Ramadan Mubarak From Islamic.Socialist | Ramadan Advice
Ramadan advice for Iman & self improvement.
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Ramadan Advice for Strong Iman & Self Improvement:
Back when I use to be on Instagram (before I was banned for the 3rd and last time) I made 2 posts every Ramadan of advice for iman & self improvement. Since I am on Substack, I decided that I’ll share the information in those slides here for people to read and take from.
Of course, do these to the best of your ability. If you can only do your fasting, 5 daily prayers and occasional mosque trips, do what is easiest - but take every advantage to increase your iman.
Important Information: In Islam, all healthy believers are required to fast during the month of Ramadan. Sick, pregnant, children, travelers, and elderly too old to fast are exempted from fasting. Fasts missed due to travel or sickness are to be made up during the rest of the year before the next Ramadan. For a list that explains all things that can break a fast of a fasting person during Ramadan, I recommend this article from myislam.org.
For Strong Iman (Faith):
My first and most important piece of advice is simple, move everything around in your life to devote as much time as you can to this month. Do your necessary 5 daily prayers, but also try to do sunnah prayers & Tahajjud prayer. Make dua as commonly as possible, especially between the Adhan to the Iqama.
Try to read Quran every day, each ayat is rewarded. Attend the mosque and break fast through the sunnah. Attend Taraweeh as often as possible. If your mosque does Itikaf on the last ten days, do them, they will be hard but they are rewarding.
Context for new & non-Muslims:
Sunnah = Traditions & practices of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Tahajjud = Late-night prayer, prayed in the later third of the night before the Fajr prayer.
Dua = Invocation, to call out. A supplication to Allah for something.
Adhan = Call to prayer, the Islamic call to prayer. Once announced begins the next prayer of the day. All 5 daily prayers has an Adhan.
Iqama = A second, faster call to Islamic prayer, given immediately before prayer begins.
Taraweeh = Special sunnah prayers after Isha, the last of the 5 daily prayers. 20 rakahs, spanding to around 1 and a half hours (depending on the mosque and Imam, group prayer lead)
Itikaf = Meaning “to stay in one place.” A voluntary act of discipline to stay 10 total days inside the mosque prayer area.
Iman = Faith.
Imam = Leader of the prayer, often the head of a mosque.The 5 daily prayers are called:
Fajr (morning prayer)
Dhuhr (mid-day prayer)
Asr (afternoon prayer)
Maghrib (sunset prayer)
Isha (night prayer)
-Iftar & Suhoor Duas:
Don’t forget to do your dua’s for Iftar & Suhoor. Suhoor being the last meal before the Fajr Adhan, when the fasting starts, and Iftar being when you’re about to break your fast once the Maghrib Adhan is called.
Suhoor Dua: “I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan.”
Iftar Dua: “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:
A common, daily dua you can make to help you during Ramadan, is:
“Ya Allah! Help me and make it easy for me to draw closer to You this Ramadan.”
Make sure to use as much time in Dhikr as well, those small remembrances matter.
-Help Others Break Their Fasts:
Help others before the Maghrib Adhan break their fast, traditionally via providing dates and/or water:
Zayd ibn Khalid reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever helps break the fast of a fasting person, he will have the same reward as him without decreasing anything from the reward of the fasting person.”
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhi 807
Dates and water was the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to break his fast before praying with some fresh dates, and if there were no fresh dates, he used to take some dry dates, and if there were no dry dates, he took a few sips of water”
Source: Sunan Abu Dawood 2356
-Generosity is Rewarded:
Be more generous. Give more to people in need and charities, without the desire to boast, as it softens the hearts and rewards you.
The worse punishment is a hard heart, as not only are they condemned by Allah, but they’re also cursed by the Prophet (PBUH).
-A Month of Community & Learning:
Frequent the mosque and spend time in Muslim learning cirles. Gain knowledge and get your prayers in with the gatherings because there is more reward for the prayers at the mosque in a gathering.
The more time among your community, the softer the heart and the stronger the iman and practice.
-Use This Month to Fix Your Iman:
Take every chance to fix your iman in this month, because this month can either grant you Allah’s mercy, or his wrath.
“In another narration, Jibril said: may the wrath of Allah be upon the one who witnessed Ramadan but failed to earn the forgiveness of Allah. And the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: Ameen!”
So keep your iman strong, do good deeds, remember Allah often, and seek his forgiveness.
For Self Improvement:
-For The Muslims Who Work Out:
-Manners:
Avoid ill speech - cursing, backbiting, lying, slandering, gossiping.
The Prophet (PBUH) said “Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)”
-Sahih al-Bukhari 1903
-Knowledge & Quality Time:
Work hard during this time to learn more Quran and Islamic knowledge as this will help you in becoming a better Muslim.
Spend a lot of time with the mosque but also with your loved ones, like family.
Spend less time distracted by social media, movies, shows, YouTube videos, etc.
-Fighting Desires:
Jihad Al-Nafs: Struggle against the self/desires.
Fight sins and desires during this month. Strive to control and discipline yourself against the desires that weaken iman and mental health.
Sinning on the month of Ramadan will greatly lower your reward during this month.
-Control Anger & Bad Behavior:
Practicing to control your anger this month will help you have better control after this month. Controlling anger and emotional outbursts is not only a good discipline to have, it’ll reward you greatly.
-Don’t Judge During Ramadan:
Don’t judge others who haven’t been on their deen lately this Ramadan.
Some brothers & sisters may or may not have stumbled in their practice. But if they are fasting and trying to get closer to Allah, let them tackle their spiritual growth. Focus on yours above all else.
-Devote Time to Yourself Too:
Have days for mosque and family; but also have days for yourself in solitude and silence. A believer sometimes needs days of isolated silence to contemplate, acknowledge their lack of practice, remember Allah, praise Allah, and seek forgiveness along with plan out how to change their behavior and actions.
-Seek Forgiveness From Those You Wronged:
Be more kind and seek forgiveness from those you wronged if you hurt or bothered someone. Sometimes the thing that can block our heart from softening is harm we did to someone, especially family and especially the women in your life; like your mother, sister, or wife.
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