Ramadhan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and a time when Muslims
across the world will fast during the hours of daylight. Islam uses a lunar
calendar - that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. The
Arabic word "Ramada" means severe heat. The month of Ramadhan was named thus
meaning the month of severe heat. Fasting causes, among other things, thirst and
fatigue : the products of heat. Hence this month of fasting is called "
Ramadhan".
The Prophet (s.a.w) described this month as the month of Allah, the month of
Divine Blessings, Mercy and Forgiveness. The Prophet (s.a.w) also informed the
believers that the month of Ramadhan was the best month, with the best days, the
best nights and the best hours. In these days, acts of worship are accepted
easily to that extent that the breaths of those who fast are counted as
glorification of Allah, and the sleeps of those who fast are counted as acts of
worship! Recitation of Quran, in this month, carries much more rewards than in
other months of the year.
What Should We Do in Ramadhan?
There are some important things that we should do during Ramadhan to take better
advantage of this month and to achieve its real purpose, namely, taqwa. These
are some reminders and they are all taken from the guidelines given to us in the
Qur'an and Sunnah.
1. Niyyah(intention): Remind yourself again and again that you are fasting in
obedience to Allah. Be sincere in your intention. You want Allah to accept your
fasting. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Whosoever fasts in Ramadhan with faith and seeking Allah's reward, all his past
sins will be forgiven." (Al-Bukhari)
2. Sunnah: Observe the Sunnah in fasting. Take the sahur meal a little before
dawn and end your fast at sunset. Observe all the rules of fasting.
3. Wara'(avoiding everything haramor makruh): Be conscious to have halal food,
halal income, halal relations. Avoid watching bad TV programs, videos, movies,
etc., always, but especially during this month. Keep your body and mind very
clean. Avoid wasting your time in useless things and pursuits.
4. Qur'an: Spend more time with the Qur'an. Read Qur'an every day. Try to finish
the whole Qur'an at least one time during this month in your own personal
reading. Read some Hadith and the books of seerah.
5. Prayer, supplication, and remembrance of Allah: Pray on time and observe all
Prayers. Do not ignore the Tarawih Prayers. Make more supererogatory prayers. Do
as much worship as you can. Do more dhikr (remembrance of Allah)and du`aa'
(supplication) for yourself and for others. Make tawbah (repentance) and
istighfar (request for Allah's forgiveness) as much as you can. This is the best
time for devotion and seeking Allah's forgiveness. Seek the Night of Qadar by
special devotion during the last 10 nights of this month.
6. Zakah, charity, and generosity: Be very charitable and generous. Give more
and more to help the poor and needy, and to help good social and community
projects. Be good to your friends and neighbors also. Let your non-Muslim
neighbors and co-workers know that this is your blessed and sacred time.
7. Good behavior and relations with others. Try to be extra kind and courteous
during this month. Forget your quarrels and disputes. Reconcile and forgive. Do
not get involved in backbiting, lying, cheating, and anything that is wrong. Be
very good to Muslims and to all human beings.
8. Reflection: Think, reflect, and plan to improve the moral and spiritual
condition of your own self and your family. Think about any wrong things and
sins you may have been doing and correct yourself. Think about any deficiencies
you have in your Islamic observances and plan to change yourself. Think what you
can do for the Ummah and for humanity to make this world a better place for
everyone.
Remember Me and I will remember you (2:152)
Ramadhan is a very special time for worship. There are also many opportunities
for individual worship. Dhikr (or Zhikr) is the remembrance and glorification of
Allah in order to become closer to Him. Dhikr can be done either silently in
your heart, or audibly with a group of people, asking for forgiveness or
praising the greatness of Allah. If we look at our everyday lives we all, in
some way or another, participate in Dhikr. Whether it is through a conscious
effort after salah, or just at times of distress or happiness – we all feel the
need to remember Allah. Dhikr is a form of worship that carries much reward.
Abu Hurairah reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He
who uttered these words:
" There is no god but Allah, the One, having no partner with Him. Sovereignty
belongs to Him and all the praise is due to Him, and He is Potent over
everything" one hundred times every day there is a reward of emancipating ten
slaves for him, and there are recorded one hundred virtues to his credit, and
one hundred vices are blotted out from his scroll, and that is a safeguard for
him against the Satan on that day till evening. And no-one brings anything more
excellent than this, except one who has done more than this (i.e who utters
these words more than one hundred times and does more good acts) and he who
utters:" Hallowed be Allah, and all praise is due to Him," one hundred times a
day, his sins are obliterated even if they are equal to the extent of the foam
of the ocean". (Hadith Sahih Bukhari)
This hadith shows us how by increasing our remembrance of Allah, we can increase
the amount of reward we obtain. Dhikr does not have to be organised, or
complicated. It is something which can be done quickly, and if done with
sincerity of the heart it can have a huge positive effect. Dhikr can be done at
any time, almost anywhere. Here are some verses from the Qur'an encouraging
remembrance:
"Truly Allah leaves to stray whom He wills; but He guides to Himself those who
turn to Him in penitence. Those who believe and whose hearts find satisfaction
in the remembrance of Allah: for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do
hearts find satisfaction." 13: 27-28 The Holy Qur'an
"Bring your Rabb to remembrance deep in your soul with humility and in reverence
without raising your voice, both in the mornings and in the evenings; and be not
of those who are heedless." 7:205 The Holy Qur'an
"Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and
meditate on the creation of the heavens and the earth. Then cry out:" Our Rabb!
You have not created this in vain. Glory to You! Save us from the punishment of
Fire." 3:191 The Holy Qur'an
Whatever we are doing, we can always remember and praise Allah. If we remember
Allah in all our actions then we will be rewarded not only for the intention,
but also for the act that is carried out.
Dhikr of the eyes, which consists in weeping
Dhikr of the ears, which consists in listening
Dhikr of the tongue, which consists in praise
Dhikr of the hands, which consists in giving
Dhikr of the body, which consists in loyalty
Dhikr of the heart, which consists in fear and hope
Dhikr of the spirit, which consists of utter submission and acceptance
May Allah grant us all the true blessings of Ramadhan
________________________________
Christina M. M.
www.facebook.com/cmarthamariana
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pesantren Daarut Tauhiid - Bandung - Jakarta - Batam
====================================================
Menuju Ahli Dzikir, Ahli Fikir, dan Ahli Ikhtiar
====================================================
website: http://dtjakarta.or.id/
====================================================
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar