Advice to Women in Ramadan

30/07/2018| IslamWeb

O Muslim women, O protected pearls of the Ummah (Muslim nation)! I advise you to make a sincere intention to make the most of Ramadan, and to have good expectations of Allah The Almighty regarding your efforts at being dutiful to your parents and husband, raising children, doing the housework and worshipping your Lord. Do not let your kitchen and your desire to boast of the foods you prepare distract you from worshipping your Lord. Instead, adhere to moderation; worship your Lord and do your housework. Ramadan is not a month of eating to the fill; rather it is for experiencing the hunger of those who do not find anything to eat. Adhere to piety for it is salvation from Hellfire.

If Allah The Almighty honors you with praying in congregation with the Muslims, I advise you to fulfill the condition of being a sincere Muslim woman upon leaving your house, for the Prophet said: “Your reward depends on your intention in coming to the mosque.” [Abu Daawood] Seek permission from your husband; if he does not give permission then do not go out. Go out dressed decently with your hands and feet covered, do not go out wearing perfume so that people think evil thoughts about you. Beware of wearing incense to the mosque and avoid eating garlic and onions or anything with a bad odor. Go out with a Mahram (non-marriageable male guardian) who safeguards you from people with diseased hearts. Lower your gaze and your voice, avoid taking children to the mosque so as not to offend the other worshipers and take a safe road to the mosque. Pray in the rows behind the men, do not mix with them, do not stay in the mosque if you are menstruating or bleeding after childbirth, leave before the men leave, and the conclusion is that praying in your house is better than praying in the mosque, as your Prophet said.

Beware of whiling away your time in the markets; your time is more precious than that, for Paradise is before you in the month of Ramadan to enter through its open doors.

O Muslims, Allah The Almighty granted you life to witness the month of forgiveness, so start the month by striving seriously from the beginning. Fast as if it is your last Ramadan, pray the voluntary night prayer behind an Imam, and do not leave before him. Occupy yourself with reciting the Quran, perform many more acts of worship like I‘tikaaf (staying in seclusion for worship), giving charity and providing Iftaar  to whomever you can. Ibn ‘Abbaas narrated that the Messenger of Allah was the most generous of people, and he used to reach the peak of generosity in Ramadan. Enjoin what is lawful and forbid what is unlawful, strive to draw closer to your Lord in order to be deserving of His forgiveness, do your best in performing acts of worship and wake your family up for night prayer. Make this Ramadan the best Ramadan of your life.