4] Ten Tips for Ramadan

4]
As the blessed month of Ramadhan approaches, we need to prepare for it
in such a way that we cangain the maximum benefit of this month. For
many, Ramadhan comes and goes. However, very few people actually
benefit from this great month.
Our teachers advise us to live the whole year as if we are in the
month of Ramadhan. This magnanimous achievement can only be attained
when the actual month of Ramadhan is spent properly. In order
toacquire a droplet of the reality mentioned above, Insha Allah, I
hope to mention ten points that were given as form of advice to me and
many others.
1. Discipline:
Most people already knowto abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual
relations from one's spouse during the daytime of Ramadhan. However, a
level of discipline must be developed to do righteous acts and
abstainfrom those acts which would earn the displeasure of Allah. That
was a basic form of discipline that needs to bedeveloped but along
withthat, one needs to have discipline in following a particular
routine or schedule for Ramadhan.
This will be the real life changing factor for an individual. They
wake up for suhoor but also pray Tahajjud at that time. Recite some
Qur'an. They eat. Make dua' while waiting for Salah. They pray Fajr.
Recite Qur'an and make zikr. Rest if theyneed to.
The idea is to make a schedule and act accordingly the whole month
without sacrificing their schedule. This is the desired discipline
that is required.One may ask, "Why did he not just put the first point
as a 'making a schedule'?" Well, the answer is very simple. Anyone can
come up with a schedule, but it takes real discipline to abide by it.
2. Devotional life ('Ibadah):
Ramadhan is the month where Allah allows us to really fulfill the
purpose ofour being, and the purpose of our creation. Allah created us
all to worship Him, and Him alone.Here, I will not mention virtues of
variousacts or worship because those can be found in the many books on
the meritsof certain deeds.
However, since Ramadhanand Qur'an are closely connected, I will say
that much of our devotional life should be focused on the Qur'an.
Reciting at least the entire Qur'an once in this month. Understanding
it from erudite scholarship of our community or from accepted
commentaries and Tafaaseer.
I am not asking that a person recites the entire Qur'an and completes
oneentire commentary of it inone month. Perhaps it may be feasible to
recite the entire Qur'an and startoff a regimen of a Tafseer and try
to finish it on an annual basis.
3. Identifying with the Ummah:
It is important that we feel our fast, i.e. feel hunger and thirst.
Apart from that, we can use thisto our benefit by making other
people's fast count for us as well. This means that if we feed or give
to drink something to someone who fasts, we can get the reward of
their fast as well.
Another aspect of identifying with the Ummah is to be grateful for
whatever Allah has given us and realize that alittle of that we need
to give to others so that they may have a decent Ramadhan and
wonderful'Eid. See what the Ummahis going through and see how we can
actively participate to help the Ummah in any way possible.
4. Contact with the Qur'an:
Ramadhan is the month wherein the Qur'an was revealed. This is the
month of the Qur'an. It is extremely essential to establish a
relationship with the Qur'an. Without going into much detail, I will
just mention something practical with regards to the Qur'an and
Ramadhan.For the average person, i.e. one who is not scholar or is not
a Hafiz, they should read at least one juz per day so that they finish
at a minimum one entire Qur'an for the month of Ramadhan.
If one can do more, than Alhamdulillah, no one is stopping anyone.The
nextthing is to understand theQur'an. So take the first volume of
Ma'ariful Qur'an(for example) and read one section of the Arabic part
(if one can) and then read the translation, then read the commentary.
Do this every day without fail. Obviously the whole commentary will
not be completed in one month, but at least a schedule to read a
portion regularly will be developed and hopefully within a year it
could be completed.
Also, one should try to memorize those chapters/surahs which areread
often like Mulk, Kahf, Ya Seen, Waqi'ah, and Sajdah. Also memorize
Surahs from the last juz atleast and more if possible.
5. Mujahadah:
Ramadhan is a month of sacrifice and struggle. It is a month where
Allah wants our time, our health, our wealth, and our whole being. We
literally live the whole year for everything and anything. It is just
one month…can we not live one month solely for our Creator?!

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