Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: Musa (as), the son of Imran once asked, "Oh my Lord! Who is the most honourable of Your servants? And He replied, the person who forgives even when he is in a position of power." (Baihaqi)

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "Whoever wishes that Allah (SWT) may favor him with His blessings and accommodate him in Paradise should refine his morals, behave justly with the people, take pity on orphans, help weak and the helpless and be humble before Allah who has created him."

You know what I'm referring to - those times when you get into an argument(s) with a family member, friend, boss, employee, coworker, classmate, teacher or whoever. You know your facts are right or that you've been wronged with an insulting remark, sarcastic comment or rudeness.

And so, you choose to hold a grudge. After all, you've got a right to. Nobody should be treated this way. Why should you forgive? You're not the one who started this. You're not the one who doesn't have the facts straight.

True. You may be right. You may be in that position of power mentioned in the Hadith above. But forgiving others, apart from positively affecting our health (less stress) and our minds (one less negative thing to focus on), is a necessary step to closeness to Allah (SWT).

How can we move up the ladder of spiritual development when we hold bitterness and anger towards another person? While we may have been in the right, is it worth sacrificing our energy on a grudge instead of on growth?

Is there not something strange about asking for God's forgiveness of our sins while withholding our forgiveness from someone who has hurt us?

We cannot expect for Allah's forgiveness unless we also forgive those who do wrong to us. Forgiving each other, even forgiving one's enemies is one of the most important Islamic teachings. Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran: And those who shun the great sins and indecencies, and whenever they are angry they forgive. (al-Shura 42:37)

One of the distinguishing features of Ramadan is forgiveness. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) explained in one Hadith that Ramadan is a month whose beginning is Mercy, whose middle is Forgiveness and whose end is freedom from the Hellfire. This makes it a great time to ask Allah (SWT) for His Forgiveness. It's also a wonderful time to open our hearts and cleanse them of grudges and bitterness by forgiving others.

Let us use these remaining days of forgiveness this Ramadan to open our hearts to those who have wronged us and forgive them as we beg Allah (SWT) to forgive us.

Please forgive me; if I have wronged you, I am no angel!

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Standard rule for calculating the timings for Sheree and Iftaree:

For those people who don't have access to Ramadan Calendar, please follow this. From your local Newspaper get the timings of "Sunrise" and "Sunset".

The time for Morning (Fajr) Prayer/ "Subh Sadiq" is "Sunrise" minus one hour and fifteen minutes (1:15).

The time to stop eating Saheree is "Sunrise" minus one hour and twenty-five minutes (1:25). Or just ten minutes before the Morning Prayer.

The time for Maghrib Prayer is "Sunset" plus ten minutes. Hence eat Iftaree, immediately after finishing your Maghrib Prayer.

Suhur (Pre-Dawn Meal): Suhur is not a condition for fasting; it is Sunnat-e-Moakada. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) partook of suhur and encouraged others to do it. He (pbuh) said: "Take suhur, for verily there is a blessing in suhur."

Hence always take Saheree food, even if very little or just a sip of water. Because it distinguishes us from other religions.

Suhur is a sunnah and to delay it is also a sunnah. This is what will strengthen the fasting Muslim, and would lessen the hardship of fasting. It would also lessen the time period of thirst and hunger.

Since Islam is based on easiness and has come with rules that make the acts of worship easy for people, a Muslim is advised to delay the suhur and hasten the iftar (breaking the fast). So it is a sunnah for the fasting Muslim to get up for suhur and have something to eat, even if he or she would take a small edible thing like a date or a sip of water. If he or she does this, he or she would have done fulfilled the sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

The Dua mentioned in "Misbah" and "Iqbal", for the time of Saher (Dawn).

YAA MAFZA-E'E I'NDA KURBATEE WA YAA GHAWTHEE I'NDA SHIDDATEE ILAYKA FAZIA TU WA BIKASTAGHATH-TU WA BIKA LUD'TU LAA ALOOD'U BI-SIWAAKA WA LAA AT'LUBUL FARAJA ILLAA MINKA FA-AGHITHNEE WA FARRIJ A'NNEE YAA MAN YAQBALULYASEER WA YAA-FOO A'NIL KATHEER IQBAL MINNIL YASEERA WAA'-FU A'NNIL KATHEER INNAKA ANTAL GHAFOORUR RAH'EEM ALLAAHUMMA INNEE AS-ALUKA EEMAANAN TUBAASHIRU BIHEE QALBEE WA YAQEENAN H'ATTAA AA'-LAMA ANNAHU LAN YUS'EEBANEE ILLAA MAA KATABTA LEE WA RAZ'Z'INEE MINAL A'YSHI BIMAA QASAMTA LEE YAA ARH'AMAR RAAH'IMEEN YAA U'DDATEE FEE KURBATEE WA YAA S'AAH'IBEE FEE SHIDDATEE WA YAA WALIYYEE FEE NIA'-MATEE WA YAA GHAAYATEE FEE RAGHBATEE ANTAS SAATIRU A'WRATEE WAL AAMINU ROO-A'TEE WAL MUQEELU A'THRATEE FAGHFIRLEE KHAT'EEE-ATEE YAA ARH'AMAR RAAH'IMEEN

O my Ultimate Sanctuary when troubles surround me! O my Last Hope when difficulties trouble me! Unto Thee I turn to, before Thee I stand to get help, with Thee I take refuge, except Thee there is no refuge; I do not seek joy after sorrow from anyone save Thee, so come to my help and free me from cares O He who accept even the smallest (efforts) but excuses from restrictions, accept whatever little there is and release from hardships frequently, Verily Thou art Oft-forgiving, Merciful. O Allah I ask for the faith which gives joy, satisfaction and confidence to my heart till I am positively aware that I will not have my fill unless it has been approved for me, and happiness will agree with me only whereby justly and fairly distributed, O the Most Merciful. O my "means" in my troubles! O my Companion in my difficulties! O my Guardian in my happiness! O the ultimate of my inclinations! Thou covers up my shortcomings, affords security in the event of crisis end fearful disasters, therefore, overlook my transgressions, O the Most Merciful.

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When the crescent of Ramadan is sighted, turn towards Qiblah, raising hands towards the sky, address it as under: -

RABBEE WA RABBUKALLAAHU RABBUL A'ALAMEEN ALLAAHUMMA AHILLAHOO A'LAYNAA BIL-AMNI WAL EEMAANI WAS SALAAMATI WAL ISLAAMI WAL MUSAARA-A'TI ILAA MAA TUH'IBBU WAL TARZ'AA ALLAAHUMMA BAARIK LANAA FEE SHARINAA HAAD'AA WAR-ZUQNAA KHAYRAHOO WA A'WNAHOO WAS'RIF A'NNAA Z'URRAHOO WA SHARRAHOO WA BALAAA-AHOO WA FITNATAHOO

My Lord and your Lord is Allah, the Lord of the worlds. O Allah for us let this month be a period of peace, faith safety and total submission to Thy will; make us walk apace swiftly to that which Thou likes and approves. O Allah pour out much blessings on us in this month, make available for us its generous good and assistance, and keep us safe from the harm, evil, misfortune and mischief that may try to trap us in this month.

Dua of Imam Zainul Abedin (A.S.):

He used to invoke the following Dua at the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan: -

All praise is due to God who guided us to praise Him, and made us worthy of it in order that we may be grateful for His goodness, and that He may, thereupon confer on us the reward of the righteous.

And all praise be to God, who conferred on us His religion, and distinguished us with His creed, and conducted us into the path of His goodness, in order that, through His grace we may walk along them towards His approbation - a praise which He may accept from us, and on account of which He may be pleased with us.

And praise be to God who ordained His month, the month of Ramadan, the month of fasts, the month of Islam the month of purity, the month of purification and the month of standing up (for prayer) to be one of those paths. In this month the Qur'an was made to descend, as guidance to mankind and contains clear instruction and distinction (between right and wrong).

And He manifested its superiority to all the other months by allotting it abundant honors and celebrated excellence: therefore, He prohibited in it what He had allowed in other months in order to exalt it; and forbade in it food and drink, in order to honor it.

And appointed for it a definite time, which the High and Glorious doth not to be anticipated before it, and would not accept if delayed after it.

Then He gave excellence to one of its nights over a thousand months and named it 'Lailetul Qadr" the night of Qadr (destiny), wherein descend the angels and the spirit by permission of their Lord, for every matter; peace and everlasting blessing till the dawn of the morning to whomsoever of His servants He will, according to the decree confirmed by Him.

O Lord, bless Mohammad and his Aal (family) and inspire us to know its excellence and honor its dignity, and to abstain from whatever Thou hast forbidden in it; and help us to observe its fasts, by restraining our limbs from disobeying Thee and employing them in that which would please Thee:

So that we may not lend our ears to any vain (speech-such as singing, etc.) and may not direct our eyes towards any amusement; and so that we may not stretch our hands towards anything forbidden, and may not step with our feet towards anything prohibited; and so that nothing may fill our bellies but what Thou hast made lawful and our tongue may not utter anything save what Thou hast permitted; and we may cease to exert ourselves except in that which would bring us nearer Thy reward, and stop doing everything save that which would protect us from Thy torment.

Then, purify all this from showiness loved by the ostentatious and notoriety desired by seekers of fame (so that) we may not, in our worship of Thee, join anyone besides Thee, and may not, therein desire any other object except Thee.

O Lord, bless Mohammad and his Aal (family) and give us grace to perform timely the five prayers with due regard to their limits which Thou hast enjoined and ceremonies which Thou hast prescribed, and times which Thou hast fixed; and in this respect raise us to the rank of those who performed them (i.e., the five daily prayers) with success, who duly observed their essential points, who always performed them at (proper) times, in most perfect and complete purity and most evident and touching humility, according to the rules laid down by Thy servant and Thy apostle, Thy favors on him and his Aal (family), concerning their bows and prostrations and all the other excellent (rites).

And, O Lord, give us grace, in this month, to show favor to our relations and do good to them, and to take care of our neighbours with kindness and benevolence, and to purge our property of obligations, and purify it by giving the legal alms; and to call back him who deserted us, and be just to him who was unjust to us, and make peace with him who was hostile to us-far be it from us to reconcile him who is abhorred on account of Thee and for Thy sake; for, verily he is an enemy whom we will never be on good terms.

And give us grace, therein to approach Thee by means of pure deeds, whereby Thou mayest purify us of sins.

And guard us, therein, from, relapsing into blemishes, so that, none of Thy angels may have occasion to report unto Thee but such of conduct as would (necessarily) fall under the heads of obedience to Thee and means of approaching Thee.

O Lord, I beg Thee for the sake of this month, and for the sake of him who adored Thee in it, from its beginning to the time of its closing, whether he belonged to the class of angels whom Thou didst advance to nearness, or of prophets whom Thou didst send, or of pious servants whom Thou didst distinguish, to bless Muhammad and his Aal (family) and make us, in this month, worthy of that which Thou hast promised to Thy friend out of Thy bounty; and entitled us to that to which Thou hast entitled those who are most diligent in Thy service; and place us in the class of those who deserve high and exalter (rank) by Thy mercy.

O Lord, bless Mohammad and his Aal (family), and restrain us from unbelief in Thy unity, and deficiency in glorifying Thee and entertaining doubt in Thy religion, and being blind to Thy path, and neglecting to honor Thee, and being deceived by Satan, Thy enemy, the stoned one.

O Lord, bless Mohammad and his Aal (family), and since, in every night of the nights of this our month, there are men whom Thy pardon doth liberate, or whom Thy forbearance forgives, therefore, let us be of these men; and let us be to our month the best of people and companions.

O Lord, bless Mohammad and his Aal (family), and obliterate our sins along with the disappearance of its crescent, and remove from us our penalties with the expiration of its days; so that the month may pass from us while Thou hast cleansed us, within it, of guilt's, and freed us of sins.

O Lord, bless Mohammad and his Aal (family), and if we deviate in it then set us right; and if we hesitate make us firm, and if Satan, Thy enemy, overwhelms us then deliver us from him.

O Lord, fill this month with our worship of Thee alone, and adorn its moments with our service to Thee; and help us in the day-time to observe fast, and at night to pray and beseech Thee and humble (ourselves) unto Thee, and abase (ourselves) in thy presence; so that neither its day may bear witness against us of negligence, nor its night of default.

O Lord, and let us be like this in all the months and days, as long as Thou keeps us alive; and let us be of Thy righteous servants, who will inherit paradise, wherein they shall live forever; and who do give what they give with a fearing heart, for verily, they shall return to Thee! And let us be of those who are prompt in charity and excel therein.

O Lord confers blessings on Mohammad and his Aal (family), in every time and every moment, and in every condition, greater in number to the blessings Thou didst confer on whomsoever Thou didst bless: Verily Thou art the doer of what Thou resolves.

The Niyat (Intent) for keeping fast.

The fasts of the month of Ramadan are obligatory. When the Crescent is sighted we should declare to ourselves that, we will keep all fasts during this month wajib qurbatan ilallah i.e., to attain nearness to Allah. Just like Salat/Namaz (prayers) the Niyat of fasting is mental, and is the case with Niyat of every action. To declare it in words cannot only be defined as Niyat.

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The Month of Ramadan is also the month souls are purified. The social scientists studying ethics believe that acquiring ideal sublime and ethical conscience passes through three stages:

1. Getting rid of bad habits and attitudes;
2. Acquiring new good traits and habits;
3. Strengthening and crystallizing these traits.

To Allah we shall return at two bows length or nearer. O man, strive hard towards your Lord until you meet Him.

In this respect I believe that the month of Rajab, as it was related, is the month of asking forgiveness for one's guilt's and sins, and it is also the month of the Prince of the Faithful (A.S), while in the month of Shaaban Muslims try to acquire the manners of the greatest Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and then they will strengthen them and crystallize them in the month of Ramadan. Thus the month of Ramadan is the month of generosity, and feeding all who are needed.

It has been related that if one's sins were not forgiven in the month of Ramadan, they will not be forgiven until the following month of Ramadan or until he performs pilgrimage.

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Fasting in the month of Ramadan, like Namaaz (prayers) is a divine command. Allah says in the Holy Quran, "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard (against evil)." (2:183)

It was reserved for Islam to formulate and perfect a form of spiritual purification for every one of its followers, notwithstanding the state of society they belonged to, and which could be performed without interfering with their normal avocations and callings in every day life.

Whatever calling or vocation he is engaged in, does not hinder a Muslim from carrying out this annual requirement of the Faith, the fast of this month of Ramadan, which incidentally, is also one of the five cardinal points of Islamic tenet.

The Muslim fast means a complete abstention from eating or drinking between daybreak and sunset. The sighting of the thin sickle of the new moon of Ramadan heralds for the Muslim the beginning of a month of glory and of spiritual elevation, when, at Allah's command, he voluntarily and of his own free will, denies himself between day-break and sunset, the blessing of food and drink, and surrenders himself up wholly to Allah, observing the same abstention throughout the whole month in his thoughts, his speech, his behavior, his every act.

For this month, for the Muslim, means the triumph of the spiritual and the pure in his nature over all the grossness and carnation, which is an inevitable component of our human make-up. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in the following words beautifully explains the actual significance of the fast: -

"One who, while fasting, does not guard his tongue from telling lies, does not refrain from doing bad deeds, is not respecting his fast and Allah does not approve of mere abstention from food". When you are keeping fast, you should not speak ill of anybody, nor should you be boisterous and noisy. If anybody speaks ill of you or tries to pick a quarrel with you return him not, but say unto him that you are fasting.

Divine Revelation: Ramadan however, has another deeper significance for the Muslim, Ramadan's greatness is manifest in the fact that Almighty Allah chose it for the revelation of His Scriptures from time to time.

Abraham [Ibrahim (A.S.)] received scriptures on the first or third of Ramadan, David [Dawood (A.S.)] on the twelfth or the eighteenth, Moses [Musa (A.S.)] on the sixth, and Jesus [Esa (A.S.)] on the twelfth or the thirteenth of Ramadan.

It was in the very month of Ramadan that the Holy Quran, the last revealed Book, started descending upon Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It testifies: (Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Quran as a guide to mankind ...) (2:185)

But the Holy Quran, the divine revelation from Allah to mankind through the medium of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), has remained. In every Ramadan the Muslims celebrate the spiritual significance of that divine fact the eternal abiding permanence of the Holy Quran.

During this Holy month therefore, the Muslim takes himself more assiduously to the reading of the Holy Book of Allah, the standing miracle of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the miracle which he stated would remain to testify to the authenticity of Allah's message even after he, Muhammad (S.A.W.) passed away.

Throughout this holy month, therefore, from every Muslim home is heard, during the day and night, the pleasant and beautiful cadences of Quranic recitation.

Then there is the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) saying as an incentive to renewed reading of the Holy Quran especially in this month: "A man gets the same reward by reading one verse of the Holy Quran as others do by reading the whole of the Holy Quran in other months." In this holy month of Ramadan it should be the duty of every Muslim to read the Holy Quran and thereby gain an insight into the Divine secrets. It breathes peaceful spirit to the human body. It imparts purity to the human soul and removes many a curtain hanging between man and God.

As the month of Ramadan is a specified period of purification, so the Holy Quran must carefully be studied by every devotee of Islam for self-guidance. Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth and the Holy Quran a light for the seekers of truth. It wards off the evil effect of unhealthy atmosphere, it sanctifies the cause of the fast and keeps the true believer in direct communion with Allah, and it does but speaks His own words.

Only constant experience can tell the tremendous amount of pleasure one finds in reading the Holy Quran.

"Says verily, my prayer, my sacrifices, my living and my dying are but offerings to Allah, the Lord of Creation" - like a beacon of hope for the faithful, these heartening words occur in the Holy Quran to strengthen the hearts of the believing Muslim in the realness of their whole-hearted surrender to Allah.

What has the believing Muslim to fear after reading this clear promise by Allah of His nearness to His servants, not only throughout this life but also in the hereafter?

In the holy month of Ramadan, especially, this promise of Allah's has a particular significance for the believing Muslim who dedicates his prayers and his sacrifices (in the form of his fasts) up to Allah, the Lord of Creation.

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Holy Prophet Muhammad's (saw) Teachings about the Month of Ramadhan

Imam al-Baqir (A.S.) said that Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) used to face the people and say: "O ye people, when the crescent of the month of Ramadhan shines, all devils will be chained, the doors of heaven will open, while the doors of hell will be closed; prayers will be answered... Then with the advent of the month of Shawwal, the believers will be told to count their rewards... These rewards, I swear by God, could not be compared with material rewards of money". Yes, all these blessings are awarded by the blessing of the Holy Quran in the month of Ramadhan. But it is man who unties the devils by committing sins. It is he who opens the gates of Hell which Allah has closed. The Prince of the Faithful Imam Ali (A.S) said: "I asked Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) what are the best deeds in the month of Ramadhan, and he (saw) answered: "The best deeds are to deter oneself from doing what Allah made unlawful" and he (saw) cried: I asked him what he was crying for and he explained: "I am crying about what is going to happen to you in this month. I can almost visualize you praying to your God, when the most evil man in the history of mankind will stake you with his sword... The Prince of the Faithful then asked: "Would this ensure the safety and the wellbeing of my religion" To this Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) answered: "Yes it would, but who ever kills you will be killing me, and who hates you hates me, and who offends you is offending me. You are to me, in the same position as myself. Your soul is my soul, and your body is my body." May Allah bestow on us his blessings and guide us to fast the month of Ramadhan praying to Him and reciting His holy book.

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Shaikh Abul Futuh Razi narrates from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) that: He the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, "On the night of Isra and Miraj (Shab-E-Meraj) when I ascended to the heavens, I saw an Angel who had a thousand hands. On each of his hands there were a thousand fingers, and he was counting something on them.

I asked Jibreel (pbuh) as to who that Angel was, and what was he counting? Jibreel (pbuh) replied that the Angel had been appointed by Allah to count the drops of rain, so that it may be known as to how many drops have fallen down to the earth.

I turned towards the Angel and asked him, "Do you know the total amount of the raindrops which have fallen down on the earth from the day Allah created this world till now"?

To which he replied, "O Prophet of Allah! I swear by my Lord who has chosen you (as a blessing) for mankind, verily I know the total amount of raindrops fallen on the earth till now. Even to the extent that how many drops have fallen in the wilds, in the prosperous lands, in the gardens, and also in the cemetery."

Then I told him that I was very much surprised by the power of his mind and intellect and the ability to remember, to which he replied, "O Prophet of Allah! Verily this ability to count proves futile when I try to count only one thing." I asked him as to what calculation was that. He replied, "When people of your Ummah gather at one place and send Salawat (Salat and salam) upon you, it is beyond my ability and capacity to count the rewards for it."

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O People! The month of Allah (Ramadhan) has approached you with His mercy and blessings. This is the month that is the best of all months in the estimation of Allah. Its days are the best among the days; its nights are the best among the nights. Its hours are the best among the hours.

This is a month in which he has invited you. You have been, in this month, selected as the recipients of the honors of Allah, the Merciful. In this holy month, when you breathe, it has the Sawab/thawab (heavenly reward) of 'Tasbeeh' (the praise of Allah on rosary beads), and your sleep has the thawab of worship.

Your good deeds are accepted in this month. So are your invocations. Therefore, you must invoke your Lord, in right earnest, with hearts that are free from sins and evils, that Allah may bless you, observe fast, in this month, and recite the Holy Quran.

Verily! The person who may not receive the mercy and benevolence of Allah in this month must be very unfortunate having an end as bad (in the Hereafter). While fasting, remember the hunger and thirst of tomorrow in Qiyamat. Give alms to the poor and the needy. Pay respects to your elders.

Have pity on those younger than you and be kind towards your relatives and kinsmen. Guard your tongues against unworthy words, and your eyes from such scenes that are not worth seeing (forbidden) and your ears from such sounds that should not be heard by you.

Be kind to orphans so that when your children become orphans they also may be treated with kindness. Do invoke that Allah may forgive your sins. Do raise your hands at the time of Salat (Prayers), as it is the best time for asking His mercy. When we invoke at such times, we are answered by Him, when we call Him, He responds, and when we ask for anything, it is accepted by Him.

O People! You have made your conscience the slave of your desires; make it free by invoking Him for Istighfar (repentance/forgiveness). Your back is breaking under the heavy load of your sins, so prostrate before Him for long intervals and make it lighter.

Do understand fully well that Allah has promised in the name of His Majesty and Honor that He will not take to task such people who fast and offer Salat in this month and perform 'sajda' (prostration), and will guard their bodies against the Fire of Hell on the Day of Judgment.

O People! If anybody amongst you arranges for the Iftar (food for the ending of the fast) of any believer, then Allah will give him a reward as if he has set free a slave. He will forgive his minor sins.

Then the companions of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "But everybody amongst us does not have the means to do so?"

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) told them: - Keep yourself away from the Fire of Hell, by inviting for 'Iftar', though it may consist of only half a date or simply with water if you have nothing else. O People! Anybody who may cultivate good manners in this month will walk over the 'Siraat' (Bridge) in 'Qiyamat', though his feet may be shaking.

Anybody who in this month may take light work from his servants (male or female), Allah will make easy his accounting on the Day of Judgment.

Anybody who does not tease others in this month, Allah will keep him safe from His wrath in Qiyamat. Anybody, who respects and treats an orphan with kindness in this month, Allah shall look at him with dignity in Qiyamat. Anybody who treats well his kinsmen, in this month, Allah will bestow His mercy on him in Qiyamat, while anybody who maltreats his kinsmen in this month, Allah will keep him away from His mercy, in Qiyamat.

Whoever offers 'Sunnat' (Recommended) prayers in this month, Allah will give him a certificate of freedom from Hell. Whosoever offers one 'Wajib' Salat in this month, for him the Angels will write the rewards of 70 such prayers, which were offered by him in any other months.

Whosoever recites repeatedly 'Salat and salam (Salawat)' on me, Allah will keep the scales of his deeds heavy, when in Qiyamat the scales of others will be tending towards lightness.

Whosoever recites in this month only one 'Ayat' (verse of the Holy Quran), he will be rewarded in a manner as if he had recited the full Holy Quran in the other months.

O People! The Gates of Paradise remain opened in this month. Do invoke that the gates may not be closed on you, while the Gates of Hell are closed. Do invoke that these gates may never be opened. During this month Shaytan (Saten) is imprisoned so ask your Lord not to let him have power over you.

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Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) reports that Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) has said that Sha'ban is my month and Ramadan is the month of Allah (SWT). Therefore, if anyone observers one day of fasting during Sha'ban, I will do his/her "Shafaat" on the day of judgment, and one who observers two days of fasting then his/her previous sins would be forgiven and if someone observers three days of fasting then it would be just like all the sins have been washed away.

Imam Ali Raza (as) has said that if someone observes fast during the last three days of Sha'ban and combines them with the fasting during the month of Ramadan then Allah (SWT) will grant the sawab (reward) of two months of continuous fasting to that person.

During Meraj (Night Ascension) the Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) asked: "O Allah, what is the gift of fasting?"

Allah (SWT) said: "Fasting leads to wisdom, enables you to understand my signs and ways that will elevate you to a stage of certitude. And when a person has reached the stage of certitude, he or she cares not whether the days pass in plenty or scarcity".

The Holy month of Ramadan is where Allah (SWT) is the HOST, we are his GUESTS and the Holy Quran is His BANQUET.

We pray to the Almighty Allah (SWT) to make us his blessed guests and, in turn, we can gain the utmost from his banquet, as the spiritual container, unlike the physical container, never gets full.

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In order to answer this, let us define what the word 'PREPARE' means? Simply, put it means to make ready or fit, to bring into a suitable state, to make one ready for, e.g. when we want to prepare a meal, or go out for an event, we must have a GOAL in mind.

As in what is my end result, the final dish or my final destination where I wish to end up. And as per the subject under discussion i.e. "Preparing for Laylatul Qadr" our GOAL is to take full benefit/make full use of the BOUNTIES and RAHMA that Allah (SWT) bestows opens us in this night of LAYLATUL QADR.

It is important that we first understand the significance of LAYLATUL QADR in order that we know what sort of 'ingredients' are required for our preparation to reach the Ultimate Goal which is earning the pleasure of Allah (SWT).

What is Laylatul Qadr or Night of Power therefore?

You are all aware of its importance so I will just briefly re-run through it. In surah Al-Qadr Allah (SWT) clearly states:

"Surely We revealed it (the Holy Quran) on the grand night. And what will make you comprehend what the grand night. The grand night is better than a thousand months. The angels and Gabriel descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair, Peace! It is till the break of the morning." Holy Quran (97:1-5)

Allah (SWT) is inviting all the believers for a Divine feast; the invitation which has been brought by the messengers. Allah (SWT) is the host, his most favorite angels are the servants and the believers are the guests. The table is spread with Divine blessings containing all sorts of rewards and favors. Though the eyes cannot see them nor the ears hear them not the human hearts imagine them, yet the bounties are all kept in readiness to be awarded to the guests in accordance to her actions.

Laylatul Qadr is a blessed night because the Almighty brings down during it goodness, bliss, and forgiveness for His servants. It is a feast which has come with a message that shows one the way to achieve happiness in both the worlds. Laylatul Qadr is a feast for the spirit, a feast of worship and prayers.

Ahadith indicate that the fate of every believer for the coming year is decreed on this night. When our Prophet Mohammad (saw) was asked how man could enjoy the favors and good grace of proximity to, and mercy of, Allah (SWT) he quoted Prophet Moosa / Musa / Moses (peace be upon him) supplication:

"Oh My God, I seek proximity to You; He (Allah) said: Proximity to Me is for him who stays awake on Laylatul Qadr.

Oh My God, I am in need of Your Mercy; He (Allah) said: My Mercy is for him who shows mercy to the poor on Laylatul Qadr.

Oh My God, I am in need of the passport to cross the bridge; He (Allah) said: that is for him who give alms on Laylatul Qadr.

Oh My God, I am in need of the trees in Paradise and their fruits; He (Allah) said: that is for him who seeks forgiveness on Laylatul Qadr.

Oh My God, I seek deliverance from fire; He (Allah) said: that is for him who remembers Allah on Laylatul Qadr.

Oh My God, I seek Your good pleasure; He (Allah) said: that is for him who says a two Rakat prayer on Laylatul Qadr."

On another occasion Prophet Moosa / Musa / Moses (peace be upon him) said: "Oh My God, are You far away that I shout at You, or are You near that I whisper to You?" He (Allah) said: "O Musa, I am sitting together with you!"

What do we therefore have to remind ourselves about Laylatul Qadr?

We have to remind ourselves about Laylatul Qadr that it is:

• A unique once in a year opportunity to do a life times worth of activity.
• A once in a year occasion for influencing our future destiny - "QADR" - Taqdeer.
• Full of long lasting blessings.
• The night of unsurpassed grandeur when the absolute Grand God revealed the Grand Quran through the Grand Wahy - Jibreel into the heart of the Grand Prophet Mohammad (saw).

The Ma'sumeen have explained to us that God in his infinite wisdom had planned the system of the universe in such a way that every persons destiny will be determined on a yearly basis in the angelic spheres through the agency of the Imam of the age. Who is the leader and focus of the whole spiritual world this gives MANKIND a unique opportunity to influence his own future (gains, loss, health, sickness, richness, poverty, etc by performing certain acts, e.g. Dua, Salat, Sadaqah, Jihad, acquiring knowledge, Holy Quran recitation etc.

• The night when the whole multitude of angels and the Great Spirit (Ruh) descend on earth, greeting and praying for the believers and conveying messages to the Imam of age.

Do we than still need to PREPARE OURSELVES FOR LAYLATUL QADR after knowing its significance?

Yes, Let us imagine for a moment that we are invited for a special feast by the president of our country, who also tells us in advance that he is going to reward us with magnificent gifts as per the way we present and behave ourselves during the feast - What would we do?

After the initial euphoria, we would leave no stone unturned to present themselves in the best possible manner. Preparations of what to wear, how to get there, what will I speak with the president, If I have to go through his secretary what will I say to him, what sort of gifts will I take with me, what sort of conversation I have with him, all this and more will be thought about, rehearsed and re-rehearsed. Correct me if I am wrong!

All this 'tension' in honor of an invitation from the President of a country. Laylatul Qadr is an invitation form the President of all Presidents, The Supreme One. Do we need to make preparations for this night?

Undoubtedly, we must start our preparations way ahead of time, after all going by human fitra, there is more than profit that can be got from this feast of Laylatul Qadr unless out of sheer carelessness we end up amongst those negligent and idle ones, who do not achieve anything except tiredness, loss and eternal doom, who will gain nothing except regret and cry out aloud on the day of Reckoning:

"Ah! Woe upon me! In that I neglected (my duty) towards Allah"

What sorts of Pre-preparations are needed before the advent of this grand Qadr?

Jibreel was asked; "What has the Almighty Allah done on this night with the wishes of the believers among the nation of Prophet Mohammad (saw)?" He answered, "The Almighty Allah has looked upon them on this night and forgiven them, all of them, except the following: "One who is addicted to drinking, One who severs his ties with his kin, and One who is a trouble-maker."

We have been advised to beseech Allah (SWT) during the whole year before the arrival of the Night of Power or Laylatul Qadr, to keep us alive for this night:

• To bestow upon us the Tawfiq to remain vigilant during this night and pray for blessings and forgiveness.
• To bless us that we are able to do the best of deeds on this night.
• To comprehend fully the importance of this night which is superior to one thousand months.
• To pray that we can become one of the favorites of Allah (SWT) and be blessed with His love, learning, nearness, union, pleasure, together with health, happiness, and welfare.
• To yearn and act so that Allah (SWT) be so pleased with us in such a manner, that after this night He would never be displeased us again.
• To pray that our Aimma especially the Imam-ul-Asr (as) be pleased with us intercede on our behalf.

How to prepare oneself for The Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr)?

(I) Preparing Mentally

• Strive to keep Allah (SWT) at the fore of one's mind the whole night long.
• All the Ibadah (worship) done should be recited in the state of being completely awake, aware, conscious, and with a live heart. If one feels that one will not be able to concentrate then start reciting from now "We are from Allah and towards Him is our return." - Holy Quran (2:156) for it is considered as a tragedy if one can not in this night receive the divine grace in supplications. "Their prayers ascend upwards and reaches Allah, their words are accepted, and Allah loves to listen to their prayers the way a mother likes her own child."

Is not it shameful that the prayers which ascend upwards should be recited from the tip of the tongue, while the heart and soul remain occupied in worldly affairs?

Many a times, one feels that one cannot 'properly' perform a certain Ibadah and so decided to forgo it. One should not do listen to this 'waswas' instead, one should perform it and more, for acceptance lies in the Hand of the Mercy of Allah (SWT).

(II) Preparing Physically

• For worshipping in this night a suitable place, dress, and perfume should be arranged in advance (comfortable dress which does not distract us).
• Paying alms during this night - to the people who really deserve financial support.
• Follow the translation of the Duas in order to understand what you are reciting for lutf is only got when one knows what one is reciting.

(III) Preparing Spiritually

• Increase ones eagerness for receiving the promised bounties and blessings.
• Select worships and deeds which are more in harmony with ones mood.
• When one stands for prayer, or any other Ibadah, to briefly spare a moment to think about the wisdom of that action/its meaning etc for e.g. Why am I standing towards Makkah? To realize that when I stand on my two feet, it indicates my hope and fear about the acceptance of my worship.
• Resorting (Tawassul) to Ahlul Bayt (as) - With persistence, supplicating in a polite and soft manner, with words and content arousing their sympathies, should beseech them for bestowing upon us the grace of being vigilant during this night.
• Crying and Shedding Tears: that during these nights ones fear, humility, tears, crying, anguish and lamentation be increased as much as possible. The Learned Scholar Hajj Mirza Javad Agha Maliki Tabrizi (ra) in his book (Suluk-i Arifan) Spiritual Journey of the Mystics tell us that One of the best method is that one should tie ones hands around ones neck; should pour dirt upon ones head; should place ones head against a wall; sometimes one should stand and sometimes one should cry; should imagine oneself at the scene of Judgment Day; and the way sinners are rebuked with harshness, then one should imagine and be scared least Allah (the Glorious, the Exalted) orders: "Seize ye him, bind ye him, burn ye him in the blazing fire, and make him march in a chain whereof the length is seventy cubits." - Holy Quran (69:30-32)

Then one should cry: "O' Thou are the most compassionate, and Thou Who are the shelter of unsheltered ones!" "Where is Your vast blessing? Where is Your infinite forgiveness? Where are Your love and benevolence?" Ask for forgiveness of past sins in the most appealing manner with a promise to try never to return to the sins again - a TAWBA in every sense of the word Present ones requests before the Almighty with full hope that they will be answered.

Prophet Mohammad (saw) when asked what one should invoke Allah (SWT) during these nights, said: "Ask for your safety (here and in the hereafter)".

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"But, Mum, I do not want to eat. I am a big boy and I can fast," Thabit told his mother.

"But you are fasting, Thabit. 7-year-old children eat in the morning and a little in the afternoon and then they don't eat anything else till evening."

"But you do not fast like that, Mum," the little boy insisted.

"I am older, Thabit. Grownups fast that way."

The young gentleman sat deep in thought and then asked, "Mum, why do we fast?"

"That's a good question, Thabit." She got up and went to the kitchen cupboard. She removed something from it.

"Do you know what this is, Thabit?"

"It's a blender."

"Do you know what it is supposed to do?"

"It blends passion fruit for juice." His mother laughed. "Yes, it does blend. Our body does the same thing. It grinds the food we eat; it takes what it needs and removes the rest. It does this everyday, day in day out."

"Doesn't the body get tired, Mum?"

"It does. Just like the blender. When we have blended juice for too long, it refuses to work. Then it needs fixing. So we have to give our body a rest so it can work better for us. That's why we fast in Ramadan and some other days in the year."

"Does everybody fast, Mummy?"

"Not everybody. If you are ill or expecting a baby or if you are old and weak like Daddy's grandpa or if you are 7 years old then you don't fast.

The little boy thought some more. He ate the food his mother had set before him without much fuss. "What if you don't want to fast?"

"What is your sister Nur's favorite color?" "Pink".

"And what is the color of her uniform for Madrassa (School)?" "Blue".

But she says she'd like to wear her pink hijab when she goes."

"And why doesn't she?"

"She is afraid Ustaadh (Teacher) will punish her."

"You see, she was afraid Ustaadh would punish her. Ustaadh will punish her because she has broken the rule of the madrassa by wearing pink.

You see, Thabit, Allah knows what is good for us and so we have to do as He commands, because He sees and knows everything. We love Him and fear Him and we don't want Him to be displeased with us."

"But don't you get hungry, Mum?"

"Of course we do. But we keep ourselves busy on other important things to take our mind away from the food. We read the Qur'an, or we visit the sick people or we go to the mosque and listen to dars. You see there's plenty to do and before you know it, it's time to eat!"

"Is there another reason why Muslims fast?"

"Yes. You are lucky, Thabit, because you have food everyday. Not everyone has food to eat."

"Like the poor people at Baroda Road?"

"Yes, like them. If we go hungry like them, we will be able to understand that they need help."

The little boy seemed satisfied with the answers, his mother had given him. "Mum, can I go with you and Daddy to help the poor?" "By the Grace of Allah, you can."

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What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, which is based on the orbiting of the moon (lunar calendar), rather than the orbiting of the earth (solar calendar). It was in the month of Ramadan in which the Quran (Holy Book for Muslims) was first revealed.

What is Fasting?
Muslims should refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and conjugal relations. This means that no substitute should be introduced into the body, which could be considered as providing nourishment to the body (e.g., a nutritional injection). Fasting also involves abstaining from evil intentions and desires.

What is the length of the Fasting?
From dawn to sunset, every day of the month of Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar.

Who should observe the Fast?
Fasting is obligatory upon every Muslim male and female who has reached the age of puberty.

Who is exempted from Fasting?

• Men and women who are too old and feeble to undertake the obligation of fasting.
• Sick people whose health may be worsened by fasting.
• Pregnant women if according to a doctor's advice they should refrain from fasting.
• Breast-feeding mothers if their child does not receive a sufficient quantity of milk because of their mother's fast.
• Women in the period of menstruation and after childbirth (up to a maximum of 40 days).
• Children under the age of puberty.
• Insane people who are not accountable for their deeds.
• A traveling Muslim.

All the above people (with the exception of children who are underage and the insane people and the feeble elderly) must make up the number of fasts they have missed on account of their exemption, after the month of Ramadan.

How is Ramadan celebrated?
A feast called Eid-ul-Fitr, a day of thanks giving and happiness celebrates the end of Ramadan. On this day, Muslims offer special prayers in congregation and thank Allah for His blessings and mercy.

In conclusion, it is imperative to judge a religion by its teachings and not by people who claim to be its followers.

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The holy offspring of prophecy,
The ancient tree fruit of Hashemi,

King of all believers in time,
Owner of the Sunday's light,
Peace be upon you,
Peace be upon you.

Helper of "Muhammad Rasulullah",
The last prominent prophet of God,
Pioneer of all Jihad,
Patient leader of Islam,
Peace be upon you,
Peace be upon you.

Night's worshipper, day's hard-worker,
Enlightened master of all time,
The practical interpreter of the Qur'an,
Virtuous foster parent of all,
Peace be upon you,
Peace be upon you.

Mustafa's intimate in "Faran",
The companion of "Zahra",
Son-in-law of Rasulullah,
Imam Ali, the Valiyullah.
Peace be upon you,
Peace be upon you.

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Ramadan is here, Here is Ramadan.
Ramadan is coming, The time that is blessed.

Ramadan is coming, The time we love best.
The month in which the Qur'an was sent;
A time of great blessing in which to repent.
Fasting for Allah is a great Muslim deed;
Controlling desires and Suppressing greed.

Ramadan is coming, Increase your Iman.
Ramadan is coming, Recite the Qur'an.
Taking "Suhur" in the dead of the Night;
No eating no drinking during the daylight.
Refrain from bad deeds and repent your soul;
The pleasure of Allah is our only goal.

Ramadan is coming, so let us prepare.
Ramadan is coming; there is peace everywhere,
Even if there is hunger, remember your Lord
And wait until 'Iftar' to earn your reward.
Fasting is one of the gifts of Allah
Given to believers to increase 'Taqwah'.

Ramadan is here, here is Ramadan.
Ramadan is coming, so seek the new Moon.
Ramadan is coming, it will be here soon.
We pray to Allah to put right our hearts;
Ask for forgiveness from Allah and make a new start.

Raising our hands we ask for his 'Rahmaa';
Hear us our Lord and grant us 'Jannah'.

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The holy month of Ramadan
For all Muslims has begun.
Praising Allah through the day,
From dawn to dusk we fast and pray.
We pay zakah (charity) for those in need,
Trying hard to do good deeds.

When the sun has set, and day is done-
I'll break this chain, but only one.
By the end of Ramadan, this whole chain will be all gone!
It's time for Eid and lots of fun!!!

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Ramadhan, Ramadhan, ahlan was'sahlan ya Ramadhan,
We welcome your sweet stay and your strong bond,
Month of purity, month of me, month of blessed rhapsody!

Take heed oh people of Muhammad!(pbuh)
Rememba dat we're here to deliver a Message!

Girls, it's time to stop frettin wit your hair
And boyz it's time to get up from your lazy chairs!

Time to stop worryin bout where he said she sat
Or who's turn it was to feed da cat!

Cause Ramadhan is where we at!!

Ramadan! You are never more needed than when we think we've had enough,
I long for the passion of my thirst to linger past the hour, your company do we Love.

That I may recall the pleasure of the first sip,
Running sweetly to where the fast once nestled in my throat's grip.

Lord! You are never more present,
Than in the moment before we succumb to our elements!

In the Creation of the Earth and Heaven,
In the sailing of the ships through the Ocean,

Rain that Allah sends from the Skies,
Here indeed, are all Signs.

O Believers! Do you not see,
What Allah has revealed to thee?

O Believers! Do you not ponder,
Allah's Mighty and Super Power?

Ramadhan, Ramadhan, ahlan was'sahlan ya Ramadhan,
We welcome your sweet stay and your strong bond,
Month of purity, month of me, month of blessed rhapsody!

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A new night
beginning of the sacred month
the thin slice of the crescent
visible only a few minutes
to the naked eye

Awaiting the news, here, far away
in a land pretentiously secular
with In God We Trust
visited only on Sunday

Awaiting watching the Internet for the crescent news
And some calls made
Relatives far flung: Chicago, New York, London,
Frankfurt and Los Angeles

Yes! The crescent has been sighted! Ramadan Mubarakh!
Over miles and miles and miles of telephone lines

The masjid schedule consulted, and alarm clock set.
For the meal before first light

Work the next day, same tempo, same schedule.
The boss and co-workers say; "Oh, you're fasting?" "Why?"
Unable to comprehend the beauty of a simple ritual:
"Come, we're going to see a movie after work; we wont make you eat"(!)

Going home, 1/2 hour before sunset
from the 9-5 routine, never ending, never changing

Arriving home, break fast with some friends
meal cooked the night before.

Remembrance of Ramadan in Karachi, Casablanca, Lahore, Cairo
and Dhaka

Tears, and anger expressed today: Murder and slaughter on this day!
Killed in prostration!
Where Abraham (peace be upon him) lies!
Martyrdom in a Holy month!
On Holy land!

And hope expressed: Our faith desecrated,
but,
fastest growing in America!
A simple prayer; perhaps one day we will fast in San Francisco,
as we fasted in Dhaka, Cairo, Lahore, Casablanca and Karachi

And the fast is broken
and later friends and family
mill around, some content
others tired, angry, grieved
and all somber
on this day of Ramadan...
Peace

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A new night
of the sacred month
the thin slice of the moon; the crescent
visible only a few minutes
to the naked eye

A sight beautiful
signaling new,
fresh

Greetings one to the other: Ramadan Mubarakh

And a few hours later
sounds of drums
Wake up! Wake up!
have a meal,
a simple glass of water!
Before the first light,
before you begin the fast,
make the intention
Wake up! Wake up!

And the day progresses, a slowing down;
restaurants closed, coffee houses empty.

And workers begin their trek home early

Late afternoon, the speciality stores open
selling the special once a year snacks,
crowds flocking and moving hurriedly
collecting their Iftar (break fast)

And mothers prepare the traditional meals
taking extra time
for the fasting family

Only an hour before the sun sets
city streets empty,
as in a curfew,

And now only a few minutes,
family and friends gather around the table
making small talk
awaiting the moment...silence...

Allah-hu Akbar
Allah-hu Akbar
Allah-hu Akbar
Allah-hu Akbar
(God is great)

Ash-hadu an la illaha illal-lah
Ash-hadu an la illaha illal-lah
(I witness that there is no God except Allah)

Ash-hadu anna Mohammadan rasoolol lah
Ash-hadu anna Mohammadan rasoolol lah
(I witness that Mohammad is the Prophet of Allah)

Hay-ye alas-slat
Hay-ye alas-slat
(Hurry up for prayer)

Hay-ye alal falah
Hay-ye alal falah
(Hurry up for prosperity)

Allah-hu Akbar
Allah-hu Akbar

La illaha illal-lah
La illaha illal-lah
(There is no God except Allah)

And the siren, signalling the sun dipping below the horizon

And together, some with dates, some with a pinch of salt
"We take this food in the name of Allah, most gracious, ever merciful"

Prayers given
and later friends and family
mill around, some content
others tired, but all happy
on this day of Ramadan...
Peace

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One night I heard a knock on my door;
Who can it be,I wasn't quite sure.
I open the door and am filled with glee;
The visitor ahead is no stranger to me.

I welcome the guest with utmost delight;
For I know it has come to give me respite.
An air of happiness fills the space;
My home now seems, a better place!

Have you any clue who this visitor could be?
Yes!its Ramadhan,the month of mercy.
The pious and righteous can't await its arrival;
Others seem to greet it, with waves of denial.

For Allah(SWT) we fast from dawn to dusk;
For Him our breath is the fragrance of musk.
The muslims who pray and fast with zest;
Are aware of the rewards of this month manifest.

Throughout this month we weep and repent;
Now is the time to strongly lament.
And those who shun this sacred month;
on the Day of Reckoning will face the brunt.

In the last ten nights,hides the Night of Decree;
Allah(SWT) then awaits for his slaves to plea.
The angels descend with Gabriel(AS) in the lead;
To check on the steadfast and record every deed.

A feeling of grief now fills my heart;
As the month of Ramadhan will soon depart.
So lets make a start and worship Him alone;
Now that the worth of this month is known.

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In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most Kind

A blessed month is casting its shadow upon us
A night of this month is better than a thousand months
Bear with patience for the sake of Ar-Rahman
It's a continuous training to strengthen our Imaan.

Glory be to Allah who sent Ramadan as a mercy to mankind
Its a purification of our soul, our heart, and our mind
With the most sincere devotion and love we fast
To be cleansed and free from sins of the past

Glorified is He, who choseth this holy month,
To test our sabr and fill our hearts with warmth
Of his Divine Light, His blessings shall glow,
The Seer of the unseen, all He does know

Ya Allah! For thee, let my breath be more pleasant than musk
Ya Allah! For thee, let me be thankful when day turns to dusk
My thoughts and heart are purified, my eyes truly see'
This blessed month, the month of spiritual rhapsody!

Ya Allah! For thee, my life I shall live!
Ya Allah! For thee, my soul I shall give!
In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most Kind,
Praise be to Allah, who sent Ramadan as a gift to mankind

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