The Three 3’s of Ramadan

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

إنا انزلناه في ليلة القدر، وما ادراك ما ليلة القدر، ليلة القدر خير من الف شهر

'We never sent any Messenger, but that he should be obeyed by the leave of God. If, when they had wronged themselves, they had come to you, and asked forgiveness from God, and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found God Forgiving, Merciful.'

(Surat al-Qadar: 1-3)

This article was written by Ra'sul Hududil Mayameen Janab Syedi Aziz Bhaisaheb Qutbuddin in 2016.

In his waaz on the eve of 19^th Ramadan, the night of Amirul Mumineen SA shahaadat, Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS prescribed three sets of deeds, each set with three actions.

Syedna introduced the three sets by stating that the 19^mi of Ramadaan is the night of Amirul Mumineen, and the name “Ali” has three letters - hence three sets of deeds. Three actions in each of the three sets gives a total of nine acts. Amirul Mumineen is the 9^th Wasi and the month of Ramadaan (the 9^th month in the Hijri calendar) also alludes to his maqaam.

The first set of deeds refers to those deeds which are obligatory or farizat: 1) Fasting (siyam - roza), 2) Prayer (qiyam - namaaz), and 3) Giving alms (zakaat). All these farizat actions garner 70 times the sawaab in Ramadaan compared to any other month.

The second set of deeds refers to those deeds which are necessary for sustenance on our journey to the Hereafter (aakherat no tosho). These include: 1) recitation of the Quran, 2) recitation of doas, and 3) tasbih.

The third set of deeds refers to those deeds that bring people together, strengthen human relations and garner sawaab, such as 1) offering iftaar to those fasting, 2) honoring and rejuvenating our relations with relatives and friends - silatur-rehem, and 3) good deeds - a’maalul-birr.

Much can be said about the three sets and each of the three actions within the three sets. Fundamentally it is important to note that Syedna’s framing of these actions establishes what the priorities of a Mumin should be in Ramadan. It is a reminder of all the things we must not fail to do in this holy month.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the strength to perform these deeds and make the most of this auspicious month. And as Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen SA beseeches in one of his doas, may we continue in the months to come in the same manner that we get accustomed to in Ramadaan. May Allah Ta’ala give longest life to Syedna Fakhruddin to continue to guide us by his words and by his example.