Preparing for a Noble Guest... Ramadan - Abu Muhammad al-Maghribee
May 17, 2013
It is a noble guest that brings lots of guests for the Muslims. In this period, Allah bestows many gifts - forgives sins, raises them levels and saves them from the hellfire. The Noble guest is Ramadan.
The Salaf, great scholars and a'immah of this deen would prepare for Ramadan 6 months in advance.
Any event, especially those that involve profit, we all prepare. The merchants know where they profit. They know the dates. They want to ensure they are ready and that they have what it takes to make the most of it. Likewise fasting is not only abstaining from food and drink - anyone can do that. Fasting for us is a great opportunity because it gives a lot to us as Muslims. And this great month, which is only one month a year, and we ask Allah to make us of those who benefit from the month. You may think of people who fasted the last Ramadan and are gone this year. Some of them we buried. For them, there is no next Ramadan. For you and me, it is not guaranteed so we ask Allah to allow us to benefit from the month.
But we have to prepare. It should not just be a tradition. You cannot be the same person in Ramadan as you were before Ramadan. The only way we can get the most of it is if we prepare for it, so when Ramadan comes, we are ready. By us getting our minds and hearts ready for Ramadan. Some people plan what they want to eat in Ramadan. They plan the menu.
We are going to eat anyway. But we have to look at Ramadan differently. It is an opportunity to be obedient. to reflect upon ourselves. Where do we stand? Take yourself to account. Are you moving forward or going backward? That is why we prepare. These are those who benefit so they know what to do in Ramadan. It is only 29-30 days. Will we let it go like we let past Ramadan's go? Say I want this coming Ramadan to be better than any other past Ramadan. Be obedient to Allah. Do what brings you closer upon the path.
Kutiba alaykum as-siyam...
Fasting was made obligatory upon previous nations as well. The benefit of Ramadan is not to lose weight. Some people gain weight because they eat more in Ramadan than out of it. Instead say how much Quran can I read? How much istighfar can I do today?