The

2014

RAMADAN

Connector

Convert Connect is a program that is

dedicated to connecting new Muslims with

the community, each other, themselves—and

ult imately with 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

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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

one’s 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)." (Qur’an 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 Qur’an was revealed during the month of Ramadan

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for

mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…” (Qur’an, 2:185)

“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’an) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).”

(Qur’an, 97:1)

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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 Allah’s Permission with all Decrees, (all that night), there is peace (and goodness

from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn” (Qur’an, 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).

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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:The7EssentialConnectionsYouMustMake

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 don’t only read it! Understand, and reflect on what you read. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “The one who reads a letter of the Qur’an 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! It’s 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. Don’t over do it- 20 minutes of exercise

will suffice. Always consult with your doctor for health advice.

Tip

7 Don’t 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. It’s 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 Qur’an 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 you’ve 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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