Attaining Taqwa In Ramadan 2024

Attaining Taqwa In Ramadan

Opening Praise and Declaration

All praise due to Allah and His praise and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad. My dear brothers and sisters, as we all preparing ourselves where we will start the month of Ramadan insha'Allah ta'ala.

The Anticipation of Ramadan

A month that we are waiting for every year I'm looking forward for it and every year that it comes and it comes with a special flavor. And subhanAllah no matter how many Ramadan you have witnessed you have fasted, you have practiced during that month, it's still every year it has its own excitement.

The Divine Prescription of Fasting

It's that month where Allah have prescribed upon us one of the greatest act of worship which is al-siyam.

O who you believe, fasting was prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those who are before you so you may attain taqwa.

And Allah says:

If you fast, it is better for you. It is good for you.

Understanding Taqwa: Three Levels

And al-taqwa, that's all we're trying to attain during the fasting. What's al-taqwa mean? Al-taqwa it's a word that has three levels, three meanings.

First Level: Complete Submission to Allah

The first meaning is the basics where you fulfill the basics of Islam. You worship Allah alone and you submit yourself to him. And in Ramadan, it's so clear that you fulfill that concept. It makes, logically, it makes no sense. What's the difference between 6.30 and 6.40? The difference is this siyam is valid because it's on time and this 10 minutes later after the time, it's invalid. That's it, it's a submission.

It teaches you to stand where Allah told you to stand. Stop where you're supposed to stop. 3 minutes only before adhan maghrib, I will break my fast. No, you're not allowed. You know, why would I stop drinking water? Okay, I'm gonna stop eating. It's not up to you to decide that with your own logic. It's a full submission to Allah.

So that's basically something that siyam teaches you to attain that first level of taqwa which is that complete submission to Allah and you worship him alone. Yes, sometimes he tells us what, there's everything he ordained everything he prescribed, there is a wisdom behind it. Sometimes you know it, sometimes you don't know it. And that's where the belief comes where the trust comes because they know how knowledgeable he is, how wise he is. That's why I submit to him.

Second Level: Fulfilling Obligations and Avoiding Haram

And the second level of taqwa is to fulfill the obligations and to abstain from the haram. And fasting is about that. As-siyam, it is an obligation. Fasting teaches you to fulfill the obligation and to abstain from the haram.

(Bukhari)

That's why the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: If someone fast and will not stop saying what is false and stop saying what is bad using all these false languages and bad languages and do the wrong things. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that there is no point from leaving food and drinks. [Reference needed]

So it teaches you to stop, to change, to stop saying and doing what is haram. What's fasting without praying? That's why you see the Muslim care to pray all the time in the Ramadan. It teaches them to fulfill the obligations.

Third Level: Recommended and Voluntary Acts

Taqwa also has a higher level, a third level which is when you do the recommended act and the volunteer act. Look how Muslim cares for taraweeh. Taraweeh is not an obligation. It's a recommended act. It's a highly recommended thing to do. And you'll see all the Muslim care for it.

You'll see Muslim care to feed the hunger. And you look Muslim looking to rush and haste the iftar which is a sunnah and to delay the suhoor which is a sunnah. Reading Quran which is the sunnah. So subhanallah, it's very interesting how Ramadan teach you all these three levels of taqwa.

The Integration of Religious Practice

But that's just a push. So for you to pick up. And that's also teach you that the religion. Theoretically we say the religion divided into principles and pillars. Then obligations. Then after that recommendation. Theoretically yes that's correct. But practically when you practice the religion. All of them comes together. It's not like okay I'm going to fulfill all the obligations. Then when I finish the obligations I go to the

recommendation. It doesn't work this way. That's the theoretical classification. But the reality is when you start practicing the religion. All this mixed together it's called the religion. The deen of Islam.

The Scholarly Definition of Taqwa

My brothers and sisters. Some ulama said that taqwa it is:

To have that respect. To have that respect mixed with fear from the almighty Allah.

That you practice what has been revealed to you.

That you're satisfied with whatever you receive. Even if it's little. You're happy with it.

And always I say. When Islam said you're happy with whatever little you earn or you got. It doesn't mean that you don't look for more. You're allowed to look for more. But you have to first to be happy with what you have. Before you start looking for more. That's what these statements means.

Preparing for Death

And to prepare yourself for the day you will leave. And this is something Ramadan should remind you of. Ramadan goes very fast. And that's how your life is. I just can't think. Every year I say that but still I'm in shock. We're fasting Ramadan next week. And I'm not even over the last Ramadan yet. And you're gonna fast next week. It's just so fast.

That's why Allah said:

These are very few days.

And I will remind you by the end of Ramadan. That it will go like this. So make sure that you prepare yourself. I know some of you are young. Healthy. But I tell you death does not discriminate. Between healthy and young and old. And sick. When your time comes, your time comes. But the point is. Your time comes when you're doing something right. Or wrong. While you're ready for it or not. And that something is not in your hand. You're gonna die, you like it or not. One day. Today, tomorrow.

The Story of Prophet Musa and the Angel of Death

Prophet Musa. When the angel of death told him. That this is the time for your death. And he was

panicking. He said, can I delay that? Then Allah said. How long you want to delay? He said, make your hand wet. And stick it on the back of a. Like a ball or a cow. And whatever, how many hair. Would stick to your hand, you can add this years to your life. Then Musa said. Then what? He said, you're gonna die. He said, there's no difference I'm ready.

So that's a reality. That especially young people need to understand. And older. So you don't be so. Tempted and consumed. By this life. So important for us. To prepare ourselves for Ramadan.

The Power of Good Intentions

Another thing that I'll tell you that you should. Start from now is to have the good. And the intention to do a lot of good. Deeds in Ramadan. Make sure that you have the intention from now. Why? Because Allah. Forbid anything happen to you. Distracted, sickness. Traveling, whatever can happen to you. Okay? It basically. It is something that you can. Quickly, if you cannot. Do what you plan to do. Allah reward you for it anyway.

So let's say you're planning. To pray every day on time. That's my intention. And I'm serious about it. One day or two days you get distracted. You still get the ajar of it. Your niya is to read the Quran. And you did not. Allah reward you for it. So make sure that you have the intention.

And by the way. You're not playing games with Allah. Okay Sheikh Waleed I have the intention to read the Quran. A hundred times. Yeah sure. You said no. You're playing game with Allah. Allah knows what you're capable of. Allah knows that you're just. Making this up, that you can't do that. But something that I. Can do, it's in my ability. And I have the intention to do it.

Setting Realistic Yet Ambitious Goals

And make sure. That you aim high with your intention. Something to. Push yourself a little bit more. You know what, last year I donated. Five thousand dollars, this year I will push myself to make it seven. Last year I made. One khatmul Quran, this year I'm gonna push. Myself and make two khatmul Quran.

Just an average reciter of the Quran. Okay. An average reciter of the Quran. Who reads slowly but smooth. If he reads. Every day one hour, he makes. Khatmul Quran every three days. For one hour. Straight 60 minutes you read. But your reading is smooth and you. Don't stop, even if it's slow. You will make khatmul Quran. On every three days. It's not that hard by the way. So. You know. If you are quite fast, but let's say. And every ten days. You read. Every ten days you read the Quran. You make khatmul. It can, but you have to dedicate a time. Anyways to have the intention to do. A lot of good deeds, why intention is so good. Because you get reward if you fail to do it.

Allah's Response to Good Intentions

Also the second thing is. That Allah. When he see that your intention is good. And you are

psychologically. Because intention has to do. With your inner self. So from inside. You are determined. You have the will. Allah when he sees that from you. He make it easy for you. To accomplish what you want.

(Muslim hadith 2564)

Allah does not look at your images and your bodies, but He looks at your hearts.

If Allah finds goodness in your hearts, He will give you goodness.

Let Allah find goodness. In your heart today this week before Ramadan start. That I have the intention. To do so many good. And I'm serious. I'm determined about it. And I'm sincere about it. So Allah. Will make it easy for you to happen. It's not easy to wake up for Ramadan. It's not easy to stay the whole entire Tarawih. Even though Alhamdulillah. In our masjid it's easy to pray the whole Tarawih. Because. There's so many reasons Alhamdulillah. The best one of it is this beautiful community. And also Alhamdulillah. We have always good recitations. Good reciters. The Salah is not that long. It's not that short. Very suitable for people. So it is possible. Allah if he sees that in your heart. He will make it easy for you.

The Benefit of Accountability Through Good Intentions

My brothers and sisters. Another benefit of this. Good intention to have from now. When you have a good intention. Intention to do one, two, three. And Ramadan start. And you're not fulfilling. What you intend to do. You start to hold yourself accountable.

So if I have the intention. You know what to pray every day in the masjid. I make sure that every day I pray maghrib and isha. And fajr in the masjid. And I start missing say hey Waleed don't be hypocrite. You promise Allah before Ramadan that you will do that. Hey. Basically keep up with what you intend to do. So you hold yourself. Accountable for your actions.

Practical Tips for Completing the Quran

Have the intention. To make khatm al-qur'an. And I tell about khatm al-qur'an one beautiful easy way to do it. If you want to double your khatm al-qur'an. Just a tip. If you want to double your khatm al-qur'an this year. You read every year qur'an. Make another khatmah. Which is ulama also consider. It's called sama' al-qur'an. Just download one of your qari. You know. Like for me I like shaykh for example. Yasser al-dosri whatever. And I download the whole mushaf. So what I do. I listen to the whole mushaf. That take me five days. That's a whole khatm al-qur'an. Exactly what you do. When you come pray taraweeh with us. You listen to the qur'an. So this can be another khatmah you can achieve. A whole khatm al-qur'an. Just by listening it. And you can speed it up too. 1.5 or 0.5 or 0.75. In youtube. So you can even go. And it

will be excellent even if you can read. With him. You know with your eyes as you look at the mushaf. You can do that.

Specific Intentions for Ramadan

Have the niyyah to make sure that you don't miss. A raka' and taraweeh. Don't be among the four. Not the four wives. No the four raka'as only. Salah. Don't be among those category. Four raka' and leave. The problem. What's really interesting. Those who finish after four raka' and leave. And they stay outside. What Allah has for you. In the salah better than anything else. And the prophet said. If you pray and you complete the salah. With the imam you take the ajr. Of a whole entire night. [Reference needed]

Have the intention to increase your sadaqa. This year. Have the intention to increase your attendance in the masjid. The number of salawat. And the time that you spend inside the masjid.

Intentions for Relationships and Forgiveness

Have the intention to reach out to your family. Have the intention to forgive. Those who have done wrong to you. I'll say that again. Those who have done wrong to you. Somebody once told me Sheikh he did something. He did bad to me. I said yeah forgive him. But he wronged me. I said I know. What do you think forgiveness is for. For those who have done good to you. Forgiveness is about to forgive those who have done wrong to you. That's the whole point.

Have the intention to be. Connected with your family members. Have the intention to spend more time. With your parents. Young people listen to me. Have iftar with your parents. Come closer to them. It's not for granted. Having them. You know. You're going to lose them one day. So make sure that you spend time. With them, that you listen to them. You take advantage of them being in your life.

Make sure that you have the intention to. Also. To protect your siyam. From anything that it is invalid. In your siyam.

The Importance of Sincerity

I can't emphasize enough on the importance. Of this issue. Of the issue of having the sincerity. And the intention good before you start Ramadan. Because Allah says:

The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children. But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.

May Allah make us among them.

Planning and Execution

My brothers and sisters. One of the things that is so important for now. To think about how I am going to execute my plans. My intentions. You have to think about it. Oh I want to read Quran. But ok so what time are you going to read every day. I'm going to prepare. I'm going to put this time for me for the Quran. You know what I want to stay in the masjid. Ok from now apply for a days off. To stay in the masjid. You have to make the plan.

Hey I need somebody to help me. Which is a very good idea also. To have some kind of buddy, Ramadan buddy. You know. If it's a family member, if it's friends. You know what let's work on this together. So make sure. That you do that and you plan for it. And you have a clear plan. What you will be able to do. According to your abilities. And being reasonable. Because I'll tell you. You may delay. But time will not. Time will not. And Ramadan will go like this.

Quality Over Quantity

Remember it's not how many Ramadans. You have under your belt. Oh I fasted 20 Ramadans,