IlmNotes

The following was prepared by the Muslim chaplain at the University of Maryland. May Allah grant him the best in this life and in the next. Ameen!

It goes without saying that no success comes without planning. The month of Ramadan is upon us and it is the month that the believer must exert his/her utmost to win the ultimate prize of being selected by Allah to be amongst the inhabitants of Jannah. This is an opportunity that might never come again in our lives, so let’s commit to Allah that we will be amongst those who race towards Him, with all the energy that we have. To plan appropriately for this blessed month, I composed a quick list of important things that all of us should strive to do for the entire month of Ramadan insha’Allah:

1. Intention… intention… intention:

Set your intention to worship Allah as best as you can this month. Be specific. Set your goals high. If you make the intention to read the Quran twice, but you couldn’t because of something outside of your control, then insha’Allah you will get the reward of reading it twice. What can beat that?

2. Salah:

• Pray All 5 prayers on time

• Brothers should strive to make all of their Fajr, Isha and Taraweeh prayers in congregation. Try your best to pray in the first row.

• Sisters should strive to attend Taraweeh prayers if they can.

• Pray all Sunnah prayers: 2 before Fajr prayer, 4 before Duhr and 2 after (or vice versa), 2 after Maghrib, and 2 after Isha.

3. Quran:

• Read the Quran at least once this month. Read a 30th of the Quran everyday if able to recite fluently, and 30th of the translation if not conversant in Arabic.

• Set a time each day for reading Quran (e.g. after Fajr, early afternoon, before Iftaar, etc.)

4. Make more dhikr (remembrance of Allah):

• Make dikhr after each obligatory prayer. After each prayer, say: “subhanallah (how perfect and exalted Allah is)” 33 times, “Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah)” 33 times, and “Allahu Akbar (Allah is greater)” 33 times. End this by saying: “There’s no God but Allah, the one without partners, to Him belongs the kingdom and praise, and He’s most capable over everything”. It is narrated that the prophet, peace be upon him, said that the sins of whoever says the above after each prayer will be forgiven even if his/her sins were like the size of the foam of the ocean.

• Make Istighfar ‘(seeking forgiveness from Allah) at least 100 times each day, by repeating the words of: “Astaghfirullah” (I see forgiveness from Allah), as the prophet, peace be upon him, did.

5. Give charity / feed people:

• Be generous to the extent of your resources, as the reward will be more during this month, even if it’s a dime each day of Ramadan. If you can’t, give away some clothes you don’t wear. Just give something for the sake of Allah.

• If you can, sponsor an iftar or invite people to eat iftar with you. The Prophet Muhammad (S) said , ” He who feeds a fasting person will gain the same reward as he will. Without decreasing from the fasting person’s rewards.”

6. Keep good relations with people:

• Do not argue, dispute, or abuse anyone around you.

• Watch your mouth and control it

• Do not backbite, gossip, or curse (one curse word can ruin your fast)

• Be easy, gentle, forgiving, and keep good manners with everyone around you.

• Seek forgiveness from everyone who may have beef with you.

• Pay extra attention to caring about your parents and demonstrate to them, by action and words, that you love them.

7. Make as much dua’ah as possible:

• Make wish list of all things you want to ask Allah for. Make dua’ah to Allah for those things everyday.

• Don’t forget to make dua’ah right before Iftaar. Allah does not turn down the dua’ah of the fasting person when he/she breaks their fast. Also make lots of dua’ah in the last 1/3 of the night.

• Make dua’ah for all Muslims around the world.

8. Make dawah:

• Teach someone something this month about Allah and Islam.

• Push those around you (gently of course) to do their utmost and remind each other about Allah.

• Help everyone who asks for help from you. Relief those who need relief, and make people around you feel good.

• If you go to the masjid, don’t forget about those around you. Make sure you take someone with you. It is narrated that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said that if Allah were to guide someone through you, it is better for you than everything that the sun has set rays upon.

9) Study hard:

• If you are a student, don’t use Ramadan an excuse to neglect your school work. Success in school is an obligation upon you and Allah will reward you immensely for each hard moment you spend to study for His sake. So try your absolute best and rely upon Allah.

10) Do not eat big meals; eat moderately even if invited to a feast.

11) Monitor your time constantly and leave off hanging around your buddies. Read the Quran as much as you can instead.