In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful.

Good tiding for approaching Ramadan

Written by Sk. Omar Kadrawi

Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa

22 Shaban 1430 H

14 August 2009 ad

All thanks be to Allah who made for His slaves seasons during which they can become closer to Him through acts of obedience. So, He will forgive their sins, and elevates them many levels.

I testify that there is not other God but Allah. He decreed, and He made the best allocation, and He laid his laws and He considered easiness. He keeps on overwhelming His slaves with goodness and kindness. And I testify that Muhammad is the slave of Allah and His messenger. Allah's prayers are upon him and his people and companions whom used to keep up doing acts of obedience at all times. And they used to do even more on Allah's special times.

People, you ought to know that a Muslim should worship His God and be obedient to Him all his or her life. Allah says: {and worship your God until the certain (or death) comes to you} 99:99. Allah made reward worth many times more during certain times or seasons. Therefore, those good seasons deserve more attention and effort by the Muslim. Some of these special seasons is the holy month of Ramadan. It is the month during which Koran was brought down to the people as guidance and clarification and differentiation. It is a season of great status and it about to approach you as a blessed guest and an honorable visitor. It is the master of all months in the year which comes with godly gifts and donations. It alert the unaware and reminds the forgetful, it renews the determination those who seek to do good, and it assembles the scattered people behind one Imam (leader of prayer) who recites Allah's verses which addresses them: {Tell my slaves who have done far too many sins, do not give up on the mercy of Allah. For Allah forgives all sins, He is the most forgiving the most merciful.} Therefore, welcome this month with delight and happiness. Give your thanks to Allah who lengthened your life to reach this month. Ask Him to support you and help you to do good deeds in it. Ask Him the acceptance of your work. When the month or Rajab starts (that's two months before Ramadan) the messenger (ppbu) used to make this prayer (duaa): {Dear God, make Rajab and Sahaba months blessed months for us, and grant us life or living to make it to Ramadan}. The early Muslims used to pray to Allah to grant them life to Ramadan, and when Ramadan starts they used to pray to Allah so that He may accept from them their deeds.

The messenger (ppbu) gave a talk on the last day of the month of Shaban, he said: {People, a great and blessed month is coming upon you. It is a month that has the night of Qadr. This night is better than a thousand months. Fasting this month was made compulsory, and praying its nights is voluntary. This who seeks getting closer to Allah with one voluntary good deed, it will count for doing a compulsory worship in other times. And whosoever does a compulsory worship in Ramadan will count for seventy worships in other times. It is the month of patience and perseverance. Patience and perseverance are rewarded by Paradise. It is the moth of consoling and comforting. It is a month when income is made plentiful. Whosoever feeds someone who is fasting, that deed will be forgiveness to his/her sins, and setting himself free from fire and he/she will gain the same reward as the person who is fasting without loosing any of that reward.} They said to the messenger (ppbu): "But we don't all have food to feed someone who is fasting". The messenger (ppbu) said: {Allah grants this reward to those who feed someone who fasts even with some milk, or a date fruit, or a drink of water; And this who gives a drink to someone who was fasting then Allah shall give him/her a drink from my pool or basin on the day of resurrection one drink after which he or she will never go thirsty. And this who would take it easy with slave of his/her during this month, then Allah will forgive his/her sins and Allah will pardon him/her from fire until he/she will enter paradise. It is a month that its beginning is mercy, and at its middle is forgiveness and its end is a pardon from fire. So, during this month do a plenty of four things. Two of them are to get your God satisfied, and the other two you couldn't do with out. The two deeds which will gain your God's satisfaction are: Shahadah or to testify that there is no other God but Allah, and to ask Him for forgiveness; while the two deeds which you couldn't do without are to ask Allah for Paradise and to protect your self through Him from Hellfire}.

Slaves of Allah, the messenger of Allah (ppbu) had made clear the benefits of this month and the goodness it contains. He also urged you to do a plenty of good deeds, both compulsory and voluntary. Prayers, donations, acts of kindness and favors, patience and perseverance, constructing an enriching the days of Ramadan with fasting and its nights with prayers, and with being diligent in remembering Allah and asking Allah for rewards; And seeking out the night of Qadr which alone is better than a thousand months. Do not waste Ramadan through forgetfulness and refusal just as the miserable and ungodly. Those who forget Allah and Allah makes them forget about themselves. They never benefit from those seasons of goodwill. They do not know its sanctity, and they know not their value. You who have been disobedient to Allah, do repent, and be careful with your self. Meet this month with coming to Allah, for He forgives all sins. Continue to repent and to keep your self a straight regularly and often for the rest of your life. May Allah grant you happy ending, and may you be written during this month amongst those who shall be pardoned from being touched by fire. It is during the month of Ramadan that doors of Paradise are opened, and the doors of Hellfire are shut and Satan are chained, and goodness and blessings are sent down by the most Gracious Himself. Ramadan is the month of glory for Allah so Glorify Him. And Ramadan is an honorable guest who will visit you so honor it. Give your thanks to Allah that you made it alive to Ramadan.

So, what is the month of Ramadan?

Many people do not know this month. For many Ramadan is a time to have variety of foods and drinks at their tables. They over do satisfying their desires and go for unnecessary luxuries; it is well known that too much food makes one lazy. During this month a Muslim need to reduce the intake of food in order to be active for worship.

Some others know Ramadan as a month of sleep and idleness. During the day they sleep even through the compulsory prayers. Others know Ramadan as time for staying up late messing and playing. When they tire they eat a meal and sleep through the dawn prayer. They forget the compulsory and they commit the forbidden. They pay no attention to Allah and they do not fear Him. Ramadan has no value to those.

Some know Ramadan as the season for business and they get more active in doing business transactions, spending most of their time at the markets. Very if any time is spent at mosques. To them Ramadan becomes a season of benefit for this life not for the next.

Slaves of Allah, the messenger (ppbu) used to be more active during this month than in others. In fact he used free himself from many other matters and used to dedicate himself to worship of Allah. Early Muslims used to put much attention into doing good deed in order to get closer to Allah during this month. They used to pray the nights and fill the times with acts of obedience. They used to recite a lot of Koran and give food to the needy. They used to sit in the mosques, they believed that will be better at keeping their fast remain pure and they avoid committing backbiting and slandering. They used to make sure they attended the Taraweeh or Quiam prayers at the mosque and not to leave until after the Imam had left. The messenger (ppbu) said: {whoever prays the nights of Ramadan in faith and expectation all his/her past sins shall be forgiven}.

Dear Muslims fear Allah, look after your month of Ramadan, and make plenty of acts of obedience during it, for you may be written as winners.

Allah says: {The month of Ramadan when Koran was brought down as guidance to the people and clarification of guidance and differentiation. Whoever of you witnesses the month then let them fast. And whoever is sick or is on a travel then let them fast other days. For Allah wants the ease with you and does not want difficulties. And finish the month and glorify and magnify Allah for what He guided you so you may be thankful. And if my slaves ask you about me, then let it be known that I am near by, I answer the prayer or the call of a caller if he/she calls upon me. Let them respond to me and believe in me so they may be wise} 2:185-186

Notes:

Adhan - The call to prayer.

Ansar (or Al-Ansar): The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.

Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.

Aya (or Ayah): is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.

Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat): is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day.

Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.

Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa)

Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.

Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.

Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life.

Duaa: a prayer in the form of talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.

Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.

Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.

Fiqh - Religious law.

Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.

Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.

Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.

Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.

Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.

Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.

Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.

Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.

Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.

Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.

Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.

Iman: belief or faith

Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.

Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.

Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of the faithful in the afterlife.

Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."

Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.

Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.

Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".

Khutbah - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.

Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.

Koran - Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)

Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.

Masjid - A center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.

Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act

Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).

Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.

Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.

Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah

Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.

Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.

Nasara - Christians. Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.

Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.

Paradise - Another word for heaven. A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.

PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.

Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.

Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.

Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.

Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.

Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.

Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.

Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.

Shirk - Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.

Siam or Soam- Fasting

Sunni: is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.

Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.

Surah - A chapter of the Koran.

Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.

Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)

Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.

Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.

Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.

Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.

Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.

Zaboor - The Psalms

Zakat - The third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.

Faheem Bukhatwa, my email address is : faheemfb@gmail.com