Laylatul Qadr - A night which is better than a thousand months

 Laylatul Qadr

So valuable is this Night of Qadr that the Quran devotes a special surah to
it “Lailatul Qadr is better than a thousand months” [97:3]

Reason of Revelation

The Messenger of Allah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) told the companions about a man of the previous nations; a man who lived and fought jihad and worshipped Allah (S.W.T.) for over 1000 months (roughly 83 years, 4 months).

The Messenger of Allah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) was shown the average age of previous nations and he was shown the average age of his nation, he noticed that his ummah had the shortest lifespan (60-70 years), he was afraid that his ummah would not have enough time to do good deads like the previous nations.Thus, Allah (S.W.T.) gifted him and his ummah with Laylatul Qadr, which is not equavalent to the worship of 1000 months of the man of the previous nation, infact, it is BETTER  than thosse 1000 months.

Translation of Surah Al-Qadr

This one night surpasses the value of 30,000 nights. The most authentic account of the occurrence of the Night indicates that it can occur on any one of the last ten days of Ramadan.

According to few accounts it is believed to be on one of the odd numbered nights of Ramadan, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, while most people believe it to be on the 27th, there's no guarantee or confirmation regarding that.

We should target and strive to stay up and make abundent supplications through out the last 10 days of Ramadan if we want to make sure we don't miss the Night of Power. 

The main Dua for Laylatul Qadr is the following:

Aisha (Ra) said: “I asked the Messenger of Allah: 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?' He said: 'Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.' “

"Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee" (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi).

 

• Subhan'Allah very informative lecture - The Night of your Life : Tafseer of Surah Al-Qadr by Sheikh Omar Suleiman -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Oam2qJz0y8

Practical Tips for sadaqah (charity)

Very useful and practical Tips for sadaqah (charity)...

✏#1:buy a chair and keep it in a masjid, whoever prays on it Inshaalah ull be rewarded for it..

✏#2: keep a bowl or glass of water on ur window for the birds ,thats charity...make it a habit..u will b rewarded Inshaalah. .

✏#3:old pair of socks,pajamas,put dem in a packet ,give it to any labor on ur way,its sadaqah..

✏#4:keep a box in ur room and put a penny or rupee whenever u seem to have sinned,open da box after a month and give the cash for charity,make it a habit..

✏#5:write the dua of entering the house and leaving the house on two papers,stick it on the entrance of house,Inshaalah u will b rewarded for whoever will read it..

✏#6: sponsor an orphan from ur pocketmoney..

✏#7: family gatherings that take place in farmhouses, take carton of juice with u and distribute it .

✏#8: if there is a construction going on around ur house,get a box of water and juice ,refrigerate it, and give it to da labours chilled u will be rewarded Inshaalah.

✏#9: if u get the change at the petrol pump by da worker ask him whether hez a muslim and let the change b with him ,even if he was a non muslim, be a good face for ur religion. .

✏#10: keep a quran in any masjid and get the reward for whoever reads even a single letter of it,a letter is multiplied into 10 times,imagine the reward Inshaalah. .

✏#11: if there is water left in ur glass ,put it in the flower pot..

✏#12: cheer any muslim brother,especially those who are sad..

✏#13: smile to whom u pass by,greet to the one next to u and a good word is sadaqah.

✏#14: do not sleep until u have forgiven to whoever have hurted u..

✏#15: share this msg to as many people as u can ,it is sadaqah. .

NOTE:-it is very important to make a niyaah for every single sadaqah u do.

Benefits of performing Wadu

Wudu doesn't just purify and cleanse our body and soul for worship but also washes away minor sins! SubhanAllah.. Every small act towards Allah is bestowed with immense mercy.

Reported by Abu Hurairah (RA): Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "When a Muslim or a believer washes his face (in the course of Wudu'), every sin he has committed with his eyes is washed away from his face along with water, or with the last drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin they wrought is erased from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin towards which his feet walked is washed away with water, or with the last drop of water, with the result that he comes out cleansed of all sins". [Muslim]

Zakat al-Fitr

Zakat al Fitr Zakat al Fitr is an obligatory charity on every muslim at the end of the month of ramadan. Ibn 'Umar said: "the prophet (p.b.u.h.) enjoined the payment of one sa'a of dates or one sa'a of barley as Zakat al-Fitr on every Muslim, young and old, male and female, free and slave." (Bukhari and Muslim)

 The purpose of Zakat al-Fitr is to purify the one who has fasted from any type of indecent act or speech he might have committed while fasting. it also helps the poor and the needy.
Ibn abbas said: "the messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) enjoined Zakat al-Fitr on the one who fasts to shield him from any indecent act or speech and for the purpose of providing food for the needy." (Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah.) 

The amount of Zakat al-Fitr As the first Hadith indicated, the amount of Zakat al-Fitr is one Sa'a.

Sa'a is a volume measure corresponding approximately to the volume of 5 lb of good wheat.

The material of Zakat can be either dates, barley, wheat, rice, corn or similar items considered as basic foods.

Abu Saeed said: "we used to give for Zakat al-Fitr on behalf of every child, aged person, free man or slave during the lifetime of the messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) one Sa'a of food, or one Sa'a of dried yogurt, or one Sa'a of barley, or one Sa'a of dates, or one Sa'a of raisins." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

 The time for Zakat al-Fitr Zakat al-Fitr has to be paid by the end of Ramadhan.
There are two times to pay akat al-Fitr. Either one or two days before Eid as 'Umar used to do, or the day of Eid before the Eid prayer.

Ibn Umar reported that the prophet (p.b.u.h.) ordered them to pay Zakat al-Fitr before they go out to perform the Eidprayer.
If Zakat al-Fitr is paid after the Eid prayer, it will only be considered as regular charity.
The prophet (p.b.u.h.) said: "if one pays Zakat al-Fitr before the salat, it is considered an accepted Zakat, if he pays it after the salat, it is considered an ordinary charity." (Abu Dawud)

 Zakat al-Fitr is to be given to the same eight categories or people as in the other types of zakat. Some scholars say that the poor and the needy are the most deserving ones since the prophet (p.b.u.h.) said that it had "...the purpose of providing food for the needy." 

THE SUNNAH OF THE DAY OF EID

THE SUNNAH OF THE DAY OF EID -:- EVERY MUSLIM SHOULD OBSERVE:

1 – Doing Ghusl before going out to the Prayer. 
Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi that Abdullah ibn Umar used to do ghusl on the day of Fitr before going to the place of prayer. [Malik :: Book 10 : Hadith 10.1.2]

2 – Eating before going out to pray on Eid al-Fitr: 
Narrated Anas bin Malik,: Allah's Apostle never proceeded (for the prayer) on the Day of 'Id-ul-Fitr unless he had eaten some dates. Anas also narrated: The Prophet used to eat odd number of dates. [Bukhari :: Book 2 :: Volume 15 :: Hadith 73]
Whoever does not have any dates may eat anything that is permissible. 

3 – Takbeer on the day of Eid The time for takbeer on Eid al-Fitr starts from the night before Eid until the imam enters to lead the Eid prayer.
 It was narrated in a saheeh report that ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Sulami said, “They (companions) emphasized it more on the day of al-Fitr than the day of al-Adha.”. Wakee’ said, this refers to the takbeer. [See Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 3/122/]
Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated with a saheeh isnaad that al-Zuhri said: The people used to recite Takbeer on Eid when they came out of their houses until they came to the prayer place, and until the imam came out. When the imam came out they fell silent, and when he said takbeer they said takbeer. [See Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 1/121]

4 – Offering Congratulations 
It was narrated that Jubayr ibn Nufayr said: When the companions of the Prophet PBUH met one another on the day of Eid, they would say to one another, " تَقَبَّلَ اللَّهُ مِنَّا وَمِنْك 'Taqabbal Allaahu minna wa mink' '(May Allaah accept (this worship) from us and from you)". [Ibn Hajar said, its isnaad is hasan. Al-Fath, 2/446.]

 5 – Adorning oneself on the occasion of Eid.
 Narrated 'Abdullah bin Umar: Umar bought a silk cloak from the market, took it to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Take it and adorn yourself with it during the 'Id and when the delegations visit you." Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) replied, "This dress is for those who have no share (in the Hereafter)." [Bukhari :: Book 2 :: Volume 15 :: Hadith 69]
The Prophet PBUH agreed with ‘Umar on the idea of adorning oneself for Eid, but he denounced him for choosing this cloak because it was made of silk. 

Narrated Naafi: Ibn ‘Umar used to wear his best clothes on Eid. [Sunan Kubra Bayhaqi 6363, Sahih Isnaad]So a man should wear the best clothes that he has when going out for Eid. 

6 – Going to the Prayer by one route and returning by another. 

Narrated Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah RA: "On the day of Eid, the Prophet PBUH would vary his route, i.e., he would go via one route and come back via a different route". [Bukhaari 986]

Laylatul Qadr

Laylatul Qadr

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“Verily this month has come to you; and therein is a night which is better than a thousand months. Whosoever is deprived of it is deprived of all good; and none is deprived of its good except a totally unfortunate person.” [Ibn Majah]

... Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) is the crowning glory of Ramadhan. Its merit can be judged by the fact that it was the night in which Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) chose to send down the Quran from the Lawh-Mahfudh (Preserved Tablet) to the earthly skies.

“We have indeed revealed this in the Night of Power. And what will explain to you what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit (Jibreel) descend in it by Allah's permission, with every command. Peace it is till the debut of dawn!” [Quran: Surah Al-Qadr]

A thousand months are equivalent to 83 years and 4 months. Fortunate is the person who spends this night in prayer and trying to understand the Quran that made this night so special.

The person who spends this night in trying to draw closer to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) through His revelation will be blessed with the reward of having worshipped Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) for at least eighty three years and four months consecutively. Since Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) says that the Night of Power is better than one thousand months the reward is even greater than that.

A'meen.

Praying in the last third of the night

Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah’s Apostle said, “When it is the last third of the night, our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, descends every night to the heaven of the world and says, ‘Is there anyone who invokes Me (demand anything from Me), that I may respond to his invocation; Is there anyone who asks Me for something that I may give (it to) him; Is there anyone who asks My forgiveness that I may forgive him?’ “
Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 75, Number 333

This is why praying Tahajjud has such a big significance at that hour of the night. 

Allah S.W.T. gives us the chance to ask for forgiveness and seek his blessings every night,  we should try to make the most of it and not let go of such opportunities for few minutes of sleep.

Hardships..

Being patient.. While going through hardships has such tremendous rewards.

Greeting each other

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said, "The riding person should greet the walking one, and the walking one should greet the sitting one, and the small number of persons should greet the large number of persons."

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said, "The younger person should greet the older one, and the walking person should greet the sitting one, and the small number of persons should greet the large number of persons."

[Sahih Al Bukhari : book 74, hadith 252]

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr:

A man asked the Prophet , "What sort of deeds or (what qualities of) Islam are good?" The Prophet replied, 'To feed (the poor) and greet those whom you know and those whom you do not Know.

[Sahih Al Bukhari : book 2, hadith 27]

Greeting each other with "Asalaam Alaikum" and responding back with " Walaikum Asalaam" is considered as one of the good deeds of Islam for a Muslim.
The hadith explains who should take the initiative to greet in different situations, remember the first one to greet gets more rewards.

Asalaam Alaikum :-)

Immense love for the Prophet

Love for the Prophet 

Shaykh Tabarsi has narrated that Thauban, the freed slave of the Prophet used to love the Messenger of Allah (S) very much and could not bear separation from him. He came to the Prophet one day and his face was pale, body weak and thin. The Holy Prophet (S) asked him why he was so pale? He said that he was not suffering from any illness but that till he did not see the Prophet, he used to be restless and eager and till he did not come to the Prophet, he could not get rest.

Then I remember the hereafter, how I will come to the presence of the Messenger of Allah (S), although I know that you will get the loftiest grades of Paradise with the divine prophets. If I also reach Paradise, I will be at a much lower station than yours. And if I cannot reach Paradise, I will never be able to see you again. The following verse was revealed at that time:

4:69. " And whoso obeys Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad ), then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqun (those followers of the Prophets who were first and foremost to believe in them, like Abu Bakr As-Siddiq ), the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are! "

[Surah An-Nisa , 4:69]

The Holy Prophet (S) said: “By the One who sent with truth, no man is perfect in faith till he does not consider me dearer to him than his parents, family and all other people.”

The following lecture by Mufti Menk explains this incident beautifully:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaK6YgwTo0E

This ayah should inspire us to love and obey the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H.) and strive to be among the best followers of his practices.

Reward for good deeds ..

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said, "If any one of you improve (follows strictly) his Islamic religion then his good deeds will be rewarded ten times to seven hundred times for each good deed and a bad deed will be recorded as it is."

[ Sahih Al Bukhari : book 2, hadith 40 ]

Is there any judgment system on earth that would reward us 10 to 700 times more for the good deeds we do ? Only Allah S.W.T. can be this merciful and compassionate! 
This hadith definitely encourages us to do more good deeds and seek the Almighty's blessings.

Sharing food..

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said, "The food for two persons is sufficient for three, and the food of three persons is sufficient for four persons."

[Sahih Al Bukhari: book 65, hadith 304 ]

This hadith talks about sharing food with others, and it all depends on our intention of sharing as well.

Thanking the Almighty..

Narrated Al-Mughira:

The Prophet (may peace be upon him) used to stand (in the prayer) or pray till both his feet or legs swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable prayer) and he said, "should I not be a thankful slave."

[Sahih Al Bukhari : book 21, hadith 230 ]

If our beloved Prophet Muhammad ( P.B.U.H) ; messenger of the highest stature..could stand for hours at night till his feet were swollen..to thank Allah S.W.T., can we all even begin to COMPREHEND how thankful we should be towards our creator?

I think we should at least start by appreciating all the small things we often take for granted and start thanking the Almighty every step of the way for all the small and big favors he has blessed us with ! InshaAllah ..!

Sadaqa begins at home

Allah S.W.T. has made it so easy for us to seek rewards, even taking care of the basic responsibilities as a guardian/ care giver is considered as the best kind of sadaqa.

Sadaqa is closely defined as  - Giving something to somebody without seeking a substitute in return and with the intention to please Allah OR voluntary charity .

Providing for the basic needs of the family is an obligation on the male member of the family, but to spend on them with happiness while seeking Allah's pleasure becomes a source of reward. Islam teaches us to take care of our family,  to help and provide for the them .

We are asked to look after our family,our relatives, our neighbors, our community .. roughly in that order. Charity surely begins at home, fulfilling the responsibilities of your dependents is regarded as Sadaqa! SubhanAllah !!

Following Hadiths will give a better understanding of the topic -

Narrated Abu Mas'ud Al-Ansari:
The Prophet (may peace be upon him) said, "When a Muslim spends something on his family intending to receive Allah's reward it is regarded as Sadaqa for him."
[Sahih Al Bukhari volume 7, book 64, hadith 263]

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said, "The best alms is that which you give when you are rich, and you should start first to support your dependants."

[Sahih Al Bukhari volume 7, book 64, hadith 269] 

Thauban reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The most excellent dinar is one that a person spends on his family, and the dinar which he spends on his animal in Allah's path, and the dinar he spends on his companions in Allah's path. Abu Qilaba (one of the narrators) said: He (the narrator) started with family, and then Abu Qilaba said: Who is the person with greater reward than a person who spends on young members of his family (and thus) preserves (saves them from want) (and by virtue of which) Allah brings profit for them and makes them rich.
[Sahih Muslim Book 5, chapter 12, hadith 2180]

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Of the dinar you spend as a contribution in Allah's path, or to set free a slave, or as a sadaqa given to a needy, or to support your family, the one yielding the greatest reward is that which you spent on your family.
[Sahih Muslim Book 5, chapter 12, hadith 2181]

2. Friday Prayer

Narrated Salman-Al-Farsi:

The Prophet (may peace be upon him) (p.b.u.h) said, "Whoever takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, then uses his (hair) oil or perfumes himself with the scent of his house, then proceeds (for the Jumua prayer) and does not separate two persons sitting together (in the mosque), then prays as much as (Allah has) written for him and then remains silent while the Imam is delivering the Khutba, his sins in-between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven."

[Sahih Al Bukhari : Volume 1, Book 13, hadith 8 ]

SubhanAllah such an easy way to please the Almighty, simple acts of obedience and worship.. that would expiate your sins.
Allah S.W.T. has granted us the opportunity of implementing this every week ! May you all have a blessed Friday..  ( Ameen)

Whose Islam is the best? Who is a Good Muslim?

 Who is a Good Muslim?

This seems like a very complicated question, one would think that the answer would consist of an elaborate list of things a Muslim should follow to be known as a good Muslim. Strangely enough the answer to the above question is very simple and yet very difficult to follow nowadays.

The following hadiths gives us a simple and brief explanation:

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr:

The Prophet () said, "A Muslim is the one who avoids harming Muslims with his tongue and hands. And a Muhajir (emigrant) is the one who gives up (abandons) all what Allah has forbidden."

[ Sahih al-Bukhari 10 , Book 2, Hadith 3 ]

Narrated Abu Musa:

Some people asked Allah's Messenger (), "Whose Islam is the best? i.e. (Who is a very good Muslim)?" He replied, "One who avoids harming the Muslims with his tongue and hands."

[ Sahih al-Bukhari 11 , Book 2, Hadith 4 ]

Just by controlling our tongue and restricting ourselves from backbiting, swearing, slandering, etc and basically by not causing others harm with our speech and actions makes us a better person and moreover a better Muslim. In the end it's a lesson in humanity, a very basic one that we all are taught at a very young age and somehow tend to forget as we grow up !

Let's just start following this hadith by thinking before we say or do something, just a simple question like " Will this speech/action please Allah or not, if the answer is NO, we should stop ourselves right there. Hopefully this small step will help us become better human beings and Muslims.. InshaAllah.

Fasting on Monday's and Thursday's

The Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H  used to fast on Monday's and Thursday's. Following the path of Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H and observing fast on these days is an act of Sunnah.

The following hadiths give some insight behind the reason for fasting on those particular days.

Abu Hurayrah Radhiyallahu anhu says: "Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: 'Deeds are presented (before Allah subhanahu wata'allah) on Mondays and Thursdays. I desire that my deeds be presented whilst I am fasting'".

[Sunan al-tirmidhi 228]

Abu Qatada Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Massenger (may peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: It is (the day) when I was born and revelation was sent down to me.

[Sahih Muslim 2606 ]

Smile..It's Sunnah ! :)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Charity is prescribed for each descendant of Adam every day the sun rises." He was then asked: "From what do we give charity every day?" The Prophet answered: "The doors of goodness are many...enjoining good, forbidding evil, removing harm from the road, listening to the deaf, leading the blind, guiding one to the object of his need, hurrying with the strength of one's legs to one in sorrow who is asking for help, and supporting the feeble with the strength of one's arms--all of these are charity prescribed for you." He also said: "Your smile for your brother is charity." - Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 98

Jarîr b. `Abd Allah said: "Since the time I accepted Islam, the Prophet (peace be upon him) never once failed to notice me. Whenever he saw me, he would smile at me." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (2809 & 5625) and Sahîh Muslim (4523)]

And indeed, the Prophet (peace be upon him) followed this advice in his everyday life, so much so that `Abd Allah b. al-Hârith said: "I have never seen anyone more in the habit of smiling than Allah's Messenger." [Sunan al-Tirmidhî (3574)]

Smiling is perhaps the most easy, simple and effortless form of charity ! :)  

What is Sunnah?

Sunnah is often defined as the legal way or ways, sayings, orders, acts of worship and statements of the Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H.); these practices are prescribed to be followed by the ideal Muslim.

It describes a way of life; these acts mostly constitute the major and minor aspects of our daily lives, such as sunnah’s ranging from the drinking of water to more important topics like marriage, burial, etc.

Islam is established on two sources, the first being the Holy Quran and the second includes the Sunnah, both sources are indispensable and Islam cannot be practiced without consulting both the sources in parallel.