10 Lessons From Ramadan

Hajj

Both preceding and contemporary scholars have and are still drumming the message into our ears; Ramadan is a school. 


As it is with any educational institution, lessons are learnt no matter how little. This write-up hopes (with the Rahma of ALLAH) to point out those lessons that are hoped to have been learnt within the 29 or 30 days of fasting in the month of Ramadan.

1. We have learnt how to fast

This definitely has to be the first lesson. For people who were born Muslim but are fasting for the first time, we have learnt to withstand hunger and fatigue while keeping up with our daily routines. This also goes for new reverts to Islam but as for those who have been fasting for years but restrict themselves to only the fast of Ramadan, we really need to look at the broader picture of what fasting is about. 

One statement of ALLAH should be enough to show us the great merit of making fasting a part of oneself. 

The Prophet (SAW) said in a hadith Qudsi that ALLAH (SWT) said, “Every deed of the son of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for Me and I shall reward for it”.

2. We don’t have to miss fasting 

There are people who feel sad when Ramadan comes to an end because they feel it would take another year for them to fast again-this is wrong.  

Before mentioning other opportunities to enjoy the fasting experience after Ramadan, the fast of Shawwal has to be mentioned. 

Muhammad (SAW) said, "Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime”. 

We can fast on Mondays and Thursdays of every week. The Prophet (SAW) was fond of fasting on these days and when he was asked concerning his fasting on Mondays he said, “On that day I was born, and on it the Revelation came to me.” 

As for both days, the Prophet (SAW) said, “Deeds are shown (to Allah) on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like my deeds to be shown when I am fasting.” 

We are also encouraged to fast on the 13, 14 and 15 of any Islamic month. The Prophet (SAW) said, “If you fast any part of the month, then fast the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth.”

3. We have  learnt how to wake up for Salatul Subhi 

A lot of people find it difficult waking up for Salatul Subhi but that laziness disappears during Ramadan because they have to wake up for Sahur otherwise, it would be hell for  them (fatigue wise). 

During Ramadan we didn’t see it as a problem for people to wake us for Sahur then, why should it be a problem for us to get people to wake us for Salah. 

Muhammad (SAW) said, "If people only knew the reward of giving the prayer-call or the merit of standing in the first row of the congregational prayers, they would insist on drawing lots for finding a place therein. And if they could know the merit of repairing to the mosque early for noon prayers, they would go there running and if they were to know the blessings of night and early morning prayers, they would go to the masjid dragging themselves on their buttocks if they had not the strength to walk up to it". (Bukhari, Muslim)

4. We have learnt to stand long in Salah/Nawafils

Tarawih and tahajjud are not restricted to Ramadan, these are acts that are highly meritorious and are only emphasized more in the month of Ramadan in order for us to earn maximum reward in the Glorious month. 

The Prophet (SAW) said, "Make Tahajjud prayers obligatory for yourselves. This is the way of pious gone before you and it is a means of attaining nearness to Allah, it atones for your sins and prevents their commission." 

Our imams should however not see this as a license to make salawat unbearable for worshippers after the month passes as this was greatly frowned at by the Prophet (SAW). 

The Prophet (SAW) said, “If one of you leads the people in prayer he should be easy on them for among the people are the weak, the sick and the aged. If one prays by himself (alone), he may make it as long as he wishes”.

5. We have learnt how to give charity 

Some people sponsored Iftar meals throughout the month of Ramadan. Of course, they don’t have to do it every day but, it should be done often. 

It should be noted that Islam is the only religion in the world that makes the feeding of needy people compulsory hence, charity does not end with Ramadan. 

Muhammad (SAW) said, “Visit the sick, feed the hungry and free the captives”.

6. We have learnt to be punctual to Salah in congregation

Among the major features of Ramadan is that the Masajid are usually packed with worshippers.  Unfortunately, the population begins to dwindle at the  passing of the month. 

For a male, not praying in congregation was seen as a sign of hypocrisy in the time of the Sahaba. Muhammad (SAW) made a number statements regarding observing salah in congregation.

• "If they are three persons in a habitation or in a jungle and they do not say their prescribed prayers jointly, it would mean that the devil has gained ascendency over them. Therefore, make a rule for yourselves to say congregational prayers, for a goat which leaves the flock is devoured by the wolf." (Nisai) 
• “Prayer of a man in his house is one prayer, and his prayer in the mosque of the tribes is prayer by 25 times, and his prayer in the congregational mosque is prayer by 500 times”. 
• "Whoever misses the Asr prayer (intentionally) then it is as if he lost his family and property." (Bukhari)

7. We have learnt to do without many things

Drunkards, gamblers, womanizers, pornography addicts and others slaves were able to stay away from these vices for a whole month.

8. We have learnt how to use Siwak

A lot of Muslims adopt the culture of using the chewing stick during fasting hours to keep their breaths fresh, they however drop the habit when Ramadan passes. They seem to think the siwak is only a 'Ramadan culture' even though they move about with bad breath after Ramadan. 

A Muslim has absolutely no excuse to have a bad breath as Islam has urged Muslims to maintain optimum oral hygiene at all time. Some people see it as a thing of shame to move around with a chewing stick but, we should ask ourselves: which is best, to move about with an embarrassingly smelly mouth or to keep a fresh breath with the use of siwak and earn the pleasure of Allah? 

Muhammad (SAW) made several statements regarding the use of siwak (chewing stick) some of which are given below: 

• "Make it a habit to perform Miswak, as it is a means of cleansing the mouth and a means of attaining the pleasure of Allah.” [Musnad Ahmad] 
• "If I did not feel that it would be difficult upon my Ummah, I would have commanded them to perform miswak with every Wudu." [Mu'jam al-Awsat] 
• "Two rak’ats offered after using the miswak is better than 70 rak’ats without it.”

9. We have learnt to recite the Qur’an 

The month of Ramadan is often and rightly called ‘The Month of the Qur’an’. The recitation of the Qur’an is greatly encouraged in the month of Ramadan and as such, the Masajid were packed with reciters of the Qur’an. Unfortunately, after Ramadan, the Qur’an becomes just another book on the shelf. 

Muhammad (SAW) encouraged the recitation of the Qur’an in these statements. 

• "Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a ten-fold reward. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is one letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter.”
• "The one who is proficient in the recitation of the Qur’an will be with the honorable and obedient scribes (angels) and he who recites the Qur’an and finds it difficult to recite, doing his best to recite it in the best way possible, will have a double reward.”

10. We have learnt to attend Ta'alimat

Usually, our Masajid are relatively empty whenever Islamic classes are on but, we see a dramatic change in the month of Ramadan. After the devils are chained, peopled find it easier to respond to calls to good action and the various tasfirs and Islamic lectures draw massive crowds. 

However, with the passing of Ramadan, the masajid become empty once more. Attending Islamic gatherings should be a routine for every period or month. 

Muhammad (SAW) said, “Whoever goes to the Mosque not desiring anything except to learn or teach what is good has the reward of a pilgrim who completed his Hajj”.

May these lessons remain with us for the rest of our lives, Ameen.