Quick preparation for RAMZAAN

[Muhammad Tauseef A. Bajwa]

Dears All....., ASSALAMUALIKKUM

We are now almost in the end of Sha'aban and there are just few days (hours) left to receive RAMADAN al Mubarak. Keeping the greatness of the holy month of Ramadan; I am forwarding this mail -in advance- for preparing ourselves to avail the opportunity to finish reading Holy Qur'an
during the Month of Ramadan. Let us work for this investment & May Almighty Allah shower His grace, mercy on us abundantly.

A Quick preparation for RAMZAAN
1. Start reading Quran daily after Salat al-Fajr.
2. Spend some time listening to recitations from the Quran.
3. Train yourself to go bed early so that you can wake up far
Salat al-Fajr.
4. Keep yourself in a state of Wudu (Ablution) most of the time.
5. Evaluate yourself daily before going bed.
6. Thank Allah for good deeds, and repents to Him for your
mistakes and sins.
7. Start giving Sadaqah daily, no matter how little. Make it a
habit like eating and drinking.
8. Find time to pray extras, such as Tahajjud prayers.
9. Spend more time reading Islamic books, especially the Quran,
Hadith, and Fiqh.
10. Find time to help others with your wisdom, knowledge and other
talents.
11. Try to write articles on Islam for Muslims as well as for non-Muslims.
12. Associate with Muslim scholars / ulama and other pious people so
that you may learn from them.
13. Train yourself to do good, render free service to others to seek
the pleasure of Allah.

What to avoid
1. Avoid/reduce watching TV; instead spend more time reading the
Quran and other Islamic literature.
2. Avoid looking at unlawful pictures, whether magazines,
department store catalogs or others.
3. Spend free time in Masajid, Islamic organizations and make
that a daily habit.
4 . If you smoke, try to reduce daily usage; otherwise Ramadan
will be very difficult for you to observe.

5. If you have friends, who do not practice the teaching of Islam, tries to
avoid socializing with them.

6 . If you travel a lot on business, try to do more local business, so you
can be more closer to your family and community.

7 . If you are used to staying up till midnight, try to go to bed earlier, so that
you will be able to wake up early for Salat al-Fajr and Tahajjud rayers as well.

To prepare ourselves before the month of Ramadan arrives is far better than waiting till it comes. To prepare ourselves for anything in life is a sign of wisdom and maturity. No one is assured of living one day more; tomorrow may not come. So hurry and benefit from blessings and rewards from Allah.

Remember: 'Time is not money or gold; it is life itself and is limited. You must begin to appreciate every moment of your life and always strive to make the best use of it.'

A Quick Checklist
1. Make a resolve to win the maximum favor of Allah by performing extra
Voluntary prayers (Nawaafil), making frequent Dua and increased
remembrance. .
2. Try to recite some Holy Quran after every Prayer. In fact if you read 3-4
pages after every Prayer you can easily finish the entire Quran in Ramadan!
3.. Study the Tafseer (commentary) every morning.
4. Invite a person you are not very close with or your relatives to your home for
Iftaar, at least once a week (Weekend). You will notice the blessings in
your Relationships!
5. Bring life to your family! Everyday, try to conclude the fast with your
family and spend some quality together to understand each other
better.
6. Make commitment to join Islamic study circles to learn more about Islam
and improve your own life.
7. Donate generously to the Masajid, Islamic organizations, and any where
people are in need or oppressed. 'Because; Ramadan, is a month of
sharing!'
8. Share month of Ramadan and its teachings of peace and patience with
your Neighbors.
9. Sleep little, eat little! Make sure you do not defeat the purpose of fasting
by over-indulging in food and being lazy.
10. Seek the rare and oft-neglected rewards of the night better than 1000
Months (Laylatul-Qadr / Shab-e-Qadr).
11. Weep in private for the forgiveness of your sins: Ramadan is the
month of Forgiveness and Allah's Mercy! It's never too late.
12. Learn to control your tongue and lower your gaze. Remember the
Prophet's (pbuh) warning that lying, backbiting, and a lustful gaze all violate the Ramadan fast!
13. Encourage others to enjoin and love goodness, and to abandon
everything that Allah dislikes. Play the role of a Da'ee (one who invites
to Allah) with Zeal, passion, and sympathy.
14. Experience the joy of Tahajjud prayers late at night and devote
yourself purely and fully to Allah in the Itikaf retreat during the last 10
days of Ramadan.

 

[Muhammad Tauseef A. Bajwa]

Rewards For Performing Taraweeh During Ramadaan



1ST NIGHT - Almighty Allah forgives all the sins of a moe'min.
2nd NIGHT - Your sins including your moe'min parents sins are forgiven.
3rd NIGHT - Below the Arash (Allah's throne) there an angel proclaims,"O, MOE'MIN make good deeds with sincerity, Allah has forgiven your past sins"
4th NIGHT - You are awarded the sawaab of reading Thaurat, Injeel, Zaboor and the Quraan Majid.
5th NIGHT - You get sawaab equal to that which you would gain if you read your namaaz in musjide Haram, Medina Munawara and masjide Aksa.
6th NIGHT - You gain the sawaab of the Tawaaf made by the 70,000 angels made at Baitul Mamoor on the 7th sky.
7th NIGHT - You receive the sawaab of those good people who helped Moosa A.S. when he fought Firon and Haman.
8th NIGHT - The rewards for the 8th tharawi are equal to the sawaab awarded to Ebrahim A.S.
9th NIGHT - The rewards of this night of Tharawi are equivalent to the sawaabs awarded to our HOLY PROPHET - MOHAMMED S.A.W. [P.B.O.H]
10th NIGHT - Allah proclaims for you all the best in the world.
11th NIGHT - The reward for this night is that when a moe'min leaves this world, he goes with faith {Imaan}
12th NIGHT - On the day of resurrection you will appear with a face with so much (Noor) lustre on it, as much as the lustre of the 14th moon.
13th NIGHT - On the day of resurrection, you will be protected from evil.
14th NIGHT - On the day of resurrection, the angels will be witnesses for the taraweeg you are performing. On this evidence Allah will grant your entry into Paradise without account.
15th NIGHT - All the Malaikaas, the Hoories and the Arsh-wa-Kursie (Allah's throne) plead for you before Allah for his mercy.
16th NIGHT - Allah gives instructions: to free you from Hell - to allow you entrance to Paradise.
17th NIGHT - Allah grants you the sawaab of the Ambias.
18th NIGHT - On this night a angel announces that Allah is happy with you, and your parents.
19th NIGHT- The reward for this night is that Allah makes your position greater in Paradise.
20th NIGHT- On this night Allah rewards you by granting to you the sawaab of the martyred and the pious.
21st NIGHT - On this night, Allah builds a house with lustre for you in Paradise.
22nd NIGHT - On the resurrection ground you will arrive duly freed from sorrow and worry.
23rd NIGHT - On this night Allah makes a garden ("shaher") for you in Paradise.
24th NIGHT - On this night Allah grants twenty-four duas (wishes).
25th NIGHT - Allah lifts his punishment form your grave.
26th NIGHT - Allah increases for you the sawaab of 40 years.
27th NIGHT - The rewards for this night of Tarawee are that you will be able to cross the Pul-Siraat (bridge) like lightning.
28th NIGHT - Your position in Paradise is increased by one stage.
29th NIGHT - Allah Ta'aala grants the sawaab of 1,000 "makabul" (accepted) Haj.
30th NIGHT - By performing this night of taraweeg you would be one of the many persons who, on the day of resurrection will hear Allah Ta'aala say in Paradise, "Eat whichever fruit you like to eat, bathe with the water of Salsabil and drink the Kauser water! I am thy Lord and you are my person (banda)! "

Ramadhaan - The Month Of Blessings​

Ramadhaan is a month of countless blessings and virtues. The word Ramadhaan is derived from "ramdh' which means "burning of the feet from heat" This is because of the fast, which burns the sins of a Muslim into ashes.
Ramadhaan has been given the name of blessed month because:
1. In this month, the whole Qur'aan was sent down to the first sky from Lawhe Mahfooz.
2. In this month, there is the night of Qadr which is better than 1000 months.
3. In this month, the thawaab of good deed is equal to the fardh of another
month.
4. This is the month of patience and the reward of this patience is Jannah.
5. This month teaches the lesson of kindness towards others.
6. In this month, the daily bread of Muslims is increased.
7. In this month, the first ten days are of mercy, second ten days are of
forgiveness and the last ten days are of being freed from Hell.
8.The month of Ramadhaan is a month in which the Mercy and Blessings of Allah Ta'aala descend upon us continuously.
This month is so precious that one should fast, recite Qur'aan and keep himself engaged in worship (Ibaadah) day night. One should perform Taraweeg, Nafl Salaah, make du'aa, etc. In this way, by giving preference to religion over self-desires, a person can acquire the Pleasure and Nearness of Allah. Each day and night of this blessed month can bring the reward of Ibaadah of years.
Ramadhaan In The Light Of Ahaadeeth
Ka'b Ibne 'Ujrah radhiyallahu anhu relates that the Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "Come near the pulpit," and we came near the pulpit.
When he ascended the first step of the pulpit, he said, "Aameen." When he ascended the second step, he said, "Aameen." When he ascended the third step, he said, "Aameen." When he descended, we said, "O Prophet of Allah
sallallahu alayhi wasallam, we have heard from you today something which we never heard before.
" He said, "When I ascended the first step, jibra'eel appeared before me and said, 'Woe to him who found the blessed month of Ramadhaan and let it pass by without gaining forgiveness. ' Upon that I said: Aameen. When I ascended the second step, he said, 'Woe to him before whom your name is mentioned and he does not read Durood (Salaat) on you.. 'I replied: Aameen. When I ascended the third step he said, 'Woe to him in whose presence his parents or either one of them attains old age, and (through failure to serve them) he is not allowed to enter Paradise.' I said: Aameen." (Bukhaari)
Salmaan radhiyallahu anhu relates that Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "Ramadhaan is a blessed month. In this month is a night better than 1000 months. Fasting has been made compulsory and Taraaweeh Sunnah. Whosoever tries drawing nearer to Allah by performing any virtuous deed in this month, for him shall be such reward as if he had performed a 'Fardh' in any other time of the year. And whoever performs a 'Fardh' for him shall be the reward of seventy 'Fardh' in any other time of the year.
This is indeed the month of patience, and the reward for patience is Paradise; it is the month of sympathy with one's fellowmen; this is the month wherein a true believer's Rizq is increased." Bayhaqi
In this month the doors of Paradise are opened and the doors of hell are closed. And the Shayaateen are chained. Bukhaari, Muslim
This is a month, the first part of which brings Allah's Mercy, the middle of which brings His forgiveness and the last part of which brings emancipation from the fire of Hell. Bayhaqi
During each day and night of this month, Allah sets free a great number of souls from Hell. And for every Muslim during each day and night, at least one prayer is certainly accepted. (Bazzaa)r

In this month, the Ummah of Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam are given these things specially.
1. The smell from the mouth of a fasting person is sweeter in the sight of Allah than the fragrant smell of musk..
2.. On their behalf the fish in the sea seek forgiveness until they break their fast.
3. For them, paradise is decorated everyday.
4. For them, the evil-minded shaytaan is chained.
5. On the last night of Ramadhaan they are forgiven.


THINGS TO DO IN THIS MONTH
Four things have been instructed in the Hadeeth, which one should continue to practice in abundance:
1.. Recite the ****mah Tayyibah.
2. Make Istighfaar.
3. Ask for Jannah.
4. Seek refuge in Allah from Hell.
In this month one should fast, perform all Salaat with congregation, engage in recitation of the Qur'aan, perform Taraaweeh, give charity and do whatever is possible to acquire the Pleasure of Allah. One should make sure that he does not do anything contrary to the Command of Allah and the teachings of His beloved Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam.
FASTING
In Ramadhaan, Allah has made fasting compulsory. It is one of the five pillars of Islam. Just like the flower, which outsmarts other flowers in its smell and colour, and like the fruit, which surpasses the other fruits in its taste, the Ibaadah of fasting outweighs the other forms of devotions in reward. A person gives up everything whilst fasting, only to please his Almighty Creator. It is one of the most accepted forms of Ibaadah, because Allah Himself will give the reward for fasting.
SEHRI
Allah and His Angels send Mercy upon those who eat Sehri. Allah has made Sehri full of mercy and blessings. People of other religions also fast, but they do not eat Sehri, therefore, to differ from them, it is advisable
to have at least a sip of water with the intention of Sehri.
IFTAAR
Many virtues have been narrated for those who feed others when breaking fast. A person who feeds another who fasted in order to break the fast (at sunset), for him there shall be forgiveness and emancipation from the fire of Hell. Allah grants the same reward to him who gives a fasting person a mere date or a drink of water to break his fast.
TARAWEEH
In Ramadhaan, Allah has made w0 Rak'at Taraaweeh Sunnah. It is also Sunnah to complete the full Qur'aan in Taraaweeh. Taraaweeh is Sunnah for women too.
LAYLATUL QADR
This is a night of great blessings. It is better than a thousand months. The people of the past had very long lives compared to the much shorter lives of this Ummah. If this Ummah then wished to compete with them in doing of the good deeds, it would mean that because of the shorter lives it would be impossible for this Ummah to either emulate or surpass them. For this reason, Allah in His Infinite Mercy granted this Ummah, this night of great blessing. This night has great virtues i.e.
1.. The Qur'aan was revealed in this night.
2. The reward of worship in this night is better than the reward of 1,000 months.
3. On this night, Jibraeel descends to the earth with a group of angels, reciting salaam and praying for the blessings for those they see in Worship and Praises Allah.
4.. This is a night of peace. The blessings and mercy descends right until the break of day.
The author of Mazahir-e-Haqq states the following significance and virtues of this auspicious night:
* On this night, the angles were created.
* On this night, the matter from which Adam alayhis salaam was created had been collected.
* On this night, Jannah and Jahannan were created.
* On this night, 'Eesaa alayhis salaam was raised up bodily into the heavens.
* On this night, the repentance of Banoo Israa'eel was accepted.
* It is stated in a Hadeeth: "Whosoever stands in Ibaadah on this night with sincere faith and with genuine hopes of gaining reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." (Bukhaari, Muslim)
WHICH NIGHT IS LAYLATUL QADR
There is a difference of opinion amongst the Ulamaa about this night.
According to the vast majority of them, the Laylatul Qadr falls on the odd dates of the last ten days of the month of Ramadhaan - i.e. 21, 23, 25, 27, and 29. However, one should strive to search for this great night in all nights of the month of Ramadhaan, particularly in the last ten nights.
I'TIKAAF
It was the general practice of Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam to perform I'tikaaf in the last ten days of Ramadhaan.. The women should also try to perform I'tikaaf in their homes. It is stated in a Hadeeth:
Whoever performs I'tikaaf in the final ten days of Ramadhaan, for him is the reward of Hajj and Umrah.