Tag Archives: Virtues

Friday Khutbah (02 March 2007): We must not loose sight of our identity as muslims and muslimahs

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Friday Khutbah (02 March 2007): We must not loose sight of our identity as muslims and muslimahs

Salaam alaykum wa rahma tu’ala wa barakatu.

Brothers and sisters we must not loose sight of our identity as muslims and muslimahs. Where do we draw this identity? Do we draw it from the culture we are in? Living in the western culture we are constantly bombarded by Shaitan urging us to all kinds of sin. We are constantly prodded to live for materialistic things and things that take our heart and mind from Allah (SWT). And most sad of all, constantly, everyday I see people treat each other badly. I see rudeness and impatience and anger and enmity. What kind of society are we following? I heard yesterday that a study was done where it was estimated that we are exposed to 90 thousand advertisements every day. Violence is prevalent, and not just wars and things far away, but in our own lives. People bicker and mistrust one another, and people do cheat and steal and lie. But we are human and we do make mistakes and where do we turn? How do we realize our identity and be the kind and compassionate people we are supposed to be as muslims.

We have an ever present guide and ideal to live up to. And it is that ideal and example of Rasool Allah (SAW) that we should be drawing our identity as muslims from.

Rasool Allah (SAW) is described in hadith as
“Al-Mutawakkil” (who depends upon Allah). You are neither discourteous, harsh Nor a noisemaker in the markets And you do not do evil to those Who do evil to you, but you deal With them with forgiveness and kindness. Allah will not let him (the Prophet) die till he makes straight the crooked people by making them say: “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah,” With which will be opened blind eyes And deaf ears and enveloped hearts.’ ”

And about how to behave when on a journey.

Malik related to me from Abu Ubayd, the mawla of Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik from Khalid ibn Madan who attributed it to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, “Allah, the Blessed and Exalted is kind and loves kindness. He is pleased with it and helps you with it as long as it is not misplaced. When you ride dumb beasts, stop them in their stopping places, and quicken their pace when the land is barren. Travel by night, because the land is traveled faster at night than it is during the day. Beware of pitching tents on the road, for it is the path of animals and the abode of snakes.”

My friends we are all on a journey on this life. Should we not then behave just as well to those around us in our every day life as we would towards beasts?

Towards Each other especially and especially in these hard conditions.

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “One Muslim should do six acts of kindness to another: he should salute him when he meets him, accept his invitation when he gives one, say ‘Allah have mercy on you’ when he sneezes, visit him when he is ill, follow his bier when he dies, and like for him what he likes for himself.”

And in another hadith

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “Every act of kindness is “sadaqah, and kindness includes meeting your brother with a cheerful face and pouring water from your bucket into your brother’s vessel.”

We must stop doing things to each other that nullifies our identity as muslims. We must treat each other with kindness and with the charity that Rasool Allah (SAW) has shown us and has described to us.

Allah (SWT) has shown us just one tiny part of the divine kindness that awaits us in the afterlife.

Rasul Allah (SAW) said: There are one hundred (parts of) mercy of Allah and He has sent down out of these one part of mercy upon the jinn and human beings and the insects and it is because of this (one part) that they love one another, show kindness to one another and even the beast treats its young one with affection, and Allah has reserved ninety-nine parts of mercy with which He would treat His servants on the Day of Resurrection.
And this kindness, this path of virtue is not necessarily easy. Especially with all the examples around us and the people encouraging us to the “easy path” the path of rejection and doubt in Allah (SWT)

Allah (SWT) talks about this in the Holy Quran, he tells us that many times we choose not to take this righteous road al aqaba, the road that is correct but sometimes harder but listen, there is good news in taking that road! (90:12-17)

وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الْعَقَبَةُ 090:012

Wama adraka ma alAAaqaba
And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?

فَكُّ رَقَبَةٍ 090:013

Fakku raqaba(tin)

(It is:) freeing the bondman;

090.014 أَوْ إِطْعَامٌ فِي يَوْمٍ ذِي مَسْغَبَةٍ

Aw it’a-amun fee yawmin thee masghabat

Or the giving of food in a day of privation

090.015 يَتِيمًا ذَا مَقْرَبَةٍ

Yateeman tha maqraba

To the orphan with claims of relationship,

090.016 أَوْ مِسْكِينًا ذَا مَتْرَبَةٍ

Aw miskeenan tha matraba

Or to the indigent (down) in the dust.

090.017 ثُمَّ كَانَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْمَرْحَمَةِ

Thumma kana mina allatheena ‘amanoo watawasaw bialssabri watawasaw bialmarhama

Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion.

‘A man walking along a path felt very thirsty. Reaching a well he descended into it, drank his fill and came up. Then he saw a dog with its tongue hanging out, trying to lick up mud to quench its thirst. The man saw that the dog was feeling the same thirst as he had felt so he went down into the well again and filled his shoe with water and gave the dog a drink. God forgave his sins for this action.’ The Prophet (SAW) was asked: ‘Messenger of God, are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?’ He said, ‘There is a reward for kindness to every living thing.’

Part 2

The Prophet Muhammad (peace by upon him) said: “Charity is prescribed for each descendant of Adam on every day the sun rises.” He was then asked: “From what do we give charity every day?” The Prophet Replied: “The doors of goodness are many…enjoining good, forbidding evil, removing harm from the road, listening to the deaf (until you understand them), leading the blind, guiding one to the object of his need, hurrying with the strength of one’s legs to one in sorrow who is asking for help, and supporting the feeble with the strength of one’s arms — all of these are charity prescribed for you.”

Brothers and sisters, we should leave here today and pledge ourselves to be among those that choose that difficult path. That in spite of what we see around us we should hold on to our Muslim identity. Teach our children to do that as well. That we should follow the example that Allah (SWT) has given us in the Quran and the acts of Rasul Allah (SAW) which are an exemplar of this behavior. Treat each other and other people with kindness and patience and sincerity in these things. After all, we do not know when we die or why we die but we can choose to die as Muslims, secure in our aman and our iman and our tqwa allah.

Wa allahu alim.

Source: http://salimchishti.blogspot.com

Friday Khutbah (26 Jan 2007): The Day of Asyura and Its Lessons

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The Day of Asyura and Its Lessons

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Brothers,
I would like to call upon myself and my dear brothers, to instill in us taqwa to Allah s.w.t, by abiding all the He has commanded, by following Islam truthfully, and avoiding all that Allah has forbidden. And by doing all that, we pray to Allah that our taqwa will increase and be strengthened further, amen.

May brothers,
This Monday, the Day of Asyura will dawn upon us. Do we know what is the Day of Asyura? It is the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.

The Day of Asyura is a day of historical significance. Many important events occurred on this day.

It was reported that Prophet Noah’s ark came ashore on Mount Judiy on the the Day of Asyura. It was reported also that Prophet Musa a.s was saved by Allah from Pharaoh on this day. And to remind them of this significant event and to glorify the Day of Asyura, the Jews fast on that day.

This tradition of glorifying the Day of Asyura was not limited among the Jews themselves. The Arabs before our Prophet’s time also glorified the Day of Asyura.

The Arabs used to change the Kaabah’s curtain on this day. They also fasted on the Day of Asyura. In a hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari and Muslim, Rasulullah s.a.w wife, ‘Aisyah r.a said:
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Which means: The Arabs used to fast on the Day of Asyura before the command to fast during Ramadan was revealed. They also will clothed the Kaabah on this day.

Brothers,
Is it proper for us to celebrate and glorify the Day of Asyura? To answer it, we must refer to Al-Quran and Sunnah.

Allah s.w.t says in surah At-Taubah, verse 36:
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Which means: Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein, and fight against the idolaters collectively , as they fight against you collectively. But know that Allah is with those who are pious.
It is forbidden to go to war on these four sacred months. It is also encouraged for us to fast many days on these months. The Prophet s.a.w said in a hadith narrated by Ibn Majah:
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Which means: Fast in those sacred months.

The four sacred months are Rejab, Zulkaedah, Zulhijjah dan Muharram. And the Day of Asyura occurs on the 10th day of Muharram.

With regards to the virtues of fasting on Day of Asyura, the Prophet s.a.w said in a hadith sahih narrated by Imam Muslim:

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Which means: I hope that by fasting on the Day of Asyura, Allah will forgive last year’s sins.

This is reward that awaits those who fast with sincerity on the Day of Asyura. And it was reported in a hadith that before the fast in Ramadan was made obligatory, Rasulullah s.a.w told Muslims to fast on the Day of Asyura.

But fasting is encouraged not just on the Day of Asyura per se. In fact, it is also encouraged to fast on the first 10 days of Muharram, and on the 13, 14 dan 15 days Muharram. Allah s.w.t says in surah Al-Fajr, ayat 2:
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Which means: And by the ten nights.

Some scholars of tafsir said that those 10 days belong to the first 10 days of Muharram.

Let us grasp this golden opportunity. We star the new year by showing servitude to Allah. And we hope by doing that, the rest of this year will see us getting closer to Allah.

Brothers,
The command to fast in the month of Ramadan was revealed by Allah on the second year of Hijrah. In the first year, the Prophet s.a.w command Muslims to fast on the Day of Asyura. This is supported be the following hadith narrated Bukhari and Muslim from Ibnu ‘Abbas r.a:
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Which means: When the Prophet s.a.w reached Medina, he found that the Jews were fasted on the Day of Asyura. He asked them: What is the significance of this day that you all fast in it? They answered: “This is the day which Allah s.w.t saved Prophet Musa a.s and his people, and the day Allah drowned the Pharaoh and his army. So Prophet Musa a.s fasted on this day as a sign of gratefulness to Allah.” The Prophet s.a.w said again: “We have more rights on Prophet Musa a.s then you all”. So he fasted on the day of Asyura, and he commanded Muslims to do likewise.

In the hadith that I recited just now, it is clear that Rasulullah s.a.w did not feel shy to ask from other people about certain matter, event from the Jews. And the Prophet s.a.w did not shy from incorporating what is good in other community to Islam. There are two lessons that can be learned from.

First: We must push aside any feelings of embarrassment and shyness when we are studying and gleaning knowledge from other communities, regardless of race and religion.

Allah s.w.t gives knowledge to whomever He wishes, regardless of race and religion. So one community cannot look down on others. Each community has its own strength and weaknesses. WE learn from strength of other communities to lessen the weaknesses in our community. And if we do this, the racial gap can be minimized.

The second lesson is that we cannot be stingy from sharing knowledge to others, even though they are not of the same race or religion. The Jews themselves did not withhold information from our Prophet s.a.w on their reason for fasting on the Day of Asyura.

Thus, we are required to share with others, especially the non-Muslims, the beauty, purity and simplicity of Islam. This exchange of information will give rise to a worthwhile conclusion. The person either embraces Islam, or they will understand our religion, like we with theirs.

In the end, the community will live together harmoniously because the understanding between the different religions already existed.

These are the two lessons that can be learnt from the story on the Day of Asyura. We cannot shy away from asking for knowledge, and we must not refrain from sharing with others about Islam.

May Allah s.w.t accept our fast on the Day of Asyura, amen.

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Etiquettes Of Jumu’ah

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Some Etiquettes of Jumu’ah: Having a Proper Wudoo’ & Being Silent

By : Aboo Uways ‘Abdullah ‘Alee (Rahimahullah)

From the regulations regarding Jumu’ah, the Sunnah and the manners of Jumu’ah is that you :

  1. Make ghusl as it is waajib upon everyone who has reached the age of puberty.
  2. Wear the best of your clothing.
  3. Using oil
  4. Walking to the Jumua’h is better than riding if there is no difficulty in your walking.
  5. Go early to the place where Jumua’h is going to be held.
  6. Making Tahayatull Masjid
  7. Reading Suratul Kahf
  8. Sending peace and prayers upon Muhammad ibn Abdulah  sallallahu alayhe was salam
  9. Not going over the necks of people
  10. Total and complete silence while listening to the  khutbah
  11. Using the time during Jumu’ah when du’aa  is said to be answered to make du’aa

The actions of Jumu’ah are of three types :

  1. The actions you do before Jumu’ah – ghusl, wearing your best clothing, using an oil, being early
  2. The actions you do after the salaah – making du’aa at the proper time ( the last hour before the setting of the sun )
  3. The actions you do before the salaah  – reading suratul Kahf , sending prayers and peace upon the Prophet sallallahu alayhe was salaam and like this

The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhe was salaam said al Jumu’ah is the best of the days and is the greatest of the days with Allah than Eid al Adha or the day of Fitr. It had five qualities. Allah created Adam on the day of Jumu’ah and Allah made Adam come down to earth upon that day. Also Allah caused Adam to die at that time. And in this hour is that no servant asks Allah for something except that Allah will give it to him as long as he doesnt ask for that which is haraam. And on friday the hour will be established. And there is no angel that is close, there is no heaven, no earth, no wind, no mountain, no ocean except that is fearful on yawm al Jumu’ah. It is fearful on the day of friday for fear that Kiyamah will be established on that day.

The Prophet sallallahu alayhe was salaam said “The best of your days is yawmul Jumu’ah. On that day Adam was created. And on that day the soul was blown into him. And on that day the people will fall out before the kiyamah. Send a lot of prayers upon me because your prayers come to me. “And they said O RasoolAllah, How can our prayers come to you when you have become dust or bones? He answered “Allah has forbidden the earth from eating the Prophets of Allah.”

Abu Hurairah radiallahu anhu narrates that the Prophet sallallahu alayhe was salaam said “Friday prayer to Friday prayer is an expiation of ones sins he commits between those two fridays as long as he doesnt fall into the Major sins.”

Aus ibn Aus said , I heard the Prophet sallalahu alayhe was salaam say “Whoever makes Ghusl  on the day of Jumu’ah and comes early and walks to Jumu’ah , comes close to the imam , and does not take his attention from the  imam, he will have for every step he took a reward for a full year of fasting and standing in prayer. [ Abi Dawud ]

The fact of  listening and being silent during the khutbah

Abu Hurairah radiallahu anhu said that the Prophet sallallahu alayhe said “If you were to say to your companion sitting beside you on the day of Friday when the Imam is giving the Khutbah that he should be quiet , then you have done that which wipes away the reward of Jumu’ah.”

Ubay ibn Kab radiallahu anhu narrates that The Prophet sallallahu alayhe was salaam recited surah at Tabarak while he was standing and reminding us of the days of Allah, while Abu Darda or Abu Darr touched me , trying to get my attention. He asked a question regarding Ilm, “When was this surah revealed? I have not heard it until this time”. I pointed to him to be quiet. When the salaat was over he said , “I asked you when was this surah revealed and you didnt tell me”. I said , You will have no reward for you salaah today because you have done that which wipes it away. So he went to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhe was salaam and mentioned to him what was said “Ubay has told the truth.”

Another narration that speaks about this issue is one regarding Abdullah ibn Masud radiallahu anhu and he was asking a question also. Ibn Masud sat by Ubay ibn Kab and he asked him something or talked to him about something. Ubay didnt speak to him at all. Ibn Masud thought that he had some problem with him. So when the Prophet sallalahu alayhe was salama finished the salaat , Ibn Masud said, “Ya Ubay, what stopped you from responding to me?” Ubay replied, “its as if you didnt even make Jumu’ah with us because you were talking”. Ibn Masud asked RasoolAllah sallallahu alayhe was salaam , and mentioned what was said. The Messenger of Allah said “and obey Ubay.”

So this is regarding the matter of being silent when the Imam is giving a Khutbah of Jumu’ah.

End of First Part Khutbah

Jaabir radiallahu anhu said that the Prophet sallallahu alayhe was salaam said , “No person makes a ghusl properly on yawm al Jumu’ah and purifies himself in the best way , uses some oil, and he leaves his home not seperating between two , then he prays what has been written for him to pray, then he is silent if the imam talks, except that it will be forgiven for him the sins that he has committed between that friday and the next friday.”

So this speaks about cleanliness, being early , and being quiet. Abu Hurairah relates from the Prophet sallallahu alayhe was salaam,” Allah misled away from the day of Jumu’ah those who were before us. The Yahud took Saturday and the Christians took Sunday. And there will be forever followers behind us in  this issue until the Day of Judgement. We are the last of the people of the dunyah, and the first of those to be judged before the rest  of the creation.

Jabir radiallahu anhu narrated that an individual entered into the masjid while the Prophet sallallahu alayhe was salaam was giving a khutbah. And the Prophet sallallahu alayhe was salaam stopped his Khutbah and said to him “Have you prayed?” He said no, and the Prophet sallallahu alayhe was salaam said, “Stand up and pray two rakaat.”  So this is speaking about Tahayatul Masjid, stand up and pray two rakaat.

Another hadeeth, and we have mentioned some of it, but this is in different wording. “There is no person who purifies himself on the day of Jumu’ah as he has been ordered , and he leaves his house and comes to salaatul Jumu’ah and he is quiet until salaat is finished except there is expiation for that which has preceded this jumu’ah.”

Some may say that this is an issue that we know. Some may say that this is an issue that we dont need to be reminded of. But we have been told in the Quran to remind them , for the reminder benefits the believer. And as has been shown through experience, many times people forget these hadeeth and these narrations and we forget that Jumu’ah is from the great symbols of Allah and it must have some kind of glorification in our hearts because this is from the taqwa, from the fear of Allah subhana wa ta’alaa. It is an honourable day, it is a great day, it is a day full of virtues and blessings for the one who observes it – as he should observe it , sticking to the book of Allah tabaraka wa ta’alaa and the Sunnah of the Messenger sallallahu alayhe was salaam.

Source: http://www.salafitapes.com/

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