18 COMMON MISTAKES MADE DURING RAMADAN PART TWO

Asalaam Alaikhum Warahmatullah Wabaraktuh,

18 COMMON MISTAKES MADE DURING RAMADAN
PART TWO: A Reminder to myself first and foremost

10. DELAYING OPENING FAST
Some people wait until the adhaan finishes or even several minutes after that, just to be on the safe side. However, the Sunnah is to hasten to open the fast, which means opening fast whenever the adhaan starts, right after the sun has set (and not before). Aa’ishah (Radi allahu anha) said: This is what the Messenger of Allaah (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) used to do. [Muslim]

The Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘The people will continue to do well so long as they hasten to open the fast.’ [Bukhaari, Muslim]

Determine to the best of your ability, the accuracy of your clock, calendar, etc. and then have tawakkul (trust) on Allaah SWT.

11. EATING CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE TIME FOR MAGHRIB IS UP
Some people put so much food in their plates when breaking their fast and continue eating, enjoying dessert, drinking tea, etc., until they miss the Maghrib prayer. That is obviously not right. The Sunnah of the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) was that once he broke his fast with some dates, then he would hasten to the prayer. Once you finish prayer, you can always go back and eat some more if you wish.

12. MISSING THE GOLDEN CHANCE OF HAVING YOUR DUA'A ACCEPTED
The prayer of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted at the time of breaking fast.

The Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler.’ [al-Bayhaqi, classified as saheeh by al-Albaani]

Instead of sitting down and making Dua’a at this precious time, some people forego this beautiful chance, and are too busy frying samosas, talking, setting the food, filling their plates and glasses, etc. Think about it… Is food more important than the chance to have your sins forgiven or the fulfillment of your Dua’as.

13. FASTING BUT NOT PRAYING
The fasting of one who does not pray WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. This is because not praying constitutes kufr as the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer.’ [Muslim]

In fact, NONE of his good deeds will be accepted; rather, they are all annulled.

‘Whoever does not pray ‘Asr, his good deeds will be annulled.’ [Bukhaari]

14. NOT FASTING BECAUSE OF EXAMS OR WORK
Exams or work is NOT one of the excuses allowed by the Shariah to not fast. You can do your studying and revision at night if it is too hard to do it during the day. Also remember that pleasing and obeying Allaah is much more important than ‘good grades’. Besides, if you will fulfill your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allaah will make your studies and other activities easy for you and help you in everything you do.

‘Whosoever fears Allah, He will appoint for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect, Allah is Sufficient for whosoever puts his trust in Him. [Qur’an, Surah at-Talaaq :2-3]

15. MIXING FASTING AND DIETING
DO NOT make the mistake of fasting with the intention to diet. That is one of the biggest mistakes some of us make (especially sisters). Fasting is an act of worship and can only be for the sake of Allah alone.

16. PRAYING ONLY ON THE NIGHT OF 27TH RAMADAN
Some people pray ONLY on the 27th to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights, although the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Seek Lailat ul-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan.’ [Bukhaari, Muslim]

17. WASTING THE LAST PART OF RAMADAN PREPARING FOR EID
Some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting Ibadah and Lailatul Qadr. Even though, the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) used to strive the most during the last ten days of Ramadan in worship [Ahmad, Muslim]. Buy whatever you need for Eid before Ramadan so that you can utilize the time in Ramadan to the utmost.

Aa’ishah (Radiallahu anha) said: ‘When the (last) ten nights began, the Messenger of Allaah (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) would tighten his waist-wrapper (i..e., strive hard in worship or refrain from intimacy with his wives), stay awake at night and wake his family.’ [Bukhaari and Muslim]

18. EXTREME IN IFTAAR SHARING OR PARTIES
It is good practice to contribute and share food towards IFTAR. Although inviting each other for breaking fast is good however encouraged, some people go to extremes with lavish ‘Iftaar parties’ .

It’s not too late to rectify ones mistake and do good for the sake of Allah.

Inform My servants that I am the Forgiver, Most Merciful. [Qur’an, al-Hijr:49]

Lastly, as we are nearing the end of Ramadan (yes the end), there is a special dua to make in the night of Laylatul Qadr. Since no one knows when it is exactly but we are told to seek it in the last 10 ODD nights, we should all be involved heavily in invoking the following dua:"Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee"
Aisha (Radianlahu Anha), may Allah be pleased with her, said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) : 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?' He (Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) said: 'Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.' "(Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi).

The transliteration of this Dua is "Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee"

May Allah accept our fasts, our duas and our good deeds.

AMEEN YA MUJIB

A reminder to myself first and foremost.