Barnamajuk fi Ramadan
- Author died
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- Editions
- The book is a gift from Mawaddah Association
Barnamajuk fi Ramadan (Your Program in Ramadan) is a practical treatise on planning spiritual devotions and maximizing worship during the month of Ramadan, authored by the Bahraini scholar Adil Hasan Yusuf al-Hamad .
Background and Purpose
The treatise originated from material the author had written over ten years prior to its formal publication, which he had delivered across various occasions in preceding years . Al-Hamad completed the written draft on 3 Sha'ban 1431 AH in Bahrain .
The primary objective of the work is to guide Muslims on how to approach Ramadan systematically so as to achieve the core spiritual purposes of fasting and earn divine rewards . The author clarifies in his introduction that the treatise does not aim to impose a rigid timetable with fixed hours for specific acts of worship, but rather provides general guidelines and core objectives around which individuals can structure their own routines .
Content and Structure
The book is organized into twelve main thematic sections addressing both devotional acts and daily habits during Ramadan:
- Individual approaches to planning: Classifies people regarding seasonal worship into three categories: those who draw up organized written schedules, those who maintain an unwritten mental concept of their goals, and those who leave their time unplanned, noting that the third group frequently squanders the season .
- Core objectives in Ramadan: Delineates six principal goals a fasting person should aim to attain: achieving piety (taqwa), seeking divine forgiveness, seeking guidance through the Quran, performing night prayer on Laylat al-Qadr, learning the legal rulings of fasting to worship with insight, and guarding the physical faculties from sinful actions .
- Worship in Ramadan: Expounds on the comprehensive definition of worship—drawing on Ibn Taymiyyah—and emphasizes following the Prophetic sunnah rather than religious innovations (bida'), citing Ibn al-Qayyim and al-Dhahabi on adhering to established forms of devotion and prioritizing quality and humility (khushu') over mere quantity .
- Relationship with the Quran: Discusses the virtue of Quranic recitation, reciting with a melodious voice and measured pacing (tartil), and cautions against rushing through recitations merely to complete multiple readings without contemplation (tadabbur) .
- Charity: Highlights daily voluntary charity and the virtue of providing food for fasting individuals (taftir al-sa'imin), commending organized charitable efforts such as family meal sponsorships .
- Night prayers (Tarawih): Encourages completing the communal Tarawih prayer with the imam until its conclusion .
- Food habits: Addresses dining practices during Ramadan, recommending following the Prophetic example by breaking the fast (iftar) simply before the Maghrib prayer, utilizing the pre-dawn meal (suhur), avoiding extravagance, and warning against wasting time in elaborate cooking .
- Sleep habits: Urges a balanced sleep schedule to maintain productivity and dispel the misconception that Ramadan is a time for daytime lethargy and unproductive late-night entertainment .
- Performing Umrah: Explains the merits of performing Umrah during Ramadan .
- The last ten nights: Details the special diligence required during the final ten days of the month, including the practice of spiritual retreat (i'tikaf) and actively seeking Laylat al-Qadr .
- Supplication (du'a): Discusses the importance of regular supplication and taking advantage of the accepted prayers of the fasting person .
- Sports activities: Critiques the organization of nocturnal recreational and sports tournaments during Ramadan, arguing that mosques should instead remain dedicated to worship, Quranic study, and remembrance .
Publication
The work was published in its first edition in 1431 AH (2010 CE) through the Mawaddah Society (Jam'iyyat Mawaddah), with reproduction rights explicitly granted to all Muslims .
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