By Muhammad Al-Shareef
Source: www.khutbah.com
"Hasn't there come upon man a period of time when they were nothing
remembered?"
- Insaan 76/1
Imagine that you are on the beach. You are four years old. The camp
leader has told you that you have five minutes to build a great
castle. "Quickly," your three year old Ameer tells you, "the sand
here is too soft. Run closer to the water and get better sand!"
Off you run and grab, with your tiny hands, as much sand as you can
hold. But, as you run back, plop, plop, plop, you feel the sand
slipping through your fingers. You can do nothing about it. In your
haste, all the sand has slipped away. Bang. The competition is over.
This is the analogy of our lives. This is the analogy of our time in
Ramadan.
For many living in Western countries, Ramadan is passed daily with 9
to 5 jobs or school - nights where we may or may not go for
Taraweeh. A peak at the TV (may Allah protect us) and the night is
over. Back to work where all around us people are eating and
drinking from crystal water fountains. Blink. Ramadan is over.
The question of the hour is: how do we take full advantage of this
gift of Allah? This is our topic, before the sands of Ramadan slip
away.
How many years have we been fasting Ramadan? 10 or 15 or 40 years?
Are we 10 or 15 or 40 times better? Or, does it seem like we have
arrived back at the drawing board every time Ramadan comes around?
All acts of worship are for our own benefit! Don't do it and harm
befalls you, which is the way life was programmed.
Ramadan is no small matter. It is one of the pillars of this Deen of
Islam - without it one's Islam would not be complete. In this month,
Rasul Allah - sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - would intensify his
worship of Allah ta'ala. In doing so, he laid the foundation for his
Ummah after him to emulate.
Ibn AlQayyim - rahimahullaah - wrote: "From his blessed guidance -
sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - in Ramadan is that he used to
intensify and diversify his actions of worship. So, for example,
Jibreel used to rehearse the Qur'an with him during the nights of
Ramadan. When Jibreel would visit him, he would intensify the amount
of Sadaqah that he would give. He was the most generous out of all
people - sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - and Ramadan was the time
when he was most generous. In Ramadan, he would fill his time with
Sadaqah, treating people kindly, reciting Qur'an, performing Salah,
remembering Allah, and performing I'tikaaf." - Zaad AlMa'aad
Observers described the way Allah's Messenger- sal Allaahu alayhi wa
sallam - gave like Ar-Reeh AlMursalah, like the blessed wind. Why?
The blessed wind, as they knew it, was a wind that brought coolness
to everyone - no one was denied its blessing. The blessed wind,
additionally, was not lazy in bringing its goodness to the people.
It would come swiftly to all. This is how Rasul Allah - sal Allaahu
alayhi wa sallam - was described, and this is how our service to
humanity should be: swift and encompassing. Bi idhnillah.
Below are ten ideas to and help make the most of Ramadan - before it
slips through our hands.
Idea one: Compound Your Siyaam!
If you told your financial broker that you just want to keep money
in the bank and save it, he would say, "You are wrong." "Invest it
in the stock market. That way your money will be compounded - you
will earn multiple times what you put in." So now I ask the
question: Wouldn't you love to get two times the reward of fasting
Ramadan? How?
Zayd ibn Khaalid AlJuhanee narrates that the Prophet - sal Allaahu
alayhi wa sallam - said, "Whoever gives a fasting person (food) to
break his or her fast, he (the one feeding) will get the reward
equivalent to the (fasting persons) reward - without diminishing
anything from the reward of the (fasting person)."
How do we do this? Ask any Muslim relief agency if they have a feed
a fasting person program. Subhan Allah, you may find that it only
costs $1 to feed a person! So, for $30 you could come out of Ramadan
having doubled your reward.
And, we should not forget the needy in our city. We think that in
a 'modern' western country or city there are no needy people. That
is not true. There are many needy families that are waiting to be
discovered. Ask around and you will find a gold mine of people to
help, in your own backyard.
I speak about Washington, DC. If one was to have a food drive, all
the food could go to needy Muslim families in DC and still not be
enough! I've seen this with my own eyes. How blessed it would be to
get the youth that just hang out in the back of the Masjid during
Taraweeh to take on this task. Organize the collection of the food
and distribute it. It can happen! It just takes a leader with vision
to set this up for the youth and all the good people who want to
make a difference.
Idea two: Operation Guide the Youth
Often in Ramadan, there are khaatirahs, words of wisdom, halaqahs
and reminders, all geared to the adults praying Taraweeh. The youth,
it seems, are being disrespectful by talking in the back of the
masjid.
"Shhhhhsh!" someone shouts at them. "Listen or go outside (and we
prefer if you just go outside)!" So, quietly they sneak out of the
Masjid and chat and chill all Ramadan. How Eman boosting is that?
Remember, Allah commands that you protect your wife and children
also.
Try this: Just like there are things for the adults, we could have
Ramadan activities and reminders geared specifically for the youth.
And, it need not be 'in' the Masjid. Let's say the youth like to
chat and chill outside in the parking lot. Why not organize the
activity there? Yes, on the basketball court or in the parking lot.
Have a 5-minute Khatirah, play games with them, and give them some
noble projects to complete in Ramadan.
Again, making a difference like this needs a leader with vision, one
who recognizes that the youth are his or her responsibility. I pray
that person is you!
Idea Three: Turnoff TV Month
Every parent knows that when they want their child to do well in
their studies they tell them, "no TV." If this is for Dunya, then
how about someone who wants to excel in Ramadan?
"Fasting and the Qur'an will come and testify on behalf of the 'Abd
on the Day of Resurrection. The Fasting will say: O my lord, I
denied him food and desires, so allow me to be a means for him to
enter paradise. And the Qu'ran will say: O my Lord, I denied him
sleep at night so allow me to be a means for him to enter Paradise.
And (he will be entered into paradise) because of those two." -
Musnad Ahmad
Try this: Announce in your household that Ramadan is the official
turnoff TV month. Be an example for others and do fun and rewarding
things instead. Visit people, take on a Ramadan feeding project,
increase yourself in knowledge, etc. Turn off the TV and turn on
life.
Idea Four: Dua' Time
Ramadan is the month of making dua' to Allah, an essential
compliment to fasting. Rasul Allah - sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam -
said, "There are three persons dua' that will be accepted (by
Allah). The fasting person, the oppressed one, and the traveler."
Try this: Make a list of all your goals in life. Make a section for
your a) personal goals; b) spiritual goals; c) economic goals; and
d) contribution goals. Every day during Ramadan, take out your list
and make dua' to Allah to grant you the tawfeeq to accomplish your
goals. Insha Allah, you will attain your goals with hard work, both
during and after Ramadan.
Idea Five: Parent Appreciation Month
We all know that the one who wakes us up for Suhoor is our mom. I
know it was for me. If not for her alarm clock, her early morning
cooking, her motherly love to go and wake everyone up . well, let's
just say our iftars would have become our suhoors. If you are living
away from your parents, you know what I'm talking about.
Remember the hadith of the person who doesn't reach Ramadan with
forgiveness? The end part of the Hadith says they found their
parents in old age and they were not a means for him to enter Jannah!
So, why not announce it loud and clear this month, "Thank you Mom!
Thank you Dad!" Let's take care of them this month with extra calls,
extra hugs, and extra love.
Idea Six: Masjid Power Hour
During Ramadan, why not spend a few more moments in the Masjid
before taking off. This could be done after Fajr or after Asr. Sit
back, grab a Qur'an and remember Allah. As your time in the Masjid
increases, bi idhnillaah, your love and heart attachment will
increase. Make this your personal Masjid power hour.
Idea Seven: Bad Habit Buster
Many people already do this. They may have a smoking problem or a TV
addiction. When Ramadan comes around they say, "I'm going to train
myself to stop smoking or to stop watching excessive TV by
abandoning it throughout Ramadan."
So, you don't have a smoking problem huh? Everyone has a bad habit
and everyone has a recurring sin they pray they could desist from.
Make Ramadan the training month by telling yourself to go without
this sin for the entire month. Then, if Allah grants one Tawfeeq to
complete the month, one should continue to pray to Allah to keep
them away from the sin after Ramadan.
Idea Eight: The Gift Groove
Have you ever noticed how beloved a bottle of perfume is when it is
handed out by a little four year old Muslim? Everyone loves a gift.
Why not take this a step forward? Go to your local Islamic bookstore
and request a bulk purchase of some beneficial Islamic materials,
something in the $1 range. Then, hand it out to everyone that comes
to your masjid. Bi idhnillaah, you will find for the little effort
one may put, people all throughout Ramadan will be learning from the
gift.
Idea Nine: Ramadan Muslims, Convert!
It is true that on the first day of Ramadan, the number of Muslims
in the local Masjid multiplies considerably. And, it is a sad moment
on the first day after Ramadan that the Masjid attendance drops
significantly. This idea is Operation No More Ramadan Muslims. We
want people all year long!
Ibn Abbas I'tikaaf: A man came to Ibn Abbas while he was doing
I'tikaaf in the masjid and asked him for his assistance. So, Ibn
Abbas stood to leave and people around him warned him, 'but you are
in I'tikaaf'. He replied, "To assist my brother in fulfilling his
need is more beloved to me than to perform I'tikaaf for 2 months in
the Masjid of Rasul Allah - sal Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam."
Try this: Make a 'compassion crew' that reaches out specifically to
Ramadan Muslims. Extra special attention is showered on them and
roles of responsibility are delegated to them so that they can
participate more in the Masjid. Invite them to special Iftars where
they are the center of attention.
With this extra attention and responsibility, bi idhnillaah, every
month will be Ramadan for them and the masjids will be full all year.
Idea Ten: Home Halaqah
Muslim families often keep their worship for the Masjid, but why not
make Muslim family time at home. It could work like this: After
Taraweeh or Asr, the family gathers together for 15 minutes. There
are many things you could do in your Halaqah, the main thing is that
you set time aside for it.
For example, each family member may recite a few verses of Qur'an.
Or, one of the kids can read a story of the Sahaabah so that all
family members can be reminded. Or, each family member can speak
about the blessings of Allah upon them and what they have in their
lives for which they are thankful.
Just 15 minutes for the home Halaqah. For the entire family, bi
idhnillah, it will be a spring of Eman.
Ten ideas to enhance your Ramadan:
Idea one: Compound Your Siyaam!
Idea two: Operation Guide the Youth
Idea Three: Turnoff TV Month
Idea Four: Dua' Time
Idea Five: Parent Appreciation Month
Idea Six: Masjid Power Hour
Idea Seven: Bad Habit Buster
Idea Eight: The Gift Groove
Idea Nine: Ramadan Muslims, Convert!
Idea Ten: Home Halaqah
The past saw Muslims that spent their nights of Ramadan awake
praying to Allah. It saw days where people, for the sake of Allah,
went thirsty.
They knew that this season may never return on them and they heard
Allah's words "Ayyaman Ma'doodaat"- a limited number of days. Don't
let the sand of Ramadan slip away.
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