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Friday Khutbah (02 March 2007): Reviving the individual

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Friday Khutbah (02 March 2007): Reviving the individual

Alhamdulillah. Thanks to the Almighty for everything that He provides. Nothing in this world can replace the feelings of holding on tight to Him. Found an article from islamonline. Very inspirational and motivating. Enjoy~

By Arshad Gamiet

Individuals committed to serving Islam, are like building bricks fused together to form a solid wall. Each individual, like a brick, must be strong and capable of withstanding the loads and stresses that he or she is called upon to bear. Just as each brick must be fully burnt and purified in a kiln and pass certain minimum standards, an individual also has to go through a process of training and development in order to be an effective ambassador of Islam. But what is involved in this construction of the individual? What has the individual got to do in order to prepare for this God-given role? These are fundamental questions because a prerequisite to the revival of Muslim society is a revival of the individual or the self.

The starting point in this process is what the Qur’an calls the human heart. Look at yourself and you will find inside you a whole universe — emotions, desires, urges, and instincts — which motivates you from within. The heart does not mean the pump which pushes blood around the body; it means the center of the personality that pumps motivations, desires, and urges and which makes us do what we want to do. The Qur’an goes on to explain that this is the key to ourselves. Our success depends not on what we are physically nor on what we do, but on what lies at the center of our personality.

On the Day of Judgment, successful only is (the one who comes to Allah with a sound heart ) (Ash-Shu`araa’ 26:89)

A hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) says:

Beware,there is a piece of flesh in the human body. If it is right, then the whole body is right and sound; and if it is corrupted then the whole body is corrupted. Look, this is the ‘heart’.(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

According to the Qur’an, the basis of corruption stems from within ourselves. The social institutions may be corrupt, there may be exploitation and abuse in the economic and politics spheres, but the basis of all these diseases lies inside our hearts.

What is it that stops mankind from seeing right and doing what’s right and turns them blind? The Qur’an explains, (It is not the eyes which go blind but it is the hearts within breasts which go blind) (Al-Hajj 22:46)

Then, the heart is the basic starting point for any positive change or any effort to improve our current situations. We have to purify the heart and then summon it to the service of Allah, through service to mankind, whether it be in a professional career, in government, in political institutions, or in economic ventures. Our whole attention must be focused on this continuous refinement of heart. All the rites that have been prescribed by the Qur’an reach out to purify the deepest regions of our self.

The Qur’an says,

(It is not their meat nor their blood (the sacrificial animals), that reaches Allah: it is your taqwa (piety) that reaches Him) (Al-Hajj 22: 37)
If the individual is the primary building block of society, then the heart is its foundation within each person. The important question therefore is how should we set about preparing this most basic element. First we must understand that the heart must submit totally and exclusively to its Creator. It cannot be compartmentalized — we cannot dedicate one piece of it to Allah and another to some other “god,” like our wealth, our status, our career, our families, and so on.

Allah is One, indivisible, and wants our service to be undivided to Him. So long as we remain divided within ourselves, so long as our hearts lie in a 100 places, so long as our eyes are set to 100 directions, so long as our destination is not one but many, we shall never be able to achieve that first condition for building a strong and pure Islamic personality.

We should remember that nothing of this world is going to be of use to us when we die however hard we may have striven for it and however valuable it might seem to us. We must recognize that the prizes we should want are not the worldly possessions received from human beings like ourselves. It is only our Creator who can put a real value on our striving and bestow the real reward.

In the Qur’an, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is told to ask [Shall I tell you of a business which will save you of painful torment?] (As-Saff 61:10).

This “business” amounts to people person committing their whole undivided being to Allah alone and selling themselves in order to seek His pleasure. This is the first step towards the building of the individual. The second step is to love Allah.

The Qur’an says (And there are some among men who take for themselves objects of worship besides Allah, whom they love as they love Allah, and those who believe are stronger in love for Allah) (Al-Baqarah 2:165).

It does not say that one must love only Allah and no one else. Love is a blessing given to us by Allah, which is manifested in so many aspects of life. In Islam, however, love must be foremost for Allah and the Prophet.

What is love? Perhaps it cannot be defined in terms that adequately reflect its nature and importance in people’s lives. It is not possible to define it by a formula as we define a scientific fact, nor can we define it by a mathematical equation. But still each one of us knows what love is and can tell, from personal experience, the powerful force it is once it comes to reside in the heart. It becomes the overpowering force in life. It captivates you, it grips you, it moves you and it makes you prepared to do anything for the sake of it. Once love is there, what you do is not something that has to be imposed upon you, because you need imposition only for the things you do not love.

Iman is something that must penetrate deep in our heart and generate love for Allah and His Prophet more than for anything else. Unless that happens inside you, you cannot get the real taste of iman. According to a famous hadith, nobody can taste iman unless Allah and His Prophet are more beloved to him than everything else. But we must remember that this love for Allah and His Prophet is not of a kind to take us into the seclusion of a monastery. It is a love that makes us do our duty to Allah while we are in the street, at home, or at work — everywhere we live as servants of Allah, willingly making every sacrifice required of us. Whether or not we have that love is something for each one of us to closely examine. One of the criteria is that if you love something, one of your most intense desires is to get nearer to it. Now we have a way in which we can come nearer to Allah and talk to Him, and that way is the prayer. When someone performs prayer, they actually comes nearer to Allah and talks to Him.

If you look at how you pray five times a day, you will have a barometer in your hand to find how much you love Allah. Once you are praying to Him, you are in front of Him, you are near to Him, you are talking to Him, you are responding to Him in gratitude, you are asking for His forgiveness. Prayer is not just a ritual in which you go through certain postures. The soul has to surrender itself exclusively to Allah and love Him. This love is like a seed that, as it grows, envelops the entire personality. This will make us the sort of person Islam needs today.

The next question is how to nurse and cultivate this seed of faith. The most important nourishment for it is the Qur’an. We know that the first workers for Islam got their training from the Qur’an. It was their guide, their light, their leader. It is a treasure house of soul-stirring inspiration and wisdom. We should spend much effort in trying to understand the Qur’an. But we must know that the real test of benefiting from the Qur’an lies in translating those divine words and ideas into action in our own daily life.

The Qur’an says that when people really listen to it, their faith will increase. The eyes of those who truly listen to the Qur’an, allowing their hearts to be affected, will well up with tears that trickle down their cheeks. Sadly, many of us listen to the Qur’an or read it, but our hearts are not moved, nor do our lives change. It is as if water is falling on a rock and flowing away. Our task is to replace this hard rock with soft absorbent soil so that the Qur’an may nourish the seed that has been planted. We should always study the Qur’an as if it were being revealed today. One of the greatest injustices we do to the Qur’an is to read it as if it were something of the past and of no relevance to the present.

The next method of sustaining the seed of iman is to develop a strong bond of brotherhood. Brotherhood reinforces people’s lives like nothing else. The Qur’an says (Withhold yourself with those who call upon Allah in the early morning and nightfall) (Al-Kahf 18: 28). As soon as you have planted the seed of iman in your own heart, you will recognize it in others. You find that there is some sort of harmony between you and them.

The final method to nourish the seed of iman is da`wah — to strive and invite others to the path of Allah, the same path as you are following yourself. Again, if the faith is there inside you, this is a necessary outcome of it. As iman increases you get aroused and you want to go out and tell everybody what you think is right, or call upon them to join your mission and your group. Moreover, as your group grows, your iman grows as well, each reinforcing the other, and that is how the whole of life becomes integrated and turns into a path to what pleases Allah. To sum up, you, the individual, are the key to the Ummah, and your heart is the key to you.

* Based on a Friday sermon delivered at the Royal Holloway,University of London, UK, on April 30, 1999. Courtesy of http://www.khutbahbank.org.uk. Arshad Gamiet is a South African writer living in the United Kingdom. He is a co-founder of the Khutbah Bank.

Validity Of Two Rakaats During Khutbah of Jum’ah

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Validity Of Two Rakaats During Khutbah of Jum’ah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Quran & Sunnah Panacea For All Muslim Disputes:
Every Friday, the scenario is the same in most masjids of United Kingdom: Latecomers offer two Rakaats while the Imam delivers the Khuthbah. In some Masjids, this action is frowned upon, in others, it is discouraged; yet in other Masjids, it… What is the correct hukm on offering two rakaats during the Khutbah of Jum’ah?The golden rule when we fall into disputes among ourselves in matters of Deen is to return to Qur’an and the Sunnah for a resolution. The Qur’an says: “O you who believe! obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and the Messenger if you do believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is best and most suitable for final determination.” (Q.4:59).

Ahaadith Narrated On The Issue.
  1. Abu Sa’eed (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a man entered the masjid on the day of Jum’ah3 while the Prophet (S) was delivering the khutbah on the minbar, and he ordered him to pray two rakaats. (Reported. by Ibn Majah and others).
  2. That a man came on the day of Jum’ah looking shabbily while the Prophet (s) was delivering the khutbah, and he ordered him to pray two rakaaats ( Reported by AtTirmidhi).
  3. Jaabir (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a man came on the day of Jum’ah while the Messenger of Allah (s) was delivering the khutbah. He said. “Did you pray?” The man answered: “No.” He then commanded him : “Pray two rakaats.” (Reported by the Jamaa’ah, lbn Majah, Tirmidhi, and several others.)
  4. In one narration, it is mentioned “If one of you comes on the day of Jum’ah while the Imaam is delivering the khutbah, let him pray two rakaats lightly and quickly.” Reported by Ahmad, Muslim, and Abu Dawood).
  5. In another narration:”If one of you enters a masjid, let him not sit until he prays two rakaats.” (Reported by the Jamaa’ah). These ahaadith clearly indicate the shar’ee4 validity of praying two rakaats during the khutbah of Jum’ah.
Legal opinions On The Issue
  1. The first group of scholars, Imaams Shaafi’ee, Ahmad, Maalik in one ruling of his, and others held that two rakaats prayed during the khutbah of Jum’ah is permissible, citing the above-mentioned ahaadith as their proof
  2. The second group of scholars, AthThawree and the learned of Koofah5 held that no one should pray while the Khutbah is being delivered. This view was also held by Abu Haneefah, Maalik in another ruling of his, and most of the salaf (righteous predecessors) from among the Sahaabah6 and Taabi’een7 including Ibn Abbaas, Ibn Umar, Ali, Qataadah, and ‘Ataa’.
Reason For Difference Of Opinions
The opinion of the second group of scholars is based on the reasoning that the Prophetic command to pry two rakaats during the khutbah on Jum’ah was addressed specifically to Sulaayk, the name of the man mentioned in the above-cited ahaadith, due to his impoverished condition (see hadith b above) and therefore does not apply to others unlike him. He was ordered by the Prophet (s) to pray so that people would see his poor condition and respond to his needs by charity and so forth.
Refutation of Those Who Prohibit Prayer During Khutbah
Scholars rebut that the origin of the hukm has nothing to do with specificity, that is, specific reference to one individual. Also, the Prophetic command to Sulayk to pray during the khutbah for the sake of charity does not necessarily prohibit the permissibility of prayer offered during the khutbah. This statement is supported by ahaadith (d, e,). in the words of the Prophet (s): “If one of you comes… ” is a general address to anyone who finds himself in that situation on Jum’ah. Argument: The ayah8 (“When the Qur’an is read, listen to it,” Q.7:204) supports the view of the second group of scholars Reply: Khutbah and Quran are two different things. The issue concerns praying during the Khutbah -not reading of the Quran or listening to it:Argument: The hadith (“If you say to your companion `keep quiet.” while the Imaam is giving the khutbah, you have indulged in idleness.” Agreed Upon) is proof for the second group.

Reply: The prohibition in the hadith is against cross-talk during the delivery of the khutbah not Salaah. The two of them cannot be equated so that the prohibition of one is necessarily a prohibition of the other.

Argument The following hadith is proof for the second group (A man [entered the masjid] making a pathway dough the necks of the people on Jum’ah while the Prophet (s) was delivering his khutbah. He said to him: “Sit! You have caused disturbance.” Reported Abu Dawood). The proof lies in the fact that the Prophet (s) ordered him to sit and not pray.

Reply: A possible interpretation of the hadith is that the Prophetic order to sit and not pray the two rakaats was a specific command to that particular individual who made himself a nuisance by annoying people who were already seated in the masjid. There are other interpretations of the hadith, but the fact remains is that it is not a clear proof to support the second group of scholars in their prohibition of pray during the khutbah.

Argument: The following hadith is also used as proof by the second group of scholars (“If one of you enters the masjid while the Imaam is on the minbar there is no salah nor speech until the Imam finishes.” (Reported by At -Tabaraani).

Reply: The hadith reported by At Tabaraani is da’eef (weak). The hadith scholar Abu Haatim describes it as “rejected” (munkar).

Argument: The following hadith is also cited as proof (A man came while the Messenger of Allah was delivering the khutbah and the Prophet (s) said to him: “Stand and pray two rakaats!” Then he stopped his delivery of the khutbah until the man had finished his prayer. (Reported by Ad Daaraqutni)

Reply: This hadith is inauthentic. As a matter of fact, Daaraqutni himself weakened the hadith, saying that it is either mu’dil9 or mursal10

Argument: When the Prophet (S) preoccupied himself by speaking with Sulayk, it nullified the obligation of listening to the khutbah at that point in time. Ibn Al-Arabi said: “This is the strongest argument of theirs.”

Reply: According to Ibn Hajar, “This is actually their weakest argument, since when the Prophet spoke to Sulayk he returned to delivering the khutbah while Sulayk occupied himself with the Prophetic command of performing the two rakaats. And it is authenticated that he did so during the khutbah of the Prophet (s).

Argument: Scholars are in agreement that the Salaah upon entering the masjid (At_ Tahiyyah) is not a right upon the Imaam. If that is the case with the Imam, that is, leaving out that prayer upon entering the masjid, then it must be even more so upon the follower to leave out that prayer if he enters the masjid while the Imam is giving the khutbah.

Reply: This qiyaas11 is invalid since it contradicts unambiguous ahaadith of the Prophet (S) on the matter of offering two rakaats during khutbah of Jum’ah as we have mentioned above (see hadith c, d, e)

Argument: The early scholars of Al-Madinah during the period of the salaf and the view of Umar, Uthman, and others among the Salmbah is sufficient proof to establish the hukm of prohibition of pray during khutbah.

Reply: This view of the majority of the salaf does not tantamount to ijmaa (consensus) so that it can be considered as shar’i proof. There are many among them who hold the view of permissibiltiy on prayer during the khutbah, such as Abu Sa’eed, Al-Hasan, Makhool, Abu Thawr, and so forth. Further more the majority view contradicts authentic ahaadith and they cannot be considered shar’i proof .

CONCLUSION
Preferred View: The opinion of the first group of scholars who held that it is Sunnah to perform two rakaats during the khutbah of Jum’ah based an authenticated ahaadith of the Prophet(S) narrated on the issue. No one has the right under Shari’ah to prohibit someone from offering this prayer if he enters the masjid while the khutbah is been given. It should be noted, however, that there is a certain adaab or etiquette in performing this two rakaats:
  1. That it should be performed lightly and quickly.
  2. It should not be offered at the expense of causing disturbance to others. This adaab is gleaned frorn the following hadiths:
    1. The Prophet (s) said: “If one of you comes[to the masjid] and the Imaam is delivering the khutbah, let him pray two short, light rakaats.” (Reported by Ahmad, Muslim, Abu Davwod).
    2. A man came [to the masjid and proceeded to] walk trough the necks of the people on the day of Jum’ah. The Prophet (s) said to him: ” Sit! You have disturbed {others)”. (Reported by Abu Dawood and An-Nasaa’i.)

Footnotes to Article

  1. Hukm – Islamic legal ruling on an issue
  2. Deen – Religion; more appropriately the way of life of Islam.
  3. Jum’ah-The day of Friday, the last day of the Islamic calendar week
  4. Shar’ee – Pertaining to the legality of Islaamic laws
  5. Koofah – An ancient city of leaming in Iraq.
  6. Sahaabah – Companions of the Prophet (s)
  7. Taabi’een -Followers, or the generation after the Sahaabah.
  8. Ayah -Verse of the Qur’an
  9. Mu’dil – “Problematic”, a type of weak hadith
  10. Mursal “Incompletely transmitted”, a type of weak hadith

Qiyaas Juristic analogy, a legal proof of Islamic law agreed upon by most scholars.

source: Minhaj al-Muslim

Friday Khutbah (26 Jan 2007): Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil: Combining The Foundation and the Methodology

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All praise is due to Allah the Lord of the worlds. Peace and blessings of Allah to His Messenger Muhammad, his family and followers until the end of the World.

The foundation

In Islam enjoining good and forbidding evil is one of the duties of a Muslim. Allah said:

You [true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad SAW and his Sunnah (legal ways, etc.)] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allah. And had the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) believed, it would have been better for them; among them are some who have faith, but most of them are Al-Fasiqun (disobedient to Allah – and rebellious against Allah’s Command).

Al Imran (3) 110[1]

In another verse,

Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful.

Al Imrân (03) Verse 104.

In his Tafsir, Ibn Kathir[2] said: Allah said, (Let there arise out of you a group of people) that calls to righteousness, enjoins all that is good and forbids evil in the manner Allah commanded, (And it is they who are the successful.) Ad-Dahhak[3] said, “They are a special group of the Companions and a special group of those after them, that is those who perform Jihad and the scholars.” The objective of this Ayah is that there should be a segment of this Muslim Ummah fulfilling this task, even though it is also an obligation on every member of this Ummah, each according to his ability Tafsir Ibn Kathir Vol 2 Page 232 (Darussalam English Translation)

The Consequences

This duty is so important such that neglecting on acting upon it is equated with the collective punishment of Allah upon the people, whether they are good or bad if those who are good amongst them neglect to implement it. Imam Bukhari collected a hadeeth narrated By Zainab bint Jahsh:

The Prophet got up from his sleep with a flushed red face and said, “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah. Woe to the Arabs, from the Great evil that is nearly approaching them. Today a gap has been made in the wall of Gog and Magog like this.” (Sufyan illustrated by this forming the number 90 or 100 with his fingers.) It was asked, “Shall we be destroyed though there are righteous people among us?” The Prophet said, “Yes, if evil increased.”

Vol 9, Book 88. Book of Afflictions and the end of the world. Hadeeth number 181[4]

And its fulfillment is connected to our safety:

O you who believe! Take care of your ownselves, [do righteous deeds, fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)]. If you follow the right guidance and enjoin what is right (Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbid what is wrong (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden) no hurt can come to you from those who are in error. The return of you all is to Allah, then He will inform you about (all) that which you used to do.

Al Maaidah (5): 105

…and Allah will grant us power in the land:

Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) order for Iqamat-as-Salat. [i.e. to perform the five compulsory congregational Salat (prayers) (the males in mosques)], to pay the Zakat and they enjoin Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism and all that Islam has forbidden) [i.e. they make the Qur'an as the law of their country in all the spheres of life]. And with Allah rests the end of (all) matters (of creatures).

Al Hajj (22): 41

The Methodology

The methodology of enjoining good and forbidding evil is enshrined in a hadeeth collected by Imam Muslim:

It is narrated on the authority of Tariq b. Shihab: It was Marwan who initiated (the practice) of delivering khutbah (address) before the prayer on the ‘Id day. A man stood up and said: Prayer should precede khutbah. He (Marwan) remarked, This (practice) has been done away with. Upon this Abu Sa’id remarked: This man has performed (his duty) laid on him. I heard the Messenger of Allah as saying: He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least of faith.

Book 1 Faith. Hadeeth No. 79

In another narration:

It is narrated on the authority ‘Abdullah b. Mas’ud that the Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) observed: Never a Prophet had been sent before me by Allah towards his nation who had not among his people (his) disciples and companions who followed his ways and obeyed his command. Then there came after them their successors who said whatever they did not practise, and practised whatever they were not commanded to do. He who strove against them with his hand was a believer: he who strove against them with his tongue was a believer, and he who strove against them with his heart was a believer and beyond that there is no faith even to the extent of a mustard seed.

Sahih Muslim. Book 1. Faith. Hadith 0081.

It is done according to position and authority

‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar had said, “I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, ‘All of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and the things under your care. The Imam (i.e. ruler) is the guardian of his subjects and is responsible for them and a man is the guardian of his family and is responsible for them. A woman is the guardian of her husband’s house and is responsible for it. A servant is the guardian of his master’s belongings and is responsible for them.’ I thought that he also said, ‘A man is the guardian of his father’s property and is responsible for it. All of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and the things under your care.”

Sahih Bukhari Vol 2, Book 13. Friday Prayer. Hadith 018

Implementing the Methodology with Wisdom

Enjoining good and forbidding evil is essentially inviting people to Allah. In this regard, Allah said in the Qur’an:

Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur’an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.

Surah/Chapter 016 – An-Nahl. Verse 125.

Implementing with wisdom means we must make sure according to the best of our abilities that when we enjoin good or forbid evil, the end result would be beneficial. In other words a greater good should be achieved or a greater evil is prevented.

There are many circumstances when we want to do good yet the result is harm. One example is praying the Tahajjud prayer but neglecting to pray the Fajr prayer due to exhaustion. One does not do the voluntary acts of worship in lieu of the Waajib. Because of this one does not pray the Sunnah prayer once the Iqaamah has been announced.

Likewise there are also circumtances where we want to avert harm yet the result is greater harm. To illustrate this point, we will mention the hadeeth narrated by Anas bin Malik in Sahih Muslim:

A Bedouin came and passed urine in one corner of the mosque. The people shouted at him but the Prophet stopped them till he finished urinating. The Prophet ordered them to spill a bucket of water over that place and they did so.

Vol 1 Book 4 Ablutions Hadeeth no. 234

Had the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam did not prevent the people from stopping the man from urinating, that man would have had splashed his urine all over the place, or in people’s clothings instead of confining it only to the place where he is urinating. Further, abruptly stopping the urination process could have other bad effects to a person’s health. Thus a greater harm was prevented by allowing some lesser harm to occur.

Ask Allah’s help

There is a Sunnah prayer called Istikhaara prayer. One is supposed to perform this prayer if he/she is going to decide on something.

Finally enjoining good and forbidding evil should be done for the sake of Allah alone. Further it should be done according to the way of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam.

We ask Allah that if we perform this obligation, we will be from those who are rewarded and be those whose scale of good deeds in the Judgment Day is heavy.

Narrated By ‘Amr bin Al-’As: That he heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “If a judge gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is correct (i.e. agrees with Allah and His Apostle’s verdict) he will receive a double reward, and if he gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is wrong, (i.e. against that of Allah and His Apostle) even then he will get a reward.”

Summary Muslims are required to enjoin good and forbid evil. Its implementation and neglect are linked to our success and failure respectively. Its effectuation is done with wisdom and according to one’s authority. Finally it is Allah who grants success.

[1] All Qur’anic quotations are taken from islamsoft solutions. Downloadable free from http://www.islamtomorrow.com/
[2] A Great Scholar of Qur’an interpretation. http://www.tafsir.com/
[3] A Great Scholar amongst the early generations of Muslims.
[4] All Hadeeth quotations are taken from islamsoft solutions.

Source: albangsamori

Friday Khutbah (27-Oct-2006): The virtues of fasting in general and of Ramadan in particular

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The virtues of fasting in general and of Ramadan in particular

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There are many virtues of Ramadan and fasting expressed in the Qur’an and in the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam. If only one of these virtues was told to us it would have been enough motivation to perfect our fasting seeking that reward and the pleasure of Allah, but it is again from the mercy of Allah that He taught us many virtues of fasting so that we get encouraged even more. I will focus mainly on the virtues of forgiveness, salvation from Hell fire and reward of Paradise, but before that I shall mention few other virtues that are not less important than the latter.

A means to attain Taqwa

Allah says [meaning]: “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed for people before you so that you will (learn how to) attain Taqwa” [al-Baqarah, 2:183]

Indeed the person who has attained Taqwa has attained excellence in the worship of her Lord. In many Ayat of the Qur’an Allah says that the reward of the people of Taqwa is Paradise. This topic of Taqwa shall be the subject of one of the coming issues of Al-Mu’minah. We will just mention here two ayat in regard of the success of the people of Taqwa and their reward with Paradise.

The people of Taqwa are the successful people in this life and in the hereafter where they will be the dwellers of Paradise. Allah says [in meaning] : “This is the Book; in it is guidance sure without doubt to the Muttaqeen [people of Taqwa]. Who believe in the Unseen are steadfast in prayer and spend out of what We have provided for them. And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee and sent before thy time and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter. They are on (true) guidance from their Lord and it is these who are the successful. (al-Baqarah 1:1-5)

He also says [meaning]: “Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord and for a garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth prepared for the Muttaqeen [people of Taqwa]. Those who spend (freely) whether in prosperity or in adversity; who restrain anger and pardon (all) men; for Allah loves those who do good. And those who having done something to be ashamed of or wronged their own souls earnestly bring Allah to mind and ask for forgiveness for their sins and who can forgive sins except Allah? And are never obstinate in persisting knowingly in (the wrong) they have done. For such the reward is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens with rivers flowing underneath an eternal dwelling; how excellent a recompense for those who work (and strive)!”. [Aali `Imraan, 3:133-136]
A merciful recommendation from Allah

“and fast, it is better for you, if only you knew” [al-Baqarah, 2:184]

Indeed if Allah says that something is better of us, it is rally better for us and we should strive to perfect it.
The practice of the Prophets

Ibn Abbas reported: “The Prophet came to Madinah and found the Jews fasting the day of Ashura. He asked them: “Why are you fasting this day?” They said: “This is a great day. Allah saved Mousa (Moses) and the tribes of Israel from their enemies on this day and therefore Mousa fasted on it. “The Prophet said: “We have more of a right to Mousa than you.” So he fasted on that day also and ordered the people to fast on that day.” [al-Bukhari and Muslim].

`Abdullah Ibn `Amr said : The Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa salam said : The fast most loved by Allah is the fast of Dawood and the most loved prayer is the prayer of Dawood. He used to sleep half the night, pray for a third of the night, and then sleep during the last sixth of the night. He would also fast one day and then eat on the next. [Ahmad]

‘Aisha reported that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa salam, used to fast till one would say that he would never stop fasting, and he would abandon fasting till one would say that he would never fast. I never saw Allah’s Messenger fasting for a whole month except the month of Ramadan, and did not see him fasting in any month more than in the month of Sha’ban. [Bukhari]
A great reward for those who fast

Abu Huraira, radhiya Allahu `anh reported many Ahadith in this regard. We will mention few of them as they carry the same meaning.

The Prophet said that your Lord said, “Every (sinful) deed can be expiated; and the fast is for Me, so I will give the reward for it; and the smell which comes out of the mouth of a fasting person, is better in Allah’s Sight than the smell of musk.” [Bukhari]

The Prophet said, “Allah said: The Fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (the one who observes the fast) leaves his sexual desire, food and drink for My Sake. Fasting is a screen (from Hell) and there are two pleasures (moments of happiness or joys) for a fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord. And the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better in Allah’s Sight than the smell of musk.” [Bukhari]

The Prophet said, “(Allah said), ‘Every good deed of Adam’s son is for him except fasting; it is for Me. and I shall reward (the fasting person) for it.’ Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better to Allah than the smell of musk.” [Bukhari]

He also said: “Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving ten 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 of joy 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.” [Muslim]

The greatest reward is, of course, Paradise. this will be covered under the section “Ramadan; a way to Paradise”.
A means to cut sexual desires

The Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, ordered the one who has strong desires and the need for marriage, but is unable to marry, to fast. Fasting is thus a means of cutting desires, since it reduces the vigor of the limbs of the body, it calms them and bridles them.

Ibn Mas`oud reported that the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said: O Youths! whoever amongst you is able to marry then let him do so, since it retains the eyes and protects the private parts, and he who is unable let him fast because it is a shield for him [Bukhari and Muslim]

‘Alqama said: While I was walking with ‘Abdullah he said, “We were in the company of the Prophet and he said, ‘He who can afford to marry should marry, because it will help him refrain from looking at other women, and save his private parts from looking at other women, and save his private parts from committing illegal sexual relation; and he who cannot afford to marry is advised to fast, as fasting will diminish his sexual power.” [Bukhari]

The prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, also said: “The Khisaa’ (*) of my Ummah is Fasting [Sahih al-Jami`] (*) “Medication” [or preventive practice] against sexual desires
The supplication of the fasting person is granted

Jabir, radhiya Allahu `anhu relates that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said :” In every day and every night, during the month of Ramadan, there are people 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 and Ibn Majah; Sahih]

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, said: “There are three people whose supplications are not rejected: the fasting person when he breaks the fast, the just ruler and the supplication of the oppressed”. [Tirmithi, Ibn Majah and Ibn Hibban]

`Abdullah Ibn `Amr Ibn al-`Aas also reported that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, said: “Indeed there is for the fasting person, when he breaks his fast, a supplication which is not rejected”. [Ibn Majah, al-Hakim and others; Sahih]

The best supplication is the one authentically reported from the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, that he used to say when breaking his fast : “Thahaba aDh-Dhama’u wabtallatil-`urooqu wa thabata-l-ajru inshaa’a Allah”. Which means :The thirst is gone, the veins are moisted and the reward is certain, if Allah wills. [Abu Dawood, al-Baihaqee and others; Hasan]
A Means of intercession on the Day of Judgment

`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]
In Ramadan there is Laylatul Qadr (the night of Decree)

“Indeed We have revealed it (Qur’an) in the night of Decree. And what will explain to you what the night of Decree is? The night of Decree is better than than a thousand months. Therein descends the Angels and the Spirit (Jibreel) by Allah’s permission, on every errand: (they say) “peace” (continuously) till the rise of Morning!” (97:1-5)

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (S) said ” The blessed month has come to you. Allah has made fasting during it obligatory upon you. During it the gates to Paradise are opened and the gates of Hellfire are locked, and the devils are chained. There is a night [during this month] which is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good is really deprived [of something great]. [Ahmad, an-Nisa'i and al-Bayhaqi].
A `Umra in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj

`Ata’ said : I heard Ibn ‘Abbas saying, “Allah’s Apostle asked an Ansari woman (Ibn ‘Abbas named her but ‘Ata’ forgot her name), ‘What prevented you from performing Hajj with us?’ She replied, ‘We have a camel and the father of so-and-so and his son (i.e. her husband and her son) rode it and left one camel for us to use for irrigation.’ He said (to her), ‘Perform ‘Umra when Ramadan comes, for ‘Umra in Ramadan is equal to Hajj (in reward),’ or said something similar.” [Bukhari].

He (S) also said: “A `Umra in Ramadan is equal [in reward] of Hajj with me” [Sahih al-Jami`]
A Means of Forgiveness

It is a reality that none of us is perfect. We all have some weaknesses and shortcoming and we find ourselves committing sins out of ignorance or out of submission to our desires and whims and thus driving ourselves away from Allah darkening our heart and sealing them from guidance and overloading our books of bad deeds. However, Allah said of Himself that He is the Most Merciful the oft-Forgiving. As part of this infinite Mercy He made available for us various ways of achieving forgiveness and sin expiation. Among the most important and beneficial of these ways of forgiveness is fasting in general and in Ramadan in particular. Let us discover this glad tiding from the sweet words of the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam.

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

Abu Huraira narrated that Allah’s Messenger said : “Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.” [Bukhari]

“Whoever establishes prayers during the nights of Ramadan (and that is called Qiyam) faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards (not for showing off), all his past sins will be forgiven. [Bukhari]

Abu Hurairah also narrated that the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, climbed upon the mimbar (pulpit) and said: “Aameen [O Allah grant it], aameen, aameen”. So it was said, “O Messenger of Allah, you climbed upon the mimbar and said : “aameen, aameen, aameen”? So he said :”Jibraa’eel, `alaihi assalam, came to me and said, ‘Whoever reaches the month of Ramadan and does not have [his sins] forgiven and so enters Fire, then may Allah distance him, say aameen”. So I said “aameen”. [Ibn Khuzaimah, Ahmad and al-Baihaqui : Sahih]

Hudhaifah Ibn al-Yamaan reported that the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, said: “The evils caused for a man through his family, wealth and neighbor are expiated by prayer, fasting and charity.” [Bukhari and Muslim]. In another narration in Sahih al-Jami`: “The evils caused for a man through his family, his wealth, himself, his children and his neighbor are expiated by fasting, prayer, charity, enjoining the good and forbidding the bad.
Fasting is also a means of expiations for various sins

During Hajj, shaving the head while in a state of Ihraam, during Hajj [pilgrimage], for one who does that due to some illness. Or One who is unable to carry out the obligatory sacrifice in Hajj

“And complete the Hajj or ‘umra in the service of Allah. But if you are prevented (From completing it), send an offering for sacrifice, such as you may find, and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice. And if any of you is ill, or has an ailment in his scalp, (Necessitating shaving), (He should) in compensation either fast, or feed the poor, or offer sacrifice; and when you are in peaceful conditions (again), if any one wishes to continue the ‘umra on to the hajj, He must make an offering, such as he can afford, but if he cannot afford it, He should fast three days during the hajj and seven days on his return, Making ten days in all. This is for those whose household is not in (the precincts of) the Sacred Mosque. And fear Allah, and know that Allah Is strict in punishment.” [al-Baqara, 2:196]
Hunting while in a state of Ihraam during Hajj

“O you who believe! Kill not game while in the sacred precincts or in pilgrim garb. If any of you do so intentionally, the compensation is an offering, brought to the Ka’ba, of a domestic animal equivalent to the one he killed, as adjudged by two just men among you; or by way of atonement, the feeding of the indigent; or its equivalent in fasts: that he may taste of the penalty of his deed. Allah forgives what is past: for repetition Allah will exact from him the penalty. For Allah is Exalted, and Lord of Retribution.”[al-Ma'idah, 5:95]
Accidently killing a person from a people with whom you have a treaty

“Never should a believer kill a believer; but (If it so happens) by mistake, (Compensation is due): If one (so) kills a believer, it is ordained that he should free a believing slave, and pay compensation to the deceased’s family, unless they remit it freely. If the deceased belonged to a people at war with you, and he was a believer, the freeing of a believing slave (Is enough). If he belonged to a people with whom you have treaty of Mutual alliance, compensation should be paid to his family, and a believing slave be freed. For those who find this beyond their means, (is prescribed) a fast for two months running: by way of repentance to Allah. for Allah hath all knowledge and all wisdom”. [an-Nisaa', 4:92]
Violating an oath

“Allah will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths, but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths: for expiation, feed ten indigent persons, on a scale of the average for the food of your families; or clothe them; or give a slave his freedom. If that is beyond your means, fast for three days. That is the expiation for the oaths you have sworn. But keep to your oaths. Thus doth Allah make clear to you His signs, that you may be grateful.” [al-Ma'idah, 5:89]
Dhihaar

The saying of a husband to his wife: You are to me like the back of my mother (i.e. unlawful to me).

“But those who divorce their wives by Zihar, then wish to go back on the words they uttered, (It is ordained that such a one) should free a slave before they touch each other: Thus are you admonished to perform: and Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that you do. And if any has not (the wherewithal), he should fast for two months consecutively before they touch each other. But if any is unable to do so, he should feed sixty indigent ones, this, that you may show your faith in Allah and His Messenger. Those are limits (set by) Allah. For those who reject (Him), there is a grievous Penalty”. [al-Mujadilah, 58:3-4]
Fasting in Ramadan; a way to Paradise

We have seen that Ramadan saves from Hell Fire and saves from sins by leading to forgiveness. Besides all this (and it would have been enough if it were only that) Ramadan leads the fasting believer to al-Jannah (Paradise). Paradise, that house that contains what no eye has ever seen, what no ear has ever heard, what never crossed the mind of a human being, and that contains all what a soul desires.

How does Ramadan lead to al-Jannah?

From al-Qur’an :

“O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed for people before you so that you will (learn how to) attain Taqwa” [al-Baqarah, 2:183]

If a person achieves Taqwa, he/she is among al-Muttaqeen, and Allah, in many places in the Qur’an, says that the house of al-Muttaqeen is al-Jannah (Paradise) as was described in the section “Ramadan, a means to attain Taqwa”.

“and fast, it is better for you, if only you knew” [al-Baqarah, 2:184]

“Verily, the Muslim men and women, the believing men and women, the men and women who are obedient (to Allah), the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and women who are patient, the men and women who are humble (before their Lord), the men and women who give charity, the men and women who fast, the men and women who guard their chastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the men and women who remember Allah much. Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).” [al-Ahzaab, 33:35]

I strongly invite my dear Muslim Sisters to check in Tafseer Ibn Katheer the reason for the revelation of this beautiful verse. I am sure that it will please them much)

And from the Sunnah:

For the DEVOUT Muslim Women and only for them:

Ibn Hibban narrated that the Prophet said, what translated means, “If a woman prayed the five prayers, fasted in Ramadan, protected her honor and obeyed her husband; then she will be told (on the Day of Judgment): enter Paradise from any of its (eight) doors.

In the famous hadith of Mu`ath … I said O Messenger of Allah, tell me of an act which will take me into Paradise and keep me away from Hell-Fire. He said: you have asked me about a major matter, yet it easy for him for whom Allah Almighty makes it easy. You should …, You should fast in Ramadan …. Then he (S) said : shall I not show you the gates of goodness ? Fasting is a shield … [at-Tirmithi]

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.”‘ [Ibn Hibban, an-Nasa'i, and al-Hakim: Sahih].

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].

Abu Huraira said : I heard the Messenger of Allah,salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, saying, “Anybody who spends a pair of something in Allah’s Cause will be called from all the gates of Paradise, “O Allah’s slave! This is good.’ 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]

`Amr ibn Murrah al-Juhanee, radhiya Allahu `anhu said : A man came to the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallama, and said :”O Messenger of Allah, what if I testify that none has the right to be worshiped but Allah and that you are the Messenger of Allah, and I observe the five daily prayer, and I pay the Zakaah, and I fast and stand in prayer [at night ie Qiyam] in Ramadan, the amongst who shall I be ?” He said : “amongst the true followers of the prophets and the martyrs” [Ibn Hibban in az-Zawa'id : Its Isnad is Sahih]

And again

Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Messenger, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” [Bukhari]

We pray to Allah Ta`ala to make this Ramadan a means for us to access to Jannah and to see our Lord therein.

Source: QSS Publications, al-Mu’minah Magazine: Ramadan and Fasting