Ready for Ramadhan? Part 1

17 Apr Ready for Ramadhan? Part 1

Assalaamu ‘alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu

With just three months remaining until Ramadhan, my inbox is quickly filling up with questions from concerned hafidhaat on how best to prepare for the month of Qur’aan.                                                                

Welcome to a new feature on the Fee Qalbee hifdh blog entitled: ‘Ready for Ramadhan?’                                          

This weekly post (to be updated every Tuesday until end-Sha’baan, inshaAllah) will focus on helping YOU develop consistent and effective review techniques ahead of Ramadhan.                                                                   

 Please bear in mind that every hafidha will face different challenges & concerns with regards to her personal hifdh journey and that this series should be regarded as a general overview.

Focus of the week: Niyyah, purpose of intention

Niyyah is our aim, the intention or purpose for which we wish to do (or say) something. Allah’s Beloved Muhammad (sallalaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Actions are (judged) by intentions, so each man will have what he intended.” [Sahih Bukhari and Muslim]

In the past, scholars would remind believers that the niyyah is the ‘soul of one’s actions.’ Niyyah in itself is classified as being a part of faith and the essential link between knowledge and action. 

1. Establish an intention: set out your reason, your purpose for Qur’aan review. Whilst many students of Qur’aan may be working towards an approximate deadline of (the month of) Sha’baan, take a step back and …REFLECT.  
2. Reflect on the reason behind your Qur’aan review. Is this review only for the month of Ramadhan? Are you reviewing only because your parents have nagged you? Or because your hifdh teacher expects this of you? Is it perhaps the nagging, unpleasant thought which doesn’t leave you?

Hard-hitting questions, I know, but in recent years I’ve observed an increasing number of hifdh students and graduates neglecting the Qur’aan for most of the year, selectively reviewing certain surahs / ajzaa’ only and then racing against time to complete a thorough review in time for Ramadhan. This cycle or habit tends to repeat itself every single year.

The tragedy is that whilst many in the hifdh teaching fraternity may be well aware of this, very few regularly address this alarming trend, choosing to touch briefly upon it in the weeks leading up to Ramadhan and Taraweeh.

 If   you have found yourself in this predicament during past Ramadhans, please know that it need not be so.

Create meaningful and consistent changes.

Challenge yourself.

Connect to the Qur’aan.

Honour the gift of tahfeedhul Qur’aan.

Establish, renew your intention: to Review the Glorious Qur’aan for the Pleasure of ALLAH every single day, inshaAllah in preparation for Ramadhan and beyond.

Recommended Reading:

1. Sincerity of intention and its spiritual benefits
2.  Intention – Allah’s Mercy

Further Reading:

1.  The principles of Intention