Accounted For, Before Ramadan

الْحَسِيبُ

Al-Ḥasīb — The Reckoner

وَكَفَى بِاللَّهِ حَسِيبًا

Prove orphans till they reach the marriageable age; then, if ye find them of sound judgment, deliver over unto them their fortune; and devour it not by squandering and in haste lest they should grow up. Whoso (of the guardians) is rich, let him abstain generously (from taking of the property of orphans); and whoso is poor let him take thereof in reason (for his guardianship). And when ye deliver up their fortune unto orphans, have (the transaction) witnessed in their presence. Allah sufficeth as a Reckoner

Surah An-Nisāʾ (4:6)

ارادہ

Today, I will conduct a honest self-accounting: prayers, relationships, finances. What needs fixing before Ramadan?

تدبر

Al-Ḥasīb at cosmic scale accounts for every atom, every deed, every intention. In Shaʿbān, taking account of yourself before Ramadan is the wisest preparation. Review your prayers — are they on time? Review your relationships — is there anyone you owe an apology? Review your finances — is there any wrongful gain? The self-accounting of Shaʿbān prepares you to enter Ramadan with a clean ledger.

آیت پر تدبر

Sufficient — kafā. His accounting is enough. You do not need anyone else to evaluate you. But evaluating yourself first is wisdom.

دعا

Seven times morning and evening. The daily declaration that His accounting, His provision, His protection — all sufficient.

حدیث

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will single out a man from my Ummah before all of creation and unroll for him ninety-nine scrolls of his deeds, each one extending as far as the eye can see. Then He will say: "Do you deny any of this?" The man will say: "No, my Lord." Then Allah will say: "You have one good deed with Us, and there is no injustice upon you today." A small card will be brought with "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger." The man will say: "What is this card against these scrolls?" Allah will say: "Today no injustice will be done to you." The scrolls will be placed on one pan of the scale and the card on the other — and the card will outweigh the scrolls.'

— Sunan at-Tirmidhī 2639 (graded ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ by al-Albānī)