Syeda Amtul

Saudi Gazette

 

Ramadan is here. The year just flew by. It is time to reflect upon our deeds, evaluate our shortcomings, turn to Allah for repentance, mercy and blessings, purify our hearts and souls, and renew our faith.



Ramadan brings with itself lots of blessings, as the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said that during the month the gates of hell are closed, the devils chained and the gates of paradise are wide open.



The holy month gives us a wonderful opportunity to seek forgiveness from Allah for all our sins and ask for his abundant bounties, for surely Allah gives those who call on to Him whole-heartedly with sincerity and devotion.



The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “He who fasts during the month of Ramadan with faith and seeks reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.”



Hence, we can make the most of this blessed month by striving to abstain from some useless acts, as Ramadan is not only about refraining from food and fluids; it is about worshiping Allah by praying, making Dua’as, reading Qur’an, and supplications.



What to do in Ramadan?

 

• Say: “La ilaha illal-lah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu-l-mulk wa lahu-l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in qadir.” Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said if we do so, one hundred times we will get the same reward as given for releasing ten slaves. One hundred good deeds will be written in his accounts, and one hundred sins will be deducted from his accounts, and it (his saying) will be a shield for him from the Shaytan on that day till night, and nobody will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he.” (Sahih Bukhari)

• Say “Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi,” one hundred times a day. Doing this will InshAllah allow all your sins to be forgiven, even if they were as much as the foam of the sea. (Sahih Bukhari)

• The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Shall I tell you a word which is one of the treasures of Paradise? It is “La haul a wala quwwata illa bil-lah.” 

• Read the Qur’an. Try to learn small Surahs from the Qur’an, it will help you in your prayers.

• Listen to Qur’an tapes.

• Read stories of Allah’s prophets as none can be more inspiring than them.

• Give lots of charity and alms.

• Make lots of Dua’as for yourself, for your parents and siblings, for the poor and needy and for all the Muslims’ in the world.

• Don’t miss your prayers. If your parents go for Tarweeh then go with them. Don’t argue to stay back at home. You don’t know for which simple act you would be greatly rewarded.

• Don’t lie, backbite or gossip.

• These are some of the things which all of us can do this Ramadan to please Allah and earn rewards for ourselves.

This year, Saudi Gazette spoke with children to find out what they plan to do this Ramadan:



Nine-year-old Maryam Ali of Pakistan International School (English section) studies in grade 5. She said, “I love Ramadan. My Ramadan resolution is to fast the whole month InshAllah, and try to pray five times a day. Ramadan Kareem.”



Ahmed Muhamad Ahmed, 12, is from Yemen. He studies at Corniche International School. He said, “I know Ramadan is a month of blessing. I will do all good deeds in this month to please Allah and my parents. I have decided to spend less time on the playground and use this time to help my mother in kitchen.”



Al Hussain Abdul Rehman Hussain Ali Amoudi, 6, of grade 1, studies in Thamer International School. He said, “I am the youngest one in my home and nobody needs my help but I have decided to help my mother in Ramadan, as I see her doing a lot of work in kitchen. I will recite the Qur’an frequently as well.



Musfarah Ali studying in grade seven at Pakistan International School (English section) said that Ramadan is a holy month, where everyone is required to respect and fast sincerely. The Qur’an was also revealed in this month. My Ramadan resolution is to recite the Qur’an often and perform the Salah on time.



American national Nailah Jemel Buck, 7, said, “Usually in Ramadan we go to the Masjid to pray Taraweeh. This time my aim is not to miss the Taraweeh prayers even for one day. I am so happy as Ramadan has arrived. I will also pray to Allah.”



American national Rasheedah Shah, 7, studies in Dar-ul-Fikr School. She said, “We always help to make the food for Iftar. This year I will to help my parents in every household work. I will not waste my time this Ramadan doing useless things. I will do my best to be a good child.



Al-Bader Abdul Rehman Hussain Ali Amoudi, 9, of grade 3 studies in Thamer International School. He said, “My aim in this Ramadan is to perform Salah on time. I plan to practice it in Ramadan so that I can continue it after Ramadan as well. Apart from it I have decided to do many things in Ramadan like reciting the Qur’an, helping my parents and taking care of my grandparents.”



British national Aaisha Banqee, 9, of Advanced Generations Schools, said, “Many people from my family come to visit us during Ramadan. I plan to help my mother in serving them. It gives me immense pleasure. I am happy that Ramadan is near and I can’t wait for Ramadan to enjoy the gatherings.



Pakistani national Rameen Quraishi, 9, studies in British International School. She said, “In Ramadan we give lots of charity. This Ramadan I have decided to help the poor and needy as much as I can because we get rewards for our good deeds.”

British national Salma Abdul Haqq Baker, 9, said, “Every year in Ramadan we decorate our home. This year too we have decided to do something special and beautiful.”



Mariyam Al Taib, 8, of Jeddah Knowledge School, said, “I am eagerly waiting for the month of Ramadan. I am really happy and have decided to pray a lot. I will also help my parents during the month and not disturb them unnecessarily.