Ibrahim Dremali: Ramadan is a Witness for You or Against You & Health Update Video

Link to all Ramadan 2010 posts

By Dr. Ibrahim Dremali

Bismillah Alhamdulillah was salaatu was salam ‘alaa Rasoolillah

Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatu Allāh

The season for obedience for Muslims comes throughout the whole year.  It is through the mercy of Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala) that makes the Muslims close to Allāh during those seasons.  And the season for disobedience comes like darkness, and Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala) gives chances so one might repent and come back to Him (subhanahu wata’ala).  Every intelligent and smart person takes advantage of the opportunity of those seasons.  Ramadan is a witness for you or against you.  The month of Ramadan is the best month of the year.  Alhamdulillah the Muslims have been the ones specified for the bounties of this special month throughout the centuries.  Sins are forgiven, gratitude is increased, the believer is protected from the Shaytan, and good deeds are sought and multiplied.   My dear brothers and sisters, this blessed month only stays for a few days and then will leave us either as a witness for us or a witness against us,  so we should not leave a second or a single moment in this month without beneficial action and obedience.

Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala) says in Surat al-Mutaffifin [83:26]

“..and for this let (all) those strive who want to strive (hasten to the obedience of Allāh).”

So my dear brothers and sisters, you have to be really ready to welcome this month, competing throughout this month and striving to perform the following acts:

1.  Having a loyal and sincere tawbah to Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala).  Your soul, your nafs, should be ready to welcome this month with good deeds and good amal because Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala) will help a person if the person is ready to obey Him.

Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala) says in Surat Taha [20:82]

“And verily, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them.”

2.  Prepare the intention that Ramadan is only but a few days and will run very fast.  And it might be the last Ramadan for you, you never know.  So take advantage of this blessed month and be of those who make the beautiful du’aa from the Quran:

“Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire.” Surat al-Baqara [2:201]

3.  Taking advantage to purify your soul and clean your soul, and make it a habit to worship Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala).

Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala) says in Surat ar-Rad [13:11]

“Verily!  Allāh will not change the condition of a people as long as they do not change their state themselves.”

4.  Have the feeling that Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala) is watching over you, watching over your actions.  Think about the names and attributes of Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala) such as Al-Baseer (The All-Seeing), Ash-Shaheed (The Witness), Al-Muhit (The All-Pervading ), Ar-Raqib (The Watchful), As-Sami (The All-Hearing).  Think about them during your fasting and your tahajjud.  Protect your tongue, your hearing, your vision, and all your body parts from any disobedient acts.

Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala) says in Surat Qaf [50:18]

“Not a word does he utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).”

5.  Abundantly mention Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala) just like the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) advised the man to make his tongue always wet from the dhikr of Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala).  Read the Quran with understanding, comprehension and khushoo, for the Quran will come as an intercessor for you on the Day of Judgment.  The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Read the Quran. For verily it will come forth on the Day of Resurrection as an intercessor (shafee’) for its readers.” [Muslim] Ibn Abbas (radhi Allahu ‘anhu) stated that reading one surah with tafseer and understanding is more loved by him than to read the whole entire Quran.  Imam Malik (rahimahullah) said when the month of Ramadan entered, the people of hadith and learning would leave, and they would go and read the Quran.

6.  Search for the best moments and timing for making ad-du’aa.

• During the time of iftar.  The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said,  “Three men whose du’aa is never rejected are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast, the just ruler, and the one who is oppressed.”  [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi]
• Between the adhan and the iqama.  Anas (radhi Allahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allāh’s Messenger (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said,  “A supplication made between the adhan and iqama is not rejected.”  [Ahmad, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi]
• The last third of the night.  Abu Hurairah (radhi Allahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allāh’s Messenger (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said,  “In the last third of every night, our Rabb descends to the lowermost heaven and says, ‘Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?’” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

7.  Give sadaqa, and start with your family.  The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) told us that (the reward of) our sadaqa will remain with us after our death, and whatever we give to our spouse or children is a sadaqa.  To leave your family with wealth is better than to leave them poor.  Sa’d ibn Abu Waqqas narrated that Allāh’s Messenger (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “…whatever you spend (for Allāh’s  sake) you will be rewarded for it, even for a morsel of food which you may put in the mouth of your wife.”  [Bukhari].  Hakim ibn Hizam narrated that the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The upper hand is better than the lower hand, (i.e., he who gives charity is better than him who takes it).  One should start giving first to his dependents.”  [Bukhari]

8.  With your active life in Ramadan, realize that all the goodness and the khayr during the last ten days might fall on laylatul qadr.  When you are making qiyam and tahajjud in the last 10 days and waiting for the ajr, remember that Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala) will never let you go without giving you the rewards insha’Allāh.  Also, following the Sunnah of the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) is an example for us, and the Sunnah is to perform itikaf in the month of Ramadan.  The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever stands in (prayer) in laylatul qadr out of iman and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven.” [Bukhari]

9.  Hasten to correct your relationship with Allāh, and fix your life when you go to Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala), even if that will cause you hardship and increased need of sabr.  You must fix your behavior, your attitude, and your character with the people.  Open and clean your hearts and forgive everyone in this blessed month.   The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The most complete of believers in iman (faith) are those who are best in character.” [Tirmidhi]

10.  Strive for Allāh’s mercy and forgiveness.  Woe to the ones whose sins are not forgiven in the month of Ramadan, as Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala) has distanced him from His mercy.  The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whosoever reaches the month of Ramadan and does not have his sins forgiven, and so enters the fire, then may Allāh distance him.” [Ahmad and al-Bayhaqi]  Angel Jibreel asked the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) to say āmīn and he (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said āmīn.

11.  Remember the goal in your life is to worship Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala), so be more active in your goal during the month of Ramadan.  When you are more active in the month of Ramadan, it will become a part of your life for you to keep your life and time in the right direction and to compete to do whatever good deeds Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala) loves and accepts.   The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Take advantage of five matters before five other matters: your youth before you become old; and your health before you fall sick; and your richness before you become poor; and your free time before you become busy; and your life before your death.”  [Hakim, Ahmad]

12.  Be with those who Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala) describes in Surat al Imran [3:133]

“And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth are prepared for al-muttaqun (the pious).”

May Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala) allow for us to see and complete the blessed month of Ramadan, while reaping its many fruits and benefits.  May Allāh (subhanahu wata’ala) forgive us, have mercy on us, unite us, and help us all to live our lives for His pleasure; āmīn.

Jazaka Allāh Khayran.

Your brother,
Ibrahim Dremali

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