Countdown for Ramadhan Begins
The Countdown for Ramadhan Begins. The countdown has already begun. Less than a month remains for the arrival of Holy Ramadhan.
The very name of Ramadhan evokes a feeling of expectant joy and pleasure in the heart of the Mu'min. A restlessness overtakes the Mu'min in eager anticipation of the Holy month. Sometimes, this feeling even turns to fear and anxiety. "O Allah, will I see Ramadhan this year?" Allah alone knows who will live to see Ramadhan.
The reassurance comes in the form of a fervent Dua, "O Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha'baan and let us make it to Ramadhan." The Dua for this must continue with vigorous fervour - "O Allah! Let us reach Ramadhan.!" The anticipation of this great month is not just a matter of emotion and thought.
It requires action and activity. Preparation for receiving the honourable guest of Ramadhan must start in earnest right away. Where do I start? What am I to
do? Well, a good starting point can be to spare a bit of time daily for preparation of Ramadhan.
A person needs to start by making adjustments to the current lifestyle. The daily timetable must be altered, allowing more time for spiritual rejuvenation. Can I take out quality time from my present busy lifestyle? How much of time and when? Sit down and work it out. Maybe half an hour before Fajr and another half-hour before going to bed? Or will half an hour before and after Isha be more appropriate? Whatever it may be, at least an hour out of 24 hours must be set aside with discipline and consistency from today onwards.
This is time dedicated to Allah and Allah alone. Unless for an emergency, no intrusion in this time must be allowed - no phone calls or other distractions. This time should be spent in developing a strong bond of love and affinity with the Noble Qur'an, with Dua and Zikr. A lot of time must be spent in introspection and self-appraisal. What is my current
state of Islam? Strong or weak? What are my main weaknesses? How do I overcome these? Who do I turn to for spiritual help and guidance? Deep, soul-searching questions have to be posed. This is one of the highest form of Ibadah. It is the Ibadah of Fikr or Tafakkur, a moment of which equals many years of Nafl Ibadah.
Finally, all the "T's" of Ramadhan Shareef must be keptin mind so that when Ramadhan comes, "everything is to the T!". These "T's" are: Tilawah, Tahajjud, Taraweeh, Tasbeehat, Tadharru' (fervent Dua), Tatawwu' (Nafil Ibadah), Tasahhur (eating Sehri), Taubah (repentance), Tawadhu (humility) and Tafakkur (contemplation).
May Allah Ta'ala make this Ramadhan a turning point in the life of the long-suffering Ummah. Aameen.
http://www.alinaam.org.za/ramadhaan/countdown.htm
And whoever fears Allaah He will make for him a way out And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allaah then He is sufficient for him. Indeed Allaah will accomplish His purpose. Allaah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent. At-Talaaq: 2-3
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{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.}
(Holy Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all."
[Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
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