This is How You Become an Imam of the Muslims!!

The following passage is from the introduction of Imām al-Nawawī to his juristic masterpiece, al-Majmū’:

“I never saw Allah’s “Messenger show greater concern for a day of fasting…than `Âshûrâ’…”

Sheikh Nâyif al-Hamad, presiding judge at the Rimâh District Courthouse

Ibn `Abbâs relates: “I never saw Allah’s Messenger show greater concern for a day of fasting, seeking its virtue over other days, than he did for the Day of `Âshûrâ’ and the month (of Ramadan).”

This is an authentic hadîth related in Sahîh al-Bukhârî (2006) and Sahîh Muslim (1132).

The meaning of the hadîth:

Some Issues Related to I’tikaf (Including Performing I’tikaf in the Three Masjids Only)

Of the acts of worship special to this month is that of I’tikaf. Allah (تعالى) mentions I’tikaf in His Book:

Argumentation and Dispute During Ramadan

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

All praise is due to Allah, we praise Him, we seek His Aid, and We ask for His Forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our souls and from our evil deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides, none can misguide him. And Whomsoever He sends astray, none can guide him aright. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except for Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is His Slave and Messenger.

First and foremost, this is a reminder to myself. It is unfortunate to see that every Ramadan, many people become occupied with argumentation and dispute. This is true of two issues in particular: global moonsighting vs. local, and the “correct” number of rak’ahs of the Tarawih prayer.

Sadly, many think that they are achieving some great good or defending the Sunnah by this action which sows rancor and hatred in the hearts of the Muslims for one another. All of those who have witnessed this know what I am speaking of.

I’tikaf in Ramadan

Bismillah AlRahman AlRaheem.

 

The Prophet, salallahu alaihee wa aalihee wa salam said, “Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward.” (Tirmidhi)

 

One of the Sunnah we hope to see revived in our times by Muslim men and women is that of the I’tikaf which was a well-known practice of the Prophet, salallahu alaihee wa aalihee wa salam. Here in the west alhamdullillah many of the massajid have adequate room for men and women to make I’tikaf is a safe and proper way and so there is definitely a chance to enjoy this sweet act of worship.

Du’a in Ramadan

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Ramadan is a time to make much du’a. In Surah al-Baqarah, verses 184-188 discuss fasting and Ramadan in considerable detail. In the middle of all these verses the following verse interjects:

“And when My servants ask you concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.” [Al-Baqarah (2):186]

It is as if Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) is telling us, this is a time to make du’a.

Ramadan: The Month of Devotion

O my brother in Islam, the month of Ramadan has come to you, full of blessings. It comes only once in a year for just a few short days, full of mercy, so take advantage of them before they are gone:

(( يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُون . أَيَّامًا مَعْدُودَاتٍ فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ فَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ وَأَنْ تَصُومُوا خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ . شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَنْ كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ))

“O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous (la’allakum tattaqun). [Fasting for] a limited, set number of days. So whoever of you is ill or on a journey [during them] – then an (equal) number of other days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] is a ransom [as substitute] of feeding of one poor person. But whoever voluntary does good, then that is better for him. And it is better for you that you should fast, if only you knew. The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of guidance and criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you witnesses the month, then let him fast it. And whosoever of you is ill or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and He does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period, and to glorify (tukabbiroo) Allah for having guided you, and so that perhaps you may be grateful.” [al-Baqarah (2):183-185]

Allah has informed us that the major objective of the month of Ramadan is so that we become of those who practice taqwa, and it is to fulfill that which Allah has ordered and to avoid acts of disobedience to him. The word taqwa is derived from waqaa, which means to protect and shield. It was named that because the one who possesses taqwa, his taqwa will protect him from Allah’s punishment. And there is nothing that we are in greater need of than this, so Allah has prescribed for us fasting for a set number of days every year. And how many of us are there who have felt when Ramadan approaches that it has come just when we need it. This is because Allah knows us best.

Fasting in Sha’ban, The Neglected Month

Fasting in Sha’ban, The Neglected Month

The month of Sha’ban is upon us, leaving us only one month until the start of the blessed month of Ramadan. For many, that means time to make preparations such as having dates and other goodies stored away for iftar when Ramadan rolls around. Or perhaps you need to start putting in orders for lots of halal meat to feed your families or the brothers and sisters at your local masjid. Whatever the case may be, we all make appropriate preparations.

But how many people are spiritually prepared for the approach of Ramadan? Sadly, very few people avail themselves of practicing one of the Sunnahs of Sha’ban established by our Noble Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم): fasting. Yes, fasting in Sha’ban is a tremendous Sunnah, but it is also a neglected one. Our mother, ‘A’ishah, relates, saying: