Maximising the gains of Ramadan

The CompanionJoint Usra, Lagos1st July 2012 AH

Relevance of the presentation WHAT IS FASTING?

It is the sincere bond of faith between man and his Lord

It trains man to shift his attention towards the celestial realm

It portrays a servant’s submission and servitude to Allah

INTRODUCTION

2 categories

Those who are happy to receive the month They are used to fasting They believe that self-deprivation of worldly

passion will guarantee that of the Hereafter They could grasp the boundless opportunities in

the month Those who are not happy

They are weak spiritually They are used to worldly delicacies.

Are we all truly prepared?

It is the month of the Qur’an (2: 185) It is the month of patience and perseverance It is the month in which all the gates of Paradise

are opened, all gates of hellfire are closed and devils put to chains

It is the month in which laylatul Qadr (Night of Power) falls

It is the month of acceptance of dua It is the month of Jihad It is the month of spending

Significance of Ramadan

Importance of training to maximise the gains

4 categories of Muslims Life span is unknown Last deed is not known

Training for Ramadan

Repentance from sins and iniquities Fervent supplication to meet Ramadan Fasting in Sha’aban in readiness Close touch with the Qur;an in readiness Tasting the sweetness of night prayers,

remembrance Getting attuned to the psychological mood

Spiritual preparation

Resolving to package the intention

This deed shall be solely for Allah’s pleasure Sincere repentance to Allah Opening a new page of total obedience to the Creator Moral rectification and conduct readjustment Observing the fast of the special ones Completion of recitation of the Qur’an more than once Increase in knowledge of certain aspects of Islam:

tafsir,hadith, fiqh,seerah etc Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil Inviting at least 10 people to Islam

Psychological preparation

Making the days of Ramadan NOT like any

other days Desiring to observe the obligatory prayers in

the MASJID standing in the right side of the Imam in the first row

Remaining in the masjid after fajr till day break with the intention of I’tikaaf

Keeping an open mind devoid of grudge and rancour

Psychological preparation

Attending intellectual fori where beneficial

knowledge is shared whether in the masjid or not

Studying the fiqh of fasting in the areas of Position of fasting in Islam Features of the month of Ramadan Secrets of fasting Understanding the verses on fasting Listening to audio and video tapes delivered by

high ranking scholars on fasting and Ramadan

Intellectual preparation

Mobilising and rousing the family members

about the coming blessed month; Their duties and expectations of Islam Preparation of gift items for those who are

foremost in the Islamic expectations in the month of Ramadan

Gifts to friends and those whose hearts are inclined to Islam.

Family preparation

Carrying the mind along through the control

of the organs

Self-Jihad preparation

Earn and only the halaal

Economic preparation