For the past 5 weeks every single sermon on Friday has been about the same thing, our good friend Ramadan who is visiting again, as he does every year. They talked about what we need to do make sure we get the most out of this holy month but I'm going to give you five tips on how to make it better for people around you.
1. Share Your Acts of Worship on Social Media
You see, it's not enough to fast, pray taraweeh, witr, tahajjud and give charity. To amplify your blessing share your accomplishments on social media. Woke up for Fajr? Or even better, went to the masjid for Fajr? Begin by instagramming a picture of the masjid while it's still dark, as proof, then tweet and make a facebook status about how you made it to the first row and only 11 other people showed up. I recommend using a hashtag so the youth will be able to understand your posts. Not only do all your friends and followers LOVE seeing those statuses but seeing your good deeds will only encourage them do more themselves!
2. Encourage Our Sisters to Dress Modestly
I'm pretty sure there's a hadith somewhere that says modesty is a part of faith. So when we see our fellow sisters in Islam make sure you examine them fully and make sure they're modest. Remember that us men have to lower our gaze so make the most out of your first look! Then remind them to wear loose fitting clothes and to wear hijab properly. Chances are, they're never heard this before and need a quick reminder. Women can be emotional sometimes and might not take kindly to your sincere advice so tell them that women who don't wear hijab are like moldy lollipops or something, trust me they'll understand. After you inform them of proper modest dress they will be very thankful for your wisdom and be more conscious of modesty.
3. Forget About Proper Parking Etiquette
We are told in Islam to "race to do good deeds". What is more good than to pray in the masjid? Therefore brothers and sisters, race to the masjid! Literally, drive as fast as possible to maximize the time spent in the masjid. And when you reach the masjid do not waste time parking your car properly. Squeeze into the nearest parking spot, even if a car already occupies it, and get out and rush to the prayer. If you can't find a parking spot make your own. The lines in the parking lot are created by man and man is not perfect, only Allah is. If there is pavement, there is parking. If you can't find absolutely anywhere to park then feel free to block the entrance with your car. It will encourage others to get to the masjid earlier than you, and you will be rewarded for encouraging this.
4. Bring All Your Young Children to the Masjid
There's a problem in the Muslim community with teenagers who don't want to go to the masjid for various reasons. To combat this we need them to develop a love for the masjid early on, as early as possible actually. As soon as they're out of the womb they should be in the masjid, actually they should come out of the womb in the masjid itself. Bring your children to taraweeh so when everyone is dozing off their cries and screams will wake everyone up and keep them attentive to the prayers. And don't you dare put them in the free child care the masjid offers, your children should not be quietly playing with toys and making friends while everyone is praying. Keep your children in the praying area so they can help everyone maintain their focus.
5. Keep Up Your Dawah Efforts
I've noticed many brothers who, during the other 11 months, keep in contact with many non-Muslim people, mainly of the opposite gender. This is amazing, think of all the dawah these kind brothers are giving, throughout the entire year! For some reason I see a lot of them stopping during Ramadan and then resume their dawah the first day of Eid. I don't understand? Ramadan is the month where our reward is multiplied so why stop a source of immense rewards? Brothers I encourage you to keep up your dawah at all times. Sometimes your acquaintances might want to meet, GO! Spread the message to these kind non-Muslim sisters.
1. Share Your Acts of Worship on Social Media
You see, it's not enough to fast, pray taraweeh, witr, tahajjud and give charity. To amplify your blessing share your accomplishments on social media. Woke up for Fajr? Or even better, went to the masjid for Fajr? Begin by instagramming a picture of the masjid while it's still dark, as proof, then tweet and make a facebook status about how you made it to the first row and only 11 other people showed up. I recommend using a hashtag so the youth will be able to understand your posts. Not only do all your friends and followers LOVE seeing those statuses but seeing your good deeds will only encourage them do more themselves!
2. Encourage Our Sisters to Dress Modestly
I'm pretty sure there's a hadith somewhere that says modesty is a part of faith. So when we see our fellow sisters in Islam make sure you examine them fully and make sure they're modest. Remember that us men have to lower our gaze so make the most out of your first look! Then remind them to wear loose fitting clothes and to wear hijab properly. Chances are, they're never heard this before and need a quick reminder. Women can be emotional sometimes and might not take kindly to your sincere advice so tell them that women who don't wear hijab are like moldy lollipops or something, trust me they'll understand. After you inform them of proper modest dress they will be very thankful for your wisdom and be more conscious of modesty.
3. Forget About Proper Parking Etiquette
We are told in Islam to "race to do good deeds". What is more good than to pray in the masjid? Therefore brothers and sisters, race to the masjid! Literally, drive as fast as possible to maximize the time spent in the masjid. And when you reach the masjid do not waste time parking your car properly. Squeeze into the nearest parking spot, even if a car already occupies it, and get out and rush to the prayer. If you can't find a parking spot make your own. The lines in the parking lot are created by man and man is not perfect, only Allah is. If there is pavement, there is parking. If you can't find absolutely anywhere to park then feel free to block the entrance with your car. It will encourage others to get to the masjid earlier than you, and you will be rewarded for encouraging this.
4. Bring All Your Young Children to the Masjid
There's a problem in the Muslim community with teenagers who don't want to go to the masjid for various reasons. To combat this we need them to develop a love for the masjid early on, as early as possible actually. As soon as they're out of the womb they should be in the masjid, actually they should come out of the womb in the masjid itself. Bring your children to taraweeh so when everyone is dozing off their cries and screams will wake everyone up and keep them attentive to the prayers. And don't you dare put them in the free child care the masjid offers, your children should not be quietly playing with toys and making friends while everyone is praying. Keep your children in the praying area so they can help everyone maintain their focus.
5. Keep Up Your Dawah Efforts
I've noticed many brothers who, during the other 11 months, keep in contact with many non-Muslim people, mainly of the opposite gender. This is amazing, think of all the dawah these kind brothers are giving, throughout the entire year! For some reason I see a lot of them stopping during Ramadan and then resume their dawah the first day of Eid. I don't understand? Ramadan is the month where our reward is multiplied so why stop a source of immense rewards? Brothers I encourage you to keep up your dawah at all times. Sometimes your acquaintances might want to meet, GO! Spread the message to these kind non-Muslim sisters.
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