WELCOMING RAMADAN

Praise belongs to God (Allah SWT) who appointed among those roads His month, the month of Ramadhan, the month of fasting, the month of purity.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It’s a time of blessing, when the gates to paradise(=surga) are wide open and the ones to hellfire(=neraka) are sealed shut. The month of Ramadhan is not only the month of fasting, it is also the month of the Qur’an. It is the month which the Qur’an was sent down, as a guide to mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance and the differentiation(between right and wrong)
“O you who believe! Fasting has been ordained upon you as it was ordained upon those before you, that you may attain taqwa(God-consciousness)”[al-Baqarah, 2: 183]
The concept of refraining from drinking and eating not only teaches us to be patient but also the valuable lesson of empathy. How else can we truly understand the feeling of those who have to suffer without food or drink? We appreciate what Allah has given us and consider in perspective exactly how lucky we are.
In an agreed upon Ahadeeth narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah (Radhiallahu anhu), the Propphet (Shallallaahu alaihi wasallam)informed us : “whoever fasts the month of Ramadan out of faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward (from Allah-Subhanahuwata’ala), then all his past sins will be forgiven.” Similarly he (Shallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said : “ whoever stand (in prayer)in the month of Ramadan out of faith(i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward (from Allah-Subhanahuwata’ala) then all his past sins will be forgiven.” We learn a couple of things from these Ahadeeth:
1. The month of Ramadhan has dual aspects
a. Fasting during the day , and
b. Standing in prayer in the night, reciting the Qur’an
2. Purity of intention
In regards to the fasting side of the glorious month, abstaining from food has great ramifications on the person observing the fast-physical as well as spiritual. Abstaining from food is an exercise for the discipline and control of the self.
Here are a few tips that might help you achieve the real objective of the great month of Ramadan:
1. Refrain from passing time in the shopping malls and other places. Use that quality time to come close to Allah(SWT) by worshipping Him through reciting the Qur’an, making Zikr, supplicating, giving carity and calling others to good.
2. Strive to complete the recitation of the Qur’an
3. Abstain from listening to music, vain talk, backbiting, cheating, obscene and vulgar language.
4. Get up for suhoor, eat and drink something before the break of down. The Prophet (SAW) recomended that we do that. There is Barakah in suhoor. The prophet(SAW) also recomended that we delay the suhoor till the time of dawn is close.
5. Do standing (taraweeh) in the Masjid
6. Control your anger. That’s going to be your biggest test!
7. Most television and satellite stations advertise their Ramadan entertainment programs that are full of rubbish. Abstain from such programs and dedicate the precious time to reciting of the Qur’an and sharing the life of the Prophet (SAW) with your family.
Atfer you read this paper, you must be happy and you say “ welcome... Ramadan”. (Rusdin)