Ramadan Articles - Just a Few More Days to Ramadhan:What Should You Do?

Days pass by, from one year to another, bringing the glad tidings of
the coming of the blessed month ofRamadanand announcing various forms
of blessings: ease in performing acts of righteousness, and abdundance
in mercy, forgiveness, and finally, salvation from Hell. InRamadan,
the valuesof love, brotherhood, tolerance, patience, open-handedness,
and generosity prevail, the ranks of the believers are raised, and the
manners of the fasting people are refined – all out of the Mercy of
Allaah The Almighty, Lord of the Worlds.
Al-Hasan Al-Basrisays,"Allaah The Almighty made the month of Ramadan a
racetrack where His creatures compete in obeying Him to attain His
Pleasure. Some people come first and thus have won; others remain
behind and thus have lost. How amazing is the runner who laughs on the
day when the doers of good win and the doers of falsehood lose!"
As the month ofRamadanapproaches, I advise myself and you to do the following:
Supplicate Allaah The Almighty tokeep you alive until the coming ofRamadan:
It was narrated on the authority of Anas ibn Maalikthat when the month
ofRajabcomes, the Prophet,, said:"O Allaah, bless Rajab and Sha'baan
for us, and let us live till the coming of Ramadan."]Ahmad and
At-Tabaraani[ For that reason, Ibn Rajabsays,"The hearts of the
believers long for the coming of this month and feel pained at its
departure."
Thank Allaah The Almighty for witnessing this month:
Obeying Allaah The Almighty is the greatest blessing Allaah The
Almighty grants the slave. The Prophet,, said:"Ramadan hascome to you.
It is a blessed month that Allaah The Almighty prescribed fasting
during it and wherein the gates of heavens areopen, the gates of Hell
are shut, and the rebellious devils are chained. Allaah placed a
night, which is better than one thousand months, in this month.The
Muslim who misses the goodness of this night is the real
loser."]A-Nasaa'i and Al-Bayhaqi[
Ibn Rajabsays,"This Hadeeth is the basis for congratulating Muslims on
the coming of Ramadan. Why should it not be when the believer is given
the glad tidings of opening the gatesof Paradise? Why should it not
bewhen the sinner is given the gladtidings of closing the gates of
Hell? Why should it not be when the wise man is given the glad tidings
of a period of time in which the devils are chained?"
In his bookAl-Athkaar,Imaam An-Nawawisays,"It is recommended for the
person who experiences an obvious favor or is protected from an
obvious curse that he prostrates in gratefulness to Allaah The
Almighty or praises Him duly."
Rejoice at the special virtues of the month:
The virtues of the month ofRamadaninclude opening the gates of
Paradise, closing the gates of Hell, forgiveness of sins, showering
with mercy, and granting safety from Hellfire. Here is an amazing
story teachingus that a single month ofRamadanmay unimaginably raisea
person's degree in Paradise.
It was narrated on the authority of Talhah ibn 'Ubaydillaahthat there
were two men from the tribe of Baliyy who came to the Prophet,, and
embraced Islam at the same time. One of them was more active in
worshipthan the other, and it happened that the active one was
martyredin a battle and the other one lived for one more year.
Talhahsaid, "I saw in my dream that I was at the gate of Paradiseand
the two men were standing there. Someone came out and gave permission
to the man who lived for one more year to enter Paradise, then gave
permission to the martyr. He then returned to me and told me to go
back forpermission had not been given tome yet."
In the morning, Talhahrelated to the people what he saw and they were
surprised to know this. When the news of thisstory reached the
Prophet,hesaid:"Why should you be surprised?"They said, "O Messenger
of Allaah, the man who was martyred was more active in worship, but
the other one entered Paradise before him." The Prophetsaid:"Did he
not live for one more year?"They answered in the affirmative."Did he
not fast for one more Ramadan,"the Prophetcontinued,"and prayed
such-and-such a number of prostrations in this year?"They answered in
the affirmative. The Prophetsaid:"The difference between them is equal
to the distance between the heavens and the earth."]Al-Munthiri: Hasan
and Ibn Hibbaan:Saheeh[
Determine to give up sins and repent
Ramadanis considered the actualbeginning of the year because the deeds
of the year are submitted in the month ofSha'baan. In that
sense,Ramadanmarks the beginning ofa new year after the submission of
deeds. Therefore, the Muslim needs to turn over a new leaf with Allaah
The Almighty, and this requires repentance from all sins, giving them
up, and not returning to them.Ramadanis the month of repentance, and
if aperson misses this opportunity, when will he repent? Allaah The
Almighty Says )what means(:
*.}And turn to Allaah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you
might succeed.{]Quran 24:31[
*.}Oyou who have believed, repent to Allaah with sincere
repentance.{]Quran 66:8[
O Allaah, I repent to You from thecountless sins I have committed, and
I complain to You from the misdeeds and faults that afflict me!

Ramadan Articles - Reaping the benefits of Ramadan

One of the virtuous callers to Islam told me the story of a young man
who had not reached seventeen years of age. That young man had a great
zeal forDa'wah)calling to Islam( and waspreoccupied with it all the
time. He used to prepare himself to perform good and righteous deeds
with the advent ofRamadan. For example, he used to stand by the side
of a street before the time ofIftaar)time of breaking the fast( for
over a quarter of an hour and then he would go to the areas where
there were frequent traffic jams and distribute dates and cakes among
the fasting people to break their fast with. He also used to
distributeDa'wahrelatedpamphlets and periodicals that encourage the
spread of the religion, virtuous conduct and noble morals. He used to
do this for many years with a bright smile and a face shining with the
light of faith.
One day while doing this righteous act at the traffic light, a
speeding car hit him and killed him. He died while he was fastingand
providing fasting people with something to break their fast, pleasing
them and their children and makingDa'wahto Allaah The Almighty. What
an excellent deed! May Allaah accept him in Paradise!
This story affected me and reminded me of theHadeeth)narration(
narrated by Anaswhere the Messenger of Allaah,, said:"'When Allaah
wants good for a slave, He employs him.'He was asked, 'How does
Heemploy him, O Messenger of Allaah?' The Messenger of
Allaahreplied:'He grants him success to do what is good before he
dies.'"]At-Tirmithi:Hasan Saheeh[
There is an enormous difference between that young callerand many
Muslims worldwide who witness manyRamadanswithout seizing the great
and rare opportunities available therein. There is a great difference
between those who utilize their time by performing acts of obedience
and those who waste it by committing vices.
If we were to think long and hard and use our minds in order to
reflect upon how to seize the opportunities and reap the benefits of
this month, we wouldno doubt come up with numerous ideas and means.
Consequently, we would realize the value of this great month andits
multiple blessings that we arenot aware of.
Many channels of good deeds, means of reforming thoughts
andDa'wahprojects could be implemented in this noble month. Thus, we
would lead the way of righteous people in utilizing their time in a
way that benefits ourUmmah)Muslim nation( and society.
Why isRamadana chance of a lifetime?
If we think deeply about our livesand time, we would have no doubt
that in each second and minute we live there are many chances that
never return again. The long line of days that we spend joyfully
toiling to reach a beloved goal are surely struck off from our life
forever, whether realize this or not. There is no escape from Allaah
The Almighty except by returning to Him, utilizing our time in doing
good deeds and abandoning frivolous play and wasting time that will
culminate and cause regret and bitterness later on in life. Some
people will say upon death as Allaah The Almighty Says )what
means(:}…until, when death comes to one of them, he says,"My Lord,
send me backthat I might do righteousness in that which I left
behind."{]Quran 23:99[
One of the greatest chances, rather the most comprehensive chance and
the most important of all opportunities inRamadan,is that of
worshipping Allaah The Almighty, fulfilling His rights, resorting to
Him, and beseechingHim. This is the real great chance in life and the
Universe, and any other chance is but a branch of this great origin,
from which all other aspects of our deeds, worship and dealings stem.
Seize your chances
Different people receiveRamadanin various ways. Some receive it by
indulging in play and means ofentertainment, some receive it
byconsuming food and drinks, others receive it by scheduling time to
follow programs and soap operas on TV, and so on. These are the ways
of the heedless people who are unaware of the merits, virtues and
importance of the rites ofRamadan.
However, the believers who hasten to do good deeds receiveRamadanby
hurrying to do righteous deeds and avoiding evildeeds, bearing in mind
the verse in which Allaah The Almighty Says)what means(:}And hasten to
forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and the
earth, prepared for the righteous{]Quran 3:133[
Those who hasten to do good deeds and seize opportunities usually look
forward to and long for all the opportunities for performing acts of
righteousnessand the ways leading to the pleasure of Allaah The
Almighty, seeking His satisfaction and fearing His painful punishment.
They know for sure that Allaah The Almighty urges His slaves to hasten
to do goodness. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:
*.}So race to ]all that is[ good.{]Quran 2:148[
*.}O you who have believed, when ]the Athaan[ is called for the prayer
on the day of Jumu'ah ]Friday[, then proceed to the remembrance of
Allaah{]Quran 62:9[
Moreover, they know that they contradict the Quranic methodology if
they hasten and race towards worldly gains. Allaah The Almighty Says
)what means(:
*.}so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision{]Quran 67:15[
*.}do not forget your share of the world{]Quran 28:77[
The believers notice that the command to hasten came in the context of
doing good deeds andseeking the reward of the Hereafter, whereas there
is no hastening or racing mentioned inthe context of seeking worldly
temporal gains. Therefore, AllaahThe Almighty urges hastening in
seeking the Hereafter and remembering Him. On the other hand, in the
context of worldly matters He Says )what means(:}So walk among its
slopes{]Quran 67:15[ There is a significant difference between
hastening or racing and walking. Therefore, Allaah The Almighty made
hastening and racing the basis of the slave's deed to gain the reward
of Allaah The Almighty in the Hereafter. On the other hand, Allaah The
Almighty Says about the worldly affairs)what means(:}do not forget
yourshare of the world{]Quran 28:77[
When we reconsider these verses, it becomes clear that "walking" is
used in the context of seeking worldly life because it is an instinct
in humans and these natural instincts do not need special commandments
or require arousing of the desire to perform them . However, people
are addressed by theSharee'ah)Islamic legislation( to seek the reward
of the Hereafter -- an act that necessitates hastening. Human beings
do not need encouragement to be enthusiastic about pursuing gains in
the worldly life unlike good deeds which need encouragement.
The best and most worthwhile manner to seize the opportunities
presented byRamadanis by fulfilling the rightsof Allaah The Almighty.

Ramadan Articles - Ten Ways to Receive Ramadan

Muslims should not neglect the seasons of worship; rather, they must
be among the first to excel in and compete in them. Allaah The
Almighty Says )what means(:}So for this let the competitors
compete.{]Quran 83:26[
So, we must try our best to receive the month ofRamadanin the
following recommended ways:
The first way:Supplicate Allaah The Almighty to keep you alive and in
good health untilRamadancomes so that you will be able to actively
worship AllaahThe Almighty. It was narrated on the authority of Anas
ibn Maalikthat when the month ofRajabcame, the Prophet,, said:"O
Allaah, bless Rajab and Sha'baan for us, and let us live tillthe
coming of Ramadan."]Ahmad and At-Tabaraani[ The righteous predecessors
used to supplicate Allaah The Almighty tolet them live until the
coming ofRamadanand to accept it from them. At the sighting of the new
moon, supplicate Allaah The Almighty saying:"O Allaah, let this moon
come to us with security and faith; with safety and Islam; and
guidance to what You love and approve. My Lord and your Lord is
Allaah."]At-Tirmithi, Ad-Daarimi, and Ibn Hibbaan:Saheeh[
The second way:Thanking Allaah The Almighty for attending this month.
In his bookAl-Athkaar,Imaam An-Nawawisays,"It is recommended for the
person who experiences an obvious favor or is protected from an
obvious curse that he prostrates in gratefulness to Allaah The
Almighty or praises Him duly."Among the greatest blessings Allaah The
Almighty grants the slave is guiding him to obedienceand worship.
WhenRamadancomes and the Muslim is in good health, this is a great
blessing worthy of thankfulness and it requires the praise of Allaah
The Almighty Who bestows it. All perfect and continuous praise be to
Allaah The Almighty as suits the majesty of His Face and His Great
Authority.
The third way:Happiness and joy.The Prophet,, was authentically
reported to have congratulated his Companions onthe coming ofRamadan.
The Prophet,, said:"Ramadan hascome to you. It is a blessed month
during which Allaah The Almighty Prescribed fasting and in this month
the gates of the heavens are open and the gates of Hell are
shut…"]Ahmad[ Our righteous predecessors, the Companions of the
Prophet,, and those who followed them in the best way, used to take
great care of the month ofRamadanand were happy with its arrival.
There is no happiness greater than receiving the news of the approach
ofRamadan, the season of blessings and the descent of mercy.
The fourth way:Planning in advance how to benefit
fromRamadan.Unfortunately, many people -- even practicing Muslims--
draw detailed plans for worldlyaffairs of this life, whereas only a
few of them plan for the affairs of the Hereafter. This results from
the lack of awareness aboutthe mission of the believer in thislife, or
forgetting or deliberately ignoring that there are numerous chances
for the Muslim with Allaah The Almighty and important periods of time
totrain oneself in to be firm in this regard. Planning for the affairs
ofthe Hereafter includes planning to investRamadanin acts of worship.
A Muslim must put a practical plan into action that spans the days and
nights ofRamadanin obedience to Allaah The Almighty. This message is
supposed to help the person spend the duration of Ramadan in obeying
Allaah The Almighty – Allaah willing.
The fifth way:Beingsincerely determined to be among the believers who
achieve success and felicity inRamadanand fill itsdays with righteous
deeds. If a Muslim is true to Allaah The Almighty, He will fulfill His
promise to him, help him in worship, and facilitate the ways of
goodness for him. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}If they had
been true to Allaah, it would have been better for them.{]Quran 47:21[
The sixth way:Learning and understanding theFiqhrulings related to
fasting inRamadan.The believer has to worship Allaah The Almighty with
knowledge, and is not excused for his ignorance of the obligations
Allaah The Almighty prescribed for people. This includes fasting
inRamadan. TheMuslim is obliged to learn the issues and rulings
related to fasting before the coming ofRamadanso that his fasting will
be correct and accepted by AllaahThe Almighty Who Says )what
means(:}So ask the people of themessage if you do not know.{]Quran
21:7[
The seventh way:We have to receive this month with the decision to
give up sins and misdeeds, sincerely repent of them all, stop them,
and not commit them again.Ramadanis the month of repentance and if a
person misses this chance, when will he repent? Allaah The Almighty
Says )what means(:}And turn to Allaah in repentance, all of you, O
believers, that you might succeed.{]Quran 24:31[
The eighth way:Being spiritually and psychologically prepared.This
could be done by reading books and articles, and listening to
beneficial lectures and discourses which highlight the virtues and
rulings of fasting, so that the soul is prepared for worship in this
month. The Prophet,, used to prepare the souls of his Companions to
utilize this meritorious month by saying on the last day
ofSha'baan:"Ramadan has come toyou…"]Ahmad and An-Nasaa'i[
The ninth way:Prepare oneself well for calling to Allaah The Almighty
inRamadan. This can be done in the following ways:
1- Preparing short sermons and lessons to be given in the
neighbourhood Masjid if possible.
2- Distributing some booklets and articles of admonition and
jurisprudence related toRamadanto the worshipers and people in your
area.
3- Preparing some gifts forRamadan,which could be envelopes containing
two tapes and a booklet marked "Gift forRamadan."
4- Reminding people of our duties towards the poor and needy and
giving them charity andZakaah)obligatory charity(.
The tenth way:We receive the month of Ramadan by opening a bright new page with:
a- Allaah The Almighty by sincerely repenting to Him.
b- The Messenger of Allaah,, by obeying his orders and avoiding what
he prohibited and warned against.
c- Parents, relatives, and one's spouse and children by being dutiful
to them and maintaining ties with them
d- Society by being a righteous and useful person. The Prophet,,
said:"The best of people is the one who benefits them most."
This is how the Muslim receives the month ofRamadanlike a barren land
which is in need of water, a patient when he sees the doctor and the
lover when hereceives his long-awaited absent loved one.
O Allaah, Keep us alive till the coming ofRamadanand accept itfrom us!
Indeed, You are The Hearing The Knowing!

Ramadan Articles - When the Night Equals a Thousand

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 towards the heavens praying for the
blessed rain to come. Then, to theastonishment of Musa
(alayhis-salaam) and all those watching, the few 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
BaniIsraa'eel who had disobeyed Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) for more
than forty years of his life. "Let him separate himself from
thecongregation," Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) told Musa
(alayhis-salaam). "Only then shall Ishower 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 thecongregation 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 that he was the one.
The man knew that if he stayed amongst the congregation all would die
of thirst and that if hestepped forward he would be 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 poured down 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, the clouds hugged the sky and
the rain poured. Musa (alayhis-salaam) asked Allah (Subhanahu wa
ta'ala), "O Allah, you blessed us with rain eventhough the sinner did
not come forward." And Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) replied, "O Musa,
itis 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 exposehim?"
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 Mujaahidthat there was a man
from Bani Israa'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, standingin prayer on that night is better
than the actions ofthat man.
Sufyaan ath-Thawree reports, on the authority of Mujaahid (also), that
the night 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 thousand months' 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 month in which Allah has made it obligatory for you to
fast; in it the gatesof Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are
closed and the devils are chained. In it is a night better than a
thousand months, whoever loses the benefit of it has lost something
irreplaceable.'"(Narratedby 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 dayand 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 the last 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.
Laylatul Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has
indeed missed a great amount ofgood. 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 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 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 tomake 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! You
are forgiving, and you love forgiveness.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 tightenhis 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) on the last ten than on other nights."
[Muslim]
Have we estimated Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) correctly?
The opportunity of Laylatul Qadr is coming inthe 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 ofthose who found an opportunity and won that
which is greater than the heavens and theearth. An adult companion of
the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) cultivated his garden next
to the property of an orphan. The orphan 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 hisjustness,
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,
thecompanion 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 DahDaah - 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 havethat tree in Jannah?" The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu
alaihi wa sallam) replied,"Yes."
Abu Dah Daah chased after the 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 wasallam) stood over his slain body 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.
Abu Dah Daah did not miss his opportunity, andI pray to Allah
(Subhanahu wa ta'ala) that we do not miss our 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 as is due to Him. On
the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be but His
handful, and the heavens will be rolledup 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 everythingbelongs to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala)
and everything shall come back to him. Sit andtry 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 and ingratitude."
(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 our hearts 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
haveseen it humble itself and split asunder in fear of Allah."(Surat
al-Hashr, Ayat 21).
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 journeyto 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 forgiven by Allah,
Glorious and Most High.