The way of the Salaf in welcoming Ramadan - Al-Alaamah Fawzaan
In the Name of Allaah, Ar-Rahmaan, Ar-Raheem
This is the reply of Shaikh Fawzaan to some questions regarding the way of the Salaf in welcoming Ramadan and how to prepare for it.
Shaikh Fawzaan said,
"In the name of Allaah, Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem and Assalaam alaikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakaatuhu and may Allaah bless you and what you have pointed to from these two great questions. The first question is the state of the Salaf in the month of Ramadan. The state of the Salaf, as it is recorded in the books narrated with authentic chains from them, that verily they would ask Allaah, azaa wa jalla, to allow them to reach Ramadan before it would come in. They would ask Allaah to allow them to reach Ramadan, due to what they know from the great good and many benefits in it. Then if Ramadan entered, they would ask Allaah to aid them in doing righteous actions in it. Then if Ramadan finished, they would ask Allaah to accept it from them, as Allaah said (translation of meaning), " 60. And those who give that (their charity) which they give (and also do other good deeds) with their hearts full of fear (whether their alms and charities, etc., have been accepted or not), because they are sure to return to their Lord (for reckoning).61. It is these who race for the good deeds, and they are foremost in them [e.g. offering the compulsory Salat (prayers) in their (early) stated, fixed times and so on]. (Surah Al-Mu'minun: 60-61) And they exerted much effort in actions and then a concern would hit them after the action, will it be accepted or will it not be accepted. And that is because of their knowledge of the greatness of Allaah, azza wa jalla, and their knowledge that verily Allaah does not accept (worship) except that which is sincerely for His Face and from actions that are correctly upon the Sunna of His Messenger. So they would not ascribe purity to themselves and feared their actions would be void. They were more severe in tiredness (in hoping) for their actions to be accepted then they were (in tiredness) for performing them because Allaah, jalla wa alaa, says (translation of meaning),"Verily, Allah accepts only from those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious)" (Surah-Al-Ma'idah: 27) And they would free themselves up for worship in this month as mentioned previously, and they would reduce themselves from the worldly actions, and they used to set aside time for sitting in the Houses of Allaah, azza wa jalla, and say, "We are going to protect our fast and not backbite anyone." They would bring the mushaafs and study the Book of Allaah ,azza wa jalla, with each other. They used to protect their time from wastefulness and would not be neglectful and heedless as is the state of many today; rather they used to preserve its (Ramadan) time, at night in standing (prayer) and the day fasting and reading the Quran and remembering Allaah and doing good actions. They would not be heedless of a minute from it (Ramadan) or a quick moment from it. And they used to put forth righteous actions in it."
Source:
http://www.alfawzan.af.org.sa/node/9840
