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4. The rebellious satans are shackled in
this month, and they cannot do in it what they do in
other days (i.e. instigating men and women to commit
sins.)
5. In the last night of this month, they
(the fasting persons) are granted amnesty.
In a Hadith narrated by Ubadah ibn al
Samit, (RA) the Holy Prophet (SAW) is reported to have
said: Ramadan has come to you. It is the month of
blessing in which Allah envelops you (with His kindness)
He makes His mercy descend upon you. He forgives your
sins and accepts your prayers. Allah witnesses you when
you race one another (in virtuous deeds) in this month
and becomes proud of you before His angels. Therefore,
show Allah the best of deeds from your aide, because
unfortunate is that person who deprives himself from
Allah's mercy in this month.
These Ahadith are sufficient to explain the
great merits Allah has invested with this
month.
HOW TO SPEND RAMADAN
The month of Ramadan is the season of
divine blessings. It is the month of purification, it is
meant for annual renovation of the inner spiritual
qualities. It is a golden opportunity for every Muslim to
strengthen his Iman, to purify his heart and soul and to
remove the evil effects of the sins committed by
him.
This month invites a Muslim to minimize his
other mundane involvements and maximize the acts of
worship. One should plan his schedule for this month,
beforehand, so as to spare maximum time for
'ibadah'.
Here is a brief list of the acts which
should be carried out in Ramadan with due
care:
To offer every prayer with Jama'ah in a
Masjid.
To rise up a little earlier than the exact time of suhoor and
to offer the salah of tahajjud. There is no prescribed number
of the Tahajjud prayer. Yet, it is better to pray 8 Rak'at.
To offer the nafl prayers of Ishraq (two rak'at after sunrise)
Duha (Four rak'at which may be performed at anytime after
Ishraq before noon) and Aw-wabin (six rak'at after
maghrib).
The recitation of the Holy Qur'an. No specific limit is
prescribed. But one should recite as much of it as he can.
Dhikr or Tasbeeh, specially the following recitations:
(a) "SUBHANALLAH WABEHAMDIHI SUBHANALLAH HIL AZEEM".
(b) "SUBHANALLAHI WAL HAMDOLILLAHI LA ILLAHA ILLALLAHO WALLAH
HO AKBAR".
(c) "ASTAGFERULLAH RABBI MIN KULLE ZAM BIN WA ATUBU ALAIHI"
(d) "ALLAH HUMA SALLE ALLAH MUHAMMEDIN NABI YIL UMMI WA ALA
ALEHI WASAHBEHI
WASSALLAM".
(e) LA HOWALLAH WALLAH QUWATTA ILLAH BILLAH HIL ALIYIL
AZEEM".
Apart from reciting these words, one hundred times each, at a
particular time, they may also be continued frequently
throughout the day, even if one is engaged in some light work,
when walking and when in bed.
6. Prayers and supplications: No particular
prayer is prescribed. One can pray for everything he
needs both in this world and in the Hereafter. However,
the supplications of the Holy Prophet (SAW) are so
comprehensive that they encompass all that a Muslim can
need in his life and after his death. It is, therefore,
much advisable to pray to Allah Almighty in the Prophetic
words used by the Holy Prophet (SAW).
There are several books where these
Prophetic supplications have been compiled. Here is the
name of two books which should be kept by every Muslim in
his home and be used for praying daily:
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