Ramadharn is the month of Allah beacuase fasting throughout this month is the only obligation that is done for Allah alone. This is the month where Allah bestows forgiveness to the Muslims who ask for it. This is the month where Allah awards the Muslims with the one and only al-Quran kareem. This is the month where Lailatul Qadr is visiting those who worship Allah to the fullest. This is the month where the Muslims share the hardship of the unfortunate brothers and sisters around the globe.
The month of Ramadhan is called 'SAIDUL SYUHUR' or the chieftan of all Hijriah months. The month of Ramadhan is very significant to the Muslims due to a few occurences that had been recorded in history like the 'Nuzul al-Quran' and that is why Ramadhan is also acknowledged as the month of Quran. There are a few wars involving Muhammad (peace be upon him) with the Makkah musyriks (protestors) as mandated by Allah such as Badr and Khandak, and both are won over by the Muslims although the number of the soldiers were far more lesser than the musyriks.
Generally, when Ramadhan is approaching, people around the world notice that the Muslims will restrain themselves from eating and drinking and during the day for a month. Not forgotten, the Muslims will lessen or leave all sinful and wasteful activities in order to be blessed by Allah the Almighty.
Throughout Ramadhan, the Muslims are suggested to perform more Qiyyam (prayers) and it would be best performed during the third quarter of the night or around 2 - 4 in the morning. These kind of prayers are called 'Qiyamullail' or the night prayers. One of the favourite prayers to be performed is the Tarawikh which is habitually taking place in a masjid from the first of Ramadhan to its last. The Muslims will assemble after Isya' prayer to perform the Solah (prayer) for 8 or 20 raka'ah (laps) and wrap the solah with 3 raka'ah of Witr prayer or generally known as the 'closing' prayer. Those who are unable to attend masjid like me (due to health problems) be able to perform it at home.
Besides prayers, the Muslims are called to infak (donate) some money or food or any useful things to those who needs especially the poor and orphans (as mentioned in al-Quran). Giving away money or other properties will never make you penniless. In fact, you will feel glad and do BELIEVE that every single thing that you donate to the needy, Allah will pay it forward double or triple or quadruple in terms of cash, prosperity, wellness, obedient children, career building, achievements, loving family and many other surprised gifts in life.
The 'Curtain Call'
At the end of Ramadhan, most worshippers fell gloomy and sad for the month is calling its curtain down. This means, they have to wait till next year to meet up with Ramadhan again. They are aware that some might not be able to set a date with the upcoming Ramadhan. Some are sad for they feel that they had not done enough to worship Allah trhoughout the month. With the bon voyage of Ramadhan, the month of Syawal is granted by The One as the day of victory to the Muslims who had successfully went through hardship and worship Him throughout the month of Ramadhan. The Muslims express their feeling towards the victory with great takbir on the night of 1 Syawal. They celebrate the victory by complimenting the the Oneness and greatness of Allah.
However, most locals celebrate the first of Syawal or popularly known as Eid with advisable not entertainment programmes which are full of social harmness and sins. They are repeating mistakes and sins that they had asked forgiveness for in Ramadhan. They are making fun of themselves and I can't stand to laugh to the last to those poor creatures. This is what I call as the unwanted curtain call.
The Dos after the 'Curtain Call'
Ramadhan is the month of 'educating ones behaviour'. Hence, it is advisable that the Muslims should carry out what they had performed in Ramadhan in the months ahead. Here are some suggested ibadah to be feeded for our souls:
- Keep on performing Qiyamullail at least once a week;
- Perform Dhuha prayer every day;
- Perform everyday solah (prayers) right after adzan and never ever delay them;
- Read al-Quran every day;
- Eat according to the necessity;
- Consume dates (kurma) on its own or before any meal, daily;
- Assemble at the masjid to pray in jamaah (assembled);
- Infak (donate) money or food or anything useful to the needy;
- Get your tongue wet by saying zikrullah every day;
- Watch your words especially to the elders;
- Tie up your need whenever you feel like you want something wasteful and unneeded;
- Always seek forgiveness from Allah;
- Always seek forgiveness from your spouse, children, parents, siblings, relatives, friends, colleagues and acquaintances;
- Attending religious talk and classes.
Remember, make this Ramadhan as the best event in your life.....Don't waste it for we never know whether we will meet the next Ramadhan.
Vocabulary
- obligation (noun) - duty / responsibility
- chieftan (noun) - leader
- significant (adjective) - important
- occurence (noun) - incident
- acknowledged (acknowledge - verb) - recognized / accept
- mandated (mandate - verb) - order / instruct
- restrain (verb) - keep away from
- lessen (verb) - to make less
- assemble (verb) - gather
- penniless (adjective) - poor
- quadraple (adjectie) - multiple
- worship (verb) - a person who believe / love / devote
- worshipper (noun) - believer / devotee
- oneness (adjective) - singleness
- local (noun) - home-grown / resident
- spouse (noun) - prtner (wife or husband)
