Special Instructions for Ramadan – How to Attain the True Blessings of Fasting

Source: Lectures of Hazrat Maulana Shah Abrar Ul Haq Sahab Hardoee R.A – Khalifa Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi R.A

 

Things to do in Ramadan

1) Frequent recitation of Kalima e Tayyiba
2) Excessive Istaghfaar
3) Supplications for Jannah
4) Asking for protection from Hell
5) Excessive recitation of the Holy Quran. Also, excessive recitation of Durood Sharif, if possible at least  300 times or as many times as possible.
6) Offering Fardh Salah with congregation and Takbir e Ula
7) Going early for Isha Salah and Taraweeh (20 Rakaat)
8 ) Spending free time in the mosque with the intention of Etikaaf.
9) Spending on charity, as much as possible conveniently.
10)  Strictly guarding the tongue from any useless talk. Avoid any unnecessary worldly talks.
11) Strictly abstaining from all sins specially watching TV, movies/cinema, back biting, listening to music, unnecessary use of the internet, mixed gatherings of na mehram men and women, women not practicing the veil, using foul language and swearing, shaving or trimming of beard to less than one fist length and other such sins should be very strictly avoided otherwise such a Roza / Saum would not hold any value before Allah(SWT). It is narrated in Hadith:
“Fasting is a shield against Hell unless one breaks it. Breaking it means committing sins” (Mishkat Sharif)
Note: We need to understand that during fasting, we even abstain from basic necessities such as food and water. Cigarette and other types of addictions which are usually hard to leave are also thrown away during fasting only in compliance with the commands of Allah(SWT) and in order to gain the blessings of fasting. How foolish then it would be to ruin our fasts by committing sins and other unlawful acts.

It is narrated in Ahadith that those who do not abstain from unlawful and sinful acts during fasting, Allah(SWT) does not care for their mere starving. Allah(SWT) helps those who strive in his path. A person who was a smoker for the last 20 years left it when he heard that it is extremely shameful to pollute the same tongue and mouth which we use to recite the Holy Quran and Durood Sharif. He just made intention and Allah(SWT) helped him. Another person, during my stay in London, immediately quit smoking when he heard the same thing. Masha Allah both of them have been steadfast in their intentions and Allah(SWT) has helped them.
Similarly, in this blessed month:

1) Keeping Sunnah Beard

One should make the intention to keep Sunnah Beard (which is wajib) up to one fist in length. Afterwards, look at yourself in the mirror and decide for yourself. Insha Allah you would realize that your face would be glowing with the noor of Sunnah. This is such a grave sin that the person who commits it is regarded as a continuous sinner. If somebody commits adultery, theft or murder in the darkness of night, nobody would know it in the morning. But by shaving off the beard, one can be identified as a sinner even during prayers, hajj and is deprived off the blessings of Allah(SWT).
Many people keep their beard up to one fist in length from the front, but trim it off from the sides on the cheeks. That is totally incorrect. It is mandatory (wajib) to keep beard up to one fist in length from the front as well as from both the sides.

2) Observing Hijaab / Veil / Pardah

Men and Women should observe Sharaee Pardah from all strange (na mehram) Women and Men respectively. (for details refer to Bahishti Zewar by Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi R.A). Over here, only those na mehram relatives are being mentioned who are usually not considered as ne mehram even by many religious families.
Na Mehram Women For Men:

• Brother’s Wife
• Wife’s Sister
• Female Cousins
• Aunties (excluding sisters of parents)

Na Mehram Men For Women:

• Sister’s Husband
• Husband’s Brother
• Male Cousins
• Uncles (excluding brothers of parents)

3) Abstaining from Back Biting / Gheebat

Make special effort to abstain from Back Biting as it kills the spirit of Fasting.

4) Protecting Gaze (for both Men and Women)

Gaze should also be strictly guarded from strange (Na Mehram) Men and Women as it is one of the “Poisonous Arrows” of Iblees which deprives one of the blessings of prayers and worship.
May Allah(SWT) help us in acting upon these points.