Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) used to eagerly wait for the month of Ramadhan-ul-Mubarak. When he would site the moon for the months of Rajab and Shabaan, he would make the Dua: Oh Allah Almighty, take us to Ramadhan-ul-Mubarak. This points to the importance of Ramadhan-ul-Mubarak and the uncertainty in our life. Let us note the fact that many of our relatives and friends from the previous Ramada-ul-Mubarak are no more with us (they have died). Those who are around are a year older and may be having health issues to do a complete justice to the auspicious month of Ramadhan-ul-Mubarak. It is time to seriously plan for this Ramadhan-ul-Mubarak. Many Ramadhans have come and gone! Time to reflect: what did we achieve or not achieve in the previous Ramadhan-ul-Mubarak? Let us try to catch this one, InshaAllah. The following Hadith is an eye-opener:
THE THREE AAMEENS
Kaab Ibn Ujrah relates that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said: Come near to the mimbar and we went near the mimbar. When He climbed the first step of the mimbar, He said “Aameen”, When He ascended the second step, He said “Aameen”, When He climbed the third step, He said “Aameen” When He came down, We said, “O Rasool of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be to him), we have heard from you today something which we never heard before.” He said When I climbed the first step, the Angel Jibraeel (alaihi as-salam) appeared before me and said:
1. “Destruction to him who found the blessed month of Ramadhan and let it pass by without gaining forgiveness.” Upon that I said ‘Aameen’.
2. When I climbed the second step, he said, “Destruction to him before whom thy name is taken and then he does not make Dua for Allah’s blessing on me (by saying, for example, Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam).” I replied ‘Aameen’.
3. When I climbed the third step, he said, “Destruction unto him in whose lifetime his parents or either one of them reaches old age, and (through failure to serve them) he is not allowed to enter Jannah”. I said ‘Aameen’.
Note that in this Hadith, Jibraeel gave expression to three curses, upon which Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said Aameen every time. May Allah Almighty in His infinite mercy grant us His help and save us from these three dangers.
PLANNING THE RAMADHAN
In this short note, we shall consider some tips for making the month of Ramadhan-ul-Mubarak as productive as possible. First and foremost we need to have a powerful intention and intense Dua to have a good Ramadhan accompanied with a concrete plan. Subject to feasibility, take time off from office. Light diet (as round the year) is recommended. We need to avoid overeating during the Ramadhan-ul-Mubarak. The choice of the Masjid (mosque) and the company we keep during the Ramadhan is of paramount importance. Choose a Masjid which has arrangements for the Salaat of Tarawih, Juma and possibly Tahajjud. Try to locate a Masjid within reach, which has very good scholars, to guide us through the Ramadhan. Some Masajid have numerous Ramadhan activities done seriously in a spiritual atmosphere.
The key is to have a good plan. Decide on what to do this Ramadhan. The Holy Qur’ān was revealed in the auspicious month of Ramadhan. So start with reading of the Qur’ān with Tajweed. We need to memorise the Holy Qur’ān. This is to be accompanied with meaning and Tafseer (commentaries and exegesis). A book on Seerah of the Holy Prophet is a must for a better understanding of Islam.
It is useful to employ the technique of “Time Blocking”, that is allocate time for each activity planned. Plan different activities and block time for each activity ‘day by day’ and within the day ‘hour by hour’. For instance, reading the Holy Qur’ān after Fajr. If nothing urgent crops up, proceed with it. Lack of a plan leads to the procrastination that is an attitude of delaying and postponing.
Break the plan into MITs (most important tasks) such that it helps in executing the plan and having a very productive Ramadhan. MIT before anything else! Have a positive attitude even if you have missed the Suhoor (predawn meal). Make Dua all the time. Avoid strenuous work on such days. Productivity begets productivity! Laziness begets laziness! Small successes keep one motivated and productive. Have a decent routine.
Humans are creatures of habit! Routine (morning, after Fajr and before work; during work/ office/ school; and evening routine after the work) is a must. The routine serves as an autopilot! Is my routine the best it can be? Be conscious of your routine. Try expanding the routine realistically to accommodate more tasks. Think of some activities after Tarawih and before going to sleep. Spare a few minutes before the sleep and after waking up. Have goals and help others.
SADAQA
Sadaqa is often interpreted as an act of charity (giving help financially or in kind). One needs to do a “Physical Sadaqa” in the sense a kind action/deed: helping a needy person; visiting the sick or the graveyard. Smiling is also a kind of “Physical Sadaqa”. Physical Sadaqa gives a human touch and helps us the situation of the needy. An online donation lacks these aspects. One also needs to think of long term charities: sponsor for a long term some aspect such as schooling of a kid; medicines for an old patient or so. Control our tongue from gossip and slander; apologise when the tongue is misused. Keep our tongues moist with remembrance of Allah Almighty.
Time and tide wait for none! As time progresses, we need to reflect on the challenges we are facing and how best to improve in the rest of the Ramadhan. What goals we have achieved and what are the remaining goals? How to prepare for the last ten days of Ramadhan? One is not to be disheartened or discouraged, look ahead and do the best in the remaining days of the Ramadhan.
Making most of the last ten nights: Plan; make a Dua list; make it very special by doing Itikaf or some major activity like a charity project or so. In order to make the Itikaf productive, choice of the Masjid and the company is crucial. Choose good company (scholars and righteous people); avoid friends as it leads to socialising (chatting, gossiping and killing time). Avoid technologies (laptops; internet; mobiles, etc) as they are likely to distract. Itikaf is about seclusion: avoid petty conversations in person and over the phones. In the last ten days, we need to be extra focused. Searching for the Shab-e-Qadar and making long Duas would be a major activity. One should not be distracted by the superfluous functions organised in some Masajid on the 27th night of Ramadhan. Treat this as your last Ramadhan!
NIGHT PRECEDING EID
The night preceding the Eid is also known as Shab-e-Jaiza or Lailatul Jaiza, the Night of Reward. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said: “Whoever stands up (in worship) in the nights preceding the two Eid expecting rewards from his Lord, his heart will not die when the other hearts will die” (reported in Ibn Majah). On this night we are to refrain from the avoidable market atmospheres. To benefit from this opportunity, we should perform as much Ibadah in this night as we can and pray for our needs.
Ramadhan is the month of training and not an end. We need to practise in the remaining months, and make best use of the training we have undergone. Continue fasting with six days of Shawwal; Mondays and Thursdays; three mid-days of each Islamic lunar month (13th, 14th and 15th). We need to continue the Nafl Salaat particularly in the night. Practise charity round the year. It is useful to keep an envelope or a box for charity. Consistency is the main idea after Ramadhan. May Allah Almighty Guide us to plan and act in the Ramadhan and rest of our lives, Amen.
[SAMEEN AHMED KHAN is on the Engineering Department, Salalah College of Technology (SCOT), Salalah, Oman. rohelakhan@yahoo.com]