Ramadan Prayers
Prayers: Allah forgives all previous sins of a person who sincerely worships Allah during the month of Ramadan. During this month Allah's mercy and blessings are at their peak. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has said that during Ramadan: "Allah says: 'Is there anyone who calls on me so that I can accept his prayers? Is there anyone who asks for anything so that I can fulfill his desires? Is there anyone who asks for forgiveness so that I can forgive" (Sahih Bukhafi - Kitab-ul-Tauheed).
Salat-ut Tarawih: Tarawih is a special Salah (prayer) offered during the month of Ramadan. It is performed after the Isha prayers and consists of 8,12 or 20 rak'ahs, wherein the rak'ahs are prayed in units of 2. In the mosque, part of the Qur'an is recited every night during Tarawih prayers, and it is sunnah to complete the whole of the Qur'an in salat-ut Tarawih. Tarawih prayer first starts with the sighting of the moon of the month of Ramadan, and ends with the sighting of the moon of the month of Shawwal.
Last Ten days of Ramadan: Hazrat Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that, during the month of Ramadan, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to develop a new vigor, staying awake alI night and also waking members of his family for worship" (Sahih Bukhail, Kitab-ul-Saum). During the month of Ramadan worship reaches its peak in the form of I'tikaaf (retirement for Allah's worship). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to retire to the Mosque in the last ten days of the Ramadan, and would go to a corner in the Masjid-e-Nabwee (Prophet's Mosque) to worship Allah in seclusion. The time of I'tikaaf begins on the 20th of Ramadhan at maghrib (sunset) and ends after the new moon has been sighted on the 29th/30th day of Ramadan.
Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree): This is the night in which the first passage of the Q'uran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Sincere worship & devotion in that night is better in value than 1000 months of worship (Q'uran: Surah-Al-Qadr 97). This night is not specifically known to us, but is thought to be the 27th of Ramadan. In one of the hadeeth, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), especially recommended to search for Lailat-ul-Qadr in the odd-numbered nights of the last 10 days of Ramadan (Bukhari Vol. 3:234). May Allah enable us to be the recipients of Lailatul Qadr that we truly benefit from the coming month of Ramadan.
Ramadan's Special relationship with Tahajjud Prayers: Hazrat Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), said: "A person who gets up at night for Prayer and fulfills all requirements of his faith with an intention of receiving blessing during the Month of Ramadan, is forgiven all his past sins."
Eid-ul-FITR: It is one of the 2 great festivals for Muslims (the other being Eid-ul-Zuha). Eid-ul-FITR means celebration of breaking of fast, and is celebrated at the end of Ramadan on the first day of the month of Shawwal, post the sighting of the new moon. It is an occasion of joy and thanksgiving to Allah. Nobody knows in advance when the new moon will be sighted. It can appear either after 29 days or after 30 days. If there is no news of the sighting of the new moon even after the completion of 30 days, then Eid is celebrated. This prayer is read in large congregrations.The Adhan and Iqamah are not said in the Eid prayer.The Eid prayer consists of 2 raka'hs with 6 or 12 additional takbirs.
MAY ALLAH'S PEACE AND BLESSINGS BE UPON YOU
