The mindset, preparation and practices of The Salaf during Ramadan

 

Our Shaykh Abu Bilaal Al-Hadhramy- may Allah preserve him- was asked the following question on 30^th Sha'baan 1441 ( 23^rd April 2020):

Question: How did The Salaf prepare for the month of Ramadan?

Answer: First of all, they would be overjoyed by its arrival and rejoice at it. 

(1. Supplication)

They would spend six months asking Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالى) to allow them to reach Ramadan and if they fasted Ramadan; they would spend (the next) six months asking Allah to accept it from them.

It has indeed been reported that Yahya ibn Abee Kathir (may Allah have mercy upon him) used to say: 

"اللهم سلِّمنا لرمضان وسلِّم رمضان لنا"

"Oh Allah; deliver us to Ramadan and deliver Ramadan to us."

It is a month of sweet scented blessings, a month of forgiveness of sins and a month of goodness - all of it.

(2. Recitation of The Qur’ān)

So there is no doubt that it is a bringer of joy and the Salaf were certainly overjoyed with it. From their over enjoyment, they would recite the book of Allaah more in it than outside of it. 

In fact; it was mentioned regarding Sufyān At-Thawree  (may Allah have mercy upon him - that when Ramadan entered he would leave all actions and devote his (complete) attention to The Qur’ān.

Similarly, it was also reported that Imam Malik - may Allah have mercy upon him) despite his deep love for narrating hadith and hadith in general; once Ramadan had entered he devoted his (complete) attention to The Qur’ān and stopped narrating hadith, this was his preparation. 

(3. Sitting in the Masjid)

Whatsmore, they would sit in the masājid more, so as not to tarnish their fasting, for indeed there is no doubt that sitting in the masjid whilst fasting helps with fasting itself, leaving idle talk, sexual activity and anything else that may endanger the completeness of the fast.

(4. Spending in charity)

Also amongst their preparation and actions during Ramadan; the great amount they would spend in charity during this month, following the example of the Prophet ﷺ.

The Prophet ﷺ was the most generous of people and he was most generous during Ramadan. [1]

It has indeed been reported that Hamād Ibn Abee Sulaimān - may Allaah have mercy upon him - during Ramadan used to provide iftār for five hundred Muslims - this is something tremendous; hoping for the reward and return of Allaah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالى) by providing iftār for the fasting person. This is from the actions of the Salaf; concern for providing iftār for the fasting people and within it is great reward. 

[" فِي كُلِّ كَبِدٍ رَطْبَةٍ أَجْرٌ ".]

In (the good treatment of) every moist liver (i.e. living being) is a reward.

So this is some of what The Salaf used to do in preparation for Ramadan as well as their actions in this blessed month.

As for the state of many of the people; it is contrary to this - except whom Allaah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالى) has had mercy upon. So you find their preparation for Ramadan a shallow preparation; a preparation of food and drink. 

And you find in them weakness in the aspect of standing (in prayer), worship and recitation (of the Qur’ān) in Ramadan. As for our Salaf; they prepared for it with obedience, worship and whatever else aided them upon fulfilling what Allaah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالى) intended to be fulfilled within this blessed month.

(5. The Night Prayer)

The Prophet ﷺ said:

[مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ - إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا  - غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ ".]

Whoever stands (in prayer) in Ramadan out of faith and seeking the reward; he will be forgiven for his past sins. [3]

Likewise, he also said: If a man prays with the Imam until he departs; (the reward of) standing the entire night (in prayer) is written for him. [4]

So we advise ourselves and our Muslim brothers to prepare for this month, welcome it with a good welcome and not to allow anyone or anything to preoccupy them from the goodness that this blessed month entails.

Especially as they have (recently) encountered great difficulties that Allaah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالى) decreed upon them.

Their Masājid have now been (re-)opened and goodness has returned to them so it is upon them to devote their attention to making the most of this opportunity, to utilise the days and the nights in the obedience of Allaah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالى) 

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[1] Narrated by Ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) in Bukhari (6). The exact wording:

[كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَجْوَدَ النَّاسِ، وَكَانَ أَجْوَدُ مَا يَكُونُ فِي رَمَضَانَ]

The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ was the most generous of people and he was most generous in Ramadan.

[2] Narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) in Bukhari (2363) and Muslim (2244)

[3] Narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allaah be pleased with him) in Bukhari (37) and Muslim (759)

[4] Narrated by Abu Thaar (may Allaah be pleased with him) in At-Tirmidhi (806).

The exact wording:

[مَنْ قَامَ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ حَتَّى يَنْصَرِفَ كُتِبَ لَهُ قِيَامُ لَيْلَةٍ،]

Who stands (in prayer) with the Imam until he departs; the reward of standing the night (in prayer) is written for him.

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Translated by: Abu Sufyān

Sāmi ibn Daniel Al-Ghāni