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How To Welcome Ramadhan. Dr Muhammad S Anwar Redbridge Islamic Centre - London. Introduction. Ramadhan is the ninth month of Islamic calendar. Fasting in this month is a pillar of Islam. The month has many special merits. Purpose of fasting is to attain piety.
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How To Welcome Ramadhan Dr Muhammad S Anwar Redbridge Islamic Centre - London
Introduction • Ramadhan is the ninth month of Islamic calendar. • Fasting in this month is a pillar of Islam. • The month has many special merits. • Purpose of fasting is to attain piety. • It is a spiritual journey for the believer.
Types of Fasting • There are three types of fasting. • General fasting(صوم العموم): preventing the stomach & genitals from fulfillment from dawn until dusk. • Special fasting (صوم الخصوص): protecting eyes, ears, tongue, hands, stomach, genitals & feet against major & minor sins • Elect fasting (صوم خصوص الخصوص): fasting of the heart from low aspirations, worldly thoughts & gain.
Attaining Spiritual Heights • Through fasting, one achieves several benefits including: • Piety (ﺘﻘﻭﻯ) • Trust in Allah (ﺘﻭﻜﻞ) • Patience (ﺼﺑﺭ) • Asceticism (ﺯﻫﺪ) • Generosity (ﺴﺨﺎﻭﺓ)
Purification of Soul • Fasting in this month purifies human soul from many spiritual diseases including: • Ostentation(ﺭﻴﺎ) • Heedlessness(ﻏﻔﻠﺔ) • Laziness (ﻜﺴﻞ) • Lust(ﺸﻬﻭﺓ) • Stinginess(ﺑﺨﻞ) • Greed (ﺣﺮﺹ) • Anger(ﻏﺿﺐ) • Arrogance(ﻜﺑﺮ)
Self Inspection • What state I am in physically and spiritually? • Is my earning Halal? • Do I pray? What is the state of my prayers? • How do I nurture my body, my faith, my family? • Which major sins I am involved in? • Which minor sins I am habituated to?
Sincere Repentance • Spend some time in seclusion - Ideally night prayers over weekend! • Make wudhu thoroughly and pray two rak’aat with sincerity and tranquility • Weep and repent for the sins past and present, major and minor, individual and collective, overt and covert, from external organs and internal organs, voluntary and involuntary. • Have determination for never committing the same sin again. • Compensate for the violated rights of people, if any
An Attitude of Anticipation and Enthusiasm • Eagerly wait for Ramadhan • Moon sight on the presumed dates • Decide & try to achieve some personal goals in the blessed month. • Plan to assess your progress every week and after Ramadhan. • Attend talks & courses on the Ramadhan if possible. • Arrange family gathering and read some ahadeeth about Ramadhan and fasting. • Buy a Quran with good translation.
Plan Ahead • Free yourself from unnecessary engagements • Finish your assignments & shopping etc for Eid before Ramadhan starts • Start attending prayers in congregation • Book your annual leave for as many days as possible. E.g. Fridays, last 10 days, Eid day