The Difference in One Year

Talha ibn ‘Ubaydallah (radhiallahu `anhu) reported that two men came to the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) who had accepted Islam at the same time. One of them used to partake in Jihad more-so than the other, and so (one day) he fought in a battle and was martyred therein. The other remained behind him for another year, and then he passed away.

Talha said, ‘I saw in my dream that I was at the door of Paradise when behold, I was with both of them (the two men). Someone came out of Paradise and allowed the man who passed away later to enter first. Then he came out again and allowed the martyred one to enter. Then he returned and said to me, ‘Go back, for your time has not come yet.’

Talha woke up and began to inform others about this and they were all surprised. This reached the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) and when they informed him of it, he said:

من أي ذلك تعجبون؟ قالوا: يا رسول اللهّ هذا كان أشد الرجلين اجتهاداً ثم استشهد ودخل هذا الآخر الجنة قبله فقال رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وسلم) : أليس قد مكث هذا بعده سنة؟ قالوا: بلى. قال: أدرك رمضان فصام وصلى كذا وكذا من سجدة في السنة؟ قالوا: بلى. قال رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وسلم): فما بينهما أبعد مما بين السماء والأرض

He (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘What are you surprised about?’ They said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Out of them both, this one strove harder (in Jihad) then he was martyred but this other one was entered into Paradise before him.’ The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Did he not remain behind him for one year?’ They said, ‘Yes (he did).’ He said, ‘Did he not reach Ramadan, fast and pray with such and such number of prostrations in the year?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘So the difference between them is greater than what is between the heavens and the earth.’

[Sahih narration from Ibn Majah (2/345, 346) and al-Albani’s ‘al-Silsilah al-Sahihah’]

Al-Sunan al-Rawatib (Sunnah Mu'akkadah)

Every Muslim, whether be male or female, is recommended to pray 12 Rakaat of supererogatory prayers every day: four of these Rakaat (units of prayers) are before noon prayer, two after it, two after Maghrib prayer, two after Isha (night) prayer and two before the morning prayer ‑ These supererogatory prayers are called (Rawatib) which means: "Certain supererogatory exercises of optional prayers." The Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be on him, preserved the performance of these optional prayers wherever he settled. During his travels, he used to practice the two optional Rakaat before the morning prayer and also the Witr prayer (after the Isha prayer).

There is no objection to perform these optional prayers in the mosque, but it is better to perform it at home, because the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, said "The best of the prayers are those which are furfilled at one's own home, with exception to obligatory prayers which should be performed in congregation at the mosque."

Observance of fulfilling these optional prayers is a means for gaining admission to paradise. The Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be on him, said (which means): "Whoever prays optionally twelve Rakoat every one day and night, Allah will reward him by an established dwelling in the paradise. "

It is also advisable to the Muslim to pray four optional Rakaat before Asr prayer (afternoon prayer), two before Maghrib prayer (evening prayer), and two before Isha prayer (night prayer), because this manner was reported to be one of the traditions of the Prophet. Allah, the Almighty says: "Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exemplar" (33:21).

[taken from Prophet Muhammad's Manners of Performing Prayers by Shaik ibn Baaz]

ISCN Youth Qiyam: "From Darkness to Light"

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT Youth Qiyam

Saturday, September 5th | 11pm - 5am
ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF CORONA-NORCO
465 Santana Way, Corona CA 92882

featuring... SPEAKERS Imam Mustafa Umar Ustadha Muslema Purmul (Al-Azhar, Egypt) Ustadh Jamaal Diwan (Al-Azhar, Egypt) Amir Mertaban

RECITATION Qari Youssef (IIOC) Shaykh Mohammad (ICOI) Hafidh Faiz Dadabhoy Qari Shatil Rafiullah

activities include... following the steps of Ibrahim (as) | star-gazing session | breaking our idols | rebel against the system | the Qur'an as our guide | quiz competition | tahajjud

(( in sha' Allah ))
for more info email us at iscnyouthboard@gmail.com or check out our website at www.coronamuslims.com

From the Etiquette of a Son with his Father

Abû Hurayrah – Allâh be pleased with him – once saw two men. He asked one of them, “How is this man related to you?” He replied, “He is my father.” Abû Hurayrah said, “Do not call him by his name, do not walk in front of him and do not sit before he does.”
[Source.Al-Bukhârî, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad. Shaykh Al-Albânî graded its chain of transmission sahîh in Sahîh Al-Adab Al-Mufrad Vol. 1 p19.]

A Quick Checklist Of Ramadan

• Make a resolve to win the maximum favour of Allah: perform extra voluntary prayers (Nawaafil), make frequent Du'a and increase remembrance (Dhikr).
• Try to recite some Quran after every Prayer. In fact if you read 3-4 pages after every Prayer you can easily finish the entire Quran in Ramadan! Study the Quranic Tafseer (commentary) every morning.
• Invite a person you are not very close with to your home for Iftar, at least once a week. You will notice the blessings in your relationships!
• Bring life to your family! Everyday, try to conclude the fast with your family and spend some quality time together to understand each other better.
• Give gifts on 'Eid to at least 5 people: 2 to your family members, 2 to your good friends, and 1 to a person whom you love purely for the sake of Allah.
• Commit to an Islamic study circles to enhance your Islamic knowledge and practice. Plan to complete reading a book on Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) life in these 30 days.
• Donate generously to the masajid, Islamic organizations, and any where people are in need. "This is a month of sharing!"
• Share Ramadan and its teachings of love & patience with your neighbours. Learn how at http://www.soundvision.com/info/ramadan/
• Initiate a project to promote or revive a ‘forgotten’ social cause in the Muslim and non-Muslim community: fight against racism, AIDS, drugs, cancer, smoking…etc.
• Did you know, our society, which constitutes only 20% of world’s population, actually consumes 80% of world’s resources! Volunteer at food bank or Anti-Poverty campaign, while fasting!
• Seek the rare and oft-neglected rewards of 'the night better than a 1000 months', Laylatul-Qadr.
• Weep in private for the forgiveness of your sins: It is the month of forgiveness and Allah's Mercy! It's never too late.
• Learn to control your tongue and lower your gaze. Remember the Prophet's warning that lying, backbiting, and a lustful gaze all violate the fast! Abandon foul language forever.
• Encourage others to enjoin and love goodness, and to abandon everything evil. Play the role of a Da'ee (one who invites to Allah) with passion and sympathy.
• Experience the joy of Tahajjud prayers late at night and devote yourself purely and fully to Allah in the I'tikaf retreat during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

["Ramadan: A Time for Revival or Survival?" - Young Muslims Publication [ Click here to Download]

Greeting at the Advent of Ramadaan

There is no problem in greeting one another at the beginning of the month Ramadaan because the Prophet (peace and blessings be with him) would give glad tidings to his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them all) at the advent of the month of Ramadaan. He would urge them to strive in this month with performing righteous deeds. And truly Allaah has said:

{Say: "In the Bounty of Allaah and in His Mercy (i.e. Islaam and the Quraan); -therein let them rejoice." That is better than what (the wealth) they amass.} [Younus: 58]

Therefore greeting one another in this month and to be joyful at the advent of this month both demonstrate the keenness for (doing) good.

The Salaf would give glad tidings to one another at the advent of the month of Ramadaan following the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings be with him) just as was reported in the lengthy Hadeeth of Salmaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) regarding this, that the Prophet rightfully stated:

“Oh People! Indeed you have been approached by a magnificent blessed month…”
[Shaykh Saalih ibn Fowzaan al-Fowzaan. Translator: Zulfiker Ibrahim al-Memoni al-Athari. Greeting at the Advent of Ramadaan.]

Ahlan ya Ramadan =]

Due to there being no sighting of the crescent moon, 30 days of Sha'baan will be completed and the first day of fasting in Ramadhaan will be on Saturday the 22nd of August insha'Allaah.

Narrated by Ibn Umar (radiallaahu'anhu): I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "When you see the crescent (of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see the crescent (of Shawwal), stop fasting; and if the sky is overcast (and you can't see It) then regard the crescent (month) of Ramadan (as of 30 days)". [Bukhari Hadeeth No. 1786]

The first taraweeh prayers will be after Isha' salah tonight, (Friday the 21st of August) insha'Allaah.

Narrated by Abu Huraira(radiallaahu'anhu): Allah's Apostle 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 Hadeeth No. 1785]

Source of Forgiveness

The fast is a source of forgiveness for one's sins. Hence, it removes the effects and stain of these sins from one's heart, leaving the heart pure again. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

"Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan with faith and hoping for its reward (ihtisab) shall have all of his previous sins forgiven for him." [Bukhari, Muslim]

Al-Khataabi notes that the meaning of ihtisab means with resolve, hoping for its reward while being pleased to perform it without considering it something heavy or a hardship. Hence, the true believer for whom the fasting will have its desired effect of removing or effacing his previous sins approaches the fast with a desire and love for it. He does not consider it a burden nor does he participate in it lackadaisically, with some heavy burden on his shoulder, being lazy and complaining until it is time to break the fast.

["Purification of the Soul: Concept, Process and Means" - Jamaal al-Din M. Zarabozo, pp. 239, 240]

MAS-IE Ramadan Calendar

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Hijabbage Sale

Who: Muslim Sisters
What: Hijabbage Sale
When: Thu, August 20, 3pm – 7pm
Where: 18543 Klum Place. Rowland Heights, CA 91748
Why: Having trouble finding cheap Hijabi-friendly clothes? Come & shop from your Muslim Sista's closet!

The Inner Dimensions of Fasting

Three Grades
It should be known that there are three grades of fasting: ordinary, special and extra-special. Ordinary fasting means abstaining from food, drink and sexual satisfaction. Special Fasting means keeping one's ears, eyes, tongue, hands and feet -- and all other organs -- free from sin.
Extra-special Fasting means fasting of the heart from unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts, in total disregard of everything but God, Great and Glorious is He. This kind of Fast is broken by thinking of worldly matters, except for those conducive to religious ends, since these constitute provision for the Hereafter and are not of this lower world.
Those versed in the spiritual life of the heart have even said that a sin is recorded against one who concerns himself all day with arrangements for breaking his Fast. Such anxiety stems from lack of trust in the bounty of God, Great and Glorious is He, and from lack of certain faith in His promised sustenance.
To this third degree belong the Prophets, the true awliya and the intimates of God. It does not lend itself to detailed examination in words, as its true nature is better revealed in action. It consists in utmost dedication to God, Great and Glorious is He, to the neglect of everything other than God, Exalted is He. It is bound up with the significance of His words: 'Say: "Allah (sent it down)": then leave them to play in their vain discussions.' [al-An'am, 6:91]

Inward Requirements
As for Special Fasting, this is the kind practiced by the righteous. It means keeping all one's organs free from sin and six things are required for its accomplishment.

See Not What Displeases God
A chaste regard, restrained from viewing anything that is blameworthy or reprehensible, or that distracts the heart and diverts it from the remembrance of God, Great and Glorious is He. Said the Prophet, on him be peace: 'The furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Satan, on him be God's curse. Whoever forsakes it for fear of God will receive from Him, Great and Glorious is He, a faith the sweetness of which he will find within his heart.'
Jabir relates from Anas that God's Messenger, on him be peace, said: 'Five things break a man's Fast: lying, backbiting, gossiping, perjury and a lustful gaze.'

Speak Not...
Guarding one's tongue from idle chatter, lying, gossiping, obscenity, rudeness, arguing and controversy; making it observe silence and occupying it with remembrance of God, Great and Glorious is He, and with recitation of Quran. This is the fasting of the tongue. Said Sufyan: 'Backbiting annuls the Fast.' Layth quotes Mujahid as saying: 'Two habits annul Fasting: backbiting and telling lies.'
The Prophet, on him be peace, said: 'Fasting is a shield; so when one of you is Fasting he should not use foul or foolish talk. If someone attacks him or insults him, let him say: "I am Fasting, I am Fasting!"'
According to Tradition: 'Two women were Fasting during the time of God's Messenger, on him be peace. They were so fatigued towards the end of the day, from hunger and thirst, that they were on the verge of collapsing. They therefore sent a message to God's Messenger, on him be peace, requesting permission to break their Fast. In response, the Prophet, on him be peace, sent them a bowl and said: "Tell them to vomit into it what they have eaten." One of them vomited and half filled the bowl with fresh blood and tender meat, while the other brought up the same so that they filled it between them. The onlookers were astonished. Then the Prophet, on him be peace, said: "These two women have been Fasting from what God made lawful to them, and have broken their Fast on what God, Exalted is He, made unlawful to them. They sat together and indulged in backbiting, and here is the flesh of the people they maligned!"'

Hear Not...
Closing one's ears to everything reprehensible; for everything unlawful to utter is likewise unlawful to listen to. That is why God, Great and Glorious is He, equated the eavesdropper with the profiteer, in His words, Exalted is He: 'Listeners to falsehood, consumers of illicit gain.' [al- Ma'idah, 5:42]
God, Great and Glorious is He, also said: 'Why do their rabbis and priests not forbid them to utter sin and consume unlawful profit?' [al-Ma'idah, 5:63]
Silence in the face of backbiting is therefore unlawful. God, Exalted is He, said: 'You are then just like them.' [al-Nisa, 4:140] That is why the Prophet, on him be peace, said: 'The backbiter and his listener are copartners in sin.'

Do Not...
Keeping all other limbs and organs away from sin: the hands and feet from reprehensible deeds, and the stomach from questionable food at the time for breaking Fast. It is meaningless to Fast -- to abstain from lawful food - only to break one's Fast on what is unlawful. A man who Fast like this may be compared to one who builds a castle but demolishes a city. Lawful food injurious in quantity not in quality, so Fasting is to reduce the former. A person might well give up excessive use of medicine, from fear of ill effects, but he would be a fool to switch to taking poison. The unlawful is a poison deadly to religion, while the lawful is a medicine, beneficial in small doses but harmful in excess. The object of Fasting is to induce moderation. Said the Prophet, on him be peace: 'How many of those who Fast get nothing from it but hunger and thirst!' This has been taken to mean those who break their Fast on unlawful food. Some say it refers to those who abstain from lawful food, but break their Fast on human flesh through backbiting, which is unlawful. Others consider it an allusion to those who do not guard their organs from sin.

Avoid Overeating
Not to over-indulge in lawful food at the time of breaking Fast, to the point of stuffing one's belly. There is no receptacle more odious to God, Great and Glorious is He, than a belly stuffed full with lawful food. Of what use is the Fast as a means of conquering God's enemy and abating appetite, if at the time of breaking it one not only makes up for all one has missed during the daytime, but perhaps also indulges in a variety of extra foods? It has even become the custom to stock up for Ramadan with all kinds of foodstuffs, so that more is consumed during that time than in the course of several other months put together. It is well known that the object of Fasting is to experience hunger and to check desire, in order to reinforce the soul in piety. If the stomach is starved from early morning till evening, so that its appetite is aroused and its craving intensified, and it is then offered delicacies and allowed to eat its fill, its taste for pleasure is increased and its force exaggerated; passions are activated which would have lain dormant under normal conditions.
The spirit and secret nature of Fasting is to weaken the forces which are Satan's means of leading us back to evil. It is therefore essential to cut down one's intake to what one would consume on a normal night, when not Fasting. No benefit is derived from the Fast if one consumes as much as one would usually take during the day and night combined. Moreover, one of the properties consists in taking little sleep during the daytime, so that one feels the hunger and thirst and becomes conscious of the weakening of one's powers, with the consequent purification of the heart.
One should let a certain degree of weakness carry over into the night, making it easier to perform the (tahajjud) and to recite the praises (awrad). It may then be that Satan will not hover around one's heart, and that one will behold the Kingdom of Heaven. The Night of Destiny represents the night on which something of this Kingdom is revealed. This is what is meant by the words of God, Exalted is He:'We surely revealed it on the Night of Power.' [al-Qadr, 97:1]
Anyone who puts a bag of food between his heart and his breast becomes blind to this revelation. Nor is keeping the stomach empty sufficient to remove the veil, unless one also empties the mind of everything but God, Great and Glorious is He. That is the entire matter, and the starting point of it all is cutting down on food.

Look To God With Fear And Hope
After the Fast has been broken, the heart should swing like a pendulum between fear and hope. For one does not know if one's Fast will be accepted, so that one will find favor with God, or whether it will be rejected, leaving one among those He abhors. This is how one should be at the end of any act of worship one performs.
It is related of al-Hasan ibn Abil Hasan al-Basri that he once passed by a group of people who were laughing merrily. He said: 'God, Great and Glorious is He, has made the month of Ramadan a racecourse, on which His creatures compete in His worship. Some have come in first and won, while others have lagged behind and lost. It is absolutely amazing to find anybody laughing and playing about on the day when success attends the victors, and failure the wasters. By God, if the veil were lifted off, the doer of good would surely be preoccupied with his good works and the evildoer with his evil deeds.' In too full of joy to indulge in idle sport, while for one who has suffered rejection laughter will be precluded by remorse.
Of al-Ahnaf ibn Qays it is reported that he was once told: 'You are an aged elder; Fasting would enfeeble you.' But he replied: 'By this I am making ready for a long journey, Obedience to God, Glorified is He, is easier to endure than His punishment.'
Such are the inwardly significant meanings of Fasting.
[By Imam al-Ghazali (may Allah be pleased with him). The Inner Dimensions of Fasting.]

Umar(rAa) and the Black Stone

Al-Bukhârî reports that ‘Umar – Allâh be pleased with him – came to the Black Stone (performing tawâf, circumambulation), kissed it, and said, “I know that you are a stone, you do not cause benefit or harm; and if it were not that I had seen Allâh’s Messenger – peace and blessings of Allâh be upon him – kiss you, I would never have kissed you.”[Al-Bukhârî, Al-Sahîh, Chapter on what has been said about the Black Stone.]

Points to note

• The illustrious Companion and Caliph ‘Umar reminded us in this narration of the pure belief that benefit and harm are not caused by created objects and thus should not be sought from them. Only Allâh has control over these things.
• We are reminded that acts of worship are taken from Allâh’s Messenger, and a person is not supposed to make up his own way of worship, he must follow the manner of worship that the Prophet taught and practiced.
• We also learn that once an action is confirmed in the Sunnah, the believer submits and complies and practices it because it is confirmed that Allâh’s Messenger did it, even if we don’t know the wisdom behind it.
• This narration is also an example of how a responsible person tries to clarify and do away with any misunderstandings that people may have about matters of faith. The people had recently left their unbelief and polytheism, so ‘Umar wanted to make it clear that kissing the Black Stone is by no means done as an act of devotion to it, as people used to do with their stone idols.
  

[Adapted from Ibn Hajr, Fath Al-Bârî, and other hadîth commentaries. Umar and the Black Stone.]

Rejuvinate the Rusty Soul

10 Simple Tips to Make Your Ramadan Effective
1.Eat Suhoor! Even if it is a few dates and a sip of water, the Prophet PBUH has taught us that there is barakah in it.
2. Turn off your TV and ditch time-wasters like g-chat and facebook.
3. Connect with the Quran: Rather than rushing through your reading because you are trying to finish, try reading smaller portions but thinking deeply about what you have read and how you can apply it in your life.
4. Dont stuff yourself even if Iftar is grub. Its hard to make sujood when your lungs barely have room to expand.
5. Wake up for fajr and stay up! As Sh. Muhammad Faqih hafidhahullah always says: "a day begun at fajr is a day worth living"
6. Do as much qiyam ul layl as you can! It's always helpful to pick an ibada buddy who can give you qiyam wake-up calls and help you to gear up when you get lazy
7. Donate--> teach yourself to overcome greed
8. Make ramadan a time where you get in the habit of extra ibadat. Try to pray all your sunnah prayers
9. Control your tongue...Remember that everything you say is recorded in a book of good deeds and bad deeds...there is no middle ground.
10. Seek knowledge!!
[AlMaghrib Institute]

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Faith and doing Righteous Deeds equals Salvation in all Times

After Allah described the condition - and punishment - of those who defy His commands, fall into His prohibitions and transgress set limits by committing prohibited acts, He stated that the earlier nations who were righteous and obedient received the rewards for their good deeds. This shall be the case, until the Day of Judgment. Therefore, whoever follows the unlettered Messenger and Prophet shall acquire eternal happiness and shall neither fear from what will happen in the future nor become sad for what has been lost in the past. Similarly, Allah said,


[أَلا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَآءَ اللَّهِ لاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ]


(No doubt! Verily, the Awliya' of Allah, no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve) (10:62).


The angels will proclaim to the dying believers, as mentioned,


[إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُواْ رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَـمُواْ تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَـئِكَةُ أَلاَّ تَخَافُواْ وَلاَ تَحْزَنُواْ وَأَبْشِرُواْ بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِى كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ ]


(Verily, those who say: "Our Lord is Allah (alone),'' and then they stand firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): "Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised!''). (41:30)
[Tafsir Ibn Kathir. Surat Al Baqarah. Faith and doing Righteous Deeds equals Salvation in all Times.]

Heart Wheel Journal

Muhammad Alshareef has created a program called the "HeartWheel Journal". The HeartWheel Journal allows you to focus on eight slices of your heart, extracted from the Qur’an and Sunnah. It's a 30-Day program, so it's perfect for maximizing Ramadan.

You can download it here or you can purchase a printed copy here.

Ibnul Qayyim: Reasons for Kibr (Arrogance)

We were taught some of the reasons for arrogance. Ibnul Qayyim (Rahimullah) mentions the four most common reasons for people falling into kibr or arrogance. These could also be reasons for people splitting away from each other or thinking that their belief is better and thus more deserving of honor than others. We are using the definition of kibr as stated by the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa Sallam). The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa Sallam) said,

“al Kibr is when you argue with the truth and you look down upon people.”

Arguing with the truth means to argue with clear evidences. For example when someone says the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa Sallam) said so and so and you say “but” and follow it up with an excuse that is not valid in order to justify a preconceived idea. Also to look down upon people includes taking away their rights, being unjust to them and oppressing them. The following four reason were mentioned by Ibnul Qayyim (rahimullah) as the most prevalent ones in his time, and they apply to us as well:

1. Aql - Logic or intellect
2. Qiyaas/Fiqh - Analogy or Madhabee Rulings
3. Dhawq - Personal Feelings - whims, desires, or maybe even personal intuitions
4. Siyaasa - Politics

There might be others besides these that are reasons for arguing with the truth or looking down upon others. Some examples of how these cause a person to become arrogant are:

1. Aql - Intellect

People use their intellect to gain arrogance, they try to outsmart others at times to seem superior. Eventually, if it is not controlled, it gets to people’s head that they think that they are always right or their reasoning is always right. Logic and intellect is used to gain arrogance. In order for someone to respond to intellect or logic, it requires a smarter logic to overcome the other logic or reasoning. The only thing that cuts off the roots of this intellectual argumentation which might go to and from is revelation. Our teacher gave us a very powerful statement. He said, “Knowledge without revelation is speculation” which is so true.

This can apply not only to people looking down upon others or oppressing them but it also is true for rejecting the truth. So many are the examples and the sects that have developed in Islamic history that have rejected the truth which is revealed in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of RasoolAllah (sal Allahu alayhi wa Sallam), by relying solely on their intellect and giving it more importance than it actually deserves.

2. Qiyaas/Fiqh or Analogy or Madhabee rulings

This is very common in our lives today and it was something that had become frequent in Ibnul Qayyim’s time. People often would rather stick to the ruling of their madhab even if went against the proof. This became so common and it still is today. A statement that I remember that Ustadh Muhammad alShareef mentioned in in one of his lectures or in a Q&A session was that of some of the die-hard Malikis that used to say “We will follow Khaleel even if it opposes the daleel”. Khaleel also known as Matn al Khaleel is a basic maliki text that any beginning Maliki has to study, and some of the Malikis would say we will follow it even if it will oppose the daleel, which is the textual proof. So Ibnul Qayyim mentions that the Madhab’s ruling is one of the reasons people might reject the truth when it is presented to them.

3. Personal Feelings - Dhawq

The example mentioned here in class were some of the Sufis who ascribe new ideas or beliefs or acts of worship, even if they aren’t found in the Sunnah to reject the truth or make it a basis of their actions or worship. Also they use these personal feelings, intuitions, whims, and desires to make themselves look better than others as well. The concept of kashf falls under this as well. When people have these illusions or intuitions to do things even if it went against the Sharee’ah or has no basis in the Sharee’ah.

4. Politics

People sometimes use politics to show their might and get what they want in order to reject the truth. The example given here are the Shee’ah or Raafidah, they rejected the truth because of political reasons. Also this can apply to the rulers and people in authority as well. They tend to do things and follow things for purely political reasons. The examples of this are many in our time and need not be mentioned explicitly.

May Allah help us become more humble and show us humility in our worship and daily life, and remove any kibr we might have in ourselves.

Allah knows Best. [Reasons for Kibr - Based on Ibn al Qayyim’s book, “The Disease and its’ Cure“.]

approaching the blessed days of Ramadhan.....

All praise is for Allâh, the Lord of the Heavens and the Earths and peace and blessings be on His Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, whom Allâh sent as a Mercy to the world and made him the guide for His creatures.

The Messenger of Allâh sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam was sent as a guide and as a leader to humanity. He guided us to believe in the Oneness of Allâh and ordered us to obey the Commands of Allâh and accept him as the last and final Messenger sent to mankind. Eeman and Islâm represent these two Beliefs.

We Muslims are approaching the blessed days of Ramadhan; we must work hard to please Allâh in these virtuous days of Ramadhan, whilst following the Commands of Allâh and obeying His Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.

We should also keep in mind that the worship we undertake in this month is not an easy task to accomplish. In the hot and long days of Ramadhan, we keep ourselves hungry and thirsty from dawn to dusk, hold back our desires and avoid even those matters, which Allâh has made Halaal in the common days. Then in this situation, we accomplish our daily works and spend the day according to the Commands of Allâh. In the evening, after the Suhoor, we await the night not to slip into the bed and rest, but to make the Qiyaam and listen to the Book of Allâh; we thank Allâh and make sujoods unto Him. Then we await the call of adhaan to initiate the great act of worship once again.

All this hard work is done only to please Allâh and with the hope that this act would become a means to our salvation. Indeed, many people put together hard efforts in the month of Ramadhan, BUT who is the one, whose worship will truly benefit him on the Day of Resurrection and protect him from the severe punishments and trials of that Day?

He is the one, who believes in the Oneness of Allâh and does not associate partners with Him, and performs all his worships according to the guidance of Allâh's Messenger, because Allâh says:

"Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allâh, then Allâh has forbidden Paradise for him, and Fire will be his abode. And for the Zalimun (polytheist and wrong-doers) there are no helpers." [(5): 72]

This was also what Allâh warned his Messengers with, He said:

"But if they had joined in worship others with Allâh, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them." [(6): 88]

Similarly, if one performs all his worship with full sincerity but does not abide by the guidance with which the Messenger of Allâh came, then all his worship will become invalid and be of no benefit on the Day of Judgement. Allâh says:

"O you who believe! Obey Allâh and Obey the Messenger and make not vain your deeds." [Soorah Muhammad (47): 33]

We ask Allâh to make all our worships sincerely for His Face and make us strong adherents to the guidance of Allâh's Messenger. [Short Advice on Ramadaan by Allama Ihsaan Elahi Zaheer]

A Deed Few People Practice

Abdullah ibn 'Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet(peace and blessings be upon him) said,
“There are two characteristics that whenever the Muslim maintains them will enter Jannah. These two traits are easy to possess. However, only a few people acquire them.
Say “ Subhanallah” ten times, “Al-Hamduillah” ten times and “Allahu akbar” ten times at the end of each Salah. By practicing this deed you earn one hundred and fifty rewards for your tongue and one thousand five hundred for the scale (of good deeds).
And before you go to sleep say “Subhanallah” thirty three times, Al-Hamdulilah” thirty three times and Allahu akbar thirty four times. By saying these words before you sleep you gain one hundred good deeds for your tongue and one thousand deeds for the scale.
The companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked” Oh messenger, How is that these deeds are easy, yet few people do them? He said,” Right after a person finishes praying Shaitan comes to him and reminds him of something that he has to do. Therefore this person gets up and leaves without saying these words. Additionally, when he lies in his bed Shaitan comes to him and causes him to fall asleep before he mentions these words. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr(may Allah be pleased with him)said , “ I saw the messenger of Allah(May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)say these words using his hand to count them.
[Collected by Abu Dawud(5065), At-Tirmithi(3410)Nisa’i(926)and Ahmed(2/205) Imam An-Nawwawee graded the isnad of this hadeeth as being Saheeh and Imam At-Tirmithi said this hadeeth is Hasan Saheeh.]

Badrudeen ‘Al-‘Aynee(855H. May Allah have mercy on him) commented on this hadeeth in his book “ Al-Ilmul Hayyab fee Sharhil Kalamee Tayyib." He wrote;
1. Abdullah is: Abdullah ibn’Amr ibn Al-‘as
2. The narrator of the hadeeth wasn’t exactly sure if he (peace and blessings be upon him)said, “خَصْلَتَانِ أَوْ خَلَّتَانِ”
3.Whenever the Muslim maintains them: Muslims don’t acquire these two traits; as they don’t practice them deed as a norm.
4.One hundred and fifty for the tongue: If a person says these words after the five daily prayers they will total 150 as 30 X 5= 150
5.One thousand five hundred: Means that every good word which totals 10 is multiplied by 10, so if we sum 150 x 10 we get 1500.
6.Say “ Allahu Akbar” thirty four times: This is the second trait. The first one is to say “Subhanallah, Al-Hamdulilah and Allahu Akbar “thirty three times after each obligatory Salah.
7. One hundred good deeds for the tongue: This is earned because “Allahu Akbar is said thirty four times, Al-Hamdulilah is thirty three times and Subhanallah is thirty three times, and the total of those is one hundred. And to multiply one hundred by ten you get a sum of 1,000 for the scale.
8.The prophet(peace and blessings be upon him)used his hands: He counted the number of times he said them with his hand.
9.The companions said,” How is it that…? :These two traits aren’t acquired by many. In other words they asked how is it that something so easy is neglected; as it’s known that when something is easy to do a lot of people do it. Consequently he(peace and blessings be upon him) explained why few people obtain these traits. Shaitan comes to a person when he goes to bed and continues to whisper to the son of Adam until he falls asleep. Also Shaitan comes to a person while he is praying and continues to whispers thoughts and ides that wasn’t in his mind before. Therefore he gets up after finishing the prayer and leaves before saying these words.

Benefits derived from this hadeeth:
The invocation and the mention of Allah’s names are a means for the servant to enter Jannah.
Good deeds are multiplied by ten or more.
The scale is a fact.
Counting the glorification of Allah is done using the hands.
Shaitan is persistent with his whispers to the son of Adam during prayer and at bed time. ( end of Explanation)
We ask Allah to extend His mercy and allow us to practice this deed daily.
[Translated by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Lamont Battle.]

How to Remove Sins

Khutbatul Haajah

"Say, O My Servant, those who have been excessive, those who have been extreme on their own soul, do not despair of the mercy of Allaah subhana wa ta'ala for surely Allaah forgives all sins. And surely Allaah, He is Al-Ghaffoor and Ar-Raheem. He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Merciful. He is extremely forgiving and extremely merciful."
In this above Ayah, respected brothers and sisters in Islaam, Allaah among other things explains to us that He forgives our sins. He forgives all sins, whether they are Major or Minor. No matter what colour the sin may be, no matter what size the sin may be, how old or new it is, Allaah subhana is Al-Ghaffoor Ar-Raheem. And if the Muslim, the Abd (the Slave of Allaah subhana wa ta'ala) fulfills the conditions, Allaah will forgive. This type of forgiveness is a unique forgiveness. Allaah subhana wa ta'ala is unique as He says :
"Qul Huw-Allaahu Ahad" ---
Say, He Allaah is unique.
For His forgiveness is not like any type of forgiveness and His Mercy is not like any type of Mercy.
"Wa laisa kamislihi shaiun wa huwas Sameeul Baseer" �
There is nothing like Him and He is As-Sameeh and Al-Baseer � He is the Hearer and He is the Seer.
This Jumma'ah we would like to talk about the methodology or the road that we can use, the way, the method that we can utilize in gaining the atonement and forgiveness of our sins. How we can gain the atonement, the expiation, the effacing, the erasing of our sins. What is the methodology of erasing these sins? What can we do to remove these sins? Because all of us are sinners as Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said in an authentic Hadith :
"All of the children of Aadam are sinners and the best of sinners are those who repent."
So we need to learn brothers and sisters in Islaam how we can efface, how we can remove, how we can make atonement for az-zunoob; How we can get rid of these sins. When we talk about the erasing and the atonement of sins according to the ahlul Ilm, according to the people of knowledge, there are two types (two ways to remove the sins) :

One as Allaah subhana wa ta'ala mentions :
Follow up a bad deed with a good deed and it will wipe it out. It will erase it. This is the first type of removing (the erasing) of sins.
The second is the exchange of one thing for another. As Allaah subhana wa ta'ala says : For them, those individuals who do these sins, Allaah will exchange for their bad deeds, good deeds. He will replace their bad deeds with good deeds and Allaah subhana wa ta'ala is Ghaffoorur Raheema. He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

There are many ways brothers and sisters and we can have many Khutba'as on this subject. But we would just like to site just a few of these ways that we can atone for and erase our sins. The first and foremost and Allaah subhana 'alam, Allaah the Majestic, the Most High above all creation knows best is to accept Islaam. Alhamdulillaah, which we have all done. If a Kaafir from among the Kuffaar (no matter how good they may seem or how righteous they may seem in the eyes of the people), if they want to have their sins erased, (their tawbah is different from our tawbah) their tawbah is to accept Islaam. And there is no tawbah for them except this.

Allaah subhana wa ta'ala says :
Surely the Deen with Allaah is not Christianity, it is not Judaism, it is not Hinduism, it is Islaam.
And again Allaah subhana wa ta'ala says :
Whoever seeks a Deen other than Islaam, it will never ever be accepted from him. And in the Last Day they will be the losers.

So those individuals who are among the Kuffar of this life, in order for their actions to be accepted and in order for them to be forgiven, they have to accept Islaam. And Allaah subhana wa ta'ala says :
Say to the Kuffar if they seize (stop) what they did in the past, they will be forgiven.
What does that mean? It means that if they leave off their kufr, if they stop disbelieving, then Allaah will forgive them.
So, the person who wants to have the forgiveness of Allaah, that is still among the groups of the Ahlul Kitaab and the Mushrikoon, they have to accept Islaam. And Allaah subhana wa ta'ala will remove their sins and He will forgive them.
Those individuals whom Allaah subhana wa ta'ala had raised among the Sahaaba to accept Islaam when the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was alive, there is a clear, clear record of this.
On the authority of Ibn Shumaasa al Mahri that he said : We went to Amr Ibn Al-Aas (radiallaahu anhu), he was about to die, (he was on his death bed). He wept for a long time and turned his face towards the wall. (Not clear�) The audience asked Amr : Didn't the Messenger of Allaah not give you tidings of this?
He turned his face towards the audience and said : The best thing which we can count upon is the testimony that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allaah and Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)is the Messenger of Allaah. For surely I have passed through three stages and this is what Allaah subhana wa ta'ala says in His Glorious Book :

You shall certainly travel from stage to stage.
Within the first stage in which I found myself averse (disinclined) to none else more than I was averse to the Messenger of Allaah and there was no other desire stronger in my heart than the o*ne that I should over power him and kill him. Had I died in this stage, I would have been definitely been among the people of the Hell-Fire.
Because if a Kaafir dies without having accepted Islaam (this is the forgiveness and atonement of his sins), he will surely go to the Hell-fire as the Prophet's example when visiting the young Jewish boy (who used to serve him), when he went to his house and invited him to Islaam while he was on his death-bed and his father standing at his side, the Prophet incited him to say: "Laa ilaaha illallaah". And he turned and looked at his father for approval. And his father said : Obey, Abu Qassim. (The Kunya, the nickname of Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). So, the boy said : "Ash-hadu an Laailaaha illallaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadar Rasoolullaah." Then he died. Then the Messenger of Allaah left the house saying : Praise be to Allaah who saved this boy because of me from the Hell-Fire. So this is another proof that those individuals who do not accept Islaam and do not make this statement will be in the Hell-Fire. And those who do, Allaah will forgive them of their sins.
So he said if he had died in that state, he would have been one of the inhabitants of the Hell-Fire. When Allaah instilled the love of Islaam in my heart, I came to the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and I said : Stretch out your right hand O Messenger of Allaah so that I may make bai'aah (the pledge of allegiance) to you. He stretched out his right hand and I withdrew my hand. And he, the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said : What has happened to you O Amr?
I replied : I intend to lay down some conditions.
The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) asked : What conditions do you intend to put forward?
I said : I should be granted forgiveness.
He the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)said : "Are you not aware of the fact that Islaam wipes out all previous sins? Verily Hijrah wipes out all previous sins. And truly Hajj wipes out all previous sins."
And then he (radiallahu anhu) said : "No one was more dear to me than the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and none was more sublimer in my eyes than him. And I could never get up the courage to catch a full glimpse of his face due to its splendor. So if I am asked to describe the features of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), I am not able to do it because I have not looked at him fully. Had I died in this state, I have no reason to hope that I would ever be among the dwellers of the Paradise . I had every reason to hope that I would be among the people of Paradise."
Then we are responsible for certain things in the light of which I am not able to know what is in store for me. When I die, let not the female mourner nor the fire accompany me. When you bury me, fill my grave well with earth and stand around it for a time in which a camel is slaughtered and the meat is distributed so that I may enjoy your intimacy (those individuals who stand around my grave) and I can ascertain what else I can give to the Angels of Allaah subhana wa ta'ala.
Another example of those things that will efface and atone for sins is following the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). And we all know brothers and sisters that following the Messenger of Allaah is an incumbent act upon every male and female Muslim. Allaah subhana wa ta'ala says :
And believe in Allaah and His Messenger, the unlettered on, who believes in Allaah and His word and follow him so that perhaps you will gain success.
We also know that upon us it is the duty to obey the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). And whoever obeys the Messenger has therefore obeyed Allaah. And it is incumbent upon every single Muslim to obey the Messenger of Allaah and obey those who are trusted in authority from the Messenger of Allaah among the Ulema.
"O You who believe obey Allaah and obey His Messenger and those trusted in authority from among you."
With all of this and other ahyahs and hadiths, we gain the understanding that if we believe in Allaah subhana wa ta'ala and if we follow the Messenger of Allaah, Allaah subhana wa ta'ala will forgive us our sins simply for obeying and following the Prophet.
"Say, if you love Allaah, then follow me." - Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is saying this from the Book of Allaah. He is commanding to all of us sitting here and all the Muslims until the Day of Resurrection : "if you really love Allaah, then follow me. And Allaah will love you and forgive you your sins."
So in following the Prophet (just simply following him) with all the conditions of following him, if they are met, Allaah subhana wa ta'ala will forgive our sins.

At-Taubah is a means of erasing sins, brothers and sisters. When we commit any sin, Allaah subhana wa ta'ala has instructed us in the Qura'an :
"O You who believe return to Allaah with sincere, unadulterated repentance. Perhaps your Lord will atone for you, your evil deeds."
And the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)in an authentic narration collected by Imaam Ibn Maajah and others on the authority of Abdullaah Ibn Al-Masood (radiallahu anhu):
"The person who repents from his sins is like the individual who didn't have any sins at all."

Also following up those evil things with good things. Allaah subhana wa ta'ala has mentioned in the Qura'an :
"Verily the good deeds remove the evil deeds. This is a reminder for those who remember."
When we look at the tafseer of this particular ayah brothers and sisters, we find a very beautiful story. That a man came to the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying : "O Messenger of Allaah, I kissed a woman." (Is there anything wrong in kissing a woman? Of course if she is not your mother, if she is not your sister, if she is not your wife and if she is not your daughter or your maternal or paternal aunt, this this haraam).
And the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) answered him by reciting this verse : "Truly the good deeds remove the evil deeds and this is a reminder for the mindful."
Also spreading the salaam, saying : "Assalamu alaykum" is a means of forgiveness for sins. Just simply saying, "Assalamu alaykum" you could be removed of your sins. And good speech is a means of removal of sins. And there is a Hadith that was collected in the Musnaad of Shia'ab that says that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said : "Truly some of the causes of forgiveness is the spreading of Salaams and good speech." (Not bad speech, but good speech. Just speaking good can remove and atone sins.)
Another means of forgiveness and atonement of sins is simply shaking the hands of your brothers and sisters in Islaam. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said :
"There are no two Muslims that meet each other, then they shake hands except that the both of them are forgiven of their sins before they leave each other."
Simple !! Just shake your brother's hand. And hold it and keep holding it so that sins can be removed. And the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) again said : "Truly the believer when he meets the other believer and then he says, "Assalamu Alaikum" and then he takes his hand and shakes his hand, both of their sins fall off like leaves fall from trees."
Allaahu Akbar !!!
As for the man who shakes the hand of a woman he should not be shaking, like his boss from a job or a woman that he grew up with or a sister shaking the hand of a man that is not her husband or her father, Ayesha (Radialllaahu anha) said as reported in Sahih Bukhari : That the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) never, ever, ever, touched the hand of a woman that he didn't possess." NEVER.
In another narration submitted by at-Tabarani, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "It would be better for a man to be struck in his hand with an iron spike than to touch a woman that is not lawful for him."
Alhamdulillaahi Rabbil Aalameen !!!
Another means brothers and sisters for the forgiveness of sins is the example that we have in the collection of al-Bukhari, Muslim and Abu-Dawuud i.e to be kind and gentle and generous to animals. Feeding the birds, feeding dogs, giving water to a dog, feeding Harry the cat that is outside. All of these things with good treatment to animals can be a means for the atonement of sins.
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)said: "While a man was walking on the road, he was overcome due to the extremity of the heat became extremely thirsty. Then he found a well. So he descended the well and drank from it. And as he was coming out, he saw a dog that was panting from the heat, eating the dirt from the ground because of extreme thirst. Then the man said, "the dog had come and was very thirsty and the thirst had reached a height greater than the thirst I had." So he went back into the well and he filled his socks and he got hold of the mouth of the dog and he poured the water into the mouth of the dog. The dog's thirst was quenched and Allaah subhana wa ta'ala after giving thanks to him forgave him of his sins.
Those individuals in this Masjid that are feeding Harry outside, Alhamdulillaah, may Allaah forgive you of your sins.
And as for those things among the taharah of the salaah, we know in conclusion brothers and sisters that al-wudhoo is a means of removal of sins. From Uthman Ibn Affan (Radiallaahu anhu)said that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said that : "whoever makes wudhoo and makes it well according to the Qura'an and the authenticated Sunnah, paying attention to all the spots on their body that they are supposed to wash, making sure that every spot is touched with water, not using very little and not using too much, (being moderate between the two), remembering Allaah subhana wa ta'ala while he is making the wudhoo, and then leaving that wudhoo, Allaah subhana wa ta'ala will remove his sins from his entire body so much so that the sins will be removed from even beneath your fingernails."
And again, Abu Huraira (Radiallaahu anhu) said that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said : "When a slave, a Mu'min or a Muslim washes his face in the course of ablution, every single sin that he contemplated with his eyes will be washed away from his face along with the water or with the last drop of water. When he washes his hands, every single sin that he committed with his hand will be erased from his hand with the water or with the last drop of water. And when he washes his feet, every sin towards with which his feet has walked will be washed away with the water or with the last drop of the water. The result is that he comes out pure, completely pure from every single sin."
And this once again brothers and sisters in conclusion, is only for the person who performs the wudhoo correctly. Not for those individuals who splash water on themselves and who are unmindful of the rudiments or principles of wudhoo.

"Rabbana Aathinaa Fid-Dunya Hasanathan wafil Aakhirathi hasanathan Wakina Azaaban Naar."

[By Abu Tasneem Dawood Adeeb.Transcribed by: Umm Hasna Firdous Bint Jabir. "How to Remove Sins".]

Fruits of Ramadaan

Allah - the Most High - has favored us with countless blessings, the greatest of them being Islam itself. Within the religion of Islaam there are many favors; one is the month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. However, many of us overlook this bounty and are thus left with an incomplete depiction of Ramadan, often viewing it as a month to get oneself into shape!! Or rigidly describing it as a training program teaching self-restraint. Most importantly Ramadan is an act of Ebadah (worship), the fulfillment of Allah's commandments and one of the great mercies of Allah to His believers for both this world and the next. lbn al-Qayyim [1] wrote in his famous book 'Zaadul-Ma'aad 2/8587 :'From the Mercy of the Mighty and Most Merciful is that He prescribed for them fasting which will cut off the excesses of eating and drinking and empties the hearts of its desires which divert it on its journey to Allah -the Most High. He prescribed it in due proportion as will be appropriate and will benefit the servant with regard to this world and to the Hereafter; and it will not harm him, nor damage what is beneficial for him.”

The Virtues of Ramadaan
a) The Hellfire is locked and the gates of Paradise are opened
Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “When Ramadaan comes the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of the Fire are locked and the devils are chained...” [2]
All praise is for Allah Who out of His infinite Mercy locks the gates of Hell, chains and shackles the devils and opens up the gates of Paradise in this month for His servants, making it easier for them to devote this special time to His worship. It makes it harder for the evil jinn to corrupt the people as they usually do, because Insha'Allah the Muslims will be occupied with fasting, engaged in reading the Qur'aan, busy with extra prayers and in doing other righteous actions which help clean and purify their hearts.

b) Sins are Forgiven.
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) explained to his Ummah that Ramadaan has such a high station that even if a Muslim's sins were as much as the foam upon the sea, they would be forgiven through fasting in this month.
He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “He who fasts in Ramadaan due to eemaan and hoping for reward from Allah then his previous sins are forgiven.” [3]
Furthermore, in this month people are freed from the Hellfire every day and night, due to Allah's extreme Mercy. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) told us in this regard that:
“There are in the month of Ramadaan in every day and night, those whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim a supplication which he can make and it will be granted.” [4]
This supplication, which is never rejected occurs at the time of breaking the fast. (See Sunan ibn Maajah, 1/557)

c) Lailatul-Qadr
Another virtue of this blessed month is that in it falls the night that is better than a thousand months, in which descends the angels and the Rooh, u [5] and in which if one is standing in prayer out of faith and seeking reward, then his previous sins are forgiven. This is the Night of Decree - Lailatul-Qadr [6].

The Virtues of Fasting:
Fasting itself is an action which has many virtues and rewards, Allah - the one free from all imperfections - revealed in His Book “..and fast, it is better for you if you did but know.” [Soorah al- Baqarah (2) : 184]
To try and help us understand just how valuable it is, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) informed us that it is a shield against the Hellfire, a protection against desires, a cause to enter Paradise and a gate from the gates of Paradise has been particularized for it, as well as other merits.

A) A shield.
He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: 'Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the fire.” [7]
Fasting weakens and cuts off desires and since it is desires which lead to the fire, it can be seen how fasting acts as a protection against them, as a barrier, a shield, between the fasting person and the fire. It safeguards one from indulging in foul speech, quarrels and fights. It also develops the habit of self-control and restraint.
It is for this reason that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), ordered the men who are unable to marry, to practice the act of fasting. Fasting will cut off the sensual desire by diminishing the vigor of the body, calming and constraining it.
“ 0 youths, whosoever amongst you is able to marry then let him do so, since it restrains the eyes and protects the private parts, and he who is unable, then let him fast because it is a shield for him.” [8]

b) A Cause for Entering Paradise.
Since fasting distances one from the fire, it brings one closer to Paradise. The Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was asked by his Companion Abo Umaamah (radhi allahu anhu): “0 Messenger of Allah tell me an action by which I may enter Paradise.” He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Take to fasting, there is nothing like it.” [9]

c) An Immense Reward
Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold rewards, each good deed receiving ten times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High has said: “Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will recompense it, he leaves of 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, the smell coming from the mouth of a fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of Musk..” [10]
The main virtue of fasting, as with any action, is that it is done purely for the sake of Allah. The difference with fasting is that it is an act completely hidden from others so it is done merely for the pleasure of Allah (unlike for example: Prayer, Hajj etc.) and so Allah rewards His servant for it specially.

d) An Intercession
Another great virtue of fasting is that it will act as an intercessor with Allah on the Day of Judgement - a day when we will be in need of intercession.
He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Fasting and the Qur'aan intercede for a servant on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say: “0 my Lord I prevented him from food and desires so accept my intercession for him” and the Qur'aan will say: “I prevented him from sleep at night, so accept my intercession for him” So their intercessions will be accepted.” [11]

e) An Expiation for Various Sins
Allah - the Most High - has also made fasting an expiation for certain sins. This means if someone commits one of these sins then he can atone for it by fasting a fixed number of days. Fasting is an expiation for:
(i) Shaving the head while in a state of ihraam [i.e. while one is performing the rites of Hajj or Umrah.] due to some illness][Soorah al-Baqarah (2) :196]
(ii) One who is unable to carry out the obligatory sacrifice during Hajj - [Soorah al-Baqarah (2) : 196]
(iii) Accidentally killing one of the people with whom you have a treaty - [Soorah an-Nisaa (4) : 92]
(iv) Hunting game while in a state of ihraam - [Soorah al-Maaidah (5) :95]
(v) Violating an oath - [Soorah al-Maaidah (5) :893]
(vi) Dhihaar [This is the saying of husband to his wife: “You are to me like the back of my mother (i.e. awful to me) ] - [Soorah al-Mujaadilah (58) : 3 - 4]

f) Ar-Rayaan is for the Fasting People
Finally, Allah - the One free from all imperfections - has particularized a gate from the gates of Paradise for those who fast. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Indeed, there is a gate of Paradise called ar-Rayaan. On the Day of Resurrection those who fast will enter through it; no one enters it except for them, end when they have entered, it is closed so that no one (else) enters it.” [12]
“The status of fasting and its place in lslaam should now be clear to us, by Allah's permission, and also the great rewards awaiting the one who fasts seeking the pleasure of Allah. The rewards can, however increase or decrease depending upon how close it is upon the way of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam). Therefore we must know the characteristics of his (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) fast, together with its obligatory duties, its manners and the relevant supplications and then put that into practice.”
“ May Allah - the Most High grant us the ability to do that which allow us to capture the fruits of this month and make us amongst those who enter His Paradise through the gate of Ar-Rayaan.”
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FOOTNOTES

[1] Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (691-75). He was born in Damascus. He is one of great scholars of Islam: a muhaddith and a faqeh and the foremost student of Shaikhul Islam Ibn Taimeeyah. Among his famous books are Zaadul-Ma'aad and Ilaam ul-Muwaqqi'een and his length of poem on the tenets of faith, al-Qasida an-Nooniyyah.
[2] Bukhari Eng, v.3, # 123) & Muslim eng, v..2, # .2361 from Abo Hurairah, radhiAllahu anhu.

[3] Narrated by Aboo Hurairah and collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (Eng. Trans. Vol.3, no.125) & Saheeh Muslim (Eng. Trans. Vol.1, no.1664). The hadeeth applies to one who affirms the obligation of fasting in Ramadaan and hopes for the reward of doing it, being pleased with it, not feeling aversion to it, nor thinking that standing in its night is a hardship.
[4] Saheeh - Narrated by Jaabir and collected in Musnad Ahmad and al-Bazzar.
[5] See Soorah al-Qadr (97): 4.
[6] See the article titled 'The Night of Qadr' for more details on this special night.
[7]Saheeh - Jaabir in Ahamd 3/241,296.
[8] Narrated by Ibn Masood & collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (Eng. Trans. Vol.3, no.129)
[9] Saheeh - an-Nisaaee (4/165), al-Haakim (1/421) and others. Authentic by Shaikh al-Albanee in Saheeh al-Jamee. (no.4044).
[10] Reported by Muslim from Aboo Hurairah (Eng. Trans. Vol.2, no. 2567).
[11] Hasan- Ahmad (6626), al-Haakim (1/554) & Aboo Nu'aam (8/161) from Abdullah Ibn Amr.
[12] Bukhari eng. v.3,#.120, Muslim eng. V.2, # 2569 from Sahl ibn Sa'ad radhi’Alaahu anhu.

[From ad-Dawal ila-Allah. Fruits of Ramadan.]