THE SACRED MONTHS

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BISMILLAH-IR-RAHMAN-IR-RAHIM

‘Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them.’

Qur’an 9:36

The ending of the above verse is a warning from Allah ﷻ to emphasize the sanctity of these months with the instruction of not engaging in sins during them. Engaging in sins in any month, at any time is wrong but Allah ﷻ made sins during these months severe. Likewise, righteous deeds have more reward so a person should choose which group they want to belong and strive towards attaining it.

Ibn Kathir رَحِمَهُ ٱللّٰهُ‎ writes in His Tafsir of Suratul Tawbah vs 36  that Qatadah رَحِمَهُ ٱللّٰهُ‎ explained the phrase ‘so do not wrong yourself during them’ He said: ‘Injustice (injustice in this context refers to committing a wrongdoing against yourself by sinning) during the Sacred Months is worse and graver than injustice in other months. Verily, injustice is always wrong, but Allah ﷻ makes things graver than others as He will.’ He added ‘Allah ﷻ has chosen some of His creation above others. He chose Messengers from angels and from men. He also chose His Speech above all speech, the Masajid above other areas of the earth, Ramadan and the Sacred Months above all months, Friday above the other days and Laylatul-Qadr (The night of Qadr) above all night. Therefore, sanctify what Allah ﷻ has sanctified, for doing so is the practice of people of understanding and comprehension.’

How can we sanctify these months? By doing what we are commanded and refraining from SINS.

The Prophet ﷺ  informs us of the 4 Sacred Months:  It was narrated from Abu Bakrah رضي الله عنه, from the Prophet ﷺ : “The division of time has turned to its original form which was current when Allah ﷻ created the heavens and the earth. The year is twelve months, out of which four are sacred: three are in succession Dhul-Qa‘dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of Mudar which comes between Jumaada (Ath-Thaniyah) and Sha‘baan.” Sahih Bukhari.

Allah choose these months to be sacred and we should maximise them by engaging in good deeds in them. It is from the mercy of Almighty Allah ﷻ that we have seasons to earn more rewards for acts of worship. So, capitalizing on these months should be our goals.

Moreover, there are historical reasons why the Arabs in the period of jahiliyyah (ignorance) considered these months to be sacred before it was confirmed by Allah ﷻ in the Qur’an. It was sacred to the Arabs due to the Hajj pilgrimage and they refrained from fighting in them. This was to allow pilgrims perform Hajj and Umrah with ease. Dhul-Qadah, the month before Hajj was made sacred because they avoided fighting during that month. Dhul-Hijjah because it is the month of Hajj during which Hajj rituals were performed. Muharram the month after Dhul-Hijjah was made sacred so that the pilgrims can return safely after engaging in Hajj. Rajab which is in the middle of the lunar year was made sacred so that those coming from the farthest area of Arabia are able to perform Umrah and visit The House (Kabah) and then return to their areas safely.  

Besides, when the Prophet ﷺ and the Muslims from the tribe of Banu Hashim and Banu Al-Muttalib were boycotted by the Quraysh in Makkah. They resorted to withdraw and live in Shib-e Abu Talib (the valley of Abu Talib) He ﷺ used to go to the Kabah and preach during the Sacred Months to the Pilgrims because violence was considered sacrilege during them. The Muslims were also allowed more freedom in their movements during them. This shows the reverence the Arabs had for this month in the pre-Islamic era. If the Arabs can give reverence to what is due before they became Muslims, we as Muslims should revere it further by refraining from sins and intensifying acts of worship during them. This should be our goal in these month and May Almighty Allahﷻ make us obedient slaves who obey His command and worship Him.

A very short video emphasising the superiority of engaging in righteous actions in the Sacred Months. 🙂

PS: we are still in a sacred month (Dhul-Hijjah) and another (Muharram) is coming in few days.

I hope you have learnt something new from this post about the Sacred months in Islam?  Is there any other information you know about the Sacred months? If you do I’d love to hear your thought in the comment section below.

The Value of Time

Azeezat PLeave a comment

“Every person should be aware of the importance and value of time. So that he wastes none and benefits from every moment [of his life] to draw nearer and closer to Allah. Start with the best of words (qawl) and actions (‘amat) then the lesser in virtue and so forth. The intention (niyya) to indulge in good deeds that he is capable of should be maintained and active all the time. Because an intention to do a good deed might be better than actually doing a good deed as reported in the hadlth, “The intention of the believer is better than his deed.” Many people from the righteous predecessors (salaf) were known to take advantage of their time and cautious about how to spend it. [The following are some examples illustrating the high level of appreciation that the righteous predecessors gave to time]:

It has been reported that a man once said to ‘Amir Ibn ‘Abdu’l- Qais: ‘Converse with me.’ ‘Amir replied: ‘[Only if you could] hold the sun’ [i.e. stop the time so that 1 talk with you].

The son of Thabit al-Banant narrated: ‘When my father was on his death bed I sat next to him to ensure his last words to be ‘There is no god worthy of worship except Allah.’ However, as I was about to do so, he interrupted me by saying, ‘O son, leave me alone for I am now busy doing my sixth portion of prayers (dhikr).’

When some people entered upon a dying person from the righteous predecessors they found him praying, so they blamed him [i.e. they admonished him from exhausting himself while he is on his death bed]. But he responded, ‘my book in which my deeds are recorded will be closed shortly’ [i.e. I would like to take advantage of my last moments to do more good deeds before I can no longer perform any more].

Book: Captured Thoughts | By al-Hāfiz Abū’l-Faraj ibn al-Jawzī | Translated and Published by Dār as-Sunnah Publishers | P. 93-94

SHOW BENEVOLENCE TO THE CREATION

Azeezat P

BISMILLAH-IR-RAHMAN-IR-RAHIM

“From the ways to achieve happiness is to show benevolence to the creation and to benefit them as much as possible with wealth, position, physical assistance and all forms of kindness. Indeed, the generous, kind person is the happiest of the people, the most cheerful of them and those with the happiest hearts.

Conversely, the stingy person, who lacks kindness, is the most miserable of the people, the one with the most depressing life and the one with the greatest sorrow and anxiety.”

Book: The Keys To Happiness By Imām Ibn Al-Qayyim
Translated by Hassan Somali Hikmah Publications P. 27

I invite you to choose a way to show benevolence to the creation. Because the Prophet ﷺ,tells us: ‘The most beloved people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to people. The most beloved deed to Allah is to make a Muslim happy, or to remove one of his troubles, or to forgive his debt, or to feed his hunger. That I walk with a brother regarding a need is more beloved to me than that I seclude myself in this mosque in Medina for a month. Whoever swallows his anger, then Allah will conceal his faults. Whoever suppresses his rage, even though he could fulfil his anger if he wished, then Allah will secure his heart on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever walks with his brother regarding a need until he secures it for him, then Allah Almighty will make his footing firm across the bridge on the day when the footings are shaken.’ [Al-Albani]

How can you be more beneficial to the creations of Allah ﷻ? How can you make a difference to the people around you?

In the quest to be beneficial to the creation, it is important that it is done based on priority:

Your spouse before your children.

Your parent before your siblings.

Your nuclear family before your extended.

Your family before an outsider.

Your neighbours before someone far away

and don’t forget the most important element underpinning being beneficial: SINCERITY OF INTENTION.

No matter the amount of good that you do… if it is not done sincere for the sake of Allah then it is a waste of time. I ask Almighty Allah ﷻ to protect me and you from riya (show-off). May He grant us the Tawfeeq to do things solely for Him!

*** As you’ve read one way of showing benevolence is to remove trouble from people. I know of a family who are struggling to pay hospital bills for their daughter. The daughter suffered from fire accident and she has been treated by the hospital. unfortunately, the parents do not have funds to pay the hospital bills and the daughter has not been discharged. It is going to a year now and they are still in the hospital. When I heard of this girl’s story I felt pitiful of her situation and wanted to help. I did not want to do a typical fundraising rather I wanted to use my skill to raise funds. To this effect I will be organising a skincare class (I am an Organic Skincare Formulator) for females Only. And I want to use 50% of whatever I get from the proceeds to support the girl.

I hope that you will contribute to this cause by contacting me via this link: bit.ly/AuthenskincityFundraising

Please if you’re reading I have a request that you share this post far and wide. Together we will be relieving a creature of Allah from distress.

May Almighty Allah bring people to support you in your time of need!

If you’ve enjoyed reading, share with someone you know will benefit and don’t forget to subscribe too.

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Till next time Fi Ammanillah!

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The Importance of Having Good Companionship

Azeezat P

“Search for a believing friend, For indeed he will assist you upon Allāh’s obedience and he will motivate you towards goodness and he will warn you against evil and you will not acquire anything from him except goodness”

Shaykh Rabee’ Bin Haadi Al-Madkhali. (حفظه الله)
Al-Majmoo Al-Raaiq – Page 28

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram too here: Thoughts and Reflections (@thoughtsandreflections_) • Instagram photos and videos

If you found this post beneficial don’t forget to re share.

Comment below some things you will do towards having good companionship: for me it’s being watchful of my environment. both offline and online!

Keeping up with The Ramadan Vibes

Azeezat P2 Comments

BISMILLAH-IR-RAHMAN-IR-RAHIM

It’s a long time since we got in touch, hence I feel the need to send Salam. As Salam Alaikum Waramatullah Wabarakatu.

How have you been and hope you had a blessed Ramadan?

Here’s a short post to remind us on how to keep up with “The Ramadan Vibes”. Many of us had resolutions during the month of Ramadan and envisioned to keep up with the momentum of the blessed Month. Obviously, other days will not be like Ramadan, but there are things we can do to keep up with Ramadan Vibes. Let’s get started.

The main things we attach to Ramadan is Fasting. Fasting. Fasting. And there are so many days we can fast whilst earning immeasurable reward. One is to follow up Ramadan fast with 6 days during the month of Shawwal. This is based on the Hadith: Abu Ayyub رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for the entire year.” Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1164

To anyone that missed fasting for a valid reason during the Month of Ramadan, it is incumbent upon you to fulfill what you have missed before starting the Shawwal fast. And if you are in a very tricky situation whereby making up your missed Ramadan fast is longer than expected leading to a situation where there is no how you can complete your 6 days of Shawwal within it. Still with that intention, you get reward.  Here is a link explaining how that works: Worship After Ramadhan by Alhuda Bolton I hope you find it clarifying and beneficial. The links also contains explanation to different fasting and their rewards such as:

  • Fasting on Arafah day. (Expiates sins of 2 years: the preceding and the coming year)
  • Fasting on Ashura (Expiates sins of the past year)
  • Fasting 3 white days – 13, 14 & 15 (Equivalent to a full month fasting)
  • Fasting Mondays and Thursdays (days our deeds are presented to Allah and the Prophet tells us he likes that his deeds are presented to Allah ﷻ while he is fasting)

Also, during the month of Ramadan many people readily pray on time. We should continue to ensure that we stick to praying on time. Allah says: “Guard strictly) five obligatory) As-Salawat (The prayers) especially the Middle Salah. And stand before Allah with obedience” [Quran 2: 238] With this we see that Allah commands that the prayer should be performed properly and on time. Praying on time is also the dearest deeds to Allah: Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud رضي الله عنه said, “I asked the Prophet, ‘Which deed is the dearest (to Allah)? He replied: To offer the prayers at their fixed times. I asked what is the next (in goodness) He replied: To participate in Jihad (religious fighting) in Allah’s cause”. I again asked ‘What is the next (in goodness)?’ He replied, ‘To be good and dutiful to your parents.’ Abdullah then added, “I asked only that much and had I asked more, the Prophet would have told me more.”

TIP: One thing you can try to do is to plan your day around your salah. Not the other way round. There should be a time for your Salah in your day. Implementing this action will ensures that other things do not affect your salah time.

Another thing we do during Ramadan is the Tarawee prayer – Night prayer. Outside of Ramadan we can perform the Night prayer Qiyyamul-layl and or Tahajjud. This is a prayer that is blessed. For the Prophet ﷺ informs us: the best Salat after the prescribed Salat is Salat at night.” [Muslim]. (Paraphrased) so, performing Salah at night is highly meritorious. Plus, it is also a blessed time to make dua (Supplicate). An Hadith from the Messenger of Allah, ﷺ goes thus: “Our Lord Almighty descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of every night, saying: Who is calling upon Me that I may answer him? Who is asking from Me that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness that I may forgive him?” [Bukhari and Muslim] With this we see there are numerous benefits with keeping up with it. And I employ you to try to find a routine. Here’s a post detailing how you can do that with Hadith detailing the Prophet way of performing Tahajjud. Set Tahajjud into routine

Another is the dua; Generally dua can be made anytime. Yet, there are better times when Almighty Allah grants our supplication. One is when fasting because the fasting person is in worship at all times while fasting: Al-Hafidh ibn Rajab (rahiumullah) said: “The fasting person is in worship during the day and night. The daytime when he’s fasting is a time in which his supplication are answered. And the time he breaks the fast is a time in which supplications are answered” So whenever we are fasting is a period to make dua. Make dua while you are fasting. When you are fatigued ask Almighty Allah for strength and in that you gain energy. Another meritorious time to supplicate is when performing Tahajjud during the last third of the night: – Abu Huraira reported رضي الله عنه The Messenger of Allah, ﷺ said, “Our Lord Almighty descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of every night, saying: Who is calling upon Me that I may answer him? Who is asking from Me that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness that I may forgive him?” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Check our article on ETIQUETTE OF MAKING DUA for more information.

Continue to develop your relationship with the Qur’an. Reciting the Qur’an. Many people during the blessed month of Ramadan try to recite and complete the Holy Qur’an during the month of Ramadan. This is a noble deed, but it important we endeavor to implement recitation with the transliteration and tafsir. An action I intend to do is keeping my relationship with the Qur’an is to read the Tafsir. This for me is comprehensive. By reading the Tafsir you have access to Qur’an, Hadith, Seerah, Stories of the Prophet and so many more wealth of information. At this stage reading the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir is sufficient. You can simply download from the play store. Yes, having access is that simple!  

Also being kind, being charitable. Hoping and longing for the Reward of any good that you do.

Another thing that is important to do is to is to look at yourself and the sins you are committing. We all have flaws. Weaknesses and Shortcomings. Identify one that you want to work on. Don’t forget to Supplicate that He makes you able to forsake the sin. Almighty Allah ﷻ sees your struggle. He ﷻ knows your flaws. He is testing you, so it is important that we rely upon Him.

This is a very short post to remind you on how you can keep up with your Ramadan vibe. What other tips do you have, or have you learnt to implement towards keeping up with the Ramadan vibes? Let us know in the comment section below feel free to share to benefit others.

Before you leave, we need your help. We started a category on this blog section titled #TrueLifeStories.

Alhamdulillah and it has been welcomed as it resonated with many people. Together we have published 4 TRUE LIFE STORIES and we want to be more consistent in generating more content. To achieve this aim we need your help in telling your stories (all will be anonymized) and to share this post. This helps in creating a safe environment as it is all anonymized. It helps people feel they are not alone in their struggles. To make people know and feel they are not alone. Know that whoever reads your story and changes for the better, you get rewarded. Read about the purpose here: Purpose behind #TrueLifeStories We want to encourage you to please send in your stories and share this post to as many people as possible. We want to ensure that we are getting and producing Real. Original.  Inspiring. And Transformational stories. Stories that we hope will assist in keeping you steadfast. Stories that will help in making a difference in other people’s life. We encourage you to participate and get people to participate. Here are the details on how to participate, contact us via Email: thoughtsandreflectionsr@gmail.com And Instagram: @thoughtsandreflections_

Anything you share is treated with utmost confidentiality.

And that’s it for today. Thill next time FI Ammanillah!

*#8 Action Plan: Social Media Fast.

a6dul

BISMILLAH-IR-RAHMAN-IR-RAHIM

25 Shaban 1442

Social Media fast. Yes! You heard that right! We all need a break from social media. Reduce the time you spend on it.

Fasting is not purely abstaining from what you eat. It encompass what you see. What you hear. Etc.

You don’t have full control of what you see on social media as some content just pops up. You however have control of how you use it, who you follow, how much time you spend on it. Social media feeds us, ever wonder why it’s called a feed? For example: There might be a song with lyrics that aren’t fit for fasting ears or pictures of people that show a lot of nudity you don’t know what you’re going to come in contact with. Fasting is a shield the more you see or hear things aren’t supposed to be more your shield is weakened. The little things that we see and hear can poison our hearts and reduce the reward for fasting.

We here at Thoughts and Reflections will be taking a break from social media during the Month of Ramadan.

Some people may not be able to take a full break but try to reduce your time on social media. If possible, come on it when it is absolutely necessary during Ramadan. You can put your phone on airplane mode for a while to avoid distractions.

Spend time rectifying yourself. Listening to the words of Allah ﷻ. Use this Ramadan as a moment to look inward, to self-reflect and identify what you need to rectify in yourself.

You may be wondering how to stay updated with Islamic Knowledge. Consider downloading apps you can use in your time to gain beneficial knowledge without using the internet.

Prompts

Download Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Download Riyadh As-Saliheen and other Hadith apps

Download Fortress of the Muslim

Adkhar book (fortress of the Muslim)Download

Priority is everything, this month is one for us to prioritise our Ibadah. It is a special month, and it calls for special effort! It is a time to level up so we should aim to be better and take active steps to work towards it. Prioritise the main Ibadah and fulfil other’s right upon you. May Almighty Allah ﷻ aid us and make the actions we have learnt beneficial for us. Make it easy to incorporate them in our lives. Ameen

It is a SPECIAL MONTH. And it calls for Special EFFORT! It is a time to level up so we should aim to be better incorporating active steps to achieve it.

I pray Almighty Allah ﷻ blesses you for making it this far. I pray this year’s Ramadan is your best one yet. Together we will enter Ramadan Strong because we have prepared for it sincerely hoping and longing for the reward from Allah ﷻ. 

*They are in no particular order of importance.

Till next time Fi Ammanillah!

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*#7 Action Plan: Plan your day.

Azeezat P

BISMILLAH-IR-RAHMAN-IR-RAHIM

22 Shaban 1442

Planning is crucial. For about 3 years I have been planning how my Ramadan goes. Essentially write out acts of Ibadah and fit them into your time frame. This makes you conscious of time. Have time for Qur’an, seerah, tafsir, hadiths, lectures, cooking etc. Plan and it will serve you. Proper preparation prevents poor performance. Make the best of the days leading to Ramadan and plan yourself.

Depending on your circumstances the plan may not go accordingly, especially if you are not living alone. And you have to fulfil others right upon you such as parents, children etc. Nonetheless, it is highly recommended you write out and schedule a plan. Be flexible! Know that sometimes your plan will get disrupted by unforeseen circumstances. When you plan by writing you’re on a mental shift and you know what you should do at a certain time. This prevents you from thinking of what to do with time or wasting the precious time you have. You don’t find yourself thinking “what should I do now?” you simply check your book. And as you follow the routine, it sticks with you.

*They are in no particular order of importance.

Till next Thursday Fi Ammanillah!

Related post: RAMADAN PREP

Related post: A PROMISE FROM ALLAH 

Related Post: BARAKAH ACTIONS

Related post: THE MOST BELOVED TO ALLAH…

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*#6 Action Plan: Prepare A DUA List

Maryam

BISMILLAH-IR-RAHMAN-IR-RAHIM

18 Shaban 1442

Yes, start writing out what you want to ask from your Rabb. Write what you want in this dunya and aakhira. When you write you are also able to know what you want. It makes it easier for you to supplicate. As you are preparing your dua list, you can incorporate the names of Allah with your request. Nothing is too big for Allah to grant. Nothing is impossible for Him. Don’t ask for the impossible and haram too. “And your Lord said: “Invoke Me [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism) and ask Me for anything] I will respond to your (invocation)” (Qur’an 40:60)

Dua is very important in Islam, so much so that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Dua’ is worship.” [Tirmidhi, 3372; Abu Dawood, 1479]

(Free resource to download below)

When you write it is easier for you to supplicate. As you look at your journal frequently it gets registered in your brain. Don’t wait for Lailatul Qadr to ask. Write what you want. You have a Lord that loves to be asked, so ASK!!! Try to make your request during the blessed period.

Ensure your list is paired with these 3 elements.

Conviction. A level of conviction that Allah ﷻ is listening. He is As Sameer (The All Hearing) Al Aleem (The All Knowing) So ask wholeheartedly. The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Make dua to Allah whilst you are certain of a response, because Allah does not accept a dua from a heedless heart’ (Tirmidhi)

Sincerity- Ikhlas. Believing that Allah ﷻ is the only one who can help and you won’t turn your hand of need to anyone but Him.

Trust. Trust that Allah ﷻ will respond to your dua’s, the way you don’t rely on your own abilities. Do not be impatient. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said ‘The dua of everyone of you is accepted as long as he does not grow impatient and says : ‘I made dua but it was not accepted’” (Muslim)

Check out previous article on  ETIQUETTE OF MAKING DUA for more information

Prompts

Supplicate to Allah using His beautiful Names.

Learn Qur’anic and Prophetic supplications with their meanings. They are comprehensive.

*They are in no particular order of importance.

Till next Monday Fi Ammanillah!

Raamadan-plannerDownload
DUA CardsDownload
Dua BookDownload
Laylatul-qadr prayer plan dua checklistDownload

Related post: ETIQUETTE OF MAKING DUA

Related post: RAMADAN PREP

Related post: A PROMISE FROM ALLAH 

Related Post: BARAKAH ACTIONS

Related post: THE MOST BELOVED TO ALLAH…

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*#5 Action Plan: Set Tahajjud into routine.

Maryam

BISMILLAH-IR-RAHMAN-IR-RAHIM

15 Shaban 1442

Why should you set Tahajjud into routine?

The Prophet ﷺ informs us: the best Salat after the prescribed Salat is Salat at night.” [Muslim]. (Paraphrased) so, performing Salah at night is highly meritorious!

One of the characteristics of the righteous is that “They used to sleep but little by night [invoking their Rabb (Allah) and praying, with fear and hope].” “And in the hours before dawn they would ask for forgiveness” (Qur’an 51:17-18)

Mother Aishah raḍyAllāhu ‘anha reported: The Prophet ﷺ kept standing (in prayer) so long that the skin of his feet would crack. I asked him: “Why do you do this, while you have been forgiven of your former and latter sins?” He said, “Should I not be a grateful slave of Allah?” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. From this we see that engaging in Tahajjud is a means for us to express gratitude to Allah ﷻ.

The Prophet ﷺ way of performing Tahajjud

Mother Aishah raḍyAllāhu ‘anha reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform eleven Rak’ah (of Tahajjud) prayers at night. He ﷺ would prostrate so long as one of you might recite fifty Ayat (of the Qur’an). Thereafter, he would perform two Rak’ah before Fajr prayers and would lie down on his right side till the Mu’adhdhin would come and inform him about the time of (Fajr) prayer. [Al-Bukhari].  Etiquette of making dua comes up here. As there is a greater possibility of acceptance of prayer which is made in a state of prostration.

A blessed time to make dua. – Abu Huraira reported رضي الله عنه said: The Messenger of Allah, ﷺ said, “Our Lord Almighty descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of every night, saying: Who is calling upon Me that I may answer him? Who is asking from Me that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness that I may forgive him?” [Bukhari and Muslim] A blessed time to speak to Allah ﷻ. We are all in need. We all have something to request from Allah ﷻ. So, we should make the best of this time to ask!

Besides, setting this routine will equally prepare you to wake up for Sahur. There is benefit in eating Sahur, so don’t lose out on it. Anas رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Eat Suhur (predawn meal). Surely, there is a blessing in Suhur.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

‘Amr bin Al-‘As رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The difference between our observance of Saum (fasting) and that of the people of the Scriptures is Suhur (predawn meal in Ramadan).” [Muslim].  We learn from this Hadith that Suhur is a distinctive mark with which Allah has blessed the Muslim Ummah.

How to wake up for Tahajjud.

  • Be sincere on why you want to wake up.
  • Supplicate to Allah.
  • Have power naps it can be as little as 20 minutes.
  • Drink water before going to bed.
  • Don’t eat till late so your stomach is not heavy.
  • Perform wudu before you sleep.
  • Sleep early.
  • Ser alarms.
  • Have an accountability partner: If you live with someone ask them to wake you up.
  • Consider delaying your Witr to Tahajjud time.

Start waking up now don’t wait till Ramadan.

Some Hadith on the excellence of Tahajjud

Salah Salim bin ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab رضي الله عنه reported, on the authority of his father, that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “What an excellent man ‘Abdullah is! If only he could perform optional prayers at night.” Salim said that after this, (his father) ‘Abdullah slept very little at night. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘As رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me, “Do not be like so-and-so O ‘Abdullah! He used to pray during the night, then stopped the practice.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

A means to Jannah – ‘Abdullah bin Salam رضي الله عنه reported: The Prophet ﷺ said, “O people, promote the greetings, feed (the poor and needy) and perform Salat when others are asleep so that you will enter Jannah safely.” [At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary:  This Hadith has glad tidings for those who enthusiastically do all the good works mentioned in this Hadith. “Enter Jannah in peace” here means that they will enter Jannah without suffering any punishment in Hell.

*They are in no particular order of importance.

Till next Thursday Fi Ammanillah!

Related post: RAMADAN PREP

Related post: A PROMISE FROM ALLAH 

Related Post: BARAKAH ACTIONS

Related post: SELF-REFLECTION

Related post: THE MOST BELOVED TO ALLAH…

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*#4 Action Plan: Seek for forgiveness. TAWBAH

Toyyib

BISMILLAH-IR-RAHMAN-IR-RAHIM

11 Shaban 1442

This may not require journalling. It is a straightforward action for you to engage in.

We all commit sins – Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “By the One in Whose Hand my soul is! If you do not commit sins, Allah would replace you with a people who would commit sins and seek forgiveness from Allah; and Allah will certainly forgive them.” [Muslim]. When we falter, we should not stick to it, but turn to Allah ﷻ immediately. Seeking forgiveness is a very good act. May Almighty Allah ﷻ open our heart to repent to Him always!

We should haste towards seeking forgiveness from Allah ﷻ.“Race towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers. This is the bounty of Allah. He gives to whom He wills. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty”(Qur’an 51:21)

Our utmost Role Model ﷺ sought forgiveness from Allah and repent to Him more than seventy times in a day.  [Bukhārī 5948] (paraphrased) So, we should emulate the Prophet in this regard. Moisten your tongue with Astagfirlullah. “And seek the forgiveness of Allah. Certainly, Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 4:106) “Verily, He is the One Who accepts the repentance and Who forgives.” (Qur’an 110:3)

A step further – Try going a step further by performing 2 rakah of Salaat al-tawbah (the prayer of repentance). Expressly ask Almighty Allah ﷻ to forgive you. Supplicate that He forgives you of intended and unintended sins. Express your need for repentance. And have a strong resolve not to go back to it again. I recently learnt from a friend to incorporate Salaat al-tawbah when performing Tahajjud. (this is something you can do too) We will cover Tahajjud in action 5 In Sha Allah.

The Excellence of Observing Salaat al-tawbah (the prayer of repentance)

Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq رضي الله عنه said: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: “There is no one who commits a sin then purifies himself well and stands and prays two rak’ahs, then asks Allah for forgiveness, but Allah will forgive him. Then he recited this verse: ‘And those who, when they have committed Faahishah (illegal sexual intercourse) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; — and none can forgive sins but Allah — and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know’ (Qur’an 3:135).” [Abu Dawood 1521]

Abu’l-Darda’ رضي الله عنه said: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: “The one who does wudoo’ and does it well, then stands and prays two rak’ahs or four (one of the narrators was uncertain), in which he remembers Allah and focuses well, then asks Allah for forgiveness, He will forgive him.” [Ahmad 26998]

Read more here: Salaat al-tawbah (the prayer of repentance) – islamqa

The 3 white days starts from the 27th March to 29th of March (Saturday to Monday). Endeavour to fast. And remind others.

*They are in no particular order of importance.

Till next Monday Fi Ammanillah!

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A message from @azeezatp – FYI: I will be running a 7 Day FREE MASTERCLASS for sisters only on “THE TRANQUIL LIFE: TOWARDS A DEEPER CONNECTION WITH YOUR RABB” from the 27th March- 2nd April 2021. I’d love to have you (sisters) in so feel free to join here. 🙂 Remember to share and invite others with the intention to earn rewards from Allah! (To any Male reading, kindly assist in sharing too. I’d really appreciate) Jazakumllahu Khairan

*#3 Action Plan: Learn about the merits of Ramadan. Then write them down.

a6dul

BISMILLAH-IR-RAHMAN-IR-RAHIM

8 Shaban 1442

Write down “Merits of Ramadan that speaks to me”

When you learn about the merits of Ramadan and write them down, you are getting mentally prepared for the propitious months. You know the “why” of fasting. The merits. You know what you should abstain from. The purpose etc.

Remember fasting in the Month of Ramadan is a pillar of Islam. It is one of the things we need to do for our Islam to be complete, to fulfil this obligation we need to equip ourselves with the right knowledge.

Here are some Qur’an verses and hadiths on the merits of fasting. Take time to research. Look at Qur’an verses, hadiths of the prophet ﷺ and long for the Reward with Allah ﷻ.  

The Excellence of Observing Saum (Fasts) during Ramadan

Piety – Allah ﷻ, the Exalted, says: “O you who believe! the fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious). Fasting for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g., an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskin (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast is better for you if only you know. The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan, i.e., is present at his home), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days which one did not fast must be made up) from other days.” (Qur’an 2:183-185)

Pleasure of Allah ﷻ – Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Allah the Exalted and Majestic said: ‘Every act of the son of Adam is for him, except As-Siyam (the fasting) which is (exclusively) for Me, and I will reward him for it.’ Fasting is a shield. When anyone of you is observing fast, he should neither indulge in obscene language nor should he raise his voice; and if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him, he should say: ‘I am fasting.’ By Him in Whose Hand the soul of Muhammad is, the breath of one observing Saum is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk. The one who fasts, experiences two joys: he feels pleasure when he breaks the fast. He is joyful by virtue of his fast when he meets his Rabb.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In a narration by Al-Bukhari, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Allah says: ‘(The person observing Saum) has abstained from food and drink, and sexual pleasures for My sake; fasting is for Me, and I will bestow its reward. Every good deed has ten times its reward’.”

A means to Jannah – Sahl bin Sa’d رضي الله عنه reported: The Prophet ﷺ said, “In Jannah there is a gate which is called Ar-Raiyan through which only those who observe Saum (fasting) will enter on the Day of Resurrection. None else will enter through it. It will be called out, “Where are those who observe fasting?” So they will stand up and proceed towards it. When the last of them will have entered, the gate will be closed and then no one will enter through that gate.” [Muslim].

Commentary:  This Hadith tells us about the special distinction of those who observe Saum. “Only those who observe Saum” signify the faithful who not only observe Saum during the month of Ramadan but also frequently observe voluntary fasts over and above the obligatory ones, otherwise Saum of Ramadan are compulsory for every Muslim.

Protection from Jahannam – Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ  said, “Every slave of Allah who observes Saum (fasting) for one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will draw his face farther from Hell-fire to the extent of a distance to be covered in seventy years.”[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary:  “Every slave of Allah” includes men, women, the free and the unfree, because they are slaves of Allah. The Hadith highlights the excellence of fasting for the sake of Allah which will serve, on the Day of Resurrection, as shield against Hell-fire.

Forgiveness – Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported: The Prophet ﷺ said, “He who observes fasting during the month of Ramadan with Faith while seeking its reward from Allah, will have his past sins forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary:  “Sins” here means minor sins which relate to the Rights of Allah.

*They are in no particular order of importance.

Till next Thursday Fi Ammanillah!

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A message from @azeezatp – FYI: I will be running a 7 Day FREE MASTERCLASS for sisters only on “THE TRANQUIL LIFE: TOWARDS A DEEPER CONNECTION WITH YOUR RABB” from the 27th March- 2nd April 2021. I’d love to have you (sisters) in so feel free to join here.🙂 Remember to share and invite others with the intention to earn rewards from Allah! (To any Male reading, kindly assist in sharing too. I’d really appreciate) Jazakumllahu Khairan