– Abu Ubaida
The word Salaf in its etymology means those who came before us. The word Salafs in Islamic terminology means the best and early generations from the Muslim Ummah which consists of The Sahabah, The Tabi’een, The Tabi’ut Tabi’een and the Imams which were from the first 3 generations that were praised by Allah S.W.T and his messenger S.A.W.
The Prophet (SAW) said, “The people of my generation are the best, then those who follow them, and then whose who follow the latter.” (Narrated by Bukhari & Muslim).
Who is better to learn from than those declared to be among the best people by the Prophet (SAW)? Each year, as we near Ramadan, we hear about how the Sahaba prepared for Ramadan six months before its arrival and made dua for its acceptance for six months afterwards. With this level of steadfastness, one can already imagine how they actually spent the blessed month.
The first thing to understand is that they did not view Ramadan as a time to stop their normal routine or activities. There were instances when they went to war while fasting. Instead, they dedicated more time to worship, sacrificing sleep and focusing solely on what truly matters. In contrast, for many Muslims today, fasting during Ramadan has become an excuse for laziness in fulfilling daily responsibilities. This was not the case for the Salafus Saliheen. They would temporarily leave their worldly duties in order to dedicate more time to maximizing the benefits of Ramadan.
How they Welcomed Ramadan?
The ability to witness Ramadan, a month in which Allah gives us a chance to revive our hearts and renew our souls, is a blessing the Salafs never took for granted. Yahya ibn Abi Kathir, have may Allah mercy on him, would supplicate when the month of Ramdan arrived, “O Allah, secure me for Ramadan, secure Ramadan for me, and receive my deeds with acceptance.” [Hilyat al-Awliya 3/69]
The Salaf would try to deepen their relationship
Fasting
Fasting in the month of Ramadhan to the pious predecessors was not only about abstaining oneself from food and drink. This was the easiest and most fundamental part of Ramadhan. They had a deeper understanding of what they should do in the golden month and would abstain themselves from anything that would distract their acts of worship.
The famous Sahabi, Jabir Ibn Abdullah used to say:
“When you fast, let your ears, eyes and tongue fast from lying and the impermissible, and stop annoying your neighbours, and when you fast, it should be seen as you’re fasting, and do not make the day that you fast and the day you do not fast the same.”
This is also a reminder for us to remain steadfast in protecting our fasts. We should pause and think before responding to messages, be mindful of the content we consume on social media and carefully monitor the activities we engage in during fasting.
Connection with Qur’an
Another characteristic of the Salaf during Ramadan was their close connection with the Qur’an. It became their constant companion, never leaving their sight. They treated the Qur’an with the same attentiveness we give to our phones today, often completing its recitation multiple times within the month. Their readings were not just about recitation but also included deep understanding and reflection.
The great Scholar Qatadah used to complete reading the Qur’an on a normal month every 7 days but during Ramadan he would finish it every 3 days and during the last 10 nights, he would finish it every night.
Reciting the Qur’an is highly rewarding especially in this blessed month, but we should also strive to understand and implement some of what we recite.
