GINGER CAN CONTROL DIABETES: STUDY MELBOURNE

Ginger can control diabetes'
Ginger, a common spice in Indian kitchens can manage high levels of
blood sugar which create complications for long-term diabetic
patients, a new study said. Researchers from University of Sydney
foundthat ginger has the power to control blood glucose by using
muscle cells.
"Ginger extracts obtained from Buderim Ginger wereable t o increase
the uptake of glucose into muscle cells independentlyof insulin,"
professor of pharmaceutical chemistry Basil Roufogalis who led the
research said .
"This assists in the management of high levels of blood sugar that
create complications for longterm diabetic patients,and may allow
cells to operate independently of insulin," Roufogalis said.
"The components responsible for the increase the uptake of glucose
were gingerols, the major phenolic components of the ginger rhizome.
Under normal conditions, blood glucose level is strictly maintained
within a narrow range, and skeletal muscle is a major site of glucose
clearance in the body," Roufogalis added. The pharmacy researchers
extracted whole ginger rhizomes obtained from Buderim Ginger and
showed that that one fraction of the extract was the most effective in
reproducing the increase in glucose uptake by the whole extract in
muscle cells grown in culture/

Staying up on Laylat al-Qadr and the ruling on celebrating it

How should we spend thenight of Laylat al-Qadr? Is it by praying,
reading Qur'aan and the Seerah (Prophet's biography), listening to
sermons and lessons and celebrating that in the mosque?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
used to strive hard in worship during the last ten nights of Ramadaan
as he did not do at other times, praying and reading Qur'aan.
Al-Bukhaari and Muslim narrated from 'Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased
with her) that when the last ten days of Ramadaan began, the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would stay up at night,
wake his family and tie his lower garmenttight. According to Ahmadand
Muslim: he would strive hard in worship during the last ten nights of
Ramadaan as he did not do at other times.
Secondly:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) urged us to
spend the night of Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the
hope of reward. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be
pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "Whoever spends the night of Laylat al-Qadr in prayer
out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous
sins."
This was narrated by the group apart from Ibn Maajah. This hadeeth
indicates that it is prescribed to stay up and spend this night in
prayer.
Thirdly:
One of the best du'aa's that can be recited on Laylat al-Qadr is that
which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught
'Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her). It was narrated by
al-Tirmidhi, who classed it as saheeh, that 'Aa'ishah said: I said: "O
Messenger of Allaah, If I know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what
should I say?" He said: "Say: Allaahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibb
al-'afwa fa'fu 'anni (O Allaah, You are All-Forgiving and You love
forgiveness so forgive me)."
Fourthly:
With regard to singling out one night of Ramadaan and regarding that
as Laylat al-Qadr, thisrequires evidence. But theodd-numbered nights
during the last ten nights are more likely than others, and the night
of the twenty-seventh is more likely to be Laylat al-Qadr, because of
the ahaadeeth which indicate that.
Fifthly:
With regard to bid'ah (innovation), it is not permissible either in
Ramadaan or at other times. It was proven that the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever innovates
anything in this matter of ours [Islam] that is not part of it will
have it rejected." And he said: "Whoever does any actionthat is not
part of this matter of ours will have itrejected."
With regard to the celebrations that are held on some nights of
Ramadaan, we know of no basis for that. The best guidance is the
guidance of Muhammad and the worst of matters are those which are
innovated.
And Allaah is the Source ofstrength. May Allaah send blessings and
peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions./

7b] When the Night Equals a Thousand

7b]
:-> What did Abu Dah Daah lose? Dates? Bushes? Dirt? What did he gain?
He gained a Jannah whose expanse is the heavens and the earth.
Abu Dah Daah did not misshis opportunity, and I prayto Allah
(Subhanahu wa ta'ala) that we do not missour opportunity of standing
to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) on Laylatul Qadr.
Dear brothers and sisters, we do not obey, worship and revere Allah
(Subhanahu wa ta'ala) in a way befitting of His Majesty.
Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) revealed:
"No just estimate have they made of Allah, such asis due to Him. On
the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be but Hishandful,
and the heavens will be rolled up in His right hand: Glory to Him!
High is He above the partners they attribute to Him." (Surat
al-An'aam, Ayat 91).
Everything that we have belongs to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala). When
someone dies we say, Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji'oon , Indeed
to Allah we belong and indeed to Him we shall return. This is not a
supplication just for when a soul is lost. It is a supplication for
every calamity that befalls a believer, even if his sandal were to
tear. Why? Because everything belongs to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala)
andeverything shall come back to him. Sit and try to count the
blessings Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) has bestowed upon you. Have you
ever tried to count stars?
"And He giveth you of all that ye ask for. But if ye count the favors
of Allah, never will ye be able to number them. Verily, man is given
up to injustice andingratitude."
(Surat Ibrahim, Ayat 34).
We have not understood the weight of this Qur'an that we rest on our
high shelves, this Noble book that was sent to give life to the dead.
For even if ourhearts were as solid as rock they would have crumbled
to the ground in fear and hope of Allah's (Subhanahu wa ta'ala)
punishment and Mercy. Could it be that our hearts are harder than that
mountain?
"Had We sent down this Qur'an on a mountain, verily, thou wouldst have
seen it humble itself and split asunder in fear of Allah." (Surat
al-Hashr, Ayat21).
Dear brothers and sisters, as you fill the Masajid for Qiyamul Layl in
the last ten nights of Ramadan, remember what Allah (Subhanahu wa
ta'ala) wants you to know:
"Know ye that Allah is strict in punishment and that Allah is
Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."
There shall be a night, some night in your life that you shall awaken
in Jannah or Hell fire. Anas ibn Malik, on his deathbed,prayed to
Allah, (Subhanahu wa ta'ala), "O Allah, protect from a night whose
morning brings a journey to hell fire." Think about that morning.
Peace shall descend on Laylatul Qadr until the dawn. It may be that
you shall leave the Masjid after Fajr one day soon forgivenby Allah,
Glorious and MostHigh./

7a] When the Night Equals a Thousand

7a]
:-> Laylatul Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it
has indeed missed a great amount of good. The Mu'min should search for
it in the last ten nights of Ramadan, passing the nights in worship
and obedience.
For those who catch the opportunity, their gift is that of past sins wiped away.
The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) illustrated for
us some of the things we should be doing on this Grand Night. From his
blessed Sunnah we find the following:
Praying Qiyaam (night prayer):
It is recommended to make a long qiyaam prayer during the nights on
which Laylatul Qadr could fall. This is indicated in many ahadeeth,
such as "Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylatul Qadr [and it is
facilitated for him] out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward),
will have all of hisprevious sins forgiven." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim;
the addition "and it is facilitated for him" is recorded by Ahmad from
the report of 'Ubaadah Bin as-Samit; it means that he is permitted to
be among the sincere worshippers during that blessed night.]
Making Supplications:
It is also recommended to make extensive supplication on this night.
'A'ishah reported that she asked Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi
wa sallam) "O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylatul
Qadr, what should I say during it?" And he instructed her to say:
"Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee - (O Allah!
Youare forgiving, and you loveforgiveness. So forgive me)." [An
authentic Hadith recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi.]
Abandoning Worldly Pleasures for the Sake of Worship:
It is further recommended to spend more time in worship during the
nights on which Laylatul Qadr is likely to fall. This calls for
abandoning many worldly pleasures in order to secure the time and
thoughts solely for worshipping Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala).
'A'ishah reported: "When the (last) ten started, the Prophet
(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would tighten his izaar (i.e. he stayed
away from his wives in order to have more time for worship), spend the
whole night awake (in prayer) and wake up his family." [Al-Bukhari and
Muslim]
And she said: "Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) used to
exert more (in worship) onthe last ten than on other nights." [Muslim]
Have we estimated Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) correctly?
The opportunity of Laylatul Qadr is coming in the next few days. Life
is about people that take advantage of their opportunities to win the
love of Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala), and this is indeed one of those
chances.
Abu Dah Daah was one of those who found an opportunity and won that
which is greater than the heavens and the earth. An adult companion of
the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) cultivated his garden next
to the property of an orphan. Theorphan claimed that a specific palm
tree was on his property and thus belonged to him. The companion
rejected the claim and off to the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu
alaihi wa sallam) went the orphan boy to complain. With his justness,
the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) measured the two
gardens and found that the palm tree did indeed belong to the
companion. The orphan erupted crying.Seeing this, the Prophet
(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) offered the companion, "would you give
him the palm tree and to you is a palm tree in Jannah?" However, the
companion in his disbelief that an orphan would complain to the
Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) missed the opportunity and went
away angry.
But someone else saw the opportunity, Abu Dah Daah- radi Allahu 'anhu.
He went to the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and asked, "Ya
Rasul Allah, if I buy the tree from him and give it to the orphan
shall I have that tree in Jannah?" The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu
alaihi wa sallam) replied, "Yes."
Abu Dah Daah chased afterthe companion and asked,"Would you sell that
tree to me for my entire garden?" The companion answered, "Take it for
there is no good in a tree that I was complained to the Prophet
about."
Immediately, Abu Dah Daah went home and found his wife and children
playing in the garden. "Leave the garden!" shouted Abu Dah Daah,
"we've sold it to Allah! We've sold it to Allah!" Some of his children
had dates in their hand and he snached the dates from them and threw
them back into the garden. "We've sold it to Allah!"
When Abu Dah Daah was later martyred in the battle of Uhud, Rasul
Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) stood over his slainbody and
remarked, "How many shady palm trees does Abu Dah Daah now have in
paradise?"
What did Abu Dah Daah lose? Dates? Bushes? Dirt? What did he gain? He
gained a Jannah whose expanse is the heavens and the earth.

7] When the Night Equals a Thousand

7]
It was narrated that in the days that Musa (alayhis-salaam) wandered
with Bani Israa'eel in the desert an intense drought befell them.
Together, they raised their hands towardsthe heavens praying for the
blessed rain to come. Then, to the astonishment of Musa
(alayhis-salaam) and all those watching, thefew scattered clouds that
were in the sky vanished, the heat poured down, and the drought
intensified.
It was revealed to Musa that there was a sinner amongst the tribe of
Bani Israa'eel who had disobeyed Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) for more
than forty years of his life. "Let him separate himself from the
congregation," Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) toldMusa
(alayhis-salaam)."Only then shall I shower you all with rain." Musa
(alayhis-salaam) then called out to the throngs of humanity, "There is
a person amongst us who has disobeyed Allah for forty years. Let him
separate himself from the congregation and only then shall we be
rescued from the drought." That man, waited, looking left and right,
hoping that someone else would step forward, but no one did. Sweat
poured forth from his brow and he knew thathe was the one.
The man knew that if he stayed amongst the congregation all would
dieof thirst and that if he stepped forward he wouldbe humiliated for
all eternity.
He raised his hands with a sincerity he had never known before, with a
humility he had never tasted, and as tears poureddown on both cheeks
he said: "O Allah, have mercy on me! O Allah, hide my sins! O Allah,
forgive me!" As Musa (alayhis-salaam) and the people of Bani Israa'eel
awaited for the sinner to step forward, theclouds hugged the sky
andthe rain poured. Musa (alayhis-salaam) asked Allah (Subhanahu wa
ta'ala), "O Allah, you blessed us with rain even though the sinner did
not come forward." And Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) replied, "O Musa,
it is for the repentance of that very person that I blessed all of
Bani Israa'eel with water." Musa (alayhis-salaam), wanting to know who
this blessed man was,asked, "Show him to me O Allah!" Allah (Subhanahu
wa ta'ala) replied, "O Musa,I hid his sins for forty years, do you
think that after his repentance I shall expose him?"
Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) revealed the Qur'an in the most blessed
month; the month of Ramadan, the month in which the Qur'an was sent
down.
On the most blessed night,the Grand night: Laylatul Qadr; "Verily, we
revealed the Qur'an on the night of Qadr."
Ibn Jareer narrates, on the authority of Mujaahid that there was a man
from BaniIsraa'eel who used to spend the night in prayer. Then in the
morning he would fight the enemy in the Way of Allah during the day,
until the evening and he did this for a thousand months.
And so Allah revealed the Surah: "Verily, We sent it down in the night
of Al-Qadr" until the verse "The night of Al-Qadr is better than a
thousand months." That is, standing in prayer on that night is better
than the actions of that man.
Sufyaan ath-Thawree reports, on the authority of Mujaahid (also), that
thenight of Al-Qadr being better than a thousand months means that the
good deeds performed on it, fasting on it, and standing in prayer on
it are better than a thousandmonths' good deeds, prayers and fasting.
(Narrated by Ibn Jareer)
It is reported from Abu Hurairah that he said:"When the month of
Ramadan came, the Messenger of Allah said: 'The month of Ramadan has
come, a blessed monthin which Allah has made it obligatory for you to
fast; in it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are
closed and the devils are chained. In it is anight better than a
thousand months, whoever loses the benefit of it has lost something
irreplaceable.'" (Narrated by Imam Ahmad and An-Nasaa'i).
It is reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah, that Allah's
Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Whoever stood in prayer
on the night of Al-Qadr, in faith and hoping for a reward from Allah,
he will have all of his previous sins forgiven." (Narrated by
Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
This one night surpasses the value of 30,000 nights.The sincere
believer who worries day and night about his sins and phases of
neglect in his life patiently awaits the onset of Ramadan. During it
he hopes to be forgiven by Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) for past sins,
knowing that the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) promised that
all who bear down during thelast ten days shall have all their sins
forgiven. To achieve this, the believer remembers the Prophet's
(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) advice in different sayings wherein he
used words like "seek","pursue", "search" and"look hard" for Laylatul
Qadr. :->

4c] Laylat al-Qadr: The Night of Power

to worship. (5) Realization that the angels are aroundis encouragement
for the servants to devote more time to good deeds as a man will work
harder when a foreman is present.
"...And the Spirit..." (Al-Qur`an 97:4)
There are several explanations for the meaning of the Spirit: (1) The
Spirit is comprised of groups of special angels who are seen only on
the Night of Power; (2) it is referring to Al-Qur`an , as Allah (SWT)
stated: "And thus have We, by Our command sent inspiration (spirit) to
thee..." (Al-Qur`an 42:52) , (3) This is a reference to Angel Jibreel,
as this is a special honor to Jibreel who has been mentioned twice
Surah 42 first with anotherangel, and separately as the spirit of
Allah (SWT) as the Qur`an says: "Verily this is a revelation from the
Lord of the Worlds. With it came down the spirit of faith and truth."
(Al-Qur`an, 26:192-193) Thus the correct explanation of the spirit,
Ruuh , is Jibreel in this verse to indicate the angels on one side and
Jibreel on the other, while they were descending.
"...By Allah`s permission..."
This indicates the angels extend a request to come to meet the
believers; and to underscore the fact thatangels are infallible; that
they do not make a move without explicit permission from their Lord.
Allah (SWT) states:"They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in
all things) by His command." (Al-Qur`an, 21:27) "(The angels say) We
descend not but by command of thy Lord..." (Al-Qur`an 19:64)
"(Their) Lord." It indicates honor for the angels. It is as if Allah
(SWT) is saying ``They are for Me and I am for them''. Similarly,
Allah (SWT) said regarding us:"Verily your Lord is Allah Who created
the heavens and the earth in six days..." (Al-Qur`an, 10:3) And
regarding Prophet Muhammad (saas) Allah said: "Behold, your Lord said
to the angels..." (Al-Qur'an, 2:30)
It has been reported that when Prophet David was terminally ill, he
asked Allah to be for his son Solomon, as He was for him. Allah (SWT)
replied, saying: "Tell Solomon to be for Me as you are for Me.
(Al-Qur`an 2:30)
"...On every errand..."
This indicates the angels and the Spirit descend for different
purposes: some come down for prostration, some for bowing, and others
for supplications for the believers and salutations. Or they come down
carrying with them the proclamations of the coming year.
"Peace!..." (Al-Qur`an 97:5)
There are several explanations to this verse: (1) The whole Night of
Power, from sunset to the break of dawn, will be spent by the angeles
in salutation. (2) The purposeis to describe the night with peace
because of the salutation from the angels.That is very important,
because when seven angels visited Prophet Ibrahim (saas) and saluted
him, he was very happy, and when Nimrod threw him in the fire, it
turned ice-cold when the angels saluted him. (3) This is a wish of
safety and peace from all evil and harmful things, or the angels will
only bring on this night, good things!
"...Until the rise of morn." (Al-Qur`an 97:5)
All the honor, blessings and peace of the Night of Power will continue
in every second of the night until Fajr. Allah (SWT) is the Best
Knower./

4b] Laylat al-Qadr: The Night of Power

4b]
:-> twenty-ninth.''
Seeking The Night
It is recommended to seek the night and spend it diligently in
devotion, including night Sunnah prayers ( Tahajjud ), recitation of
Al-Qur'an and supplications. In a hadith related by Abu Hurairah
(raa), the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "He who spends the night in
prayer on the Night of Power, as a sign of His faith, and seeking
rewards from Allah, his previous sins willbe forgiven."
(Bukhari/Muslim) This citation indicates that regardless of whether a
person knows the night or not, Allah will grant him forgiveness for
previous shortcomings.
" And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is?; The Night
of Power is better than a thousand months." (Al-Qur`an 97:2-3)
Allah (SWT) is emphasizingby putting the second verse in question
form. The answer being no one knows, or comprehends, the awesomeness
and the depth of honor of the night. As if to say whatever merits
Allah informs you about the night is just nothing compared to the
things you have no idea about. Nonetheless, He mentions three honors
in the credit of the night: 1."The Night is better than a thousand
months. 2. "Therein, come down the angels..." and 3."Peace!"
The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. This indicates
thatacts of worship such as prayer, charity, and recitation done on
this night are better in reward than the same act done onother nights.
The rewards ( thawaab ) are being multiplied several-fold.
Imam Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah (saas) was shown the
long life span of people of previous nations, so the Prophet bemoaned
the shortness of the life span of the Ummah, fearing that they might
not be able to save many good deeds for the Hereafter. Therefore,
Allah gave him the Night of Power to compensate for their lack of
longevity. Hence, the devoted believer has as chance of adding 80
something years of worship to his life on the Night of Power. You see,
for instance, if you worshipAllah on this night every year for 65
years, by multiplying 65 by 80, you would have lived for 5,200years,
or achieved the reward of a person who lived that long.
You can see why the devotions were highly encouraged by the Prophet.
Indeed, you can achieve the honor of the Night of Power if you so wish
by spending the odd nights of the last ten days in acts of worship.
"Therein, come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission,
on every errand." (Al-Qur`an 97:4)
This is far from the earlier cry of the angels who, when Allah told
them, "...I will create a vicegerent on earth," they said, "Will
youplace therein one who willmake mischief therein and shed blood?..."
(Al-Qur`an, 2:30)
You see, when the angels first looked at our spirit with its traits of
mischief, vanity and desires, and therages of anger, they, the
embodiment of all that is good, did not like us at all. That explains
their response in the above verse. So is the case with parents, when
they first conceptualize the shape ofthe offspring, semen and
congealed blood; they do not like it. They will even wash their hands,
clothes and everything that this substance touches, a gruesome thing.
They mayeven think about aborting the baby in the beginning.
But after the baby is being fashioned in the most beautiful shape and
they feel the movement of life, they change from dislike to caring
love.
That is seemingly what happened to the angels. When they saw in us
this beautiful spirit of knowingthe Creator, and worshipping Allah
alone, they changed from dislike to complete love, and cannot wait for
another Night of Power to come down so they can pray for us. Allah
states: "...And they implore forgiveness for those who believe..."
(Al-Qur`an, 40:7)
He used the form ( tanazzal ) "They come", to indicate that the angels
descend on the Night of Power, group after group; some coming down to
earth while others ascend into the heaven. This heavenly, angelic
organized traffic of good will continues until the break of dawn.
As for the reasons why they come, there are several explanations
including: (1) they descendto witness how we worship and obey Allah,
and (2) to show their deeplove for the believers. This is why they
seek permission from Allah to come and meet us. This is a once-a-year
opportunity they do not like to miss. (3) Allah promised the believers
that in the hereafter, angels will approach on them with greetings:
"...And the angels shall enter into them from every gate (with the
salutation): Peace be unto you for thatyou persevered in patience..."
(Al-Qur`an, 13:23-24)
Now, if you preoccupy yourself with worship of Allah, the angels will
descend on you with salutations. (4) Allah (SWT)singles out this night
with honors on the earth so theangels can come down and increase their
rewards,and as a means to encourage the human raceto worship. :->

4a] Laylat al-Qadr: The Night of Power

4a]
:-> preordained or, in other words, has full knowledge of all that
the human being will do with his free will. A man's decision to act
freely in good conscience or bad conscience is all known to Allah
(SWT), past, present and future.
Qadr also implies measurement, that is all the events of the year will
occur in accordance to the exact measurement of what is in the
knowledge of Allah, Who states:"Verily, all things have We created in
proportion and measure." (Al-Qur`an, 54:49)
Why the name, the Night of Power?
As mentioned above, it is the night of Taqdeer, meaning the one in
which Allah (SWT) announces to the angels His already decreed
commands, rules, events, etc., for the comingcalendar year, from the
present Night of Power to the next Night of Power. Allah (SWT) states:
"We sent it down during a blessed night; We forever wish to warn
(against evil).In that (night) is made distinct every affair of
wisdom." (Al-Qur`an, 44:3-4)
It should be known that most scholars believe Allah's commands and
rules are not made on thatnight. It has already been decreed in the
eternity what is known to Allah, but that knowledge is not known to
anyone, including the angels, until He announces it to the angels on
that night so that they will record it on the protective slate.
This is also the night of honor and prestige which may be awarded to
the servant who devotes himself to special deeds, orto the deeds
themselves for the higher value they contain on that night.
The Night Is Concealed
Allah (SWT) in His mercy, has concealed the Night of Power from us for
the following reasons: The problems pertaining to an exact night on
which the honors are attained are not unique with this Night.It seems
that Allah conceals many things. He conceals his pleasure from us in
all our good deeds sothat we will strive in all of them. He conceals
His wrath from us in all of the sins we commit so that wewill avoid
them. He conceals His most beloved servants (' awliya ) so that we
will respect all the believers. He has concealedthe time of His
acceptance of our supplications so that we will strive in all our
supplications. He concealed his greatest name, so that we mention all
His names. He has concealed the time of death so that we will be
conscious of Him and our deeds all the time.
He has concealed the exactdate of the Night of Powerso that we would
double our the efforts in the whole month of Ramadan,or at least the
last ten days. He has concealed it also to test the serious andthe
non-serious. The seriously interested personwill search for the night
late and in the early hours until he or she attains it, regardless of
the hardship.
Where Is The Night?
The majority of the scholars who agreed that the night occurs in the
month of Ramadan, disagreed on the exact night. Some said it comes on
the first day of Ramadan. Others said it is on the seventh; while
others say its on the 19th night. All these opinions are not built on
sound proof. There is evidence that the night comes on the last ten
days of Ramadan, specifically on the odd numbered nights. In a report
by Bukhari, the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "Seek it on the odd
nights of the last ten days of Ramadan."
In a hadith by Ibn Umar (raa), some men among the companions saw the
night in a dream occurring in the last seven nights. Responding to
this, the Messenger of Allah (saas) told them, "I see your dreams
coincide on the last seven, whoever wants to seek it should do so in
the last seven." (Agreed upon)
In Muslim's report, the Prophet (saas) said, "Seek the night in the
last ten days, and if any of you is weak, or can't observe it, he
should not miss the remaining seven days." In Hadith by Ubayy bin
Ka'ab (raa), he said: "By Allah, I know which night it is. It isthe
night the Messenger commanded us to observe,the night of the 27th."
(Ahmed/Tirmidhi)
Analyzing all these citations indicates still no one knows for sure
which night is the Night of Power, at least in a given year. It seems
that the night shifts and rotates to different nights from one year to
another. It may occur on the 27th in one year, while the next year
itwill be on the 25th, while on the following year it will be
occurring on the 29th, etc. There is an indication to this in hadith
by Bukhari, when the Messenger of Allah (saas) states: "Seek it on the
twenty-ninth; it may be onthe twenty-seventh, or on the twenty-fifth."
Imam Ibn Hajr, in his book, "Fathul Bari" , in the commentary of the
Book of Bukhari, said: ``I accept the ruling that the night occurs on
the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, namely the
twenty-first, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh and or
twenty-ninth.'':->

4] Laylat al-Qadr: The Night of Power

4]
Let's analyze the significance of Laylat al-Qadr with commentary, (
tafseer ) on chapter 97 of Al-Qur'an, Al-Qadr (the Night of Power).
Al-Qadr
This chapter ( surah ) was revealed in Makkah, and itsbasic theme is
honoring the revelation of this blessed book, the Holy Qur`an. The
Night of Power or honor is a specialgift only to the community(Ummah)
of Islam. The night is one which even the angels in the heavens see as
worthy of witnessing. The night is so rich with holiness, as the night
when good deeds are returned, and is equal to a thousand months in the
sight of Allah.
Occasion Of Revelation
In a report by Abi Hatim and Al-Wahidi, by way of Mujahid, the
Messenger (saas) mentioned that there was a man among the Israelites
who devotedhis life to the cause of Allah for a thousand months. The
companions were amazed and impressed, but were saddened because they
knew there would be no way that they could reach this status of
devotion. So Allah (SWT) revealed this surah to inform them that He
had just blessed this Ummah with the Night of Honor, which is equal to
a thousand months.
"We have indeed revealed it, (Al-Qur`an) in the Night of Power."
(Al-Qur`an 97:1)
There are several points pertaining to the meaning of this verse:
The meaning and the use of the pronoun "We" is a style in Al-Qur`an
that when the Creator (SWT) is mentioned as a pronoun, He is referred
to by "We" or "I," as is evidenced in this surah. Elsewhere He said,
"Behold, thy Lord saidto the angels: `I will createa vicegerent..."
(Al-Qur`an, 2:30) . There is no problemwhen Allah uses the pronoun "I"
to refer to His Exalted Self, but when he uses "We" the explanation
becomes warranted because it cannot be perceived to indicate plural.
There is unanimity among the scholars that"We" indicates respect
andexaltation for the Creator and Cherisher of all the worlds, whose
greatness isincomprehensibly vast andbeyond our imagination.
Or, it is referring to Allah (SWT) and the angels who carry out his
words to one all, in every level of His dominion. It cannot mean
plural, or more than One Allah, for that would necessitate dropping in
ranks, the absoluteness, and the powers of each competing deity. If
each is capable of being absolute, each would have been independent
from the other and the idea that each deity can be independent from
the other, is evidence that none is absolute. This is inconceivable of
Allah (SWT) therefore, "We" cannot mean anything butrespect and
exaltation of the One and Only.
"...Have Indeed Revealed ItIn the Night of Power" (Al-Qur`an 97:1)
There is again unanimity among the commentators that "it" refers to
Al-Qur'an , meaning "We revealed" Al-Qur'an in the Night of Power. He
(SWT) did not mention Al-Qur'an explicitly because to refer to
Al-Qur'an by the pronoun implies a certain divine uniqueness of this
book, as well as greatness and honor that may not beattained if the
word Al-Qur'an was used instead. First, it ascribed the revelation of
Al-Qur'an to Himself, and not to anyone else. Second, referring to
Al-Qur'an by pronoun is an indication that the revelation of this book
was not a secret thatno one knew about. Its revelation was an event
widely known to all duringthe time of Muhammad (saas) and after,
guarding against anyone who may like to challenge it or claimany honor
of teaching Muhammad (saas) Al-Qur'an . Third, the statement also
meant to honor and memorialize the time period in which Al-Qur'an was
revealed.
By revealing Al-Qur'an in the Night of Power, Allah (SWT) inaugurated
or started its revelation for the beginning of the prophethood (
'Bi'ethah ), and the Prophet's mission of Al-Islam began in the month
of Ramadan on that Night. Al-Qur'an was not revealed in one night; it
was revealed over the course of 23 years. Ibn Abbas (raa) said: The
whole Qur'an was revealedto the lower heavens fromthe protective slate
( Lawhul Mahfuz ) on the Night of Power, then from there to the earth
in the course of 23 years.
The word power, Al-Qadr , has several implications and meaning, but we
cover only those implications which are relevant to the issues here.
Qadr implies having powerover something, as in the case of the Creator
over the creation. Allah's (SWT) excellence is Al-Qadr , capable,
omnipotent, almighty, all powerful. It also implies excellence andhigh
esteem, and as for this Night of Power, it is highly esteemed and
regarded. For this night is equal to over 80 years in the sight of
Allah (SWT).
It also implies to maintain,appoint, assign or decree an order. Thus,
in the Night of Power, Allah (SWT) proclaims to the angels His
commands and orders in regards to the affairs of the universe. From
this meaning is derived the concept of Al-Qada Wa Qadar , the fifth
article of faith, that Allah has decreed or preordained or,:->

2a] Laylat ul-Qadr: Peace Until Fajr

2a]
After Fajr, as the sun creeps above the horizon, reddish and weak in
its appearance, without any rays, the effort at night will have been
worthwhile. The believer rejoices, knowing that this was quite
possibly Lailat-ul-Qadr and "whoever stays up (in prayer and
remembrance of Allah) on the Night of Qadr fully believing (in Allah's
promise of reward for thatnight) and hoping to seek reward (from Allah
alone and not from people), he shall be forgiven for his past sins."
[Bukhari, Muslim]

2] Laylat ul-Qadr: Peace Until Fajr

2]
In each of the daily prayerswe offer, we solemnly declare to Allah,
"Iyyaka na'budu" (You alone do weworship). While the intelligent and
committed believer realizes that his very lifestyle spells worship, he
knows, remembering the words ofour Prophet (pbuh) that "Du'aa'
(supplication) is worship" [Tirmidhi, Abu Daud]
Allah, the Most Merciful, has encouraged the believers to take
advantage of certain timesduring the year to make du'aa'. Such an
occasion presents itself annually during Ramadan — especially on the
Lailat-ul-Qadr, the Night of Power. On this night, the single most
important event in human history unfolded as, after the Glorious Quran
was preserved in the Protected Tablet, Jibril descended with the
blessed book to reveal it, upon Allah's command, to His Messenger
(pbuh).
Accentuating its significance, Allah says "And how would you know (the
value of the) Night of Qadr." [97:2] So valuable is this Night of Qadr
that the Quran devotes a special surah to it. "Lailatul Qadr is better
than a thousand months" [97:3] This one night surpasses the value of
30,000 nights.
The most authentic account of the occurrence of the Night indicates
that it can occur on any one of the last ten, odd numbered nights of
Ramadan. The fact that theexact night is unknown reflects Allah's will
in keeping it hidden. Indeed, the Prophet (pbuh) was prevented from
telling us its precise time. One day, he came out to tell the
companions the exact night. On the way he saw two men arguing with
each other. By the will of Allah, he (pbuh) forgot andsubsequently
rememberedit. Afterwards the Prophet (pbuh) was instructed not to
divulge this information. "Had I been allowed," he (pbuh) remarked
once, "I would have told you (of its exact time)." [Ahmad]
The Almighty in His wisdom kept this hidden from us for many reasons.
Perhaps He wants us to strive hard in our worship during the last ten
days of Ramadan so that we don't become lazy, worshipping hard on just
that one nightand denying ourselves the benefit of doing the same on
the other nights. "Had people not left their salah except for that
(one) night,I would have informed you (of its exact date)."
[Al-Tabarani]
The sincere believer who worries day and night about his sins and
phases of neglect in his life patiently awaits the onset of Ramadan.
During it he hopes to be forgiven by Allah for past sins, knowing that
the Prophet (pbuh) promised that all who bear down during thelast ten
days shall have all their sins forgiven. To achieve this, he remembers
the Prophet's (pbuh) advice in different sayings wherein he used words
like "seek", "pursue", "search", and "look hard" for Lailat-ul-Qadr.
Moreover, Allah and His Prophet (pbuh) provided us some signs of its
occurrence. Allah (swt) describes the night as "..peace until the rise
of the morn." [97:5] In various sayings, the Prophet (pbuh) described
the night as serene, tranquil, and peaceful. The sun at sunrise would
appear reddish and without its normal blazingand sharp rays. The
Prophet (pbuh) added that "the angels on earth on that night of Qadr
will be more numerous than all the pebbles of the earth."
What should one do during the last ten days in pursuit of Lailat-u-
Qadr? The devoted servant of Allah makes these nights alive with
prayer, reading and reflecting on Quran. He makes du'aa' to Allah,
penitently beseeching Himfor His forgivness. He is inspired by the
Prophet's (pbuh) words "Our Lord, most Exalted, Most high comes down
to the lowestheaven during the last third of each night and announces
(reassuringly): Whoever makes du'aa', I shall answer it. Whoever asks
(for something halal) Ishall grant it; and whoeverseeks forgiveness, I
shall forgive him." [Bukhari] Thebelievers, conscious of Allah and
their sins, will continue to beseech Allah, in and out of prayer,
during their prostrations. For a time, the only concern will be
cleansing oneself of the forgetfulness that this life propagates in
one's heart, the sins that accumulate, darkening the heart, making it
insensitive to disobeying Allah. The believer begs Allah to keephim
away from misfortunes in this world, the punishment of the grave, and
the torment of Hell. He asks Allah to makehim patient and steadfast in
struggling to maintain his Islam in this world and asks Him to
overlook his shortcomings, periods of laziness and neglect.
Sincere devotion on that night will render the believer forgtful of
the time, until he is surprised by the Adhaan of Fajr. After Fajr,

How to Seek Laylat-ul-Qadr

Laylat ul-Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has
indeed missed a great amount of good. If a believing personis zealous
to obey his Lord and increase the good deeds in his record, he should
strive to encounter this night and to pass it in worship and
obedience. If this is facilitated for him, all of his previous sins
will be forgiven.
Praying Qiyaam
It is recommended to make a long Qiyaam prayer during the nights on
which Laylat ul-Qadr could fall. This is indicated in many hadeeths,
such as the following:
Abu Tharr (radhiallahu `anhu) relates:
"We fasted with Allah's Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) in
Ramadaan. He did not leadus (in qiyaam) at all until there were seven
(nights of Ramadaan) left. Then hestood with us (that night - in
prayer) until one third of the night had passed. He did not pray with
us onthe sixth. On the fifth night, he prayed with us until half of
the night had passed. So we said, 'Allah's Messenger! Wouldn't you
pray with us the whole night?' He replied:
'Whoever stands in prayer with the imaam until he (the imaam)
concludes the prayer, it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole
night.' …" [Recorded by Ibn Abi Shaybah, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmithi (who
authenticated it), an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, at-Tahawi (in Sharhu Ma`an
il-Athar, Ibn Nasr, al-Faryabi, and al-Bayhaqi. Their isnad is
authentic.]
[Point of benefit: Abu Dawud mentioned: "I heard Ahmad being asked,
'Do you like for a man to pray with the people or byhimself during
Ramadan?' He replied, 'Pray with the people.' I also heard him say, 'I
would prefer for oneto pray (qiyaam) with the imaam and to pray witr
with him as well, for the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:
"When a man prays with the imaam until he concludes, it is recorded
that he prayed the rest ofthat night." [Masaa'il]]
Abu Hurayrah (radhiallahu `anhu) narrated that the Messenger
(sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylat ul-Qadr[and it is facilitated
for him] out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward), will have
all of his previous sins forgiven." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim; the
addition "and it is facilitated for him" is recorded by Ahmad from the
report of `Ubaadah Binas-Samit; it means that he is permitted to be
among the sincere worshippers during that blessed night.]
Making Supplications
It is also recommended to make extensive supplication on this night.
`A'ishah (radhiallahu `anha) reported that she asked Allah's Messenger
(sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam), "O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which
night is Laylat ul-Qadr, what should I say during it?" And he
instructed her to say:
"Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuh.ibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee - O Allah! You
are forgiving, and you loveforgiveness. So forgive me." [Recorded by
Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmithi. Verified to be authentic by
Al-Albani]
Abandoning Worldly Pleasures for the Sake of Worship
It is further recommended to spend more time in worship during the
nights on which Laylat ul-Qadr is likely to be. This calls for
abandoning many worldly pleasures in order to secure the time and
thoughts solely for worshipping Allah.
`A'ishah (radhiallahu `anha) reported:
"When the (last) ten started, the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa
sallam) would tighten his izaar (i.e. he stayed away from his wives in
order to have more time for worship), spend the wholenight awake (in
prayer), and wake up his family." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
And she said:
"Allah's Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) used to exert
more(in worship) on the last tenthan on other nights." [Muslim]

Are there any saheeh ahaadeeth which speak of the ransoming of the living and the dead during Ramadaan?

I heard from someone that Allaah ransoms just one of the dead Muslims
every night, and that He does not ransom any of the living except on
the last night of Ramadaan, when He ransoms the same number as the
number of dead whom Heransomed during the month. Is this true?.
Praise be to Allaah.
After researching the matter, we did not find any ahaadeeth which say
such a thing.
There are ahaadeeth which say that Allaah ransoms people from the Fire
during Ramadaan, and that happens every night.
Some of these ahaadeeth are saheeh (sound), some are da'eef (weak),
and some are mawdoo' (fabricated).
Among the saheeh ahaadeeth which speak ofthat are the following:
1 – It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaahbe pleased with him)
said:The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "When the first night of Ramadaan comes, the devils and
mischievous jinn are chained up, and the gates of Hell are closed, and
none of its gates are opened. The gates of Paradise are opened and
none of its gates are closed. And a caller cries out: 'O seeker of
good, proceed; O seeker of evil, desist.' And Allaah has people whom
He frees (from the Fire), and that happens every day."
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 682; Ibn Maajah, 1642; classed as hasan by
Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami', 759.
2 – It was narrated that Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "At every breaking of the fast Allaah has people whom He redeems
from the Fire, and that happensevery night."
Narrated by Ahmad, 21698; Ibn Maajah, 1643; classed as saheeh by
Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.
The da'eef (weak) and mawdoo' (fabricated) ahaadeeth that have
beennarrated on this topic include the following:
1 – The report narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with
him), according to which the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) said: "When the first night of Ramadaan comes,
Allaah looks at His creation, and if Allaah looks at a person He will
never punish him. And every day Allaah has one thousand thousand whom
He ransoms from the Fire. On the twenty-ninth night Allaah ransoms a
number equivalent to the number whom He has already ransomed during
the entire month."
This is a mawdoo' hadeeth. See Da'eef al-Targheeb, 591 and al-Silsilah
al-Da'eefah, 5468.
2 – It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him)
that he heard the Messenger ofAllaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) say: "Paradise is scented with incense and adorned
throughout the year, in preparation for the beginning of the month of
Ramadaan. On the first night of the month of Ramadaan, a wind called
al-matheerah comes from beneath the Throne… And on each day of the
month of Ramadaan at the time of breaking the fast, Allaah has one
thousand thousand whom He ransoms from the Fire, all of whom deserved
to go to Hell. And on the last day of the month of Ramadaan, Allaah
ransoms on that day a number equivalent to all those whom He
ransomedfrom the beginning of themonth to the end.
This is a mawdoo' hadeeth. See Da'eef al-Targheeb, 594.
3 – It was narrated that al-Hasan said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Every night of
RamadaanAllaah has six hundred thousand whom He ransoms from the Fire.
And on the last night Allaah ransoms a number equivalent to those whom
He has already ransomed."
This is a da'eef hadeeth. See Da'eef al-Targheeb, 598.

The reason why fasting is prescribed

What is the reason why fasting is prescribed?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly we must note that one of the names of Allaah is al-Hakeem (the
Most Wise). The word Hakeem is derived from the same root as hukm
(ruling) and hikmah (wisdom). Allaah alone is the One Who issues
rulings, and His rulings arethe most wise and perfect.
Secondly:
Allaah does not prescribe any ruling but there is great wisdom behind
it, which we may understand, or our minds may not be guided to
understand it. We may know some of it but a great deal is hidden from
us.
Thirdly:
Allaah has mentioned the reason and wisdom behind His enjoining of
fasting upon us, as He says (interpretation of themeaning):
"O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for
you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become
Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)"
[al-Baqarah 2:183]
Fasting is a means of attaining taqwa (piety, being conscious of
Allaah),and taqwa means doing that which Allaah has enjoined and
avoiding that which He has forbidden.
Fasting is one of the greatest means of helpinga person to fulfil the
commands of Islam.
The scholars (may Allaah have mercy on them) have mentioned some of
the reasons why fasting isprescribed, all of which are characteristics
of taqwa, but there is nothing wrong with quoting them here, to draw
the attention of fasting people to them and make them keen to attain
them.
Among the reasons behind fasting are:
1 – Fasting is a means that makes us appreciate and give thanks for
pleasures. For fasting means giving up eating, drinking and
intercourse, which are among the greatest pleasures. By giving them up
for a shorttime, we begin to appreciate their value. Because the
blessings of Allaah are not recognized,but when you abstain from them,
you begin to recognize them, so this motivates you to be grateful for
them.
2 – Fasting is a means of giving up haraam things, because if a
person can give up halaal things in order to please Allaah andfor fear
of His painful torment, then he will be more likely to refrain from
haraam things. So fasting is a means of avoiding the things that
Allaah has forbidden.
3 – Fasting enables us to control our desires, because when a person
is full his desires grow, but ifhe is hungry then his desire becomes
weak. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "O young men! Whoever among you can afford to get married, let
him do so, forit is more effective in lowering the gaze and protecting
one's chastity. Whoever cannot do that, let him fast, for it will be
ashield for him."
4 – Fasting makes us feel compassion and empathy towards the poor,
because when the fasting person tastes the pain of hunger for a while,
he remembers those who arein this situation all the time, so he will
hasten to do acts of kindness to them and show compassion towards
them. So fasting is a means of feeling empathywith the poor.
5 – Fasting humiliates and weakens the Shaytaan; it weakens the
effects of his whispers (waswaas) on a person and reduces his sins.
That is because the Shaytaan "flows through the son of Adam like
blood" as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said, but fasting narrows the passages through which the Shaytaan
flows, so his influence grows less.
Shaykh al-Islam said in Majmoo' al-Fataawa, 25/246
Undoubtedly blood is created from food and drink, so when a person
eats and drinks, the passages through which the devils flow – which is
the blood – become wide.But if a person fasts, the passages through
which the devils flow become narrow, so hearts are motivated to do
good deeds, and to give up evil deeds.
6 – The fasting person is training himself to remember that Allaah is
always watching, so he gives up the things that he desires even though
heis able to take them, because he knows that Allaah can see him.
7 – Fasting means developing an attitude of asceticism towards this
world and its desires, and seeking that which is withAllaah.
8 – It makes the Muslim get used to doing a great deal of acts of
worship, because the fasting person usually does more acts of worship
and gets used to that.
These are some of the reasons why fasting is enjoined. We ask Allaah
tohelp us to achieve them and to worship Him properly.
And Allaah knows best.

Categories of rulings onfasting

What are the categories of rulings on fasting?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The categories of rulings are five: obligatory (waajib), forbidden
(muharram), encouraged (mustahabb), disliked (makrooh) and permissible
(mubaah). These five rulings have been narrated with regard to
fasting. We cannot list everything that comes under each of these
rulings, but we will mention what we can.
1 – Obligatory fasts
(i) The Ramadaanfast
(ii) Making up missed Ramadaan fasts
(iii) Expiatory fasts (expiation for accidental killing,
expiation for zihaar (a form of jaahili divorce), expiation for having
intercourse during the day in Ramadaan, andexpiation for breaking an
oath)
(iv) Fasting for the pilgrim who does tamattu' in Hajj if
he does not have a sacrificial animal. "and whosoever performs the
'Umrah in the months of Hajj, before(performing) the Hajj, (i.e.
Hajj-at-Tamattu' and Al-Qiraan), he must slaughter a Hady such as he
can afford, but if he cannot afford it, he shouldobserve Sawm (fasts)
three days during the Hajjand seven days after his return (to his
home)" [al-Baqarah 2:196 – interpretation of the meaning].
(v) Fasting in fulfilment of a vow
2 – Mustahabb (encouraged) fasts
(i) Fasting the day of 'Ashoora'
(ii) Fasting the dayof 'Arafah
(iii) Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays each week
(iv) Fasting three days of each month
(v) Fasting six days of Shawwaal
(vi) Fasting most of the month of Sha'baan
(vii) Fasting the month of Muharram
(viii) Fasting alternatedays – which is the best offasting
All of these are proven in hasan and saheeh ahaadeeth, and may be
found on this site.
3 – Makrooh (disliked) fasts
(i) Singling out Friday for fasting – because the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Do not fast
on a Friday unless you fast a day before or a day afterwards." Agreed
upon
(ii) Singling out Saturday for fasting – because the
Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Do not
fast on Saturdays apart from days when you are obliged to fast, even
if one of you cannot find anything other than grape stalks or the bark
ofa tree (to suck on, to make sure that he is not fasting)." Narrated
by al-Tirmidhi, 744, who classed it as hasan. Also narrated by Abu
Dawood, 2421; Ibn Maajah, 1726; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in
Irwa' al-Ghaleel, 960.
Al-Tirmidhi said: What is meant by its being makrooh is that a man
should not single out Saturday for fasting because the Jews venerate
Saturday. End quote.
4 – Forbidden fasts
(i) Fasting on Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and thedays of
Tashreeq, which are the three days after Eid al-Adha.
(ii) Fasting on the "day of doubt" – which is the
thirtieth of Sha'baan, if the sky was cloudy and the new moon could
not be sighted. But if the sky was clear there can be no doubt.
(iii) Fasts observed by women who are menstruating and
bleeding following childbirth.
5 – Permissible fasts – these are fasts that do notcome under any of
the four headings mentioned above.
What is meant by permissible here is that there is no report enjoining
or forbidding fasting on this day in particular, such as Tuesdays and
Wednesdays, even thoughin principle, observing a voluntary fast is an
act of worship that is encouraged.

1c] Ramadan 2012, The 22th Day

1c]
:-> refers to Hejaz and Basra:
Hejaz and Basra
"A fire will emerge from there (Hejaz); it will illuminate the necks
of the camels in Basra..." (Portents of Doomsday, Muhammad b. Rasul
al-Husaynî al-Barjanjî, p. 85)
The Middle East is one of the world's oil-richest regions. The Gulf of
Basra alone contains 2/3 of the world's oil reserves so far
discovered. Research shows that Saudi Arabia alone has proven
reservesof 262 billion barrels, representing 25.4% of all the world's
oil. Iraq has 11% of the world's oil reserves, the United Arab
Emirates 9.6%, Kuwait 9.2%, Iran 8.6%, and other OPEC countries
have13% while the remaining 22.6% belongs to the other countries of
the world.
The way that our Prophet (saas) foretold, 1,400 years ago, how the
MiddleEast would have rich oil reserves and that this oil would be
extracted by machines resembling the necks of camels is both a most
exciting miracle and a great blessing for believers./

1b] Ramadan 2012, The 22th Day

1b]
:-> Philosophical Library, 1987],
1:62-63)
In his book " Evolution: A Theory in Crisis," the molecular biologist
Michael Denton wrote that evolutionists described fish with lungs as a
transitional form between fish and amphibians, but said that the
individual characteristics of fish withlungs "in no way represent a
realistic passage between the two." ("Evolution: A Theory in Crisis",
Michael Denton, Adler and Adler: Bethesda,Maryland, 3rd ed. 1986, p.
109)
The fossil record also deals a heavy blow to evolutionist scenarios
regarding fish with lungs. These have remained unchanged for hundreds
of millions of years and fossils belonging to these creatures are
identical to specimens living today. Not a single fossil exists to
justify the claim that the lungs in this fish developed gradually.
This shows that fish with lungsare rather evidence against evolution,
not for it . It is clear in the light ofthe above facts that the idea
that fish with lungs represent an evolutionaryphase is simply a
fantasy.
What evolutionists are doing is to try to spread a scenario about fish
with lungs as if they were the scientific truth and to ignore the
objections to that scenario that can easily be found in the scientific
literature. This is a blind endeavor to spread Darwinist propaganda
with unscientific myths.
Like all living things, fish with lungs exhibited sublime complexities
far beyond the reach of even the most advanced technologies. And like
all living things they are proof of a flawless Creation. The idea that
fish one day moved from the water to dry land and developed lungs and
feet with the help of blind chance is a myth. The truth is that
Almighty Allah has perfectly createdthese animals.
The Slow Moving Fire That Will İlluminate the Necksof the Camels
Described in the Hadiths Refers to the Oil Wells in the Middle East
Excerpt from Mr. Adnan Oktar's live talk on March 1st, 2012
Our Prophet (saas) says: "A fire will emerge, soon" "that will
illuminate the necks of the camels in Basra". Abu Ya'lâ and Imam Ahmed
relate the following hadith:" A fire will emerge from Habs al-Sayl."
Always the Middle East region, the oil-rich regions, "and will move
slowly, like the gait of a camel" very slowly, fairly slowly, because
a camel walks slowly but it is said, "fairly slowly", "it will move
fairly slowly." "a fire that illuminate the necks of the camels in
Basra from one of the valleys of Hejaz." This time there is mention
to Hejaz, Saudi Arabia, the oil-richest regions: Basra, Saudi Arabia.
The hadith already specifies the locations of the oil regions prior to
1400 years. The reported regions are all oil-rich regions. "The Day of
Reckoning will not come until a fire that will illuminate the necks
of the camels in Basra flows." "Fire flows." What is a flowing fire?
Oil, insha'Allah. Notice now what is related: "It has a neck like a
camel'sneck and it moves very slowly."Let us show that image.
Something related with oil; now this is an apparatus to drill oil
which is employed in every corner of the world.
It moves very slowly. Note that with its apparance, head and bodyit
resembles a camel. It steadily drills oil with dead slow, weighty
movements.
Our Prophet (saas) has provided a detailed description of the End
Times, certainly one of themost important periods inworld history. He
described the social, political and economic developments that will
take place, the natural events, people's appearances, their moral
values and the technological advances of the age. One of the reports
by Rasulullah (saas) regarding the End Times concerns the oil wells in
the Middle East:
Abu Ya'lâ and Imam Ahmed relate the following hadith: "A fire will
emerge from Habs-u Sayl (al-Huseyni) and will move slowly, like the
gait of a camel..."
The Musnad al-Firdawsrelates from Umar (r.a.): "The Day of Reckoning
will not come until a fire that will illuminate the necks of the
camels in Basra emerges from one of the valleys of Hejaz!" (Portents
of Doomsday, Muhammed b. Rasul al-Husaynî al-Barzanjî, p. 85)
The hadith refers to Hejaz and Basra, and speaks of afire that will
illuminate camels' necks and move very slowly
The mechanical arms of the drills used in oil wells look exactly like
the necksof camels, and one featureof these machines is that they move
very slowly and constantly produce oil.
We are all familiar with the flames that emerge from oil wells.
Those flames illuminate the machines in question, just as described in
the hadith.
In another hadith on the same subject our Prophet (saas) refers to
Hejaz and Basra: :->

1a] Ramadan 2012, The 22th Day

1a]
:-> Another beauty that awakes beautiful feelings in the human soul
are sounds. Reason why the music has a very important place in every
era is the deep effect that makes in the human soul. The human soul
takes great enthusiasm, excitement and pleasure from beautiful human
voices, as well as a ripple of flowing water.
Beautiful morality gives the most pleasure to human spirit. Morals of
the Qur'an is the synthesisof all of the beautiful features which
Allah informs that He is pleasedwith. These lofty morals include such
things as sacrifice, being considerate, ccompassion, loyalty, honesty,
justice, loving, beautiful candor, docility, peace, brotherhood,
tolerance, and understanding.
For example, people love and respect a person who gives his or her
meal to poor people although he is himself in need. Similarly honesty
is one ofthe occasions that directs the spirit to positive feelings.
Because people feel love and intimacy for the people who are honest
and have beautifulmorals. Allah created the human soul to have love
and affection for beautifulmorals.
Single responsibility of a person for all of the beauties that Allah
gives him as appealing to the human spirit is properly giving thanks
to Allah andto live a life which Allah ispleased with. The beautiful
results which believers take on the day of judgement and the
punishment which unbelievers will face is informed in a verse as:
What is the Garden promised to those who guard against evil like? It
has rivers flowing under it and its foodstuffs and cool shade never
fail. That is the final fate of those who guard against evil. But the
final fate of the disbelievers is the Fire." (Surat ar-Rad, 35)
The Myth of the Evolution of Fish with Lungs
Evolutionists resort to evolutionist tales regarding fish with lungs
and maintain that these fish were the first vertebrates to move from
water to dry land. However, the idea of the passage from water to dry
land and the role assumed to have been played in this scenario by fish
with lungs stem solely from blind devotionto the theory of
evolution.Evolutionists are unable to produce any concrete evidence to
support their claims. This can clearly be seen from Darwinist
writings. One sees tales about how fish supposedly developed lungs in
order to be able to make use of the oxygen in the air and howtheir
fins turned into feet to enable them to walk on land. But these people
are unable to produce anyfossil evidence for their claims. The reason
for thisis clear: such a passage is entirely imaginary and there is no
scientific evidence to support it.
On the contrary, the scientific evidence refutes these Darwinist
tales. The weakness of the evolutionary myths aboutfish with lungs is
a fact explicitly and frequently brought up even in evolutionist
literature.
Fish with lungs are able tobreathe air and to survive in dry periods
thanks to an astonishing metabolic arrangement and system. These fish,
which have to rise to the surface approximately every 20 minutes, bury
themselves inside a cocoon made of mud in dry seasons when the waters
retract and enter into a kind of summer sleep, known as aestivation.
This time, when their metabolisms slow down enormously, will last for
months, or sometimes even for years,until the rains begin again.
Some evolutionists claim that these creatures are left over from this
so called period, living transitional forms. According to this
entirely imaginary evolutionist fantasy, the fish in question were
imprisonedin very small bodies of water caused by a drought in the
Devonian Period, some 300 million years ago, and learned how to walk
from one pool to another. Some evolutionists regard thesefish as the
supposed ancestors of amphibians (and quadrupeds).
There are enormous difference, in terms of skeletons and organs,
between amphibians and the fish with lungs alleged to be their
ancestors. In a paper published in the Journal ofMolecular Evolution
the researchers C. Marshall and H. P. Schultz wrote that,
"Morphological analysis of the "living fossils," the coelacanth and
lungfish, has only lead to confusion regarding possible evolution of
tetrapods." (Marshall C. and Schultze HP. Journal of Molecular
Evolution 35 (2): 93-101, 1992.)
A paper in the Proceedings of the Linnean Society admitted the dilemma
facing the supposed evolutionary origins of fish with lungs –
portrayed as resting on very sure foundations:
"… the lungfishes, like every other major group of fishes that I know,
havetheir origins firmly based in nothing ." (Quoted in W. R. Bird,
The Origin of Species Revisited [Nashville: Regency, 1991;originally
published by Philosophical Library, 1987],
1:62-63) :->

1] Ramadan 2012, The 22th Day

1]
Allah will say, 'This is the Day when the sincerity of the sincere
will benefit them. They will have Gardens with rivers flowing under
them, remaining in them timelessly, for ever and ever. Allah is
pleased with them and they are pleasedwith Him. That is the
GreatVictory.' (Surat al-Ma'ida, 119)
We asked: "(As for) Paradise, what is its foundation?" He [Prophet
Muhammad (saas)] said:"One brick of gold and onebrick of silver. Its
mortars are of musk of strong scent, its stones are pearls and
emeralds, and its soil is of saffron. Whoever enters it will be in
bliss and not in want, live in bliss and not die, their clothes will
not get old, and their youth will not end." (Ahmad, Tirmidhi)
In Surat al-Kahf, Almighty Allah says, "They will have Gardens of Eden
with rivers flowing under them." The golden rivers of the Garden of
Eden: Allah has caused human beings to have a great love of water.
One's heart melts when one sees water. One does not know why, it is
purely instinctive. It delights one to see water flowing, evenjust a
little from a fountain. Because we will love it in paradise,
insha'Allah. "They will be adorned in them with bracelets made of
gold,..." What is gold? A metal you wear on your arm. Allah has made
us love it. Women love gold. They love to be adorned in gold.Its
appearance is most attractive. People delight in seeing it. It is
lovely to see it on a woman. Why? They know it from paradise.
Instinctively. Gold would be just another metal if Allah did not make
us love it. You may as well wear iron or copper. But Allah makes
uslove it. It takes one's breath away to see it. People will also love
gold in paradise. Touching gold and looking at gold."and wear green
garments made of the finest silk and rich brocade,... " people also
like silk and bright fabrics. Hazrat Hassan and (pbuh) and Hazrat
Hussein (pbuh) always wore silk, masha'Allah. They delighted in it.
"reclining there on couches under canopies." (Surat al-Kahf, 31) They
recline on wide chairs or couches. (A9 TV, May7, 2012)
Beauties of the Paradise Which are Missed In The Life of This World
Allah created a sense for beauty in the souls of humans. However, this
disclosure and the development of aesthetic understanding is directly
related to faith and occasion of his mind won by his faith. Maturation
of a person's faith and his or her longing for paradise, increases the
pleasure one gets from the beauties by the will of Allah.
Allah has informed us about the beauty and the aesthetic understanding
ofthe environment in heaven which is promised to sincere believers in
the Qur'an. As the verses inform us, Almighty Allah equipped paradise
with blessings which the human soul is loves and is mostly affected
by. Allah created people in "beautiful appearance", in an instinct to
enjoy all kinds of beauty, aesthetics and art.
A believer takes great pleasure when he sees similar environments in
paradise as places in this world and gives thanks to Allah for these
blessings.
The human spirit takes indescribable pleasure from the beauties of the
nature, numerous different types of flowers, unique view of green
leaves, and landscapes. Natural beauty and the greenery of lands are
the wonderful blessings of paradise. It is antoher beauty that it is
placed nearby the mansions and shadows, inside gardens and springs.
Here are someother characteristics of paradise from information in the
Quran:
Paradise has a pleasant climate which is informed by another verse
"... neither burning sun nor bitter cold... " (Surat al-Insan, 13)
that never discomforts people. Heat that makes people sweat or
swelter doesn't belongs to there. Allah will place the believers "into
cool, refreshing shade." in the paradise. (Surat an-Nisa', 57)
"Refreshing shade" expression in this verse signs that all media and
conditions in paradise would be willed by peopleand would make people
comfortable and be prepared to comfort people, provide a real sense of
satisfaction for the human soul. Everything and every placein paradise
would be "after one's own heart" fora Muslim.
One of the natural beauties that Allah mostly gave news in the verses
related to paradise is the "outpouring water"(s) (Surat al-Waqi'a, 31)
Human spirit takes great pleasure from water, especially flowing
water. Alake, stream, waterfall or ariver falling through the forest
gives great pleasure to people. Images and sounds of flowing water
give peace and comfort to the human heart. Images and sounds of water
falling from high above gives pleasure to the soul. Aim of the
palaces, mansions or ponds which are made in the gardens ofthe
mansions, pools and fountains or the natural rivers all comes from
this aesthetic longing.:->

Staying up on Laylat al-Qadr and the ruling on celebrating it

How should we spend thenight of Laylat al-Qadr? Is it by praying,
reading Qur'aan and the Seerah (Prophet's biography), listening to
sermons and lessons and celebrating that in the mosque?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
used to strive hard in worship during the last ten nights of Ramadaan
as he did not do at other times, praying and reading Qur'aan.
Al-Bukhaari and Muslim narrated from 'Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased
with her) that when the last ten days of Ramadaan began, the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would stay up at night,
wake his family and tie his lower garmenttight. According to Ahmadand
Muslim: he would strive hard in worship during the last ten nights of
Ramadaan as he did not do at other times.
Secondly:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) urged us to
spend the night of Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the
hope of reward. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be
pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "Whoever spends the night of Laylat al-Qadr in prayer
out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous
sins."
This was narrated by the group apart from Ibn Maajah. This hadeeth
indicates that it is prescribed to stay up and spend this night in
prayer.
Thirdly:
One of the best du'aa's that can be recited on Laylat al-Qadr is that
which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught
'Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her). It was narrated by
al-Tirmidhi, who classed it as saheeh, that 'Aa'ishah said: I said: "O
Messenger of Allaah, If I know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what
should I say?" He said: "Say: Allaahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibb
al-'afwa fa'fu 'anni (O Allaah, You are All-Forgiving and You love
forgiveness so forgive me)."
Fourthly:
With regard to singling out one night of Ramadaan and regarding that
as Laylat al-Qadr, thisrequires evidence. But theodd-numbered nights
during the last ten nights are more likely than others, and the night
of the twenty-seventh is more likely to be Laylat al-Qadr, because of
the ahaadeeth which indicate that.
Fifthly:
With regard to bid'ah (innovation), it is not permissible either in
Ramadaan or at other times. It was proven that the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever innovates
anything in this matter of ours [Islam] that is not part of it will
have it rejected." And he said: "Whoever does any actionthat is not
part of this matter of ours will have itrejected."
With regard to the celebrations that are held on some nights of
Ramadaan, we know of no basis for that. The best guidance is the
guidance of Muhammad and the worst of matters are those which are
innovated.
And Allaah is the Source ofstrength. May Allaah send blessings and
peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.

He fasted before he reached puberty and he forgot to make up some days. Can he make themup after reaching puberty?

When I started middle school – and I was 13 years old at that time – I
broke the fast on three days and forgot about it, and I did not
remember ituntil this year. Now I am sixteen and I have not reached
puberty. Should I make up the fasts only or do I have to do anything
else?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
A child is not obliged to do the obligatory duties of Islam until
after he reaches puberty, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: "The Pen has been lifted from three: from
the insane person who has no control over his reason until he
recovers, from thesleeper until he wakes up,and from the child until
he reaches puberty." Narrated by Abu Dawood (4399); classed as saheeh
by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood. Whatever the child does of
obligatory duties or mustahabb deeds before reaching puberty, he will
be rewarded for them. Whoever performs Hajj when he is a child or
fasts or prays, the reward for that will be written for him in full,
but his Hajj does not count as the obligatory Hajj or Islam, and he
has to do Hajj again after he grows up.
It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) met some
riders in al-Rawha' and hesaid: Who are these people?" They said: We
are Muslims. They said: Who are you? He said: "The Messenger of
Allaah."A woman lifted up a child and said: Is Hajj valid for this
one? He said: "Yes, and you will have the reward." Narrated by Muslim
(1336).
Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
In this report is the evidence for al-Shaafa'i, Maalik, Ahmad and the
majority of scholars, who said that the Hajj of a child counts and is
valid, and he will be rewarded for it, but it does not count as the
obligatory Hajj of Islam, rather it counts as a voluntary Hajj.This
hadeeth is clear on this issue. End quote.
Sharh al-Nawawi (9/99).
Al-Khattaabi said:
It counts as Hajj for him with regard to attaining the reward, but it
is not tobe counted as his obligatory Hajj if he lives until the age
of puberty and reaches manhood. This is like prayer, which he (the
minor) should be told to do if he is able to, although it is not
obligatory for him, but the reward will still be written for him, by
the bounty of Allaah, and it will also be written for the one who
tells him to pray and teaches him to pray.
See: 'Awn al-Ma'bood (5/110).
He is not enjoined to make up the fasts that he missed when he was a
child, and he is not to be enjoined to make up any prayers that he
missed.
Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
As for the days that he missed (of Ramadaan) before reaching puberty,
he does not have to makethem up, whether he fasted them or not. This
isthe view of the majority of scholars. Al-Mughni (3/94).
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
It is not obligatory for a child to fast, but his guardian should tell
him to fast so that he will get used to it. Fasting – for the child
who has not yet reached puberty – is Sunnah, and he will be rewarded
for fasting, but there is no sin on him if he does not fast. End
quote.
Fiqh al-'Ibaadaat (p. 186).
Based on this, you do not have to make up these three days that you
did not fast, because fasting was not obligatory for you. But if you
want to make them up there is nothing wrong with that. You should only
make up the fasts, one day for eachday missed, and you do not have to
do anything else.
Secondly:
You say in your question that you are now 16 yearsold and have not
reached puberty.
But you have in fact reached puberty now, because puberty is reached
when one of three things happens which in the case of the male are:
1- Emission of maniy (semen)
2- Growth of coarse hairaround the private part (pubic hair)
3- Reaching the age of fifteen.
In the case of the female, there is a fourth sign which is the onset
of menstruation.
When one of the signs is established, then puberty has been reached.
It is notessential for all of these signs to be present.
See also question no. 70425 .
As you have reached the age of sixteen, you are considered to be an
adult,so you should act on that basis. The time of childhood and not
being accountable has come to an end, and the angels record everything
that theadult does, good or bad.
"So whosoever does goodequal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant)
shallsee it.
8. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom (or a small
ant) shall see it"
[al-Zalzalah 99:7-8]
And Allaah knows best.

The hadeeth “The sleepof the fasting person is worship” is weak

I heard a khateeb mention a hadeeth from the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him): "The sleep of the fasting person is
worship."
Is this hadeeth saheeh?.
Praise be to Allaah.
This hadeeth is not saheeh, and it is not proven from the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
Al-Bayhaqi narrated in Shu'ab al-Eeman (3/1437) from 'Abd-Allaah ibn
Abi Awfa (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The sleep of the fasting
person is worship, his silence is tasbeeh, his du'aa' is answered and
hisgood deeds will be multiplied." Its isnaad wasclassed as weak by
al-Bayhaqi who said: Ma'roof ibn Hassaan (one of the men in the
isnaad) is da'eef (weak) and Sulaymaan ibn 'Amr al-Nakha'i is weaker
than him. Al-'Iraqi said in Takhreej Ihya' 'Uloom al-Deen (1/310):
Sulaymaan al-Nakha'i is one of the liars. It was classed as da'eef by
al-Manaawi in Fayd al-Qadeer (9293) and it was mentioned by al-Albaani
in Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth al-Da'eefah (4696) who said: It is da'eef.
What the Muslims should do in general – and this applies even more so
to khateebs and daa'iyahs – is to verify reports before attributing a
hadeeth to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him). It is not permissible to attribute to him anything that he
did not say. He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"Telling a lie about me is not like telling a lie about anyone else.
Whoever tells a lie about me deliberately, let him take his place in
Hell." Narratedby al-Bukhaari (1391) andby Muslim in the introduction
to his Saheeh(4).
And Allaah knows best.

Ruling on one who prays but does not pay zakaah or fast, or one who does Hajj but does not pray

I read in some of your answers that if a person fasts but does not
pray then his fasting is not valid. What about the opposite; if a
person praysbut does not fast, or praysbut does not pay Zakat,
orperforms hajj but does not pray?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The one who does not fast Ramadaan because he denies that it is
obligatory is a kaafir and his prayer is not valid. Theone who does
not do it deliberately and out of carelessness is not a kaafir,
according to the correct view, and his prayer is valid. The one who
does not pay the obligatory zakaah because he denies that it is
obligatory is a kaafir and his prayer is not valid.The one who does
not do it deliberately and out of carelessness is not a kaafirand his
prayer is valid. The same applies to Hajj; the one who does not do it
because he denies that it is obligatory is a kaafir, but the one who
does notdo it although he is able to do it is not a kaafir and his
prayer is valid.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah li'l-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wa'l-Ifta (10/143, 144)
The one who does not pray is a kaafir and an apostate according to the
correct scholarly view, so no act of worship that he does is valid.