Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us

“Hasbunallahu wa ni`mal Wakil’:
حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ

Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).”                                 آل عمران‎ : Surah Al ‘Imran (3:173)

Such a powerful ayah, it was recited by the prophets (P.B.U.H.) in the time of distress. This single verse very simply and strongly defines our submission to the Almighty with an unconditional trust in his doing.

Narrated Ibn Abbas:

'Allah is Sufficient for us and He Is the Best Disposer of affairs," was said by Abraham when he was thrown into the fire; and it was said by Muhammad when they (i.e. hypocrites) said, "A great army is gathering against you, therefore, fear them," but it only increased their faith and they said: "Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer (of affairs, for us)." (3.173)
[Bukhari]

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.

Ramadan - A month of spiritual transition

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Prophet {P.B.U.H} said, "ALLAH said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.

' Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting.' By Him in Whose Hands my soul is'

The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk.

There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting."

Sahih Al Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 128

SubhanAllah..!  Fasting is definitely a shield,  it's also a spiritual cleansing process.

I've seen Muslim that smoke, don't offer prayers, use foul language,  can't skip a single meal or snack everyday.. became such ideal Muslims in the holy month of Ramdan. They become patient,  avoid all bad habits and turn to Allah sincerely 5 times a day and also offer the Taraweh prayers with sheer dedication and commitment. 

It's truly amazing to see what we all are capable of,  if only we could maintain this spiritual transition throughout the year.. We'd all be better Muslims!  InshaAllah..  :-) 

Calamities, life, and remembrance of Allah

“A calamity that makes you turn to Allah is better for you then a blessing which makes you forget the remembrance of Allah”

Easy to say,  tough to believe.. But that's what keeps faith and hope alive! Clinging on to this belief makes it easier to strive through the calamities and develop an eternal bond with the Almighty.

May we all have the courage and patience to overcome worldly difficulties.  Ameen.