RAMADAN AND MUSLIMS “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it wasprescribed for those before you, that you may develop God-consciousness.” (Quran 2:183) The fourth Pillar of Islam, the Fast of Ramadan, occurs once each year during the 9thlunar month, the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which: “…the Quran was sent down as a guidance for the people.” (Quran 2:185) God in His infinite mercy has exempt the ill, travelers,and others who are unable from fasting Ramadan. Ramadan is also the month in which the first revelation came to the Prophet Muhammad, and thus is called the “Month of the Quran”. An Early Meal “Eat a predawn meal, for indeed in it there is blessing.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari) The most beloved of the voluntary prayers is one called “Qiyaam –ul-Layl”, or the Night Prayer [1]. This prayer is performed before the dawn prayer in solitude. It is so beloved that it is usually nicknamed “the Prayer of the Pious”, a prayer performed by the devout when the majority of people are still sleeping in their beds. God described this prayer in the Quran, saying: “Their sides forsake from (their) beds, calling upon their Lord in fear and in hope….” (Quran 32:16) “The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts tremble with fear, and when His Verses are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone).” (Quran 8:2) Being the month in which the Quran was revealed, Muslims are even more zealous to recite its entirety, as this was also done by the Prophet. “[The Prophet] would meet him (Gabriel) every night in Ramadan and they would recite the Quran to each other.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari) The Prophet warned Muslims against certain sins they might easily fall into and thus ruin the goal of fasting. The Prophet said: “Whoever does not stop speaking falsehood and acting inaccordance with it, God has no need of him giving up his food and drink.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari) He also warned against being provoked into behaving rudely. He encouraged Muslims to respond to one who may provoke him by saying: “Indeed I am fasting, Indeed I am fasting.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari) Before sunset, the family gathers at the dining table in wait for the mu’ezzin, utilizing this time supplicating to Allah and asking Him for His Mercy. “Indeed for each fasting person there is a prayer which is answered when they break their fast.” (Tuhfat-ul-Muhtaj) Once the call to prayer is heard, Muslims hurry to break their fast with dates, in emulation of the Prophet, and offer words of gratitude taught by the Prophet. “The Thirst has been quenched, and the veins have become moist and full, and the reward is certain, God willing.” (Abu Dawood) Prophet Muhammad encouraged to feed others during this blessed month in his saying: “Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, he will have a reward equal to his (the fasting person)…” (Al-Tirmidhi) the Prophet spoke the truth when he said: “The fasting person will feel two moments of joy: one moment when he breaks his fast and another when he meets his Lord.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari) Thetaraweehprayer is a means of forgiveness, as the Prophet said: “Whoever stands the night in prayer in Ramadan believing in God and seeking His reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari) The Last Ten Nights 1. “Indeed we have revealed it (the Quran) in the Honored Night. 2. And what will explain to you what the Honored Nightis? 3. The Honored Night is better than a thousand months. 4. In it, the angels descend as well as the Spirit (Gabriel) by the permission of their Lord, with all types of decrees. 5. ‘Peace’ it is until the rising of dawn.” (Quran:97:1-5 “When he entered the [last] ten [nights] of Ramadan, the Prophet would ‘rollup his sleeves’ and give life to the whole night, and waken his family.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari) Prophet said: “Whoever stood in prayer in the Honored Night, believingin God and hoping for His reward, all his previous sins willbe forgiven.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari) Ramadan is a month of forgiveness, and people hopethat they will people from those who are saved from the Fire: “God chooses who will be saved from the Fire (in Ramadan), and that is every night.” (Al-Tirmidhi) The Prophet encouraged people to visit the Kaaba and perform the lesser pilgrimage, orUmrah. He said: “Indeed performing Umrah in Ramadan is equal to performing Hajj with me.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari) “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan, believing in God and hoping for His reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari) “Whoever stands the night in prayer in Ramadan believing in God and seeking His reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari) “Whoever stood in prayer in the Honored Night, believingin God and hoping for His reward, all his previous sins willbe forgiven.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari) Ramadaan in general is a month of savior from the Fire: “God chooses who will be saved from the Fire (in Ramadan), and that is every night.” (Al-Tirmidhi) “The Prophet was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous in Ramadan.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
Posted on: Thu, 11 Jul 2013 04:33:28 +0000
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