Ramadan is a qualitative leap:
Dear noble brothers, Abu Hurairah reported:
(( The Prophet PBUH is reported to have ascended the pulpit and said, "Ameen, ameen, ameen." It was said, "O Messenger of Allah, you ascended the pulpit and said ameen, ameen, ameen." The Prophet PBUH replied, "Verily, Gabriel PBUH came to me and said… ))
Pay attention to the most serious Hadith in our Khutbah:
(( …Wretched and truly a loser is the one to whom Ramadan comes and when it passes from him is not forgiven… ))
If he misses Allah's Forgiveness in Ramadan, then when would he be forgiven?
Ramadan is the month of repentance, fasting, and performing Taraweeh Salah, and it is the month of performing Fajr prayer in the Masjid.
(( …Wretched and truly a loser is the one to whom Ramadan comes when it passes from him is not forgiven… ))
When does man expect to be forgiven if not in Ramadan?
This is the month of repentance, closeness to Allah, affection toward others, prayers, Quran recitation and worshipping Allah.
I encourage you to abandon all the customary practices people follow in Ramadan including feasts. Postpone them until after Ramadan. Postpone the gatherings until after Ramadan, for it is the month of worship.
Eat moderately after Maghrib (sunset) to get ready for Taraweeh Salah, and try to be with Allah during Taraweeh Salah. I hope you all do so.
Most people turn to worship Allah and strive for righteousness during Ramadan, but once it is over, they return to their old practices. When the next Ramadan comes, they repeat the same ups and downs failing to make consistent progress.
Consider it this way: Each Ramadan is a step on a staircase, and the believer ascends higher Ramadan after Ramadan, steadily advancing without regression. This is how Allah wants us to observe Ramadan.
Each Ramadan is a qualitative leap, meant to be maintained throughout the year. For instance, if you perform Fajr in congregation for 30 days during Ramadan, maintain this practice after Ramadan and continue performing Fajr in the Masjid.
If you perform Isha' in congregation for 30 nights during Ramadan, maintain this practice after Ramadan and continue performing Isha' in the Masjid. The Prophet PBUH said:
(( Whoever offers dawn (Fajr) prayer in congregation is in the Protection of Allah till the night, and whoever offers night (Isha') prayer in congregation is under the Protection of Allah till dawn ))
(( It was narrated from Samurah bin Jundab that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whoever offers the morning prayer, he is under the Protection of Allah, Exalted and Sublime be He." ))
[ Ibn Majah, by the authority of Samurah bin Jundab ]
(( 'Uthman bin 'Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying: "One who performs 'Isha' prayer in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for half of the night. ))
[ Muslim, by the authority of Uthman bin 'Affan ]
If you perform Fajr and Isha' in congregation, you are under the Protection of Allah all day and all night.
