Jaabir, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, say: “There is an hour during the night in which no Muslim individual will ask Allah for good in this world and the next without His giving it to him - and this applies to every night.” [Muslim]
A servant of Abu Rayhaan, may Allah be pleased with him, who was one of the companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Once Abu Rayhaan, may Allah be pleased with him, returned from a battle and had dinner with his family and then requested water so that he could perform ablution. He then entered his praying area and started praying the optional night prayer (Qiyaam) and continued to pray until the call for the Fajr prayer was made. His wife then came to him and said: ‘You were exhausted fighting and immediately after that you spent the entire night praying. Do I not have any rights over you?’ He, may Allah be pleased with him, replied: ‘Indeed you do, but I was so overwhelmed that I did not realise that the night had finished.’ She asked: ‘What was it that preoccupied your mind all night long?’ He, may Allah be pleased with him, replied: ‘I was thinking about the pleasures of Paradise and its description until I heard the call for the Fajr prayer.’”
Is’haaq ibn Ibraheem At-Tabari, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “I never saw anyone fearing for himself the punishment (of the Hereafter) or having the hope of being amongst those who would be rewarded more than Al-Fudhayl, may Allah have mercy upon him. His recitation during the prayer was slow and he sounded gloomy - as if he was conversing with someone by his recitation. Whenever he read a verse that mentioned Paradise, he would repeat it and supplicate to Allah to admit him into it. His night prayer was very long and he had a mat in the mosque to sleep on whenever he felt sleepy. He would begin praying and whenever he felt sleepy he would lie down for a while, then wake up and resume praying. If he again felt drained, he would lie down again. This continued all night long until it was time for the Fajr prayer.”
Rajaa’ ibn Muslim Al-‘Abdi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “We used to spend the night in the house of ‘Ajradah Al-‘Amiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon her, and she would pray all night long. In the last part of the night, we would hear her say (aloud) in an extremely heartrending tone: ‘O Allah! The devout worshippers have spent all night praying to please You in the hope of being worthy of Your Mercy and Forgiveness, so I ask You to make me among those who rush towards You in obedience and to make my rank (in the Hereafter) among those who are near to You, and to make me among your righteous slaves. Indeed, You are the Greatest, the Most Merciful, and You are indeed the Most Generous.’ She would then prostrate and cry and supplicate until it was time to pray the Fajr prayer. She did this for thirty consecutive years.”
Moosa ibn Tareef, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “The servant of ‘Ali ibn Bakkaar, may Allah have mercy upon him, would lay down a mat for him to sleep on, touch it with his hand, and say: ‘I swear by Allah that you are soft and comfortable, but also I swear by Allah that I will not sleep on you tonight!’ Having prayed all night long, he would pray the Fajr prayer with the same ablution as that of his ‘Ishaa’ Prayer.”
Ibn Sa’d, may Allah have mercy upon him, said describing Sulaymaan At-Taymi, may Allah have mercy upon him: “He was one of the most devout worshippers. He was a scholar in the science of Hadith and was a trustworthy and honest man. He would pray all night long with the same ablution of the ‘Ishaa’ prayer. He and his son would go around to the different mosques praying in each one of them until it was time to pray the Fajr prayer.”
Al-Hasan Al-Karaabeesi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “I spent many nights at the house of Imaam Ash-Shaafi’i, may Allah have mercy upon him, and he would pray one third of the night. However, he never recited more than fifty verses during his prayer, because whenever he would recite a verse that mentions the Mercy of Allah, he would ask Allah to be merciful with him, and whenever he would recite a verse that mentions the punishment of Allah, he would ask Allah to protect him from such punishment.”
Umm Sa’eed, may Allah have mercy upon her, said: “We had a short fence separating our house from that of Daawood At-Taa’i’s, and I used to hear a constant droning all night long. At times he would sit to recite parts of the Qur’an just before the time of the Fajr prayer, and I felt as if he enjoyed all the pleasures of the world by his recitation.”
Sa’eed ibn ‘Aamir, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Ayyoob As-Sikhtiyaani, may Allah have mercy upon him, used to pray all night long and would conceal this from people. When it was close to the time of the Fajr prayer, he would raise his voice as if he had just woken up.”
Ibn Shubrumah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Zubayd, may Allah have mercy upon him, used to divide the night into three parts between him and his two sons. He would pray the first third of the night and then wake his first son up to pray, and if his son was sluggish or sleepy and could not wake up, he would pray his share. When it was time for his second son to pray, he would wake him up, and if he was sluggish or sleepy and could not wake up, he would pray his share as well.”
Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/
Let us resolve to shape our lifetime and eternity
The best thing about the month of Ramadan is that it is a time of purification. And because of that we would like to make our point to in a pure, plain, and blunt manner. We hope that you will agree with me that certain issues must be dealt with head on, and that it makes good sense, sometimes, to talk and listen to one another in a way that shows we have the courage to stand our ground no matter how hard the consequences may be.
Ramadan is a time of abstinence from our everyday luxuries. But it is not only food and drink that we are referring to. As Ramadan approaches many of us, or so we hope, will resolve to do away with music and television and the stronger of us may even give up the Internet except for what is seriously essential. Free from these daily distractions we have a hope of focusing our attention on the only thing that matters: becoming mindful of the Almighty and drawing closer to Him. We will watch our language and carefully guard our speech to avoid backbiting or lying. We frequent the masjid and those of us who would otherwise miss prayer become more heedful.
Our Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, told that when Ramadan comes the gates of Paradise are opened and the devils are chained. We are told to fast for the sole purpose of gaining Taqwa (consciousness of Allah). Allah says in the Qur’an (what means): “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it has been prescribed upon those before you, so that you may attain Taqwa.” [Qur’an, 2:183] Ramadan is the month when our sins are forgiven, our prayers answered, our good deeds multiplied. One would be a fool not to take advantage of it.
But we’d like to present ourselves and our fellow young Muslims with a challenge this Ramadan. Rather, we should say, after this Ramadan.
Let us ask a few questions that we are sure have faced all of us after the conclusion of this month. Is our journey towards Taqwa exclusive to only one month of the year? After ‘Eid Al-Fitr passes, do we just no longer desire closeness to Allah? Are we so inescapably addicted to the diversions of this worldly life that we cannot stray from them for but one month of the year? This may end up being the case, but why must it be so? Ramadan is undoubtedly a special month. We are motivated to do good deeds during this period more than any other time of the year.
And so here is where the challenge comes in. We must continue our gracious struggle towards Taqwa throughout the year, indeed, throughout our lives. As Muslims, we practise our religion in every aspect of our existence, at every moment we live. Islam is not simply a religion we adopt once a week, or once a year. It is a constant effort to gain greater faith through all of our actions, day and night, Ramadan or not.
We ask our fellow brothers and sisters not to go back to life of vain pursuits after a long month of fast. To continue watching their tongues, and being observant of their prayer. It will be a struggle, no doubt, but Allah promises help those who strive for His sake saying (what means): “As those who strive in Our cause, We will surely guide them in Our paths. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.” [Qur’an, 29:69]
A mission even as simple as “doing good” is extremely difficult at first, with Satan’s whispers deafening our ears and the worldly life’s pleasures blinding our eyes. But according to Allah’s promise, if we patiently persevere, Allah will guide us, thus making our paths easier. So as difficult as it may sound now, giving up the things that take us away from Allah will get easier every day, until it becomes natural. It is in man’s innate nature to seek Allah, so it cannot be so hard after all.
Allah says in a Hadith Qudsi: “And if he (My Slave) draws near to Me a hand’s span, I draw near to him an arm’s length; and if he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw near to him a fathom’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
If we continue to make an effort to reach Allah, He will make our sacrifices easier and reward us thereafter.
This year, let us make our Ramadan resolutions last a lifetime. Let us have the intention of transformation. Let us struggle for the sake of Allah day after day. Let us chain Satan and work hard to keep our gates to Paradise wide open even after Ramadan. Let us give the fruits of our fasting a true chance to last more than a month, a chance of influence our everyday lives, and eventually our Hereafter.
Let us resolve to shape our lifetime and our eternity.
Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/
Blessing in Suhoor
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam (may Allah exalt his mention), said: “Take Suhoor as there is a blessing in it.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] In this Hadith (narration), there is an injunction to take Suhoor, which means eating and drinking directly before dawn in order to get ready to fast that day. The wisdom underlying this order is also mentioned: namely, the blessing it contains.
Blessing is the descent of divine goodness in something and being fixed therein.
Blessing also means the increase of goodness, reward and all the useful things needed by a slave in the life of this world and in the Hereafter.
Blessing comes from Allah The Almighty and cannot be attained except by obeying Him.
It is noticed that some of those who fast do not heed the importance of having the Suhoor meal and delaying it; they may even abandon it entirely. They might take a meal at midnight or before sleeping at night, whether because of the worry that they may not wake up on time, or because of their desire to sleep longer, or their indifference to Suhoor and its blessings, or their ignorance of the matter. This is a mistake that should be avoided as it contradicts the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) and deprives one of the blessings of Suhoor.
A person who intends to fast should take Suhoor and delay it until directly before dawn, even if the Suhoor is only a little as this has numerous benefits and great blessings. Among its blessings is that it constitutes obeying the command of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, mentioned in the Hadith: “Take Suhoor as there is a blessing in it.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] This favour and honour (i.e., obeying the command of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) is enough.
Allah The Almighty Says (what means):
* {He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah} [Qur’an 4:80]
* {And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.} [Qur’an 33:71]
Among its blessings is that it distinguishes Muslims as it contradicts the practice of the People of the Book. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The difference between our fasting and that of the People of the Book is eating Suhoor (shortly before dawn).” [Muslim]
Another blessing is that it fosters prosperity and preserves it. It was reported on the authority of Sahl ibn Sa’d As-Saa’idi, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The people will continue to prosper as long as they hasten to break the fast and delay the Suhoor.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Among the blessings of Suhoor is that it gives the strength needed to perform acts of obedience, helps in performing acts of worship and increases one’s stamina and ability to work. A hungry and thirsty person is stricken by laziness.
Among the blessings of Suhoor is attaining the salutations of Allah The Exalted and His angels: “Allah and his angels definitely send salutations on those who eat Suhoor.” [Ibn Hibbaan and At-Tabaraani in Al-Awsat] [Al Albaani: Hasan]
In addition, Suhoor prevents one from indulging in bad behaviour and misdemeanour that may result from hunger.
Moreover, the time of Suhoor is a blessed one. It is the time when Allah The Almighty descends in a way that befits His Glory and Majesty with His glory and greatness. The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Our Lord, The Blessed, The Superior, comes down every night to the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: ‘Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?’” [Al-Bukhari]
Also among the blessings is that this is one of the best times for seeking forgiveness, if not the best ever. Allah The Exalted praises those who seek forgiveness at this specific time. Allah The Almighty Says (what means):
* {and those who seek forgiveness before dawn.} [Qur’an 3:17]
* {And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness} [Qur’an 51:18].
Thus, waking up for Suhoor is a reason for obtaining this bounty and attaining the various blessings of seeking forgiveness.
Furthermore, one of the blessings of Suhoor is that it makes it more likely for a person to answer the call to Fajr prayer, and it is well known that this has great rewards. It guarantees performing the Fajr prayer on time in congregation.
Moreover, among the blessings of Suhoor is that eating this meal is considered an act of worship in itself, if by doing so one intends to increase one’s strength and use it in obeying Allah and intends to follow and adhere to the way of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Besides, if the one who intends to fast takes Suhoor, he will not get tired of fasting; rather, he will long for it. On the other hand, those who do not take Suhoor find great hardship in fasting that makes it difficult for them to fast again.
Among the blessings of Suhoor is that Allah The Almighty places goodness in the activities of the one who partakes Suhoor, so that he is guided to doing good deeds on that day. He finds the energy to perform obligatory and voluntary acts of worship, recite Athkaar (words of remembrance), enjoin good and forbid evil and so on. Otherwise, if he does not take Suhoor, fasting may make it difficult for him to perform all these things.
The blessings of Suhoor are too many to be counted. Allah The Almighty, in His Shari’ah, has wisdom and secrets that are astounding to the minds, and that only a few may realise. However, we should remember these great meanings and remind others of them.
Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/
Mistakes made in Suhoor
Some of the mistakes that fasting people make in regard to Suhoor are:
1-Some people do not have Suhoor and this is contrary to the Sunnah. It is from the guidance of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, to have Suhoor if the person intends to observe obligatory or voluntary fasting. Urging Muslims to have Suhoor. He, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said:
“Have Suhoor, as indeed there is a blessing in it.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
“The difference between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is the (meal of) Suhoor.” [Muslim]
Moreover, Suhoor helps the Muslim to fast, and it is a blessed act of the Sunnah, so it should not be overlooked.
2- Having Suhoor early in the middle of the night or one or two hours before dawn is also contrary to the Sunnah. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Hasten to (eating) Iftaar (in Ramadan immediately when the time is due), and delay (eating) Suhoor.” [At-Tabaraani] It is an act of the Sunnah to have Suhoor just before dawn (about half an hour before it).
3- Continuing to eat (Suhoor) even after hearing the Fajr prayer Athaan. Out of prudence for one’s fasting, one should stop having his Suhoor two or three minutes before or at most when he hears the Athaan for Fajr.
