“It’s Ramadhan, Let’s Work on Our Character”

The Imaam of the People of the Sunnah during his time, ‘Abdul-’Azeez Ibn Baaz [d. 1420 AH], may Allaah have mercy in him, mentioned some basic characteristics  that a Muslim should possess, they are:

[1]: Truthfulness

[2]: Trustworthiness

[3]: Chastity

[4]: Shyness

[5]: Bravery/Courage

[6]: Generosity

[7]: Keeping One’s Word

[8]: Abstaining from Everything that is Impermissible

[9]: Being a Good Neighbor

[10]: Helping those in Need According to One’s Ability

And all other good manners legislated by the Qur’aan and Sunnah. (1)

May Allaah, the All-Able, bless us to be from those who improve their character this Ramadhan.

---

(1) ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Ibn Baaz, Important Lessons for the Common Muslim, 22

DON'T become tired of making Du'aa...

 

Ibnul Jawzi (رحمه الله) says:

“If you fall into a hardship that is hard to be free from, you can’t (do anything) but make du’aa and take refuge in Allaah, after repenting from sins, because sins necessitate punishment, so if they disappear by repentance from them, the reason (for punishment) is lifted. So if you repented and made du’aa, and did not see any trace of response, then look into your affair. Maybe the repentance was not sound, so correct it then make du’aa and don’t become tired of making du’aa. Maybe the good is in delaying the response, and maybe the good is not in responding, so you will be rewarded and responded by being referred to what benefits you, and it would be beneficial for you to not be given what you requested, but rather to be given other than it as a replacement.

So, if Iblees comes and says: ‘How much did you call upon Him and did not see any response?’ Then say: ‘I worship (Allaah) by making du’aa, and I am certain that the answer will come. But maybe its delay is due to some good, and even if it doesn't happen, worship and humility takes place.’ So take care not to ask for something except by combining it with asking for that which is good, because the occurrence of many a wish from the dunyaa was a cause for destruction.

Source: {Sayd ul-Khaatir; Chapter 249, p.343}

Let's rectify our hearts this Ramadhan, insha-Allaah!!

An Important Excerpt from Ibnul Qayyim’s Book on Remembrance 

(Al Wabilu Sayyib)

Indeed the servant is able to strengthen his concentration in prayer and focus on his Lord (during it) if he is successful in overcoming his desires and cravings. However if his heart has been conquered, his desires have taken him captive, and the Shaytan is able to find a place within it, then how can this individual escape the whispers and thoughts (that disturb him during prayer)!

Verily the hearts are of three types:

1. The heart which is void of Eeman and all types of good, this is the dark heart. The Shaytan no longer needs to confront this heart with whispers because he now dwells in it. He decrees what he wishes in it and has taken complete control of it.

2. The heart which has been illuminated with the light of Eeman. Faith has kindled its lanterns within it, but at the same time there is still present some darkness of desires and winds of disobedience. The Shaytan approaches and retreats from this category of hearts, and at times he takes advantage of opportunities. The war (in this heart) is sometimes severe and at other times calm.

The affair of the individuals who fall into this category of hearts varies between many and few. Some possessors of this category are usually victorious over their enemy, while others regularly allow their enemy to get the upper hand. A third group are those who have equal moments of defeat and victory.

3. The heart which is filled with faith. This heart is illuminated with the light of Eeman and the veil of desires and darkness has been lifted from it. The light of Eeman is glowing within the chest and that glow contains flames. If desires attempt to approach the heart they are burned by the flames (of Eeman). This heart is protected similar to the protection of the sky by the stars. If the Shaytan attempts to advance toward the sky to steal (information) he is flogged with a star and he burns. The sky is not more precious than the believer and Allaah’s protection of the believer is greater than His protection of the sky. The sky is a place of worship for the Angels, it is also the place of revelation (The Qur'aan was brought to the last sky and then revealed to the Prophet (صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) piece by piece), and in it (the sky) are the rays of obedience. But the heart of the believer is the place of Tawheed, love (of Allaah, the Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم, Islaam, etc…), understanding and faith. In it are the rays of the previously mentioned elements, and therefore it is befitting that it is protected from the plots of the enemy. As a result of this, he (the enemy) cannot obtain anything from it (the heart of the believer) except by deceitfully seizing it.

A good example of this has been made with the example of 3 homes:

1. The home of the king: In it are his treasures and precious jewels and belongings.

2. The home of the slave: In it is his wealth and precious jewels and belongings, but indeed his belongings are much less (in value and quantity) than that of the king’s.

3. The empty home: There is nothing present in it.

Protect your Tongue from Frivolous Speech Whether you are Fasting or Not!

[Q]: There is a man who is fasting that speaks much in gatherings about things that don’t contain any benefit. Is his fast valid?

[A]: Sheikh al-‘Uthaymeen [d. 1421 AH], رحمه الله, answered:

His fast is correct. However, it is befitting for the fasting person to spend his fast indulged in obedience: prayer, reading the Qur’aan, remembrance [of Allaah], and other than these things.

As it relates to frivolous speech, then this is a loss for a person, rather he is fasting or not. This is due to the statement of the Prophet, prayers and peace upon him, ‘Whoever believes in Allaah and the last day, let him say good things or be quiet.’

[al-Bukhaaree & Muslim]

The Likeness of Ramadhan and Prophet Yusuf

From Ibnul Jawzi‘s ‘Bustan al-Wa’idhin wa Riyad as-Sami’in’ (p. 213-214):

“The month of Ramadhan to the other months is like Yusuf to his brothers. So, just like Yusuf was the most beloved son to Ya’qub, Ramadhan is likewise the most beloved month to Allaah.”

A nice point for the nation of Muhammad (صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) to ponder over is that if Yusuf had the mercy and compassion to say {“There is no reproach for you today…“} [Yusuf; 92], Ramadhan is likewise the month of mercy, blessing, goodness, salvation from the Fire, and Forgiveness from the King that exceeds that of all the other months and what can be gained from their days and nights.

Another nice point to think about is that Yusuf’s brothers came to rely on him to fix their mistakes after all those they had made. So, he met them with kindness and helped them out, and he fed them while they were hungry and allowed them to return, and he told his servants: “Carry their belongings with you so that they don’t lose them.” So, one person filled the gaps of eleven others, and the month of Ramadhan is likewise one month that fills the gaps of our actions over the other eleven months. Imagine the gaps and shortcoming and deficiency we have in obeying Allaah!

Whoever feeds a fasting person...

The Messenger of Allaah (صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) said,

“Whoever feeds a fasting person will have a reward like that of the fasting person, without any reduction in his reward.”

[At-Tirmidhi, authenticated by Al-Albani رحمه الله]

It has been explained by the people of knowledge that whoever gives a Muslim something to break his fast with, he will receive this reward that came in this hadith. “Breaks” is a general word and giving him dates is considered breaking. The sunnah is to break your fasting with dates, as has been narrated by Anas (رضي اللّه عنـه), who said, “The Messenger of Allaah (صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) used to break his Saum (fasting) before performing Maghrib prayer with three fresh date-fruits; if there were no fresh date-fruits, he would eat three dry dates; and if there were no dry date-fruits; he would take three sips of water.” [At-Tirmidhi]

Is it better for sisters to pray Taraweeh at home or in the Masjid with the brothers?

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al-‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله

Question: Many of the women pray Taraaweeh along with the men in the Masjid. Is this better for her or is it better within the home? Specifically since many of them say that this is from that which assists her and encourages her (upon worship) particularly if she is not able to read from the Mus’haf.

Answer: Her prayer in her home is better. However, if her praying in the Masjid helps her to be more active and it is more encouraging for her, and she fears that if she prays within her home then she may miss out (on some of the reward or Khushoo’) of her prayer, then perhaps praying in the Masjid in this case would be better. This is because this virtue is connected to the act of worship itself, while the home is connected to the place of the act of worship. The virtue which is connected to the act of worship takes precedence in being given attention more so than that which is connected to the place (i.e., where it is done). However, it is obligatory upon the woman when she goes out that she does so covered and not improperly dressed nor (should she be) perfumed. 

Repent TODAY! Ya Abdallaah, O Servant of Allaah!!

   If you were asked, 

Ya Abdallaah, by Allaah: 

(O my slave), why did you do such?

Why did you perpetrates such?

Why did you exceed in such?

Why did you leave such from the truth?

Why? Why? What will you say?

What will you say to the Controller of the Heavens & the Earth?

To the One Who knows what you whisper to yourself?

He is closer to you than your jugular vein!

Do you not hear that Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى  says:

أَمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسْمَعُ سِرَّهُمْ وَنَجْوَاهُم بَلَى وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيْهِمْ يَكْتُبُونَ
"Or do they think that We hear not their secrets & their private counsel? (Yes We do) & Our Messengers (appointed angels in charge of mankind) are by them, to record."

(Az-Zukhruf 43:80)

Or do they think...

And the Lord of the Aalameen says in His Noble Book:

وَأَنذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ الْآزِفَةِ إِذِ الْقُلُوبُ لَدَى الْحَنَاجِرِ كَاظِمِينَ مَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ حَمِيمٍ وَلَا شَفِيعٍ يُطَاعُ

"And warn them (O Muhammad صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) of the Day that is drawing near (i.e. the Day of Resurrection), when the hearts will be choking the throats, and they can neither return them (hearts) to their chests nor can they throw them out. There will be no friend, nor an intercessor for the Zâlimûn (polytheists & wrong-doers, etc.), who could be given heed to."

(Ghafir 40:18)

The Muslim Woman Increases More in Worship in Ramadhan

…the Muslim Women increases in worship. That is because when the women strives in the service of her husband and the members of her household and she prepares food for them that which will suffice them, then she is in obedience to Allaah, ‘Azza wa Jal, provided that she seeks the reward from Allaah. Therefore, in this is a reward for her and also an increment for her good deeds. And it is befitting for the Muslim Women when she is preparing the food that she busies her tongue with the remembrance of Allaah. So while she is cooking she glorifies Allaah, while she is cooking she is saying tahleel (Laa ilaaha illa Allaah - None has the right to be worshiped except Allaah), while she is cooking she is remembering Allaah and in that she will have a tremendous reward. (Like this) preparing food will never divert her from the obedience of her Lord, Glorified is He, during the day of Ramadhan. 

Benefits & great wisdom of Sawm - Sheikh `Abdul-`Aziz ibn Baaz

O Muslims, you are in the great sacred month of Ramadhan, the month of Sawm (Fast) & Qiyam-ul-Layl (optional Prayer at night). In this month, Allaah opens the door of forgiveness & sets His Pious Servants free from the Hellfire. Ramadhan is the month of giving Sadaqah (voluntary charity), a month in which the doors of Paradise are opened, rewards of deeds are multiplied, hardships are removed, supplications are answered, ranks are elevated, & sins are forgiven. During this month, Allaah (سُبحانه وتعالى) provides His servants with all kinds of bounties & showers His Awliya' (pious people) with blessings. This is a month in which Allaah has made observing Sawm in it one of the pillars of Islaam. 

It is the month in which the Prophet (صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) observed Sawm & commanded the people to do the same. He (صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) informed us that whoever observes Sawm in Ramadhan out of sincere faith & hoping for Allaah's Reward, their previous sins shall be forgiven; and that those who observe Qiyam-ul-Layl in Ramadhan out of sincere faith & hoping for Allaah's Reward, their previous sins shall be forgiven. In this month, there is one night that is better than a thousand months...

 Click the link below to read more:
http://alifta.net/Fatawa/FatawaSubje...BenefitsofSawm

The Ruling of Oversleeping when Fasting

Sheikh Saleh al Fawzaan حفظه الله was asked:

There is a person who prohibits (the people from) over sleeping in Ramadhan & says "it is upon a Muslim to be awake and active, it is not appropriate that he over sleeps". So, what is your opinion O' noble Sheikh?

A: Yes he should warn from over sleeping in this Month (Ramadhan), I mean sleeping in the day (time) because it makes (one) lazy from performing acts of obedience, perhaps it may cause one to miss the congregation prayer or it may cause the time for (that specific prayer) to pass by. What is requested from a Muslim is that he be energetic in acts of obedience and (that) he sleeps in the night, especially in the first part of it (the night), so he can arise in the morning energetic to perform and participate in acts of obedience.

(The Reference: al Muntaqaa, (111/5), fatwa number:167)