Advices in Facing Ramadan 1438 H
By: Imaamul Muslimin Yakhsyallah Mansur
Allah Ta’ala says:
يا أيها الذين آمنوا كتب عليكم الصيام كما كتب على الذين من قبلكم لعلكم تتقون
Meaning: “O ye who believe, are required of you fasting as prescribed for those before you so that you may be cautious.” (Surah al-Baqarah [2] 183)
Alhamdulillah, in the next few days, Moslems all around the world will welcome a special guests, that is the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the month where all the worthy deeds of worship will be multiplied by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala to infinity. As Moslems, we are grateful for the presence of the holy month of Ramadan along with virtues which are carried with.
As a form of our gratitude, lets welcome the presence of the holy month of Ramadan by doing all worships wholeheartedly so that may Allah puts us in the cautious group.
To gain the common good of the coming of Ramadan, we are calling all Moslems for several things, as follows:
First, Muslims should be happy with the coming of Ramadan.
From Abu Hurairah radhiyallahu ‘anhu, the Prophet sallallaahu’ alaihi wa sallam said,
أتاكم رمضان شهر مبارك. فرض الله عز وجل عليكم صيامه, تفتح فيه أبواب السماء, وتغلق فيه أبواب الجحيم, وتغل فيه مردة الشياطين, لله فيه ليلة خير من ألف شهر,
Has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month. Allah obliges you fast in this month. In this month, the doors of heaven will be opened, and the doors of hell will be closed, and the bad devils will be shackled. By Allah, in this month there is one night better than 1000 months. Who is hindered to gain a lot of rewards in the night, means he is prevented from getting good. (Narrated by Ahmad,and Nasai and sanctified by Syuaib al-Arnauth).
Secondly, Moslems can use the holy month of Ramadan as an arena to increase the charity of mahdhah and ghairu mahdhah worship.
Mahdhah worship is a worship that has been outlined through the Shari’a such as: Prayers, fasting, salawat, and others.
While ghoiru mahdhah worship is a work that can be a worth worship (there is a reward) if it is intended for Allah, and can not be a worth worship if only intend for the worldly. Example: Working for living, help others, including feeding people who do fasting.
Thirdly, Moslems should make the holy month of Ramadan to strengthening unity in congregational life and increasing solidarity with fellow human beings. Ramadan is also expected to strengthen inter-religious harmony, create peace in the Middle East and other conflict areas.
Fourth, we should give thanks for the blessings of Allah because the month of Ramadan 1438 H predicted no difference in starting and ending the fast. Of course this is a blessing from Allah that deserves to be grateful.
Fifth, for non-Moslems, it is expected to honor Muslims who are performing fasting Ramadan, with attention to several things, such as;
- Not eating and drinking in public places,
- Not wearing clothes that spit lust, and
- For agencies whose employees used to wear open clothes to adapt.
Sixth, Muslims should revive Ramadan with several things, such as:
- Recite Al-Quran as much as possible,
- Join Islamic studies,
- Performing the Tarawih prayer at the beginning or the third of the night, and
- Improve productivity and performance and not be laze because of fasting.
Seventh, Moslems are expected to do amar makruf nahi munkar in good coordination with relevant parties, especially police and government officials to show the beauty of Islam that always spread the grace and peace for the whole of nature.
Eighth, Muslims are expected to fasting Ramadan until the end days so they to become a better person than before and obtain forgiveness from Allah SWT.
Ninth, to optimize worship, Moslems are expected to implement i’tikaf in the last 10 days of Ramadan.
Tenth, Moslems to abandon the culture of consumerism and waste during Ramadan. Eat and drink moderately and avoid exaggeration.
We hope Moslems especially in Indonesia and generally in the whole world get forgiveness from Allah and be the cautious person. (R06 / P2/RS5)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
