Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
"Cause no harm to yourselves nor cause it to others." The Prophet (peace be upon him)
1. The piety and humility of the Salat
When Ramadan came to a close, the rightly guided predecessors (As-Salaf As-Saalih) used to frequently seek forgiveness, repent to Allaah – The Mighty and Majestic – and fear that their (deeds) would not be accepted. They used to exert themselves (in worship) in Ramadan and outside of Ramadan, afterwards they would be fearful that none of this will be accepted.
2. How the Salat behaved when Ramadan was approaching and when it left
They used to seek the forgiveness of Allah and repent. So much so that it was reported that they would supplicate to Allah for six months that He would allow them to reach Ramadan. If He allowed them to reach Ramadan, they would fast, pray at night and supplicate for the next six months that He accepts the month of Ramadan from them.
3. Signs that Ramadan has been accepted
Following good deeds with good is a sign that (an act) has been accepted, whether it is pertaining to Ramadan or other than it. If the Muslim is in a good state after Ramadan, performing many good deeds and righteous actions, then this is a proof of acceptance.
4. Signs that Ramadan hasn’t been accepted
If the opposite is true, and he follows good with evil, and as soon as Ramadan is over he follows on from this with sins, heedlessness and turning away from the obedience of Allah, then this is a proof that it hasn’t been accepted.
Every person knows their true situation after Ramadan. So let them look, if they are in a better state, then let them thank Allah, as this shows (that it has been) accepted.
If their state is worse, then let them repent to Allah and seek the forgiveness of Allah, as this is a proof that it hasn’t been accepted and it is a proof of negligence and carelessness.
5. Do not despair of the Mercy of Allah
But the slave should not lose hope of the mercy of Allah. He should not close the door that is between him and Allah and despair of the mercy of Allah.
“Say: O my slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins). Do not despair of the Mercy of Allah: verily Allah forgives all sins. He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Az-Zumar: 53)
It is upon him to repent, seek the forgiveness of Allah and return to Allah – The Mighty and Majestic.
Allah – The Mighty and Majestic – accepts repentance from those that repent.
“And He it is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins, and He knows what you do.” (Ash-Shura:25)
And the peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad.
By the Shaykh, ‘Allaamah Saalih Al-Fawzaan
Ithaaf Ahlil Eemaan bi Duroos Shahr Ar-Ramadaan pg. 119-120
Translated by Hassan As-Somali
When Ramadan came to a close, the rightly guided predecessors (As-Salaf As-Saalih) used to frequently seek forgiveness, repent to Allaah – The Mighty and Majestic – and fear that their (deeds) would not be accepted. They used to exert themselves (in worship) in Ramadan and outside of Ramadan, afterwards they would be fearful that none of this will be accepted.
2. How the Salat behaved when Ramadan was approaching and when it left
They used to seek the forgiveness of Allah and repent. So much so that it was reported that they would supplicate to Allah for six months that He would allow them to reach Ramadan. If He allowed them to reach Ramadan, they would fast, pray at night and supplicate for the next six months that He accepts the month of Ramadan from them.
3. Signs that Ramadan has been accepted
Following good deeds with good is a sign that (an act) has been accepted, whether it is pertaining to Ramadan or other than it. If the Muslim is in a good state after Ramadan, performing many good deeds and righteous actions, then this is a proof of acceptance.
4. Signs that Ramadan hasn’t been accepted
If the opposite is true, and he follows good with evil, and as soon as Ramadan is over he follows on from this with sins, heedlessness and turning away from the obedience of Allah, then this is a proof that it hasn’t been accepted.
Every person knows their true situation after Ramadan. So let them look, if they are in a better state, then let them thank Allah, as this shows (that it has been) accepted.
If their state is worse, then let them repent to Allah and seek the forgiveness of Allah, as this is a proof that it hasn’t been accepted and it is a proof of negligence and carelessness.
5. Do not despair of the Mercy of Allah
But the slave should not lose hope of the mercy of Allah. He should not close the door that is between him and Allah and despair of the mercy of Allah.
“Say: O my slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins). Do not despair of the Mercy of Allah: verily Allah forgives all sins. He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Az-Zumar: 53)
It is upon him to repent, seek the forgiveness of Allah and return to Allah – The Mighty and Majestic.
Allah – The Mighty and Majestic – accepts repentance from those that repent.
“And He it is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins, and He knows what you do.” (Ash-Shura:25)
And the peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad.
By the Shaykh, ‘Allaamah Saalih Al-Fawzaan
Ithaaf Ahlil Eemaan bi Duroos Shahr Ar-Ramadaan pg. 119-120
Translated by Hassan As-Somali
Friday, August 20, 2010
GROW YOUR WEALTH - MAKE YOUR DUA IN RAMANDAN
7 Ways to Increase Your Wealth Whilst Coming Closer to Allah
Ask Allah for Forgiveness (Nuh: Ask your Lord for forgiveness...He will increase you in wealth)
Fulfill ties of Kinship (Silat ArRahim) Anas : 'Whoever likes to have increase in his Rizq and to live long, should honor ties with his blood relatives' [ Bukhari and Muslim ]
Halal Business: (And Allah made business transactions halal and Riba Haram)
Interest Free Loans, Qardh Hasan (Who is it that will loan to Allah a goodly loan, so that Allah may compound it many times) The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "And whoever fulfills the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs." [ Bukhari and Muslim ]
Zakah (700x return, promise from Allah) ~ Allaah has said ‘O bani Adam, spend! I will spend on you. ~ “...Money will never decrease because of charity” [al-Tirmidi]
Taqwa – (And whoever has Taqwa of Allah, Allah makes a way out for them, and provides for them from where they would not imagine) provide from where they would never imagine
Dua: rabbana aatina fid dunya hasanah... (O Allah, give us goodness in this life, and goodness in the next, and protect us from Hellfire)
Ask Allah for Forgiveness (Nuh: Ask your Lord for forgiveness...He will increase you in wealth)
Fulfill ties of Kinship (Silat ArRahim) Anas : 'Whoever likes to have increase in his Rizq and to live long, should honor ties with his blood relatives' [ Bukhari and Muslim ]
Halal Business: (And Allah made business transactions halal and Riba Haram)
Interest Free Loans, Qardh Hasan (Who is it that will loan to Allah a goodly loan, so that Allah may compound it many times) The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "And whoever fulfills the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs." [ Bukhari and Muslim ]
Zakah (700x return, promise from Allah) ~ Allaah has said ‘O bani Adam, spend! I will spend on you. ~ “...Money will never decrease because of charity” [al-Tirmidi]
Taqwa – (And whoever has Taqwa of Allah, Allah makes a way out for them, and provides for them from where they would not imagine) provide from where they would never imagine
Dua: rabbana aatina fid dunya hasanah... (O Allah, give us goodness in this life, and goodness in the next, and protect us from Hellfire)
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Ramadan is the most important month of our calendar. It is a tremendous gift from Allah in so many ways. In our current state of being down and out, it can uplift us, empower us, and turn around our situation individually and collectively. It is the spring season for the garden of Islam when dry grass can come back to life and flowers bloom. But these benefits are not promised for lifeless and thoughtless rituals alone. They will be ours if our actions are informed by the message of Ramadan.
Today the message of Ramadan tends to get drowned out by much louder voices of the pop culture that have an opposite message. We have become so accustomed to them that many of us remain enslaved to them even during Ramadan.
The most important message of Ramadan is that we are not just body. We are body and soul. And that what makes us human beings and that determines our value as human beings is the soul and not the body. During Ramadan we deprive the body to uplift the soul. This is all simple and familiar. But we can understand its significance if we remember that the message of the materialistic hedonistic global pop culture that has engulfed every Muslim land today --- just like the rest of the world--- is exactly the opposite. It says that body is everything. That the materialistic world is all that counts. That the greatest happiness -- if not virtue-- is in filling the appetites of the body. This message produces endless appetites and consequently endless wars to fill those endless appetites through endless exploitation. It produces endless frustrations since the gap between desires and achievements can never be filled. It produces endless chaos and endless oppression. Yet this trash comes in such beautiful and enticing packages that we can hardly resist it. We equate this slavery with freedom. We consider this march to disaster as progress. And with every movement, we get further and deeper into the mire.
Ramadan is here to liberate us from all this. Here is a powerful message that it is soul over body. Take a break from the pop culture. Turn off the music and TV. Say goodbye to the endless and futile pursuit of happiness in sensory pleasures. Rediscover your inner self that has been buried deep under it. Reorient yourself. Devote your time to the reading of the Qur'an, to voluntary worship, to prayers and conversations with Allah. Reflect on the direction of your life and your priorities. Reflect on and strengthen your relationship with your Creator.
On the last day of one Sha'ban, Prophet MuhammadSall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, gave a Khutbah about the upcoming month of Ramadan. It is a very important Khutbah that we should carefully read before every Ramadan to prepare ourselves mentally for the sacred month. It begins: "Oh people! A great month is coming to you. A blessed month. A month in which there is one night that is better than a thousand months. A 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 voluntary good deeds in this month shall receive the same reward as is there for 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 Sabr (patience), and the reward for sabr is Heaven. It is the month of kindness and charity. It is 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 the latter's reward being diminished at all."
The hadith continues and contains many other very important messages. However let us take the time to highlight two of the statements contained above. First, that Ramadan is the month of sabr. The English translation is patience but that word has a very narrow meaning compared to sabr. Sabr means not only patience and perseverance in the face of difficulties, it also means being steadfast in avoiding sin in the face of temptations and being persistent in performing virtues when that is not easy. Overcoming hunger and thirst during fasting is part of it. But protecting our eyes, ears, minds, tongues, and hands, etc. from all sins is also part of it. So is being persistent in doing good deeds as much as possible despite external or internal obstacles. Ramadan requires sabr in its fullest sense and provides a training ground for that very important quality to be developed and nurtured. Here is a recipe for the complete overhaul of our life, not just a small adjustment in meal times.
The highest point of Ramadan is itikaf, an act of worship in which a person secludes himself in a masjid to devote his time entirely to worshipping and remembering Allah. Some in every Muslim community must take a break and go to the masjid for the entire last ten days of Ramadan. Others should imbibe the spirit and do whatever they can.
But we must differentiate between worldly pleasures and worldly responsibilities. We take a break from the former and not the latter. Syedna Abdullah ibn Abbas, Radi-Allahu unhu, was performing itikaf, when a person came and sat down silently. Sensing his distressed condition Ibn Abbas enquired about his situation, learnt that he needed help, and proceeded to leave the masjid to go out and help him. Now this action does nullify the itikaf, making a makeup obligatory. So the person, though grateful, was curious. Explaining his action, Ibn Abbas related a hadith that when a person makes efforts to help his brother, he earns the reward for performing itikaf for ten years.
This brings us to the second statement to consider: that Ramadan is the month of kindness and charity. With those in distress in the millions in the world today, the need for remembering this message of Ramadan cannot be overstated.
Unfortunately, today another scene seems to be dominant in some parts of the Muslim world. Here Ramadan is the month of celebrations, shopping, fancy iftars at posh restaurants, entertainment and gossip. People stay up at night but not for worship; they while away that time watching TV or wandering in the bazaar. Ramadan here is more a month of feasting than fasting.
No one can take away our Ramadan from us; we just give it away ourselves. And if we realize the utter blunder we have made, we can take it back.
Today the message of Ramadan tends to get drowned out by much louder voices of the pop culture that have an opposite message. We have become so accustomed to them that many of us remain enslaved to them even during Ramadan.
The most important message of Ramadan is that we are not just body. We are body and soul. And that what makes us human beings and that determines our value as human beings is the soul and not the body. During Ramadan we deprive the body to uplift the soul. This is all simple and familiar. But we can understand its significance if we remember that the message of the materialistic hedonistic global pop culture that has engulfed every Muslim land today --- just like the rest of the world--- is exactly the opposite. It says that body is everything. That the materialistic world is all that counts. That the greatest happiness -- if not virtue-- is in filling the appetites of the body. This message produces endless appetites and consequently endless wars to fill those endless appetites through endless exploitation. It produces endless frustrations since the gap between desires and achievements can never be filled. It produces endless chaos and endless oppression. Yet this trash comes in such beautiful and enticing packages that we can hardly resist it. We equate this slavery with freedom. We consider this march to disaster as progress. And with every movement, we get further and deeper into the mire.
Ramadan is here to liberate us from all this. Here is a powerful message that it is soul over body. Take a break from the pop culture. Turn off the music and TV. Say goodbye to the endless and futile pursuit of happiness in sensory pleasures. Rediscover your inner self that has been buried deep under it. Reorient yourself. Devote your time to the reading of the Qur'an, to voluntary worship, to prayers and conversations with Allah. Reflect on the direction of your life and your priorities. Reflect on and strengthen your relationship with your Creator.
On the last day of one Sha'ban, Prophet MuhammadSall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, gave a Khutbah about the upcoming month of Ramadan. It is a very important Khutbah that we should carefully read before every Ramadan to prepare ourselves mentally for the sacred month. It begins: "Oh people! A great month is coming to you. A blessed month. A month in which there is one night that is better than a thousand months. A 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 voluntary good deeds in this month shall receive the same reward as is there for 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 Sabr (patience), and the reward for sabr is Heaven. It is the month of kindness and charity. It is 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 the latter's reward being diminished at all."
The hadith continues and contains many other very important messages. However let us take the time to highlight two of the statements contained above. First, that Ramadan is the month of sabr. The English translation is patience but that word has a very narrow meaning compared to sabr. Sabr means not only patience and perseverance in the face of difficulties, it also means being steadfast in avoiding sin in the face of temptations and being persistent in performing virtues when that is not easy. Overcoming hunger and thirst during fasting is part of it. But protecting our eyes, ears, minds, tongues, and hands, etc. from all sins is also part of it. So is being persistent in doing good deeds as much as possible despite external or internal obstacles. Ramadan requires sabr in its fullest sense and provides a training ground for that very important quality to be developed and nurtured. Here is a recipe for the complete overhaul of our life, not just a small adjustment in meal times.
The highest point of Ramadan is itikaf, an act of worship in which a person secludes himself in a masjid to devote his time entirely to worshipping and remembering Allah. Some in every Muslim community must take a break and go to the masjid for the entire last ten days of Ramadan. Others should imbibe the spirit and do whatever they can.
But we must differentiate between worldly pleasures and worldly responsibilities. We take a break from the former and not the latter. Syedna Abdullah ibn Abbas, Radi-Allahu unhu, was performing itikaf, when a person came and sat down silently. Sensing his distressed condition Ibn Abbas enquired about his situation, learnt that he needed help, and proceeded to leave the masjid to go out and help him. Now this action does nullify the itikaf, making a makeup obligatory. So the person, though grateful, was curious. Explaining his action, Ibn Abbas related a hadith that when a person makes efforts to help his brother, he earns the reward for performing itikaf for ten years.
This brings us to the second statement to consider: that Ramadan is the month of kindness and charity. With those in distress in the millions in the world today, the need for remembering this message of Ramadan cannot be overstated.
Unfortunately, today another scene seems to be dominant in some parts of the Muslim world. Here Ramadan is the month of celebrations, shopping, fancy iftars at posh restaurants, entertainment and gossip. People stay up at night but not for worship; they while away that time watching TV or wandering in the bazaar. Ramadan here is more a month of feasting than fasting.
No one can take away our Ramadan from us; we just give it away ourselves. And if we realize the utter blunder we have made, we can take it back.
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