Category Archives: Belief
Laylatul-Qadr (The Night of Power)
Bismillahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem
Assalatu Wa’assalamu ‘Alaika Ya Rasool Allah
Wa ‘alaa Aalika Wa as-haabika Ya Habeeb Allah
In the last part of the Holy Month of Ramadan, a night comes which is known as “Lailatul Qadrâ€. We are supposed to search this night in the last part of Ramadan by praying, reciting the Holy Quran and by remembering Allah (The Most Exalted). In this night we get a lot of benefits on our good deeds and all our prayers get fulfilled. The description of this night is present in the Holy Quran in Surah Al-Qadr, Surah No.97, Part 30.
The prayer in this night has more importance than the prayers of 1000 months. The Angel Gabriel and other angels come on earth with lots of blessing and mercy from Allah (The Most Exalted) and shake hands with those who are praying. Â
Surah Al-QadrÂ
Bismillahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim
Innaa anzalnaahu fii Laylatil Qadr. Â
Wa maa adraaka maa Laylatul Qadr? Â
Laylatul-Qadri khayrum-min alfi Shahr. Â
Tanazzalul-malaa-ikatu war-Ruuhu fiihaa bi-idhni Rabbihim-min-kulli amr. Â
Salaamun Hiya hattaa matla-‘il-Fajr!Â
Translation
 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Power.
Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Night of Power is!
The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, with all decrees.
(That night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn.
Alim Shaikh
Alim Shaikh is a dedicated eleven year old budding Islamic scholar (insha Allah) who submitted this brief article from the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Importance of Month of Ramadan
Nahmaduhu wa nussali Ala Rasoolihil Kareem
We are extremely grateful to Our Lord, Allah Almighty (The Most Exalted) that once again He has sent upon us the Holy month of Ramadan which brings His Mercy, Forgiveness and Blessings. In this month, Allah (The Most Exalted) Himself asks His servants, “Is there anyone who seeks desires and blessings from Me?†In this holy month, for every good deed we get the benefit of 700 times. First part of this holy month is mercy, second part is forgiveness and the last part is to escape from the punishment of hell. Our Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his family) said, “If only my people understood the importance of the month of Ramadan then they would wish that the whole year would be Ramadan.†Our Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his family ) said, “Let that person be ruined who has passed through the month of Ramadan and did not seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty (The Most Exalted).†The month of Ramadan approaches us as a guest from Allah (The Most Exalted) and if we don’t give respect and importance then it gets upset and goes back to Allah (The Most Exalted) and complains about us that it had gone to so and so person but he did not take benefit from me and did not respect me. Allah (The Most Exalted) tells us to exercise mainly four things in the Holy month of Ramadan: 1) Reciting Kalima Tayyeba, 2) reciting Astaghfaar, 3) desiring Heaven and 4) asking for escape from Hell. In this month, the one who recites Astaghfar in abundance then Allah (The Most Exalted) will increase his sustenance and he will receive his sustenance from places he could not think of.
Allah (The Most Exalted) has bestowed us with unlimited Mercy and Blessings. It is therefore our duty to pray to Allah (The Most Exalted) with love and affection. Amongst the compulsory worship which Allah has bestowed upon us, namaz (the ritual prayer) is on #1 position. Prayer is a part of religion. Prayer is the coolness of the eyes of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family). Prayer is the right way of achieving peace. So in this month we have to especially concentrate on Nawafil (optional) prayers along with Fardh (compulsory). Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said, “In the Holy Month of Ramadan, the one who will stand (for prayer) with the intention to achieve faith and sawaab, all his sins will be forgiven.“  [Al-Minhaj-us-Sawi] Therefore it is our duty to read all 20 rakats (cycles) of Taraweeh. If we read 8 rakats (cycles) in the mosque with the Imaam, then the remaining 12 cycles are supposed to be read individually, either at the mosque or at home. In the holy month of Ramadan, we should get up especially for the Tahajjud prayers apart from Taraweeh. The convenient way of offering Tahajjud payers is before suhoor (the pre-dawn meal).
In the last part of this holy month, a night comes called Laila-tul-Qadr. In Surah Al-Qadr, Allah (The Most Exalted) says: “Khairum-min Alfi shahrâ€
[The Holy Quran, Chapter Al-Qadr, 97:3]
The prayer of this night has more importance than prayers of thousand months. Angel Gabriel and other angels come on earth with lots of blessings and mercy from Allah (The Most Exalted) and shake hands with those who are praying. All the prayers in this night are fulfilled.
After prayer, we have to pay special attention towards our dua (supplication). After prayer, we should not be lazy and neglect our supplication. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said:
“Ad-dua’u Silahul Mo’min†which means “Dua is the weapon of a believer.â€
“Ad-dua’u Huwal Ibaadatu† which means “Dua itself is worship.â€
“Ad-dua’u Mukh’khul ibaadatu†which means “Dua is the brain of worship.â€
Dua at the time of breaking the fast is always fulfilled. Women should finish all the Iftaar (breaking of fast) preparation and sit down for supplication along with their families and pray a lot for ourselves and others as this supplication will never be rejected and we should be benefitted by this moment of blessing. When we supplicate for others, Allah (The Most Exalted) appoints an angel who does supplication for the supplicators. In Ramadan, we get a lot of sawaab (reward) for inviting others for opening the fast but it should have simplicity so that our prayers are not affected. Apart from friends and relatives we should pay more attention towards poor and needy by organizing food for their breaking of fast.
Allah (The Most Exalted) says:
“Shahru Ramadan alladhi unzila fihi Al-Qur’anâ€
[The Holy Quran, Chapter Al-Baqarah, 2:185]
This is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed. So, in this Holy Month we should read Qur’an in abundance and in fact we should try to understand it. Allah (The Most Exalted) says:
“Kitabun anzalnahu ilayka mubarakun liyaddabbaru aayaatihiâ€
[The Holy Quran, Chapter Sad, 38:29]
This is the Book which Allah has revealed so that people should pay extreme attention towards it. This is the Book which guides us in how we should spend our life. Therefore it is necessary that we understand the Quran, so that the blessing of the Holy Qur’an comes in our life. After our death, The Holy Qur’an will be settled on the chest of his reader ad protect him from the torments. At the Day of Judgment, The Holy Qur’an will request pardon from Allah for his reader. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said: “Among you the best one is who learns and teaches Qur’an.â€
Apart from the rights of Allah (The Most Exalted) we should be conscious about the right of His servant. In this holy month we should pay purifying dues of our money which is compulsory. This is the right of the poor people which Allah Almighty (The Most Exalted) kept in our money. Paying rights of the servant is the necessary part of our religion. The life of a person is not perfect unless he treats his fellow creatures well. Only the person who fulfils the rights of both Allah (The Most Exalted) and His servants can lead a peaceful life here and after death. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said, “One glance of love and affection on our Muslim brother is not less than worship.†In this holy month we especially have to search for poor, needy and orphans and help them. If a person fulfills the needs of others, then Allah (The Most Exalted) will fulfill his needs. If a person solves the tensions, worries and sorrows of others, then Allah Almighty, (The Most Exalted) will relieve him from pains and worries on the Day of Judgment. If a person hides the secrets of others, then Allah Almighty, (The Most Exalted) hides his secrets on the Day of Judgment. A person will not reach the soul of Ramadan and fast until he services Allah’s (The Most Exalted) servants along with Allah’s (The Most Exalted) rights. Taking care of Allah’s (The Most Exalted) servant is same as exerting in the way of Allah (The Most Exalted). A good natured person gets sawaab (benefit) of five times prayers and a whole day’s fast.
It is our humble prayer to Allah (The Most Exalted) to guide us to do more good deeds during this holy month of Ramadan and make this holy month our mode of forgiveness for all our past bad deeds. Aameen.
Wa Aakhiru Dawana Anil Hamdolillahi Rabbil Aalameen
Sister Zarin R. Shaikh Qadari
Kingdom of Bahrain
Sister Zarin is an active member in her community imparting religious education. She can be reached at zarrobah@gmail.com.
Blessings of Ramadan Al-Mubarak
By the blessings of Allah, the month of Ramadan is upon us. Rajab marks the beginning of the spiritual season of every believer ending with the end of the fasting month of Ramadan with the Eid Al Fitr. These three months in order Rajab, Shaban, and Ramadan are unmatched in their importance. Â
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) has said: “Rajab is a great month of Allah Almighty, unmatched by any other month in respect and significance; war with the infidels during this month is prohibited. Verily, Rajab is Allah’s month, Sha’ban my month and Ramadan the month of my Ummah; whosoever fasts a day in the month of Rajab will be granted the great reward of Ridwan (an angel in heaven);  the wrath of Allah Almighty shall be distanced and a door of Hell shall be closed.”Â
Fasting is one of the most recommended acts during this spiritual season. It becomes Wajib (obligatory) during the month of Ramadan, but is highly recommended during the months of Rajab and Sha’ban. As will be noted from the Hadith above, fasting, be it for only one day during these months, is rewarded with untold bounties.Â
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) used to supplicate upon the sighting of the moon of Rajab: “O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan (i.e. prolong our life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings).”
[At-Tabarani and Ahmad]
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said:
“When a believer (Mu`min) sleeps in the night of Ramadan, an angel says unto him, “Awaken!! as Allah Almighty wants to shower His blessings on you. Thus, the believer awakens. It is at this time that the (1) linen of the bed sheet that he was sleeping on prays for him and then when this person puts on his garbs to perform the prayer, (2) the clothes supplicate for him, ‘O Allah! Clothe this person from the garbs of Paradise.’ And when he puts his shoes on, (3) the shoes pray for him, ‘O Allah! Make this person’s feet steadfast on the Pul Siraat.’ and when he (or she) uses the vessel for wudu, (4) the vessel prays for him, ’O Allah! let him/her be one from the people who drink from the vessels of Paradise.’ When the person starts to make wudu, (5) the water prays for him, ’O Allah! Expiate his major and minor sins.’ Finally when he (or she) stands on the prayer mat facing in the direction of the Ka’ba, at that time the House of Allah prays for him, ’O Allah! Expand and illuminate this person’s grave.’ Ultimately, when Allah Almighty looks down, He says, ‘O My servant, there are supplications made for you, there is acceptance from Me.’â€Â
This goes to show that Allah Almighty  always answers the prayers of those who plead from Him in Ramadan.Â
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) has also said that a fasting person is in a state of worship, even when he (or she) is asleep, the breath he (or she) takes is Tasbih (glorification of Allah), his supplications are honored, sins are forgiven and good deeds multiplied. Subhan Allah! Alhumdulillah!Â
My dear brothers and sisters, shouldn’t we be thankful to Allah Almighty for his Mercy and Graciousness upon us? When Allah Almighty considers a regular, fasting individual’s inhalation and exhalation a tasbih, can you imagine the value of the breath of the “Zakireen” in the eyes of Allah?? “Zakireen” are people who are always involved in the remembrance of Allah. They are the ones:Â
“Who remember Allah while standing, sitting and lying on their sides …”
[The Holy Quran, Chapter Aale-Imran, 3:191]Â
Allah Almighty also says:Â Â
“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.â€
[The Holy Quran, Chapter Al-Baqarah, 2:155]
“…Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning.â€
[The Holy Quran, Chapter Az-Zumar, 39:10]Â
It has been narrated by Hazrat Abu Salman (may Allah have mercy on him) that “Hunger is from one of the treasures of Allah, and He bestows it upon the ones that He loves.” Â
May Allah Almighty make our fasting in Ramadan easy for us and accept our fast. We ask You Allah Almighty, to accept our worship by the Wasilah (Rank) our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) who never himself slept on a full stomach throughout his life. Aameen.Â
Dear brothers and sisters in Islam, it is time to GET UP and GET READY for there is now a SALE on good deeds. The rewards for good deeds done in Ramadan are multiplied by a thousand. Who knows what tomorrow brings for us?? Who knows if we will be able to get another Ramadan?? Which fasting person knows if he/she will fast another Ramadan? Which person in “qiyaam” knows if he/she will be getting this opportunity again? It is time to rethink and use our time wisely. Do not let yourself get involved in futile things as death nears us on every breath we take.Â
Allah has made the Deen very easy on us. Read the following Hadith that is related by Hazrat Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him):Â
A man from the dwellers of the desert came (to the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him and his family) and said: Muhammad, your representative came to us and told us that you claim that Allah had sent you (as a Prophet). The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) remarked: He told the truth. The bedouin asked: Who created the Heaven? The Holy Prophet replied: Allah. The bedouin asked again: Who created the earth? The Holy Prophet replied: Allah. The bedouin asked again: Who raised these mountains and who created in them whatever is created there? The Holy Prophet replied: Allah. Upon this the bedouin remarked: By Him Who created the Heaven and the earth and raised mountains thereupon; has Allah in fact sent you? The Holy Prophet said: Yes. The bedouin said: Your representative also told us that five Prayers (have been made) obligatory for us. The Holy Prophet remarked: He told you the truth. The bedouin said: By Him Who sent you, is it Allah Who ordered you about this (i.e. Prayers)? The Holy Prophet said: Yes. The bedouin continued: Your representative told us that Zakah had been made obligatory in our riches. The Holy Prophet said: He told the truth. The bedouin questioned: By Him Who sent you (as a Prophet), is it Allah Who ordered you about it (Zakah)? The Holy Prophet replied: Yes. The bedouin said: Your representative told us that it has been made obligatory for us to fast every year during the month of Ramadan. The Holy Prophet said: He told the truth. The bedouin asked again: By Him Who sent you (as a Prophet), is it Allah Who ordered you about it (the Fasting of Ramadan)? The Holy Prophet said: Yes. Once again the bedouin questioned: Your messenger also told us that Hajj has been made obligatory for whoever is able to undertake the journey. The Holy Prophet replied: He told the truth. At the conclusion of this answer the bedouin set off, and at the time of his departure remarked: By Him Who sent you with the Truth, I would neither make any addition to them nor would I diminish anything out of them. Upon this the Holy Prophet remarked: If he were truthful (to what he said) he must enter Paradise.
[Sahih Muslim]Â
So dear brothers and sisters, Allah Almighty has made the Deen very easy on us. He is not looking for a huge quantity of prayers, or vast amounts of fasting from us but for the piety and purity in our worship. May Allah bless us with the blessings of this month and accept whatever little we can do. Peace to you O Ramadan! For you are a savior for us sinners. O Allah Almighty, please forgive us on accord of the people whose worship you have accepted. O Allah! Forgive me and the people I love, whether they are family or friends. O Allah! Allow us to continue loving each other for the sake of Allah, whether it is our parents, our children, our elders, our pious predecessors, or our friends. O Allah! We seek Your Mercy and Your Forgiveness. Aameen.Â
As–salaatu was-Salaamu ‘alaa RasooliLlaah.
Sister Najma Khatoon
Kingdom of Bahrain
Sister Najma Khatoon is a spiritual mentor, teacher and author. She writes articles for Tazkiya Nufoos, a quarterly Urdu journal of the Idara Kashful Asrar of India. The following is an excerpt translation for an article on Ramadan. Translation by Mrs. Noor of Houston, Texas.
