Exercising the T's for Ramadan & its Merits

"All the “T’s” of Ramadan must be kept in mind so that when Ramadan comes, “everything is to the T!”. These “T’s” are: Tilawah, Tahajjud, Taraweeh, Tasbeehat, Tadharru’ (fervent Dua), Tatawwu’ (Nafl Ibadah), Tasahhur (eatingSehri/Suhoor), Taubah (repentance),Tawadhu (humility) and Tafakkur (contemplation). May Almighty Allah make this Ramadan a turning point in the life of the long-suffering Ummah. Aameen." - Mufti Zubair Bayat

Ramadan is the month that requires action and activity. It is all about altering our timetables and schedules, and it demands us to train ourselves to attain Taqwa (fear of Allah or devotion to Him) which in turn, is the element to carry us successfully through the ongoing journey towards the hereafter (akhirah), In Shaa Allah.

This abstinence in itself is a worship. One month of strictly conducting oneself in this manner will In Shaa Allah have the effect of enabling one to live the next eleven months in a similar manner in the complete obedience of Allah. Thus, can we afford to waste this time? Can we still have time for “loafing?” Is it possible for a person who values Ramadan to spend hours eating? or loitering around after taraweeh feasts and gatherings?, or have time for any other idle pursuits? Can we afford to spend valuable time glued to the airwaves listening to the opinions and views of one and all, whereas that time could have been used to at least recite the Holy Quran or send Durood upon our beloved Prophet (p.b.u.h.)? And entertainment? How can it be possible? The last thing that any Muslim who values Ramadan should be bothered about is, who somewhere in the world is whacking a little red ball all over a field or who is kicking a ball between two posts! Let alone comedy or other shows!

What are the SPECIAL MERITS of Ramadan and WHY do Muslims anticipate Ramadan so much??

i) Increased rewards and forgiveness

The reward of every Fardh (compulsory) act is multiplied seventy times while every Nafl (optional) act earns the reward of one Fardh out of Ramadan. (Ibn Khuzaymah). It is important to understand the latter aspect in its proper perspective. Tahajjud (Nafl Salah in the last third of the night) is an extremely great ibadah (worship). Great virtues have been narrated for this Salah. However, a lifetime of tahajjud cannot equal one Fardh of Fajr Salah! Yet in the month of Ramadan Almighty Allah grants us the reward of a Fardh action for every Nafl performed.

The fish in the sea seek forgiveness for those fasting until they break their fast . Allah decorates His Jannah (Paradise) every day and then says, “The time is near when My pious servants shall cast aside the great trials and come to me.” (Musnad Ahmed).

Whoever stands in prayer and worship in (the nights of) Ramadan, with Iman and with sincere hope of gaining reward , all his previous sins are forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).

When Ramadan arrives, the gates of Paradise are flung open, the doors of the Hellfire are closed and the Shayateen are imprisoned. (Bukhari)

On the last night of Ramadan the fasting Muslims are forgiven. (Musnad Ahmed)

ii) Fasting and Iftar

All good deeds are for the one who renders them, but fasting. Fasting is exclusively for me (Allah) -(Bukhari).

The odour of the mouth of a fasting person is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk - (Bukhari)

Fasting is a shield, as long as the fasting person does not tear it up (by disobedience) (Nasai').

Not a single prayer made by a fasting person at the time of breaking the fast is rejected. (Ibn Majah)

iii) Lailatul-Qadr

Whoever stands in prayer and worship in the night of power with Iman and with sincere hope of gaining reward , all his previous sins are forgiven. ( Muslim)

Look for the night of power among the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. (Mishkat)

iv) Iktikaf

The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) observed I’etikaf for ten days every year in the month of Ramadan. In the year he passed away he observed it for twenty days. (Bukhari)Refer to notes on Iktikaf https://www.facebook.com/notes/%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A7-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1/itikaf-101/10150992411498757

Source taken with minimal editing from:http://www.haqislam.org/prepare-for-ramadan/