In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, The Especially Merciful
Disclaimer: These are my notes and not an exact transcript of the lesson.
The virtues of Ramadān
To ensure success in anything, there must be preparation. For the best preparation, there must be awareness and that awareness can only come from knowledge.
The Qur’an was revealed in the month of Ramadān - the speech of Allah
It is a month of utmost mercy - The gates of Jahannam are closed and the doors of Jannah are opened, as a result most people are freed from the punishment of the Fire.
So we prepare by;
abandoning our sins and bad habits
increase in worship and voluntary fasting
gain more knowledge - learn about Jannah to be encouraged towards it and about Jahannam so you can be encouraged to stay away from it.
The devils are locked up? Really?!
Yes they are.
According to the hadith,
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِذَا كَانَ أَوَّلُ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ صُفِّدَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ وَمَرَدَةُ الْجِنِّ وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ النَّارِ فَلَمْ يُفْتَحْ مِنْهَا بَابٌ. وَفُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ فَلَمْ يُغْلَقْ مِنْهَا بَابٌ وَيُنَادِي مُنَادٍ يَا بَاغِيَ الْخَيْرِ أَقْبِلْ وَيَا بَاغِيَ الشَّرِّ أَقْصِرْ وَلِلَّهِ عُتَقَاءُ مِنَ النَّارِ وَذَلِكَ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ "
Abu Hurairah narrated that : the Messenger of Allah said: "On the first night of the month of Ramadan, the Shayatin are shackled, the jinns are restrained, the gates of the Fires are shut such that no gate among them would be opened. The gates of Paradise are opened such that no gate among them would be closed, and a caller calls: 'O seeker of the good; come near!' and 'O seeker of evil; stop! For there are those whom Allah frees from the Fire.' And that is every night."
So you do not need to worry about Shaytan, you just need to focus on the state shaytan leaves you in before Ramadān comes - if you are in the position of disobedience then the cycle is easier to keep.
→ so start to change your ways NOW so you are stronger.
The path to hell fire in the month is harder as the doors are closed.
A caller will call on that first night. Which call would you be responding to?
Feeling the blessing of Ramadān
Focus on joy and happiness of the promise of Allah. Do not approach it as a burden because it changes your routine. It is the month of unbelievable profit and with so many loses these days, wouldn’t it be better to go into a transaction where profit is guaranteed. For this trade;
come with patience - there is no specific mention of the rewards for patience just like there is mention for the Reward of fasting
Repenting before Ramadān Approaches
What more can I do?
Repent! The burden of your sins get in the way of your righteous actions. The steps to tawbah…
Give up the sin at once
Regret the action/inaction
Resolve not to return
→ If the rights of others are affected, then seek their forgiveness or return thier rights.
All of us are sinners but the best of us are those who repent. With repentance there is an expansion in your chest and doing good becomes easier for you.
Coming into Ramadān with a Good Intentions
Allah knows our hearts and intentions. So intend good. Strive to do good and Allah will aid you and give you the ability. He will grant you tawfeek and strength.
Decide and intend and make dua that Allah allows you to see the month.
اَللّهُمَّ بَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَان
amīn!
May Allah us act upon this…amīn.
“Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.”
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