Preparing for Ramadan

Today's Khutbah (sermon) at al Fanaar (which has English friday khutbah)talked about the reality of Ramadan. That many of us see no change in our personality when we enter and when we leave Ramadan and we continue to do the same every Ramadan. Fasting's purpose is to increase ones taqwa (God consciousness) and so technically after the month we should emerge as better people. staying away from that which is normally halal (allowed) should strengthen our resolve to avoid that which is normally haraam (forbidden/sinful).

a really nice example Sheikh Bilal gave during the talk was how some of the scholars of Islam said that the month previous to shabaan is the time to plant the seeds, in shabaan its time to work on the seeds and water them , and in Ramadan its time to reap the fruit. the seeds were things that they wanted/resolved to change in themselves.

Many of us do not prepare anything and just enter Ramadan. we really need to reflect on the way of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh)and how he used to prepare for Ramadan before it started. After all it is narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the ProphetMuhammed (aside from Ramadan) fasted the most in the month of shabaan ( the month preceding Ramadan)

So what are you preparing? Hurry to good its still not too late!

Prepare for Ramadaan

The month of Ramadhan in which was revealed the Qur'aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the Furqaan (criterion) [between right and wrong]. So whoever of you sights [the crescent on the first night of] the month [of Ramadhan], he must fast that month.” [Soorah al-Baqarah (2) :185] for full article click me


The Quran was sent down to the lowest heavens in the month of Ramadaan. And Ramadaan is nearing quickly. The blessed month should not be wasted. ITS TIME TO OPTIMIZE

It was the Pophet Muhammed's (pbuh) habit to prepare for Ramadaan before it came. In the month of Shabaan ( thats the month we are currently in) it is narrated that he (pbuh) used to fast the most during this month other than Ramadaan, sometimes even fasting the whole month. Ahmad (26022), Abu Dawood (2336), al-Nasaa’i (2175) and Ibn Maajah (1648) narrated that Umm Salamah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “I never saw the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fast two consecutive months apart from the fact that he used to join Sha’baan and Ramadaan.”


Please note that there are Hadith that indicate that Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) sometimes did not fast the entire month except and that he would leave a few days without fasting.

It
may be difficult for us to throw the gear into full throttle, concerning fasting, but the afore-mentioned surely does indicate a clear need for preparation. So we should take steps towards preparing for Ramadaan like abstaining from evils and doing more good deeds and build it up while being regular in it and maintaining it for the future inshAllah, God Willing.

So start with something easy take this article for an instance, how you can do so much in one minute.
What You Can Do In One Minute


Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Do not belittle any good deed, even meeting your brother (Muslim) with a cheerful face".
[Muslim].

Remember
to make your intentions purely for attaining the pleasure of Allah and even simple everyday things can become good deeds and we can do hundreds of these a day with ease if we are mindful of Allah.

The importance of 5 Salaat (obligatory prayers)

Yusuf Idiris: Why Dont you Pray? Track 1 ~ 1.5 min

Track 2

Track 3


Please check out track #1. This is a really good talk on the subject of prayer. Salaat (prayer) is the 2nd pillar of Islam, however many of us have failed to take care of the basic tenets which compromise of salaat. InshAllah make this comming ramadaan a turning point. We can always strive to perfect our prayers to the best ability that we can.

Recite (O Muhammad SAW) what has been revealed to you of the Book (the Quran), and perform As-Salat (IqamatasSalat). Verily, As-Salat (the prayer) prevents from Al-Fahsha' (i.e. great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.) and Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed, etc.) and the remembering (praising, etc.) of (you by) Allah (in front of the angels) is greater indeed [than your remembering (praising, etc.) Allah in prayers, etc.]. And Allah knows what you do. [The Noble Quran, Al-'Ankabût (29):45]

Abu Hurairahu (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, "Say, if there were a river at the door of one of you in which he takes a bath five times a day, would any soiling remain on him?'' They replied, "No soiling would left on him.'' He (PBUH) said, '' That is the five (obligatory) Salat (prayers). Allah obliterates all sins as a result of performing them.''
[Sahih Bukhari & Muslim].


33 tips on perfecting your Prayer

Select Hadtih and Ayaat on Ramadaan and some virtues

The month of Ramadân in which was revealed the Qur'ân, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadân i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allâh intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allâh [i.e. to say Takbîr (Allâhu-Akbar; Allâh is the Most Great) for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him. [The Noble Quran, Al Baqarah (2):185]

'If one does not abandon falsehood in words and deeds, Allah has no need for his abandoning of his food and drink.' – Muhammed(pbuh) [Sahih Bukhari]

"Whoever establishes prayers during the nights of Ramadan faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards (not for showing off), all his past sins will be forgiven." – Muhammad (pbuh) [Sahih Bukhari]

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Whoever possesses the following three qualities will taste the sweetness of faith:
1. The one to whom Allah and His Apostle become dearer than anything else.
2. Who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah's sake.
3. Who hates to revert to disbelief (Atheism) after Allah has brought (saved) him out from it, as he hates to be thrown in fire." - [Sahih Bukhari]

Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) (1) And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?(2) The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, (i.e. 83 years and 4 months). (3) Therein descend the angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] by Allah's Permission with all Decrees,(4) Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn. (5) [The Noble Quran, Al-Qadr (97):1-5 ]

"If you put your whole trust in Allah, as you ought, He most certainly will satisfy your needs, as He satisfies those of the birds. They come out hungry in the morning, but return full to their nests." – Muhammad (pbuh) [Sunan Tirmidhi]

The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allâh, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allâh gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allâh is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower. [ The Noble Quran, Al Baqarah (2):261]

Avoid hellfire, even by a part of a date (that you give away in charity) –Muhammad (pbuh) [Sahih Bukhari & Muslim]