It is obligatory to be wary of negligence and laziness (especially in Ramadhan). Take your portion of rest by way of sleep, there is no problem with that, as long as that does not cause you to be remiss with the (obligatory) prayers.
Do not allow your sleep to dominate your valuable time – the noble time of Ramadhan (due to the many blessings within it). Because it is possible that you will not reach Ramadhan again in other than this year (due to death) and thus you will be deprived of blessings and goodness (if you do not take advantage of your time now).
I encourage you oh brothers, with giving the upmost concern to Ramadhan. with praying at night – Allah bless you – in congregation and individually. We exhort you with focusing on the Quran, reciting it night and day and contemplating over it.Indeed the salaf, when Ramadhan used to come, they would leave off teaching hadeeth and other than it, and dedicate themselves to this act of worship in this month and focus on the recitation of the Quran; Allah bless you.
Indeed from the great deprivation and heavy loss is that you see many of the Muslims spending this precious time in that which does not benefit them.
They stay up at night engaging in worthless entertainment but when the time to stand in prayer comes they sleep through it, causing themselves to miss out on a great amount of good.
"From the first virtues of this month, is that Allah revealed the Quran within it; meaning revelation of the Quran began in this month; and that occurred on the Night of Decree…" Links ๐ from Video – salafidawah.uk/Online – Online Quran Lessons: Salafischool.co.uk/online – Online Full Day Classes: TuitionClub.org/Online
Have concern for recitation of the Qur’aan in this noble month, together with pondering and reflecting upon it, taking admonition from its admonitions, heeding what it reprimands, understanding what is lawful and unlawful, understanding the promises and threats and that which is similar in the Noble Quran. And by way of this, the souls are purified and the hearts are illuminated.
Fromย Al-Majmoo of Shaykh Rabee ibn Haadi Al-Madkhalee (Hafidahullah). Vol.15 pg.338
Oh servants of Allah, indeed the hearts of the believers are extremely happy with the coming of Ramadhan. We ask Allah to allow us to reach it, and that he blesses for us fasting and standing in prayer within it, in the manner which Allah โ The Mighty and Majestic – is pleased with. And it is fitting for us that we rejoice at its approach, for indeed Allah has prepared in it much good and virtue which is not present in other than this month…
“Whoever reaches the Month of Ramadhan and Allah enables him to benefit in it, then verily Allah has blessed him with a tremendous blessing, (and there) is nothing comparable to it.”
Fasting makes it easier to perform acts of worship, this is evident from seeing fasting people compete and rush to perform good deeds. When not fasting, maybe they would have been lazy or found the worship difficult for them.
O you who believe! Observing As-แนขaum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqลซn (the pious – see V. 2:2).
[Observing แนขaum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskฤซn (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.
The month of Ramaแธฤn in which was revealed the Qurฤn, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe แนขaum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe แนขaum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allฤh intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allฤh [i.e. to say Takbir (Allฤhu-Akbar; Allฤh is the Most Great) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramaแธฤn and Shawwฤl] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.
And when My slaves ask you (O Muแธฅammad แนฃallallฤhu alaihi wa salam) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.
Shaykh Muแธฅammad Ibn แนขฤlih al-โUthaymฤซn(raแธฅimahullฤh) extrapolates 22 benefits from the 4 ฤyฤt of Al-Baqarah:183-186:
The obligation of fasting Ramaแธฤn upon this nation.
That fasting was obligatory upon those who came before us from other nations.
The importance of fasting, since it was obligatory upon all of the nations.
The tremendous wisdom of fasting is to attain the Taqwa of Allฤh (The Mighty & Majestic).
That fasting is an easy obligation; in that it is not performed for years or months; rather it is only for a fixed number of days, specified for this nation during the month of Ramaแธฤn.
Fasting is not obligatory to be performed by the sick person, who fasting is difficult upon, or the traveller.
At the beginning of the obligation of fasting, the people had the choice between fasting or feeding a person, this was to make it easy for the people and to allow them to adjust to the obligation of fasting.
Affairs wherein there is difficulty on the souls, then there is wisdom in the Islamic legislation in progressing gradually.
The specifying of Ramaแธฤn for the obligation of fasting upon this nation.
The wisdom behind specifying Ramadhan for fasting, is that the Qurฤn was revealed in it.
The virtue of the Qurฤn, due to that which is mentioned of its tremendous characteristics.
An exhortation and encouragement to return to the Qurฤn for whosoever desires guidance and beneficial knowledge.
Clarification that Allฤh wants for this nation, ease in their religion.
Affirmation of the Will of Allฤh (The Mighty & Majestic).
Allah wants from us to complete the period (of fasting) and to glorify him due to Him guiding us.
It is obligatory to make up the amount of fasts that were not kept in Ramadhฤn, even if it was 29 days (of fasts to catch up).
Carrying out and establishing acts of worship is from showing thanks and gratitude to Allah (The Most High).
Allah blessing upon his servants by clarifying that which they asked about Him.
Allah is close to His servants by way of His Vast Knowledge of them.
Allah answers the call of the supplicant, who supplicates to Him, when he supplicates to Him with sincerity and truthfulness.
The obligation of seeking after the answering of a request of Allฤh to your supplications and having ฤmฤn in Him.
Seeking Allฤhโs response and answering of your request and having ฤmฤn in Him is guidance and a cause of guidance in all deeds.
Al-ilmฤm bi bโad ฤyฤt al-Ahkhฤm Tafsฤซran wa Istimbฤtan Pgs. 256-257
Fasting is beloved to Allฤh, due to this it is compulsory upon the fasting person to rectify his intention, making his fasting sincerely for Allฤh. And he should intend to draw closer to Allฤh, with his fasting, whilst being patient with any difficulties he finds in fasting, because fasting is an act of obedience to Allฤh. Therefore, upon him is to purify his intention and to be patient.
He should then also know, that fasting isnโt merely refraining from food and drink; rather it is also refraining from everything Allฤh has prohibited. He protects his hearing and tongue from that which is prohibited, such as backbiting; slandering and listening to music. And he protects his sight from looking at those things which are prohibited for him. These affairs are prohibited throughout the year, but even more so for the fasting person.
It could be the case that a fasting persons hunger is severe upon him, as is his thirst and tiredness, but he has no reward with Allฤh. This is because of his tongue, speaking with that which is prohibited. His eyes looking at that which is prohibited. And his ears listening to that which is prohibited. This person in reality, he didnโt fast (in the complete sense), he merely left off food and drink.
Fasting is a tremendous act of worship, if someone fasts, then indeed he should stay far away from everything which is unsuitable and unbefitting.
A fasting person is similar to the one performing hajj or umrah, they have to leave off some affairs which are permissible. For example eating and drinking in their origin are permissible. However whilst fasting, he abstains from them.ย And likewise he must stay away from those affairs which are impermissible, whilst fasting and at all other times, but the issue becomes even more severe whilst fasting.
Hence, it is obligatory upon the fasting person to take care of his fast from everything which will affect it negatively.
Abridged and Paraphrased from Shaykh Sฤlih al-Fawzฤnโs, Majฤlis Shahr Ramadhan al-Mubฤrak pgs 14-16
