“But those who have faith and work righteousness, they are companions of the Garden, abiding in it eternally.”
[Al-Qur’an 2:82]
“There, no sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shay they [ever] be evicted.”
[Al-Qur’an 15:48]
“They will not taste death therein, except the first death, and He will preserve them from the penalty of the Blazing Fire. [It will be] a bounty from your Lord. That will be the supreme achievement!”
[Al-Qur’an 44:56-57]
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) says:
“To those who do good is a goodly reward – even more (than in measure)!”
[Sūrah Yūnus: 26]
In this verse, the goodly reward is Paradise and what is more is the pleasure that the denizens of Paradise will have in gazing upon the countenance of the Lord. [Sahīh Muslim (181)]
Allah is the Giver of Good (al-Muhsin). This name was mentioned by Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) when he said:
“Allah is the Giver of Good, and He loves those who exhibit goodness.”
THE BEST TIMES FOR SUPPLICATION
When the servant combines in his supplication presence of the heart and its being attentive and devoting itself solely to Allaah, sincerely asking Him for the desired matter, doing so at one of the six times when the supplication is more likely to answered – these being:
* The last third of the night.
* At the time of the adhaan.
* Between the adhaan and iqaamah.
* At the ends of the prescribed prayers.
* From the time the Imaam ascends the pulpit to the time the prayer has finished on the day of Jumu’ah.
Supplication (D’ua) is from the most beneficial types of healing, it is the enemy of illness and affliction – repressing it and treating it, preventing its occurrence, removing it or at least alleviating it. It is the weapon of the believer as is reported by al-Haakim in his ‘Mustadrak’ from the hadeeth of Alee bin Abee Taalib (RA) from the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam that he said:
“Supplication is the weapon of the believer, the pillar of the religion, and the light of the heaven and earth.”
(Abu Ya’laa)
Supplication takes one of three positions against illness:
Anxiety is an unavoidable part of life. Everyone in this world will have his or her share of worries. However, there are limits to how much worry there should be. Worry should not lead us to despair.
Some people try so hard to avoid anxiety that they are unable to cope with the real world. By fleeing from reality, they merely increase their worries.
We need to cope with our anxiety in a rational, methodical way.
“And they ask you (O Muhammad), concerning theRuh (the spirit); Say: “The Ruh (the Spirit): its knowledge is with my Lord. And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given a little,”
(Al-Isra 17:85)
Most Muslims are familiar with the various reasons that Allah has required women to wear hijab: The hijab reflects modesty, purity and respect; it lessens temptation so that more serious sins will be avoided; it protects women from the harm and molestation of evil men; a woman who wears hijab will be evaluated for her intelligence and skills rather than her appearance.
The following incident took place when Muhammad Ali’s daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were not modest. Here is the story as told by one of his daughters:
When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father’s suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.
(Continued)..
4. Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah (glorified and exalted be He))
Remembering Allah (glorified and exalted be He) is essential in achieving closeness to Him. You can remember him by engaging in dhikr (remembrance) and tasbeeh (praise).
Say ‘Astaghfirullah’ a lot to erase your sins.
Say ‘Alhamdulillah’ so Allah will give you more.
Look outside your window and say ‘Subhan-Allah’ about His beautiful creations.
“…for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.”
(Surah Al-Rad, 13:28)
To be close to our Creator is a fundamental need of every human being and striving to achieve it can be the healing for our chaotic inner selves which, in turn, leads to:
* Allah’s (glorified and exalted be He) love
* Greater productivity
* Confidence
* Satisfaction and joy
Therefore, it is essential to exert effort in seeking closeness to your Creator. To begin with, the prescription to getting closer to Allah requires a few things from you:
Ayyub (RadiyAllahu Anhu) relates that the Messenger of Allah salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:
“Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days from Shawwal, it is as if they fasted the entire year”
[Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah; Ahmad transmitted it from Jabir, Muntaqa].
Thawban (RadiyAllahu Anhu) relates that the Messenger of Allah salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:
“Whoever fasts Ramadan, and then six days after Eid, it is [like fasting] an entire year. Whoever does a good deed shall have ten times its reward”
[Ibn Majah, Muntaqa].
(36*10=360)
What are we celebrating today? We are celebrating Eidulfitr, we are celebrating the break of the fast, we are celebrating the end of Ramadan, we are celebrating our efforts in worshipping Allah throughout the blessed month, we are celebrating the mercy, the forgiveness, and the protection from Hell fire that had come to cover all of us in Ramadan. Yes, indeed, we are celebrating all this today, but we are also celebrating something much more important. Some of you might ask what can be more important than Ramadan, the fast, the prayers, the forgiveness…?
Recently I’d been feeling very hard-hearted and unemotional; I couldn’t feel anything for anyone close or far, no matter what they were going through. I couldn’t cry. I would ask Allah (swt) to soften my heart but even this asking was emotion-free. I hated this feeling. But one afternoon everything changed, and my “dua” was answered.
Abdullah ibn Umar (RadiyAllahu Anhu), a learned companion of the Prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), reports that “Allah’s messenger (Pbuh) used to stay in the Mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan.”
[Related by Al Bukhari]
How to take full advantage and benefit from the last part of Ramadan ?
Though all parts of Ramadan are full of blessings and rewards, its last ten days hold a special status reflected in the recommendations and practices of the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, and his companions. Let us focus here on three major practices of the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, and his companions during these days.
(1) – Praying in the last ten nights of Ramadan:
AL-I’TIKAF:
SECLUSION FOR THE REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH
The meaning of I’tikaf is to seclude oneself in the masjid with the express intention (niyyah) of I’tikaf, for the remembrance of Allah, even though for a few seconds only.
Objects and Advantages of I’tikaf:
As the last ten nights of Ramadan are upon us, many of us are still in shock at the speed with which Ramadan has passed. Our goals may not yet be realized, our habits may not yet have changed, and our hearts may not yet have felt the sweetness of this beloved month. Disheartened, many of us may have already given to despair, feeling that our Ramadans have not been as fruitful as we had wished and planned.
As the last ten nights of Ramadan are upon us, many of us are still in shock at the speed with which Ramadan has passed. Our goals may not yet be realized, our habits may not yet have changed, and our hearts may not yet have felt the sweetness of this beloved month. Disheartened, many of us may have already given to despair, feeling that our Ramadans have not been as fruitful as we had wished and planned.
One should not overeat while breaking the fast to the point that he fills his stomach, as there isn’t any container that Allah hates more than a full stomach. How can one benefit from fasting and subdue this enemy and break this desire if he breaks his fast by making up for it through eating everything that he missed out on during the day? In fact, some even eat more than they usually would during the day! This habit has continued to the point that so many types of food are prepared for Ramadhan that more food is eaten in this month than in any other month.
As the last ten nights of Ramadan are upon us, many of us are still in shock at the speed with which Ramadan has passed. Our goals may not yet be realized, our habits may not yet have changed, and our hearts may not yet have felt the sweetness of this beloved month. Disheartened, many of us may have already given to despair, feeling that our Ramadans have not been as fruitful as we had wished and planned.
ALLAH, the Most High, says that those who practice regular prayer and pay charity regularly, will be the ones that are successful. The key word here is regular. Anything you do regularly eventually becomes a habit and way of life. This is one of the magnificent qualities of human beings; that we are able to change ourselves and do most anything – just by thinking it, and then doing it. Because of this fact, obedience to ALLAH should be at the top of our priority list.
He (SWT) also said:
“And we have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and be remembered, then is there any that will remember (or receive admonition)?”
(Al-Qamar 54:17)
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).”
(Al-Baqarah 2:185)
Allah (SWT) says:
“Verily! We have sent it down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).”
(Al-Qadr 97:1)
‘Ibad Allah!
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).
(Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.”
(2:183-84)
Abu Huraira (RadiyAllahu Anhu) related that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.”
[Bukhari, Muslim]
Abu Huraira (RadiyAllahu Anhu) related that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
1. Guarding the tongue from backbiting due to the saying of the Most High:
“Do not backbite one another.” (49:12)
2. Shunning suspicion due to the saying of the Most High:
“Avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin.”
(49:12)
And also due to the saying of the Messenger, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam:
“Avoid suspicion, for airing suspicion is the most lying form of speech.”
[Musnad Ahmad]
3. Shunning mockery due to the saying of the Most High:
“Let not a people ridicule another people; perhaps they may be better than them.”
(49:11)