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REMINISCENCES OF
RAMADAN IN KENYA
RAMADAN BRINGS JOY FOR CHILDREN
Ramadan is a great month of joy and celebration for the children as well. They
start fasting at the age of seven. As they grow older, they progressively keep
more and more sawm (fasts) so that by the time they become baligh
(reach maturity) at the age of thirteen or fourteen, they are able to fast the
whole month of Ramadan. Some pray three juz everyday and complete the Qur'an
three times Some pray even more. Some take to Qur'an memorization. And they try
not to miss even one salah. And they find time to read an Islamic Journal
like Iqra to widen their knowledge of Islam. And they do not slacken in
their school or madrasa studies but try to excel in all fields that are permitted
in Islam.
Children in the madaris (Islamic schools) in Kenya as elsewhere are
taught this qasida (hymn) to greet Ramadan.
Marhaban Yaa Shahru Ramadan
Marhaban Yaa Shahru Ramadan
Marhaban Yaa Shahru Ramadan
Marhaban Shahrun Sa'adah wa'l 'Ibadah
Welcome O month of Ramadan
Welcome O month of Ramadan
Welcome O month of Ramadan
Welcome, month of blessing and worship
When Ramadan is about to end, they are taught the qasida to bid it
farewell.
Muwadda' Muwadda' Yaa Ramadan
Muwadda' Muwadda' Yaa Ramadan
Muwadda' Muwadda' Yaa Ramadan
Wadda'tuk'Allaha Yaa Ramadan
Farewell, farewell O Ramadan
Farewell, farewell O Ramadan
Farewell, farewell O Ramadan
Farewell as you return to Allah O Ramadan
DUA AFTER TARAWEH
The most popular dua in the month of Ramadan which most Muslims in Kenya
and indeed in the whole of East Africa know by heart is:
Laa Ilaha Ill'Allah Nastagfirullah
Nas'aluka'l Jannata wa na'uzubika minannaar
Allahumma Innaka 'Afuwwun Tuhibbu'l 'afwa
Fa'fu annaa Yaa Karim al 'Afwa
None is to be worshipped
but Allah.
We beg forgiveness of Allah.
We seek paradise from You (O Allah)
And protection from hell-fire.
O Allah! You are the Most Forgiving
You love forgiveness.
So forgive us, O the Most Generous in forgiving.
This dua is congregationally recited loud and clear in many masajid
in Kenya and in the rest of East Africa after two or four rak'ah of Taraweh.
In some other masajid, there is another dua that is recited after
every two rak'ah. It is:
Fadhlun Min'Allahi wa Ni'matan wa Maghfiratan wa Rahmah
Beneficence from Allah and
bounties and Forgiveness and Mercy
Surprise, surprise! This dua is recited after every two rak'ah of Taraweh
in many masajid in Toronto as well! Sub'hanAllah!
After the completion of every four rak'ah of Taraweh, there
is a congregational dua that mentions the names of the beloved Prophet
Sayyidina Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam, and the Khulafaa
ar-Raashideen, that is, Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddiq, Sayyidina Umar, Sayyidina
Uthman and Sayyidina Ali Rady Allahu Anhum Ajma'een. This tradition is
also common to some masajid in Toronto.
In some other masajid, this dua is recited after every four rak'ah
of Taraweh:
Sub'hana Zi'l mulki wa'l malakut
Sub'hana Zi'l Izzati wa'l 'Adhamati wa'l Haybati
Wa'l Qudrati wa'l Kibriyaai wa'l Jabarut
Sub'hana'l Maliki'l Hayyillazee
Laa yanaamu wa laa yamut
Subbuhun Quddusun Rabbunaa
Wa Rabb' ul malaaikati wa'r Ruh
Allahumma ajirnaa minan naar
Yaa Mujeer Yaa Mujeer Yaa Mujeer
Glory be to the Owner of
this world and the heavens
Glory be to the Possessor of Honour, Greatness,
Awe-inspiring Venerableness,
Dominion, Majesty and Might.
Glory be to the Ever-Living Sovereign
Who neither sleeps nor dies.
O All Glorious, Most Holy, our Lord, and
The Lord of the angels and of the Archangel Jibril
O Allah! Save us from hell-fire.
O Guardian! O Guardian! O Guardian!
We find that this dua is congregationally recited with full gusto after
every four rak'ah of Taraweh in many masajid in Toronto as
well, demonstrating that Muslims are not scared of non-believers in projecting
their identity as Muslims.
May Allah Sub'hanahu wa Ta'ala give us the hidaya (guidance)
to do more 'ibadah (worship) during the month of Ramadan so that we are
able to reap its full benefits to gain maghfira (forgiveness of Allah Ta'ala).
Aameen Yaa Raa al 'Aalameen.
Siddiq Osman Noormuhammad
Toronto, Canada
1997
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