Central Sermon: Prepare Yourself for Ramadan with Zeal (Video)

The doors of benevolence remain open to people until their departure from this world. Those who live for their Lord constantly seek out special occasions where good deeds are particularly valued. Thus, the believer rejoices in every Friday, Ramadan, Zul Hijja, the Day of Arafat, religious festivals, and every prayer. They live with this joy and live it fully. Each joy is accompanied by the fear of not experiencing it again, of not having acted correctly and sincerely, and finally of not having fully taken advantage of each opportunity. Such is the path of the good servants of Allah! The Most High says: “Those who hasten in good deeds, and who excel in them.” (Surah Al-Mu’minun, verse 61)

One of the special occasions approaching is the month of the Quran, the month of fasting and worship – Ramadan.

Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, reported from Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “For my people, in the month of Ramadan, five things were given that were not given to any other people before them:
▪ The breath of the fasting person is more pleasing to Allah, exalted be He, than the scent of musk;
▪ The angels seek forgiveness for the fasters until they break their fast;
▪ Allah, exalted be He, beautifies His Paradise every day and says: “I am eagerly awaiting for My good servants to rid themselves of their worries and burdens and turn to You;
▪ During this month, the disobedient devils are chained and are not released towards those they usually attack in other months;
▪ And their sins are forgiven on the last night.
It was said: “O Messenger of Allah, is it the Night of Decree?” He replied: “No, but the worker receives his reward when he finishes his work.” (Ahmad, 7904)

Embellish your prayer! Beautify it by reciting the Quran that was revealed during Ramadan. Especially by reciting Surah Al-Fatiha during prayer. Stop after each verse, for that is how the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, prayed. Beautify your prayer with supplications. Enes, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that Ummu Sulejm, may Allah be pleased with her, came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and said to him: “O Messenger of Allah, teach me a supplication that I can recite in prayer!” He replied: “Recite ten times ‘Subhanallah – Glory be to Allah’, ten times ‘Alhamdulillah – Praise be to Allah’, and ten times ‘Allahu Akbar – Allah is the Greatest’, then ask your Lord for what you desire, for He will then say: ‘Yes, I will accept your supplication! Yes, I will accept your supplication!'” This hadith is reported by Tirmidhi, no. 481, Nasa’i, no. 1299, Ibn Hibban, no. 2011, Ibn Huzejma, no. 850 and others with an authentic chain of narrators.

Imam Ibn Huzejma in his Sahih titled a chapter as follows: “It is permissible for the believer to utter the words subhanallah, alhamdulillah, and Allahu akbar during prayer, when he wants to ask something from his Lord in supplication, with the hope that his Lord will answer that supplication.”

Learning the hatme during Ramadan is an opportunity to read the Quran with understanding and to understand Allah’s messages to humanity in general, and to the community of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, in particular.

• By reading the Quran, we will become familiar with the Exalted Lord, through His beautiful names and perfect attributes.
• By reading the Quran, we will learn His rights over the servants.
• Reflecting on the Quranic guidance, we will understand who Allah’s friends are and who His enemies are.
• We will learn what Allah loves and what He does not love.
• We will understand who our true friends are and who our true enemies are.
• By carefully reading the Quranic verses, we will understand which peoples or groups have incurred Allah’s wrath, who are those who have provoked His wrath, and we will have the opportunity to know them in detail.
• By carefully reading the Quran, we will learn who are those with whom Allah is pleased and to whom He has truly prepared the vast paradises.
• By reading the Quran, we will become familiar with the sufferings of ancient peoples and the reasons for their sufferings.
• We will understand that the mission of all the prophets was the same: all of them called to one God, to worship Him alone, and to avoid polytheism.
• The Quran teaches us that only the religion of Islam is accepted with Allah.
• Also, whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, his religion will not be accepted and he will be among the losers on the Day of Judgment.
• By reading the Quran, we will learn many rules and forms of worship.
• By reading the Quran, we will understand the value of sincerity in our worship acts and the importance of patience on the path of truth and trials.
• By reading the Quran, we will understand true values.
• By reading the Quran, we will understand that there is life after death, the Day of Judgment, its horrors, and the final judgment.
• By reading the Quran, we will understand that Paradise is prepared for sincere, loyal, and virtuous believers, while Hell is reserved for unbelievers, hypocrites, and evildoers!

The Quran is the best refuge for change! Imam Shafi’i advised his closest disciple, Rabi ibn Suleiman, in these words: “If you want to make your heart, your child, your brother, or anyone better, leave him in the gardens of the Quran and in its company, and Allah will make him better, whether he wishes it or not – with Allah’s help.” (“Hiljetu-l-Eulija'” Ebu Nuajm 9/123)

Ramadan is welcomed with a pure heart towards Muslims. The companion Abdullah ibn Mas’ud was asked: How did you companions welcome Ramadan?
He replied: “None of us was so brave as to welcome Ramadan with even a trifle of malice towards a fellow Muslim (or Muslima) in our heart.”

Our Lord, we ask You for success and blessing in this Ramadan! Amen. (Central sermon by religious leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on March 1, 2024, at the “Centre Islamique Gazi Isa-beg” in Esch-sur-Alzette)