Ramadan Message 2008 - Day 6

“And unto Allah makes prostration whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth of living creatures, and the angels (also), and they are not proud. They fear their Lord above them, and do what they are bidden.” (Qur'an 16 Verses 49-50)

MuslimMessage Came Up With a Ramadan Checklist, with a list of things that one should do every Ramadan day.

 Pray to Allah to accept your Fast and to benefit from the blessings of the fast and of the month. The early Muslims would earnestly await the Ramadan Fast and prayed for its blessings & rewards.

 Purify your intention every day and moment. Clear your head of other hidden advantages of Ramadan (saving cost, losing weight, meeting people, showing off, Ramadan Business, special gift, etc).

 Work on your iman. Have special moment to seek Allah’s forgiveness fervently. Pour your heart out to Allah and seek His pardon and reward. The Rasul noted: "Whoever fasts in Ramadan with Iman and seeking reward (from Allah) his past sins will be forgiven". (Bukhari)

 Read a Portion of the Qur’an everyday. The Qur’an is directly connected to Ramadan. Even the Rasul completes the Qur’an in Ramadan. Therefore, have a plan to complete the whole of it at least once in this month. This month-tied goal can only materialise if you work on it daily.

 Eat the Sahur (the early morning breakfast). The Rasul (pbuh) noted that there is blessing in it. Even if it is only a glass of water, do wake up to have some.

 Don’t hesitate to make dua about your earthly needs and future destination. Pray for yourself, your family and for others. Ask for the good things of this life and the next. Ask other fasting persons to make dua for you too. Allah’s Messenger stated that three people's supplication is not rejected one of them is the fasting person.

 Don’t allow hunger to make you forget to supplicate before you break your fast at Sunset. That moment is very unique because the Prophet (pbuh) noted that, "The fasting person has a supplication that is answered when he breaks his fast".

 Things to avoid are not just food, drinks and sexual relations, we need to avoid those soft sins and ill-manners (like stealing/pilfering or backbiting, cheating or taking advantage, lying or sweet-tonguing, anger or physical expression, swearing etc). Otherwise, we will be wasting our time and efforts. The Rasul warned that "Whoever does not give up false statements, evil deeds, and speaking bad words to others, Allah is not in need of his giving up his food and drink (fasting)." (Bukhari)

 Give generously in charity. Charity is of different kinds, make your smile, money, volunteering brings hope to others.

 Break your fast with a fruit and a sumptuous, but light meal. If you can afford it, break your fast with some other people particularly those who are less privileged. Note that "Whoever gives Iftar to someone fasting he will have the same reward without decreasing the reward of the person fasting".

 Pray Taraweeh (gently and consciously) and make efforts to pray in a Masjid (mosque).

Whatever you do, you will need to try even harder during the last 10 days of Ramadan seeking the unique light of Laylatul Quader (a night better than a thousand months -Qur'an 97 Verse 3).