1a] The Muslim in Ramadaan

1a]
remembering Allaah (dhikr), paying attention to the rights of
neighbours, relatives and the Muslims, spreading the greeting of
salaam, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, urging one
another to follow the truth and bepatient and steadfast in doing so,
being patient in avoiding evil actions and in doing good deeds, and
accepting the decree of Allaah with patience.
Then we should take stock of ourselves and oursins and our following
whims and desires. We should stop ourselves from persisting in that,
whether the sin is great or small, whether it is a sin of the eye, by
looking at that which Allaah has forbidden; or by listening to music;
or by walking tothings of which Allaah does not approve; or by using
one's hands to srike in a manner with which Allaah is not pleased; or
by consuming things that Allaah has forbidden such as riba (usury) and
bribes, or any other means of consuming people's wealth unlawfully.
We should never forget that Allaah stretches forthHis hand during the
day to accept the repentance of those who sinned at night, and He
stretches forth His hand at night to accept the repentance of those
who sinned during the day. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your
Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared
for Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).
Those who spend (in Allaah's Cause) in prosperity and in adversity,
who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allaah loves
Al-Muhsinoon (the good-doers).
And those who, when they have committed Faahishah (illegal sexual
intercourse) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allaah and ask
forgiveness for their sins; -- and none can forgive sins but Allaah --
and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know.
For such, the reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with
rivers flowing underneath(Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever.
How excellent is this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds
accordingto Allaah's Orders)"
[Aal 'Imraan 3:133-136]
"Say: "O 'Ibaadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves
(by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of
Allaah, verily,Allaah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving,
Most Merciful"
[al-Zumar 39:53]
"And whoever does evil orwrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allaah's
forgiveness, he will find Allaah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful"
[al-Nisa' 4:110]
By taking stock, repentingand seeking forgiveness, this is how we
should welcome Ramadaan. "Thesmart man is the one whotakes stock of
himself andstrives to do that which will benefit him after death, and
the helpless one is the one who follows his own whims and desires and
engages in wishful thinking, (assuming that Allaah willforgive him
regardless of what he does and that he does not need to strive to good
deeds)."
The month of Ramadaan is the month of great gains and profits. The
smart trader is the one who makes the most of special occasions to
increase his profits. So make the most of this month by doing lots of
acts of worship, praying a great deal, reading Qur'aan, forgiving
people, being kind to others and giving charity to the poor.
In the month of Ramadaan the gates of Paradise are opened and the
gates of Hell are shut. The devils are put in chains and a caller
cries out each night, O seeker of good, proceed, O seekerof evil,
desist.
So, O slaves of Allaah, be among the people of good, following the
path of your righteous forebears who were guided by the Sunnah of your
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), so that we may
end Ramadaan with our sins forgiven and our righteous deeds accepted.
We should note that the month of Ramadaan is the best of months.
Ibn al-Qayyim said:
Another of example of that - i.e., of the differentiation between the
things that Allaah has created - is the fact that the month of
Ramadaan is superior to all other months, and the last ten nights are
superior to the other nights."
Zaad al-Ma'aad, 1/56
This month is superior to others in four things:
1 - In it there is the best night of the year, which isLaylat al-Qadr.
Allaah says(interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, We have sent it (this Qur'aan) down in theNight of Al-Qadr (Decree).
And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?
The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e.
worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a
thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).
Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by
Allaah's Permission with all Decrees,:->