A Short Valuable Advice For Ramadhan

The reason for previously mentioning the manner in which the saintly ones spent their Ramadhan is not that we may just read without deriving any benefit or pass a casual remark. It is written with the object that we in our way may build up courage and to the best of our ability endeavour to emulate and follow their noble examples.

How wonderful would it be for us - who are slumped in our worldly pursuits - to at least try our utmost to mend our religious life, and take full advantage of this one month after having allowed eleven months of the year go by destroying ourselves.

As for those who have to be in their offices and be present at eight, nine or ten in the morning, what difficulty will it be for them if they at least in Ramadhan, spend the time from Subuh until their hours of employment in reciting the Qur'an. After all, don't we see that for our worldly needs - we do find time in spite of office hours.

For those engaged in farming, who normally are not bound to others, nothing prevents them from reciting the Qur'an on their farm or adjusting their daily routine.

Then come the businessmen, shopkeepers and merchants. Nothing prevents them in Ramadhan from reciting their Qur'an during their shop hours or cutting short trading time in order to make time for recitation thereof.

After all, there is very strong link between Ramadhan and the Tilawat of the Qur'an. Almost all of Allah's great scriptures were revealed in the month of Ramadhan. Similarly, in this month the Qur'an was brought down from the Lawhul Mahfuz to the Sama'ud Dunya, from where it was revealed bit by bit to Rasulullah SAW in a span of twenty three years.

Nabi Ibrahim AS received his scriptures on the first and third of this sacred month. Nabi Dawud AS received the Zabur on the twelfth or eighteenth. Nabi Musa AS received his Taurat on the sixth. Nabi 'Isa AS received the Injil on the twelfth or thirteenth.

From this we note the great connection between the divine scriptures and the month of Ramadhan. For this reason, we should be performing as much Tilawat of the Qur'an as possible during this month. This was the habit of our pious predecessors and saintly elders.

Jibril AS used to recite the whole Qur'an to Nabi Muhammad SAW in the month of Ramadhan. In some reports it is stated that Rasulullah SAW used to recite and Jibril AS used to listen. By integrating these reports, the knowledgeable of Deen have said that it is Mustahab (desirable) to read the Qur'an in such a manner that - while one recites, the other person listens. Thereafter the other person recites while the first person listens.

The Qur'an should be recited as much as possible, particularly in the blessed month of Ramadhan. Whatever time remains thereafter should not be wasted.

From Hadith, Rasulullah SAW has drawn our attention to four more things and advised that we should practice them as much as possible.

They are :

1. the recitation of the Kalimah Shahadah,

2. the recitation of Istighfar,

3. begging for Jannah from Allah SWT, and

4. seeking refuge from Jahannam from Allah SWT


Therefore it must be regarded as an honour to spend as much time as available in these recitations. This will indeed be the true appreciation of the teachings of Rasulullah SAW. What is so difficult about keeping the tongue busy with the recitation of Salawat or Laa Ilaaha Illallah while being engaged in our daily tasks?

Rasulullah SAW has also mentioned that Ramadhan is the month of patience. Hence even if great difficulty is experienced in fasting one should bear it with patience. One should not complain like those people who are fond of doing during hot days.

If by chance Sahur is missed, we should resort to patience. Similarly, should difficulty be experienced at the same time of Tarawih, it too should be borne with patience. Do not consider it a great calamity or trial, otherwise these deeds may be void of blessings.

When we turn our backs on worldly things, forsake our very eating and drinking, then in the face of Allah's pleasure - what are these difficulties?