What to do in Ramadan?

Ramadan is a month that righteous Muslims wait for all year long. When Prophet Muhammad, Peace be upon him (PBUH) used to see the crescent of Rajab which is 2 months before Ramadan, he used to say 'Oh Allah (SWT) give us the blessing of this month and the following month and allow us to reach Ramadan.” According to another report he used to say, "Oh Allah, give us the blessings of Shabaan and gha'nimna (treasures) of Ramadan'. The word Gha'nimna in Arabic contains many meanings: it means treasure, something so precious, high, and valuable that cannot be found anywhere else. This entails God's mercy, His forgiveness, your wishes--no matter how many, or how impossible!

Rasulullah (PBUH) said, “On the day of judgment, some people will gain nothing except the hunger and thirst in Ramadan”. Fasting of the food is just an example. Fasting is to be free from temptation and desires, to gain wisdom, blessings and guidance of Allah (SWT).

Prophet (PBUH) has told us that the month of Ramadan is divided into 3 parts.

a) Mercy,

b) Forgiveness,

c) And purification from hell fire.

The first ten days is when the special mercy of Allah descends on the earth. Whoever sincerely desires His mercy and asks for it--will receive it. The next ten days is when Allah opens up doors of forgiveness for humanity. Again, whoever seeks it and sincerely asks for it will receive it. The last ten days are when Allah purifies people from hellfire and writes them among those who will enter the ultimate abode--the Jannah or paradise.

The key to receiving each is sincerely asking for it!!

Allah revealed Qur'an during this blessed month and He loves to hear His slaves recite and remember His message; hence Muslims perform the special prayers at night called 'taraweeh' where the entire Qur'an is recited over one month's time. The purpose: Reminder of the message; establishing close connection with Allah; conforming our lives according to the will of Allah SWT.

Last ten days of Ramadan hold special significance. During the last ten days Prophet SAW used to leave all worldly matters aside and retire to the masjid to stay in seclusion and devote his entire time to God. It is highly recommended and probably the best remedy for our souls. Whoever can do it, should attempt to by getting last ten days off from work as vacation time. But if one can't, then one should focus his/her heart and every moment of spare time in getting closer to God by supplications, dhikr (remembrance of God), prayers, reciting the Qur'an, and spending in the way of Allah.

One of the nights during the last ten days is called "laylat al Qadr" or "Night of Power/Majesty". During that night, special angels from Allah come down to the earth to spread His mercy, peace, and tranquility. Your prayers, devotion, worship, remembrance receives special acceptance. And if it is accepted, then it amounts to the worship of 1000 months (83.3 years). Some of us might never reach that age, so if we get acceptance of that night--it is better than our entire life time.

No one knows when that night actually is but Prophet told us to look for it during the odd nights of last ten days meaning the night of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th. It is a treasure hidden among these five blessed nights.

How do we know if our prayers and devotion during that night, or Ramadan in general was accepted?

If Allah accepts the devotion and worship of His slaves--then that slave becomes free from the need of everyone except His Lord. Allah takes care of all his affairs; he remains happy during the most difficult situations because he experiences the power of the Most Powerful. The slave knows that Allah is the Owner of everything and if He wants to give him something, then no one can hold it back from him. And if Allah does not want him to get something, then He is most Wise and knows what is good for His slaves and what is not good for them. The person becomes more generous, easy going, humble, and closer to Allah. Last but not least, a person will always be grateful to Allah for all his bounties including food, drink, spouse, family, time, health, and ability along with million others.

When a person truly experiences fasting and devotion, he/she develops a soft heart for the needy and down trodden. They can feel the pain and hunger of others and want to share the bounties of God with others. Thus fasting also helps the person move away from selfishness and feel responsibility for others in the society.

What to do in Ramadan: Be sincere; have one face (one personality with everyone); sincerely ask Allah for guidance; mercy; forgiveness; protection from hell fire. Spend in the way of Allah--the more you spend, the more Allah will give you. Read Qur'an and contemplate on its meanings and promise God that you will try to live according to it. Ask HIM to help you be a true devoted slave.

Who knows, this might be your last Ramdan!

Today you can; tomorrow you cannot!