Praiseworthy Practices of the Salaf in Ramadan

07/07/2011| IslamWeb

Sitting in the mosque until sunrise: It was narrated that when the Prophet performed the Fajr (dawn) prayer, he sat in his prayer place until sunrise. [Muslim]

Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet said: "Whoever performs the Fajr prayer in congregation and remains seated, remembering and mentioning Allah until sunrise, then performs a two-Rak‘ah prayer, it will be for him as the reward of complete...complete... complete Hajj and ‘Umrah." [Al-Albaani: Saheeh] This is the reward promised on any day, so how will it be for the days of Ramadan?

Dear brothers, you should have a good night’s sleep, so it can assist you in receiving this great reward. You should follow the example of the righteous predecessors and train yourself to strive to obtain the pleasure of Allah The Almighty. You should also have a high morale to attain the highest degree in Paradise.

Performing I‘tikaaf: I‘tikaaf is an act of worship that includes many acts of obedience, such as reciting the Quran, praying, remembering Allah The Almighty, and supplicating.

It was narrated that the Prophet observed I‘tikaaf for ten days in each Ramadan. But in the year of his death, he observed I‘tikaaf for twenty days." [Al- Bukhari]

The person who has not experienced it might think that it is difficult to bear, but it is easy for whomever Allah The Almighty makes it easy. Thus, whoever arms himself with a righteous intention and true determination, Allah The Almighty helps him to undertake the task with ease.

I‘tikaaf is stressed more during the last ten days of Ramadan for seeking Laylat-ul-Qadr. It is a permissible form of seclusion as the person observing it holds himself in seclusion out of obedience to Allah The Almighty and His remembrance. He boycotts anything that would distract him from the observance of I‘tikaaf. His heart is set on all deeds that draw him closer to Allah The Almighty and the only desire he has is to do what pleases Him.

Performing Umrah: It was narrated that the Prophet said: "An ‘Umrah performed in Ramadan is equal in reward to Hajj." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The wording of another narration reads: "The same (reward) as performing Hajj with me." So, congratulations to you my brother/sister (who succeeds) upon performing Hajj with the Prophet .

Praying the night prayers during the Night of Al-Qadr: Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, We sent the Quran down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.} [Quran 97: 1-3]

The Prophet said: "Whoever stands in night prayer on Laylat-ul-Qadr with sincere faith and hope for the reward of Allah will have his past sins forgiven." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] The Prophet used to seek Laylat-ul-Qadr and commanded his Companions also to look out for it. He used to wake up his family members during the last ten nights in the hope that they would succeed in meeting the blessed night (in worship).

‘Ubaadah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet said: "Whoever stays awake in anticipation of Laylat-ul-Qadr and he succeeds in getting it, will have all of his sins both past and future forgiven." [Ahmad and An-Nasaa’i. Al-Haafith: Saheeh]

It has been reported that some of our predecessors from among the Companions and their successors used to perform Ghusl (ritual bath) and apply perfume during the last ten nights (of Ramadan) in anticipation of Laylat-ul-Qadr, which has been highly honored by Allah The Almighty.