Gaining Taqwa in Ramadan

Ibn Juzayy said in his dictionary of terms from the introduction to his tafsir:

"Taqwa's meaning is fear, clinging to obedience to Allah and abandoning disobedience to Him. It is the sum of all good."

by Imam Zaid Shakir

The Virtues of Laylatul Qadr

Allah Ta'ala says in the Quran: "The night of power is better than a thousand months." This means that the reward for engaging in ibaadah in this night is so great that if a person had to engage in ibaadah for a thousand months apart from this night, he will not receive the same reward as that of engaging in ibaadah in this one night.

In explaining the reason for the revelation of this verse, Imam Suyuti rahmatullahi alayh mentions in his book "Lubaabun Nuqool" that once Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam mentioned a person from among the Banu Isra'eel who had waged jihad in the path of Allah Ta'ala for 1000 months. Upon hearing this, the Sahabah were astonished and at the same time they became very despondent on the basis that how will they ever be able to accomplish such a feat. So Allah Ta'ala revealed the following verses:

"Most certainly, We have revealed it (the Quran) in the night of power. And what will give you an understanding of what the night of power is? The night of power is better than a thousand months."

In other words, this night is better than the thousand months which that person had spent in the path of Allah Ta'ala.

It is mentioned in another Hadith that there was a person from the Banu Isra'eel who used to be engaged in the ibaadah of Allah Ta'ala from the evening till the following morning. And from the morning till the evening he used to wage jihad in the path of Allah Ta'ala. He did this continuously for a thousand months. So Allah Ta'ala revealed this verse: "The night of power is better than a thousand months." That is, this night is better than the thousand months which the person had spent in ibaadah and jihad.

Dear brothers and sisters! Value this night and just imagine the great reward one receives for a little effort. Duas are readily accepted on this night. If you cannot remain awake the entire night, then stay awake for a part of the night. Do not deprive yourself completely through sheer laziness.

1. It is mentioned in a Hadith that this month of Ramadaan has dawned upon you. In it is a night which is better than a thousand months. The person who deprives himself of the blessings, obedience and ibaadah of this night has in fact deprived himself of all good. And no one will deprive himself of the blessings of such a night except an extremely bereft person. In other words, the person who does not receive any blessings from such a blessed night by not engaging in any ibaadah in this night is an extremely deprived person for foregoing such a golden opportunity.

2. It is mentioned in a Hadith that if Allah wanted, he would have informed us as to when this night will fall. But because of some wisdom known only to Him, He did not inform us. So search for this night in the last seven nights of Ramadaan. In other words, there is a high possibility of experiencing this night in one of these seven nights. Searching for this night means that we have to remain awake and engage ourselves in ibaadah in these seven nights, perhaps we will be blessed with this night.

3. It is mentioned in a Hadith that laylatul qadr occurs every Ramadaan.

4. It is mentioned in a Hadith that laylatul qadr occurs on the 27th night of Ramadaan.

There are many differences in opinion as to when laylatul qadr occurs. The popular opinion is that it occurs on the 27th night of Ramadaan. However, if a person has the strength and determination to do so, he should engage in ibaadah in the last ten days of Ramadaan. When searching for laylatul qadr in these ten nights, it is not necessary that the person has to see or notice something. Whether he sees something or not, he should continue with his ibaadah and thereby gain all the blessings. This is the object of laylatul qadr, i.e. the person must earn all the blessings and rewards that have been mentioned. To see or notice something is not the aim and objective.

- Author: Moulana Ashraf Thanvi, Book: Behashti Zewar
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IMAN - The Greatest Favor of Allah

by Shahul Hameed Faizee's Sheikh

All praise is to Allah, who has made us to believe in Him. All praise is to Allah, who has showered His greatest blessings on us by making us the Ummath's (followers) of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).

Iman (belief) is accepting Allah, His Prophet Muhammad pbuh and their words without any doubt and being steadfast in it. That we have been blessed with this night (lailathul bara'ath i.e., midnight of shaban) is Allah's great blessing and mercy on us. We have been told by Allah and His Prophet Muhammad pbuh that this night is special. So, we have to have the hurmath (respect) of this night in our heart. Night comes after every day but, this night is not the same as any other night. This night is something special. If we think this night as the same as any other night, then we are not respecting this night, as we have been told by our Lord and His Prophet pbuh. So, do have the hurmath of this night in your kalb (heart). If we respect what we are ordered to respect, we will be respected.

Allah has made some nights special over other nights. This night (lailathul Bara'ath) is one of them. The other nights that are special are Lailathul Kadhr (in Ramzan), Lailathul Ashura (in Dhul Hajj) and the two nights of Eid. On this night (midnight of shaban), Allah allocates the jobs to the angels, for the next one year. Allah has all the matters in His ilm (knowledge). He lets it known to the angels on this night regarding the happenings in this world till the next lailathul bara'ath. Each man's hayath (life), his success, failures, ordeals, victories, rizk (food and other necessities) till the next year are all determined and the job is given to the angels. We spend this night awake and beg Allah that He prolong our life, so that we can become better, a better Muslim, a better slave. It is left to Allah's wish that He changes the destiny. He says in the Quran "ALLAH effaces and establishes what HE wills, and with HIM is the source of all commandments." (Quran 13:40). If He changes something in it, it is not against the Thakdheer (destiny). It is 'iyne thakdeer' (part of destiny). It would be in the thakdeer (destiny) that this person who was to die this year would cry on the night of lailathul bara'ath and Allah will prolong His life, by His mercy.

Whatever Allah does is good for us. We have been asked to spend this night awake and beg Allah for a long life, safety from bala (disaster, misfortune) and a unhindered rizk. So, it is our duty to beg. It is His wish to give.

It is Allah's blessing that we have got this night. Just think if Allah had taken our lives yesterday. We would not have attained the barakas of this night. But, Allah has blessed us with this night so that we could repent to Him for our sins and return to Him as people with good deeds. If we have had a headache or a running fever, we would not be awake and spending the night in Allah's remembrance. So, it is His fazl (grace) that we are here in His remembrance.
We people thank Allah for the money, assets and other worldly things He has provided. But, the greatest of all His ni'math (blessing) is the blessing of Islam. This belief which we have in Allah is His charity and grace. It is not by our talent that we are Muslims. It is by His grace that we are Muslims. In the Quran Allah narrates the incident of some people who came to the Prophet pbuh and said that they have accepted Islam. They thought that they were helping or doing a favor to the prophet pbuh by embracing Islam. But, Allah said that it was His blessing to them. The Quranic verse is self explanatory:"They presume to regard it a favor to you (prophet pbuh) that they have embraced Islam. (Oh! prophet) Say , `Deem not your embracing Islam as a favor unto me. On the contrary, ALLAH has bestowed a favor upon you in that HE has guided you to the true Faith" (Quran 49:18).

So, it is Allah's favor on us. We should be very grateful to Allah for this great favor He has bestowed on us, without ever asking Him. We are unhappy that we don't have what we want. We want money, gold, houses etc. And we have discontent for our lord till our throat. Tell me has He left any of you starving. He has given you all that is sufficient for you. We are not content with what we have. It is our bad habit that we compare us with others. We have gone to the extent that we compare ourselves with the Kafirs (unbelievers). We question, "What Allah has given so much to those who don't believe in Him but is not giving me anything even though I am perfect in my worship?". This is wrong. Please change your thoughts and attitudes. What can any money or asset come equal to this favor of Iman (belief).

This habit of looking at other's wealth is not new. Allah narrates in His Quran, the story of Karoon. When Karoon (Korah)walked in all pomp with the gold and other assets around, some of the followers of Prophet Moosa (Moses) pbuh were desirous of the wealth. Allah narrates in the Quran, "So he (Karoon) went forth before his people in all his pomp. Those who were desirous of the life of this world said, `Would that we had the like of what Karoon has been given ! Truly, he is the master of great fortune.' But those who had been given knowledge said, `Woe unto you, ALLAH's reward is best for those who believe and do good works; and it shall be granted to no one except those who are steadfast.' Then WE (Allah) caused the earth to swallow him (Karoon)up and his dwelling; And he had no party to help him against ALLAH, nor was he of those who can defend themselves. And those who had coveted his position the day before began to say, `Ruin seize thee ! it is indeed ALLAH Who enlarges the provisions for such of HIS servants as HE pleases and straitens it for whom HE pleases. Had not ALLAH been gracious to us, HE would have caused it to swallow us up also. Ah ! the ungrateful never prosper.' (Quran. 28:78-80)
So, From the above verse we understand that people who understand the Iman (belief) as greater than these worldly wealth are the people with true knowledge.

What if Allah had given us the wealth of Karoon and had not given us the wealth of Iman (belief)? It would be the greatest loss to us. We would have faced the same fate of Karoon. In another verse Allah says that had it not been that the Muslims would also turn to disbelief, He would have made the stairs and doors of disbelievers in Silver and gold. The verses: " And were it not that all mankind would have become one type of people, WE would have given to those who disbelieve in the Gracious God roofs of silver for their houses, and silver stairways by which they could ascend; And doors of silver to their houses, and couches of silver, on which they could recline, And even of gold, but all that is nothing but a temporary provision of the present life. And the comfort of the Hereafter with thy Lord is for the righteous. (Quran 43:34-36).

It is infact, to save our belief that Allah has kept the wealth of disbelievers in check. The truth is that we don't understand how big is this ni'math of Belief (iman). There is a riwayath in a book Nashru Theeb by Thanawi RA : Prophet Moosa pbuh, was talking with his Rabb (lord), Allah. At that instance, Allah told the Prophet about a ummath (people) and their superiority. The Prophet Moosa pbuh asked Allah was their anything more special about the ummath. Allah replied, "Heaven (jannath) is prohibited to all other ummath, until they enter." Upon hearing the greatness of the Ummath (people), the Prophet Moosa pbuh asked Allah, "Make me the Prophet of that people". Allah replied, "you have come very much earlier, Moosa pbuh. They are the people of Prophet Muhammad pbuh". On hearing this, prophet Moosa pbuh asked, "Allah, make me a member of that ummath". And Allah replied, "your time is this and you can't become a member of that".

Oh! My friends! Prophet Moosa pbuh was a prophet, One of the great five prophets and had the distinction of talking with Allah, wanted to be a member of this Ummath. He was ready to sacrifice his prophet hood for the sake of becoming a member of this ummath. But, pity that we don't understand this favor of Allah on us. He has made us a member of this ummath without we asking it.

Allah certainly has given us a lot. He knows our needs and He is fulfilling them as much as it is required. Our attitude is to get the whole lot and keep in our custody. If we earn 10,000 per month, we don't keep all the amount at home. We put it in bank. We withdraw the required amount as and when it is required. We don't worry that we don't have money in our hand as it is in the bank. Similarly, all our requirements are with Allah. He will give it to us as and when it is required. It is said that Allah said to Moosa AS, "Did I ask your people to perform the tomorrow's salath today? Then why do they want now that is required to them tomorrow". Allah is true. We have belief in Him. He will give what ever is required for us at the right moment.

If a wife is true to her husband, she wouldn't ask him to give her all the wealth. She asks her husband what ever is required in the hour of need. She has so much belief in her husband, that he will give her whatever she needs. Even if her husband gives her some amount and asks her to keep for emergency purposes, she replies, "it is enough that you are healthy. I will get from you, when it is necessary". Because, she knows that as long as he is alive and healthy, he will take care of her. If a wife is not true, her intention would be to accumulate as much of her husband's wealth as she can, so that she can get rid of him at the earliest. Are we good slaves of Allah or do we want to run away from Him? We are good slaves. We want to be with Him. Then let Him have all the money. He will give it to us when it is required.

The Sahabas (companions of the Prophet pbuh) did not enjoy as we are enjoying today. In the deserts, to safeguard their legs from burning, they used just the torn clothes as their footwears. They had nothing but their hands to give themselves a shadow. But, they were happy that they were Muslims. They understood that it was the greatest blessing. They were ready to sacrifice their wealth and relations, for Iman (belief).

We don't understand the greatness of Iman. Once we die, we will know the real worth of Iman. When we see in our eyes the punishment given to the disbelievers, we will know what Allah has bestowed on us. In the hell, apart from the disbelievers, there would also be some Muslims for the sins they have committed. (Islam saves a person only from eternal hell fire. If Allah wishes, some will be put in hell fire for his sins for some years. Then they will be taken out and allowed in heaven). On seeing them, the disbelievers would say in satire, "You people said that Islam would save you from hell fire. But, you are also with us, inspite of your belief in Allah". On hearing this, Allah would say, "what, those who believed in me and those who didn't are equal?" and take all those who had believed in Him from hell and put them in heaven. On seeing this, the disbelievers would say, "Oh! shouldn't we also have become Muslims". Has not Allah saved you from that disenchantment and disillusionment on the day when nothing else could save you but belief in Allah?

Allah says that if we are grateful to Him for His favor, He will increase it for us (Quran 14:8). We are grateful to Allah for the worldly things He has given us and He is certainly increasing it. But, if we are grateful to Him for the "Iman " He has bestowed on us, He will increase our Iman. What else we want. So, on this day cultivate the happiness that Allah has given you "Iman", the greatest of favors. Be happy that He has given you Iman. If anything in this world saddens you, tell yourself that you have Iman in the Lord of the worlds and drive away the sorrow. Be grateful to your lord for giving you the invaluable Iman.

May Allah make our heart grateful to Him.

In the Footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

Much of the criticisms and opposition to Islam stems from the lack of knowledge of Islam among Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) has taught us Islam and how to live by it. More and more Muslims are not following the way the Prophet (p.b.u.h) taught us. Day by day, year after year, Muslims are being influenced by their environments, people around them and are losing their patience.

Listen to Brother Hamza Yusuf as he talks about living in the footsteps of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). Only 3 minutes video.

May Allah (s.w.t) Guide us on the path of Islam. Ameen.