DON’T RUIN YOUR IBAADAT IN THIS GLORIOUS MONTH OF RAMADHAAN
Purely by the fadhl and karam of Allah Ta’ala are we once again permitted the wonderful opportunity of entering into the Glorious Month of Ramadhaan. The rewards of Ibaadat in this auspicious month are multiplied manifold. But at the same time the punishment for sins in this month is also multiplied manifold.
Two ingrained and salient evil acts in which most Muslims are involved during this month of Ramadhaan are gluttonous/devilish feasting at the time of Iftaar and missing Takbeer-e-Ula of Maghrib Salaat. There is absolutely no valid reason for the commission of these two evils.
Iftaar is an auspicious time. Duas are readily accepted at the time of Iftaar. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that there are two occasions of happiness for the Mu’min: (1) At the time of Iftaar when he breaks his Fast, and (2) At the time when he will meet his Rabb in Qiyaamah.
However, there can be no valid ‘happiness’ for gluttons who due to their gluttony miss Takbir-e-Ula and even the first raka’t of the Maghrib Fard Salaat. It is indeed lamentable to observe a whole saff or more musallis who are masbooq. They have no shame. They have to rise and fulfil the lost raka’t of Maghrib even during this glorious Month, and for such spiritually ruinous conduct, they have no valid reason. The only cause for this haraam missing of a raka’t is their gluttony.
While it is Sunnah to break the Fast with only a few dates or dates and water, the gluttons, like animals or worse, indulge in savouries which ruin their health. They devour a full meal while the Maghrib Salaat has commenced. Then they rush to the Musjid to perform Salaat haphazardly.
During the month of Ramadhaan, ensure that you are in the Musjid a few minutes before the Athaan. Engage in Dua or Thikr. As soon as the Athaan commences, break your Fast with only dates/water. Your Iftaar will end during the Athaan. Thereafter, another three minutes are allowed (at Musjidul Fuqara). Take maximum advantage of these three minutes and engage in Dua. Then you will not miss Takbir-e-Ula.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the taufeeq to gain maximum advantage and benefit from this Glorious and Auspicious Month of Ramadhaan. Who knows if we shall see another Ramadhaan again?
