The Virtues of Laylatul Qadr

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,

Imaam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, “When Ramadan would come, the Messenger of Allaah (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) would say,

“Verily, the month of Ramadaan has come to you all. It is a blessed month, which Allaah has obligated you all to fast. During it the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are shackled. In it there is a night that is better than one thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good, then he has truly been deprived.” (Ahmad 2:230. There is a witness for this narration from the Hadeeth of Anas bin Maalik in the books of the Sunan.)

An-Nasaa’ee recorded this same Hadeeth. Aside from the fact that worship during the Night of Al-Qadr is equivalent to worship performed for a period of one thousand months, it is also confirmed in the Two Saheehs from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said,

“Whoever stands (in prayer) during the Night of Al-Qadr with faith and expecting reward (from Allaah), he will be forgiven for his previous sins.”

Allaah (SWT) says in the Quran:

تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ
“Therein descend the angels and the Ruh by their Lord’s permission with every matter.” (Surah Al Qadr 97:4)

Meaning, the angels descend in abundance during the Night of Al-Qadr due to its abundant blessings.

Allaah (SWT) also says in the Quran:

سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ
“There is peace until the appearance of the dawn.” (Surah Al Qadr 97:5)

Sa’eed bin Masoor said, “Hushaym narrated to us on the authority of Abu Ishaaq, who narrated that Ash-Sha’bi said concerning Allaah’s statement:

“With every matter, there is a peace until the appearance of dawn.”

The angels are giving the greetings of peace during the Night of Al-Qadr to the people in the Masaajid until the coming of Fajr (dawn).

Source: Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Concerning the Number of Rak'aat of the Taraaweeh Prayer (Q&A)

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Question: Is there a specific number (of rak’aat) for the Night Prayer or not?

Answer: There is no specific number (of rak’aat) that one is obligated to abide by when performing the Night Prayer. So if a person spends the whole night in prayer, there is no harm in this. And if he prays twenty rak’aat or fifty rak’aat, there is nothing wrong with this either. However, the best number (of rak’aat) to pray is that which the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to do, which was either eleven or thirteen rak’aat. This is because when the Mother of the Believers, ‘Aa’ishah, was asked about how the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would pray in Ramadaan, she replied:

“He would not exceed eleven rak’aat whether in Ramadaan or out of it.” [1]

However, these rak’aat must be done in the prescribed manner. One must prolong his recitation, bowing, prostrating, standing after bowing, and sitting between prostrations in it. This is contrary to what the people do today – they pray in a rush and prevent the followers from doing what they are required to do in prayer.

An Imaam is a position of leadership. And when someone is a leader, he must do what is best and most fitting (for the people). As for an Imaam not having any concern except to leave early, this is wrong. Rather, a person should do what the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to do, such as prolonging his standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting in accordance to what is mentioned in the texts. He should also lengthen his supplication, recitation of the Qur’aan, glorification of Allaah and so on.

Footnotes:
[1] Reported by Al-Bukhaaree (no. 1147) and Muslim (no. 1670)

Source:  Imaam Muhammad bin Saalih Al-'Uthaimeen
48 Su'aalan fis-Siyaam (binothaimeen.org)
Al-Ibaanah.com

Suhur: The Pre-Dawn Meal During Ramadhan

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the  Most Merciful,

Allah, the Most High, says: " ... Eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread of the dawn. Then resume the fast till nightfall ... " [Al-Qur'an 2:187]

It was narrated that Adi ibn Hatim, may Allah be pleased with him, said when the following verses were revealed: " ... until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread," that he took two strands of hair, one black and the other white, and kept them under his pillow and went on looking at them throughout the night but could not make anything out of it. So, the next morning he went to Allah's Messenger, peace be upon him, and told him the whole story. He explained, "that verse means the darkness of night and the whiteness of dawn." [Recorded by al-Bukhari]

It was also narrated by Sahl ibn Saud, may Allah be pleased with him, that when the following verse was revealed: " ... Eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread ... " and "of the dawn" was not revealed, some people who intended to fast, tied black and white threads to their legs and went on eating till they differentiated between the two. Allah then revealed the words, "of the dawn", and it became clear that meant night and day. [Recorded by al-Bukhari]

Du’aa’ al-Qunoot in Witr prayer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,

Praise be to Allaah. 

Firstly: 

Du’a’ al-Qunoot is recited in the last rak’ah of Witr prayer, after bowing, but if one recites it before bowing it doesn’t matter. But reciting it after bowing is better.

Shaykh al-Islam [Ibn Taymiyah] said in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (23/100):

With regard to qunoot: there are two extreme views and one middle (or moderate) view. Some say that qunoot should only be recited before bowing and some say that it should only be recited after bowing. The fuqaha’ among the scholars of hadeeth, such as Ahmad and others, say that both are allowed, because both are mentioned in the saheeh Sunnah, but they preferred reciting qunoot after bowing because this is mentioned more often. 

Raising the hands is mentioned in a saheeh report from  ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him), as was narrated by al-Bayhaqi in a report which he classed as saheeh (2/210).

The worshipper should raise his hands to chest height and no more, because this du’aa’ is not a du’aa’ of supplication in which a person needs to raise his hands high. Rather it is a du’aa’ of hope in which a person holds out his palms towards heaven… The apparent meaning of the scholar’s words is that the worshipper should hold his hands close together like a beggar who asks someone else to give him something.

It is better not to recite qunoot in witr all the time, rather it should be done sometimes, because there is no evidence that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did it all the time. But he taught al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him) a du’aa’ to recite in qunoot al-witr, as will be quoted below.

Secondly:

The du’aa’ of qunoot was narrated by Abu Dawood (1425), al-Tirmidhi (464), and al-Nasaa’i (1746) from al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught me some words to say in qunoot al-witr:

“Allaahumma ihdini feeman hadayta wa ‘aafini feeman ‘aafayta wa tawallani feeman tawallayta wa baarik li feema a’tayta, wa qini sharra ma qadayta , fa innaka taqdi wa la yuqda ‘alayk, wa innahu laa yadhillu man waalayta wa laa ya’izzu man ‘aadayta, tabaarakta Rabbana wa ta’aalayta la manja minka illa ilayk

(O Allaah, guide me among those whom You have guided, pardon me among those whom You have pardoned, turn to me in friendship among those on whom You have turned in friendship, and bless me in what You have bestowed, and save me from the evil of what You have decreed. For verily You decree and none can influence You; and he is not humiliated whom You have befriended, nor is he honoured who is Your enemy. Blessed are You, O Lord, and Exalted. There is no place of safety from You except with You).”

The last phrase – Laa manja minka illa ilayka (There is no place of safety from You except with You) – was narrated by Ibn Mandah in al-Tawheed and classed as hasan by al-Albaani.

See Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, hadeeth no. 426, 429.

Then he should send blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). See al-Sharh al-Mumti’ by Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (4/14-52).

Thirdly:

It is mustahabb to say after the tasleem: Subhaan al-Malik al-Quddoos three times, elongating the vowels the third time, as narrated by al-Nasaa’i (1699) and classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan al-Nasaa’i.

Al-Daaraqutni added the word: Rabb al-Malaa’ikah wa’l-Rooh (Lord of the angels and the Spirit), with a saheeh isnaad. See Zaad al-Ma’aad by Ibn al-Qayyim, 1/337.

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Source: Islam Q&A

Check out Ruling on Salaat ul Taraweeh for Women

The Excellence of Spending out charity during Ramadan

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

1222. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was the most generous of the men; and he was the most generous during the month of Ramadan when Jibril visited him every night and recited the Qur'an to him. During this period, the generosity of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) waxed faster than the rain bearing wind.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary:  This Hadith induces us to do two good things frequently and with full preparation in the month of Ramadan. First, benevolence and generosity so that people get maximum time for worship and reduce their mundane affairs during this month. Second, recitation of the Qur'an and Mudarsah, (reading and hearing the Qur'an from one another) as is done by two Huffaz in this manner. The reason for the stress on the Qur'an is that the Qur'an and the month of Ramadan are closely linked with each other. The Qur'an was revealed in this month.

1223. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the last ten nights (of Ramadan) would begin, the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would keep awake at night (for prayer and devotion), awaken his family and prepare himself to be more diligent in worship.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: The entire month of Ramadan is a spring season for virtues, worship and obedience of Allah, but its last ten days are the peak of this season of worship. Therefore, one must strive hard in the last ten days and nights of this month to follow the practice of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), to seek the Pleasure of Allah and to attain the benefits of Lailat-ul-Qadr, which occurs during this period. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to make special arrangement for observing I`tikaf, and we must also follow this practice of his.

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Source: 

- AbdurRahman.org

- Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen [Chapter 218]

- Image Source

Dua for Ramadan and Fasting.

Duas for breaking the fast:

Meaning: The thirst has gone and the veins are quenched, and reward is confirmed, if Allaah wills.

Transliteration: Zahabadh-dhama'u wabtallatil-'urooqu, wa thabatal-ajru inshaa-Allaahu.

Source: Abu Dawud 2/306, Sahih Al-Jami As Saghir 4/209

Meaning: O Allaah, I ask You by Your mercy which envelops all things, that You forgive me.

Transliteration: Allahumma innee as'aluka bi-rahmatikal-latee wasi'ath kulla shai'in an taghfira lee.

Source: Ibn Majah 1/557

 Dua for Sighting the Crescent Moon

Meaning: Allaah is the greatest. O Allaah, let the crescent loom above us in safety, faith, peace, and Islaam, and in agreement with all that You love and pleases You. Our Lord and your Lord is Allaah.

Transliteration: Allahu Akbar, Allaahumma ahillahu 'alaina bil-amni wal-imaani, was-salaamati wal-Islaami, wat-tawfeeqi limaa tuhibbu wa tardhaa, Rabbunaa wa Rabbukallaahu.

Source: At Tirmidhi 5/504

Dua for Laila tul Qadr

Meaning: O Allah You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.

Transliteration: Allahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni.

Source: Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah

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Islamcan.com

The Virtues of Ramadan

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Praise be to Allaah. 

Ramadaan is one of the twelve Arabic months. It is a month which is venerated in the Islamic religion, and it is distinguished from the other months by a number of characteristics and virtues, including the following:

1 – Allaah has made fasting this month the fourth pillar of Islam, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, 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 observe Sawm (fasts) that month…” [al-Baqarah 2:185]

and it was narrated in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 8; Muslim, 16) from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; establishing prayer; paying zakaah; fasting Ramadaan; and Hajj to the House (the Ka’bah).”

Spreading the Good News of Ramadaan

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allaah (saws) said: "Ramadaan has come to you - a blessed month. Allaah has made it obligatory on you to fast in it. During this month, the gates of heaven are open, the gates of the Hellfire are closed and the evil devils are chained. To Allaah belongs a night in it, which is better than a thousand months. Whosoever is prevented from its good, then he has been deprived." [1]

The hadeeth is a glad tiding to the righteous servants of Allaah, of the coming of the blessed month of Ramadaan. The Prophet (saws) informed his Companions of its coming and it was not just a simple relaying of news. Rather, his intent was to give them the glad tidings of a magnificent time of the year, so that the righteous people who are quick to do deeds can give it its due estimate. This is because the Prophet (saws) explained in it (the hadeeth) what Allaah has prepared for His servants from the ways towards gaining forgiveness and His contentment - and they are many. So whoever has forgiveness escape him during the month of Ramadaan, then he has been deprived with the utmost deprivation.

The Muslim in Ramadaan

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, 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 observe Sawm (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allaah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allaah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allaah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” [al-Baqarah 2:185]

Ruling on Salaat ul Taraaweeh for Women

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Taraaweeh prayer is not obligatory for women, and it is still better for them to perform the Night Prayer at home, because the Prophet SAWS (Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon Him) said:

"Do not prevent your women from going to the mosque, even though their houses are better for them." (Reported by Abu Dawud in al-Sunan, Baab maa jaa'a fee khurooj al-nisaa' ilaa'l-masjid: Baab al-tashdeed fee dhaalik. See also Saheeh al-Jaami', no. 7458) .

Whenever a woman prays in a place that is more private and more hidden, that is better for her, as the Prophet SAWS (Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon Him) said: "A woman's prayer in her house is better than her prayer in her courtyard, and her prayer in her bedroom is better than her prayer in her house." (Reported by Abu Dawud in al-Sunan, Baab maa jaa'a fee khurooj al-nisaa' ilaa'l-masjid. See also Saheeh al-Jaami', no. 3833).

Fasting is a Shield

It is reported that Hafsah bint Sîrîn – Allâh have mercy on her – said:

"Fasting is a shield as long as one does not tear it, and tearing it is when you backbite".

[‘Abd Al-Razzâq Al-San’ânî, Al-Musannaf articles 8975.]

Source: Sayings of the Salaf

Welcome Ramadan

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

All praise is due to ALLAH alone , and Blessings and peace be upon the Final Prophet (salalahu alayhi wa salam). Indeed we are welcoming a Blessed month, where the earth is showered by Blessings from ALLAH subbhanahu wa-ta’ala , and between our hands here are some of the many Hadiths from the Truthful messenger of ALLAH (Salalahu Alayhi wa Salaam):

Purpose and Benefits of Fasting

An old but good reminder...

Let's Prepare for the Month of Ramadan

Ramadan, the blessed month is about to come. It is time to improve the self; Ramadan is the month which puts us in a situation that we must act rightly so that our fasting would be accepted by Allah (swt). This is why we are more serious when the blessed month of mercy arrives. But before we start preparing for the month of Ramadan we must allow ourselves to continue an act that we have done in Ramadan, at least one or two to carry this characteristic within you. The month of Ramadan is a chance to purify yourself from the ills that you may have done, it is a chance to carry this gift of Dhikr till the day you die!