Preparation of the Winners in Ramadan

The following is a reminder of some matters that help one to be among the winners in Ramadan by using its days and nights properly. “Remind, for indeed reminding benefits the believers.” [Adh-Dhaariyat 51:55]

{وَذَكِّرْ فَإِنَّ الذِّكْرَىٰ تَنفَعُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ} الذاريات: 55

Transliteration: Wathakkir fainna alththikra tanfaAAu almumineena

1. Mujaahadah (struggling against the nafs)

“As for those who strive hard in Our Cause, We will surely guide them to Our Paths.” [Al-Ankaboot 29:69]

{وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ} العنكبوت: 69

Transliteration: Waallatheena jahadoo feena lanahdiyannahum subulana wainna Allaha lamaAAa almuhsineena

Do you want guidance? Do you want steadfastness? Struggle against your soul, for if we bring ourselves closer to Allah, Allah will come closer to us.

2. Having high aspiration and determination

Ibnul Jawzi said, "The sign of completion of the mind is high aspiration, for he who is satisfied with low aspiration is disgraceful, and I didn't see a severer shortcoming than that of people who are capable of completion yet don't aspire for it."

3. Knowing the virtues of the month and its distinguishing characteristics

He who knows something develops interest in it and preserves it. Even if there was nothing in Ramadan but Laylat ul-Qadr (the Night of Power), which is better than one thousand months, that would suffice.

4. Recognizing Ramadan's few days and its speed of departure

“A fixed number of days…” From the verse, “(Observing fast is) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days” [Al-Baqara 2:184]

{أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَاتٍ ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ...} البقرة: 184

Transliteration: Ayyaman maAAdoodatin faman kana minkum mareedan aw AAala safarin faAAiddatun min ayyamin okhara…

Yesterday we were congratulating each other for the beginning of Ramadan and today we give each other condolences for its departure. This is how both days and life are; passing quickly. So hurry up to benefit in Ramadan.

5. Competition of the righteous people in doing good deeds

The righteous people compete for good deeds, while the others are captives of their lusts and slaves to their desires.

“Then We gave the Book (the Qur'an) for inheritance to such of Our slaves whom We chose. Then of them are some who wrong their ownselves, and of them are some who follow a middle course, and of them are some who are, by Allah's Leave, foremost in good deeds. That is indeed a great grace.” [Fatir 35:32]

}ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتَابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنَا مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ۖ فَمِنْهُمْ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِ وَمِنْهُم مُّقْتَصِدٌ وَمِنْهُمْ سَابِقٌ بِالْخَيْرَاتِ بِإِذْنِ اللَّـهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَضْلُ الْكَبِيرُ } فاطر: 32

Transliteration: Thumma awrathna alkitaba allatheena istafayna min AAibadina faminhum thalimun linafsihi waminhum muqtasidun waminhum sabiqun bialkhayrati biithni Allahi thalika huwa alfadlu alkabeeru

6. Remembering death and bewaring its suddenness

You might not reach another Ramadan, so watch for yourself!