v     Hellfire 70 years away from your face.

-Abu Said al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah, said: “No servant fasts on a day in the path of Allah except that Allah removes the hellfire seventy years further away from his face.” This is related by “the group,” except for Abu Dawud.

-Fasting is a shield against the Fire: “Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the Fire.” [Ahmad, Saheeh] and his saying (saws) “No servant fasts on a day in the path of Allah except that Allah removes the hellfire seventy years further from his face.” [related by the group except for Abu Dawood]

v     Fasting will intercede for you.

-`Abdullah ibn `Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, said: “The fast and the Qur’an are two intercessors for the servant of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The fast will say: ‘O Lord, I prevented him from his food and desires during the day. Let me intercede for him.’ The Qur’an will say: ‘I prevented him from sleeping at night. Let me intercede for him.’ And their intercession will be accepted.” [Ahmad]

-On the Day of Judgement, “Fasting will say: O My Lord I prevented him from food and desires so accept my intercession for him.” [Ahmad, al-Haakim and Abu Nu'aim, Hasan]

v     Allow you to enter Paradise

-Abu Umamah reported: “I came to the Messenger of Allah and said: ‘Order me to do a deed that will allow me to enter Paradise.’ He said: ‘Stick to fasting, as there is no equivalent to it.’ Then I came to him again and he said: ‘Stick to fasting.”‘ [Ahmad, an-Nasa'i, and al-Hakim].

-Abu Umaamah r.a.a. said: I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, tell me of an action by which I may enter Paradise’. He said: ‘Take to Fasting, there is nothing like it.’ [An-Nasaa'ee, Ibn Hibbaan, Al-Haakim, Saheeh]

v     Expiations for everything that’s happened.

-Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (S) said : “The time between the five prayers, two consecutive Friday Prayers, and two cosecutive Ramadans are expiations for all that has happened during that period, provided that one has avoided the grave (major) sins.” [Muslim]

v     Allah s.w.t covers you with blessings.

-In another hadith, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) says, “Ramadan has come to you. (It is) a month of blessing, in which Allah covers you with blessing, for He sends down Mercy, decreases sins and answers prayers. In it, Allah looks at your competition (in good deeds), and boasts about you to His angels. So show Allah goodness from yourselves, for the unfortunate one is he who is deprived in (this month) of the mercy of Allah, the Mighty, the Exalted.” [Narrated by Tabarani]

v     Allah s.w.t. will give recompense for fasting.

-”Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving then times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, ‘Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.’ for the fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk.” [al-Bukhaaree]

v     Protection from the Fire.

-”Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the Fire.” [Ahmad, Saheeh]

-Fasting is a shield against the Fire: “Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the Fire.” [Ahmad, Saheeh] and his saying (saws) “No servant fasts on a day in the path of Allah except that Allah removes the hellfire seventy years further from his face.” [related by the group except for Abu Dawood]

-The supplication of the fasting person is answered: “There are in the month of Ramadhan in every day and night those to whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim a supplication which he can make and will be granted.” [al-Bazzaar, Ahmad, Saheeh]

v     Supplication of fasting person answered.

-The supplication of the fasting person is answered: “There are in the month of Ramadhan in every day and night those to whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim a supplication which he can make and will be granted.” [al-Bazzaar, Ahmad, Saheeh]

v     Reward for feeding a fasting person.

-The Prophet said: He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, except that nothing will be reduced from the fasting persons reward.” [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan, Saheeh].

v     A gate in Heaven for the ones who fasted.

-Sahl ibn Sa’d reported that the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said: “There is a gate to Paradise that is called ar-Rayyan. On the Day of Resurrection it will say: ‘Where are those who fasted?’ When the last [one] has passed through the gate, it will be locked.” [al-Bukhari and Muslim].

-He who is amongst those who pray will be called from the gate of the prayer (in Paradise) and he who is from the people of Jihad will be called from the gate of Jihad, and he who is from those’ who give in charity (i.e. Zakat) will be called from the gate of charity, and he who is amongst those who observe fast will be called from the gate of fasting, the gate of Raiyan.” Abu Bakr said, “He who is called from all those gates will need nothing,” He added, “Will anyone be called from all those gates, O Allah’s Apostle?” He said, “Yes, and I hope you will be among those, O Abu Bakr.” [Bukhari]

-Also, Sahl ibn Sa’ said that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “Indeed there is a gate of Paradise called ar-Rayyaan. On the day of Resurrection those who fast will enter through it; no one enters it except for them, and when they have entered, it is closed so that no one enters it, so when the last of them enters it, it is closed, and whoever enters it drinks, and whoever drinks never becomes thirsty.” [Ibn Khuzaimah, Saheeh].

v     Be amongst true followers if the Prophets a.s. and among the martyrs.

-The fasting person will be among the true followers of the prophets and the martyrs: ‘Amr ibn Murrah al-Juhaanee r.a.a. said: A man came to the Prophet (s.a.w.) and said: O Messenger of Allah, what if I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that you are the Messenger of Allah, and I observe the five daily prayers, and I pay the zakaah, and I fast and stand in prayer in Ramadhan, then amongst whom shall I be? He said: Amongst the true followers of the prophets and the martyrs. [Ibn Hibbaan, Saheeh]

v     A great month.

-The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) addressed his companions on the last day of Sha`ban, saying, “Oh people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than a thousand months; month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer’s sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all.” [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]

 

 

 

v     Ramadan is our month, Subhanallah!

-”Verily, Rajab is Allah’s month, Shaban is my month and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Night of Power (Lailatul Qadr)

Lailatul Qadr (The Night of Power/Decree)

It is called the night of Power (i.e. Lailatul Qadr) or the night of blessing (Lailatul Mubarak). The deed in this night is better than the rewards of deeds of 1,000 months (about 83.3 years).

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) used to practice I’tikaaf in the last ten nights and say: ‘Seek out Laylatul Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten of Ramadan.”

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him), said: “Whoever prays during the ‘Night of Qadr’ with faith and hoping for its reward will have all of his previous sins forgiven.”

 

 

LAILATUL-QADR

Its excellence is great, since in this night the Noble Qur’an was sent down, which leads one who clings to it, to the path of honour and nobility, and raises him to the summit of distinction and everlasting life. The Muslims who adhere strictly to the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger SAW do not raise flags on this night, nor suspend colourful decorations. Rather they vie in standing during it (Lailatul-Qadr) in Prayer out of sincere faith and hoping for reward. Here, O Muslim, are the Qur’aanic Aayaat and authentic prophetic ahaadeeth referring to this night:

* Its excellence

As regards its excellence it is more than sufficient to mention that Lailatul-Qadr is better than a thousand months, He, the Mighty and Majestic, says:

” Verily! We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Decree (Lailatul-Qadr). And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (i.e. Gabriel) by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees, Peace! until the appearance of dawn.” (Al-Qadr 97: 1-5)

And in it every decreed matter for the year is conveyed, He, the Most High says:

” We sent it (this Qur’aan) down on a blessed Night. Verily, We are ever warning (mankind of Our Torment). Therein (that Night) is decreed every matter of ordainment. Amran (i.e. a command or this Qur’aan or His Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messenger). (As) a Mercy from your Lord. Verily! He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” (Ad-Dukhaan 44: 3-6)

* When is it?

It is reported from the Prophet SAW that it is within the twenty-first, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, twenty-ninth or the last night of Ramadhan.

Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee, rahimahullaah, said: To me it is as the Prophet SAW used to answer according to the question posed, it would be said to him: “Shall I seek it in such and such night?” So he would reply: “Seek it in such and such night.” And Allaah knows best. (Reported from him by al-Baghawee in Sharhus-Sunnah)

The most correct saying is that it occurs in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadhan and this is shown by the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah, RA, who said: “Allaah Messenger SAW used to practice I’tikaaf in the last ten nights and say: ‘Seek out Lailatul-Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten days of Ramadhan.” (Bukhari, Muslim )

However if the servant is too weak or unable, then he should at least not let the last seven days pass him by, due to what is reported from ‘Ibn ‘Umar, who said: Allaah’s Messenger SAW said: “Seek it in the last ten, and if one of you is too weak or unable then let him not allow that to make him miss the final seven.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

This explains his, SAW saying: “I see that your dreams are in agreement (that it is in the last seven) so he who wishes to seek it out then let him seek it in the last seven.” (Bukhari)

It is also known from the Sunnah, that knowledge of the exact night upon which Lailatul-Qadr falls was taken up because the people argued, ‘Ubaadah ibn as-Saamit, RA said: The Prophet SAW came out intending to tell us about Lailatul-Qadr, however two men were arguing and he said: “I came out to inform you about Lailatul-Qadr but so and so, and, so and so were arguing, so it was raised up, and perhaps that is better for you, so seek it on the (twenty) ninth and (twenty) seventh and the (twenty) fifth.” (Bukhari)

Some ahaadeeth indicate that Lailatul-Qadr is in the last ten nights, while others indicate that it is in the odd nights of the last ten, so the first are general and the second more particular, and the particular has to be given priority over the general. Other ahaadeeth state that it is in the last seven – and these are restricted by mention of one who is too weak or unable. So there is no confusion, all the ahaadeeth agree and are not contradictory.

In conclusion: The Muslim should seek out Lailatul-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten: the night of the twenty-first (the night before the twenty-first day), the twenty-third, the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh and the twenty-ninth. If he is too weak or unable to seek it out in all the odd nights, then let him seek it out in the odd nights of the last seven: the night of the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh and the twenty-ninth. And Allaah knows best.

* How should a Muslim seek Lailatul-Qadr?

One who misses this blessed night then he has missed much good for no one misses it except one from whom it is withheld. Therefore it is recommended that the Muslim who is eager to be obedient to Allaah should stand in Prayer during this night out of Eemaan and hoping for the great reward, since if he does this, Allaah will forgive his previous sins.

He SAW said: “Whoever stands in (Prayer) in Lailatul-Qadr out of Eemaan and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven.” (Bukhari)

It is recommended to supplicate a great deal in it, it is reported from ‘Aa’ishah, RA that she said: “O Messenger of Allaah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was, then what should I say in it?” He said: “Say: Allaahumma innaka ‘affuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘annee.” (O Allaah you are the one who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.) (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)

O brother! You know the importance of this night, so stand in Prayer in the last ten nights, in worship, detaching oneself from the women, ordering your family with this, and increasing in actions of obedience and worship in it.

From ‘Aa’ishah, RA who said: “The Prophet SAW used to tighten his waist-wrapper (izaar) – (meaning detached himself from his wives in order to worship, and exerted himself in seeking Lailatul-Qadr), spend the night in worship, and wake the family in the last ten nights.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

From ‘Aa’ishah, RA: “Allaah’s Messenger SAW used to exert himself in the last ten nights more than he would at other times.” (Muslim)

* Its sign

Allaah’s Messenger SAW described the morning after Lailatul-Qadr, so that the Muslim may know which day it is. From Ubayy, RA who said: that he SAW said: “On the morning following Lailatul-Qadr the sun rises not having any rays, as if it were a brass dish, until it rises up.” (Muslim, Abu Dawood, at-Tarmidhi, Ibn Majah)

From Abu Hurairah, RA who said: “We were discussing Lailatul-Qadr in the presence of Allaah’s Messenger SAW, so he said: ‘Which of you remembers (the night) when the moon arose and was like half a plate?’” (Muslim) [Qaadi 'Iyaad said: "It contains an indication that it was towards the end of the month - since the moon does not appear like that when it arises except towards the end of the month."]

From Ibn ‘Abbaas, RA who said: Allaah’s Messenger SAW said: “Lailatul-Qadr is calm and pleasant, neither hot nor cold, the sun arises on its morning being feeble and red.” (at-Tayaalisee, Ibn Khuzaimah, al-Bazzaar with hasan isnaad)

Let us seek abundance rewards from our Creator by performing extra actions in these last few days of the noble month of Ramadhan as it could be our last…

 

 

 

 

Please Repent in this Blessed month

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the nights equal a thousand

 

 

Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) revealed the Qur’an in the most blessed month; the month of Ramadan, the month in which the Qur’an was sent down.

On the most blessed night, the Grand night: Laylatul Qadr; ‘Verily, we revealed the Qur’an on the night of Qadr.’

Ibn Jareer narrates, on the authority of Mujaahid that there was a man from Bani Israel who used to spend the night in prayer. Then in the morning he would fight the enemy in the Way of Allah during the day, until the evening and he did this for a thousand months.

And so Allah revealed the Surah: ‘Verily, We sent it down in the night of Al-Qadr? until the verse ‘The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months’ That is, standing in prayer on that night is better than the actions of that man.

Sufyaan ath-Thawree reports, on the authority of Mujaahid (also), that the night of Al-Qadr being better than a thousand months means that the good deeds performed on it, fasting on it, and standing in prayer on it are better than a thousand months? good deeds, prayers and fasting. (Narrated by Ibn Jareer)

It is reported from Abu Hurairah that he said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Du’a

 

Main points:

* A believer who makes Du’a receives one of three things:

1. Either he will quickly have his Dua answered,
2. or he will get in the Hereafter,
3. or something bad will be prevented from him equal to the value of his Du’a.

* The Prophet (SAW) taught us to say the following as much as possible, during the last nights of Ramadan: Allahumma innaka ‘Afuwwoon, tuhibbul ‘afwa f’afoo ‘annii.” (“O Allah, You are the most forgiving, You love to forgive, so forgive me.”)

* Abu Hurairah has reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The du’a of three persons is not refused: a fasting man when breaking the fast, a just ruler, and an oppressed person.”

* We should remember the Hadith: “There is nothing more dear to Allah than a servant making dua to Him.” On the other hand, a prayer lacking concentration and conviction is no prayer at all.

* Never get tired of Dua, Allah has attached much value to it. Allah says ‘Let My servants know that I have the power to grant My servants’ wishes.’ 

* Make dua for everything, for this life and the Hereafter, for everyone. The Prophet said: “The dua of a Muslim for his brother (in Islam) in his absence is readily accepted. An angel is appointed to his side. Whenever he makes a beneficial dua for his brother the appointed angel says, ‘Aameen. And may you also be blessed with the same.’” [Sahih Muslim]

In more detail:

Dua is the weapon of a believer. It will protect you from the evils of enemies. Dua is the shield of a believer. It will increase your sustenance.

Dua is more forceful than a sword. Dua replaces what has been destined and also creates that what has not been destined.

Dua is a form of ibaadah. Dua removes both the present suffering and that which will come down later. Dua and sufferings challenge each other until the Day of Judgment, and Dua comes out victorious. Dua is so powerful that Dua has the power to create and alter fate!!

Ask Allah for what you need so that He will give it to you. If you keep on knocking the door of Divine Mercy, sooner or later it will be opened
for you.

Everything has a proper discipline to it, and so does Dua. Duas may not be answered when requirements of Dua have not been fulfilled.
Praise Allah Almighty.Remember Him and thank Him for His blessings.Send greetings to the Holy Prophet.Pray your Salaat regularly. Recite Qur’an regularly. Seek Tauba. Attain Taqwa.That is the right way for Dua.

It may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing while it is evil for you. At such times, refer to He who knows the best, and that is Allah .

Allah knows, while we do not know. So we must make Dua to Allah , then be patient, have faith in His unquestionable decision and trust His absolute wisdom.  Sometimes Allah delays answering the Dua to give a greater reward and a further blessing. Allah ’s delay is not Allah ’s denial. Allah ’s timing is perfect. What we need is Patience and trust. It is impossible to sum up everything about Dua in this brief note. To
summarize the whole concept of Dua into one single statement

Dua is a form of Ibaadah, such a powerful Ibaadah that it can create and alter Qadr, and that Allah is generous and if His servant raises his hands towards Him,He feels reluctant not to accept it.

A fasting person should increase in making du’a.

The dua is the greatest weapon of a believer. It is a conversation with Allah most High. We turn to Allah since only He can help us, only He has knowledge of everything, the Seen and the Unseen, and we need to bear than in mind.  We must always fear Allah yet never lose hope in His Mercy, for only he can forgive us. We will only enter Paradise through the mercy of Allah, and we must always remember that, and constantly do dhikr-praising Allah, remembering and glorifying Him.

In every difficulty our first action is dua, as is our last. It is the essence of Ibadah. There is no God but Allah and Only He is worthy of Worship, and we only turn to Allah when we make dua. We know we are truly powerless and only Allah can help us, so we remember that when we make dua. Duas that are answered are either answered in this life, and future calamity is removed or we get the reward in the Hereafter. So go on; raise your hands right now and make dua-for yourself, your family, your teachers, your friends, for everyone you now and everyone you don’t know, especially for our beloved Habib. Sayyidinah Rusool Allah (s.a.w), that we are forgiven and enter the highest levels of Paradise without reckoning, and that we are sincere pious Muslims, and that others come to Islam by using us as a means. Amin.

Dua is our most potent weapon in all struggles of life as well as in jihad in the battlefield. During the battle of Badr, the Prophet Muhammad stood up all night in prayer seeking Allah’s help in the battle between unequal armies that would follow the next day. And what happened? An army of around 300 Muslims beat the Quraish’s army of around 1000 men. Angels fought with the Muslims too! See the power of dua?

We should make it a point to make dua for all things big and small. WE must remember our manners when making dua, but should make it like no one can fulfil our needs except Allah and that if He wills it will be answered, for that is the reality.

Also love for your brother what you love for yourself. So make a lot of powerful duas in Ramadan everyone.

 

 

 

 

About Food

EXPLANATION OF THE HADITH: “NO HUMAN EVER FILLED A VESSEL WORSE THAN THE STOMACH…”

Author: Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee
Source: Jaami’ Al-’Uloom wal-Hikam, hadeeth No. 47

On the authority of Al-Miqdaam ibn Maadiy-Karib who said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah saying:

“No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Aadam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for his breath.” [Ahmad, At-Tirmidhee, An-Nasaa'ee, Ibn Maajah - hadeeth saheeh.]

1. Ibn Masaweh, a Muslim doctor, said after reading this hadeeth:

“If the people only used these words, they would avoid all diseases and maladies and the clinics and pharmacies would be idle.”

1. Another doctor, Al-Harith ibn Kalada said:

“That which has killed mankind is the introduction of food on top of food before it has been digested.”

1. As for spiritual benefits: humbleness of heart, strength of understanding, lessening of lower desires, lessening of personal opinions and anger, while overeating induces the opposites of all of those. Al-Hasan Al-Basree said:

“O, son of Adam, eat with one third of your stomach and drink with one third and leave one third of your stomach to breathe so that you may think.”

1. Ibn Umar: A man said to Ibn Umar:

“Shouldn’t I bring you some jawarish?” Ibn Umar said: “What is that?” He said: “Something which aids in digesting your food after you eat.” Ibn Umar said: “I have not eaten to being full for four months. That is not because I am not able to do so, but I was with a group of people who were hungry more than they were full.”

1. Not reaching your goals: Muhammad ibn Wasi said:

“Whoever eats little will understand and make others understand and will be clear and humble. Overeating weighs a person down and keeps him from much of what he wants [to accomplish]. “

1. Al-Hasan Al-Basree:

“The test of Aadam, alayhis-salaam, was food and it is your test until Qiyama.”

And, it used to be said:

“Whoever takes control of his stomach gets control of all good deeds.”

And:

“Wisdom does not reside in a full stomach.”

One day, Al-Hasan offered some food to his companion who said: “I have eaten until I am no longer able to eat.” To which Al-Hasan said:

“SubhaanAllaah! Does a Muslim eat until he is no longer able to eat?”

1. Allaah grants this world to those whom He loves and those He does not love but only grants hunger to those whom he loves.
2. Ash-Shaafi’ee said:

“I have not filled myself in sixteen years because filling oneself makes the body heavy, removes clear understanding, induces sleep and makes one weak for worship.”

1. In Bukhaaree and Muslim:

“The believer eats with one stomach while the kafir eats with seven stomachs.”

Meaning: The believer eats with the manners of Islam and in moderation, while the kafir eats based on desires and gluttony and so he eats with seven stomachs.

1. Also:

“Food for one is enough for two and food for two is enough for three and food for three is enough for four.”

1. Also: From Aa’ishah:

“The family of Muhammad (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) never filled themselves with wheat bread three days in a row from the time he came to Madeenah until he passed away.”

1. A Muslim should not merely follow his appetites. Allaah said:

“Then, they were followed by generations who neglected the prayer and followed their appetites. They will encounter a pit of fire except for those who repent…” [Maryam 59-60]

1. The best generations did not:

“The best generation is my generation, followed by the one after them then the one after them. Then will come a people who bear witness but are not asked to bear witness, who swear oaths but do not fulfill them and fatness will appear among them.” [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

1. From Abee Barza that the Prophet (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said:

“My greatest fear for you is the appetites of transgression with regard to your stomachs and your privates and the inclinations which lead astray.” [Ahmad and others and its narrators are people of saheeh]