Islam Way of Life |
- Why We Need Ramadaan !
- 10 Steps to Maximising the Last Ten Days of Ramadan
- Polishing The Hearts
- When Starting Ablution
| Posted: 07 Aug 2012 01:50 AM PDT by Abu Uwais Abdullah Alee [Listen to Audio ] Transcribed by: Umm Hasna Firdous Bint Jabir TRANSCRIPTION: Ramadhaan is a month of Forgiveness. Ramadhaan is a month of Rahmah. Ramadhaan is the month of generosity. Ramadhaan, the month that Allaah subhaanahu wa ta'ala accepts the Tawbah of the servants, and the month that Allaah blesses His servants. We Need a Ramadhaan We are in need of Ramadhaan to correct ourselves, for we have forgotten Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala for the majority of the year. To correct ourselves for we have been neglectful. To correct ourselves for we are not upon the remembrance of Allaah. To correct ourselves because our hearts have gotten hard, some hearts are dead, some hearts are sick, some hearts are stone-cold, some hearts are black, getting no benefit whatsoever. Some hearts are so bad, and so ill that they see a good as a Munkar, (as an evil), and they see an evil as a good. These are not as they should be. We need a Ramadhaan. We need a Ramadhaan because our connection with Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala is not correct. We need a Ramadhaan because we do not have any Khushoo or devotion in our Salaah. We need a Ramadhaan because our Qura'an has dust and is sitting on a shelf. We need a Ramadhaan because we never read the books of Sunnah. We need a Ramadhaan because we don't fast, and if we fast physically without food or drink, we don't fast with our eyes by lowering them and our tongue by not slandering and our tongue by not lying and back-biting. We need a Ramadhaan to get ourselves back in order, to work for the Hereafter, to connect ourselves to Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala. We need a Ramadhaan because relationships brother to brother and sister to sister is in a miserable condition. We need a Ramadhaan because we have bad thoughts about one another. We need a Ramadhaan because of dhulm, injustice to one another. We need a Ramadhaan because there is backbiting, there is envy, there is jealousy, and there is slander. We need a Ramadhaan because we are despicable, because we are sick, because we are ill. (All these are diseases of the heart) We need a Ramadhaan because we don't believe in the promise of Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala, or if we do, we do not implement it. We need a Ramadhaan because it is time for us to change and become something better then we are now. We need a Ramadhaan because that is the only thing that is going to get us together… We need a Ramadhaan because we don't have unity, there's no brotherhood We need a Ramadhaan because there's no respect for elders We need a Ramadhaan because there's no real love between us We need a Ramadhaan, full of love and the Mercy of Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala. A Ramadhaan like we come in, like in a clinic or a hospital, trying to solve our illnesses, trying to come out of there without the disease we came with, trying to be better than we went in with. We need a Ramadhaan. Look around you, look to your right, look to your left, look in front of you and look behind you and you'll say, "We need a Ramadhaan". The sisters aren't covering properly, we need a Ramadhaan. Brothers and sisters are mixing. We need a Ramadhaan. Talking on phones and on the internet, we need a Ramadhaan. This is a mess, we are in a fix, we are in a bind, and this is a problem… We need a Ramadhaan. We need a Ramadhaan to get ourselves together. We need a Ramadhaan, that we come in the Masjid and we face the Qiblah and we say "Allaahu Akbar" and we stand in qiyaamah a long time until those diseases, that filth, that sickness, that hardness the heart goes away. We need a Ramadhaan that reminds us of the Hell-fire. We need a Ramadhaan that tells us that we haven't been given a certificate that we are people of Jannah. We need a Ramadhaan that lets us known that we are servants of Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala. And if we were to spend our whole life, from the time we were born until Yawm al Qiyaamah in Sajdaah, it would not be enough to thank Allaah for His Mercy, His Grace and His Blessings. We need a Ramadhaan and it is clear. If there is any fear of Allaah left in the hearts of ours and if there is any hope of Jannaah left in us, and if there is any desire to change and to be better and to be righteous and to come to the level of Ihsaan, to come to the level of a Mumim, to have taqwa, to fear Allaah … we need a Ramadhaan. We need a Ramadhaan, a month of Tawbaah. We need a Ramadhaan, a month of Maghfira. We need a Ramadhaan to correct our behaviour, to correct the differences & the difficulties and the envy / jealousies in our relationship between one another. http://feeds.feedburner.com/IslamWayOfLife   This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 10 Steps to Maximising the Last Ten Days of Ramadan Posted: 06 Aug 2012 10:46 PM PDT The last ten days of Ramadan are very precious indeed: Allah's Messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time." (Muslim). Hazrat Aishah (Ra) reported that during the last ten days of Ramadan; the Messenger of Allah would wake his wives up during the night and then remain apart from them (that is, being busy in acts of worship). (Bukhari) Hazrat Aisha (Ra) reported that with the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (Saw) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers. (Bukhari) So we need to tighten all of our belts especially in these last ten days and do as much as we can to thank Allah and worship him and ask him for forgiveness. Here are some ways that we can all make the best of these precious last ten days of this most blessed month: 1. Make a timetable for oneself for the last ten days One should make a timetable for oneself so that one can make the best of these last 10 precious days. One can include the times that one will read the Qur'an and how much one will read like one juz (Chapter) or half a juz etc as well as certain Nafil prayers one will do throughout the day and night and any worship that one will do etc. One should strive to make time the to worship on at least the last odd nights of the last ten days as these are the nights where it is said that it is most likely to be Laylat ul Qadr (The night of power). Making a structured timetable may help one to better organise oneself especially in these precious days 10 days. 2. Spend the last 10 days in I'thikaaf I`tikaf is the seclusion and staying in the Masjid with the intention of becoming closer to Allah by doing constant remembrance, glorification and worship of Allah Ta'aala. One should perform as many Nafil prayers as possible and recite much of the Qur'an and its meanings, read books on Islam and keep ones lips moist with the constant glorification and remembrance of Allah ta'aala. `Aishah radhiya Allahu `anha reported that the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, "Used to perform i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah the Mighty and Majestic, took him. (Bukhari and Muslim) Abu Said reported that the Prophet (S) said: "Whoever makes I`tikaf with me is to make I'tikaf during the last ten [nights]." (Bukhari) We can also do what's called Nafil I'thikaf where one can obtain reward for as long as one is in the Masjid even if it is for a short while. So every time we enter the Masjid we should make intention of doing Nafil I'thikaf for as long as we are in the Masjid we will get rewarded inshallah depending on how long we stay. If we don't stay at the Masjid for the full ten days then we should at least strive to stay at the Masjid as much as possible during the odd nights or last 5-7 days. 3. Recite the Qur'an abundantly Az-Zuhri used to say upon the coming of Ramadan, "It is only about reciting the Qur'an and feeding the poor." Ibn Al-Hakam said, "With the advent of Ramadan, Malik would completely forsake studying Hadith and having sessions with other scholars [so that he can concentrate on reading the Qur'an]." Abdur-Raziq said, "When Ramadan came, Sufyan Ath-Thawri would give up all acts of (voluntary) worship and devote himself to the recitation of the Qur'an." Both fasting and recitation of the Qur'an in Ramadan act as intercessors with Almighty Allah for the true believer who observes them. In this respect, the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, Fasting and the Qur'an will intercede on behalf of Allah's servant on the Day of Judgment. Fasting will say, "O my Lord! I prevented him from food and desires during the day, so accept my intercession for him." And the Qur'an will say, "O my Lord! I prevented him from sleeping by night, so accept my intercession for him." The intercession of both will thus be accepted. (Ahmad) This is the month of the holy Qur'an so we should strive to recite as much of it as we can especially during the last ten nights of Ramadan as there is a special merit to reciting the Qur'an in the nights of Ramadan. For indeed, the night brings an end to the busy daily affairs, the enthusiasm is roused and the heart and the tongue mount upon reflecting. And Allah is the one in whom we seek assistance. Hazrat Anas radhiyallahu anhu reports that Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam said: "Whoever reads the Quran, Allah grants that person ten good deeds for every letter. And for one who hears the Qur'an being recited, Allah grants a good deed for every letter, and such a person will be resurrected among those who will recite and ascend the stages of Jannat." The reward for reading a letter of the Holy Qur'an in this blessed month is also very much increased so its 70 good deeds or MORE for reading just one letter so lets make the best use of these precious last few days and read as much of the Qur'an as we can! 4. Strive to gain forgiveness One should strive and do their utmost to gain the mercy of Allah in these last ten days especially. If one leaves Ramadan without gaining the mercy of Allah then surely they are the most unfortunate ones and are the biggest losers in this world and the next. Aisha (Ra) said: "I asked the Messenger of Allah: 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?' He said: 'Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.' " "Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee" (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi). Abu Huraira narrated that the Messenger said: "Whoever stands (in prayer) in Laylatul Qadr while nourishing his faith with self-evaluation, expecting reward from Allah, will have all of his previous sins forgiven." (Bukhari and Muslim). The best times to ask for forgiveness are just before the time of breaking ones fast and before Sehri after one reads the Tahajjud prayer. These are the times we should concentrate on repenting the most as these times duas are more readily accepted. We should sincerely repent for past and present sins with the intention of not repeating them again and ask of Allah Ta'aala to help us prevent ourselves from doing them again and ask Allah to perfect our characters and to help us improve ourselves in everyway possible. 5. Do Parents Khidmat (Help) We should always be the best towards our parents at all times and not even say "uff" to them and in Ramadan and in particular the last ten days we should increase ourselves in helping our Parents and being the best towards them and making them happy and smile. A man asked Prophet Muhammad "What kinds of deeds are best in the sight of God?" He replied, "To pray on time, to be good and kind to parents, and to struggle in the path of God" (Al-Bukhari). The reward for being good and kind toward one's parents was mentioned on several occasions by Prophet Muhammad (Saw), emphasizing that those who are obedient to their parents and to God also will be in the highest places in Paradise. Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him) mentions in Noble Qur'an: "And your Lord has commanded that you shall not serve (any) but Him, and goodness to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) "Ugh" nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word. And make yourself submissively gentle to them with compassion, and say: O my Lord! Have compassion on them, as they brought me up (when I was) little." Noble Qur'an (17:23-24) A man asked Prophet Muhammad(Saw) "What kinds of deeds are best in the sight of God?" He replied, "To pray on time, to be good and kind to parents, and to struggle in the path of God" (Al-Bukhari). Prophet Muhammad (Saw) also indicated that the pleasure or anger of Allah is in the pleasure or anger of parents, and that Muslims who are kind to their parents earn forgiveness from Allah. The importance of gaining the pleasure of one's parents was also emphasized by Prophet Muhammad (Saw) when he said that the earnest prayers of parents for or against their child are always answered by Allah. So if our parents are angry or unhappy with us then how do we expect our fasts and deeds to be accepted? How do we expect to gain the mercy and forgiveness from Allah? Now is the time to ask our parents to forgive us for any wrongs we have done towards them and any unhappiness we have brought towards them and start from now to make them the happiest so that Allah may be the happiest with us. 6. Do much Superogatory Prayers (Nafil) Superogatory prayers(Nafil) are one of the best ways to get close to Allah Ta'aala as well as filling up our good deed accounts. We have to invest as much as we can into the hereafter to just to this world. Abu Hurairah reports that the Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam said: "The first thing that the people will be called to account for on the Day of Resurrection will be the prayers. Our Lord will say to the angels although He knows better: 'Look into the salah of my servant to see if he observed it perfectly or been negligent in it. So if he observed it perfectly it will be recorded to his credit, but if he had been negligent in it in any way, Allah would say: See if My servant has any supererogatory prayers. Then if he has any supererogatory prayers, Allah would say: Make up the deficiency in My servant's obligatory prayer with his supererogatory prayers.' Thereafter all his actions will be examined in like manner" (Abu Dawud). Rabi'ah ibn Malik al-Aslami reported that the Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam said: "Ask (anything)." Rabi'ah said: "I ask of you to be your companion in paradise." The Prophet said: "Or anything else?" Rabi'ah said: "That is it." The Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam said to him: "Then help me by making many prostrations (i.e., supererogatory prayers)." (Muslim) The mother of the believers, Umm Habibah Ramilah bint Abu Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that she heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "A house will be built in Paradise for every Muslim who offers twelve units of Prayers other than the obligatory ones in day and night, to seek pleasure of Allah." (Reported by Muslim) Here are some Nafil prayers we can all do everyday: The Two Rakat before Fard of Fajr: `Aishah, the mother of the believers, quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: "The two rak`ah before Dawn (Fajr) Prayer are better than the word and all that which it contains." (Reported by Muslim) Salaatul Ishraaq (Sunrise prayer-15-20 mins after sunrise) 2 or 2x2 Rakat of Nafil Rasulullah is reported to have said, 'He who performs Fajr Salat with Jamaat and remains seated in the same place while engaging in Dhikr until after sunrise and thereafter performs 2 Rakaats Nafil Salat, (Ishraaq), he will obtain the Thawaab of one Hajj and one Umrah.' (Tirmidhi). Duha Prayer (Salaatul Chasht-Breakfast prayer to be prayed before Zawaal(Midday) 'Salat al-Dhuhaa consists of 2 - 12 Rakaats and it is preferable to perform 8 Rakaats.' (Raddul Mukhtaar vol.1 pg.505) The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) is reported to have said that: Whoever prayed twelve rakaats at the time of Chasht, then Allah will, as a reward, prepare a palace of gold for him in Paradise. [Mishkat, Tirmizi, Ibn Majah] 4 Rakah Sunnah before Fard of Zuhr, 2 Rakah Sunnah and 2 Rakah Nafil after Fard of Zuhr Umm Habibah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever sticks to the habit of offering four rak`ahs before Noon Prayer and four rak`ahs after it, Allah will shield him against the Hell-Fire." (Reported by Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi) 4 Rak'aah Sunnah of Asr Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said: "May Allaah have Mercy on the one who offers four (rak'ahs) before 'Asr prayer." (Abu Dawud) If anyone enters a mosque, he should offer two rak`ahs before sitting. Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: "If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two rak`ahs before sitting." (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim) 2 Rakat after doing Wudu (Ablution) Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him): "Tell me about the best of your deeds (i.e. one which you deem the most rewarding) since your embracing Islam because I heard your footsteps in front of me in Paradise." Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: "I do not consider any act of mine more rewarding than that whenever I make ablution at any time of night or day, I perform Prayer for as much as was destined for me to do." (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)" The MOST REWARDING Superogatory Prayer of all is Tahajjud Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has said: In Paradise there is a castle reserved for those who read Tahajjud and the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) further adds, those who pray at night will enter paradise without having to account for their acts in this life. It is recommended that you recite in your prayers as much of the Sacred Quran as you know. If you happen to know by heart the whole of the Sacred Quran you may, in at least 3 nights or most 4 nights of Tahajjud effectuate the complete reading of the Sacred Quran. Otherwise, you may recite 3 Surah Ikhlas (Qul Hu Allahu Ahad) after your "Alhamdu..." in every Rakat and you will thus derive full benefits of the full recital of the Sacred Quran in every Rakat. During the month of Ramadan one should awake a little earlier for Sehri and make time to pray Tahajjud Salaah for the reward is magnified so much more in Ramadan and duas are even more readily accepted than at any other time of the year. We should be reading Tahajjud EVERY night in the last ten days of Ramdan for any of these nights may be the night of POWER. The dua's at the time of Tahajjud are very readily accepted by Almighty Allah and one should repent and ask of Allah and try to cry in their dua's at this time, if one cannot cry due to the hardness of ones heart due to sin then at least one should make the face as if one is crying. Just as a mother tends to her baby quickly and promptly when it cries the same way Allah attends to his servant quicker when they are crying. Salaatul Tasbih Our beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) had taught this Nafil prayer to his Uncle, Hazrat Abbas (RA) and told him; He who performs this prayer will have his past and future sins forgiven. The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has recommended to read this prayer daily on each Friday or once a month or once a year, in case of this not being possible, to read it even once in one's life. This Nafil prayer provides limitless benefits both in the material and spiritual life. Ibn al Mubarak says: "The tasbih prayer is a greatly desired act and it is desirable that one should punctually observe it and never neglect it. How to perform this Salaah 'Ikrimah reports from Ibn 'Abbas that the Messenger of Allah said to 'Abbas ibn 'Abdal-Mutalib: "O 'Abbas, O Uncle, shall I not give you, shall I not present to you, shall I not donate to you, shall I not tell you ten things which, if you do, Allah will forgive your first and last sins, past and present sins, intentional and unintentional sins, private and public sins? The ten actions are: pray four rak'at, reciting in every rak'ah al-Fatihah and a surah. And when you finish the Qur'anic recitation of the first rak'ah, say, while standing, 'Subhanallah, al-hamdulillah, wa la ilaha illallah, wa Allahu Akbar' ['Glory be to Allah. All praise is due to Allah. There is no God except Allah. Allah is the greatest.'] Fifteen times. Then make ruku', and while you are in ruku', say the same ten times; then stand, and say the same ten times. Then go down and make sajdah, and while you're in sajdah, say the same ten times. Then sit after the sajdah, and say the same ten times. Then make sajdah, and say the same ten times. Then sit after the second sajdah, and say the same another ten times. That is seventy-five [repetitions of the phrases] in each rak'ah. Do that in each of the four rak'at. If you can pray it once a day, do so. If you cannot, then once every Friday. If you cannot do that, then once a year. And if you cannot do that then once in your life. " We should try to read it EVERY night in the last ten days of Ramadan and get COUNTLESS rewards inshallah Also don't forget that the Reward of Salaah multiplied 70 times or more by use of Miswaak 'Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) has reported that, "The prayer before which the Miswak is used is seventy times more excellent than that before which it is not used." 7. Increase in Dhikr (Rememberance of Allah) We should glorify Allah night and day, especially in these last ten days of the blessed month of Ramadan. Remembering Allah much through acts of dhikr brings much peace and tranquillity to the heart. It also gives us a sense of taqwa (fear of allah), a consciousness that makes us realise that Allah Almighty is ever near and that we should always strive to please Him. "…Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." (13:28) Remembrance of Allah indeed is the greatest virtue. (29:46). Here are some beneficial Dhikr and glorification we can do throughout the last ten days and nights of this blessed month and throughout the year Inshallah: Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "Is anyone of you incapable of earning one thousand Hasanah (rewards) a day?" Someone from the gathering asked, "How can anyone of us earn a thousand Hasanah?" Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "Glorify Allah a hundred times by just saying "Subhanallah" and a Good deeds will be written for you, or a thousand sins will be wiped away." (Muslim 4:2073) Hadhrat Abu Dharr [Ra] narrated that Rasulallah [Saw] said: "Should I not tell you of one treasure of the unlimited treasures of Paradise?" I replied spontaneously "Oh Rasulallah (Saw) that would be an honour indeed!" Rasulallah (Saw) said: "That rare treasure is LA HAWLA WA LA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH." ("The strength to do good and to refrain from evil comes from the grace and mercy of Allah!") - (Ibn Majah) Hadhrat Jaa'bir [Ra] narrated that Rasulallah [Saw] said: "For the person who recites SUB-HAN'ALLAH HIL AZEEM WA BI-HAM'DIHI, [Pure and perfect is Allah in his glory and praise], - A date palm will be planted for him in Paradise" (Tirmidhi) The Virtues of reading the First Kalimah: The word of purity or the kalima-e-tayyabah. Lā ilāha illā-llāh, Muḥammadur Rasūlu-llāh (There is no god except Allah, Muhammad (Saw) is His Messenger) Hadrat Zaid bin 'Arqam (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ( ) said: "Whoever says La ilaaha illal-laahu… sincerely will enter the Paradise." It was said: And what is the [sign of] sincerity? He said: "That this kalimah stops him from those things which Allah has forbidden." (Tabaraani in Awsat-ul-Kabeer) The Virtues of reading the Third Kalimah: The word of glorification or the kalima-e-tamjeed Subhāna-llāhi, wa-l-hamdu li-llāhi, wa lā ilāha illā-llāhu, wa-llāhu akbar. Wa lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā bi-llāhi-l-aliyyi-l-azīm Glory be to Allah. And praise be to Allah. And there is no god except Allah. And Allah is the Greatest. And there is no power and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, Most Great. Ibn Mas'ood (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ( ) said: "When I met Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) in the night of Mi'raaj he asked me to convey his Salaam to my Ummah and to tell them that the Paradise has a fertile soil and sweet water, and is like a vast field. And its plants are [the words above]." Another version says: "Whoever recites the words above, a tree in Paradise is planted for him for each word he says." (Virtues of Dhikr; Tirmidhi) Virtues of reading the Fourth Kalimah: The word of Oneness of Allah or the kalima-e-tawhid: Lā ilāha illā-llāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lahu lahu-l-mulku wa lahu-l-ḥamdu yuhyi wa yumītu wa huwa ḥayyu-llā yamūtu abadan abada, ḏū-l-jalāli wa-l-ikrām, biyadihi-l-khayr, wa huwa alā kulli Shay-in qadīr. There is no god except Allah, Who is Alone and has no partners. For Him is the Dominion and for Him is all praise. He gives life and causes death. And He is Living and will never ever die. Owner of Majesty and Honor: In His Hands is all goodness. And He has power over all things. Abu Hurairah (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Saw) said: "A person who recites: Laa ilaaha illal-laahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa 'alaa kulli shay-in qadeer, a hundred times daily will have reward equal to that of freeing ten slaves and one hundred good deeds will be written for him, and one hundred of his sins will be lifted from him, and for the whole day, he will remain immune from the Shaytaan until the evening, and on the Day of Judgment, no one will exceed him in merit except one who has done [these phrases] more." (Bukhari,Book #75, Hadith #412) Its SO easy and quick to Earn 500 good deeds in a few minutes in Ramadhan. If you were to manage 500 good deeds every day of Ramadan, you would receive (70 times 500 = 35000) multiplied by 30 days..........1,050,000 deeds! One million fifty thousand deeds! Just say Subhanallah 100 times, Alhamdullilah 100 times, Allahu Akbar 100 times, La ilaha il Allah 100 times and Astaghfar allah 100 times. 8. Make much dua We should be very busy in Dua as much as we can especially in the last ten days and nights of the blessed month of Ramadan. How unfortunate is the one who does not make use of these last ten nights to supplicate to his lord. We find many reassurances throughout the Quran for those who make Dua. Allah the Exalted, has said: "And your Lord says: Pray unto me: and I will hear your prayer" (Quran 40:60), "Call upon your Lord Humbly and in secret" (Quran 7:55), "When My servants question thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me" (Quran 2:186), "Is not He (best) who listens to the (soul) distressed when it calls on Him, and who relieves its suffering." (Quran 27:62) Aisha radhiallaahu anha said, "No believer makes Dua and it is wasted. Either it is granted here in this world or deposited for him in the Hereafter as long as he does not get frustrated." In fact, it is a gaining Allah's displeasure and anger to never make Dua, "Whosoever does not supplicate to Allah, He will be angry with Him." [Saheeh Jaami`as-Sagheer #2414] So let us occupy ourselves in much Dua especially the times when it is most readily accepted like just before we break our fasts and also at Tahajjud time. Thos who do not make the best of this opportunity has surely lost out greatly. Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an: "When my servants ask you concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me." [2] The place of duaa is so high to Allah, that the Prophet had said: "Nothing is more honourable to Allah the Most High than du`a."[Sahih al-Jami` no.5268]. He also said: "The most excellent worship is du`a." [Sahih Al-Jami` no. 1133]; 9. Seek out Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power) So valuable is this Night of Qadr that the Quran devotes a special surah to it "Lailatul Qadr is better than a thousand months" [97] This one night surpasses the value of 30,000 nights. The most authentic account of the occurrence of the Night indicates that it can occur on any one of the last ten, odd numbered nights of Ramadan. We should strive to stay up at least on the odd nights of the last ten days because if we pray on these nights then surely we would have caught this most powerful night and this would mean we would have a reward of 83 YEARS OF WORSHIP! Some special prayers and Dhikr for Laitul Qadr 1. Seeking Forgiveness. Hazrat Aa'ishah radhiyallahu anhaa asked the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam that if she happened to get the night sublime what prayer should she say. The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam replied that she should say the following prayer : "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.) 2. Reciting Astaghfar. The following should be recited as much as possible: "Astaghfirullah hallazi la-ila-ha illa huwal Hayyul Qayyumo wa atu-bu ilaihe" (I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Almighty; there is no God but He. He is self-Existent, the Eternal and I return to Him) 3. Reciting Surah `Inna anzalnahu...' "Inna anzalnahu fee lailatul Qadr, Wa maa adraka maa lailatul Qadr. Lailatul Qadri khairum min alfi shahr. Tanazzalul malai-katu var-roohu fee ha bi izni Rabbihim min kulle amr. Salaamun heya hatta matla-il fajr." Want all your lifes previous sins forgiven? Abu Hurayrah (radhiallahu `anhu) narrated that the Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylat ul-Qadr out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward), will have ALL of his previous sins forgiven." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) It is also the Night when all ordainments for the year are decreed. Allah (T) said, which means: {By the manifest Book (the Quraan) that makes thing clear. We sent it (this Quraan) down on a Blessed Night (i.e. the Night of Qadr) in the month of Ramadaan. Verily We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torments will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of Wordship]. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter (amran) of ordainment} (The Smoke 44:2-5) SO LET US WORSHIP ALLAH EVERY ODD NIGHT (21,23,25,27,29) IN THE LAST TEN DAYS OF RAMADAN AND GAIN THE COUNTLESS REWARDS AND FORGIVENESS THAT IS PROMISED TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO STAND IN PRAYER ON THESE MOST IMPORTANT AND BLESSED NIGHTS! 10. Assess and evaluate yourself and make the changes for the rest of the year! While the practice of fasting during Ramadan is widely followed, the instruction about self-evaluation has largely been forgotten. Self-evaluation means to assess where you are in life, set goals for the future, and think of what you can do to get there. The process of self-evaluation makes you pro-active in directing your life. Unless we take the initiative our lives will be shaped by circumstances. We need to assess ourselves and since this month made us prevent ourselves from doing many of the sins we may usually do why should we go back to those sins now that we have stopped or reduced them? Let us continue with the good habits that we have gained and acquired in Ramadan and take them with us throughout the rest of the year. If we continue the rest of the year with the evil we committed before Ramadan then know that we are risking the acceptance of all of our fasts and good deeds because Ramadan is not merely just for abstaining from food and evil for just one month but is a time to train ourselves to change for the better in everyway so that we may become god fearing and pious and continue that way the rest of the year. We should strive to continue the good we have done in Ramadan throughout the year and discontinue the evil that we left before Ramadan and NEVER go back to it. May Allah guide us all to the right path and make us pious servants of his. Ameen. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DOWNLOAD http://feeds.feedburner.com/IslamWayOfLife   |
| Posted: 06 Aug 2012 10:09 PM PDT Polishing the Hearts Ibn Qayyin Al-Jawziyyah Allaah - the Most High - said: "O you who believe! Remember Allaah and remember Him a lot." [Soorah al-Ahzaab 33:4I]. "Those men and women who remember Allaah a lot." [Soorah al-Ahzaab 33:35]. "So when you have finished the rights of your Pilgrimage, then remember Allaah as you remember your fore-father, or with more intense remembrance." [Soorah al-Baqarah 2:200]. These verses contain a command to remember Allaah intensely and abundantly, since the worshipper is in dire need of [remembering Allaah] and cannot do without it even for a twinkling of an eye. This is because every moment that a person does not spend in the dhikr (remembrance) of Allaah will not be of any benefit to him. Rather, the harm entailed in being neglectful of the dhikr of Allaah is far greater than any benefits that can be gained. One of the 'aarifeen (those who are knowledgeable about Allaah) said:"If a person were to spend such and such number of years engaged [in the dhikr of Allaah], then he turns away from it for just a moment, what he will lose is far greater than whatever he has already gained." Al-Bayhaqee relates from 'Aaishah radiallaahu 'anhaa that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "There is no time in which the son of Aadam does not remember Allaah in it, except that it will be a source of regret for him on the Day of Judgement"2 Mu'aadh ibn jabal radiallaahu 'anhu relates that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "The people of Paradise will not have any regrets except for those moments in which they were not engaged in the dhikr (remembrance) of Allaah."3 Mu'aadh ibn Jabal also relates that Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam was asked: What action is the most beloved to Allaah? So he replied: "That you continue to keep your tongue moist with the dhikr of Allaah, until you die."4 [POLISHING THE HEART] Abu Dardaa radiallaahu 'anhu said:"For everything there is a polish and the polish for the heart is the dhikr of Allaah". Al-Bayhaqee relates from Ibn 'Umar radiallaahu 'anhu that Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "For everything there is a polish, and the polish for the hearts is the dhikr (remembrance) of Allaah. There is nothing more potent in saving a person from the punishment of Allaah than the dhikr of Allaah." It was said: Not even Jihaad in the path of Allaah. So he replied: "Not even if you were to continue striking with your sword until it breaks."5 There is no doubt that hearts becomes rusty just as copper and silver coins become rusty. The polish for [this rust] is the dhikr of AIlaah. This is because [dhikr] is like a polish [which polishes the heart] like a shiny mirror. When dhikr is left, the rust returns. But when dhikr resumes, then the heart is [again] polished. And hearts become rusty due to two things:- (i) neglecting remembering Allaah, and (ii) committing sins. The polish for these two things is:- (i) seeking Allaah's forgiveness and (ii) dhikr. [CONFUSING TRUTH WITH FALSEHOOD] Whoever neglects [remembering Allaah] most of the time, then his heart will become rusty in accordance with how neglectful the person is. And when this [filthy] rust accumulates on the heart, then it no longer recognises things as they really are. Thus, it views falsehood as if it is the truth, and truth as if it is falsehood. This is because this rust darkens and confuses the heart's perception, and so it is unable to truly recognise things for what they really are. So as the rust accumulates, the heart gets blackened, and as this happens the heart becomes stained with this filthy rust, and when this occurs it corrupts the heart's perception and recognition of things. The heart [then] does not accept the truth nor does it reject falsehood, and this is the greatest calamity that can strike the heart. Being neglectful [of dhikr] and following of whims and desires is a direct consequence of such a heart, which [further] extinguish the heart's light and blinds its vision. Allaah - the Most High - said: "And do not obey him whose heart We have made to be neglectful of Our remembrance, one who follows his own whims and desires and whose affairs are furat [have gone beyond bounds and whose deeds have been lost]." [Soorah al-Kahf 18:28]. [QUALITIES OF A GUIDE] So when a worshipper desires to follow another person, then let him see: Is this person from the people of dhikr, or from the people who are negligent [about remembering Allaah]? Does this person judge in accordance with his whims and desires, or by the Revelation? So, if he judges by whims and desires then he is actually from those people who are negligent; those whose affairs have gone beyond bounds and whose deeds are lost. The term furat [which occurs in the above verse] has been explained in many ways. It has been explained to mean:- (i) losing the rewards of that type of action which is essential to do, and in which lies success and happiness; (ii) exceeding the limits of something; (iii) being destroyed; and (iv) opposing the truth. Each of these sayings are very close in meaning to each other. The point is that Allaah - the One free from all imperfections, the Most High - has prohibited following all those who possess such attributes. So it is absolutely essential that a person considers whether such attributes are found in his shaykh, or the person who's example he follows, or the person that he obeys. If they are, then he should distance himself from such a person. However, if it is found that the person is, in most cases, pre-occupied with the dhikr of Allaah and with following the Sunnah, and his affairs do not exceed the limits, but rather he is judicious and resolute in his affairs, then he should cling to him very firmly. Indeed, there is no difference between the living and the dead, except with the dhikr of Allaah; since [the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam] said: "The example of one who remembers Allaah and someone whodoes not, is like the example between the living and the dead."6 FOOTNOTES 1. AI-Waabilus-Sayyib min Kalimit-Tayyib (pp.78-82). 2. Hasan: Related by Abu Nu'aym in al-Hiliyatul-Awliyaa (51361-362). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Saheehul-Jaami' (no.5720). 3. Saheeh: Related by lbnus-Sunnee in 'Aml al-Yawma wal-Laylah (no.3). Refer to Saheehul-Jaami' (no.5446). 4. Hasan: Related by lbn Hibbaan (no.2318). It was authenticated by Saleem al-Hilaalee in Saheeh al-Waabilus-Sayyib (p.80). 5. Saheeh: Related by Ahmad (4/352), from Mu'aadh ibn Jabal radiallaahu 'anhu. It was authenticated by al-Albaanee in Saheehul-Jaami' (no.5644). 6. Related by al-Bukhaaree (11/208) and Muslim (1/539). http://feeds.feedburner.com/IslamWayOfLife   |
| Posted: 06 Aug 2012 09:52 PM PDT  'In the name of Allaah.' http://feeds.feedburner.com/IslamWayOfLife   |
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