Sunnats and Aadaab of Ramadhaan – Part 3

1. During the month of Ramadhaan, try to maximize in doing good deeds. It is reported in the Hadith that any nafl ibaadah (voluntary good deed) carried out in the month of Ramadhaan earns one the reward of doing a fardh act, and the reward of a fardh act carried out in Ramadhaan is multiplied seventy times.

عن سلمان رضي الله عنه قال خطبنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في آخر يوم من شعبان … من تقرب فيه بخصلة من الخير كان كمن أدى فريضة فيما سواه ومن أدى فريضة فيه كان كمن أدى سبعين فريضة فيما سواه (صحيح ابن خزيمة، الرقم: 1887)

Hazrat Salmaan (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) delivered a khutbah on the last day of Sha’baan (wherein he mentioned), “The one who draws near to Allah Ta’ala by performing any nafl deed, he will receive reward equivalent to the reward of the one who performs a fardh deed at any other time. The one who performs a fardh deed during this month will be blessed with the reward of the one who performs seventy faraaidh at any other time.”

2. Ensure that you perform twenty rakaats of Taraaweeh salaah every night. The Taraaweeh Salaah is an emphasised sunnah. In the era of Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu), all the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu anhum) had consensus on performing twenty rakaats of Taraaweeh Salaah. At least try to complete one khatam of the Quraan Majeed in the Taraaweeh Salaah.

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من قام رمضان إيمانا واحتسابا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه (صحيح البخاري، الرقم: 37)

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who stands in Taraaweeh Salaah in Ramadhaan with Imaan (complete belief and faith) and with the hope of reward, all his past (minor) sins will be forgiven.”

عن عبد الرحمن بن عوف رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إن الله تبارك وتعالى فرض صيام رمضان عليكم وسننت لكم قيامه فمن صامه وقامه إيمانا واحتسابا خرج من ذنوبه كيوم ولدته أمه (سنن النسائي، الرقم: 2210)

Hazrat Abdur Rahmaan bin Awf (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Indeed Allah Ta’ala has ordained the fast of Ramadhaan upon you and I have prescribed for you standing during its nights (in Taraaweeh Salaah). Whosoever fasts during the days and stands up during the night in Taraaweeh Salaah with true faith and hope of reward from Allah Ta’ala, he will be cleansed from all his sins like the day his mother gave birth to him.”

عن أبى الحسناء أن علي بن أبي طالب أمر رجلا أن يصلي بالناس خمس ترويحات عشرين ركعة – باب ما روي في عدد ركعات القيام في شهر رمضان (السنن الكبرى للبيهقي، الرقم: 4805)

Abul Hasnaa (rahimahullah) says, “Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) appointed a person to perform twenty rakaats of Taraaweeh Salaah with the people during Ramadhaan.”

عن الأعمش عن زيد بن وهب قال كان عبد الله بن مسعود يصلي لنا في شهر رمضان فينصرف عليه ليل قال الأعمش كان يصلي عشرين ركعة ويوتر بثلاث (عمدة القاري 11/127)

A’amash (rahimahullah) says, “During the month of Ramadhaan, Abdullah bin Mas’ood (radhiyallahu anhu) used to lead the Taraaweeh Salaah for the people. He used to perform 20 rakaats of Taraaweeh Salaah and 3 rakaats of Witr.”

روى البيهقي بإسناد صحيح انهم كانوا يقيمون على عهد عمر بعشرين ركعة وعلى عهد عثمان وعلي (عمدة القاري 5/267)

Allamah Aini (rahimahullah) says, “The illustrious Sahaabah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) would perform twenty rakaats of Taraaweeh Salaah during the reign of Umar (radhiyallahu anhu), Uthmaan (radhiyallahu anhu) and Ali (radhiyallahu anhu).”

3. Increase four actions in Ramadhaan:

(a) The recitation of the kalimah ‘laa ilaaha illallah’

(b) Istighfaar

(c) Seeking entrance into Jannah

(d) Seeking protection from Jahannum

عن سلمان رضي الله عنه قال خطبنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم في آخر يوم من شعبان… واستكثروا فيه من أربع خصال خصلتين ترضون بهما ربكم وخصلتين لا غناء بكم عنهما فأما الخصلتان اللتان ترضون بهما ربكم فشهادة أن لا إله إلا الله وتستغفرونه وأما الخصلتان اللتان لا غناء بكم عنهما فتسألون الله الجنة وتعوذون به من النار (صحيح ابن خزيمة، الرقم: 1887)

Hazrat Salmaan (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) delivered a khutbah on the last day of Sha’baan (wherein he mentioned), “And (in this month,) carry out four actions in abundance. Two actions are to please your Rabb and two actions are such that you cannot do without them. The two actions which will be pleasing to your Rabb are the recitation of the kalimah “Laa ilaaha illallah” and seeking His forgiveness. The two actions that you cannot do without are asking Allah Ta’ala for entry into Jannah, and seeking deliverance from the fire of Jahannum.”

4. Make abundant dua during Ramadhaan. The dua of a fasting person is readily accepted, especially the dua that is made before iftaar.

عن أبي هريرة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ثلاثة لا ترد دعوتهم الصائم حتى يفطر والإمام العادل ودعوة المظلوم يرفعها الله فوق الغمام ويفتح لها أبواب السماء ويقول الرب وعزتي لأنصرنك ولو بعد حين (سنن الترمذي، الرقم: 3598)

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “There are three people whose duas are not rejected; the fasting person until he breaks his fast, the just ruler, and the dua of the oppressed which Allah Ta’ala lifts above the clouds and for which He opens the doors of the heavens. Allah Ta’ala says, ‘I take a qasm on My honour, I will definitely assist you, even though it may be after some time.’”

عن عمرو بن شعيب عن أبيه عن جده قال سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول للصائم عند إفطاره دعوة مستجابة وكان عبد الله بن عمرو إذا أفطر دعا أهله وولده ودعا (شعب الايمان، الرقم: 3624)

Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (radhiyallahu anhuma) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “At the time of iftaar, the fasting person’s duas are accepted.” Hence, Abdullah bin Amr (radhiyallahu anhuma) would call his family and children at the time of iftaar and engage in dua.

5. The month of Ramadhaan is known as the month of the Quraan. Hence, one should recite as much Quraan as possible. The Haafiz should recite more than the non-Haafiz.

6. Be generous in the month of Ramadhaan. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) would express more generosity in the month of Ramadhaan compared to other months of the year.

عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أجود الناس وكان أجود ما يكون في رمضان حين يلقاه جبريل وكان يلقاه في كل ليلة من رمضان فيدارسه القرآن فلرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أجود بالخير من الريح المرسلة (صحيح البخاري، الرقم: 6)

Hazrat Ibnu Abbaas (radhiyallahu anhuma) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was the most generous of people. He would reach the peak of his generosity in the month of Ramadhaan when Jibreel (alaihis salaam) would come to meet him (to make dhor and revise the Quraan Majeed). Jibreel (alaihis salaam) would meet him every night in Ramadhaan wherein they both used to recite the Quraan Majeed to each other. Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was more generous than the (beneficial) wind that blew (i.e. the wind is known for having no boundaries and it reaches all places, hence the generosity of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) even surpassed the limits of the wind in showing love and compassion to the creation).