By Khalid Baig

Just like a dear guest giving a brief visit, Ramadan comes and goes.
Ramadan is the season when rewards are doubled, devils are chained, the gates of
Paradise and the doors of the Hell are closed. It is the season of blessings.
Muslims are thus required to pay it special welcome. So, let's get ready for Ramadan
so that we reap its fruits in full.
Truly happy is the one who makes the best use of
every second of the month of Ramadan.

How to Reap the Fruits of Ramadan

Fast in Sha`ban
This is the sunnah as mentioned in the hadith narrated by
Usama ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him)
when he asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), "I have never seen
you offer fast in a month as
you do in Sha`ban."
The Prophet said, "It is a month people disregard that is between Rajab and Ramadan.
In that month deeds
are presented to the Lord of the Worlds, so I like my deeds to be presented while
I am fasting.

Make Du`aa (supplication)

We should spare no effort in supplicating Almighty Allah to give us life till we reach
this blessed month.
This was always the practice of the Salaf (righteous predecessors); they used to
supplicate for a whole six
months that they would live till Ramadan. Once it came and departed, they would spend
another six months
in imploring Allah to accept the deeds they had offered in Ramadan. What a great
reception and great love for that month!

Have a Good Heart for All Muslims

A Muslim never carries malice, hatred, or bad feelings against any fellow Muslim.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah looks to His servants
on the fifteenth night
of Sha`ban and forgives all of them except a muskrik (one who associates others with Allah)
or a mushahin (one who carries malice or envy to his Muslim brothers)."

Carry Out Religious Duties

We should show utmost care to our religious duties, such as attending congregational
prayer, observing
Fajr Prayer on time, and leaving all types of major and minor sins because they hinder us
from gaining reward.

Gain Heaps of Reward Qiyam Al-Layl (Night Vigil Prayer), du`aa' (supplication),
and the daily quota of reading Qur'an are all sources of plenty of rewards.
A Muslim may also specify
certain times between Prayers for reciting the Qur'an.

Learn the Rulings on Fasting

A Muslim should resort to books and tapes to learn about fasting and its rulings.

Make Da`wah (invite others to Islam)

Helping others find their way to Allah is really amazing.

Be a Mentor
Teach others by being a mentor and a good example of practicing what you preach.
Avoid all forms of bad manners and be manifest morality.

Use Your Time Well
Schedule your time in Ramadan and never lose any moment.
Spend your time in good deeds that bring you great reward and make you win Allah's pleasure.

Build a Spirit of Unity

Encourage your mosque mates to hold a collective iftar (meal to break the fast), even if only once in
the whole month.
Let them know how meritorious it is to exchange visits. Organize a get-together
after `Eid Prayer at the mosque
or somewhere else. May Allah help us welcome Ramadan and spend
it in good deeds! Amen!