1 2013 Malabar Muslim Jama-ath Ramadan Guide

Preface
The Malabar Muslim Jama-ath was formed in 1927 by the group of immigrants from Kerala, India in Singapore to look after the affairs of the Malabari community and it was officially registered on 19th April 1937 with the Registry of Society. The Jama-aths missions are: * Provide Welfare for needy families regularly (eg. monthly payment) or once in a year (eg. bursary) * Support children and youth camps * Organize Islamic events and speeches * Organize recreational activities such Family Day and Sports Day etc Here we submit this booklet expecting that it will help us to be more devoted in Ibaadahs and to gain more attachment and sincerity in our invocations and Duas. We have attempted as far as possible, to ensure the accuracy of the Arabic text, transliterations and translations within this booklet. We seek mercy from Allah Subhaanahu Wata'aala for any mistakes that may remain. May Allah Azzawajalla accept our work, bless all those who have worked for this with perfect Imaan, good health, long life and Baraka in livelihood and family and guide us to do more in the service of Islam and the Muslim Ummah.

Malabar Muslim Jama-ath Shaban 1434H/2013-July

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www.mmj.org.sg

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Introduction
All praise is due to Allah (swt), the One who created the heavens and the earth. It is He who has provided us with many opportunities to purify ourselves from our sins. It is He who has created our heart, and has provided us the means to cleanse it of its darkness. Each day we have the five obligatory Salah to become closer to Allah (swt). Each week we have the day of Jumua, to purify ourselves from the actions during the week. Each year we have the Month of Ramadan to train our nafs (inner-self) against the evils of Shaytaan. When Ramadan draws near, our hearts wait in earnest for the beauty of this beloved month; we anxiously wait for the days of content and nights of tranquility. Allah (swt) has established this month as a blessing to us. It is in this month that we prepare for the battle against Shaytaan. Allah makes it easier for us by chaining the all the shayaateen (plural of shaytaan), thus inhibiting their ability to influence us to do evil. It is in this month, in which the greatest mercy to mankind was revealed: the Quran. The Quran was sent to mankind to facilitate a change in every individual and society. We must reflect upon the fact that the Quran was sent to cleanse the world of all its evils, this being one of the essential features of Ramadan. We fast during the day to train our nafs and we pray during the night to draw near to Allah so that we may become the upholders of this religion in this world. We must use the month of Ramadan to train ourselves in becoming the workers in the path of Allah (swt). It is with this mentality that we must welcome the month of Ramadan. May Allah (swt) make it easy for us, and may He give us the success of this world and the hereafter-Ameen!

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Blessings of Ramadan
Fasting is the fourth pillar of Islam. The word "Sawm (meaning to stop or abstain) is used in Arabic for fasting. A fast then means that one refrains from eating, drinking and other physical things (all those things that are otherwise allowed) from dawn to sunset. This month comes every year to spread the blessings and mercy of Allah. We are thankful to Allah for providing physical forms of divine worship such as prayer, fasting, and pilgrimage to improve our moral and spiritual condition.

Welcoming the Month of Ramadan:

The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has said: "The month of Ramadan comes to you. This is a blessed month - Kitab-ul-Saum. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has declared this month as the "month of Allah" because one abandons all otherwise "lawful" things in the way of Allah. He has also declared this month as the "Chief of the months." Worship during this month gains more blessings so one should fast with sincere intentions and worship should be performed to win Allah's pleasure.

Ramadan - Anniversary of the Holy Quran:

Ramadan is that blessed month in which the Holy Quran was first revealed to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). In this regard this month celebrates the birthday of the Holy Quran. To render our dues we should recite the Holy Quran as much as possible. During this month, at night, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) use to recite the Holy Quran in its entirety with the Angel Gabriel (Jibraeel).

Opening the doors to heaven:

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) has narrated that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "When the month of Ramadan starts, the doors of heaven are opened, the doors of the hell are closed, and Satan is put into chains" - Sahih Muslim Kitab-ul-Saum. In this saying the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has promised a high place in heaven for one who observes the fast because a believer is enjoined to perform such deeds that please Allah and stay away from bad things.
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Ramadan's Special relationship with Tahajjud Prayers: Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Holy
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "A person who gets up at night for Prayer and fulfills all requirements of his faith with an intention of receiving blessing during the Month of Ramadan, is forgiven all his past sins."

Charity during Ramadan: Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Holy Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was the most generous of men and he was at his most bountiful during Ramadan when Gabriel visited him every night and recited the Quran to him. During this period the bounty of the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, waxed faster than the rain-bearing breeze Bukhari and Muslim.

Prayers:
Allah forgives all previous sins of a person who sincerely worships Allah during the month of Ramadan. During this month Allah's mercy and blessings are at their peak. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has said that during Ramadan: "Allah says: 'Is there anyone who calls on me so that I can accept his prayers? Is there anyone who asks for anything so that I can fulfill his desires? Is there anyone who asks for forgiveness so that I can forgive" - Sahih Bukhari - Kitab-ul-Tauheed

Last Ten days of Ramadan:

Hazrat Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that, during the month of Ramadan, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to develop a new vigor, staying awake all night and also waking members of his family for worship" - Sahih Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Saum During the month of Ramadan worship reaches its peak in the form of I'tikaaf (retirement for Allah's worship). The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to retire to the Mosque in the last ten days of the Ramadan. He would go to a corner in the Masjid-e-Nabwee (Prophet's Mosque) to worship Allah in seclusion.

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Ramadan and Lailatul Qadr (Night of Decree):

Hazrat Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "O Allah's Prophet, if I know which night is the Lailatul Qadr then what should I pray? He replied: 'you should pray: O Allah, you are very forgiving and love those who forgive others. So bestow your blessings on me and forgive me - Jamiu Tirmidhi
Kitab-Al-Dawat

Lailatul Qadr is such a night that the Holy Quran has declared it to be better than a thousand months. May Allah enable us to be the recipients of Lailatul Qadr that we truly benefit from the coming month of Ramadan. May Allah accept our prayers. Ameen.

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Basics of Ramadan
O Believers, Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain Taqwa (i.e. become God-Fearing)"
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183 Tafseer: "The verse establishes that fasting had been made obligatory for earlier believers, and that the aim behind it is to open their hearts to Allah and make them more conscious and fearful of Him. This then is the principal objective of fasting: TAQWA. Fasting, when observed in obedience to Allah, and in pursuit of His pleasure, instills and revives this quality (Taqwa) in the human heart. Fasting is a means of testing man's determination and willpower, and an important aspect of man's relationship with Allah. It is a discipline that teaches man how to rise above his physical needs and overcome the pressure of temptation in order to earn Allahs blessings and reward."

More devotion, closeness to the Quran in Ramadan:

Ramadan is a month of heightened devotion. In it, Salat (prayer) is performed with greater intensity. There are extra Sunnah Salat (prayers) on Ramadan nights called Salat at-Tarawih. In the last ten days of Ramadan, some retreat to the mosque to perform I'tikaaf, a period of intense reflection and devotion, seeking guidance and forgiveness, and reading the Quran. Ramadan is a great opportunity to get closer to the blessed guidance of the Quran which was revealed in this month. Ramadan is also called the Month of the Quran.

Ramadans effect on our body and behavior:

The month of Ramadan is an opportunity to develop qualities of endurance and self-restraint, to control anger and a fiery or malicious tongue. It is an opportunity to fine tune the body and shed it of obesity and sloth and to benefit from any therapeutic effects fasting may have.

Generosity in Ramadan:
Ramadan is a time to awaken compassion and solidarity with others and in particular with the poor. We are urged to be more liberal in giving during Ramadan and are required at the end of fasting to give Sadaqatul- Fitr, an amount to enable all to share in the spirit of warmth, affection and brotherhood.

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Fiqh of Ramadan
Requirements of Ramadan:
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has given guidance to the Muslims for each and every thing. He has given detailed instructions on when to start the month of Ramadan and how to spend time during this month.

Beginning and Ending of Ramadhan:

Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) has narrated that: "I heard the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying that you should start fasting when you see the moon or the month of Ramadan and stop fasting when you see the new moon" - Sahih Bukhari, Kitab-ulSaum

Forgetfulness while fasting:

The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has said: "if some mistakenly eats while fasting he should complete his fast till the evening because surely Allah made him eat and drink" - Sahih Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Saum

Importance of sahur:
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Take breakfast before the fast begins; there is blessing in breakfast" - Bukhari and Muslim Zaid ibn Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) relates We ate breakfast during Ramadan with the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The difference between our observance of the fast and that of the People of the Book is eating of breakfast - Muslim

Etiquettes of Sahur (food taken at dawn):

Sahur is a blessed meal. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has said: "This is truly a blessing. One strengthens in oneself the habit of getting up early in the morning and to worship Allah and one can offer humble prayers to Him." The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said: "Eat Sehri as there are blessings in eating Sehri"
- Sahih Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Saum

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At time of Iftar (breaking the Fast):

There are some times during the day that are more helpful and assist in prayers being answered. Allah accepts more prayers when the fast is opened. In one saying the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has reported to have said: "No prayer is rejected at the time of the opening of the fast that is offered by someone who has been fasting"
- Sunan Ibn Maja, Al-Abwab Al-Dawat

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Suggested Minimal Individual Plan For Ramadan

This plan is being made available for others who would like to implement it. This plan may seem cumbersome when glanced upon, but if it is implemented properly it can be easy to follow. Please follow the suggested methods which are listed for each category. This is the month of Ramadan, Its days, the best of days, its nights, the best of nights, and its hours, the best of hours. In this month you should push yourself to the limit and go beyond them. This is the month to instill those characteristics which we may be lacking in our lives. Please follow this plan in an attempt to implement these things in your daily life, and Inshallah they will carry over after this holy month of Ramadan.

Prayers:
Attempt to perform all Fard Prayers at the Masjid Daily Tarawih Perform Salatul Tahajjud on a continuous basis.

Quran Recitation: Recite at least A Juz a day.

Suggestion: If you fall short one day, dont give up. Attempt to read a whole Juz everyday.

Hadith Study: 40 Hadith by Imam Nawawi - Finish Entire book

Suggestion: Read 2 of these Hadith per day

Quran:
At the minimum should have the last 20 Surahs memorized with as much as possible the meaning of them.
Suggestion: Start with the Surahs you already know, begin to revise, as you gain momentum begin new Surahs.

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Tafseer Study:
Please study the following ayahs with Tafseer
Suggestion: Study one selection a day

1. Al-Tawbah 9:111-12 Pledge of Iman, life of worship 2. Al-Muzzammil 73:1-10, 20 Building a relationship with Allah 3. Al-Israa 17:23-29 Individual and collective morality 4. Al-Nahl 16:1-11 Evidence for Tawhid, Risaalah, Akhirah 3. Al-Nahl 16:12-22 Evidence for Tawhid, Risaalah, Akhirah (2nd Part) 4. Al-Zumar 39:53-66 Preparing for Akhirah 5. Al-Hadid 57:12-17 Iman and infaaq 6. Al-Hadid 57:20-5 Present Life;infaaq,establishing justice 7. Al-Saff 61:9-14 Call to commit to the Prophet's Mission Iman, Jihad 8. Al-'Ankaboot 29:1-11 Testing of Faith 9. Al-Anfaal 8:72-5 Iman, Hijrah, Jihad, Jamaah' 10. Al-Tawbah 9:19-24 Jihad, the highest act; sacrificing everything 11. Al-Baqarah 2:267-72 Infaaq fi Sabili'llah 12. Al-Noor 24:47-52, 62-4 Collective life; response andobedience 13. Al-Hujuraat 49:1-9 Collective life: relationship with leaders 14. Al-Mujaadalah 58:7-13 Collective life: rules and duties 15. Al-Hujuraat 49: 10-15 Collective life: Interpersonal Relations 16. Fussilat 41:30-6 Dawah and required attributes 17. Al-Baqarah 2:150-63 Mission and its obligations 18. Al-Imran 3:185-200 Summary

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Essential Niats & Duas Niat for fasting

Nawaitu swouma gadin an addai fardhi ramadhani hadhihi ssanathi lillahi Taala
I intend to perform the compulsory fasting of tomorrow for the month of Ramadan of this year for the sake of Allah(S.W.T)

Niat for breaking the fast

Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa 'ala rizq-ika aftarthu

O Allah ! I fasted for You and I believe in You and I break my fast with Your sustenance
Note: You can make the niat before beginning to fast (for example, right before Fajr adhaan). Even if you forget to make the niat verbally, it's sufficient to have the niat in your heart. For breaking the fast, you should say it right before beginning to eat.

Daily Dua for entire Ramadan

Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallahu, Astagfirullah, As-alukal jannata, wa Auudzu bika, minan- nar.
I bear witness that there is no God, but Allah, I ask forgiveness from Allah, I beg You for paradise, and I seek refuge in You from Hell-Fire.

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Dua for the first 10 Days of Ramadan

Allahummar hamnee yaa arhamar raahimeen

Oh, Allah, the most Merciful, be merciful towards me.

Dua for the second 10 Days of Ramadan.

Allahummagh firlee dhunoobee yaa rabbal Aalameen

O Allah, the Lord of the universe, Forgive me all my sins.

Dua for the last 10(or 9) days of Ramadan.

Allahumma Athiqnee mina nnar, Wa adkhilnee-l jannata yaa rabbal Alameen.

Oh Allah, the Lord of the Universe, save me from Hell fire, and admit me in to the Paradise.

Allahumma Innaka Afuwwun Tuhibbul afwa fafu annee

Oh Allah, verily, you are the forgiver, you like forgiveness, so forgive me.

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Tarawih prayers
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Anyone who performs optional prayers during the nights of Ramadhan, with immense belief and expecting the rewards of Allah, will have his/her past sins wiped-off
- Bukhari and Muslim

Niat for Tarawih prayer

Uswallee sunnata Swalaatit taraweehi rak ataini (maal imaami) lillahi Ta-aala.
I perform two Rakaat of Sunnah terawih prayer along (with Imam), for Allah (S.W.T)

) (

Dua After Tarawih Prayer

. .

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 . .
Rabbana thaqabbal minna swalaathana waswiyamanaa wa qiyamanaa wa rukuanaa wa sujudana wa thakashuana wa thammim thaqsweerana was thajib dawathana ,innaka antas sameeul aleem . watub alaina innaka anta thawwaburraheem. Allahumma inna laka fi kulli lailathin min layaalee shahri Ramadhana, utaqaaa wa khulaswaaa wa umana-a minan nar. Ijalna min utaqaaika,wa twulaqaika wa khulaswaika wa umanaika minan nar. Ijalna Yaa Allahu ,Yaa Allahu, Yaa Allahu minas suadail maqboolieen,wala tajalna minal ashqiyaail matwroodeen. Allahumma ijal hadha shahra shareefal alheema shahidan lanaa, laa shahidan alainaa. Wajalhu hujjatan lanaa laa hujjatan alainaa. Rabbanaa aathinaa fi ddunyaa hasanathan wa qinaa adhaban nar. Rabbana thaqabbal minnaa innaka anta ssameeul aleem, watub alainaa innaka anta thawwabu raaheem. Ameena birahmatika yaa arhamarrahimeen.
Oh ALLAH, receive our prayers, fasts, standings (qiyam), bowings (ruku), prostration (sujud) humility and humbleness. Ignore the faults which occurred in our worship and answer to our supplications. Verily YOU are the ALLHEARER and the ALL-KNOWER. And look kindly upon our remose; surely YOU are the FORGIVER and the MOST MERCIFUL. Oh, ALLAH, verily YOU give refuge and save a lot of people from the hellfire each and every night of Ramadhan, include us too in the list of YOUR successful and
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accepted people. And do not make us part of the group of the expelled and wretched. Oh ALLAH! Record this holy month as a witness for us and fix it as an evidence in our favour (on the day of judgment), not against us. Oh, our LORD ! Grant us comfort in this world, and in the hereafter and save us from the hellfire. Oh, our LORD! Receive us; surely, YOU are the ALL-HEARER and the ALL-KNOWER, and receive our repentance; verily YOU are the FORGIVER and the MERCIFUL!

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Swalatul Witr
Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) says the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) offered Witr Prayers regularly and said: ALLAH is one and loves Witr . Therefore O, people Who believe in Quran, offer Witr prayers. - Abu Daud and Tirmizi.
Note: The word WITR means an odd number.

Niat for the First 2 Rakats of Witr:

Uswallee Sunnata Swalatil Witri Rakataini Maal Imami lillahi Taaala

I perform two Rakats of Sunnah Witr prayer along with Imam for ALLAH (SWT)

Niat for the last 1 Rakat of Witr :

Uswalle Sunnata Swalatil Witri Rakatan Maal Imami lillahi Taaala

I perform one Rakat Sunna Witr along with Imam for ALLAH(SWT)

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Dua After Witr Prayer

Allahumma innaa naudzu bi ridhaka min sukhtika wabi muaafathika min uqubathika wa bika minka, la nuhswee thana-an alaika ,antha kama athnaita ala nafsika falakal hamdu hatta thardha.Allahumma inna laka fi kulli lailatin min layaalee shahri Ramadhana riqaban tutiquha biafwika ,Fa jal riqabana wa riqaba aabaina,wa ummahatina, wa asateedhinaa min thilka rriqabi yaa thawwabu yaa wahhab. Rabbana igfir lanaa wali ikhwanina lladheena sabaqouna bil iemani wa la taj-al fee qulobina gillan lilladheena aamanuo rabbana innaka rauofun raheem.

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OH ALLAH! We seek refuge in YOUR satisfaction against YOUR wrath, and in YOUR forgiveness against YOUR punishment. We are still unable to praise YOU after we measured the width and breadth of YOUR bounties, as YOU deserve praise. But all praise be upon YOU as YOU alone deserve. OH ALLAH! YOU have saved with YOUR mercy so many people from the hellfire during the nights of the holy Ramadan; so let us and our fathers, mothers, wives, offspring and all relatives be included among those persons, by YOUR mercy. Oh, THE FORGIVER and THE GENEROUS! OUR LORD! Forgive us and our brothers who have preceded us in Faith (Iman), and put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. OUR LORD! YOU are indeed Full of kindness, MOST MERCIFUL.

Dua Taubah

Wa laa aqwa ala naaril jaheemi

And I cannot tolerate the fire of Jaheem (Hell)

Ilahee lastu lil firdausi ahla

Oh, my LORD! I am not entitled to enter paradise

Fa innaka gaafirudhanbil adheemi

Fahab lee taubatan wagfir dhunuoobi
So YOU provide me a chance for a sincere Taubah and forgive all my sins

Surely YOU are the FORGIVER of huge sins

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