By Haroon Balogun
•Getting the kids ready
Allah has blessed this ummah with the glorious season of fasting. It is a
period where goodness is enjoined and even multiplied. A month of
forgiveness where sinners purify themselves and get closer to the Creator. It
is a month of giving and sharing. This is Ramadan, the glorious month, the
blessed season, the uniqe period of worship. Allah has enjoined fasting in it,
so that we may gain nearness to him.
Besides, Allah has created us so that we may worship Him. That is why He
has made one of the greatest acts of worship – Fasting cumpolsory on us.
This, He made compulsory on the people before us. Abstaining from
fulfillment of physical desires stimulates an increase in spirituality, and
creates an inclination for prayers and worship. Fasting Muslims feel close to
Allah, and Allah reminds them that He too is close, and will answer their
prayers. That is why we have to be prepared to spend the day and night of
the month in prayers and supplications.
Promise of multiplied rewards
Even the nominal believer who seldom carry out others acts of Ibadah before
Ramadan try to be prayerful during the month. This is because of the
emphasis on the sanctity of the month, the promise of multiplied rewards, as
well as the assurance of a favorable response. No doubt, this is the time that
Almighty looks at His servants with mercy, answers their prayers when they
supplicate, responds if they call, grants if they ask, and accepts if
they plead .
The best thing a believer can pray for during this month is forgiveness for his
past sins. Ramadan is a glorious chance given to man to have his sins
erased, and gain a higher position before Allah. The Prophet (s.a.w) says:
Indeed, woe unto who did not seek Allah's forgiveness in this great month.
As you prepare for Ramadan, plan to maximise the glorious month for your
advantage – which is seeking forgiveness, seek for blessings of Allah in this
world and in the hereafter, enriching yourself with words of Allah (Quran) so
that when Ramadan leaves, the words will remain with you. Affects the lives
of people and make the society better.
This is because Allah had not made us to live only for ourselves, we have to
lift others in need, we have to live for others, we have to impact positively in
the society. Check out the indigent in your area, check out those who are in
need and inject joy and hapiness into their lives. The double sure reward is
that you will never lack in joy peace and happiness.
Preparing Kids for Ramadan
There is no better time than now to hold a family meeting to explain what
Ramadan is to your kids. Prepare them for the fasting, even if to catch some
fun. Our kids not only need to know what we are doing, they also have to
learn to do the same. Prepare them and let them fast even half a of the day.
Children often want to fast as they see their parents and older siblings do.
This year, let them fast for a couple of hours. Prepare a special "Iftar" for
them when they break fast with a couple of their favorite foods. Let them
read their quran or do arabic lessons more in the month.
Various narratives
Tell them stories and various narratives from the Quran. Ramadan is a
special month when we give out more. Let them know the importance of
giving to the poor. If you used to give your children some stipend, or money
they save in their piggy-box, let them know they have to part with a
little of it
and give the poor. The essence is to inculcate in them the spirit of giving, the
earlier that is inculcated into them, the better as they will turn out
to also be
cheerful givers. Take them to Tarawih prayer, let them feel the blessings of
the month through all the congregational prayers.
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