Making the most of Ramadan 2017

The most auspicious month of the Muslim community will commence from Friday evening, May 26 after sighting of the hair-thin, feebly visible crescent new moon in the skies. Once the moon is sighted, the Imam or the governing body of the Muslim community of a particular country region, FIANZ (Federation of Islamic Association of NZ) in the case of New Zealand, declares the beginning of Ramadan.

Besides the norm of fasting from dawn to dusk, Ramadan has many other activities attached to it. For some, it is just abstaining from food during the daylight and feast at dusk, but Ramadan according to Holy Quran and Hadith (teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) is far beyond just controlling ones’ desire for food and water.

The purpose of this month is to get close to the creator, pray as much as possible, give charity, mend relationships, most important of all repent for the sins committed. The idea is to get into a schedule of making the most of the time to abstain from worldly desires and come close to Allah (Subhana wa'tala, swt) and try to follow this routine for the next 11 months.

The following article has some suggestions as to what to do and what to avoid and how to make the most of this Ramadan. To make sure that one is satisfied or has at least walked a few extra miles in coming close to the Almighty at the end of this holy month.

Fasting: Without a doubt, all adults must fast with exceptions to children under 11, sick, travellers, menstruating women and the mentally challenged. Fasting makes a person much wiser, gives them a chance to feel the plight of the impoverished, control their desires and obey the call of Allah.

Read Quran: Scholars say an individual’s closeness to Allah (swt) can be calculated with his closeness to the Holy Quran. The Holy Quran was sent to earth in the month of Ramadan, and every Muslim is asked to read the Quran as much as possible and understand the message given by Allah.

One should try to finish reading the whole of the Quran multiple times within this month, if not, then read this book completely, at least once. In Urdu, reading the Holy Quran is called ‘tilawat’, and one should spend most of his time increase his closeness to this book.

Do Dhikr or Zikr: As per Hadith, the reward for every single good deed in Ramadan is multiplied by 70 times. The most simple form of Dhikr is saying ‘Subhan-Allah, Alhumdullillah’ and Allah-u-Akbar’, or recite the six Kalimas (phrases, the significant part of ones’ belief in Allah), recite Astaghfaar, Darood-Shareef, etc. There are three parts of 10 days each in the Ramadan month called Ashuras, and each of the ashurah has different small du’as to be recited.

The best way to make the most of Ramadan is to do Dhikr besides reading Quran and making Salah. One can utilise their free time or idle time to do Dhikr such as while driving, cooking, cleaning, before sleeping, sitting, walking, before and after prayers. None of the ways of worship is to be belittled in the path of Allah.

Establish five times Salah (Prayer): It is compulsory for an adult to offer all five-time prayers, that too on stipulated time prioritising to pray in groups and at the Masjid. If one misses praying in time, they should complete the prayer whenever possible during the day or night.

Some of the Muslims may not pray the Fajr Salah (Prayer just before sunrise) on time, and Ramadan can be a good opportunity to get up early and make Fajr prayers on time and eventually make it a habit. Besides five times compulsory Salah, one should also make lots of Na'fl Salah.

Give Zakat-ul-Fitr: Charity is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it is important that one offers their Zakat-ul-Fitr before going for their Eid prayers so that the poor and needy can make use of it in an appropriate manner.

Get up for Tahajjud: The Tahajjud Salah is a special prayer made after Isha (night Salah) and Fajr (obligatory morning prayer). It is most desirable to perform the Tahajjud between midnight and Fajr, preferably in the last third of the night. One should offer Tahajjud in silence and seclusion and repent for their sins and get redemption and forgiveness from Allah. It is the time of the night that Allah (swt) loves the most and He asks his believers to ask whatever they need.

Offer Taraweeh: Taraweeh is one of the most important parts of Ramadan that starts with the sighting of the Ramadan moon and then concluding it by the sighting the moon of Eid. Taraweeh or special prayers are made after the Isha prayers, at the Masjid, in a congregation and behind the Imam (cleric or person leading the Salah). During the Taraweeh, the Imam recites the whole Quran in chapters and paragraphs extended over 30 or less days. It is recommended for an individual to complete listening to the whole Quran by attending a selected Masjid of choice.

Give family and community more time: Ramadan is also an opportunity to make more time for the family, have Iftar (breaking the fast) with family, friends and community members and in groups.

Invite non-Muslims for Iftar: Islam encourages individuals and families to invite community members and non-Muslims to the Iftar table and make them an essential part of the event.

Get regular at Masjids: Ramadan is a time to become more regular to the house of Allah, that is Masjid. Attend all five-time prayers in the Mosque and in a congregation and spend more time in the Masjid reading the Quran or Hadith books.

Mend relationships: It is encouraged and recommended to mend broken ties and with family, relatives, community members and distanced friends. It is the time to forgive others and ask for forgiveness with one another so that Allah can forgive their trespasses.

Layalat-ul-Qadr: The five odd nights in the last nights of Ramadan is said to be the holiest and the most blessed nights of the year. The nights of Layalat-ul-Qadr are better than 1000 months or 83 years and 333 days. It is said in the Hadith that the Holy Quran was sent in one of the five odd nights of the last Ashura, (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th nights).

Deeds on these nights have magnified value, and one should pray from dusk to dawn on all the five nights. Pray for themselves, their family and communities and ask forgiveness for their sins.

The real joy of Eid-ul-Fitr can be understood by the person who has fasted, prayed, and made the most in the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan brings lots of joy and happiness in the world, and one should make sure they use the best of their time and space in remembering Allah.

Indian Weekender would like to wish all its readers a very happy Ramadan.