السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
It’s Wednesday 17th March 2021.
Let’s talk about ‘Ramaḍān Preparations’ today.
Every year, as we enter the month of Sha’bān, many people start to ask about Shab Barāt. When is it? How long will the fast be? Etc., etc.
On the night of the 15th of Sha’bān, suddenly, the Masjids are packed. There is a real buzz in the atmosphere. The Imāms and Khatībs have been waiting for this occasion since the 29th night of the last Ramaḍān.
A very spiritual night ends with the majority of Muslims fasting on the 15th. Once Maghrib and Ifṭār is done, we are back to square one. Another 2 weeks and then back to the Masjid again for the start of Ramaḍān. I have been witnessing this for over 40 years now. Why has this become our attitude?
All of us know very well that our beautiful religion is a way of life. From the cradle to the grave, each and every teaching has been provided to us. Therefore, my message today is, let’s make Islam our religion for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a years, from maturity to the grave.
What better day than today to start? It’s the 4th of Sha’bān. Get into the practice and habit from today. Make sure you pray each and every Ṣalāh on time. The men should be in the Masjid, praying with Jamā’ah. Shut the black box from now. Don’t give it a night off on the 15th and then a month off in Ramaḍān. No, switch off today.
Make your home into an Islamic hub from now. Regular recitation of the Holy Qur’ān, family hours, etc. If we become practising for the next 25/26 days, Ramaḍān will be extra special. You will already be in ‘Ibādat mode, and so will be able to do a lot of extra worship ,اِنْ شَاءَ الَّلهُ.
Normally what happens is that it takes a week to get into the Ramaḍān routine, and just when you are about set and enjoying your worship, it finishes. Then you are back to square one for the next 11 months. Let this Ramaḍān be your life changer.
Remember what happened last Ramaḍān? No Masjid attendance for anyone. Please, please, value every moment this time round. Finally, do not forget all the people who were with us at this time last year but are no longer with us.
Little do we know whether we will even get to Ramaḍān or not. Let’s value each and every day as if it is our last day. Make effort on changing your life and Almighty Allāh will change it for you.
Almighty Allāh take us safely through Sha’bān with good health and get us to Ramaḍān, Āmeen.
Almighty Allāh make us all practicing Muslims till death do us part, Āmeen.
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Request for Du’ās
وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala