Ramadaan

Ramadaan is on our doorstep and I feel the atmosphere changing. May Allah (S.W.T.) grant us the opportunity to see Ramadaan and take maximum benefit from this blessed month. Ramadaan gives us a spiritual lift and if we didn't get this yearly dose of a spiritual climax, we would be deteriorating all the time. The key is not to waste our time in Ramadaan.

I try to get myself prepared mentally for Ramadaan. This means checking my INTENTION first and making goals to achieve in Ramadaan. We should be focused and dedicated to really gain the maximum that we can. A little cough should not stop us from fasting. If we don't plan our days, this precious time will be wasted. By doing this, we will get the real feeling of Ramadaan and not take it as a ritual by just fasting and reading taraweeh like we brainwashed. Ramadaan is not about staying away from food only, its about controlling oneself, discipline and connecting with our creator, Allah (S.W.T.). We should fast and give up evil as well, fear Allah (S.W.T.) and gain piety. We should increase our Ibaadat. Many people spend their days sleeping and nights eating. This is not a good practice. Fasting should curb and control our desires and our nifs. We should eat healthy and look after our bodies, but not eat too much. Some people have this attitude like Ramadaan is the end of eating for the full month. We just don't eat during the day, but can eat at night. We should not encourage iftar parties, as these waste time and may be done against Shari'ah. I would urge parents to check up on their children and encourage them to gain maximum benefit from Ramadaan. The things we do during Ramadaan, should not end or stop after Ramadaan. How nice is it to see the masjids full, men with beards women with Hijaab during Ramadaan and how sad is it that on Eid all of this changes.

May Allah (S.W.T.) grant us all the understanding of Ramadaan and allow us to take maximum benefit from this month. Aameem.