CHECK LIST FOR RAMADAN

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar, is considered as one of the holiest months of the year.  The Quran (2:185) states that it was in the month of Ramadan that the Quran was revealed. In fact, Ramadan commemorates that part, of the Muslim year, when "the Quran was sent down as a guidance for the people" and also for the “judgment between the right and wrong". Another verse of the Quran (97:1) states that it was revealed "on the night of determination," which Muslims generally observe on the night of 26-27 Ramadan.

It is important for us to prepare for the Holy Month of Ramadan in order to reap the maximum benefits from this month. Rasulullah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) and his noble Sahabah (RadiAllahu anhum) used to look forward to the coming of the blessed month of Ramadan.  Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Sha'ban wa ballighna Ramadan (O Allah blesses us in the month of Rajab and Sha'ban and help us to meet and spend Ramadan (in a deserving manner).

Ramadan is the month of excitement and enlightenment for Muslims. It is the month of revelation of the Holy Quran, the month of reading and reciting the entire Quran, the month of Tahajjud and Qiyyama layl, of Tarawîh prayers, of sadaqah and zakat al maal. Ramadan is also about restraining anger, doing good deeds, exercising personal discipline, and preparing oneself to serve as a good Muslim and a good person during and after Ramadan.

 
No one can go anywhere without preparation, and no one invites a guest without preparing to welcome him/her. Similarly, to welcome Ramadan -- the month of fasting -- one has to prepare.

Checklist of Ramadan:

The following are some tips to help you receive and welcome this noble month of Ramadan.

1.  Ask Allah to enable us to reach Ramadan and to get the most out of it.

                                                                                                       

2.  Intend to fast every day with Iman and pure intention seeking the reward from Allah alone. The Prophet (Pbuh) said, 'Whoever fasts in Ramadan with Iman and seeking reward (from Allah) his past sins will be forgiven'.

3. Try to offer salat in mosque with Jamaat  

4. Few things should be done frequently in Ramadan. Read Qalama – Tauheed and istaqfar,

5. Desire of jannat and protect from fire           
 
6. Have Sehree as the Prophet (Pbuh) said, “Have Suhur because it is blessed”.

7. Make Dua during the fast because the Prophet (Pbuh) said that three people’s supplication is not rejected one of them is the fasting person. Ask for the good of this life and the next for yourself, your family and Muslims in general.

8. Make Dua before opening the fast. The Prophet (Pbuh) said, “The fasting person has a supplication that is answered when he opens his fast”.

9. Give Sadaqah and be good to people. The Prophet (Pbuh) was the most generous of people and he was most generous in Ramadan.

10 Avoid anything that diminishes the fast such as, lying, backbiting, cheating, getting angry. The Prophet (Pbuh) said, “Whoever does not abandon false words and deeds Allah has no need for him to leave his food and drink”.

11. Do not eat too much after Iftar.

12. Ask for forgiveness since this is the month Allah frees people from the fire.

13. Pray Tarawih with Khushu'. If you pray in the Masjid complete the Salah with the Imam. If you pray at home prolong the Salah as long as you can. The Prophet (Pbuh) said, “Whoever prays during Ramadan with Iman and seeking reward (from Allah) his past sins will be forgiven”.

14. Feed the poor and invite others for Iftar. The Prophet (Pbuh) said, “Whoever gives Iftar to someone fasting he will have the same reward without decreasing the reward of the person fasting”.

15. Try harder the last ten nights especially the odd nights. The prophet would strive in Ramadan more than he would in any other month and more so in the last ten days.

    16.  Ask Allah to accept all your good actions during this month.

17. Make a resolve to win the maximum favor of Allah: perform extra voluntary prayers (Nawaafil). Nawaafil is equal to farz during Ramadan, make frequent Du'a and increase remembrance (Dhikr).

18. Try to recite some Quran after every Prayer. In fact if you read 3-4 pages after every Prayer you can easily finish the entire Quran in Ramadan! Study the Quranic Tafseer (commentary) every morning.

19. Invite a person you are not very close with to your home for Iftar, at least once a week. You will notice the blessings in your relationships.

20. Bring life to your family! Everyday, try to conclude the fast with your family and spend some quality time together to understand each other better.

21. Commit to an Islamic study circles to enhance your Islamic knowledge and practice. Plan to complete reading a book on Prophet Muhammad’s (Pbuh) life in these 30 days.

22. Donate generously to the Masajid, Islamic organizations, and any where people are in need. "This is a month of sharing!"

23. Initiate a project to promote or revive a ‘forgotten’ social cause in the Muslim and non-Muslim community: fight against racism, AIDS, drugs, cancer, smoking…etc.

24 Weep in private for the forgiveness of your sins: It is the month of forgiveness and Allah's Mercy! It's never too late.

25. Learn to control your tongue and lower your gaze. Remember the Prophet's warning that lying, backbiting, and a lustful gaze all violate the fast! Abandon foul language forever.

26. Encourage others to enjoin and love goodness, and to abandon everything evil. Play the role of a Da'ee (one who invites to Allah) with passion and sympathy.

27 .Experience the joy of Tahajjud prayers late at night and devote yourself purely and fully to Allah in the I'tikaf retreat during the last 10 days of Ramadan. At least one person from the town should do I”tikaf

BEFORE RAMADAN BEGINS

1. Try to fast on the month of Shaban (1 to 15 Shaban)

2. Start reading Quran daily after Salatul Fajr, or any time convenient

3. Spend some time listening to recitations from the Quran.

 4. Train yourself to go to bed early so that you can wake up for Salatul Fajr.

5. Keep yourself in a state of Wudu (ablution) at all times.
6. Evaluate yourself daily before going to bed. Thank Almighty Allah for all the good deeds you do, and repent to Him for your mistakes and sins.

7. Give yourself some time alone, so that you can meditate, make zikr, tasbih, takbir, tahmid, tahlil, and other forms of zikr. You will experience spiritual elevation and you will enjoy life tremendously.

8. Those who can afford to make 'Umrah before Ramadan comes should do so, and those who are able to perform 'Umrah in Ramadan should do so

9. Start giving (charity) daily, no matter how little it is. Make it a habit, like eating and drinking.

10. Find time to pray extra nawafil (optional) salah, such as Salatul Duha, Qiyamul Layl, and Salatul Tahajjud. 

11. Spend more time reading Islamic books, especially the Holy Quran, books on Seerah (the life of the Messenger of Allah), hadith, and fiqh.

12. Find time to help others with your wisdom, knowledge, and other talents.

13. Try to write articles on Islam for Muslims and others for non-Muslims.

14. Associate with Muslim scholars, 'ulama, and pious believers so that you may learn from them.

15. Train yourself to do good, no matter how insignificant it may seem, and render useful service to others.

16. Try to learn how to make da'wah to non-Muslims, and engage in this noble activity. It is an art requiring knowledge and training.

17. Try to spend more time with your family, and remind them to prepare for Ramadan as well.
TIPS TO PREPARE FAMILY FOR RAMADAN

 1. Buy all necessities for the month of Ramadan before Ramadan so you can spend less time during the holy month rushing around. You can be more focused on your religious rituals and spiritual development. Everyone in the family, even the kids, can participate, writing a shopping list, preparing some meals to be stored in the freezer.

 2. If you have gotten into bad sleeping habits throughout the year, start readjusting now so you can wake up for Fajr prayer.

 3. Sunnah fasts of Shaaban (the month before Ramadan) help to prepare for Ramadan and help to make the transition into the holy month a smooth one.

 4. Reduce TV watching and prepare the family for the new spirit of Ramadan.

 5. Engage with your kids more and more in creative activities that remind them of Ramadan. (Suggested activities including reading the moral story books in group).

 6. Organize your tape/CD collection to make it easy to select and to play nice   Hamd, Naat Quran and Dua recitation, so as to introduce the spirit of the month gradually.

  7. Plan ahead for the time you are spend at home in order not to lose the balance between your responsibility as a parent to supervise the children's studies and your engagement in religious practices such as reading Quran and praying Salat.

  8. Plan ahead if your daughter needs a hijab to accompany you to the mosque.  

 9. Prepare as much cooking as you can before Ramadan. Here are some time-saving tips:

·         Prepare some vegetables and store them in the freezer to have them ready when needed.

·         If you soak dates in milk or water and eat them for Iftar, pit the dates before Ramadan.

·         Chop onions, garlic and store them in the freezer to have them ready when cooking during Ramadan.

  10. If you are planning to invite guests for Iftar, the best time to do that is during your monthly period (menstruation). This has several advantages:

·         You will be able to taste the food that is going to be served.

·         You won't be engaged in some acts of worship so you'll have more time for cooking.

·         You won't have guilt feelings for staying after 'Isha' with the guests and not going to the mosque.

 11. Prepare your kids before Ramadan that they have to help you more in housework and in setting the table and preparing the Iftar. Relate their action with the notion of Sadaqah and good deeds. Remind them that the reward of their good deeds is multiplied during Ramadan.

SHARING RAMADAN WITH NEIGHBOURS

The Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) said: "He is not a believer who eats his fill while his neighbor remains hungry by his side."  .
"By Allah, he has no faith (the Prophet (Pbuh) repeated it three times) whose neighbors are not safe from his wickedness." (Bukhari)
Ramadan is a great opportunity to share Islam and more specifically, its values of spirituality, generosity and kindness with others, especially your neighbors. It's a great time to do harmony. And harmony is very much needed in the current atmosphere of anger, tension and sadness. . Share Ramadan and its teachings of love & patience with your neighbors.
Have a neighborhood Iftar gathering .You don't have to invite everyone. Perhaps just the closest neighbors can attend this event. Send handmade invitations for an "Iftar gathering" at most a week in advance.   Be sure to invite   family and friends who are comfortable interacting with each other .Be cordial, generous and friendly, but maintain Islamic rules of behavior and modesty. This should not be a "party" in the common understanding, but more of a religious celebration that is spiritual and respectful to all.

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