Reviving the Spirit of Ramadan: Beyond Do's and Don'ts

by Hasrizal Abdul Jamil, Aqtar Mohamed Ummar (Translator)

Reviving the Spirit of Ramadan: Ramadan Beyond Do's and Don'ts invites readers to reflect upon their understanding of and practices in the month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is not just about do's and don'ts, but rather a holistic package to transform us into better human beings working towards perfection. It is a noble journey to attain TAQWA, to establish values of PROACTIVENESS and SELF-CONTROL in order to live a meaningful life for the next eleven months.

The content of this book is organised in a way that is easy to digest throughout your 30 days of Ramadan, simple to explain to and share with your family members and peers.

It is our best hope that this special edition will be beneficial for you to revive the spirit of Ramadan - as if it is your last one!

Genres: Nonfiction

138 pages, Paperback

Published June 5, 2017

About the author

Hasrizal holds a Bachelor of Sharia (Honours) from Mu’tah University, Jordan (2001). He is the Director of Education at Khalifah Education Foundation which operates Khalifah Model Schools in Malaysia. An educator and learning designer, blogger, and author, advocate children-centered learning, parenting, and domestic policy.

Hasrizal succeeded in bookwriting after his AKU TERIMA NIKAHNYA (2008) became one of the National Best Sellers. He proceeded with many more books, such as BERCINTA SAMPAI KE SYURGA (2009), MURABBI CINTA (2010), RINDU BAU POHON TIN (2009), SECANGKIR TEH PENGUBAT LETIH (2010), TRANSFORMASI RAMADAN (2011), EDISI ISTIMEWA AKU TERIMA NIKAHNYA – Trilogy (2012), DI HAMPARAN SHAMROCK KUSERU NAMA-MU (2012), ERTI HIDUP PADA MEMBERI (2013), TAK KENAL MAKA TAK CINTA (2014), MENALAR MAKNA DIRI: KEMBARA MENJEJAK IMAM BIRGIVI (2014), SETIA DENGAN KEBENARAN (2017), REVIVING THE SPIRIT OF RAMADAN: BEYOND DO'S AND DON'TS (2017), HIKMAH & KARAKTER (2018), JALAN SEHALA (2019), RISALAH #MALAYSIA MEMBACA (2019 co-author), SENI BERFIKIR YANG HILANG (2020), TRANSFORMASI RAMADAN 2.0 (2020), DIARI ABAH (2020), MÄ OON RIZAL (2020), ERTI BERAGAMA YANG HILANG (2021), MENULIS DARI HATI BIAR SAMPAI KE HATI (2021), KAMAR-KAMAR BUDI (2021), KEMBARA MENALAR DIRI: LEGASI IMAM BIRGIVI (2021), SISI BERAKHLAK YANG HILANG (2022), BERAGAMA YANG KEHILANGAN TUHAN (2023), PEDAGOGI RAMADAN (2023), DARI MATA TURUN KE HATI (2024) and IQRA' (2026)

Hasrizal lives in the Republic of Ireland.

Reviews

[Siqahiqa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book filled with a collection of articles on various themes related to Ramadan and the essential questions that we usually ask ourselves before, during, and after Ramadan. It is definitely beyond do's and don'ts.

#siqahbookreviews
❏ This book has successfully given me a deeper understanding of Ramadan and Eid celebration. The author emphasizes on Ramadan is a month of training that teaches us self-control.

❏ Many personal stories are related to Ramadan, and each story consists of only a few pages. It makes the reading pace becoming fast and better. Furthermore, the explanations of each chapter are easy to understand.

❏ There are three chapters that I like the most in this book which is, The Wisdom of Fasting for Husband-Wife relationship, The Wisdom of Fasting for Youngsters, and The Dilemma of Istiqamah After Ramadan.

❏ Why do I like these three chapters? The message delivered in these chapters is so close and relates to me, and somewhat new guidance for me. I'm sharing some of the snippets from those chapters in this post. Swipe left to the left.

❏ Other good points taken from this book are:
📖 "If something we wish to do causes a feeling of anxiety and a desire to keep that act secret so that people do not know about it, then InshaAllah, that act is SINFUL."
📖 "We are allowed to enjoy some entertainment. But do not let our excessive entertainment prove once again that we are a people without dignity, without identity.."
📖 "It is not time that moves quickly, but it is we who are slow in catching up and using it wisely."
📖 Strength does not lie in the strength to fight, but strength lies in the ability to control one's self in a state of anger".

❏ Overall, this book worth reading for every Ramadan. Highly recommend it for all Muslims 👍🏻💛

instagram.com/siriusiqa

[Syikinyunus · Rating 4 out of 5]

❓What is Ramadhan to You❓

"The fast of Ramadhan is not just about enduring hunger & thirst. It is a process that trains us to control our wants & desires, to learn how to make accurate choices, to learn to act & behave according to our needs, not urges"

Reviving The Spirit of Ramadhan: Beyond Do's & Dont's is a collection of articles written by Ustaz Hasrizal Abd Jamil on Ramadhan - the original versions of the articles were in Bahasa Melayu (on his blog saifulislam.com) & later were translated into English for the book.

Written in a casual conversational style, the author reflected on the significance of Ramadhan, the misinterpretations of people on the intention of fasting & how when truly being practised as it is being prescribed; fasting can change your life.

Interspersed with bits of his personal journey in Ramadhan, his writings brought a fresh and more relatable perspective & understanding towards Ramadhan. My only criticism towards the book is the translation; in which I felt that some of the sentences are formed as a "direct translation" of the Bahasa Melayu sentence which gave a slight disjointed feel towards the book & may cause the readers to be confused over the sentences (especially those who are not familiar with Malaysian style/culture). Perhaps the future edition should revise the translation to be more fluid & able to capture the emotions/thoughts that were conveyed by the author.

A light & yet meaningful read, I am recommending this book to those who are seeking to change their views towards Ramadhan or those who may have been asking themselves "What is Ramadhan to me?"

[aliyahrambely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Instagram review:
https://www.instagram.com/p/COB_8_wnu...

Blogs review:
https://aliyahrambely.wordpress.com/2...

[Nur Izzati · Rating 4 out of 5]

_"That is Taqwa, controlling our desires to save ourselves, marriages,wives and children"_

Mesej utama yang aku dapat dari buku ini ialah -Ramadhan is a month of training for self control. Dalam banyak banyak nikmat yg kita ada seperti makanan, minuman dll, kita perlu menahan diri kita dari mencapai nya walaupun ia mudah untuk dicapai. Dan di situ, kita belajar untuk mengawal diri.

Dan Ust Hasrizal juga jarang tidak buat pembaca berfikir. Ust minta kita bertanya kembali, untuk apa kita puasa, baca Al Quran dll ibadah . Adakah cuma kerana orang lain buat maka kita buat, atau - kita benar faham dan sedar, setiap yg kita buat itu atas dasar kefahaman, bukan hanya sebab Islam warisan yang kita perolehi.

Dan dikala syaitan yg dibelenggu, di sinilah teruji, adakah selama ini kita adalah hamba kepada nafs kita , atau kita hamba pada Tuhan.

Ramadhan. Bulan mengawal diri. Semoga dapat kita maknai.

[Nanadhoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buku ni more kepada catatan penulis ketika Ramadhan dan beberapa catatan ringkas lain. For me, buku ini menarik, ringkas dan mudah difahami. Sangat sesuai di baca di bulan Ramadhan. Secara tak langsung buku ni bertindak sebagai pemangkin untuk meraih lebih pahala dan rahmat Allah di sepanjang bulan Ramadhan.

[Azizah Alwi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Will we still be on the field next season? nobody is brave enough to give an answer for even the most skilled and accomplished coach will tell us that the only time we have in our hand is now.The past is behind us and the future is not within our reach.As for the time is now, only the second half left is there still time to be nonchalant?”

Buku ini memberi impak yang cukup besar pada diri saya sendiri.

Penerangan yang begitu ringkas berkenaan dengan ibadah puasa.Apa yang perlu dilakukan dan apa yang harus ditinggalkan semasa ramadhan.

Selain bulan penyucian jiwa, ramadhan juga mengajar saya untuk menahan diri daripada menuruti hawa nafsu.Bulan yang penuh keampunan dan bulan yang dijanjikan pahala berlipat kali ganda dan sesiapa yang berpuasa lillahitaala sudah pasti beroleh ganjaran syurga.

Malahan buku ini juga berkongsi kisah dan pengalaman sebahagian daripada pelajar muslim diseluruh dunia menyambut kedatangan bulan ramadhan mengikut mazhab dan tradisi sehingga menimbulkan semangat keakuan sehingga terlupa bahawa islam itu agama yang harmoni dan satu.

Bulan yang membawa seribu rahmat namun belum tentu kita ditakdirkan untuk berjumpa lagi di Ramadan yang akan datang.

[siso.sofy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alhamdulillah, it was a quick read, but the depth of the reminder was so deep. Ramadan is a great blessing for every Muslim, but it lost its meaning because we didn't improve our understanding of the underlying importance of this month.

“How unfortunate is one who is 40 years old but fasts with the knowledge he learnt at 15 years old.”

This statement is something that I can reflect on in my personal experience. Most of the time, we do things because other people are doing it, and it's already embedded in our culture.

To be able to understand the big why of each act of worship will make it more meaningful. Through this understanding, we can genuinely transform ourselves. Ramadan is a special month; it is a blessing and one of the greatest gift from Allah. May all of us achieve the objective of this month, which is Taqwa. Insyaallah.

[Izhar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a translation of Hasrizal's previous book, 'Transformasi Ramadan.'

The book compiled various articles written by Hasrizal related to Ramadan, advising us how to make the best of the blessed month of Ramadan.

This is just a habit of mine that I'll always reread and revise Hasrizal's books just before we celebrate Ramadan.

May Allah bless us and grant us His rewards and forgiveness. Thank you Ustaz Hasrizal and Dr Aqtar for the book.

[EElmira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not underestimate this little book. It’s a collection of articles in author’s website pertaining to Ramadan. It’s a wake up call to readers to realise how far has we have deviated from the true purpose Ramadan. No wonder Ramadan rarely has huge impact on our lives. The author emphasis the attaining of Taqwa through act of retraining our desires during Ramadan but we must also understand what is Taqwa. This book one book I would vote that should be reread every year

[Amirah Mardhiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book the second day or two days before Ramadan I dont remember. This book is a compelling read before Ramadan and I think I will reread this book for every Ramadan in shaa Allah. May Allah grant us the opportunity to welcome Ramadan in many more years. Amin.

So this book is basically a compilation of articles by Ustaz Hasrizal which comprises not only about fasting alone, but it brings you across the month until Eidul Fitri come to the scene. It will give you the whole picture about Ramadan. How to prepare in terms of being ready to give our best shot, to clarify our vision. Ustaz Hasrizal’s writing has always encourage us to be critical and be a thinker. Not just accepting/believing without understanding the core of it. And this is how a good Muslim become a good Muslim.

These are some of my takeaway from the book:
🌌 The end goal can never justify the way you are doing it. Or in Malay, “matlamat tidak menghalalkan cara”. You cannot mix good and bad thing in one place, it doesn’t work that way.

🌌 Ramadan is a month of training. All worship therein is not just to fill in our time because it is a season of worship, but to produce and stabilize our momentum for the following months.

🌌 You actually learn about self-control during Ramadan. This lesson is the greatest art one needs to master to keep things in the house under control. I remember when Habib Umar Hafizahullahu Taala said, you need to be in control of your desire, because when you are not in control, then your desire will be in control of you.

🌌 As a servant of God, we must always remember that the only purpose Allah has created us is to worship Him. Everything we do must be a form of worship. If we live for 60 years and sleep 8 hours day, then we must ensure that our 20 years of sleeping is considered worship.

I would recommend this book for anyone who want to have a light reading about Ramadan, and to have a keen reflection about our understanding of Ramadan. May Allah gives us opportunity to spend another Ramadan in shaa Allah.

[Fya Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saya sangka buku ni macam ulangkaji bab Ramadan rupanya bukan ye 😂
Dia more like catatan ustaz tentang pengalaman Ramadan beliau dan lain-lain.
Bagi saya semuanya okay sampailah bab tentang staying oversea tu. Rasa macam terselit topik lain pula 🥲 Namun yang bagusnya buku ni memberi masa untuk kita refleksi ibadah puasa kita selama ni. Apa yang telah kita capai setelah separuh bulan Ramadan? Adakah kita telah berjaya melawan nafsu dan syaitan setelah habis ramadan? Ustaz menekankan ibadah puasa sebagai latihan untuk kita mengawal diri (self control)- menahan diri apabila terdapat banyak makanan dan minuman, menahan diri daripada marah. Latihan ni bukan untuk bulan Ramadan saja tapi untuk bulan-bulan seterusnya.
Suka bila ustaz sentuh bab puasa enam. Sebelum ni sy kurang faham kenapa kita perlu berpuasa enam hari dalam bulan syawal. Menurut ustaz, puasa enam tu ibarat solat sunat rawatib, menampung kekurangan ibadah kita.
Jika puasa fardu merupakan ketaatan kita kepada Allah, puasa enam merupakan kasih sayang kita kepada Allah. Baru rasa bersemangat nak berpuasa ni 😍
Makna sebenar kegembiraan pada hari raya ialah apabila kita berjaya melawan nafsu dan syaitan yang membelenggu kita selama ni. Ibarat macam melepaskan diri daripada dijajah. Jadi tanya diri sendiri. Adakah kita berjaya membebaskan diri pada hari pertama syawal?


#booksharing #revivingthespiritoframadan

[Thes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book in March in order to brace for the upcoming Ramadan but then life get in and I don't really have the mood to read so comes Ramadan and on the first Syawal, I finally finished it. It was meant to be like this, I would say. Every chapter I read, it was really fitting at the time when I read it. So, here is my take on this very fruitful book.



The starting chapters were easy to follow, with simple wording and sentences. The beginning part was a part where I would annotate the most (I don't annotate fiction but I did non-fic) and learnt the best. I also loves how the author would also include personal stories, adding personal touch to the book and shared lessons from those experiences. Messages from each chapter was delivered successfully to me. Plus, those chapters were short in pages.




This book had taught me that Ramadan is a month of self-control and self-training. A month of practice for the other remaining months. Not only talking about Ramadan but it also talked about the month of Syawal, the month of self-liberation and freedom and its deeper meaning.



Some of the chapters that I love to go back to:

✔ An Ordinary and Extraordinary Belief

✔ Even if It May for the Sake of Orphans

✔ The Wisdom of Fasting for Youngsters

✔ Who is Behind the Quran

✔ Khutbah: Self-Liberation on Eid al-Fitr

[Irfan Muhaimin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buku ini penulis berkongsi sedikit tentang Ramdhaan beliau bersama sama anak dan bagaimana beliau mendidik untuk berpuasa. Ramadhan ini perlu dihayati atas dasar taqwa. Kebanyakan orang hari ini tidak mampu mengawal keinginan kerana semua benda mereka mudah dapat disebabkan kecanggihan. Puasa , ini bukan sahaja menahan lapar dan dahaga tapi proses untuk kita mengawal keinginan dan keperluan, belajar membuat keputusan yang baik. Sebenarnya Ramadhan ini adalah self control diri sendiri, mengawal emosi marah dan nafsu. Disebabkan gelora remaja yang tidak kemampuan perlu berpuasa sunat kerana teknikalnya untuk mengawal diri sendiri.
, Disebabkan itu juga apabila apa provokasi dihadapi dan masalah, kita perlu cakap "sesungguhnya aku berpuasa, sebagai pernatan diri sendiri. Cerita menarik seorang Presiden Tunisia Habib Bourguiba yang tidak bagi rakyatnya berpuasa kerana menganggu produktiviti, sekiranya kita ini panas pasti kita akan maki apa kita peru but tunjukkan Ramadhan ini kita bole dinamik dan mampu produktif

[Adnin Najihah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku yang menghimpunkan tulisan ustaz Hasrizal di blognya yang kemudian diadaptasi agar lebih berfokus kepada Ramadhan. Buku ini banyak memberi kesan kepada perspektif saya tentang Ramadhan dan bagaimana ia seharusnya ditanggapi oleh seorang Mukmin. Sedikit sebanyak saya merasakan perjalanan Ramadhan saya lebih bermakna apabila mengaplikasikan mutiara daripada penyampaian ustaz yang bersahaja, namun 'kena' dengan realiti semasa.

[Sue Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Ziyy · Rating 4 out of 5]

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