Maximise

Rewards of

Ramadan

www.idealmuslim.com

ww

w.id

ealm

usl

im.c

om

1

Maximise the rewards of Ramadan

ياطين‏‏‏"‏‏ ماء،‏وغلقت‏أبواب‏جهنم،‏وسلسلت‏الش ‏‏.‏‏"‏إذا‏دخل‏شهر‏رمضان‏فتحت‏أبواب‏الس

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of

the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained."

(Bukhari: Book of fasting)

Every year Allah blesses us with a training programme. He wants us to learn Taqwa (Please

refer to the previous publication - http://www.idealmuslim.com/how-to-gain-taqwa-in-ramadan/) and

wants us to enter Jannah (Heaven). In addition he has made it easier for us to ensure that

we reach our goals by opening the doors of Jannah and chaining the shayateen (devils), so

we are not encouraged to do evil. He has also enhanced this programme by providing many

incentives for increasing rewards for simple acts. It sounds like a good deal, Jannah ready,

devil gone, more rewards, this sounds too good to be true, there must be a catch, well let’s

find out.

ww

w.id

ealm

usl

im.c

om

2

What are Rewards?

Allah’s treasures are not limited to our limited imagination; therefore it would impossible to

list all the rewards that Allah can bless us with. Many people assume that rewards are like a

bank account whereby people do good deeds and it piles up. In a way, yes that is true but

there are many forms of rewards. Many places in the Quran Allah mentions the word ajar,

which means recompense, recompense can take many forms.

Forms could include but are not limited to:

Increase your Imaan

Give you good health

Increase you in knowledge

Increase you in wealth

Give you a pious wife/husband and children

Answer your duas (supplication)

Release you from stress

Ease your daily tensions

Free you from debt

Assist you in achieving your qualifications

Increase your professional development

Give you respect and honour

Give you a good death

Ease your test in life

Take away the challenges of the hereafter

Give you higher levels in Jannah

Give you contentment of the heart and mind

Give you ice cream (suggested by my 6 year old daughter)

Increase love in relations

Teach you more skills

The list is endless, Allah responds to his servants individually based on their needs, however

for you to receive ajar (compensation) you must do good and refrain from evil. The more

you collect the more chances you have receiving what you asked, however that is not

always the case that you receive what you want, as Allah provides to his servants when he

ww

w.id

ealm

usl

im.c

om

3

feels best, may it be in this world or the next. But we should never lose hope, never lose

faith in Allah and always be grateful for what we have and always remember Allah does not

burden a soul more than it can take, therefore if you are in a situation that you think you

cannot handle, always remember that Allah knows you have the ability to overcome the

test otherwise he would not test you with it. (This topic is a detailed discussion which I felt

it was necessary to mention, I will try to expand on this in the future publications insha

Allah.)

In order for us to receive the compensation for our deeds, we must do good deeds, and

collect as many deeds as possible. In Ramadan Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) have

promised increased rewards for our deeds which we will now explore to see if we are able

to achieve these incentives and benefit from these offers.

1. Obviously keep the fast

Sahl Radiyallahu ‘anhu narrates that The Prophet Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam said,

“There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayyan, and those who observe fasts will

enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter

through it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to observe fasts?’ They will get

up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be

closed and nobody will enter through it.” (Bukhari)

Special VIP treatment for those who keep the fasts, not making excuses and getting the job

done. Sincerity, intention and eagerness of reward will be judged by Allah.

Abu Sa’id al Khudri Radiyallahu ‘anhu reported Allah’s Messenger Sallallahu ‘alaihi

wasallam as saying, “Every servant of Allah who observes fast for a day in the way

of Allah, Allah would remove, because of this day, his face farther from the Fire (of

Hell) to the extent of seventy years’ distance.” (Muslim)

So if you were to keep all the fasts, let’s assume 30 days. So that would be 30 multiplied by

70 years equals 2100 years, now that’s far from hell.

So far just by keeping the fasts we have increased our chances to going to Jannah

with VIP treatment and moved 2100 years away from Hell, for simply keeping a fast

during the day.

ww

w.id

ealm

usl

im.c

om

4

2. Any Obligatory or optional acts

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:“Whoever draws near to Allah

during it (Ramadan) with a single characteristic from the characteristics of

(voluntary) goodness, he is like whoever performs an obligatory act in other times.

And whoever performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed

seventy obligatory acts in other times.” (Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 1887)

An optional deed gets the reward of an obligatory and an obligatory gets the reward of 70

obligatory deeds.

Do one and get 70 free, that’s better than Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s put together!!!

There will definitely be a massive queue for this deal, don’t miss out, unlimited

stock, limited time, hurry get yours quick.

3. Reciting Quran

The rewards of reciting the Quran are many for which another publication must be issued, however in terms of countable rewards the Prophet (PBUH) mentions:

Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that

reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “Alif, Laam, Meem” is a letter,

rather I am saying that “Alif” is a letter, “laam” is a letter and “meem” is a letter.”

(Tirmidhi)

So every letter multiplied by ten, then don’t forget the reward like an obligatory act.

So read as much as you can, ideally you should aim to complete one

Quran in Ramadan. Try, target yourself, push yourself, ask Allah and

you will achieve.

ww

w.id

ealm

usl

im.c

om

5

4. Seeking forgiveness for others

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever seeks forgiveness for

believing men and believing woman, Allah will write for him a good deed for each

believing man and believing woman.” [Tabarani]

When we ask Allah for anything, we tend to ask for ourselves and for our families. This is

allowed, however the Prophet (PBUH) has promised more rewards for thinking about

others, one of the key teachings of Islam, love for others that you love for yourself. We

would love forgiveness, so ask forgiveness for others and Allah will increase your rewards

and forgive your sins. Let’s all pray for each other now, lift your hands and say….

For praying for me and all the others may Allah reward you.

5. Giving in Charity

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said, “The best charity is that given in

Ramadan.” (At-Tirmithi).

O` Allah forgive all the believing men

and women that have ever stepped

foot on the Earth, and guide all

mankind to the straight path. Ameen.

ww

w.id

ealm

usl

im.c

om

6

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Charity extinguishes sin as water

extinguishes fire.” [At-Tirmithi]

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), said: “Allah The Almighty Says, ‘O son of

Adam, spend and I will spend on you.” [Muslim]

Give charity, spend your wealth in the path of Allah and Allah will spend on you and

extinguish your sins as water does fire, and will categorise your charity in Ramadan as the

best charity.

6. Feed a fasting person

“Whoever provides food for breaking of the fast for a fasting person receives the

reward of the fasting person, without the reward of the fasting person being

reduced in any way.” [Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah]

Feed others; give your neighbours family and friend’s dates and fruits. Take food to your

local Masjid for Iftari.

ww

w.id

ealm

usl

im.c

om

7

7. Worship from Fajar till Sunrise

From `Abdullah bin `Aamir (Ra) that Abu Umaamah and `Utbah Bin `Abd (Ra) who

related that the Prophet, (Sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever prays as-

Subh. (I.e. fajr prayer) in congregation then sits until he prays for Allah the prayer

of Dhuha (2x2 Raka'ah 20 mins after sunrise) has the reward like that of a Hajj

(pilgrim performing Hajj) and a mu`tamir (pilgrim peforming `Umrah), complete

reward of his Hajj and his `Umrah” [Tirmidhi, Tabarani].

This can be challenging but very rewarding, don’t forget you will also receive the combined

rewards as mentioned above.

8. Praying on Laylatul Qadar

ww

w.id

ealm

usl

im.c

om

8

1. Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'an) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree)

2. And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?

3. The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e.

worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand

months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).

4. Therein descend the angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] by Allah's

Permission with all Decrees,

5. Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allah to His believing

slaves) until the appearance of dawn.

(Surah Qadar)

9. Pray Tahajjud

Abd Allah ibn Salam (Ra) reports that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)

said, "O people! Spread the salams, feed others, maintain family ties, and pray at

night when others sleep and you will enter Heaven safely." [Tirmidhi, Hakim]

A lovely conclusion to how we should spend our lives especially in Ramadan, spread salaam

i.e. love and peace, feed others, keep family relations and pray at night.

ww

w.id

ealm

usl

im.c

om

9

10. General Goodness

Salmaan (RA) reports, "On the last day of Sha-baan Rasulullah (SAW) addressed us and

said, '0 people there comes over you now a great month, a most blessed month in which

lies a night more greater in virtue than a thousandmonths. It is a month in which Allah

has made Fasting compulsory by day. And has made sunnah the Taraaweeh by night.

Whosoever intends drawing near to Allah by performing any virtuous deed, for such

person shall be the reward like the one who had performed a fardh in any other time. And

whoever performs a fardh, shall be blessed with the reward of seventy faraa-idh in any

other time.

This is indeed the month of patience, and the reward for true patience is Jannah

(paradise). It is the month of sympathy with one's fellowmen. It is the month wherein a

true believer's rizq is increased. Whosoever feeds another who fasted, in order to break

the fast at sunset, for the feeder there shall be forgiveness of sins and emancipation from

the fire of Jahannam (hell}, and for such feeder shall be the same reward as the one who

Fasted (who he fed) without that persons reward being decreased in the least."

Thereupon we said, "0 messenger of Allah, not all of us possess the means whereby we can

give a fasting person to break his fast." Rasulullah (SAW) replied, "Allah grants the same

reward to the one who gives a fasting person to break the fast a mere date, or a drink of

water, or a sip of milk."

"This is a month, the first of which brings Allah's mercy, the middle of which brings His

forgiveness and the last of which brings emancipation from the fire of Jahan-nam."

"Whosoever lessens the burden of his servants (bonds-men) in this month; Allah will

forgive him and free him from the fire of Jahannam."

"And in this month four things you should continue to perform in great number, two of

which shall be to please your Lord, while the other two shall be those without which you

cannot do. Those which shall be to please your Lord, are that you should in great quantity

bear witness that there is no deity to worship except Allah (i.e. recite the Kalimah

Tayyibah Laa llaaha illallaah) and make much Istighfaar beg Allah's forgiveness with

Astagirfirul-laah)." And as for those without which you cannot do, you should beg of Allah,

entrance into paradise and ask refuge in Him from Jahannam."

"And whoever gave a person who fasted water to drink, Allah shall grant that giver to

drink from my fountain, such a drink where after that person shall never again feel

thirsty until he enters Jannah." Reported by ibn Khuzaimah in his 'Saheeh.

ww

w.id

ealm

usl

im.c

om

10

The more you do the more you will gain, I have only mentioned 10 points, however there

are many others such as teaching and learning, going to the Masjid, doing the Azaan etc…

Just remember this:

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (radhi Allahu anhu): «The Prophet said, “(Allah said),

‘every good deed of Adam’s son is for him except fasting; it is for Me. and I shall

reward (the fasting person) for it.’ Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting

person is better to Allah than the smell of musk.”» [Collected by al-Bukhari, Saheeh,

Book 72, Hadith 811]

The reward for fasting is left to Allah and Allah will reward based on the sacrifices, sincerity

and eagerness of the fasting person.

So, struggle, sacrifice, ask, give and hope.

May Allah accept all our deeds in this blessed month and

give us the ability to please Him through our actions.