Ramadan: Ultimate Secrets of Success

If there’s anything that we learned from the Olympics, it’s that preparation is a key element of success.

This Conference Call by Shaykh Muhammad AlShareef deconstructs the Month of Ramadhaan and provides a roadmap and key tips/tricks to maximize your personal success.

I’ve extracted points, however I highly recommend listening to the full audio here.

[Gem 1] Essential Question: “What am I getting out of Ramadhaan?”
Without a specific goal, obscure hopes will not pan out. Time is too precious to bet on ambiguous hopes of a permanent 30 day ‘Eman High.’

[Gem 2] Recognize there are individuals who do experience the richness of Ramadhaan
Hard work yields rewarding success. Leaders live in-between the Start (everyone is at the masajid on Day 1) and the Finish (Eid Prayer). Beyond the social excitement lies a very serious task ahead: Self Improvement and Spiritual Growth.

[Gem 3] Cut out Distractions
Imam as-Shafi’I [ra] would discontinue classes on hadeeth in favor of Quran Study. There is nothing wrong with putting things on ‘hold’ to focus on your heart and the Quran.

[Road Map]

Creating Vision: What is the general picture of what your driving towards? What actions made this the Best Ramadhaan Ever? How will you feel on Eid Day looking back on a month of dedication? Familiarize yourself with this picture and work backwards to define actions that will lead to this ‘new you.’

Example: Personalize your general goals, Quran, Itikaaf, Qiyam-ul-layl, Taraweeh, etc.

Defining Purpose: What is your intention? This is what prevents distractions (Masjid Hopping, Missing Taraweeh, Lazy Friends etc) from veering you off course.

Example: Hear your name being called from the Gates of Paradise. This is where you belong. Do you want to lose that?

Achieving 30 Day Ramadhaan Goals

Write them out. This is your Master Dua List.

Focus on the Power of Allah swt, not whether you can achieve it or not.

Example: Specify your goals and list them . Ask of the goodness of this world and the next, in all areas of your life.

Hereafter
Jannatul-firdaws
Protection from the Fire
Protection from the Punishment of the GraveThe wife [May Allah have Mercy on Her] of Pharaoh asked for Prime Real Estate: a house near Allah swt!

Personal Spirituality
Protection from Major Sins
Sins you will not return to?
Memorizing Quran?

Goodness of this World
Your Career?
Spouse?
Family?

Don’t forget The Muslim Ummah all over the World

Consistently take 6 -10 of your Top Goals and consistently make supplication at the blessed prescribed timings (Iftaar, Last Ten Days, etc.)

[Tips] Staying Healthy: Maximize Health: Follow the Sunnah
The key to gaining vitality and energy during Ramdhaan is following the Sunnah. If you feel tired, weak, sleepy… reexamine your lifestyle.

Examples:

• Suhur (pre-dawn meal) is a MUST to a stay fit. If you skip, than your really fasting from the last meal you ate.
• Suhur: Consume water rich (fruits, vegetables) green food items, some protein and starch (example: dates, slice of toast with peanut-butter)
• Forego the acidic, greasy left over iftaar dinners, heavy foods, high sugar
• Follow the ‘imam diet’: light foods to break the fast (soup, salad) , then a small meal after taraweeh
• Portion Control: Think Teacup Saucer. Don’t overeat and trap yourself in a cycle of sleeping, missing Suhur, skipping taraweeh…etc.
• Move. Oxygen flow creates energy. Stay active during the day
• Sleep immediately after Taraweeh, skip out on staying up late.
• Do not stop exercising: 30 minute walks and light activity will add in the cleansing process.
• Nap cautiously (Cap it at 2 hours) so you can maximize strength for the last Ten Days
• Super-hydrate your body. Drink lots of water when your not fasting.
• Limit social dinners: Focus on your Goals and the Quran. Every Minute Counts.

May Allah grant us the richness of experiencing our best Ramadhaan ever.

Ramadan and Prophet Yusuf [as]

I enjoy insightful reflections that bring a vibrant energy to conventional knowledge.

The following passage has summarized the importance of Ramadan, perhaps even more so than many lectures I’ve heard.

The Likeness of Ramadan and Prophet Yusuf

by Ibn al-Jawzi

“The month of Ramadan to the other months is like Yusuf to his brothers. So, just like Yusuf was the most beloved son to Ya’qub, Ramadan is the most beloved month to Allah.

A nice point for the nation of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) to ponder over is that if Yusuf had the mercy and compassion to say {“Said he: “No reproach shall be uttered today against you. May God forgive you your sins: for He is the most merciful of the merciful! …”} [Yusuf; 92], ₁ Ramadan is the month of mercy, blessing, goodness, salvation from the Fire, and Forgiveness from the King that exceeds that of all the other months and what can be gained from their days and nights.

Another nice point to think about is that Yusuf’s brothers came to rely on him to fix their mistakes after all those they had made. So, he met them with kindness and helped them out, and he fed them while they were hungry and allowed them to return, and he told his servants: “Carry their belongings with you so that they don’t lose them.” So, one person filled the gaps of eleven others, and the month of Ramadan is likewise one month that fills the gaps of our actions over the other eleven months. Imagine the gaps and shortcoming and deficiency we have in obeying Allah!

We hope that in Ramadan, we are able to make up for our shortcomings in the other months, to rectify our mistakes, and to cap it off with happiness and firmness on the Rope of the Forgiving King.

Another point is that Ya’qub had eleven sons who were living with him and whose actions he would see at all times, and his eyesight did not return because of any of their clothing. Instead, it returned due to Yusuf’s shirt. His eyesight came back strong, and he himself became strong after he was weak, and seeing after he was blind. Likewise, if the sinner smells the scents of Ramadan, sits with those who remind him of Allah, recites the Qur’an, befriends on the condition of Islam and faith, and avoids backbiting and vain talk, he will (by Allah’s Will) become forgiven after he was a sinner, he will become close after he was far, he will be able to see with his heart after it was blind, his presence will be met with happiness after it was met with repulsion, he will be met with mercy after he was met with disdain, he will be provided for without limit or effort on his part, he will be guided for his entire life, he will have his soul dragged out with ease and smoothness when he dies, he will be blessed with Forgiveness when he meets Allah, and he will be granted the best levels in the Gardens of Paradise.

So, by Allah, take advantage of this greatness during these few days and you will soon see abundant blessing, high levels of reward, and a very long period of rest and relaxation by the Will of Allah.

By Allah, this is the true relaxation…”

['Bustan al-Wa'idhin wa Riyad as-Sami'in'; p. 213-214]

[1] Footnote: I added the full translation to the original article. The verse is:

قَالَ لاَ تَثْرَيبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ يَغْفِرُ اللّهُ لَكُمْ وَهُوَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ

source

A Tribute to Andalus

Enchanting.

from: ilmSummit 2008 video (original link)

Narrated by Shaykh Mishary Rashed Alafasy

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The Uphill Battle

The Messenger of Allah [s] said:

“Verily, your Lord is amazed at a youth who does not incline towards his desires.”

['Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah'; # 2843]

5 - Ibn Rajab said:

“Whoever is mindful of Allah when he is young and strong, Allah will take care of him when he is old and has become weak, and will bless him with good hearing, eyesight, strength and reasoning. One of the scholars who lived beyond the age of one hundred years and enjoyed good strength and reasoning jumped up in a lively manner one day and was asked about that. He said: “I kept these physical faculties from sin when I was young, and Allah has preserved them for me now that I am old.” The opposite also applies. One of the Salaf saw an old man begging from people and said: “This is a weak man who ignored Allah when he was young, so Allah is ignoring him now that he has grown old.””

['Jami' al-'Ulum wal-Hikam'; 1/186]

source

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