Umar's Instructions On The First Night Of Ramadhan

The days before Ramadhan are always full of excitement. Mothers are preparing meals to freeze so that they can spend the blessed days in increase Ibaadah. Children are creating calendars, writing in their journals and counting down the days till the blessed month arrives. Others in the Masaajid are discussing their goals, targets and aims, whilst many are preparing by increasing in their sunnans and nawaafil acts. So many are working hard, planting their seeds and watering them and warming-up spiritually, so that when Ramadhan arrives they can reap its beautiful and awaited fruits.

On the first night of Ramadhan, it is reported, that the rightly guided khalifah, and Ameer-ul Mu'mineen, Umar (r), would conclude his Maghrib prayer and then turn to his people, saying:

"Sit down."

He would then give a small address:

"Verily, the fasting of the Month has been made a duty upon you, and standing in night prayer has not been made a duty upon you, but those amongst you who can stand in prayer should do so, for it is from the extra good deeds about which Allah told us. So whoever cannot stand in prayer, let him sleep on his bed.

And beware of saying, "I will fast if so and so fasts and I will stand in night prayer if so and so stands in night prayer." Whoever fasts or sands in night prayer, he must make this for Allah. And you should know that you are in prayer as long as you are waiting for a prayer.

Minimise any vain or false speech in the houses of Allah (mosques: he said this two or three times). Let none of you fast a few days before the month (in order to avoid missing the beginning of the month: he said this three times). And do not fast until you see [the crescent moon of the new month] unless it is overcast. If it is overcast, count the previous month as 30 days]. Then do not break your fasts until you see the night upon the mountain (i.e - you are sure the sun has set)."

[Reference: ‘Abd Al-Razzâq Al-San’ânî, Al-Musannaf article 7748]

May Allah allow us to witness this beautiful month of mercy with good health, imaan and sincerity and allow us to reap its many fruits, ameen.