THE CALL OF RAMADHAAN Prt3

Some people who desire to recite the Qur’aan are troubled with the thought that they cannot master the art of reciting the Qur’aan. They falter in their recitation. Some even curtail their recitation due to this thought; thinking that such a Tilaawat is of no use. They should understand that in spite of reading with difficulty the reward is twofold.

They should not, however, think that they have superseded those who recite the Qur’aan with clarity. The one thawaab of the latter could be greater than the twofold reward of the former. Two silver coins are greater in number than one gold coin, but in value the one gold coin is greater.

Those who cannot recite the Qur’aan at all can derive thawaab by merely listening to the recitation of the Qur’aan. They are not deprived of thawaab, although they may not gain the amount of reward the reciter gets. Thus, the Qur’aan Majeed states:

“When the Qur’aan is recited then listen attentively and be quiet so that mercy descends upon you.” (Surah A’raaf, 204)

Just as the revelation of the Qur’aan is tied to this month, similarly, provision has been made for the recitation and listening of the Qur’aan by instructing Taraaweeh. In this way no one is deprived of thawaab.

This was the special way of adorning Ramadhaan.

The General Way of Adorning This Month

Regarding the general way of beautifying this month, among the virtues of this month is that discharging a nafl act is equal to a fardh and discharging a fardh act is equal to seventy fardh acts. The Hadeeth states:

“Whoever comes close (to Allah) with a nafl act in this month (of Ramadhaan) he is like one who performed a fardh act in other months.”

This covers all noble actions. This is therefore the general way to adorn this month. And these were the statements of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) pertaining to adorning this month.

The Practice of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) for This Month

Now look at the practice of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) for this month. Hazrat Aishah (Radhiyallahu anha) says:

“When Ramadhaan would come then he would ready himself with determination and he would be more generous than a gusty wind.”

Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would be very bighearted and eager to carry out Ibaadat during this month. With his words and his actions Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) showed both ways – the special and the general way of adorning the month of Ramadhaan. He practised himself and instructed others to do the same.

Conclusion

Now there are four classes of people in this regard. Some do not do good deeds and they do not leave their evil. Some leave their evil but do not carry out good deeds. Some do good deeds but also spend their time in futile and nonsensical things. Then there are those who combine abstention from evil and practice of good deeds.

If someone does not have full blown determination then at least he should leave out wrongdoings and carry out the waajib and emphasised good deeds. This is the cleaning and beautifying process of the month of Ramadhaan.

O Allah! Grant us all the taufeeq, Aameen.

(Modified from Nida-e-Ramzaan of Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Rahmatullahi Alaih)