The month of
change.
Ramadan Pocket Guide Ramadan 2013 | 1434 AH
1
Assalaamu
alaikum
Another Ramadan has been granted to us, and we are delighted to greet you with the same words that the beloved Messenger of Allah (PBUH) shared with his companions on the last day of Sha’ban:
“The month of Ramadan has come to you; a month of goodness and blessing.” (Ibn Khuzaymah) This is a month of countless precious moments like no other. Its days are blessed by the sacred hunger that feeds our souls. Its nights are when bodies tire but spirits bask in the mercy of their Lord.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the most generous in Ramadan, so let us follow in his tradition and give this month without hindrance.
“The best charity is that given in Ramadan.” (Tirmidhi) May Allah (SWT) accept our fasts, prayers, Zakat and Sadaqah.
Be active this Ramadan. Be the change. Wassalaamu Alaikum and Ramadan Mubarak. Muslim Aid Team
To help you make the most of this month, we are once again honoured to present you with this year’s Ramadan Pocket Guide. It is packed with essentials and ideas to aid your spiritual journey to be the change for both yourself and the world around you.
Design: OneTogether.co.uk
3
The month of
Contents:
4
The month of Change
5
Duas and everyday essentials
6
Maximise your month
7
Spiritual goals for Ramadan
8
Be the Change
9
Nutrition in Ramadan
10
Daily activities during Ramadan chart
12
The first 10 days of mercy
14
Second 10 days of forgiveness
15
Dua for forgiveness
16
The Last 10 days of salvation from hellfire
17
Focus in Salah (Khushoo)
18
Religious Dues
20
Zakat calculator
21
change.
Ramadan is a month of change. It was in this month that Allah revealed the Qur’an, a book which changed the world, and was also in this month when an orphan from the Quraysh began his divine mission to reform and change mankind for the better. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was truly the master of change, and a man who transformed the world through his love and compassion. As we enter Ramadan, much of the world is still in turmoil and millions are deprived of their basic needs. Conflict continues to tear lives apart and unnecessary food shortages are killing millions yearly. Yet, despite the dire situation, we mustn’t despair of Allah’s mercy and underestimate our ability to effect positive change. Fasting together as one community reinforces our unity. The shared ritual of beginning the fast and breaking it at sunset, all for the sake of Allah, highlights our common purpose and goal. Through this unity we may achieve amazing things and seek to change ourselves and the world around us.
Through our voluntary hunger, we hope to draw closer to Allah and increase our spiritual power. By obeying His command to fast, we should be brought to the realisation of our neediness in front of Allah, and thus yearn to get closer to Him. Our dependence on Allah is a reality we often forget when we are fed and comfortable.
“Become realised in your neediness, and He will assist you through His richness.” (Ibn Ata’illah) Our hunger also gives us a taste of the harsh reality of what many go through on a daily basis. We should reflect upon this while fasting and increase in generosity. In attempting to change and get closer to Allah, we sometimes set unrealistic goals and become demotivated when we fail to achieve them. By following the Sunnah and increasing our prayers, reciting Qur’an, perfecting our character and increasing our charity, we can certainly help ourselves on the path towards positive change. We hope this guide aids you in this, Insha’Allah. 5
Duas and everyday
essentials
Ramadan is a time when duas are of greater weight and are more likely to be answered. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) mentioned that there are three people whose supplications are never rejected, including “the fasting person until they break their fast.” (Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah). In addition to the duas below, to pray for ones needs, family, friends, the Ummah and for all humanity is also recommended.
Intention for beginning the fast (in the heart)
(Recommended to read the night before the fast)
Maximise your month Whilst in other times we might fill our breaks and small moments alone with food and snacks, however, Ramadan provides a great opportunity for us to feed our souls and nurture our spirits. This is especially given that Ramadan is a month in which good deeds are multiplied many times. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Whoever draws near to Allah during it (Ramadan) with a single characteristic from the characteristics of (voluntary) goodness, he is like whoever performs an obligatory act in other times. And whoever performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts in other times.” (Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah) Here are some easy ways in which you can gain reward and feed your soul:
Wa bisawmi ghadin nawaytu min shahri ramadaan. “I intend to keep the fast tomorrow in the month of Ramadan.”
Dua for breaking the fast
Saying ‘Subhanallah’
100 wipes away 1000sins times
Read the entire Qur’an in
30 days! by reading 4 pages after each salah, Insha’Allah
and has good deeds written for you. (Muslim)
“O Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You and I put my trust in You and I break my fast with Your sustenance.”
Recommended dua for Ramadan
Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun kareemun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘annee. “O Allah, You are the best forgiver. You love forgiveness, so forgive me.” (Tirmidhi). 6
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the most generous during Ramadan
Visit the sick Forgive others
SMILE!
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Your smile for your brother is charity.” (Fiqh-us-Sunnah)
Send blessings to the Prophet (PBUH) and receive 10 blessings upon you by reciting the Durood. (Muslim)
Greet others by saying: Assalaamu alaikum And reply to this greeting with: Wa Alaikum assalaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu
Be Generous!
“And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive” (Quran, Al Insan verse 8)
Allahumma laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa ‘alayka tawakkaltu wa ‘alaa rizqika aftartu.
Spread Salam!
Use the toothstick (Siwak)
The Prophet (PBUH) “The siwak is a means of purifying the mouth and pleasing the rab” (Nasa’i)
7
Spiritual goals for Ramadan
Be the change
Have a look at the goals below and think about how you could improve on the different areas in order to get closer to Allah this Ramadan.
Be the change this Ramadan and make sure that your charity and good deeds have an impact that is far reaching and changes as many lives as possible. By setting a target and choosing a cause to support individually, with family and with friends or colleagues, you can be the catalyst of change for yourself and those around you.
Wudhu
Dhikr
Making time to do wudhu correctly and with concentration.
Making time to reflect and remember Allah.
Salah
Chastity
Praying on time and with better concentration. Also doing the night prayers.
Dressing to please Allah and lowering my gaze.
Speech Refraining from speaking ill, increasing good speech. Sadaqah Giving more of my time and money than I would normally.
Sponsor a child etc.
Strengthening and improving ties with those around me.
Me
Loving Allah & His Messenger
My family
Learning more about the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the mercy of Allah.
My friends/ colleagues
Change is something that we must achieve within ourselves and in the world we live in. In the table below, list down five changes you would like to make this Ramadan and five ways in which you could improve the community and world around you.
8
I/We want to... e.g. Build a well,
Family and Friends
Change myself - Change the world
Five changes I can make
Imagine collectively building a well or sponsoring an orphan with your friends and colleagues this Ramadan. Together, we can do amazing things. Set your goals for this Ramadan and be the change!
Five ways I can change the world around me
1)
1)
2)
2)
3)
3)
4)
4)
5)
5)
Target amount:
Weekly target:
Total raised:
Here are a few causes you could support this Ramadan: Dig a Well
Sponsor a Child
For £300 (£25 per month)
Sri Lanka Open Deep Well
£754.00
Bangladesh Semi Deep Tube Deep Tube Well
£230.00 £705.00
Cambodia Small Hand Pump Shallow Tube Hand Pump Combined Well Sudan
£290.00 £350.00 £910.00 £1,365.00
you can sponsor a child from one of the following countries, for one year: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Kashmir, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Sierra Leone.
For £360 (£30 per month) you can sponsor a child from one of the following countries for one year: Bosnia, Gambia, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and South Africa. Donors will receive a confirmation letter with details of your new sponsored child.
Sadaqah Jariyah
Shallow Hand Pump £5,500.00 Education, healthcare, income generation, orphans Deep Well Rig £31,000.00 and widows, shelter, skills and training and water and sanitation and earn ongoing reward.
Emergency Appeals
Bangladesh, Syria, Burma, Gaza and Mali.
9
Nutrition in Ramadan Eating properly in Ramadan is not only a physical priority, but is something that can also affect our spiritual health. By eating the wrong foods, we can bring on tiredness and lethargy which can in turn affect our ability to worship and devote our time to Allah. Thus, eating properly during Ramadan is not just a physical duty, but a spiritual necessity.
For the body Foods for energy
• Bananas • Dates • Brown rice
• Porridge • Eggs • Poultry & Fish
Foods to avoid • Deep-fried foods like samosas, spring rolls, chips and donuts. These foods can make digestion difficult and lead to feeling bloated • High-sugar and high-fat foods. These can often give your body a sudden rush of sugar which does not last and gives your body a shock • High-fat cooked foods, eg. oily curries
For the soul Foods to help with digestion (to avoid feeling
Etiquette of eating with others (Adapted from Imam Ghazali’s • Allow elders and guests to begin eating first
bloated and lethargic):
• Figs
• Brown rice
1) Begin with the Basmala (Bismillah)
• Dates
• Broccoli
• Whole-wheat bread
• Pears
2) Thank Allah for having provided and blessed you with the food
• Oats
3) Eat with your right hand
Healthy alternatives
4) Eat odd numbers of dates and other fruits
• Shallow frying food rather than deep frying
4) Praise the food and avoid criticising it
• Baking or steaming food
5) Develop restraint by stopping before you are completely full
Make sure you stay hydrated! • Drink plenty of water • Avoid drinks with high caffeine content (eg. tea, coffee) as these can cause you to lose fluids
10
Eat with blessing and follow the Sunnah:
• Keeping hydrated can aid digestion and help you to avoid headaches and dizziness during the day
6) Eat with others and share food 7) Eat with a good intention (eg. to nourish yourself so that you can serve Allah) and the realisation that eating is not an end in itself, but a means to increasing your obedience to Allah
Al Ihya ‘Uloom ad-deen)
• Avoid silence and hold good conversation • Don’t wish to eat more than your friend • Eat in a way so that your companion does not need to encourage you to eat more • Avoid watching or observing your companions eating • Be courteous and avoid speech that may offend others eating with you
*Adapted from Riyadhu Salaheen
11
Daily activities during Ramadan
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Worship Prayed my five daily Salaat Prayed Qiyam-ul-layl (Tahajjud) Made morning Dhikr after Fajr Salaat Prayed Taraweeh Prayed Nafl (optional) Salaat Read and memorised at least 2 of the duas in this booklet
Qur’an Reading translation (tilawat) & commentary (tafseer) Reflection Memorisation
Charity Paid Zakat (if applicable) Paid Zakat-ul-Fitr (for the month) Paid Sadaqah
Sunnah Practise at least one Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH)
My Actions Did some exercise & tried my best to take care of my body Did something special for my parents Made one person smile Removed harm from the path of at least one person Reflected upon myself and my actions Increased knowledge through reading or listening to a talk Read Surah Mulk before going to sleep Went to sleep in state of Wudhu
12
13
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made it easier for us to gain the blessings of Ramadan by dividing the month into three parts: The First third of this month is the days of Mercy from Allah
The Second third is the days of Forgiveness of Allah
The Last third are the days of Salvation from the Hellfire
The First 10 Days
Mercy from Allah
The Second 10 Days
Days of Forgiveness
Allahummaghfir lee warhamnee wajburnee wahdinee warzuqnee. “O Allah! Forgive me, have mercy on me, help me, guide me and sustain me.” (Tirmidhi al Tabarani) Laa ilaaha illaa anta subhaanak. Allahumma astaghfiruka li-dhambee wa as-aluka rahmatak.Allaahumma zidnee ‘ilmaw-walaa tuzigh qalbee ba’da idh hadaytanee wahab lee milladunka rahmatan innaka antal-wahhaab. “There is no God except You. You are glorified. O Allah! I seek Your forgiveness for my sins, I ask You for Your mercy. O Allah! Increase me in knowledge and do not misguide my heart after having guided me. And grant me mercy from Your treasure. Verily You are the Giver.” (Al-Hakim, Ibn HIbban and Abu Dawud).
Allahumma innee as-aluka bini’matika-assaabighati allatee an’amta bihaa ‘alaiyya wa balaa-ikal-ladhee ibtalaitanee wa bifadlikal-ladhee afdalta ‘alayya an tudkhilaniyal-jannah. Allahumma adkhilnee aljannata bifadlika wa mannika wa rahmatika. “O Allah! I ask You by medium of Your abundant blessings that You have blessed me with and by medium of Your trials that You have tested me with and by medium of Your trials that You have favoured me with that You enter me in Paradise. O Allah! Enter me into paradise with Your favour, boon and mercy.” (Al-Tabarani).
14
15
Sayyid al-Istighfar Dua for forgiveness
The Last 10 Days
Salvation from Hellfire
Shaddad ibn Aws narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said; “the most superior request for forgiveness is to say”:
Allahumma innee as-aluka-aljannata wa maa qarraba ilayhaa min qawlin aw ‘amal. Wa a’oodhu bika minan-naari wa maa qarraba ilayhaa min qawlin aw ‘amal. Wa as-aluka an taj’ala kulla qadaa-in qadaitahoo lee khayraa.
“Allahumma anta Rabbee laa ilaaha illaa ant. Khalaqtanee wa ana ‘abduka wa ana ‘alaa ‘ahdika wa wa’dika mastata’t. A’oodhu bika min sharri ma sana’t. Aboo-u laka bi ni’matika ‘alayya wa aboo-u laka bi dhambee, faghfirlee fa innahoo laa yaghfirudh-dhunooba illaa ant.” “O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no god besides You. You created me and I am Your servant, following Your covenant and [my] promise to You as much as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil that I have done. Before You I acknowledge Your blessings bestowed upon me and I confess my sins to You. So forgive me, for surely no one can forgive sins except You.” The Prophet (PBUH) then added, “anyone who says this during the day, firmly believing in it, and dies before the evening; or says it in the evening, firmly believing in it, and dies before the following morning, will be among the people of paradise.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, vol 8, pp212-3, no 318)
16
“O Allah! I ask You for paradise and whatever words and actions may take me near it. I seek Your protection from the fire and whatever words or actions that may take me near it. I beseech You to make Your decisions for me good.” (Ahmad Ibn Majah - similar wording in Al-Hakim and Al-Adab Al-Mufrad of Al-Bukhari)
Allahumma innee as-alukal-jannata wa na’eemahaa wa bahjatahaa wa a’oodhu bika minan-naari wa salaasilihaa wa aghlaalihaa. “O Allah! I ask for heaven and its bounties and its joy and I seek Your protection from the Fire, its chains and its shackles.” (Abu Dawud, Ahmad)
17
Focus in Salah (Khushoo) In a month when we hope to draw closer to Allah, increasing our concentration during prayer is particularly important. Have a look at these tips below to help you to elevate your concentration in your prayers.
Preparation
Prayer
• Focus whilst performing your wudhu and perform it with remembrance of Allah (dhikr)
• Come to prayer with a balance of love, fear and awe of Allah in our hearts
• Avoid conversation during wudhu
• Come to prayer seeking Allah’s bounty and reward
• Wash each part of the body with the belief that you are purifying yourself before meeting Allah • Come to prayer with humility and with a belief that Allah will forgive you of your sins • Wear nice clothes and be present yourself with the awareness that you are going to be standing before the Lord of all creation
• See it as a means of getting closer to your Creator • Learn the meanings of what you are saying, particularly Surah Fatiha • Perform each movement slowly and with calmness • Pray as if it is your last prayer
Awareness of the heart
Mental Awareness
Physical calmness
To remember intention and purpose
To stay alert and attentive to what you are doing
To avoid rushing and to perfect each movement
18
19
Religious Dues
Zakat, Zakat ul Fitr, Fidya & Kaffarah Zakat ul Fitr
Fidya
Zakat ul Fitr must be paid before the Eid prayer by each adult Muslim for themselves and each of their dependants. The amount this year is £5 per head.
Fidya is paid when three conditions are met:
Zakat What is Zakat? One of the five pillars of Islam, Zakat literally means ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purify’. Paying Zakat on your wealth purifies it and increases what remains. It also reminds us that our wealth belongs to Allah. Why pay it during Ramadan? Good deeds are multiplied 70 times this month, making it the perfect time to pay your Zakat. How much should I pay? Generally, if the amount of wealth of you’ve owned for one year exceeds the Nisaab* then Zakat must be paid on that amount. For your silver possessions please refer to the silver Nisaab.* For gold and monetary possessions, please refer to the gold Nisaab *Nisaab: The amount of wealth a person must own for Zakat to become obligatory. For the gold and silver Nisaab, visit: muslimaid.org
1) They are unable to fast in Ramadan 2) Unable to make them up in the rest of the year (e.g. due to lifelong illness like diabetes) 3) They do not expect to ever be able to make up the fasts. The one who pays Fidya does not have to make up the fast. Those who do not meet these conditions but have a valid reason can make up the fast after Ramadan.
calculator
Step 1: Work out what you own Cash in hand
£
Cash in bank account(s)
£
Value of gold (current market value)
£
Value of silver (current market value)
£
Amount given out in loans (where the debtor is able and willing to pay back the loan)
£
Current value of shares
£
Value of goods in stock for sale
£ Total Assets
£
Kaffarah Kaffarah must be paid by the person who deliberately misses or breaks a fast with no valid reason, who must also fast 60 days consecutively. If they are unable to do so, they should feed 60 poor people for every fast missed, at a rate of £5 per person.
Muslim Aid Call Centre
OPEN 24 HOURS this Ramadan
20
Zakat
Step 2: Work out your outgoings from what you own Amount owed in debt (short term loans or those payable within a year)
£
Expenses (Tax, rent and other bills due immediately)
£
Total Liabilities
£
Step 3: Minus Total Liabilities from Total Assets and if the amount is more than the Nisaab then multiply by 0.025 Total Assets
Total Liabilities
Total Zakat
£
£
£
Donate Now. Call 020 7377 4200 Or visit. muslimaid.org
21
Advertisement
PurifyYourWealth S H A R I A
C O M P L I A N T
B A N K I N G
Thank you for being the change. From all of us here at Muslim Aid, we wish you all the joy and blessings of Eid and pray that Allah accepts your fasts and acts of worship. Insha’Allah we all continue to build upon any successes and improvements we have made during this month, and we pray that Allah grants us many more Ramadans to come.
“The best deeds are those we are consistent with, even if they are small deeds.” (Bukhari) • Pay rent not interest when you buy a property • Receive profit not interest on your savings • We will never invest your money in prohibited activities
Start your regular donation today, and from as little as £3 a month you can help us in the fight against poverty.
0800 69 47 232 or visit www.islamic-bank.com Call us today on
Banking you can believe in 22
Donate Now. Call 020 7377 4200 Or visit muslimaid.org
23
24