Ramadhan: Don't Rush To End It

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Tomorrow may be 1 Shawwal, which means tomorrow may be Eid al Fitr. Some people can't wait for Ramadhan to end. Some people are still busy making preparations for Eid. Some people have been treating Ramadhan like any other day. Some of them don't seem to notice Ramadhan--when it comes and when it goes; they eat in public; they lie; they cheat; they fight and argue.

For those who have been observing the fasting, don't rush to finish it. We should feel sad that Ramadhan is about to leave us--we don't know if we will reach Ramadhan next year with all its blessings.

So while it is still here, don't waste any moment to do our best to end Ramadhan strong. We ask Allah to forgive all our shortcomings, grant us tawfiq (success) and accept our fasting and our worship, and make us able to continue our worship.

Regarding Ramadhan, it was reported that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

...Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever performs an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing 70 obligation at any other time..

So, don't let Ramadhan leave you without you spending these final moments in doing as much good as possible. Leave all sins. Use the limbs to do only good--which include, no lying, no cheating, no backbiting, no swearing, no harming people, no fighting...

Help people and give extra charity. This is a great time to pay your sadaqatul fitr (this is obligatory on every Muslim, adult or children) and zakat of wealth. Don't wait till the last minute (before Eid prayer) because the poor too want to enjoy Eid.

Don't let the mosques become lean with people because you are busy preparing for Eid. Your should strive to pray Fajr and 'Asr prayers at the masjid.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

One who has offered two cool (time) prayers i.e. Fajr (dawn) and 'Asr (afternoon) prayers shall enter Paradise.

[Bukhari and Muslim]

Recite more Qur'an. This will avoid use of our tongues on vain talks and other harmful speech. Also, remember each letter you recite is one reward, and rewards are multiplied by 10 of their kind. In Ramadhan, the reward can be much more. You should try to complete reciting the whole Qur'an this one last time in Ramadhan, perhaps you can gather your family members and friends to do a group khatm.

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reports that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

When people gather in one of the houses of Allah to recite the Book of Allah and teach it to each other, tranquility and peace descend upon the gatering. (Allah's) mercy covers them, angels spread their wings over them and Allah memtions them among those who are around them.

[Muslim]

On the night of Eid, we should fill the night with takbir from Maghrib until the Eid prayer in the morning. Try to pray at least Maghrib, 'Isha and Fajr in a group, i.e. at the masjid, and participate in the takbir. This is our showing of our gratitude towards Allah for His guidance and for His tawfiq.

May Allah accept all our prayers, fasting, charity, du'as and all acts of good deeds. May Allah grant us forgiveness and save us from Hell, and grant us good health and continue to shower us with His blessings and make us His excellent worshippers. Ameen.

Please don't forget us in your du'as. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam