Ten Ways to Receive Ramadhaan

Ten Ways to Receive Ramadhaan
MONDAY 02/08/2010 Print

Muslims should not neglect the seasons of worship; rather, they must be among the first to excel in and compete in them. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {So for this let the competitors compete.}[Quran 83:26]
So, we must try our best to receive the month of Ramadhaan in the following recommended ways:
The first way: Supplicate Allaah The Almighty to keep you alive and in good health until Ramadhaan comes so that you will be able to actively worship Allaah The Almighty. It was narrated on the authority of Anas ibn Maalik, may Allaah be pleased with him, that when the month of Rajab came, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "O Allaah, bless Rajab and Sha‘baan for us, and let us live till the coming of Ramadhaan." [Ahmad and At-Tabaraani] The righteous predecessors used to supplicate Allaah The Almighty to let them live until the coming of Ramadhaan and to accept it from them. At the sighting of the new moon, supplicate Allaah The Almighty saying: "O Allaah, let this moon come to us with security and faith; with safety and Islam; and guidance to what You love and approve. My Lord and your Lord is Allaah." [At-Tirmithi, Ad-Daarimi, and Ibn Hibbaan: Saheeh]
The second way: Thanking Allaah The Almighty for attending this month. In his book Al-Athkaar, Imaam An-Nawawi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, says, "It is recommended for the person who experiences an obvious favor or is protected from an obvious curse that he prostrates in gratefulness to Allaah The Almighty or praises Him duly." Among the greatest blessings Allaah The Almighty grants the slave is guiding him to obedience and worship. When Ramadhaan comes and the Muslim is in good health, this is a great blessing worthy of thankfulness and it requires the praise of Allaah The Almighty Who bestows it. All perfect and continuous praise be to Allaah The Almighty as suits the majesty of His Face and His Great Authority.
The third way: Happiness and joy. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was authentically reported to have congratulated his Companions on the coming of Ramadhaan. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "Ramadhaan has come to you. It is a blessed month during which Allaah The Almighty Prescribed fasting and in this month the gates of the heavens are open and the gates of Hell are shut…" [Ahmad] Our righteous predecessors, the Companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and those who followed them in the best way, used to take great care of the month of Ramadhaan and were happy with its arrival. There is no happiness greater than receiving the news of the approach of Ramadhaan, the season of blessings and the descent of mercy.
The fourth way: Planning in advance how to benefit from Ramadhaan. Unfortunately, many people -- even practicing Muslims -- draw detailed plans for worldly affairs of this life, whereas only a few of them plan for the affairs of the Hereafter. This results from the lack of awareness about the mission of the believer in this life, or forgetting or deliberately ignoring that there are numerous chances for the Muslim with Allaah The Almighty and important periods of time to train oneself in to be firm in this regard. Planning for the affairs of the Hereafter includes planning to invest Ramadhaan in acts of worship. A Muslim must put a practical plan into action that spans the days and nights of Ramadhaan in obedience to Allaah The Almighty. This message is supposed to help the person spend the duration of Ramadhaan in obeying Allaah The Almighty – Allaah willing.
The fifth way: Beingsincerely determined to be among the believers who achieve success and felicity in Ramadhaan and fill its days with righteous deeds. If a Muslim is true to Allaah The Almighty, He will fulfill His promise to him, help him in worship, and facilitate the ways of goodness for him. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {If they had been true to Allaah, it would have been better for them.} [Quran 47:21]
The sixth way: Learning and understanding the Fiqh rulings related to fasting in Ramadhaan. The believer has to worship Allaah The Almighty with knowledge, and is not excused for his ignorance of the obligations Allaah The Almighty prescribed for people. This includes fasting in Ramadhaan. The Muslim is obliged to learn the issues and rulings related to fasting before the coming of Ramadhaan so that his fasting will be correct and accepted by Allaah The Almighty Who Says (what means): {So ask the people of the message if you do not know.} [Quran 21:7]
The seventh way: We have to receive this month with the decision to give up sins and misdeeds, sincerely repent of them all, stop them, and not commit them again. Ramadhaan is the month of repentance and if a person misses this chance, when will he repent? Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And turn to Allaah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.} [Quran 24:31]
The eighth way: Being spiritually and psychologically prepared. This could be done by reading books and articles, and listening to beneficial lectures and discourses which highlight the virtues and rulings of fasting, so that the soul is prepared for worship in this month. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to prepare the souls of his Companions to utilize this meritorious month by saying on the last day of Sha‘baan: "Ramadhaan has come to you…" [Ahmad and An-Nasaa’i]
The ninth way: Prepare oneself well for calling to Allaah The Almighty in Ramadhaan. This can be done in the following ways:
1- Preparing short sermons and lessons to be given in the neighbourhood Masjid if possible.
2- Distributing some booklets and articles of admonition and jurisprudence related to Ramadhaan to the worshipers and people in your area.
3- Preparing some gifts for Ramadhaan, which could be envelopes containing two tapes and a booklet marked "Gift for Ramadhaan."
4- Reminding people of our duties towards the poor and needy and giving them charity and Zakaah (obligatory charity).
The tenth way: We receive the month of Ramadhaan by opening a bright new page with:
a- Allaah The Almighty by sincerely repenting to Him.
b- The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, by obeying his orders and avoiding what he prohibited and warned against.
c- Parents, relatives, and one’s spouse and children by being dutiful to them and maintaining ties with them
d- Society by being a righteous and useful person. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "The best of people is the one who benefits them most."
This is how the Muslim receives the month of Ramadhaan like a barren land which is in need of water, a patient when he sees the doctor and the lover when he receives his long-awaited absent loved one.
O Allaah, Keep us alive till the coming of Ramadhaan and accept it from us! Indeed, You are The Hearing The Knowing!