Tarhib Ramadhan (Menyambut Bulan Ramadhan) - Ustadz Dr Syafiq Riza Basalamah, MA

Historical Context and Perseverance (The Prophet's Era)
📌 The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ faced significant persecution when preaching Tawhid (monotheism), symbolized by the story of him being pelted with stones in Ta'if until his feet bled.
📌 Early Islamic converts included his wife Khadijah, Abu Bakar, Ali bin Abi Thalib, and Zaid bin Haritah, illustrating the initial small foundation of the faith.
📌 Major historical events like the Battle of Badr (17 Ramadan, 2nd year Hijri) resulted in a victory for the Muslims (313 vs. 1,000 disbelievers, with ~70 killed from the enemy side), despite subsequent setbacks like the Battle of Uhud.

Ramadan Preparation and Spiritual Focus
📌 Believers should welcome Ramadan with joy and excitement, as the Prophet ﷺ described it as a month where the gates of Paradise are opened and devils are chained.
📌 Every night in Ramadan offers a chance for freedom from the Hellfire, and there is one night whose reward is better than 1,000 months (Lailatul Qadar).
📌 Preparing for Ramadan requires checking our spiritual "engine" (the heart), ensuring it is healthy, similar to servicing a vehicle before a long journey.

Mid-Sha'ban (Nisfu Sha'ban) and Sins of the Heart
📌 Allah looks upon His creation on the night of Nisfu Sha'ban, forgiving all except two types of people: the polytheist (Musyrik) and those who sever kinship or harbor deep-seated resentment/grudges (Musyahid).
📌 The physical appearance, wealth, or possessions are irrelevant to Allah; He only looks at the hearts and deeds of His servants ($$\text{Innallaha la yanzuru ila suwarikum wa la amwalikum, wa lakin yanzuru ila qulubikum wa a'malikum}$$).
📌 Actions that pollute the heart, such as shirk (major or minor) and malice/grudges, weaken one's devotion and must be cleansed through repentance (Istighfar).

The Importance of Action in Neglected Times
📌 Worship performed during times when people are heedless (like Sha'ban, situated between Rajab and Ramadan) is highly valued, equivalent to emigrating (Hijrah) to the Prophet ﷺ.
📌 The Prophet ﷺ notably increased his fasting during Sha'ban because it is a month often neglected by people ($$\text{Syahrung yagfalu 'anhu an-nas}$$).
📌 Fasting in Sha'ban helps train the self for Ramadan; those who fast regularly in Sha'ban generally do not struggle with aspects like waiting for Iftar or missing Suhoor.

Key Points & Insights
➡️ Cleanse the heart by repenting for sins against Allah (Istighfar) and seeking forgiveness from people you have wronged, as the tongue reflects the state of the heart.
➡️ Prepare actively for Ramadan by starting your spiritual disciplines (like night prayers, reading Quran) during Sha'ban to condition yourself, not waiting until Ramadan begins.
➡️ Be mindful of interpersonal relationships: Those who engage in harmful speech or sever ties (Qat'ur Rahim/Musyahid) face exclusion from divine forgiveness on the night of Nisfu Sha'ban.
➡️ When dealing with difficult family members or elders (like the father hesitant to attend gatherings due to others' behavior), advise through kind, written correspondence focusing on the virtue of knowledge and the value of time, rather than direct confrontation.

📸 Video summarized with SummaryTube.com on Feb 03, 2026, 09:58 UTC