Monday 30 June 2014

Do's and Dont's of Ramadan - Part 1

empty plate

Ramadan: A month in which God multiplies our good deeds, forgives us and blesses us!

'O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint'  [Quran 2:183]
This month is VERY precious for us Muslims; we cannot afford to waste a single minute.
Narrated Abu Huraira(r.a): The Prophet said:"... whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven." (Sahih Al-Bukhari).
"Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the Fire." [Ahmad, Saheeh]
Here are a few Do's and Don'ts, of which some you may not know and some that you may but shaytaan our ultimate enemy has made you forget!

Dont's of Ramadan

salah10
Use websites like Jamattimes.com to help keep track of prayer times

Missing Prayers

Salah (prayers) are the second pillar of Islam. It comes before Saum (fasting).
It's OBLIGATORY on all Muslims and your saum is incomplete without Salah!
ACTION:
Pray 5 times a day understanding its importance and realizing that it is God you are standing in front of. This will not only help you with your abstaining from food but also from sins as the one who is busy remembering to keep his prayers doesn’t have time to commit sins!

lower gaze

The Eye

Looking at a non-mehram (any person with whom marriage is allowed in Islam) is NOT allowed!
A Muslim should lower his/her gaze at all times where possible this will protect you from going towards that which displeases Allah.

AVOID:
* Eye contact with non-mahrams

* Staring at the pictures in newspapers/magazines

* TV - we stare at the TV without realizing the sinful images that are infront of us which we feel are normal.

These things affect your desires (even if its subconsciously) and entices you towards acting on these desires.
INSTEAD:
  • Read Quran/observe nature and say Subhaan Allah!(All praise to Allah)
  • Use the opportunity to learn and understand how amazing nature and the world around you is, you can quite easily busy yourself in getting to know your Lord through the amazing creation he puts in front of us.

listening to music

The Ear

Quit music or try refraining from it

INSTEAD: switch to
  • Tafsir of Quran
  • Recitation of Quran
  • Nasheeds 
  • CD's of Islamic lectures etc

backbiting

The Tongue

Back biting is considered a extremely sinful act
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Do you know what gheebah (backbiting) is?” They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “Saying something about your brother that he dislikes.” It was said, “What if what I say about my brother is true?” He said, “If what you say is true then you have backbitten about him, and if it is not true, then you have slandered him.” [Muslim]
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever has wronged his brother with regard to his honour or anything else, let him seek his forgiveness today, before there will be no dinar and no dirham, and if he has any good deeds to his credit they will be taken from him in a manner commensurate with the wrong he did, and if he has no good deeds, then some of his counterpart’s bad deeds will be taken and added to his burden.” [al-Bukhaari].
So if you think that talking on the phone or meeting friends might result in back biting then avoid it.
*Abusive language: When you abuse someone it doesn't harm him, it just adds to your sins!

God hates people who abuse, so don't use it even if you don't mean it!
Narrated on the authority of Jabir that he heard the (Holy Prophet) say: A Muslim is he from whose hand and tongue the Muslim's are safe.
*Be VERY careful how you use your tongue, hurting some one with your words, is DEEPER and STRONGER than physical pain!
INSTEAD:
  • Tell people about Islam.
  • It is obligatory on us to spread the word of Allah, as we are the Ummah of the last Prophet.
  • Keep good company of those who remind you of Allah.
  • Attend the masjid or Islamic events to be in an environment which people are remembering Allah.

Fist hand human evolution COSMOS Science Magazine

The Hand

Don't get into fights, stay away and if you get into one and lose your temper, practice patience (sabr) and walk away.
Narated By Abu Huraira : The Prophet said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink ( i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)" – [Sahih Bukhari, Vol.3, Book 31, #127]
People will probably think you're a coward, but God thinks you're a lion!


Look out for part 2 on DO's in Ramadan.
Source: email from http://www.alfitrah.com/