how this supplication pairs peace and faith as if they are twins. Both words (amn and iman) sound alike because one is derived from the other. In another narration, it mentions (silm “i.e. peace” and Islam) pairing peace and Islam, because again one is derived from the other.  In short, the two most important concepts in our religion (Islam and faith) are both derived from the words that mean peace in Arabic, amn and silm.  We ask Allah to make this Ramadan full of peace.

2- The supplication of breaking the fast at sunset:

Dhahaba adh-Dhama’ wabtallatil-`urooq wa thabatal-ajr insha’ Allah (Thirst is gone, the veins are wet, and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills.)

Remember, the time of breaking the fast is one of the times where du‘aa’ is likely to be answered.  So, you can accompany this Prophetic du‘aa’ with any other du‘aa’ of your own.

3- The supplication when someone annoys you:

Inniee sa’im, inni saa’im (I’m fasting, I’m fasting)

Imam An-Nawawi mentions that this either should be said loud so the aggressor can hear and hopefully stop, or it should be said in silence as a self-reminder. Yet, the first opinion is stronger.

4- The supplication after breaking fast with a group:

aftara `indakum as-saa’imoon, wa akala ta`amakum al-abrar, wa sallat `alaikum al-malaa’ikah” (May the fasting people break the fast at your place! And may the pious eat from your food! And may the angels pray for you!)

5- The supplication of the Night of Al-Qadr:

Allahumma innaka `afuwun tuhibbul-` afawa, fa’fu `anni (Oh Allah, You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness, so forgive me!)

_________________________

Source: muslimmatters.org.

[ica_orginalurl]