1. How To Welcome Ramadhan Dr Muhammad S Anwar Redbridge Islamic Centre - London

2. Introduction Ramadhan is the ninth month of Islamic calendar. Fasting in this month is a pillar of Islam. The month has many special merits. Purpose of fasting is to attain piety. It is a spiritual journey for the believer.

3. Types of Fasting There are three types of fasting. 1.General fasting (صوم العموم): preventing the stomach & genitals from fulfillment from dawn until dusk. 2.Special fasting (صوم الخصوص): protecting eyes, ears, tongue, hands, stomach, genitals & feet against major & minor sins 3.Elect fasting (صوم خصوص الخصوص): fasting of the heart from low aspirations, worldly thoughts & gain.

4. Attaining Spiritual Heights Through fasting, one achieves several benefits including: 1.Piety (ﺘﻘﻭﻯ) 2.Trust in Allah (ﺘﻭﻜﻞ) 3.Patience (ﺼﺑﺭ) 4.Asceticism (ﺯﻫﺪ) 5.Generosity (ﺴﺨﺎﻭﺓ)

5. Purification of Soul Fasting in this month purifies human soul from many spiritual diseases including: 1.Ostentation (ﺭﻴﺎ) 2.Heedlessness (ﻏﻔﻠﺔ) 3.Laziness (ﻜﺴﻞ) 4.Lust (ﺸﻬﻭﺓ) 5.Stinginess (ﺑﺨﻞ) 6.Greed (ﺣﺮﺹ) 7.Anger (ﻏﺿﺐ) 8.Arrogance (ﻜﺑﺮ)

6. Things To Do Before Ramadhan

7. Self Inspection What state I am in physically and spiritually? Is my earning Halal? Do I pray? What is the state of my prayers? How do I nurture my body, my faith, my family? Which major sins I am involved in? Which minor sins I am habituated to?

8. Sincere Repentance Spend some time in seclusion - Ideally night prayers over weekend! Make wudhu thoroughly and pray two rak’aat with sincerity and tranquility Weep and repent for the sins past and present, major and minor, individual and collective, overt and covert, from external organs and internal organs, voluntary and involuntary. Have determination for never committing the same sin again. Compensate for the violated rights of people, if any

9. An Attitude of Anticipation and Enthusiasm Eagerly wait for Ramadhan Moon sight on the presumed dates Decide & try to achieve some personal goals in the blessed month. Plan to assess your progress every week and after Ramadhan. Attend talks & courses on the Ramadhan if possible. Arrange family gathering and read some ahadeeth about Ramadhan and fasting. Buy a Quran with good translation.

10. Plan Ahead Free yourself from unnecessary engagements Finish your assignments & shopping etc for Eid before Ramadhan starts Start attending prayers in congregation Book your annual leave for as many days as possible. E.g. Fridays, last 10 days, Eid day

11. Checklist DAILY REQUIREMENTS Got up for suhoor 10 salutation upon the Prophet SAW outside prayers Prayed 4 Rak’aat Tahajjud prayer Did morning adhkarIstighfaar 100 timesWent to sleep in the state of Wudu Prayed all prayers on timeDid a special deed that is secret between me & Allaah Went to sleep without ill feeling towards any Muslim Prayed all the 12 Raka'at of Sunnah prayers Made evening adhkarON FRIDAYS Read Surah Al-Kahf Prayed more than 1 Fard prayer in Masjid (males) Prayed Taraweeh prayerExtra salutation upon the Prophet SAW Read the Tafseer of 1 verse of the Quran Prayed the Witr prayerClipped nails & moustaches, removed extra hairs Recited 1 Juz of QuranRead last 2 ayat of surah al-Baqarah WEEKLY REQUIREMENTS Memorised 1/4 page of Quran Attempted to practice 1 Sunnah Read 4 Quls before sleepingMemorised 1 Hadith & 1 Dua from the Sunnah Made my parents smile, hugged and kissed them Read Surah Al-Mulk before sleeping Fed some people for the sake of Allah Did not argue, nor backbitePondered about my death & the day of judgment Read a book on Seerah or any religious topic