By Husnain 
Ramadan is the month of blessings and Allah’s divine mercy. Divided into three Ashra, or 10-day sections, this month provides a chance for reflection and repentance. As Ramadan approaches, Muslims eagerly participate in maximum good deeds to earn Allah’s blessings. Those who can afford, even plan an Umrah trip during this time to visit Allah’s home and pray there. Millions of Muslims visit the holy cities of Makkah and Medina to perform minor pilgrimage and most of them use Umrah Packages as they provide all the essential facilities for the trip. Considering the huge rewards, the month of Holy Ramadan brings along, Muslims try to pray as much as they can. If you are looking for the best worships during the first Ashra of Ramadan, you are at the right place. In this blog post, we will discuss each of them so you can make the most out of first Ashra.
Significance of the First Ashra
The first Ashra of Ramadan centres around the divine attribute of mercy. During these 10 days, Muslims should seek Allah’s mercy, praise Him and engage in good deeds. It holds special significance as Muslims believe that Allah showers His mercy abundantly during these ten days. This time is considered a chance for soul cleansing, seeking forgiveness for sins, and making a strong bond with the Creator.
Worships During the Ramadan’s First Ashra
1. Fasting
Fasting is the essence of Ramadan and is the most essential act of worship. This is a spiritual and physical exercise that develops virtues of control, empathy, and gratitude in a Muslim. The first days prepare a Muslim to set his intention right and ensure that his every act is to please Allah. This includes refraining from sins and negative behaviours like gossiping, backbiting, and anger. Hence, during these days, fasting becomes more than just abstaining from food and drink. This Ashra is a time to cleanse one’s heart, abstain from sinful thoughts, and focus on acts of kindness and humility.
2. Prayer (Salat)
During Ramadan, Muslims become more punctual towards daily prayers, especially the night prayer of Tarawih. Muslims try to offer voluntary (nafl) prayers as much as they can to earn extra rewards and strengthen their bond with the Creator and seek His mercy. The first Ashra is the ideal time to build a prayer routine that will help Muslims stay punctual during the rest of the month. During Ramadan, special emphasis is laid on pre-dawn prayer, tahajjud, followed by the recitation of the Quran and dhikar. These acts of worship give a believer more focus and bring him or her closer to Allah.
3. Recitation of the Quran
The Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) during the month of Ramadan. Therefore, it holds a central place in this holy month. Muslims are encouraged to recite the Quran during Ramadan to earn extra rewards. They must build a habit of reciting it during the first Ashra so they can stick to it out throughout the month. Muslims can listen to or read the holy book and should try to understand its meaning. In this way, they will enliven the spirit of Ramadan to the fullest. The best way is to complete the recitation of the Quran is during the Tarawih prayers. Join a session that explains the meaning and detail of the Holy Quran and try to incorporate its teachings and message into daily life. This is the most powerful way to engage spiritually with the Allah Almighty during the Ramadan.
4. Charity
Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam, and what can be a better start to the holy month of Ramadan than giving the poor’s due? As Ramadan is a month of multiplied rewards, Muslims can get more out of it by increasing charity. They must become generous and help those less fortunate.
5. Umrah
Umrah is called the minor pilgrimage and holds immense importance for Muslims. Each year, a large number of believers embark on a holy trip of Umrah to the sacred cities of Makkah and Medina to refresh their souls. Umrah can be performed throughout the year but it is the desire of every Muslims to do it during the holy month of Ramadan. To accommodate such a large influx of pilgrims and ensure that the Umrah process goes smoothly, many travel agencies offer pre-made Umrah packages. These deals are divided into different categories such as Family Umrah Packages and group Umrah plans and help cater to varying needs of pilgrims. Coming back to the importance of performing Umrah in Ramadan, Holy Prophet once said that performing Umrah in Ramadan is equal to going for Hajj with me. Plus, the atmosphere in Makkah and Medina is surreal and Umrah purifies the heart and soul of believers.
Essential Duas for the First Ashra of Ramadan
For Seeking Mercy: “My Lord, forgive and have mercy, and You are the Best of those who show mercy.” This dua has been taken from Surah Al-Mu’minun, 23:118, and is perfect to recite during the first ashra.
For Divine Assistance: “O Ever-living, O Self-Subsisting and Supporter of all, by Your mercy I seek assistance.” This is a great dua to recite in the first ten days of Ramadan to call for Allah’s help and support.
Wrap Up
The first Ashra of Ramadan is a time of immense spiritual opportunity. It is a chance to connect with Allah via fasting, increased prayers, recitation, and Umrah. These ten days of mercy set the tone for the rest of the month, offering Muslims a way to cleanse their souls. Many travel agencies advertise Umrah deals for Ramadan, so, get one and feel the essence of the month in the holy city of Mecca. If you wish to travel from the UK, contact Muslims Holy Travel to get all-inclusive Umrah packages at the most affordable price.
team