Ramadan Articles - Ten Ways to Receive Ramadan

Muslims should not neglect the seasons of worship; rather, they must
be among the first to excel in and compete in them. Allaah The
Almighty Says )what means(:}So for this let the competitors
compete.{]Quran 83:26[
So, we must try our best to receive the month ofRamadanin the
following recommended ways:
The first way:Supplicate Allaah The Almighty to keep you alive and in
good health untilRamadancomes so that you will be able to actively
worship AllaahThe Almighty. It was narrated on the authority of Anas
ibn Maalikthat when the month ofRajabcame, the Prophet,, said:"O
Allaah, bless Rajab and Sha'baan for us, and let us live tillthe
coming of Ramadan."]Ahmad and At-Tabaraani[ The righteous predecessors
used to supplicate Allaah The Almighty tolet them live until the
coming ofRamadanand to accept it from them. At the sighting of the new
moon, supplicate Allaah The Almighty saying:"O Allaah, let this moon
come to us with security and faith; with safety and Islam; and
guidance to what You love and approve. My Lord and your Lord is
Allaah."]At-Tirmithi, Ad-Daarimi, and Ibn Hibbaan:Saheeh[
The second way:Thanking Allaah The Almighty for attending this month.
In his bookAl-Athkaar,Imaam An-Nawawisays,"It is recommended for the
person who experiences an obvious favor or is protected from an
obvious curse that he prostrates in gratefulness to Allaah The
Almighty or praises Him duly."Among the greatest blessings Allaah The
Almighty grants the slave is guiding him to obedienceand worship.
WhenRamadancomes and the Muslim is in good health, this is a great
blessing worthy of thankfulness and it requires the praise of Allaah
The Almighty Who bestows it. All perfect and continuous praise be to
Allaah The Almighty as suits the majesty of His Face and His Great
Authority.
The third way:Happiness and joy.The Prophet,, was authentically
reported to have congratulated his Companions onthe coming ofRamadan.
The Prophet,, said:"Ramadan hascome to you. It is a blessed month
during which Allaah The Almighty Prescribed fasting and in this month
the gates of the heavens are open and the gates of Hell are
shut…"]Ahmad[ Our righteous predecessors, the Companions of the
Prophet,, and those who followed them in the best way, used to take
great care of the month ofRamadanand were happy with its arrival.
There is no happiness greater than receiving the news of the approach
ofRamadan, the season of blessings and the descent of mercy.
The fourth way:Planning in advance how to benefit
fromRamadan.Unfortunately, many people -- even practicing Muslims--
draw detailed plans for worldlyaffairs of this life, whereas only a
few of them plan for the affairs of the Hereafter. This results from
the lack of awareness aboutthe mission of the believer in thislife, or
forgetting or deliberately ignoring that there are numerous chances
for the Muslim with Allaah The Almighty and important periods of time
totrain oneself in to be firm in this regard. Planning for the affairs
ofthe Hereafter includes planning to investRamadanin acts of worship.
A Muslim must put a practical plan into action that spans the days and
nights ofRamadanin obedience to Allaah The Almighty. This message is
supposed to help the person spend the duration of Ramadan in obeying
Allaah The Almighty – Allaah willing.
The fifth way:Beingsincerely determined to be among the believers who
achieve success and felicity inRamadanand fill itsdays with righteous
deeds. If a Muslim is true to Allaah The Almighty, He will fulfill His
promise to him, help him in worship, and facilitate the ways of
goodness for him. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}If they had
been true to Allaah, it would have been better for them.{]Quran 47:21[
The sixth way:Learning and understanding theFiqhrulings related to
fasting inRamadan.The believer has to worship Allaah The Almighty with
knowledge, and is not excused for his ignorance of the obligations
Allaah The Almighty prescribed for people. This includes fasting
inRamadan. TheMuslim is obliged to learn the issues and rulings
related to fasting before the coming ofRamadanso that his fasting will
be correct and accepted by AllaahThe Almighty Who Says )what
means(:}So ask the people of themessage if you do not know.{]Quran
21:7[
The seventh way:We have to receive this month with the decision to
give up sins and misdeeds, sincerely repent of them all, stop them,
and not commit them again.Ramadanis the month of repentance and if a
person misses this chance, when will he repent? Allaah The Almighty
Says )what means(:}And turn to Allaah in repentance, all of you, O
believers, that you might succeed.{]Quran 24:31[
The eighth way:Being spiritually and psychologically prepared.This
could be done by reading books and articles, and listening to
beneficial lectures and discourses which highlight the virtues and
rulings of fasting, so that the soul is prepared for worship in this
month. The Prophet,, used to prepare the souls of his Companions to
utilize this meritorious month by saying on the last day
ofSha'baan:"Ramadan has come toyou…"]Ahmad and An-Nasaa'i[
The ninth way:Prepare oneself well for calling to Allaah The Almighty
inRamadan. This can be done in the following ways:
1- Preparing short sermons and lessons to be given in the
neighbourhood Masjid if possible.
2- Distributing some booklets and articles of admonition and
jurisprudence related toRamadanto the worshipers and people in your
area.
3- Preparing some gifts forRamadan,which could be envelopes containing
two tapes and a booklet marked "Gift forRamadan."
4- Reminding people of our duties towards the poor and needy and
giving them charity andZakaah)obligatory charity(.
The tenth way:We receive the month of Ramadan by opening a bright new page with:
a- Allaah The Almighty by sincerely repenting to Him.
b- The Messenger of Allaah,, by obeying his orders and avoiding what
he prohibited and warned against.
c- Parents, relatives, and one's spouse and children by being dutiful
to them and maintaining ties with them
d- Society by being a righteous and useful person. The Prophet,,
said:"The best of people is the one who benefits them most."
This is how the Muslim receives the month ofRamadanlike a barren land
which is in need of water, a patient when he sees the doctor and the
lover when hereceives his long-awaited absent loved one.
O Allaah, Keep us alive till the coming ofRamadanand accept itfrom us!
Indeed, You are The Hearing The Knowing!