Advising others if they err

Teaching others if they are ignorant of certain Ramadan-related matters, and advising them if they err:First, the woman’s prayer at home earns her more reward than her prayer in the mosque. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said to Umm Hameed, may Allah be pleased with her, when she expressed her desire to pray behind him: “I know that you like to pray with me (i.e., in the congregational prayer)…” and continued until he said: “…Your prayer in your local mosque is more rewarding than praying in my mosque” and then continued until he reached the topic of praying at home saying: “…Your prayer at home is more rewarding than that in the mosques.” However, if women desire to pray in the mosque they should not be prevented from doing so, as per the instructions of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, when he said: “Do not deprive women from praying in the mosque, but their prayer at home is more rewarding for them.” Secondly, the woman should be told to adhere to Hijaab (Islamic dress that a woman must adhere to); her guardians, the Muslim men, will be held responsible before Allah The Almighty if their wives and female relatives come out in inappropriate and immodest attires. The Muslim woman should not wear anything that is of light or transparent “see-thru” cloth, she should not come out uncovered, perfumed and wearing something tight “figure-hugging” or eye-catching. The Muslim male guardians will have to answer to Allah The Almighty if those under their guardianship and protection are indulging in the sin of Tabarruj (display). The one who remains silent and does not utter the truth is like a mute devil, as is one who accepts and approves of immorality being practiced by his family. The man who sees his wife, daughter, sisters or other female relatives outside the home improperly dressed and uncovered feels no protectiveness or jealousy (Gheerah), that Gheerah that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, praised in Muslim men, should repent and do his duty by his female relatives. He should also remember the Saying of Allah The Almighty (which means): {O you who have believed! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones.} [66: 6] It is especially wrong for women to go out to the Masjid, which is a place of worship and remembrance of Allah The Almighty, without dressing modestly.During the time of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, nobody could recognise women when they left their homes due to their covering, every part of their bodies would be covered; but nowadays, our wives, daughters, sisters and even mothers are living a strange lifestyle which consists of shortcomings on top of shortcomings. The amazing thing is that during this month, which is a golden opportunity to repent and return to Allah The Almighty, there are not many major changes or an increased adherence to Islamic rulings and practices, including the Hijaab. Women go out adorned, perfumed, walking seductively and being in seclusion with their drivers. Any husband who approves of this evil to be practiced by his family will be held responsible for it in front of Allah The Almighty, and remember that [the punishment for] sins are multiplied during the month of Ramadan. Such people seem to have forgotten the saying of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam: “Any woman who wears perfume, leaves her home and passes by people (i.e., men) who can smell her (aroma) is considered as having committed adultery.” One might respond that this is entirely the women’s business, but, as mentioned above, Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who have believed! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones.} [Quran 66: 6]Furthermore, the Muslims should advise their wives and children not to be busy with idle talk and conversation during the prayer, thereby distracting the Imaam, and not to raise their voices after the prayer has finished to the extent that the men can hear. Both men and women should keep their rows compact during the prayer and fill the gaps between them.One may also advise their wife and female relatives not to spend the month of Ramadan in the kitchen so that they may spare time for worship, because worship should be the main practice during this blessed month. Also, do not request them to cook too much, and prevent them from being extravagant by cooking too many different dishes and wasting time in the kitchen.l Avoiding evil company and wasting time during RamadanOne should be especially careful in avoiding turning the nights of Ramadan into nights of entertainment and gatherings of sin, amusement, dancing, watching movies, listening to music and festivals during which excessive food is served, a little portion of which is eaten and the rest thrown away; this is a grave matter. Be serious about achieving this goal, because many people are not serious which is why they fail to make the most of this month. Ponder over the great virtue of those who control their tongues and also ponder over the many stories in the Qur’an and the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) about the people that got thrown into Hell because of their mouths. Controlling the tongue is one of the most difficult things to do, so we need to approach it on a daily basis. Engage in Thikr (remembrance and mention) of Allaah The Almighty, say good things (e.g. enjoin good) and understand what “controlling the tongue” really means. Remember that your tongue is a window into your brain, so when we talk about things that are on our minds, our tongues expose our thoughtsThe Imaams should shorten the length of the prayer, lest lazy people and those who complain stop attending the night prayer and lose the rewards and benefits of this nightly congregation. They should also consider and make allowances in the case of people who are obliged to carry on with their work, such as businessmen who have to attend to their businesses, doctors who have to return to their workplaces, police personnel and security officers, etc. However, this does not mean that worship should cease after Taraweeh (i.e., the night prayer) because there will remain reciting the Qur’an, sleeping early in order to wake up for the dawn prayer and eating Suhoor. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness.} [Quran 51: 18] Allah The Almighty did not say ‘they would sing and dance’ as some people do during this great period of the night about which the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Allah descends every night in the last third of the night (in a way that befits His Majesty) and says: “Is there anyone who is asking of Me so that I may grant him? Is there any person who is repenting so that I may forgive him?”” This takes place while some people who are engaged in their amusement, dancing and music are busy and heedless of worship.l Performing ‘Umrah (minor pilgrimage)Performing ‘Umrah during Ramadan is equal in reward to performing Haj, as the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, has informed us. This is a great reward and a wonderful opportunity. There are many ways to earn rewards but you have to take the initiative. This reward for ‘Umrah is earned if performed during any of the days of the month, and there is no extra virtue in performing it during the last ten days. Many people wish they could perform this ‘Umrah but are unable to, so the ones who can do so should not miss the chance.Those brothers and sisters who will go to Makkah during Ramadan are advised to do the following:First: Utilise your time in attaining the largest amount of reward possible, and avoid busying yourselves in trivial matters, such as looking for restaurants to eat in or shopping around in the different market places and malls. Second: Stay for as long as possible inside the Haram and reside in it because that grants you a huge reward. Circumambulate the Ka’bah and wait inside the mosque from one prayer to the next because by doing so, you will be deemed to be praying.Third: Do not waste time talking with friends and watching others, and concentrate on your own worship.Fourth: Do not sleep too much because this is a short period of time which you should utilise in worship.Fifth: Always arrive early, before the prayer starts, because there is a great reward for being present when the Imaam utters the initial ‘Allaahu Akbar.’Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/