Prepare for Ramadan

from 

http://www.dhiislam.com/eng/?p=4135 

"When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened

and the gates of (Hell) Fire are closed and the devils are chained."(Bukhari)

With fantastic imagery this hadith informs all Muslims that the month of

Ramadan is a special month unlike others During the 30-odd days of

Ramadan, which falls in August of this year, Muslims all over the world

will join together  and strive to worship Allah.

One way in which many will consciously try to improve their Islam in the

month is through prayer, since there are rewards and invocations for doing so.

For example, relates Abu Huraira "Whoever establishes prayers during the

nights of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards,

all his past sins will be forgiven."

Muslims will also fast during the month from dawn to sunset. "Oh you who

believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you,

that ye  many learn piety and righousness" (Q2:183)

Allah adds,"...And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew." (Q 2:184)

Indeed the benefits of fasting are many. We learn Taqwa (God-conscousness)

and self-restraint, we know what it is to feel hunger and deprivation, we

unknowingly increase our health as doctors have proven and so on...

Ramadan though is not just about fasting and praying in themselves.

These are the first steps in trying to purify one's soul and increasing

one's Im'aan, which is the real goal. Forgetting school or work problems,

and concentrating on oneself and improving one's relationship with

Allah is the true purpose.

"Ramadan is the (month) in which the Quran was sent down, as a guide to

mankind and a clear guidance and judgement (so that mankind will distinguish

from right and wrong).." (Q 2:183) We actively learn this right and wrong by

controlling our thoughts, our speech, our behavior and by avoiding evil. Each

Muslim along with praying and fasting, must also refrain from hurting others,

from swearing, from taking in harmful things, etc.

Along with being a strong personal Deen for the individual, Islam is also

Practical and designed for the people as a whole to satisfy their needs and

promote happiness.This is why Muslims pray the Tarweeh prayers in Jama'ah

why Mosques hold special community dinners inviting everyone, and why

the Day of Eid is so special. You can feel the love of Allah between Muslims

all through the month. Nowhere is brotherhood  so much a part of worship.

If you visit the mosques late at night during Ramadan and see all the devoted

people standing together praying to the Almighty, you would never have cause

to doubt the power of Islam.

Unfortunately though, we sometimes deviate from the true meanings.

The designation of the first day of Ramadan is argued upon endlessly by

different groups,to the extent that Muslims in the same community

will start fasting on different days and thus celebrate Eid at different times.

We ignore the Quranic injunction to "...hold fast altogether, by the rope

which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided amongst yourselves."

(Q 3:103)

We should remember all the Muslims and remember the true purpose of

These events we hold. "O mankind! We created you from a single (pair)

of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may

know each other..." (Q 49:13) Our culture is Islam first. Let us not forget

this and wipe out any kind of racism or prejudice that exists within ourselves.

Ramadan, as opposed to something that  divides, can even be used as an

effective Daw'ah tool for Muslims and Non-Muslims alike. An atmosphere

of warmth, food and piety can truly go a long way! When the long-awaited

Eid arrives, it is almost always celebrated by everyone in the community.

Mostly it is a joyous time of celebration and thankfulness. But Eid too can

deviate into a display of fashions and cars. For a few Muslims it is the only

occassion they come to the mosque (except for the other Eid) and it is looked

upon as a ritual duty. The Eid Khutbah is never heard as people leave or get up

to socialize.

In growing up, Ramadan was a time when all the Muslims in our community

would come together and share Islam. Perhaps somewhere along the way we

have lost this true remembrance of Allah in all that we do. The need to learn

about Islam and to strive has been lost to culture, bid'ah and straying.

Communties need to recognize these problems and develop effective target

solutions for them. They are not residual effects, but are symptoms of growing

problems that will get worse. Would we be following Islam as we do if the

Prophet (SAW) was with us today? As a community or as individuals? Would

we spend Ramadan in the same way if we knew it was our last (Audhu'billah)?

Would so many of us remain ignorant of our deen and our own souls? Or

would we ask forgiveness and start again? May Allah forgive us and guide us all.

Ameen.

"When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them):I listen

to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: let them also, with a

 will,listen to My call, and believe in Me: that they may walk in the right way."

(Q 2:188)