The Night of Power: Laylat al-Qadr's Significance

Ramadhan breaking fast meal at Surau Al Hidayah Kuarters Guru, Kg. Jawa, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia last night.

The exact night corresponding to Laylat ul Qadr is unknown, however what is known for certain is that Laylat ul Qadr is among the last ten nights of Ramadan. Perhaps this is from the wisdom of Allah, in order for Muslims to exert their efforts throughout the last ten nights of Ramadan in the hope that Allah may accept our deeds.

Catch The Night Of Power 

Majority of scholars say its on the 27th Night

The companion Ubay ibn Ka’ab says in a hadith authentically narrated by Muslim:

“By Allah, I know about laylat ul Qadr and I know it fully well that it is the twenty-seventh night (during Ramadan) on which the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) commanded us to observe prayer.”

In the Sunan of Abu Dawud Mu’awiyah (ra) narrated “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh)said regarding the night of al-Qadr It is the 27th night (of Ramadan).”

Imam Ibn Hajar comments on this hadith saying that it is most probably the saying of Mu’awiyah and not the Prophet (saw). Ibn Hajr explains that “the most likely view of the majority is that it [Laylat ul Qadr] is the 27th night of Ramadan.”

Some say it’s the odd nights among the last ten nights

Referring to 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th night,

Recorded by Bukhari, and narrated by `Aisha, the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan."

Many Say it’s the last ten nights of Ramadan 

Narrated `Aisha and recorded in Bukhari:

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) used to practice I`tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan and used to say, "Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan." 

My Ten Nights

Some say it’s in the last seven nights

The companion Abdullah Ibn Umar narrates a hadith that the scholar of Madinah, Imam Malik records in his Muwatta:

"Search for Laylat al-Qadr in the last seven days."

Some say it is either the 21st, 23rd and 25th night 

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (ra) reported:

“The Prophet (pbuh) [then] came to the people and said: O people, Laylat ul Qadr was made manifest to me and I came out to inform you about it and two persons came contending with each other and there was a devil along with them and I forgot it. So seek it in the last ten nights of Ramadan. Seek it on the ninth, on the seventh and on the fifth.

I (one of the narrators) said: Abu Sa'id, you know more than us about numbers. He said: Yes, indeed we have better right than you. I said: What is this ninth, seventh, and fifth? He said: When twenty-one (nights are over) and the twenty-second begins, it is the ninth, and when twenty-three (nights) are over, that which follows (the last night) is the seventh, and when twenty-five nights are over, what follows it is fifth.” 

Some reported that it is on the 23rd night of Ramadan 

like the narration on the authority of 'Abdullah ibn Unais (ra) in Sahih Muslim 

'Abdullah b. Unais (ra) reported Allah's Messenger (pbuh) as saying:

I was shown Laylat ul Qadr; then I was made to forget it, and saw that I was prostrating in water and clay in the morning of that (night). He (the narrator) said: There was a downpour on the twenty-third night and the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) led us in prayer, and as he went back, there was a trace of water and clay on his forehead and on his nose.”

For this reason the sahaba 'Abdullah b. Unais used to say that it was the twenty-third (night).

- muslimaid.org

In Ramadhan month, it is more important to finish reciting and understanding the Holy Quran

 

Yes, it is mustahabb for the Muslim to read Qur’an a great deal during Ramadhan and to strive to complete it, but that is not obligatory, i.e., if he does not complete the Qur’an he is not sinning, but he has missed out on a great deal of reward. The evidence for that is the report narrated by al-Bukhaari (4614) from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: Jibreel used to review the Qur’an with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) once every year, and he reviewed it with him twice in the year in which he passed away.

Ibn al-Atheer said in al-Jaami’ fi Ghareeb al-Hadeeth (4/64):

i.e., he used to study with him all that had been revealed of the Qur’an.

The best view is that that varies from one person to another. The one who is seeking to understand it and ponder its meaning should limit himself to as much as he can understand fully when he reads, and the one who is busy spreading knowledge or other religious works, or working for the public interests of the Muslims, should limit himself to what will not cause him to neglect his work.

If he is not among the categories mentioned here, then he should do as much as he can without reaching the point of boredom.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: Is it obligatory for the fasting person to complete the Qur’an in Ramadhan?

He replied:

Completing the Qur’an in Ramadhan is not obligatory for the fasting person, but he should read the Qur’an a great deal in Ramadhan, as that is the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to review it with Jibreel every Ramadhan

Nuzul Al-Quran and Its Significance

 

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.” (Al-Quran 2:185)

Nuzul Al-Quran refers to an event where the first recitation of the Quran’s was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH by the Angel Jibrail. It is said that the Prophet PBUH was visited by Jibrail while performing ibadah in a small cave on Mount Hira’, located just outside of Mecca.

There, Jibrail revealed the first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq. Scholars have different opinions on the exact date of the revelation, but Muslims worldwide generally commemorated the event on the 17th Ramadan annually.

In other words, the actual date remains in Allah's wisdom but the significance and beauty behind the miraculous night is something we should remember and reflect upon.

It is believed that the first five verses of the Quran laid the groundwork for the rest of the holy book. After this first revelation, the Prophet PBUH received daily revelations of the Quranic text until before his death, 23 years later.

Nuzul Al-Quran reminds Muslims worldwide on the importance of not only reading the Quran, but also to understand the meaning behind the verses. Also, it reinforces the holy book as a guide for Muslims whether performing ibadah or stressing the presence of Allah swt. - halalzilla.com

Is Ramadan about Understanding Poverty?

 

Having a meal after breaking fast in the Ramadhan month at Surau Al Hidayah Kuarters Guru, Kg Jawa, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia three days ago.

“Fasting is a way to understand what it feels like to be hungry so that we can have sympathy for the poor and be more generous.“

This is something many of us have read this time of the lunar year.

Fasting to feel sympathy and be more generous may be the outcome of Ramadan for some.

But those living in poverty are also required to fast. Is the point of their fasting to understand something they already know?

Looking at Ramadan through the lens of “cultivating sympathy for the poor and hungry” would be like looking at the universe through a pinhole. It not only gives an extremely limited view, it is a view that can only come out of a certain perspective.

What is Ramadan about?

The purpose of Ramadan is not solely about humanizing those who suffer poverty and hunger all year round; it is not just about cultivating generosity; Ramadan is not even solely about fasting, either. Ramadan is about the Quran.

Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was first revealed to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). It was in this month that the Prophet, as he was known to do, went to the Cave of Hira’ to contemplate.

Those of us who feel weighed down by all the suffering we see in the news, corruption in politics, and the rising tide of bigotry and self-worship will understand the Prophet’s (PBUH) motivation to go to the Cave of Hira’.

He (PBUH) needed to get away and be with himself, to be introspective, to reflect on the state of his world. He saw the greed and abuse of power, the horrible treatment of the weak in his society, and the rampant idol worship, and it weighed heavily on his heart.

He (PBUH) was seeking understanding of his world through a greater lens. He was seeking God.

It is reported in Muslim that:

[…] solitude became dear to him and he used to seclude himself in the cave of Hira’, where he would engage in tahannuth (a worship for a number of nights) before returning to his family and getting provisions again for this purpose.

He would then return to Khadijah and take provisions for a like period, till the Truth came upon him while he was in the cave of Hira’. There came to him the angel and said: “Recite”.

Time to reconnect with the Quran

Ramadan for us today is our time to reflect, to contemplate, and to seek nearness to God as the Quran instructs us.

It is a time to strengthen and renew our spiritual existence; to unburden our hearts in recitation, salah, and dua; to reconnect with the revelation. Ramadan is our time to go to the cave, so to speak.

Maria Zain, an About Islam author who passed away in December 2014, wrote,

“Ramadan indicates an opportunity for a spiritual upgrade, a chance for betterment, to increase good deeds and to jointly shun those that do not benefit us, and one of the best opportunities to strengthen our relationship with God.”

Ramadan is not about fasting. Fasting is a means to an end. It is a way to facilitate our spiritual renewal.

Fasting breaks down the divide we put up in our normal lives between our physical and spiritual existences.

It forces our minds to turn in on themselves and reflect on the nature of our existence. It forces our bodies to feel their own frailty in comparison to the greatness of God.

It forces our hearts to feel gratitude for what Allah (SWT) has provided for us.

In Ramadan the mind, the body, and the heart turn toward the Quran to hear the words of its Author and our Architect.

The Quran breaks down the divide we put up between ourselves and the world in which we live; it disrupts the rift we believe time creates between ourselves and those who came before us; it breaks down the walls we put up between ourselves and our fellow creation.

The Quran directs the mind to stop thinking so much about the self. It directs the body to be in the service of others. It directs the heart to be soft and merciful to all.

Fasting is not the point of the month, showing mercy is not the point of the month, increased generosity is not the point either, nor is humility. The Quran is the point of the month.

And the Quran brings us to these conclusions: God loves those who show mercy, those who are humble, those who do good, and those who are just; and there is no greater goal than attaining the love of God.

Character development is a byproduct of a close connection to the Quran that is available all year round, but is made easier through the fasting of Ramadan.

So, if you are one of the blessed few in this world who has more than they need, and Ramadan brings you to the conclusion that you should feel empathy and be more generous, this is simply a sign that you are doing Ramadan right.

- aboutislam.net

About Theresa Corbin

Theresa Corbin is the author of The Islamic, Adult Coloring Book and co-author of The New Muslim’s Field Guide. Corbin is a French-creole American and Muslimah who converted in 2001. She holds a BA in English Lit and is a writer, editor, and graphic artist who focuses on themes of conversion to Islam, Islamophobia, women's issues, and bridging gaps between peoples of different faiths and cultures. She is a regular contributor for AboutIslam.net and Al Jumuah magazine. Her work has also been featured on CNN and Washington Post, among other publications. Visit her blog, islamwich, where she discusses the intersection of culture and religion.

Aspect of Spiritual Ramadan and Fasting

 

Breaking Ramadhan fast at Surau Al Hidayah Kuarters Guru, Kg. Jawa, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia where breaking fast meal was served two days ago.

{O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.} (Quran 2: 183)

God provides many opportunities for human beings to purify their hearts and clean themselves from sins. The mercy of God encompasses them in every moment of their lives. He manifests His mercy in various ways and invites His servants to benefit from it. He embraces sinful people with His forgiveness and gives them another chance to elevate to the level of real servanthood.

Ramadan is a month which contains innumerous gems, jewelry and valuable items. Whoever wants to make a great profit he/she should seek it in this month. Indeed, the beginning of Ramadan is a mercy of God, its middle is His forgiveness and its end is a salvation from Hell.

In order to clean His servants and raise them to the level of angels God has prescribed fasting upon Muslims as well as upon nations before Muslims. Ramadan brings about a heavenly atmosphere of its own and showers us with blessings.

Ramadan is a time for Believers to check their spirituality and progress in servanthood. Through self-criticism they discover their inner and spiritual depth and this leads them to make the necessary spiritual and intellectual effort to acquire true human values.

Self-criticism helps Muslims to see their past mistakes and amend them. For spiritual purification, people should question themselves and make necessary changes in their lives.

Nafs (evil commanding self) is the center of faculties such as lusts, anger, ill will, grudge, hatred, and irritation. There is a continuous interactive relationship between the spirit and the body. Whenever the body expresses its submission to God through the acts of worship and obedience the great happiness and joy encompasses the spirit. Opposing to this, when a person follows his carnal desires and indulges into worldly pleasures the heart becomes sad and unsatisfied. God stated in the Qur’an:

{And (by) the human nafs (carnal self) and the One Who has formed it to perfection; and Who has inspired it with the conscience of what is wrong and bad for it, and what is right and good for it. He is indeed prosperous who has grown it in purity.} (91: 7–9)

It is possible for human beings either to fall into the lowest of the low as a result of following their carnal desires, or to rise to human perfection through living a spiritual life. If the nafs has not been trained and purified, human beings fall into sins, mistakes and shortcomings.

Despite its satanic characteristics, nafs has a potential to raise human beings to the level of angels when purified and turned to God in worship and prayer and seeks refuge in Him from the potential evils in its nature. Thus, spirituality and carnal desires work against each other in human nature and people become more spiritual when fasting.

Because of nafs, human beings continuously struggle against their negative characteristics and sharpen their resolution. When purified, nafs abandons its basic mission which is urging people to commit evils and becomes a source of good deeds.

As nafs passes through the spiritual purification stages, the veils of darkness from human nature goes away and the rays of spirituality begin to shine on all sides. However, if it is not purified, the darkness of the lusts invades its horizon, and nafs suffers corruption under the influence of carnal desires. It becomes so blind that cannot recognize God and His manifestations in the universe.

The Three Levels of Fasting

Fasting has three levels; the first level is abstaining from eating, drinking and sexual activities during daytime hours, the second level is in which Believers ensure all organs of their body refrain from any kind of sin, and the third level of fasting is keeping the soul, mind and heart clear of all thoughts and feelings that could distract one from God.

Fasting as the Discipliner of the Nafs

Fasting enables Believers to abandon sins committed by their bodily senses and use them in the acts of worship particular to each. For example, instead of using the tongue in lying, backbiting, and swearing, through fasting Believers use it with reciting the Quran, glorifying God, seeking His forgiveness, and calling His blessing upon Prophet Muhammad.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) narrates from his Lord:

“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 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 God’s sight than the smell of musk.”  (Bukhari, Sahih, Tawhid, 35).

Human nafs can be trained and disciplined best by fasting. Although it is difficult to observe, fasting strengths the will power and purifies the soul. Through hardships and sufferings Believers promote to higher spiritual degrees, and this is why all Messengers experienced the most grievous hardships and sufferings.

When fasting Muslims experience hungriness and thirstiness but this keeps them away from sins and the seductions of Satan.

Human nature is a composite of two distinct powers: the spirit and the flesh. When following bodily lusts spirituality lessens in human nature, therefore if a person can control his carnal desires and oppose bodily lusts, he becomes more spiritual.

However, today people are indulged into worldly pleasures much more than ever before and they live to satisfy their carnal desires. In order to grow spiritually they need to sacrifice from the enjoyment of worldly pleasures. In this regard, fasting is a golden opportunity for a person who wants to progress spiritually.

The evil commanding self (nafs al-ammarah) assumes itself free and unrestricted. Even it can claim lordship as it was seen in the personality of Pharaoh. However, when fasting during the month of Ramadan human self understands that there is One who creates, provides, sustains etc.

So, through fasting, nafs abandons the stage of imaginary lordship and raises to the level of servanthood. Because, it understands that if God does not provide it cannot do even the most common things, like eating and drinking.

Observing the fast in Ramadan defeats the carnal self and its illusory lordship. When carnal self does not recognize God Almighty, fasting breaks its haughtiness and reminds it that it is innately helpless therefore a servant of God.

Although it is not reported through authentic chains of transmission, the following report gives an idea how carnal self can be disciplined through hunger; when God asked the carnal self:

“Who am I, and who are you?”

It replied: “You are Yourself, and I am myself.”

However much God punished it and repeated His question, He received the same answer. But when He subjected it to hunger, it replied:

“You are my All-Compassionate Lord; I am Your helpless servant.”

If carnal self is not trained through hunger, it cannot discriminate between lawful and unlawful. A person who eats, drinks and acts as he wishes would have hard time to follow Islamic principles.

Through fasting, people train carnal self and make it obey Islamic rulings. If a person can forsake what is allowed due to fasting in Ramadan, he can easily refrain from what is forbidden. Thus, because of fasting carnal self cannot corrupt its owner’s spiritual life. By enduring a long-lasting hunger patiently, Believers train themselves in self-discipline and cure their impatience and the lack of endurance.

Spirituality and full stomach work against each other. People become less spiritual when they eat more, because bodily members would be busy with stomach and forgetful of their own worship. That is why pious people prefer hunger to be more spiritual.

Fasting reminds people that they are not created just for eating and drinking. Through fasting they experience angelic and spiritual states and progress towards spiritual perfection. Because, fasting purifies people’s heart, spirit, reason, and innermost senses.

Naturally, human’s carnal self does not perceive its inherent infinite impotence, poverty, and defects. Without thinking about the consequences of its acts it indulges into worldly pleasures as if it would live forever. In this state it is heedless and forgets its Creator. But fasting reminds human beings their real nature and makes them feel their weakness and innate poverty. The need for compassion and care in their nature lead them to seek refuge in God’s mercy.

Fasting and Spiritual Ramadan

Fasting in Ramadan is like representing angelic state for human beings. By abandoning the needs of body such as food and drink they act like angels. Instead of following the lusts of carnal self, Believers dedicate themselves to worship in Ramadan. They recite or listen the Qur’an for Ramadan is a month in which the Qur’an started to be revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Millions of Muslims recite the Qur’an and this makes the world like a huge mosque. Thus, fasting and reciting the Qur’an is like establishing a heavenly spiritual Ramadan atmosphere.

Believers become like angels while fasting and represent angelic attributes. They become pure spirit manifested in corporeal dress by abandoning worldly pleasures. Since Ramadan is a spiritual festival, fasting is commanded so that people abstain from their bodily preoccupations to some extent.

In Ramadan, the spiritual rewards are multiplied and a person can achieve a thousand rewards for one good deed. God promised 10 rewards for each good deed and this will bring forth 10 fruits of Paradise, but during Ramadan it is increased more. Reciting one letter of the Qur’an in this month can bring a thousand rewards or more and becomes like a huge blessed tree producing millions of permanent fruits of Paradise.

Believers will recognize in the Afterlife which righteous deeds in the world brought the blessings they enjoy in Paradise. In the same way, they will understand how fasting and suffering hunger in this world turn into joys in Paradise.

No other fasting can be compared to the one in Ramadan therefore believers feel serious grief when this blessed month is gone.

Ramadan and the Social Solidarity

God prepared this world as a table to demonstrate His bounties and mercy to human beings but most of the people cannot recognize it. But during Ramadan, the beauty and value of God’s favors upon servants are appreciated better because fasting makes them see those favors clearly. Especially, when about to break their fast towards the end of the day they feel that the earth is like a banquet prepared by God for them.

This feeling leads them to give thanks God for His bounties. Understanding the real value of God’s bounties is being grateful to Him in real sense. There is a price for every food which human beings buy and the price of countless bounties of God is acknowledging our need to them and appreciating them fully and thanking God wholeheartedly.

Therefore, Ramadan and fasting in this month is the key to a true and comprehensive thanksgiving. Because, when experiencing hunger, people appreciate the value of bounties better. They understand that if God did not create those bounties, they would not achieve it. Since God creates all bounties and bestows upon His servants, He is the only one who should be appreciated and thanked.

We understand better those poor people who suffer from hunger and feel empathy for them. This feeling leads us to share our food with them and show mercy to them.

We invite people to our houses and share dinner with them. Acting this way we eliminate the huge rifts between different sections of the society and of overcoming prejudices. Sharing Iftar dinners with abundance and diversity of guests can stop unending grudges, hatreds and rages.

Caring for one’s fellow beings and being merciful to them is a foundation of true thanksgiving. People care each other better when feeling hunger in their personal life, thus fasting helps people to perceive the pain of hunger and poverty.

Unfortunately, people of our time have not seen beauties of Islam much through witnessing true Muslim attitudes and behaviors. So, Ramadan and its spiritual atmosphere can be utilized as opportunity to show none-Muslims the genuine face of Islam.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all a blessed Ramadan, hoping that we could feel in our hearts the troubled condition of our extended Muslim family and pray for our salvation and for the salvation of all humanity.

- aboutislam.net

About Dr. Recep Dogan

Dr. Recep Dogan is a prominent Muslim scholar, prolific author and a respected community activist in Australia. Dr. Recep completed his PhD in the Islamic Studies Department, Philosophy of Religion at University of Ankara. He undertook private study of Islamic Sciences with the world renowned Muslim Scholar, M. Fethullah Gulen, who is the founder of 'Hizmet', a global peace and education movement. Dr. Recep was the Imam of the Tolerance Foundation in California USA from 2004 to 2011. He is also the Muslim Chaplain for Charles Sturt University; he gives lectures on the following topics Islamic Studies; Sīrah (the life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh); Core Islamic Sciences; Usūl Tafsir (The Methodology of Qur'anic Exegeses); Usūl Hadith (The Methodology of Prophetic Traditions); Islamic Jurisprudence (from Hanafi Perspective); Usūl al-Fiqh (The Methodology of Islamic Law); Kalām (Islamic Theology).

Duas for Ramadan, Days 11-20 (with transliteration)

 

Ramadhan prayers at Surau Al Hidayah Kuarters Guru, Kg. Jawa, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia

Ramadan is the time for mercy. It’s the time for making dua. Following are some of the most beautiful duas from the Quran and sunnah. You can take two days to memorize each dua, and recite them especially in the last ten days of Ramadan.

Dua against laziness

As Ramadan comes midway, we lose some of that initial enthusiasm with which we started, and tend to become lazier in our worship. This is an excellent time to make this dua a lot.

‏اللهم إني أعوذ بك من العجز والكسل والجبن والهرم، والبخل، وأعوذ بك من عذاب القبر، وأعوذ بك من فتنة المحيا والممات‏’‏‏.‏ وفي رواية‏:‏ ‏’‏وضلع الدين وغلبة الرجال‏’

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to supplicate: Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-ajzi wal- kasali, wal-jubni wal-harami, wal-bukhli, wa a’udhu bika min ‘adhabil- qabri, wa a’udhu bika min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat [O Allah! I seek refuge in You from helplessness (to do good), indolence, cowardice, senility, and miserliness; and I seek Your Protection against the torment of the grave and the trials of life and death].’ Another narration adds: ‘wa dala’id-daini wa ghalabatir-rijal (And from the burden of indebtedness and the tyranny of men. [Muslim]

Dua for parents

One of the most rewarding things you could do in Ramadan is to do something for your parents. Do everything you possibly can to make them a bit more happy, make their lives a bit more easier, and especially recite this dua often.

وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا

Rabbi irhamhuma kama rabbayanee sagheera

And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, ‘My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.’ [17:24]

 Dua for help

Allah’s Messenger used to say this amazing dua (the first part) when in a stressful trial. So when you feel that tension on your shoulders, when you feel it’s so difficult to go on, call the Ever-Living God, the One who doesn’t die.

Ya Hayyu ya Qayyoom, biraHmatika astagheeth. ASbaH li sha-nee kullahu wa la takilnee ila nafsee Tarfata ‘ain.

‘O Ever Living, O Self-Subsisting and Supporter of all, by Your mercy I seek assistance, rectify for me all of my affairs and do not leave me to myself, even for the blink of an eye.’[Al-Hakim, Sahih at-Targhib wa’t-Tarhib, Hisn al-Muslim]

Dua for acceptance of worship

While doing so much worship during Ramadan, we can’t take it for granted that all our ibadah will be accepted. No matter how much we try, we seldom reach perfection, and often our attention deviates and our intentions are awry. Make this dua after every act of worship you do in Ramadan for begging Allah to accept it.

وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

Wa-ith yarfaAAu ibraheemualqawaAAida mina albayti wa-ismaAAeelu rabbanataqabbal minna innaka anta assameeAAu alAAaleem

And [mention] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], ‘Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing. [2:127]

Dua of actions

We so often don’t realize the impact of our decisions and actions on our faith. Just a small error somewhere could make our hearts deviate from Islam. Many times in the day we may face with the dilemma of whether to do something or not to do it. We’re not sure which one would be more pleasing to Allah. So we ask Allah to protect from the evils of what we do and what we don’t do.

اللهم إني أعوذ بك من شر ما عملت ومن شر ما لم أعمل

Allahumma inni audhu bika min sharri ma ‘amiltu, wa min sharri ma lam a’mal (O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the evil of that which I have done and the evil of that which I have not done).[Muslim]

To talk to Allah while making dua in Arabic, we need to understand what we’re saying. Take this 9 hours course on learning 50% of the Quran.

Tabassum Mosleh

-understandquran.com

Intimacy in Ramadan; What You Need To Know

Intimacy during the month of Ramadan is not just about its prohibition during the time of fasting, which is an undeniable fact. But it’s about a spiritual meaning inherent in it for Muslim couples, as evidenced in the Quranic verse that talks about this. Watch this video to understand more, as elaborated by Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan.

- aboutislam.net

No Matter What You’ve Done, Seize the Chance of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a liberating feeling, especially if it comes from God.

It has been a recurring theme throughout the realm of creation.

The fact that God talks about forgiveness shows how deficient human beings really are. Humans do commit error and do engage in wrong doings, but there is an important facet to this flaw in our own beings, that we may be completed by turning back to God and asking for His forgiveness.

There is also no measure as to how much error one can commit, as God being Al-Ghafour (the All-Forgiving) promises that He will forgive those who ask forgiveness.

Part of being human includes committing wrongdoings and incurring sin. However, just because we were created that way – with the grand possibility to follow evil – it doesn’t justify making the active choices to engage in bad deeds without any conscientious effort to repent.

The whole silver lining as a circumference of a bad deed is the fact there is an opportunity to make that change and beg for forgiveness from God.

And whoever does evil, or wrongs his own soul, but afterwards seeks Allah’s forgiveness, will find Allah is Forgiving, Compassionate. (4: 110)

In particular, the middle of Ramadan encompasses the 10 days of Forgiveness, and this is when Muslims are commanded to ask for forgiveness the most. The important thing to note about forgiveness is its root comes from God. With God being Al-Ghafour (the All-Forgiving), Muslims pay heed to God’s power to forgive.

Without God’s forgiveness, admission to Paradise would be impossible. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that whosoever stands in worship on this night with sincere faith and with genuine hopes of gaining reward his previous sins will be forgiven.

Ask yourself, what have I done wrong? Do I really want to change?

In fact, one who fasts sincerely and successfully from one Ramadan to another will have his sins forgiven. So obviously, the month of Ramadan is one of full forgiveness, and to solidify this, Prophet Muhammad said:

The smell from the mouth of a fasting person is sweeter in the sight of Allah than the fragrant smell of musk. For believers who are engaging in the fast, the fish in the sea seek forgiveness until they break their fast. Paradise is decorated everyday for the person who fasts; the evil minded Satan is chained; and on the last night of Ramadan, all their sins are forgiven. (Ahmad)

But What is it All about?

Forgiveness is letting go of the need for revenge, any sense of bitterness or resentment and to let go of the past. While God does this with Perfection, it is in fact harder for us to forgive ourselves first as well as ask for forgiveness. But in order for us to ask for God’s forgiveness, we do need to start by forgiving ourselves.

Ask yourself, what have I done wrong? Do I really want to change? What are the bad habits or the mistakes that I made routinely? Have I given much thought into changing them? Am I all right in seeing those changes? If I want to change and be forgiven, I need to do it for God’s sake.

Most of the things that we do that require forgiveness from God are actually bad for us in the first place. So while we are committing an error in the sight of God, we are also committing harm upon ourselves.

Do we tell ourselves why it is wrong? How brutally honest are we in our wrong doings? Have we considered checking if what we are doing is correct?

Sometimes it is easy to forget what it says in the Quran and Sunnah when we are so busy trying to be ourselves. Perhaps it’s time to realize our priorities with respect to our religion. Are we really committing to good deeds or are we doing them for the wrong intentions?

Whatever it is, learn to forgive yourself first. Once you have done this, you will realize how important asking for forgiveness really is. And this is when you can really open up your heart and ask for it from God. This will help you truly feel liberated.

Whether you reveal a good act or keep it hidden, or pardon an evil act, Allah is Ever-Pardoning, All-Powerful. (4: 149)

Another dimension of forgiveness is to forgive others and to ask for forgiveness too. Ramadan is the perfect time to do that as during the days of forgiveness, saying sorry becomes more light weight than usual.

Make allowances for people, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant. (7: 199)

Furthermore, God says:

The repayment of a bad action is one equivalent to it. But if someone pardons and puts things right, his reward is with Allah. Certainly He does not love wrongdoers. (42: 40)

Even if matters do not get resolved between two parties, there is always God’s mercy to fall back upon.

Ramadan comes but once a year, and in the middle of it lies days of forgiveness.

Forgiveness leaves a telling tale in the hearts of believers as believing in God entails that God will forgive our wrongdoings, if we ask Him.

And God provides these special 10 days to go ahead and repent from our sins in order to be forgiven. From the time of creation, to the final reminders through Prophet Muhammad, we are reminded that forgiveness is one of the gems that builds a strong relationship between a believer and God.

Arch Angel Gabriel once appeared before Prophet Muhammad, saying:

Woe to him who found the blessed month of Ramadan and let is pass by without gaining forgiveness. Prophet Muhammad replied: Amen. (Al-Bukhari)

Entering the middle of Ramadan, it’s all about forgiveness.

As Ramadan rolls on, find time to forgive yourself, to forgive others, to apologize to those whom you may have wronged, and to always ask from God, the Most Forgiving, who, by His own decree, may forgive all your sins, this Ramadan.

- aboutislam.net

About Maria Zain

Maria Zain AboutIslam.net author who passed away in December 2014.