#9 TaQwa Habits_Ramadan Challenge
Going the extra mile in Ramadan.
Subhanallah. We are moving to the final days of this blessed month. May Allah SWT accept our deeds, and forgive our shortcomings. May Allah SWT guide us among the believers who were granted complete forgiveness for their past sins, protection, and guidance for their future.
Our Ramadan challenge is also nearing its end, and today, we will look at 2-20' TaQwa Habits to help you harness more rewards at the end of your day (if you read the last challenge, it is the beginning of the day)
Here are the spiritual, physical, and social habits, that help you to put extra effort in these blessed nights, and gain its unimaginable reward.
[Spiritual] Walk to the masjid for ‘Isha and night prayer.
If the masjid is within 20 minutes walking distance, walk to the masjid. This has multiple benefits. Walking to the Masjid helps you to acquire rewards for each of your footsteps.
Abu Hurayrah (r.a) reported that Rasulullah (ﷺ) said:
“When one performs wudu at home thoroughly and leaves for the Masjid solely to offer salah [in congregation], for every step taken towards the Masjid [in this state of wudu], one stage is elevated in the Hereafter and one sin is forgiven.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 647 and Sahih Muslim 1504)
It can also help you feel energetic during worship, as walking generates more energy and reduces the 'food' effect. Additionally, it offers social benefits by creating more parking space for those coming from far away or those who are not physically well, and it helps avoid disturbances in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, people may forget the rights of residents in the neighborhood of the mosque when parking their cars. Let’s contribute to making it easier for all. In sha Allah.
[Physical] Hydrate yourself enough.
Drink enough water after iftar, which helps you to be at your best energy level during the night prayers. Have a bottle of water as you go to the mosque.
It may sound simple, but its benefits are huge.
Follow the prophetic sunnah with the following simple three steps.
Say Bismillah consciously before you drink.
Drink in three sips.
Say Alhamdulillah after drinking.
Allah says
"And it is He who sends down rain after they had despaired and spreads His mercy. And He is the Protector, the Praiseworthy."
(Surah Ash-Shura 42:28)
Water is a sign of Allah’s abundant mercy upon us. Let each drop of water we drink remind us of Allah’s mercy and ask for his forgiveness in these last nights.
[Social] Spread salaam.
When you are at home or mosque, spread salaam to everyone possible.
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“Verily, peace is among the names of Allah that He has placed on the earth, so spread it between yourselves. If a man greets people with peace and they answer him, he is favored by a degree over them as he has reminded them. If they do not answer him, he is answered by the angels who are better and purer than them.”
Source: al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr lil-Ṭabarānī 10391
Each salaam elevates your rank!
This is what the angels say to the people of TaQwa as they enter Jannah. Alhamdulillah.
And those who were mindful of their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups. When they arrive at its open gates, its keepers will say, “Peace be upon you! You have done well, so come in, to stay forever.”
(Quran 39:73)
In these last blessed days, when we go the extra mile to save ourselves from the hellfire and seek mercy and paradise from Allah SWT, let us keep in mind the scene of angels addressing us with salaam as we greet one another. May Allah SWT make us among those who enter Jannah while being greeted by the angels.
Sincere Duáas
Haneef