HOW TO PREPARE FOR RAMADAAN: Many people misunderstand the true nature of fasting, and they make it an occasion for eating and drinking, making special sweets and staying up late at night and watching shows on satellite TV. They make preparations for that long before Ramadaan, lest they miss outon some food or prices go up. They prepare by buying food, preparing drinks and looking at the satellite TV guide so they can choose which shows to follow and which to ignore. They are truly unaware of the real nature of fasting in Ramadaan; they take worshipand piety out of the month and make it just for their bellies and their eyes. Secondly: Others are aware of the real nature of fasting in the monthof Ramadaan, so they start to prepare from Sha’baan, and some of them even start before that. Among the best ways of preparing for the month of Ramadaan are: 1 –Sincere repentance This is obligatory at all times,but because of the approach of a great and blessed month, it is even more important to hasten to repentfrom sins between you and your Lord, and between you and other people by giving them their rights, so that when the blessed month begins you may busy yourself with acts of worship with a clean heart and peace of mind. Allaah says (interpretationof the meaning): “And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful” [al-Noor 24:31] It was narrated from al-Agharr ibn Yasaar (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “O people, repent to Allaah for I repent to Him one hundred times each day.” Narrated by Muslim (2702). 2 –Du’aa’ (supplication) It was narrated from some of the salaf that they used to pray to Allaah for six monthsthat they would live until Ramadaan, then they would pray for five months afterwards that He would accept it from them. The Muslim should ask his Lord to let him live until Ramadaan with a strong religious commitment and good physical health, and he should ask Him to help him obey Him during the month, and ask Him to accept his good deeds from Him. 3 – Rejoicing at the approachof the blessed month The arrival of Ramadaan is one of the great blessings that Allaah bestows upon His Muslim slave, because Ramadaan is one of the occasions of good in which the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed. It is the month of the Qur’aan and of decisive battles in the history of our religion. Allaah says (interpretationof the meaning): “Say: ‘In the Bounty of Allaah, and in His Mercy (i.e. Islam and the Qur’aan); —therein let them rejoice.’ That is better than what (the wealth) they amass” [Yoonus 10:58] 4 – Discharging the duty of any outstanding obligatory fasts It was narrated that Abu Salamah said: I heard ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) say: I wouldowe fasts from the previous Ramadaan and I would not be able to make them up except in Sha’baan. Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1849) and Muslim (1146). Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: From her keenness to do that in Sha’baan it may be understood that it is not permissible to delay making them up until another Ramadaan begins. Fath al-Baari (4/191). 5 – Seeking knowledge in order to be able to follow therulings on fasting and to understand the virtues of Ramadaan. 6 – Hastening to complete any tasks that may distract the Muslim from doing acts of worship. 7 – Sitting with one’s family members – wife and children – to tell them of the rulings on fasting and encourage theyoung ones
Posted on: Sun, 23 Jun 2013 04:36:26 +0000
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