10:09 AM
When a Muslim hears about the arrival of Ramadan, the first thing a Muslim needs to do is to achieve the purpose of Ramadan, that is the blessings of this Holy month.
In Quran, Allah has mentioned that the purpose of fasting is to make a person more pious ("Muttaqi")
"By Allah, he has no faith (the Prophet (SAW), (repeated it three times) whose neighbors are not safe from his wickedness." (Bukhari)
Here are some ideas on how you can share the joy with your neighbors this Ramadan.
- Begin with Dua. Seek help first from Allah is the key success to each and every task.
- Make Dua that Allah give you and your family the sincerity, strength, motivation and wisdom to do this.
- Arrange Quran and Hadith Classes. Also conduct Islamic Masnoon Duaas sessions, and lessons on various topics related to Islamic lifestyle. This is a great way of informing many more neighbors about Ramadan.
- Though "Dawa"(Islamic Teachings) is a hard work, and it needs preparation, commitment and organization but its reward is endless, not only in this world but also in the hereafter.
- Put up a Ramadan banner on your door. This can be something handmade or something more formal.
- If you are residing in a non-Muslim region than print out a fact sheet on Ramadan and stick that on the door to educate readers passing by about the blessed month and what it means to Muslims.
- Send neighbors Iftar snacks. Write a wish-note with the food that the Holy month of blessed Ramadan is here and you are sharing your joy with them.
- You can offer snacks that are not just "Muslims" but also "non-Muslims". You can include index cards with the snacks listing all of the ingredients. This will help neighbors avoid food that causes allergies.
- Give kids Ramadan Mubarak balloons and sweets so that your neighbors' kids also feel the happiness of Ramadan by including chocolate and candy among your snacks. Balloons also add a nice touch, and if you can get some printed which have "Ramadan Mubarak" written on them, they may remember the blessed month even after it has passed.
- Publish Ramadan information in your neighborhood newsletter.
- Have a neighborhood Iftar gathering.
- Plan some charity tasks with the help of Muslim neighbors or for the relief of Muslim or non-Muslim needy persons (you can also involve non-Muslim neighbors or class fellows or colleague, if the happily contribute with you).
بَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ اَنْتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا إِنَّكَ اَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
Our Lord! Accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing.. And show us our rites and accept our repentance. Indeed, you are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful. (Al-Baqarah:127 - 128)
