The

2014
RAMADAN
Connector



Convert Connect i s a program that i s
dedi cated to connecti ng new Musl i ms wi th
the communi ty, each other, t hemsel vesand
ul ti matel y wi th God.
This guide was created
in order to aid Muslims
in gaining a better
understanding of the
holy month of Ramadan,
while assessing,
planning, implementing,
and evaluating their
Ramadan Goals.
www.convertconnect.net
convertconnect@macedmonton.com

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Ramadan: 10 Essential Facts

1
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is a pillar of Islam

It is one of the greatest acts of worship a believer can perform. It is an act that cleanses
ones mind, body, and soul from the spiritual and physical impurities of the dunya(this
world). Fasting brings the hearts of Muslims together on a world-wide level, as they
endeavor to practice the virtue of self-discipline in unison. Fasting is an act of worship
for Allah.
"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was
prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard (against
evil)." (Quran 2:183)
Fasting starts from just before the sun rises (fajr time) until the time the sun
sest (maghrib time). Fasting includes refraining from engaging in sexual
activity and refraining from entering anything into the body cavity.
It is Sunnah to break the fast with fresh dates. The prophet (PBUH) used to
break his fast with fresh dates before praying; if there were no (fresh dates)
then with dry dates, and if there were no (dried dates) then he would take a
few sips of water. (al-Tirmidhi)
What to say before you break your fast:

The thirst is gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is guaranteed, if
Allah Wills.
(dhahabadh dhama-u wabtallatil urooqu, wa tha-batal ajru insha Allah)
(Abu Dawud)





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The Quran was revealed during the month of Ramadan

The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for
mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between
right and wrong) (Quran, 2:185)

Verily, We have sent it (this Quran) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).
(Quran, 97:1)



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3
Laylat-al-Qadr (Night of Decree) is in Ramadan

The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (Quran
97:3) (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him for
a thousand months).
Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allahs
Permission with all Decrees, (all that night), there is peace (and goodness
from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn
(Quran, 97:4-5)

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during
Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins
forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking
his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes
Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have
his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).

The prophet (PBUH) would say, Seek the Night of Decree during the last
ten nights of Ramadan. In another narration, the Prophet said, Seek the
Night of Decree in the odd nights among the last ten nights of Ramadan
(Bukhari).



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Forgiveness of Sins

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith
and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven (Bukhari and
Muslim).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Whoever spends the nights of
Ramadan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins
will be forgiven (Bukhari and Muslim).



5
Paradise opens and Hell closes

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened
and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are
chained up.
(Bukhari and Muslim)



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Every night people are saved from Hell

The Prophet (PBUH) said, At every breaking of the fast, Allah has people
whom He redeems. Musnad Ahmad - classed as saheeh by Al-Albani



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Taraweeh is equivalent to praying all night

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, Whoever prays qiyaam
with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the
whole night in prayer (Al-Tirmidhi).



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The Supplication of a fasting person is answered

"There are in the month of Ramadan in every day and night those to whom
Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim an
supplication which he can make and will be granted." [Al-Bazzar and Ahmad.
Sahih]



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There is reward in providing Iftar to others


The Prophet said, "He who gives food for a fasting person to break his
fast, he will receive the same reward as him, except that nothing will
be reduced from the fasting persons reward." [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, Ibn
Majah, Ibn Hibban. Sahih].


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Ramadan: The 7 Essential Connections You Must Make
1. Salah- Try not to miss prayer times, pray sunnah prayers if possible, and do
not delay your prayers.
If any Muslim servant (of Allah) prays for the sake of Allah twelve rakats (of
Sunnah Prayer) every day, over and above the obligatory ones (5 daily prayers),
Allah will build for him a house in Paradise, or a house will be built for him in
Paradise (Muslim).
2. Quran- Try to read the Quran at least once during Ramadan. But dont only
read it! Understand, and reflect on what you read.
The Prophet (PBUH) said: The one who reads a letter of the Quran will have
ten Hasanat (for each letter which he has read). (Al-Tirmidhi and Al-Dareemi).
3. Charity- Be charitable with your time, and money.
The Prophet(PBUH) was the most generous of all the people, and he used to
reach the peak in generosity in the month of Ramadan when Jibreel met him
(Bukhaari).
4. Taraweeh- Try to pray in congregation.
Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said "He who prays during the night in Ramadan with
faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins(minor) forgiven"
(Muslim).
5. Ties of Kinship- Forgive people and love each other for the sake of
Allah. Rekindle relations with family members, or strengthen the relationships
you have.
Allah said: "Would you be pleased that I will keep good relations with the one
who will keep good relations with you, and I will sever the relation with the
one who will sever the relation with you? It said, 'Yes, 'O my Lord.' Allah said
(to it), 'That is for you' " (Bukhaari and Muslim).
6. Dawah- Talk about Islam to your family, friends, and co-workers. Discuss
the Mercy of Allah, before you talk about the punishments.
And who is better in speech than he who invites to Allah and does righteousness
and says, 'Indeed, I am of the Muslims.' (Quran 41: 33)
7. Duaa- Talk to Allah any time! Its good to show you are weak, and to cry to
Allah. Ask for forgiveness for your sins. Say Astaghfirullah (I seek forgiveness
from God). Allah loves those you submit to him. He will answer the call, if you
ask.
The Messenger of Allah(PBUH) said, I swear by Allah that I seek Allah's Pardon
and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day. (Bukhaari).

*Note: use these connections to help you make your goals
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7-Tips for A Healthy Ramadan
Tip
1
Increase the remembrance of Allah, and recitation of Quran. There
are many ways to achieve this. Use our goal pages, and checklist to get ideas.


Tip
2
Avoiding the distractions that harden the heart and distance the
individual from Allah. This may include avoiding certain social settings,
listening to music, watching T.V., or using social media.


Tip
3
If someone insults you, it is Sunnah to respond in a better manner and say,
I am fasting, twice. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him) said: Fasting is a paradise so there should be no obscene or
offensive talk or behavior. (Al-Bukhaari)


Tip
4
Adjust your sleep schedule. This can be difficult for people who work full
time, and because there is little time between maghrib and fajr. With that
said, have naps. You need the energy to function, and fulfill your worship
goals.


Tip
5
Keep hydrated. Bring your water bottle to the masjid, and drink during
the breaks, if you are praying taraweeh. Your body can only process and store
a certain amount of liquid and food at a time. Try to drink 10 oz. of water
every 20-45 minutes.


Tip
6
If you want to maintain your fitness routine during Ramadan, the best
time to workout is right before taraweeh. At this time you will have
energy because you just ate, and you will be able to hydrate yourself
during, and after your workout. Dont over do it- 20 minutes of exercise
will suffice. Always consult with your doctor for health advice.


Tip
7
Dont skip suhoor. The Prophet the Messenger of Allah (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Eat suhoor, for in suhoor there is
blessing (al-Bukhaari). Try eat slow digesting foods at this time, in order
to feel full for a longer period of time.


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[2014]
Create S.M.A.R.T. Goals that are specific to your needs. Are your goals specific,
measurable, achievable, realistic/relevant, and time-based?
*Hints: Think about last Ramadan. What were your goals? Did they work? Why, or why
not?
Is this your first Ramadan? If so, try to set realistic goals for yourself. Its okay to start at
a slow pace, and adjust your goals as needed.
Goal examples: Attend at least 5 Taraweeh prayers by the end of Ramadan, complete 2
sunnah prayers daily, give any form of charity daily, read the Quran once throughout
the month, avoid cussing, or listening to music, and/or attend weekly halaqas.
GOAL COMPLETED (Y/N)











[Your Personalized Ramadan Goals]
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Ramadan Checklist
Finding it difficult to create your own goals? Choose one of the following
goals each day of Ramadan, and check it off, once youve completed it.
Pray all sunnah prayers today
Pray taraweeh
Memorize a short surah
Prepare food for iftar and bring it to a mosque to share
Watch an online lecture
Explain Ramadan to a non-muslim
Read the tafsir (commentary) of a short surah
Forgive someone who wronged you
Invite someone to break the fast with you
Give a gift to someone
Have iftar at the mosque
Pray extra nawaafil (voluntary) prayers
Visit family
Give food to a person in-need
Donate food or money anywhere
Memorize a hadith
Help one person today with anything
Smile at everyone you pass today
Say "al-hamdulilah, Allah o akbar, subhan Allah, astaghfiru Allah" 33 times each
at the end of every prayer today
Say salam to every Muslim you pass by today
Read 2 extra surahs after Fajr
Say "astaghfiru Allah" (God forgive me) 100 times
Teach someone something new about Islam today
Memorize one supplication (dua)
Pray Qiyam Al-Layl late in the night
Visit a Muslim brother/sister today
Do a secret good deed today (keep it between yourself and Allah)
Study Arabic --even just learning basic words
Make your parents smile today
Pray for good this year, as God to let you live until next Ramadan, and ask for
forgiveness of last year
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