A Guide to the Holy Month of RAMADAN

A Guide to the Holy Month of RAMADAN

Ramadan is a very blessed month. This booklet is a resource to understand the significance of the month, provide guidance for activities, and list additional informational resources for all ages. 3

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) addressed his companions on the last day of Sha`ban, saying, «Oh people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which there is a night better than a thousand months; a month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds (in this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed (in this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer s sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all.» Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah

The process and benefits of fasting Promotes understanding of the suffering and pain of the poor. Teaches self-restraint, self-control sacrifice for the love of the Almighty. Allows Muslims to connect with their inner self through rigorous praying and worshipping. Before Ramadan begins, it is important to recognize if the heart and soul are battered by diseases such as, greed, negative opinions, anger, miserliness, hatred, or arrogance. The goal is to strive to rid these diseases during Ramadan, improve our akhlaq and our relationship with Allah the Almighty. According to a well-known hadith (Bukhari) the devils are locked up during Ramadan. This is your chance to build a strong character by your own will because you will not have temptations whispered in your ear by Shaitaan. The Prophet (saw) says in the hadith: Actions are judged by intention. Bukhari, Muslim The companions of the Prophet (saw) treated the month of Ramadan as if it was their last chance of forgiveness and salvation. Think about how Ramadan would be if you thought of it as your last one! Allah says that he frees a number of his slaves every night during Ramadan. Slaves are those that are so consumed in the affairs of the world, and so deceived by the promises of Shaitaan, that he is pulling at a chain around their necks to hellfire without them knowing. Ramadan is the force that breaks the chain and frees people from this terrible slavery. 5

Essential Actions for a Life-Changing Ramadan How can you have a life-changing Ramadan? Fast during the day, refrain from marital relations, slander, backbiting, and arguments. Be patient with others. After breaking the fast, avoid excessive eating Pray all of your prayers within their times especially Fajr and Isha in the masjid. Pray Taraweeh at the masjid if possible. Turn off your TV. Visit parents, relatives and friends. Recite as much as possible from the Quran. Make yourself aware of the need around you by visiting and serving in a local shelter or joining a community service program

Interesting Facts about Ramadan Previous sins forgiven if Ramadan fasts accepted: Narrated Abu Huraira (r.a): The Prophet said:...whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven. Sahih Bukhari Quran was sent down during this month: Ramadan is the (month) in which the Quran was sent down, as a guide to mankind and a clear guidance and judgment (so that mankind will distinguish from right and wrong). Quran 2:183 The Night of Power (Laylat-ul-Qadr) occurs this month and is the night that is better than thousand months: Also called the Night of Blessing (Laylat-ul Mubarak), any deed in this night is better than the deeds of about 83.3 years. Indeed We have revealed it (Qur an) in the Night of Power. And what will explain to you what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the Angels and the Spirit (Jibreel) by Peace (continuously) til the rise of Morning! Quran 97:1-5 There is a gate in Paradise designated for people who fast: Narrated Sahl: The Prophet (saw) said, There is a gate in Paradise called 7

Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, Where are those who used to observe fasts? They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it. Sahih Bukhari Serious consequences for intentionally breaking the fast: Abu Huraira narrated that The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) commanded the person (who) broke the fast in Ramadan to free a slave or observe fasts for two (consecutive) months or feed sixty poor persons. A fasting person s reward is with Allah and Allah even loves the unpleasant smell of the fasting person: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah s Apostle said, Allah said, All the deeds of Adam s sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it. Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relations with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, I am fasting. By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. A number of Scriptures were revealed during this month: scriptures of Ibrahim, Revelation to Dawood, Gospel, Tawrat, Quran

Every day in Ramadan, we should Wake up an hour before Fajr for the suhur meal, dedicate at least 10 minutes before Fajr for du a, and pray Fajr at the masjid. Dedicate 5 minutes before Maghrib for making du a, and then break your fast at Maghrib time. After that, pray Maghrib then eat dinner. Pray Isha and Taraweeh at the masjid. Recite at least one page from the Quran (preferably after Fajr). Perform at work as well or better than when we are not fasting. Every week, we must strive to Perform Qiyam (standing up at night to pray) at least once, read Quran and make du a. Waking up during the late hours of the night to pray while all others are asleep is perhaps one of the best ways to get closer to Allah. Donate a portion of your money to the masjid and/or a charity of your choice Accept atleast one invitation to iftar. Talk to friends and colleagues about Ramdan. Attend a Quran halaqa at the masjid after Fajr, stay in the masjid until sunrise, pray your Duha prayer and then leave. 9

Throughout the month Pick one issue in your life, one good quality that you need to acquire, and one bad quality you want to give up and strive throughout the month to focus and attain these goals: make du a for this. Invite Muslim friends to your place to break their fast. Also invite your non-muslim neighbors and introduce them to Ramadan. Reconcile your disputes with your families, friends, relatives, neighbors, and your fellow brothers and sisters in Islam. The following hadith narrated on the authority of Ubadah ibn al-samit: demonstrates the importance of refraining from disputes during Ramadan: The Prophet (saw) said, I came out to inform you of the time of Laylat-ul-Qadr. But so-andso fought one another, and the knowledge of it was lifted from me. Bukhari

Supplications for the Month of Ramadan These are the supplications that are confirmed by the Sunnah of the Prophet. Though these supplications form the crux of what is recited during Ramadan, people are still encouraged to make any and all kinds of du a during the holy month as it is a means of getting closer to Allah swt. Ramadan is divided into three phases - (Ashrah literally means 10) pertaining to Allah s relationship with us. First ten days are about His Rahmah, which is compassion, second ten are about his Maghfirah (His forgiveness) and the last ten days are about His emancipating us from the fire (al-itq min an-naar). Upon Sighting of the new Moon الل ه م أ ه ل ه ع ل ي ن ا ب األ م ن و اإل مي ان والس الم ة واإل س الم و الت و ف يق ل م ت ح ب و ت ر ض ر ب ن ا و ر ب ك الله Allahumma ahillahu alayna bil-amni waleemaani, was-salaamati, wal-islaami, wattawfeeqi li-maa tuhibbu Rabbana wa tardaa. Rabbuna wa RabbukAllahu O Allah bring us the new moon with security and faith, with peace and in Islam, and in harmony with what our Lord Loves and what pleases Him. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah at-tirmidhi, ad-darimi 11

When breaking the fast - Iftar الل ه م ل ك ص م ت و ع ل ر ز ق ك أ ف ط ر ت Allahumma laka sumtu wa bika aamantu [wa alayka tawakkaltu] wa ala rizq-ika aftarthu O Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You [and I put my trust in You] and I break my fast with Your sustenance (Abu Dawud) Upon breaking the fast in someone s home When you are fasting, and someone is rude to you أ ف ط ر ع ن د ك م الص ائ ون و أ ك ل ط ع ام ك م األ ب ر ار و ص ل ت ع ل ي ك م ال م الئ ك ة Aftara indakumus saa imuna, wa akala ta aamakumul-abraaru, wasallat alaikumul mala ikat May those who are fasting break their fast in your home, and may the dutiful and pious eat your food and may the angels send prayers upon you. Abu Dawud, ibn Majah, an Nasa i إ ن ص ائ م إ ن ص ائ م Inni sa iimu, inni sa iimu I am fasting, I am fasting Sahih Bukhari, Fath al-bari of Al- Asqalani, Muslim

On Laylat-ul-Qadr - the Night of Power Aishah (radhiya Allahu Ta ala anha) narrates that she said: O Messenger These are the supplications of Allah! What if I knew which night Laylat-ul-Qadr was, then what should I say in it? He said Say الل ه م إ ن ك ع ف و ت ح ب ال ع ف و ف اع ف ع ن ي Allahumma innaka affuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa fu anni O Allah You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me. at-tirmidhi Du a for Tahajjud - Late- Night Prayers اللهم لك الحمد أنت نور السموات واألرض ومن فيهن ولك الحمد أنت قيم السموات واألرض ومن فيهن ولك الحمد أنت ملك السموات واألرض ومن فيهن Allahumma lakal-hamdu anta noorussamaawaati wal-ardi wa man feehinna, wa lakalhamdu anta qayyimus-samaawaati wal- ardi wa man feehinna, wa lakal-hamdu anta rabbus-samaawaati wal-ardi wa man feehinna. O Allah, for You is all Praise - You are the Light of the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in them; and for You is all Praise You are the Guardian of the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in them; and for You is all Praise you are the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in them. 13

أنت الحق وقولك الحق ووعدك الحق ولقاؤك حق والجنة حق والنار حق والبعث حق والنبيون حق ومحمد صل الله عليه وسلم حق Wa lakal-hamdu, antal-haqqu wa wa dukalhaqqu wa qawlukal-haqqu wa liqaa uka haqqun, wal-jannat haqqun wan-naaru haqqun, was-saa atu haqqun, wan-nabiyyoona haqqun wa Muhammadun haqqun. O Allah You are the Truth, Your Promise is True, Your Speech is True, Your Meeting is True, Paradise is True, the Hellfire is True, the Hour is True, the Prophets are True and Muhammad is True... اللهم لك أسلمت وبك آمنت وعليك توكلت وإليك أنبت وبك خاصمت وإليك حاكمت فاغفر يل ما قدمت وما أخرت وما أعلنت وما أرسرت أنت املقدم وأنت املؤخر ال إله إال أنت وال حول وال قوة إال بك Allaahumma laka aslamtu, wa bika aamantu, wa alayka tawakkaltu, wa bika khaasamtu wa ilayka haakamtu, faghfir lanaa maaqaddamnaa wa maa akhkharnaa, wa maa asrarnaa wa maa a3lannaa,antal-muqaddimu wa antalmu akhkhiru laa ilaaha illaa ant. O Allah, to You have we submitted our souls, in You have we believed, upon You have we relied, for You have we argued, to You have we taken our judgement, so forgive us all that we have done and what we have not done, what we have hidden and what we have disclosed. You are the Promoter, and You are the Delayer, there is no God but You.

Zakat-ul-Fitr Ibn Abbas (ra) reported that the Prophet (saw) made the Zakatul-Fitr obligatory for the purpose of purifying our fasting from vain talk and shameful mistakes, to make arrangements for the poor and the needy for food and clothing (for the festival of Eid). (Abu Dawud, Ibn Maja) Calculation and Payment of Zakatul-Fitr Every adult Muslim, with sufficient food for the family for a day, should pay Zakat-ul-Fitr for himself/herself and all his/her dependents including those who did not fast. Zakat-ul-Fitr should also be paid for the child born or the person died before the Fajr (dawn) on the day of Eid. At the time of the Prophet (saw), payment of Zakat- ul-fitr was made in terms of weight of grain, namely one Saa (3.15 kg or 6.94 lbs. of grain, rice, wheat, lentils, corn, or dry cheese) per person. The Muslim jurists agree that Zakat-ul-Fitr can also be paid in cash equivalent. For 2012, Zakat-ul-Fitr is $10 per person in the household. It should be paid no later than the Eidul-Fitr prayer. Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said, Whoever paid it (Zakat-ul-Fitr) before Salat-ul-Eid, it is acceptable Zakat before Allah. Whoever paid it after Salat-ul- Eid, it is just a charity. The companions of the Prophet (saw) used to pay it a few days earlier. (Bukhari) 15

Zakat-ul-Fitr should be paid directly to the needy and the poor or you can also pay it to an organization, which would distribute it in accordance with the teachings of Islam. Paying Zakah During Ramadan Charity and helping those in need is very important in Islam and even more during Ramadan. Zakat also known as zakah is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The payment of Zakat is obligatory for every sane and mature Muslim whenever there is an economic activity resulting in the net increase in their wealth. Paying Zakat help purify one s heart from selfishness and greed and helps foster goodwill and brotherhood. The Qur an states that those who pay Zakat are in the brotherhood of faith. Most Muslims prefer to give Zakat during Ramadan since rewards of giving and doing good deed is 70 times greater than any other time of the year. Shawwal and the Fasting of Six Days The blessings of fasting and worshipping continue even after Ramadan. The Prophet (saws) said, Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days from Shawwal, it is as if they fasted the entire year. (Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah). You can fast separately or consecutively during the month of Shawwal.

Health Guidelines for the Month of Ramadan During the holy month of Ramadan, our diet should not differ very much from our normal diet and should be as simple as possible. The diet should be such that we maintain our normal weight, neither losing nor gaining. In view of the long hours of fasting, we should consume slow digesting foods including fibre containing-foods rather than fast-digesting foods. Slow digesting foods last up to 8 hours, while fast-digesting foods last for only 3 to 4 hours. Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, whole meal flour, unpolished rice, etc. (called complex carbohydrates). Fast-burning foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour, etc. (called refined carbohydrates). Fiber-containing foods are bran-containing foods, whole wheat, grains and seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas, sem (papry), marrow, mealies, spinach, and other herbs like methie, the leaves of beetroot (iron-rich), fruit with skin, dried fruit especially dried apricots, figs and prunes, almonds, etc. The foods eaten should be well-balanced, containing foods from each food group, i.e. fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy products. Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited. They cause indigestion, heart-burn, and weight problems. 17

Eat Drink Avoid Complex carbohydrates during the meal before Dawn (sehri. or suhur) so that the food lasts longer making you less hungry. Haleem is an excellent source of protein and is a slow-burning food. Dates are excellent source of sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium. Almonds are rich in protein and fibre with less fat. Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates. As much water or fruit juices as possible between iftar (breaking fasting) and bedtime so that your body may adjust fluid levels in time. Fried and fatty foods. Foods containing too much sugar. Over-eating especially during the meal before Dawn (sehri. or suhur) Too much tea during the meal before Dawn (sehri. or suhur). Tea makes you pass more urine taking with it valuable mineral salts that your body would need during the day. Smoking cigarettes. If you cannot give up smoking, cut down gradually starting a few weeks before Ramadan. Smoking is unhealthy and one should stop completely.

Acknowledgments Sacramento Area League of Associated Muslims (SALAM) for some of the information provided in this booklet

How can we be active and supportive members of the community in which we live? Community Service Opportunities in Connecticut Shelter Serves The Muslim community serves lunch at Mercy Shelter in Hartford every first Saturday of the month. Please contact the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut if you would like to participate in this program. We also organize towel drives and collect new gloves and socks for the homeless. Other Programs Habitat Builds with the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut. Develop a community service initiative in your town through the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut! Work with Foodshare programs through the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut Muslims Against Hunger Team.

Be Part of the Action! Join our monthly meetings held every second Tuesday of the month 6:30-8:00pm, hear what the upcoming events are and share your ideas! VOLUNTEER WITH THE MUSLIM COALITION OF CONNECTICUT AND SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY! We are a not for profit organization dedicated to building bridges in community.

Eid Mubarak! Things to do on the day of Eid Rise early in the morning. Brush teeth and take a bath for Eid after Fajr prayer. Put on the best available dress and adorn-ment and use perfume. Give Zakat-ul-Fitr before the prayer. Eat a light breakfast before going to the Eid prayer. Arrive as early as possible for the Eid prayer. Pronounce the Takbirat (see below) on the way. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar La illaha il Allah Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar - walilahil Hamd Allahu Akbaru Kabeera - wal- Hamdulilahi katheera wa Subhan allahi bukratan wa aseila La illaha il Allah, sadaqa wa dah wa nasara abda, wa a azza jundahu wa hazamal-ahzaaba wahdah La illaha il Allah - wa laa na budu illa iyyah, mukhlessena lahud-deena walaw karehal- Kafeeroon Allahumma salli ala sayyedna Muhammad wa ala aalie sayyedna Muhammad, wa ala ashaabie sayyedna Muhammad, wa ala ansari sayyedna Muhammad, wa ala azwajie sayyedna Muhammad, wa ala dhurreyatie sayyedna Muhammad, wa sallim tasleeman katheera Allah is Great, Allah is Great, Allah is Great there is no God, but Allah Allah is Great, Allah is Great - to Him belongs all Praise Allah is the Greatest - And all Praise is due to Him And Glory to Allah, eventide and in the morning There is no God, but Allah the Unique, He has fulfilled His Promise and helped His servant, strengthened his forces and routed out the clans There is no God, But Allah - He alone we worship, with sincere and exclusive devotion even though the disbelievers hate it O Allah, have Mercy on our Prophet Muhammad and on the family of our Prophet Muhammad, and on the companions of our Prophet Muhammad, and on the helpers of our Prophet Muhammad, and on the wives of our Prophet Muhammad, and on the descendants of our Prophet Muhammad, and send abundant peace on them.

MCCT Programs THE MUSLIM COALITION OF CONNECTICUT IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WORKING TO BUILD BRIDGES IN COMMUNITY. CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT www.mcct.us