ramadanintention

Ramadan is such a blessed month that there so many intentions (wa lilahi al hamd) that one can make and prepare for. I will list several, Insha'Allah.

1) To have all of one's sins forgiven! Imagine how many sins we've accumulated throughout the year and Ramadan gives us this amazing chance to have it all forgiven.

"Whoever fasts Ramadaan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." [Bukhari & Muslim]

"The five daily prayers, from one Jumu'ah to the next and from one Ramadan to the next are expiation for (sins committed) in between, so long as you avoid major sins." [Muslim]

2) To get closer to Allah through recitation of the Qur'an. I'm sure some of us aren't too proud of ourselves with the way we've dealt with the Qur'an during the last year. Some of us haven't spent enough time memorizing, reading, or pondering its meaning. This month gives us an opportunity to reaffirm our love and commitment to the book of Allah.

Allah says, "The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…" [al-Baqarah 2:185]

3) To stand up for tarawih, qiyam al layl, and to observe the best night of the whole year, layl al qader. Everything is magnified in Ramadan, both the barakah and the reward. Therefore, Allah gives us only few 'special' opportunities in our lifetime to amass reward in such great possibilities. Praying at night during these days are extraordinary valuable to our scale of good deeds. The rule is that one should do it with sincerity and seek its reward.

Allah says, "The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months)."

"Whoever spends the nights of Ramadaan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." [Bukhari & Muslim]

4) To have our du'a answered. Subhanna Allah, what a special time it is when one is fasting sincerely for the sake of Allah. For this reason, the du'a at the time of beaking fast is answered. This is why every Muslim should utilize this gift from Allah and make an abundance of du'a.

"Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler." [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]