|
Rites of Ramadhan
By: Ayatullah Shaheed Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim
The rites of Ramadhan can be divided into two main parts. We will try to restrict our discussion to mentioning the titles of these rites along with a reference to their contents, leaving the details, which are too many, to the famous Shaykh al-Qummi’s Mafatih al-Jinan.
The first part of the devotional acts of Ramadhan involves the common devotional acts that are practiced throughout this month without distinction as to the day.
The second part involves the devotional acts that are dedicated to certain nights or days of the month.
First Part: The Common Devotional Acts of Ramadhan
This part is further subdivided into four sections:
• Devotional Acts Common to the Nights and Days
• Devotional Acts Common to the Nights
• Devotional Acts Common to Early Dawn
• Devotional Acts Common to Daytime
Devotional Acts Common to the Nights and Days
Authors of books on supplications and devotional acts have mentioned a number of acts, some of which are as follows:
Supplications after each obligatory prayer or at all times
Shaykh al-Qummi has cited three supplications to be said after the obligatory prayers and one supplication to be recited at any time. This supplication is known as Du’a' al-Hajj.1
These four supplications comprise highly regarded contents, including implorations to gain divine permission to perform the ritual Hajj Pilgrimage, to observe the Night of Qadr as it should be observed, to be released from Hellfire, to gain Paradise, to have one’s sustenance expanded, and to concern oneself with solving the problems of Muslims and achieving their interests.2 Shaykh al-Kulayni and Shaykh al-Saduq, through a valid chain of authority, have mentioned another supplication with more details.3
Recitation of the Holy Qur'an
It is highly recommended to recite, read, and ponder over the Holy Qur'an as much as possible during the month of Ramadhan. According to some traditions, although it is recommended to read the whole Qur'an once every month during other days and months, it is more highly recommended to read the whole Qur'an once every three days in Ramadhan.4
Through a valid chain of authority, Shaykh al-Kulayni has stated that Imam Musa al-Kazim (‘a) deemed recommended reading the Holy Qur'an entirely once or even more every day or night of Ramadhan. Then, the Imam (‘a) mentioned a great reward for dedicating the reward of such entire recitation to the Holy Prophet and Imams (‘a). One of these rewards is the dedicator will be included with their group on the Day of Resurrection.5
Litanies
It is recommended to engage in repeating words of seeking forgiveness from Almighty Allah (istighfar), glorifying Him (tasbih), praising Him (hamd), and professing that He is the One and Only God (tahlil) and the Most Great (takbir). It is reported that when the month of Ramadhan begins, Imam Zayn al-’Abidin (‘a) would utter no other words than words of tasbih, istighfar, and takbir.6
Prayers
The Holy Imams (‘a) prepared a course of supererogatory prayers for the nights and days of this month, recommending offering them as much as possible.
Devotional Acts Common to the Nights of Ramadhan
Authors of books on supplications and devotional acts have mentioned a number of acts, some of which are as follows:
Breaking the Fast
As fasting ritually extends from dawn to dusk, it should be broken immediately after that by eating and drinking. It is however recommended to delay it after the performing of the obligatory sunset prayer. It is also recommended to break the fast with a date or a sweet food.
While breaking the fast, it is recommended to say a litany or a supplication the most famous formula of which is the following: O Allah, For Your sake have I fasted, with Your sustenance have I broken my fast, and in You have I trusted.
Upon eating the first bite, it is recommended to say the following: In the Name of Allah; the All-beneficent, the All-merciful. O Liberal in forgiving: (please) forgive me.
Such matters bring about a great reward, such as forgiveness and gaining the rewards of all those who have fasted that day.
It is also recommended to recite Surah al-Qadr just before breaking the fast.7
Almsgiving
One of the highly recommended acts is to give alms during the nights of Ramadhan, and especially at the time of breaking the fast. When such alms are the food with which the fast is ordinarily broken, no matter how little the amount is, even if it is just a few dates or a drink of water, according to one’s capacity, it brings about a great reward. He gains the reward of the deeds done by that fasting person out of the power he has obtained from the food that he gave to him as alms, and winning the reward of manumitting thirty slaves. In addition, the supplication of the almsgiver will be responded to.8
Recitation of the Holy Qur'an
On the nights of Ramadhan, it is highly recommended to recite certain chapters of the Holy Qur'an, such as Surah al-Qadr one thousand times and Surah al-Dukhan (No. 44) one hundred times, when possible.9
Supplications
The most important formula of supplication said on the nights of Ramadhan is Du’a' al-Iftitah, which is an invocation of Allah’s blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his Household, a special supplication for the Awaited Imam al-Mahdi (‘a), and statements that are regarded as highly spiritual which encourage a person to engage in self-struggle.
Shaykh al-Qummi has also cited three other formulas of supplication for the nights of Ramadhan.10
Prayers
It is recommended to offer one thousand units of prayer that are distributed among the nights of Ramadhan and called the Ramadhan supererogatory prayers. Although there is more than one formula for the distribution of these units of prayer among the nights of Ramadhan, Shaykh al-Qummi, following Shaykh al-Mufid, has chosen a certain formula and described it as the most familiar. This formula is as follows: On the first twenty nights of Ramadhan, twenty units of this prayer should be offered each night with an interval between each two units. To explain, eight units should be offered after the obligatory sunset Prayer and the others after the obligatory early night prayer. The total is thus four hundred units and the remainder is six hundred. These six hundred units should be offered on the three Nights of Qadr, which are the nineteenth, the twenty-first, and twenty-third of the month. Two hundred units should be offered on each of these three Nights. Thus, one thousand units will be completed.
It is also recommended to offer a two-unit prayer each night, reciting Surah al-Fatihah once and repeating Surah al-Tawhid three times. After completion of the prayer, the following litany may be said: Glory be to Him Who watches over, never leaves anything undone nor is neglectful. Glory be to Him Who is Merciful and never does a thing in haste. Glory be to Him Who is vigilant and never forgets one thing over another. Glory be to Him Who is alert and steady, never engrossed with a thing so as to overlook another.
After this litany, it is recommended to repeat the following statement seven times: All glory be to Allah, all praise be to Allah, there is no god save Allah, and Allah is the Greatest.
After that, it is recommended to say the following supplication once: Glory be to You, Glory be to You, Glory be to You. O All-Great, forgive my grave sins.
Then, it is recommended to invoke blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his Household ten times: O Allah, (please do) send blessings upon Muhammad and upon his Household.
About this prayer, Shaykh al-Kaf’ami has mentioned that whoever offers it will have seventy thousand of his sins forgiven by Almighty Allah.11
Devotional Acts Common to Early Dawn
Authors of books on supplications and devotional acts have mentioned a number of acts, some of which are as follows:
Having the Early Dawn Meal (Suhur)
It is highly recommended to eat or drink something at early dawn, preferably flour or dates. For this meal, there are some etiquettes, one of which is to recite Surah al-Qadr.
Supplications and Whispered Prayers
Supplications and whispered prayers are the most important deeds of early dawn. The most significant and famous supplication is known as Du’a' al-Baha', which involves statements of glorification of Almighty Allah and imploring in the name of His attributes. About this supplication, which is reported from Imam al-Ridha (‘a) to be ascribed to his grandfather Imam al-Baqir (‘a), it is reported that it contributes to granting one’s requests.
In addition, there is the most magnificent supplication that is reported by Abu-Hamzah al-Thumali carrying his name.
Abu-Hamzah al-Thumali has reported that Imam ‘Ali ibn Husayn Zayn al-’Abidin (‘a) used to pray the whole night throughout Ramadhan. During the last hour of night, he used to say the following supplication: O Allah, do not discipline me by means of Your punishment and do not subject me to Your planned strategy…
Very long, eloquent, refined in style and composition, this supplication holds highly considerable contents and a variety of diction. It plays a vital role in spiritual education, evolution and perfection, and reinforces one’s relationship with Allah. It also teaches one how to talk to Him confidentially and how to praise and glorify Him.
Furthermore, this supplication presents the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) and confirms their matchless knowledge, leadership, and vital role in the lives of Muslims. It also demonstrates their course in building a virtuous community and their supreme goals, one of which is to create a morally and spiritually perfected group in society.
In addition to these two supplications, there are others to be said at early dawn and can be found in Mafatih al-Jinan.12
Devotional Acts Common to Daytime
Authors of books on supplications and devotional acts have mentioned a number of acts, some of which are as follows:
Supplication
A set of texts and supplicatory formulas have been reported to be said during the daytime of Ramadhan. The most important of these is the supplication that begins with the following statement: O Allah, this is the month of Ramadhan in which You revealed the Qur'an, guidance for humankind and clear proofs of true guidance and distinction (between the right and the wrong)…
This supplication has been reported by Shaykh al-Tusi, in Misbah al-Mutahajjid, and Sayyid Ibn Tawus, in Iqbal al-A’mal.13
There is also another supplication the first statements of which are similar to the statements of the previously mentioned supplication of Du’a' al-Baha'. However, this supplication then moves to invoke blessings upon the Holy Prophet, his Household, the prophets, and the angels. It then presents statements of praying for and praising the Holy Prophet (S).14
Litanies and Doxologies
Litanies, statements of glorification enumerating the attributes of Almighty Allah are to be said on every day of Ramadhan. In this regard, a ten-passage litany explaining the hearing, sight, creation, knowledge, and kingdom of Almighty Allah, as well as many other similar matters, is to be repeated every day in Ramadhan.15
Invocations of Blessings
Shaykh al-Tusi and Sayyid Ibn Tawus have cited a wonderful piece invoking Almighty Allah’s blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his Household, as well as praising and commending them, to be said every day in Ramadhan. This invocation begins with the following statement: “Verily, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet, O you who believe, call for Divine blessings on him and salute him with a becoming salutation.” Here I am at Your service, my Lord! Doing that which pleases You, and glory be to You…16
Second Part: Devotional Acts Dedicated to Certain Nights and Days
This part can be subdivided into the following sections:
The Devotional Acts of Welcoming the month of Ramadhan
The Devotional Acts of the Bright Nights
The Devotional Acts on the Nights of Qadr
The Devotional Acts on the Last Ten Nights
The Devotional Acts on Certain Days of Ramadhan
Devotional Acts on the First Night and Day
Islam and the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) have devoted special attention to the first night and day of Ramadhan and confirmed a number of matters to be done on this night and day, the most important of which are the following:
Watching the New Moon
Authoritative traditions narrate that the Holy Prophet (S) and his Household (‘a) used to watch for and welcome the new moon of the month—a procedure that has become one of the highly regarded recommendable acts.17 In this respect, many supplicatory formulas reported from the Holy Prophet (S) and the Holy Imams (‘a) have been mentioned for this procedure. However, the forty-third supplication of al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyyah may be presented as the most magnificent formula in this respect.18
Ritual Bathing
On the first night of Ramadhan, it is recommended to perform the ritual bath and ceremonially purify oneself by immersing oneself in a flowing river or pouring thirty handfuls of water on the head.
Visiting Imam Husayn (‘a)
It is also highly recommended to perform visitation of Imam Husayn (‘a) this night from close (at his holy shrine) or by reading his ziyarah from afar.
Supererogatory Prayers
The supererogatory prayers of Ramadhan should be started this night. Another two-unit prayer, in each unit of which Surah al-Fatihah and Surah al-An’am (No. 6) are recited may be offered. Upon accomplishment, it is recommended to beseech Almighty Allah’s protection against fears and ailments.
Supplications
Many supplicatory formulas have been reported to be read on the first night of Ramadhan. One of these is the supplication reported by Ibn Tawus from Imam al-Jawad (‘a). This supplication begins with the following statement: O Allah, O He Who controls the management of all affairs, and has power over all things!
The two Du’a' al-Jawshan al-Kabir and Du’a' al-Hajj supplications are also reported to be read on this night.
All the previous devotional acts for the first night of Ramadhan are also performed on the first day of Ramadhan, although with some different formulas for prayers and supplications, except watching for the new moon and visiting Imam Husayn (‘a).
‘Allamah al-Majlisi states that Shaykh al-Kulayni, Shaykh al-Tusi, and others have reported through a valid chain of authority that Imam al-Kazim (‘a) used to say a special supplication on the first of Ramadhan. This supplication begins with the following statement: O Allah I beseech You, in the name of Your name before which everything kneels down and in the name of Your mercy which encompasses everything…19
Devotional Acts on the Bright Nights of Ramadhan
A special prayer, mentioned within the devotional acts of Rajab, is common to the bright (i.e. moonlit) nights of the three months. Therefore, the fifteenth night of Ramadhan is included.
In addition, it is recommended to perform the ritual bath and offer other prayers on the bright nights of Ramadhan. However, the fifteenth night is distinguished by visiting Imam Husayn (‘a) and offering some prayers. One of these prayers is a ten-unit one, offered at the tomb of Imam Husayn (‘a) after the obligatory early night prayer. This prayer is, of course, different from the eight-unit night prayer. Another prayer to be offered this night is a hundred-unit prayer, in each unit of which Surah al-Fatihah is recited once and Surah al-Tawhid ten times.20
1. - Sayyid al-Borujerdi, Jami` Ahadith al-Shi`ah 9:74 as quoted from Shaykh al-Kulayni, al-Kafi and Shaykh al-Kaf`ami’s al-Misbah.
2. - Shaykh al-Qummi, Mafatih al-Jinan, pp. 176-177.
3. - Sayyid al-Borujerdi, Jami` Ahadith al-Shi`ah 9:71, H. 163.
4. - Sayyid al-Borujerdi, Jami` Ahadith al-Shi`ah 9:13, H. 26, as quoted from Shaykh al-Kulayni, Usul al-Kafi.
5. - Sayyid al-Borujerdi, Jami` Ahadith al-Shi`ah 9:178, as quoted from Shaykh al-Kulayni, Usul al-Kafi.
6. - Ibid. Such reports indicate the general state of the Imam (‘a) in this month. Of course, the Imams (‘a) would repeat these devotional words as long as they would not contradict carrying out more important devotional acts or deeds, such as working towards settling necessary daily activities.
7. - Shaykh al-Qummi, Mafatih al-Jinan, pp. 178.
8. - Shaykh al-Qummi, Mafatih al-Jinan, pp. 178.
9. - Shaykh al-Qummi, Mafatih al-Jinan, pp. 179. Seemingly, to repeat Surah al-Qadr is equivalent to the litanies of Ramadhan or replacing the required recitation of the Holy Qur'an for those who cannot recite it in such a condensed manner. However, Almighty Allah knows best.
10. - Shaykh al-Qummi, Mafatih al-Jinan, pp. 179-183.
11. - Shaykh al-Qummi, Mafatih al-Jinan, pp. 183-184.
12. - Shaykh al-Qummi, Mafatih al-Jinan, pp. 184-202.
It is worth mentioning that on each night of Ramadhan, at early dawn, or after that, it is obligatory to remember fasting the next day.
13. - Shaykh al-Qummi, Mafatih al-Jinan, pp. 202.
14. - Shaykh al-Qummi, Mafatih al-Jinan, pp. 207.
15. - Shaykh al-Qummi, Mafatih al-Jinan, pp. 213-214.
16. - Shaykh al-Qummi, Mafatih al-Jinan, pp. 210.
17. - Moreover, Shaykh al-Qummi has mentioned that this procedure has been deemed obligatory by some scholars.
18. - Shaykh al-Qummi, Mafatih al-Jinan, pp. 215.
19. - Shaykh al-Qummi, Mafatih al-Jinan, pp. 217-121.
Although it is reported that Imam al-Kazim (‘a) recommended praying to Almighty Allah with this supplicatory formula on the first day of the year, experts have understood that the Imam (‘a) meant the first day or night of Ramadhan.
20. - Shaykh al-Qummi, Mafatih al-Jinan, pp. 223.
|
