1. Praying Till ishraq
It was narrated that when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) performed the Fajr (dawn) prayer, he sat in his prayer place until sunrise. [Muslim] Anas [RA] narrated that the Prophet, (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"Whoever performs the Fajr prayer in congregation and remains seated, remembering Allaah until sunrise, then performs a two-Rakah prayer, it will be for him as the reward of complele ...complete ... complete Hajj and Umrah. [AI-Albaani: Saheeh]
This is the reward promised on any day, so how will it be for the days of Ramadhaan? Dear brother and sister, you should have a good night sleep, so it can assist you in receiving this great reward. You should follow the example of the righteous predecessors and train yourself to strive to obtain the pleasure of Allaah the Almighty. You should also have a high morale to attain the highest degree in Paradise.
2. Itiqaf
It was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), observed Itikaaf for ten days in each Ramadhaan. But in the year of his death, he observed Itikaaf for twenty days." [AI- Bukhaari]
Itikaaf is an act of worship that includes many acts of obedience, such as reciting the Quran, praying, remembering Allaah The Almighty, and supplicating. The person who has not experienced it might think that it is difficult to bear, but it is easy for whomever Allaah the Almighty makes it easy. Thus, whoever arms himself with a righteous intention true determination, Allaah the Almighty helps him undertaking the task with ease Itiqaaf is stressed more during the last ten days of Ramadhaan for seeking Laylat-ul-Qadr.
lt is a permissible form of seclusion as the person observing it holds himself in seclusion out of obedience to Allaah the Almighty and His remembrance. He boycotts anything that would distract him from the observance of Itikaaf. His heart is set on all deeds that draw him closer to AIlaah the Almighty and the only desire he has is to do what pleases Him.
3. Umrah
It was narrated that the Prophet, (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), said: An Umrah performed in Ramadhaan is equal in reward to Hajj. "[Bukhaari and Muslim] The wording of another narration reads: "The same (reward) as performing Hajj with me." So, congratulations to you my brother (who succeeds) upon performing Hajj with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
4. Laylat-ul-Qadr
Allaah says:
"Indeed, We sent the Quran down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. "[Quran 97: 1-3]
The Prophet, (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), said:
"Whoever stands in night prayer on Laylat-ul-Qadr with sincere faith and hope for the reward of AIlaah will have his past sins forgiven."[Bukhaari and Muslim]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to seek Laylat-ul-Qadr and commanded his Companions also to look but for it. He used to wake up his family members during the last ten nights in the hope that they would succeed in meeting the blessed night (in worship). Ubaadah [RA] narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), said:
"Whoever stays awake in anticipation of Laylat-ul-Qadr and he succeeds in getting it, will have all of his sins both past and future. [Ahmad An-NasaaI, Al-Haafith: Saheeh]
5. Contemplating the words of Allaah
It was narrated that Ibraaheem ibn AI-Ashath [RAH] said, "One night, I heard Fudhayl reciting and repeating the verse from the Chapter Muhammad in which Allaah The Almighty Says:
"And We will surely test you until We make evident those who strive among you [for the cause of AIlaah] and the patient, and We will test your affairs." [Quran 47:31].
He kept on (repeating) the words of Allaah, And We will test your affairs, then he would say, And You will test our affairs? If You test our affairs, You will disgrace us and expose our secrets. Indeed if You do that, You will destroy us and punish us, and he would weep."
6. Qiyaamul-Layl
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), as well as the Companions may Allaah be pleased with them were keen to perform the night voluntary prayers in Ramadhaan. Aaishah [RA] said, "Do not leave the night voluntary prayer, for the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not leave it. When he was sick or tired, he used to perform the prayer while he was sitting." Umar ibn AI-Khattaab [RA] used to perform whatever Allaah The Almighty willed that he should perform of the voluntary night prayers. In the middle of the night, he used to wake up his family and say to them, Prayer, prayer, and then recite the verse in which Allaah says:
"And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness. "[Q 20: 132]
Ibn Umar [RAJ used to recite the verse in which Allaah says:
"Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]?" [Q 39: 9],
and say, "That is Uthmaan ibn Affaan [RA]." Alqamah ibn Qays [RAH] narrated, "I once spent the night with Abdullaah ibn Masood [RA]. He woke up at the beginning of night and began to pray. He recited the Quran in a way similar to that of the Imaam of his district, with a medium regular pace. Those around him could hear him and he continued until what remained of the nights darkness was equal to the time between the Athaan (the first call of prayer) for the Maghrib (sunset) prayer and the end of the maghrib prayer (meaning a short time before daybreak). He then performed the witr [odd] prayer.
Furthermore, As-Saaib ibn Zayd [RA] narrated that, "The leader in the voluntary night prayer would recite hundreds of verses such that we supported ourselves with staves due to the lengthiness of the prayer but we did not leave until the break of dawn." Note, also, that you should complete the Taraaweeh prayer with the Imaam in order to be recorded as one of those who spend (the night) in prayer. The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said:
"Whoever prays with the Imaam until he finishes, AIlaah will record for him standing a whole night in prayer. "[Abu Daawood]
7. Charity
The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] was the most generous of people in giving charity, but he was even more generous during the month of Ramadhaan. He was more generous in giving charity than a blowing wind. Anas [RA] narrated that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], said:
"The best charity is the one given during Ramadhaan." [At- Tirmidhi]
Zayd ibn Aslam narrated that his father said, "I heard Umar ibn AI-Khattaab saying, The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded us to give in charity. At that time, I had some money. I said, Today I shall surpass Abu Bakr, if I am to ever surpass him on any day. I therefore brought half of my wealth. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) asked: What have you left for your family? I replied, The same amount. Abu Bakr then brought all that he had with him. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) asked him: "What have you left for your family?" He replied, I have left Allaah and His Messenger for them. Thereupon I said, I shall never surpass him in anything."
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited