azra 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)
Praise be to Allaah!
Firstly: We must note that one of the names of Allaah is al-Hakeem (the Most Wise). The word Hakeem is derived from the same root as hukm (ruling) and hikmah (wisdom). Allaah alone is the One Who issues rulings, and His rulings are the most wise and perfect.
Secondly: Allaah 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.
You have been alive long enough, you will hear a common phrase among people: “I have peace of mind.” When someone makes such a statement, they are essentially saying, I have no worries. I am content with what I have, and its in good balance. They have no enemies. They are in harmony with their family and can enjoy their privacy without outside interference.
LESSON 6: RECOGNIZING THAT ONE CAN CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“Every son of Adam sins and the best of the sinners are those who repent.”
[Ibn Maajah]
Allah provides many opportunities; like Ramadan; to repent to Him and seek His forgiveness. If one was disobedient they can become obedient.
LESSON 7: BEING MORE CHARITABLE
In the month of Ramadan it is very important that we spent a few moments to understand some of the wisdoms and lessons that we can learn from this month of fasting. Unfortunately, many Muslims come in to this month and they are as a companion of the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Let it not be that the day that you fast and the day that you break fast be equal.” Meaning, one’s behaviour, attitude and outlook are the same whether one fasts or not, i.e. fasting has no effect upon that person. This is why we need to reflect on some of these lessons.
LESSON 1: Gaining Taqwa (piety)
‘Asiyah, the wife of Fir’aun (Pharoah). Her iman in Allah thrived under the shadow of someone that said, “I am your Lord, Most High!” When news reached Fir’aun of his wife’s iman he beat her and commanded his guards to beat her.
Ramadan is here again providing us the opportunity to reach out to Allah more than ever and ask for His forgiveness and blessings. As Allah has singled out this month more so than others for showering His blessings and mercy, it is only prudent that we also use the opportunity to reassess our conditions, our purpose and direction in life, and accordingly make appropriate changes in line with His commands.
A time for our hearts to become unsealed
Reflecting on the divine words revealed
The month which we hope to never end
Unable to count the infinite blessings it sends
Asked by our Lord to give up our worldly pleasures
So that we may receive His divine treasures
It’s a time that comes but once a year
Yet the moments which we hold most dear
The nights spent in prayer and reflection
Prepares the soul for redemption
Praying to our Creator for mercy and wisdom
Pleading to be admitted into His kingdom
We welcome you, O Ramadan, with joy as our guest
Ramadan is one of the twelve Arabic months. It is a month which is venerated in the Islamic religion, and it is distinguished from the other months by a number of characteristics and virtues, including the following:
1 – Allah has made fasting this month the fourth pillar of Islam, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
The name al-Qawī (the Strong) appears nine times in the Qur’ān, like in:“Allah is Strong, severe in punishment.” [Sūrah al-Anfāl: 52]
“Indeed, your Lord is the Strong, the Mighty” [Sūrah Hūd: 66]
UK’s Channel 4 will air a daily Islamic call to prayer throughout the month of Ramadan.
The plans, which start on the first day of Ramadan on 10 July, have been fiercely defended by the broadcaster, who say that the channel gives “a voice to the under-represented.”
The broadcast will be heard for three minutes from around 3am. Channel 4 said the call will be transmitted “directly into British living rooms at the exact time Muslims prepare for their first prayers and as they begin their fast every morning during Ramadan.”
“Your wealth and your children are only a trial, while with Allah there is a tremendous reward.”
(Quran 64:15)
A Believing man or woman continues to be tested in person, property and children in order he or she may meet Allah (SWT) free from sin. The patience and gratefulness we have for all difficulties in this life determine the amount of reward and forgiveness we will receive. The one for whom Allah intends good encounters afflictions to get it. (Bukhari)
Many people misunderstand the true nature of fasting, and they make it an occasion for eating and drinking, making special sweets and staying up late at night and watching shows on satellite TV. They make preparations for that long before Ramadan, lest they miss out on some food or prices go up. They prepare by buying food, preparing drinks and looking at the satellite TV guide so they can choose which shows to follow and which to ignore.
Allah, the Exalted, says:
“Then when the (Jumu’ah) Salat is ended, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allah (by working), and remember Allah much: that you may be successful.”
(62:10)
Ahadith:
1.) Abu Hurairah (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday. On that day Adam was created, he was admitted to Jannah, and he was expelled therefrom.”
[Muslim]
When we know we are to attend a wedding, we begin to plan and prepare from days and even weeks in advance. We pay much attention to detail so that we arrive to the function on time, are dressed up smartly with clean/ new shoes, have organised a place to stay, eat carefully so as not to ruin our clothing and so on. In a similar way we prepare and plan for other important events, functions, interviews etc.
Most of us live our lives with feelings of hatred for certain people and also feeling jealous of what Allah has granted others in provisions of this life. Such feelings not only rob us of our peace within but also hurt us both in this life and the hereafter.
It is reported in the Musnad of Ahmad from Anas, (radi-Allahu-anhu), that he said:
‘We were sitting in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) one day and he said:
“A person is about to arrive from this mountain path who is from the people of Paradise.”
Before seeking cures for any disease, a Muslim should first believe that all diseases as well as their cures are in Allah’s hands and power. Allah alone decrees trials for His creation and He alone can decree their remedies. All means of getting sick and healed are, therefore, contingent upon Allah’s decree. As part of a Muslim’s belief, this principle is important because people sometimes fail to understand how afflictions come down upon a person and seek their cures without internalizing this reality.
Doing service for humanity is one of the greatest ways we can show our devotion to Allah. All of the revealed scriptures place great emphasis on helping others. In Islam, helping others and solving their problems is not only an important virtue, it is also a profound act of worship. It is a means of righteousness that promotes peace on Earth and allows us to earn Allah’s eternal reward in the Hereafter.
Allah likes it so much when we help others that He forgives us our sins for something as simple as moving some thorns out of the path where people walk.
Sha’ban is one of the meritorious months for which we find some particular instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. It is reported in the authentic ahadith that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to fast most of the month in Sha’ban.
These fasts were not obligatory on him but Sha’ban is the month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan. Therefore, some preparatory measures are suggested by Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Some of these are given below:
1. To be compliant, co-operative and conciliatory towards one another, to advise each other and urge each other towards obedience to Allah, the Most High and the Most Blessed, following all of His Rulings, which have been clearly established in the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. These must never be superseded by blind following of any custom or school of thought, which has predominated among the people. Allah, the Most High says: