How to Boost Ramadan Spirit

How to Boost Ramadan Spirit

Ramadan, the month of the Holy Qur’an, represents an invaluable opportunity for all believers to recharge the batteries of faith and draw close to their Lord. A wise Muslim should be keen to make best use of these blessed moments. If Muslims are unable to un-distractedly focus on the hereafter all the time, let them at least do so during this short, yet boundlessly blessed, period of time. Below are some tips on how to boost your spirit during this longed-for month: 

1- Du`a’ (Supplication)

Ask Almighty Allah (The One & Only God) to make this the most inspiring, spiritually uplifting Ramadan you have ever had. Allah is the Only Who can make this happen and complete reliance on Him completely is the major step in boosting our spirits. 

2- Clear Your Mind 

Turn off the TV, the computer, the radio, your cell phone, pager, iPod, etc. You need not do so all day long, but for at least 10 minutes a day. Find a quiet place where you can close your eyes, remember your Lord and think deeply about your relationship with Him. At first, your mind will swirl with the useless and not-so-useful thoughts in your head. Force them away and focus your thought during these few minutes on three things: Almighty Allah (The One & Only God), your purpose in life, and whether you are making due efforts to achieve that purpose. Do this every day of Ramadan, if you can. Should this be not possible, do it at least three times a week. 

3- Learn About Great Muslim Figures

Even if you have read it or listened to it before, again read or listen to `Abdul-Wahid Hamid's Companions of the Holy Prophet during this Ramadan. Read about or listen daily to a Companion's story. Well-written and short, these stories inform us in a wonderful way about these noble personalities and about how they maintained the strength of their faith against incredible odds. What a sure-fire spirituality booster! 

4- Connect to the Holy Qur’an 

The noble Qur’an is the means whereby Almighty Allah (The One God) talks to us. Indeed, it is the most important key to spiritual upliftment & enlightenment. During this Ramadan, connect to the Holy Qur’an in a new way. If you already recite the Qur’an regularly, you can choose a new theme to focus on or select a particular Surah you have not read for a while. If, however, you are not a frequent reader of the Holy Qur’an, you can start by reciting it for only two minutes a day; recite from the first page you encounter when you open the mushaf (copy of the Qur’an). It is also recommended that you keep a Qur’anic journal in which you can record your reflections, questions, thoughts, etc., about what you recite. 

5- Take Care of Others 

Whether it is a person who is away from his family, a person who is having problems with his or her spouse or kids, or fellow students struggling with their grades, make an extra effort this Ramadan to help others out. The spiritual boost you get in return is well worth it. 

6- Feed the Hungry 

While your stomach shrieks in protest, give that panhandler some change, volunteer at a soup kitchen, get involved with your local food pantry or make a couple of bag lunches to give to the hungry you meet on your way to school or work. 

7- Give Up One Lifelong Bad Habit

Ask yourself what your fundamental defining traits are. Then decide which is the worst of them. Is it a hot temper? Apathy? Laziness? Impatience? Whatever it may be, utilize this Ramadan to get rid of it. Practice the opposite of this bad habit of yours every day until the end of the month. By then, in sha’ Allah (God Willing), you will look back and be amazed at the change you have made for the better. 

8- Use Those Special Last Ten Nights 

The last ten nights or Ramadan are not called the Nights of Power for nothing. Use these precious times for deep, heartfelt du`aa’ (supplication), self-analysis, reflection and serious thought.

WHY DO WE FAST????

WHY DO WE FAST????

Praise be to Allah (The One & Only God).

Firstly we must note that one of the names of Allah is al-Hakeem (the Most Wise). The word Hakeem is derived from the same root as hukm (ruling) and hikmah (wisdom). Allah alone is the One Who issues rulings, and His rulings are the most wise and perfect.

Secondly:Allah (The One God) does not prescribe any ruling but there is great wisdom behind it, which we may understand, or our minds may not be guided to understand it. We may know some of it but a great deal is hidden from us.

Thirdly:Allah (The One God) has mentioned the reason and wisdom behind His enjoining of fasting upon us, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” [al-Baqarah 2:183]

Fasting is a means of attaining taqwa (piety, being conscious of Allah), and taqwa means doing that which Allah (The One & Only God) has enjoined and avoiding that which He has forbidden.

Fasting is one of the greatest means of helping a person to fulfill the commands of Islam.

The scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) have mentioned some of the reasons why fasting is prescribed, all of which are characteristics of taqwa, but there is nothing wrong with quoting them here, to draw the attention of fasting people to them and make them keen to attain them.

Among the reasons behind fasting are:

1 – Fasting is a means that makes us appreciate and give thanks for pleasures. For fasting means giving up eating, drinking and intercourse, which are among the greatest pleasures. By giving them up for a short time, we begin to appreciate their value. Because the blessings of Allah (The One God) are not recognized, but when you abstain from them, you begin to recognize them, so this motivates you to be grateful for them.

2 – Fasting is a means of giving up haraam (forbidden) things, because if a person can give up halaal (allowed) things in order to please Allah (The One God) and for fear of His painful torment, then he will be more likely to refrain from haraam things. So fasting is a means of avoiding the things that Allah (The One & Only God) has forbidden.

3 – Fasting enables us to control our desires, because when a person is full his desires grow, but if he is hungry then his desire becomes weak. Hence the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “O young men! Whoever among you can afford to get married, let him do so, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and protecting one’s chastity. Whoever cannot do that, let him fast, for it will be a shield for him.”

4 – Fasting makes us feel compassion and empathy towards the poor, because when the fasting person tastes the pain of hunger for a while, he remembers those who are in this situation all the time, so he will hasten to do acts of kindness to them and show compassion towards them. So fasting is a means of feeling empathy with the poor.

5 – Fasting humiliates and weakens the Shaytaan (Devil); it weakens the effects of his whispers (waswaas) on a person and reduces his sins. That is because the Shaytaan (Devil) “flows through the son of Adam like blood” as the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, but fasting narrows the passages through which the Shaytaan (Devil) flows, so his influence grows less.

Shaykh al-Islam said in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 25/246

Undoubtedly blood is created from food and drink, so when a person eats and drinks, the passages through which the devils flow – which is the blood – become wide. But if a person fasts, the passages through which the devils flow become narrow, so hearts are motivated to do good deeds, and to give up evil deeds.

6 – The fasting person is training himself to remember that Allah (The One & Only God) is always watching, so he gives up the things that he desires even though he is able to take them, because he knows that Allah can see him.

7 – Fasting means developing an attitude of asceticism towards this world and it’s desires, and seeking that which is with Allah (The One God).

8 – It makes the Muslim get used to doing a great deal of acts of worship, because the fasting person usually does more acts of worship and gets used to that.

These are some of the reasons why fasting is enjoined. We ask Allah (The One God) to help us to achieve them and to worship Him properly.

And Allah (The One & Only God) knows best.

See Tafseer al-Sa’di, p. 116; Ibn al-Qayyim’s footnotes on al-Rawd al-Murabba’, 3/344; al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah, 28/9

ZAKAH (Obligatory Charity) / Sadaqah al-Fitr

ZAKAH (Obligatory Charity)

One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to Allah (The One & Only God), and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust.

The word Zakat means both purification and growth.

Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Zakat is the amount of money that every adult, mentally stable, free, and financially able Muslim, male and female, has to pay to support specific categories people.

This category of people is defined in surah at-Taubah (9) verse 60: " The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarers; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is knower, Wise." (The Holy Quran 9:60).

The obligatory nature of Zakat is firmly established in the Holy Quran, the Sunnah (or hadith), and the consensus of the companions and the Muslim scholars.

Allah (The One God) states in Surah at-Taubah verses 34-35: "34:

O ye who believe! there are indeed many among the priests and anchorites, who in Falsehood devour the substance of men and hinder (them) from the way of Allah. And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah. announce unto them a most grievous penalty- 35:

On the Day when heat will be produced out of that (wealth) in the fire of Hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, their flanks, and their backs.- "This is the (treasure) which ye buried for yourselves: taste ye, then, the (treasures) ye buried!" (The Holy Quran 9:34-35).

The Holy Prophet said: "Any owner of gold and silver who does not deliver from them their right, on the Day of Qiyamah (Day of Judgment), (the gold and silver) will be shaped as foils of fire. Then it will be heated in the fire of Hell; (and) then with it he will be ironed on his side, his forehead, and his back" (Muslim).

It is agreed between Muslims in all the centuries the obligatory nature of paying Zakat for gold and silver, and from those the other kinds of currency.

Zakat is obligatory when a certain amount of money, called the nisab is reached or exceeded. Zakat is not obligatory if the amount owned is less than this nisab.

The nisab (or minimum amount) of gold and golden currency is 20 mithqal, this is approximately 85 grams of pure gold. One mithqal is approximately 4.25 grams.

The nisab of silver and silver currency is 200 dirhams, which is approximately 595 grams of pure silver.

The nisab of other kinds of money and currency is to be scaled to that of gold, 85 grams of pure gold. This means that the nisab of money is the price of 85 grams of 999-type (pure) gold, on the day in which Zakat is paid.

When is Zakat Due ?

1. Passage of One Lunar Year:

Zakat is obligatory after a time span of one lunar year passes with the money in the control of it's owner. Then the owner needs to pay 2.5% (or 1/40) of the money as Zakat. (A lunar year is approximately 355 days).

2. Deduction of Debts:

The owner should deduct any amount of money he or she borrowed from others; then check if the rest reaches the necessary nisab, then pays Zakat for it.

If the owner had enough money to satisfy the nisab at the beginning of the year, then the money increased (in profits, salaries, inheritance, grants...etc.), the owner needs to add the increase to the nisab amount owned at the beginning of the year; then pay Zakat, 2.5%, of the total at the end of the lunar year. (there are small differences in the fiqh schools here)

Each Muslim calculates his or her own Zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital.

 

 

 

A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning. The Holy Prophet said 'even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.'

The Holy Prophet said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim. ' He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Holy Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Holy Prophet said: 'He should help poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Holy Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Holy Prophet said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'

 

As for reminding ..........

 

What is Zakat?

Zakat is an obligatory duty and one of the five pillars of Islam. It is mandatory when two conditions are simultaneously satisfied which are Nisab and the Due Date.  

What is Nisab and its current value?

In Sharia (Islamic Jurisprudence) nisab is the amount which savings or capital or product must exceed in order for the Muslim owner to be obliged to give zakat. Several hadith have formulas for calculating nisab. One of the most well known states that No Zakat is due on wealth until one year passes.

In general, nisab is considered an amount equal to the essential needs of a person or family for one year.

When is Zakat due date?

Zakat is due after one Lunar (Hijri) year starting from either the first day you acquired the amount of Nisab or the day you paid Zakat last year. The month of Ramadhan is considered to be the best time to pay Zakat.

The Wisdom behind Zakah

 

Difference between Zakah and Zakah-ul-Fitr?

 

 

Sadaqah al-Fitr 

 

 

 
 
 

Meaning 

Zakah al-Fitr is often referred to as Sadaqah al-Fitr. The word Fitr means the same as Iftaar, breaking a fast and it comes from the same root word as Futoor which means breakfast. Thus, Islaamically, Zakaah al-Fitr is the name given to charity which is distributed at the end of the fast of Ramadaan. 
 

 

Classification 
Sadaqah al-Fitr is a duty which is Waajib on every Muslim, whether male or female, minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do so. The proof that this form of charity is compulsory can be found in the Sunnah whereby Ibn `Umar reported that the Holy Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims; one Saa` of dried dates or one Saa` of barely.[1] The head of the household may pay the required amount for the other members. Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree said, "On behalf of our young and old, free men and slaves, we used to take out during Allah's Messenger's (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) lifetime one Saa` of grain, cheese or raisins".[2] 
 

 

Significance 
The significant role played by Zakaah in the circulation of wealth within the Islamic society is also played by the Sadaqah al-Fitr. However, in the case of Sadaqah al-Fitr, each individual is required to calculate how much charity is due from himself and his dependents and go into the community in order to find those who deserve such charity. Thus, Sadaqah al-Fitr plays a very important role in the development of the bonds of community. The rich are obliged to come in direct contact with the poor, and the poor are put in contact with the extremely poor. This contact between the various levels of society helps to build real bonds of brotherhood and love within the Islamic community and trains those who have, to be generous to those who do not have. 
 

Purpose 
The main purpose of Zakaah al-Fitr is to provide those who fasted with the means of making up for their errors during the month of fasting. Zakaah al-Fitr also provides the poor with a means with which they can celebrate the festival of breaking the fast (`Eid al-Fitr) along with the rest of the Muslims. Ibn Abbaas reported, "The Holy Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory so that those who fasted may be purified of their idle deeds and shameful talk (committed during Ramadan) and so that the poor may be fed. Whoever gives it before Salah will have it accepted as Zakaah al-Fitr, while he who gives it after the Salah has given Sadaqah."[3] Hence, the goal of Sadaqah al-Fitr is the spiritual development of the Believers. By making them give up some of their wealth, the believers are taught the higher moral characteristics of generosity, compassion (sympathy for the unfortunate), gratitude to Allah (The One & Only God) and the righteousness. But, since Islam does not neglect man's material need, part of the goal of Zakaah al-Fitr is the economic well-being of the poorer members of society. 
 

 

Conditions 
Zakaah al-Fitr is only Waajib for a particular period of time. If one misses the time period without a good reason, he has sinned and can not make it up. This form of charity becomes obligatory from sunset on the last day of fasting and remains obligatory until the beginning of Salah al-'Eid' (i.e. shortly after sunrise on the following day). However, it can be paid prior to the above mentioned period, as many of the Sahabah [companions of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam)] used to pay Sadaqah al-Fitr a couple days before the `Eid. Naafi reported that the Prophet's companion Ibn `Umar used to give it to those who would accept it and the people used to give it a day or two before the `Eid.[4] Ibn `Umar reported that the Holy Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) order that it (Zakah al-Fitr) be given before people go to make the Salah (al-'Eid). And Ibn `Abbaas reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Whoever gives it before the Salah will have it accepted as Zakaah al-Fitr, while he who gives it after the Salah (will not, for it will only be considered as) ordinary charity. Therefore, one who forgets to pay this Zakaah al-Fitr on time should do so as soon as possible even though it will not be counted as Zakaah al-Fitr. 
 

Rate 
The amount of Zakaah al-Fitr is the same for everyone regardless of their different income brackets. The minimum amount is one Saa` (two handfuls ) of food, grain or dried fruit for each member of the family. This calculation is based on Ibn `Umar's report that the Holy Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory and payable by a Saa` of dried dates or a Saa` of barley. The Sahaabee, Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree said, "In the Prophet's time, we used to give it (Zakaah al-Fitr) as a Saa` of food, dried dates, barley, raisins or dried cheese".[5]

[1] Collected by Bukhaaree - Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339, no. 579 
[2] Collected by Muslim - English transl. vol. 2, p. 469, no. 2155 
[3] Collected by Abu Dawood - Eng. transl. vol. 2, p. 421, no. 1605 - rated Saheeh by Shaikh Naser Al-Albanee 
[4] Collected by al-Bukhaaree - Arabic/English, Vol. 2, p.339, no. 579 
[5] Collected by al-Bukhaaree - Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582

Reaping the opportunities in Ramadan / Lailatul Qadr

 

 

Reaping the opportunities in Ramadan

 

Reaping the opportunities in Ramadan:

The Holy Prophet's (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) companions used to say, "Let not the day that you fast and the day that you do not fast be equal." It is important that one's behaviour, attitude and outlook should not be the same on the day that one is fasting and when one is not fasting. There should be a change, as one is trying to worship Allah (The One & Only God) more, so one's fasting should have an effect.

Lesson 1: 
Gaining taqwa (fear of Allah)

Allah (The One God) legislated fasting for gaining taqwa, 

"O you who believe fasting has been prescribed upon you as it has been prescribed upon those before you, so that you may attain taqwa." (Holy Quran Sooratul Baqarah (2):138) 

Tawqa in this case means, to make a shield between oneself and Allah's (The One God's) anger and hellfire. So we should ask ourselves, when we break our fasts, 'Has this fasting day made us fear Allah more ? Has it resulted that we want to protect ourselves from the hellfire ?'

Lesson 2:
Drawing us closer to Allah (The One God)

This is achieved by reciting and reflecting on Al-Qur'an during the night and the day, attending the taraweh prayers, remembering Allah (The One God), sitting in circles of knowledge and for those who can, making umrah. 

The Holy Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said,"An umrah in the month of Ramadan is equal (in reward) to performing a hajj." (Ahmad & Ibn Majah). 

Also for those who can, making itikaf (seclusion) in the last ten days of Ramadan, so to leave all worldly pursuits and seclude oneself in a mosque just thinking of Allah, this brings us closer to Allah (The One God). 

When one sins, one feels distant from Allah (The One God). That is why one might find it hard to read and reflect on the Holy Qur'an and come to the mosque. However, the obedient worshipper feels closer to Allah and wants to worship Allah (The One God) more, because Allah forgives and is Merciful.

Lesson 3: 
Acquiring patience and strong will

Allah (The One & Only God) has mentioned patience more than seventy times in the Holy Qur'an and has commanded patience in more than sixteen ways in His Book. So when one fasts, and gives up one's food and drink, and one's marital sexual relations for those hours, one learns restraint and patience. This muslim nation needs men and women that are strong willed, who can stand upon the Sunnah and the Book of Allah and not waver in front of the enemies of Allah (The One God). We do not need emotional people, who raise slogans and shout, but when the time comes to stand upon something firm, they cannot do so, they waver.

Lesson 4: 

Striving for ihsan (righteousness & sincerity) 
and staying away from riyaa’ (showing off)

Ihsan means to worship Allah (The One God) as if one sees Him, for if one does not see Him, He sees all. Hasan al-basri said,"By Allah in the last twenty years, I have not said a word or taken something with my hand or refrained to take something with my hand or stepped forward or stepped back, except that I have thought before I have done any action,'Does Allah love this action ? Is Allah pleased with this action ?' " So when one is fasting, one should gain this quality of watching oneself and also staying away from riyah (showing off).

That is why Allah (The One God) said in a qudsi hadith, "..Fasting is for Me and I will reward it.." (Bukhari) Allah singles out fasting from all other types of worship saying, "..Fasting is for Me..", because no one knows whether you are fasting or not, except Allah. For example, when one is praying or giving charity or making tawwaf, one can be seen by the people, so one might do the action seeking the praise of the people.

Sufian at-thawri used to spend the nights and the days crying and the people used to ask him, "Why do you cry, is it due to the fear of Allah ?", he said,'No.', they said,"Is it due to the fear of the hell-fire ?", he said, 'No. It is not the fear of Allah that makes me cry, what makes me cry is that I have been worshiping Allah all these years and doing scholarly teaching, but I am not certain that my intentions are purely for Allah.'

Lesson 5: 
Refinement of manners, especially those
related to truthfulness and discharging trusts.

The Holy Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said,"Whoever does not abandon falsehood in word and action, then Allah, the Mighty and the Majestic has no need that he should leave his food and drink." (Bukhari) 

And the Holy Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said,"It may be that a fasting person attains nothing but hunger and thirst from his fast." (Ibn Majah) 

What we learn from this, is that we must pay attention to the purification of our manners. The Holy Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said,"I was sent to perfect good manners." (Muwatta) So we must check ourselves, are we following the behaviour of the Holy Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him). For example, Do we follow the manners of Islam, by telling the truth and only telling the truth? Are we merciful to the creation?

Lesson 6: 
Recognising that one can change for the better

The Holy Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said,"Every son of Adam sins and the best of the sinners are those who repent." (Ibn Majah) Allah (The One God) provides many opportunities to repent to Him and seek His forgiveness. If one was disobedient they can become obedient.

Lesson 7: 
Being more charitable

Ibn Abbas said,"The Holy Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) was the most charitable amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gibreel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) used to recite the Holy Qur'an to Gibreel." (Bukhari) 

The Holy Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, without nothing being reduced from the fasting person's reward." (Tirmidhi )

Lesson 8: 
Sensing the unity of the Muslims

The Holy Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "...Those of you who will live after me, will see many differences. Then you must cling on to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided khalifah. Hold fast to it and stick to it.." (Abu Dawud)

It is possible for Muslims to be a single body, but this will only be achieved when obedience is only to Allah and His Messenger. One senses unity, because the Muslims pray and fast together.

Lesson 9: 
Learning discipline

The Holy Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "Bilal makes the adhan, while it is still night; therefore, eat and drink until Ibn Umm Maktum makes the adhan."(Bukhari) 

The Holy Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) made us adhere to this strictness. Similarly one cannot knowingly break the fast before the sunset, as this will not be accepted by Allah (The One God). Muslims should learn to be very strict in their lives, because they are people of an important message, which they mould their lives around.

Lesson 10: 
Teaching the young to worship Allah (The One God)

It was the practice of the people of Madinah, that during the fast of Ashura (which is now a recommended fast of one day) to get their children to fast with them. When the children would cry of hunger and thirst, their parents would distract their attention by giving them some sort of toy to play with. The children would break their fast with their parents. (mentioned in Bukhari) So the young should be brought to the mosque and they should pray with their parents, so that they are able to get into the habit of becoming worshippers of Allah (The One God).

If one does not encourage children to fast when they are young, they will find it very difficult to fast for thirty days at the age of puberty. This is why the Holy Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "Command your children to pray at the age of seven and beat them at the age of ten (if they do not pray)" (Hakim)

Lesson 11: 
Caring for one's health

Fasting teaches Muslims to take care of their health and to build strong bodies. The Holy Prophet (may Allah send his blessing and peace upon him) said,"A strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone." (Muslim)

Lailatul Qadr -- The Night of Power -- Shab e Qadr

Lailatul Qadr, Is it Significant To You?

One of the most distinctive aspects of the month of Ramadan is that it includes lailatul qadr (the night of power), which is the most blessed night of the year. This is that very night in which Allah (The One & Only God) chose to reveal the Holy Quran upon our beloved Prophet (sall'Allahu alaihi wa sallam) . This is also the night wherein Allah (The One God) decides the destiny, sustenance, birth, and death etc. for His creation. It is mentioned in the Holy Quran that this night is better than a thousand months (83 years & four months) as Allah (The One God) himself speaks.

SIGNIFICANCE

"The night of al qadr is better than a thousand months." (Holy Quran verse 3 Surah Al Qadr).

This means the worship performed in this night brings more reward than that worship carried out for the period of a thousand ordinary months.

In the authentic teachings of Holy Prophet (sall'Allahu alaihi wa sallam) , it is mentioned that Allah (The One God) showers his special mercy in this night towards the inhabitants of the earth, accepts the supplications made by his servants and forgives all those people who repent sincerely, as Holy Prophet (sall'Allahu alaihi wa sallam) has stated in a hadith

"Whosoever stood up in front of Allah on the night of qadr with faith and true conviction of attaining reward from Allah, in return, Allah will forgive all his previous sins." (Muslim)

WHEN?

According to authentic sources lailatul qadr falls in any one of the last five odd nights of Ramadhan i.e. 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29th, as we are told in the hadith related by Ibne Umar (r.a.), Holy Prophet (sall'Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said " ...and, search for lailatul qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan."

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE IN THIS NIGHT?

In this night a person should make worship of Allah (The One God) exceptionally. One can engage in the offering of nafl (Sunnah) prayers as much as possible or in supplications, in the recitation of the Holy Quran or by any other good deed, which is not contrary to the Shariah.

"The person who deprives himself from the blessings of Lailatul qadr, indeed has deprived himself of all good and none other than an ignorant person is deprived from such good." (Ibne Majah).

Considering this hadith, we should attempt to spare some time for the worship of Allah (The One God) on this auspicious night.

The most profound way to derive benefit from the blessings of this night, is to stay awake for the whole night and spend it in prayers, but people who cannot do so, for any reason, should at least spare a reasonable portion of the night for Allah. Some rakaahs should be offered in the least, after midnight as tahajjud, the Holy Quran should be recited, supplications be made, and any form of zhikr should be constantly uttered.

Once, the beloved wife Aiysha (r.a.) inquired from Holy Prophet (sall'Allahu alaihi wa sallam) as to what duaa should be made on the lailatul qadr, upon this Holy Prophet (sall'Allahu alaihi wa sallam) taught her the following duaa

"Allahumma innaka afuwwun kareemun tuhib-bul af-wa fa-afo anni"

(O Allah, You are the One who grants pardon for sins, loves forgiving, so forgive me.)

Indeed the blessings of our Lord are innumerable, but fortunate are those who reap them and regard them as significant.

Abu Mas'ud 'Uqba ibn 'Amr al-Ansari al-Badri reported that the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), said, "Anyone who shows the way to something good has the same reward as the person who does it."[Muslim]

E.g. if you encourage someone to go for Salah, or pay Zakat and the person actually goes ahead and prays or pays Zakat, Allah will reward him for the good deeds and at the same time give you (the one that encouraged them to do good) an equal reward as he has given them- without decreasing what he gave them.

So Encourage Other To Do Good And Refrain From Bad Deed

 

The Great Virtue of Ramadan

 

 

The Great Virtue of Ramadan

                                           


 
 


In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful 

  

All praise is due to Allah (The One & Only God) Who made the succession of day and night a lesson for those who reflect. I thank him for His bountiful blessings and I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah (The One God). I equally testify that Muhammad s.a.w is His Servant and Messenger. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his household and companions who are the people of righteousness and piety. 

Dear brothers, fear Allah (The One God) as He should be feared, for whoever fears Him earns his protection and he who follows his desires is doomed. It should be known that physical and spiritual felicity can only be attained by subjecting ones heart and body to the worship of Allah (The One God) and that it is through worshipping Allah in complete sincerity that this mundane world can be of no importance. 



It is a manifestation of Allah’s mercy on His slaves that He ordained fasting for them in order to purify them from excessive tastes and to cleanse their hearts from lustful things. These days, Muslims all over the world are receiving the month of Ramadan; leader of all months; the month of forgiveness, merits and gifts; the month that gladdens the hearts of righteous people. No wonder that a pious man said in his death bed giving a reason for his weeping: 

“I am only weeping for the fact that people will continue to be fasting and performing prayers after my death while I will no longer be in a position to do likewise.”

Ramadan is the month that contains the leader of all nights; a night that is better than a thousand months. Whoever spends the night in prayers with faith and hoping for Allah’s reward will have all his past sins forgiven. The Holy Prophet said:

“When the month of Ramadan enters, gates of Paradise are opened, gates of Hell are closed and devils are chained.” (Reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim).

Whoever wants eternal prosperity should endeavor to worship Allah (The One God) and do good deeds sincerely. For, good deeds without sincere intention is of no use. Also, it is a glory for a believer to wake up in the night and perform prayers for, the best prayer after the obligatory ones are the prayers performed in the night. In fact, righteous people do compete with each other to make use of its darkness for doing acts of worship that bring them closer to Allah (The One God) and they loved this world only because of its nights. Aboo Sulaymaan Ad-Daaraanee said:

“By Allah! If not because of waking up in the night and performing prayers, I would not have loved this world; for, the night is precious because of its darkness and performing the prayers during the night is one of the characteristics of righteous people.”

Al-Hasan Al-Basree said:

“Nobody abandons night prayers except that it is regarded as a punishment for a sin he has committed.”

You should also endeavor to supplicate to Allah (The One God) during the nights of this noble month because, supplication is the link between man and his Lord; it is an effortlessly clear profit and easy booty; it prevents calamities and brings forth Allah’s treasures and bounties. By supplicating to Allah during the night, He answers by granting the request generously for, His Hands never get tired of giving.

The Holy Qur’aan is Allah’s (The One God's) message to His servants and a light for the mankind.There is no way to Allah’s pleasure except through it. It is revealed in the best of all months. The best way you can spend your time during this month is to recite the Holy Qur’aan as frequently as possible. Read it, reflect on its meaning and work by its injunctions. This is because the Holy Qur’aan contains admonitions and lessons that increase one’s humility and humbleness.

As regards charity, the Holy Prophet was the most generous of all people and his generosity manifested most during the month of Ramadan. Whenever he gave, he gave in plenty as if he had no fear of poverty. He would never be asked of anything except that he gave it unless if he did not have it.



Charity, has its positive effects on the giver. It causes blessings to his wealth and children, prevents calamities and brings forth bliss. Ramadan is a month of charity. Spend out of your wealth for the poor and needy and be aware that avarice and stinginess does not keep the wealth for eternal just as charity does not decrease it. Ibnul-Qayyim said: 

“Nothing brings Allah’s blessings and prevents His punishment than obeying Him, moving closer to Him through acts of worship and being kind to His creatures.”

Therefore, spend in charity for, charity elevates one’s rank in front of Allah (The One God)  and know that, man is going to stay under the shade of his charity on the Day of Resurrection.

Make good preparation for this honorable month because it is a transient visitor. Receive it with a sincere repentance and spend your time during the month in acts of obedience to your Lord. 

Further, try to perform ‘Umrah during Ramadan for, a ‘Umrah during Ramadan is equivalent in reward to a Hajj performed with the Messenger of Allah. Also, provide food for fasting Muslims for whoever does that gets an equivalent of their reward without causing any deduction to the reward of the fasting Muslims. 


I‘tikaaf (seclusion in a mosque for the purpose of worshipping Allah alone) is also a Sunnah that should be kept during the last ten days of Ramadan.

Use the period of this noble month to join the cord of kinship (by keeping good relations with your kith and kin). Also repent sincerely to Allah (The One & Only God) as long as the door of repentance is still open. Be cautious of undesirable end because leaving this world is actually painful.

 

 

The Month of Forgiveness : Ramadan

Ramadan: The Month of Repentance