Wa Ahsanu Min ka Lam Tara Qattu ‘Aiy Nee
Wa Ajmalu Min ka Lam Talidin Nisaa’oo
Khuliqta Mubarra’am min Kulli ‘Aiybinn
Ka’annaka Qad Khuliqtha Kama Tashaa’oo
No eye has beheld anyone more handsome than you
No woman has ever given birth to a more beautiful child than you
You have been created free from all faults and imperfections
As if you were created as you desired to be created
These are the words of Hazrat Hassan bin Thaabit (Radiallahu Ta’ala
Anh), who was that blessed personality who used to recite the Naath
Shareef while looking at the Mubarak face of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam). Subhaanallah! How fortunate was he! This article Insha
Allah will help the mind to visualise and understand the exalted status
of the Beloved Rasool’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) beautified and
incomparable personality, appearance and character.
The blessed body of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has a
white complexion and his skin is much softer and smoother than silk.
Hazrat Abu Huraira (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) narrates that Rasoolullah’s
(Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) body is white in colour and it seems as if
it is cast in silver. [Shama’il Tirmidhi] His body always smells more
beautiful than any musk and perfume. The Sahabah could locate his
whereabouts by the trail of his beautiful scent, which perfumed the path
of his journey and its surroundings. Hazrat Anas (Radiallahu Ta’ala
Anh) states, “The blessed body of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam) is extremely soft and delicate. I felt many clothes made from
silk yet none compare to the softness of Rasoolullah’s (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam) blessed body which would emit a fragrance incomparable
to anything else. [Bukhari Shareef]
The Mubarak perspiration of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)
is so unique that it would smell more beautiful than any musk and
perfume ever created. So unique is this perspiration that when it was
given to a bride, the fragrance would reach the residents of Madina
Shareef whenever she applied it. The house in which this bride stayed
eventually became known as “Baitul Mathibeen” i.e. the house of the
fragrant people. Wherever Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) went
or whatever he touched would give proof of him being close by, through
the sweet scent he left behind. A’la Hazrat Imam Ahle Sunnat Imam Ahmad
Raza Khan (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) states in the most comprehensive
Salaam ever written:
Shabname Baaghe Haq Ya’ni Rukh ka Araq, Us ki Sachi Baraaqat Pe Laakho Salaam
Like the dew drops from the garden of truth, hundreds of thousands of Salaams upon that blessed perspiration
The Mubarak face of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is
round, smooth and beautiful. It is immensely radiant with Noor and
brighter than the sun and the moon. And why should it not be when
everything including the sun and the moon was created from his Noor.
Hazrat Sayyida Aisha Siddiqa (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) states, “It was
the time of sehri and I was sewing something when the needle fell down.
Just then the Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) entered the room
and due to the stream of light flowing from his blessed face, I found
the needle.” [Khasa'isul Kubra, Vol 1] The exalted forehead of
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is broad and naturally emits a
bright glow. Hazrat Hassan bin Thaabit (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) once
said, “When in a dark night Rasoolullah’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)
blessed forehead becomes apparent, it is as if a lamp has been lit in
the darkness.”
The blessed lips of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) are
beautifully fine and thin and are much smoother than the petals of the
rose.
Pathli Pathli Goole Quds ki Pathiya, Un Labo ki Nazaakat Pe Laakho Salaam
Like petals of a rose most delicate and pure, hundreds of thousands of Salaams upon the gentleness of those lips
The blessed teeth of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) are
bright and luminous. They shine more brilliantly than pearls and
diamonds, and at the time of a smile project a ray of light, which
illuminates the whole surrounding. Hazrat Ali Murtaza (Radiallahu Ta’ala
Anh) states, “When the Beloved of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)
used to speak then Noor could be seen emerging from between his blessed
teeth.” [Muwaahibul Laduniya, Vol.1] Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radiallahu
Ta’ala Anh) states, “When the beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam) used to smile then the walls would glow with his Noor.”
[Madaarijun Nabuwwah]
Jis ki Taskeen se Rothe huwe Has pade, Us Thabassum ki Aadat Pe Laakho Salaam
Hundreds of thousands of Salaams upon his habit of smiling, whose pleasure turned crying into laughter
The ‘Lu’ab Mubarak’ (blessed saliva) of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam) has a unique fragrance, is sweeter than honey and is a
cure for all illnesses. When it was applied onto the poisoned snake bite
of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) in the cave of Thoor,
it neutralized the poison and immediately healed the wound. When Hazrat
Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) suffered with an eye problem at Khaibar,
the blessed saliva immediately gave him cure. At the battle of Badr,
when it entered into Hazrat Rafa’ah bin Raafi’s (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh)
injured eye, into which an arrow had hit, it relieved him of all pain
and cured his eyesight – in fact he stated that his vision in that eye
became better than that of his other normal eye. [Zaadul Ma’aad] When
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) put his Lu’ab Mubarak in the
bitter water of the well near the house of Hazrat Anas (Radiallahu
Ta’ala Anh), it transformed that water into the sweetest water ever to
be found in Madinatul Munawwarah. [Zarqaani, Vol.2] It is for this
reason that A’la Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh)
writes:
Jis se Khari Kuwe Sheera-e Ja Bane, Us Zulale Halaawat Pe Laakho Salaam
Hundreds of thousands of Salaams upon the sweetness of that saliva that could change salted water into sweet water
The blessed eyes of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) are
beautifully big and naturally have an appearance of having been
beautified with Surma. The irises are deep black and the white parts of
the eyes are extremely white with a slight red lining. His blessed
eyelids are beautified with long dense eyelashes. [Shama’il Tirmidhi]
His eyebrows are fine and neatly separated; if seen from a distance, it
would seem to be joined in the middle. His blessed eyes have the
capability to view near, far, back, front, right and left, in all
directions and in darkness or light, clearly and easily without any
problem. The beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has stated, “Oh
people! Perform your Ruku and Sujood (bows and prostrations) properly
as I swear by Allah that I see you clearly even though you stand behind
me.” [Mishkaat Shareef] It is also these exalted pair of eyes that had
the ability and capability to see Allah Ta’ala without any barrier on
the night of Me’raj.
Jis Taraf Utgayee Dam me Dam Aagaya, Us Nigahe Inaayat Pe Laakho Salaam
Hundreds of thousands of Salaams upon that gaze of favour that wherever it reaches it enlivens the lifeless
The blessed nose of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is beautifully fine and long and Noor shines forth from it.
Neechie Aankho ki Sharmo Haya Par Durood, Oonchie Bienie ki Rif’at Pe Laakho Salaam
Durood upon the alluring shyness of the down cast eyes, hundreds of thousands of Salaams upon that exalted nose
The blessed ears of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) are fine
and beautiful, and suit his Mubarak face. They have the capability of
hearing both near and far, present and absent in the same way, clearly
and easily. Therefore Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “I
see those things that you cannot see and I hear those things that you
cannot hear.” [Khasa'isul Kubrah Vol.1]
Dooro Nazdeek ke Sunne Waale Wo Kaan, Kaane La’le Karaamat Pe Laakho Salaam
Those ears that can hear from far or near, hundreds of thousands of Salaams upon those rubies of a miracle
The blessed beard of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is
thick with a fist length of black hair, which beautifully frames his jaw
and chin.
The blessed hair of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is
somewhat curly and somewhat straight. It is soft, beautiful and shiny.
When they scatter on his Mubarak face, it becomes the commentary of
‘Wadduha Wal Layli Iza Sajah’ – ‘By the growing brightness of the rising
morning and by the night when it covers everything in calm’ [Surah 93,
Verse 1-2]. He would oil his blessed hair and would comb it, making a
middle-path. His blessed hair sometimes reached his earlobes and
sometimes became curled and reached his blessed shoulders. However, on
the occasion of Hajjatul-Wada Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)
cut off his Mubarak hair. So blessed was his hair and beard that even at
the earthly age of 63 years, all of his hair was jet black, except for
just about 20 white hairs in his blessed beard.
Wo Karam ki Ghata Gaysoowe Mushk sa, Lukkae Abre Rahmat Pe Laakho Salaam
Hundreds of thousands of Salaams upon the hair, those clouds of Mercy, from which emanate miraculously the fragrance of musk
Rasoolullah’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) height is medium; he is
not very tall or very short in his height. However, it is the miracle of
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) that whenever he stood in the
presence of other people he would appear to be the tallest, even if
there were thousands of people in the gathering. His blessed shoulders
and chest are strong and wide. He has a smooth line of hair from his
chest, which reaches his navel. His blessed stomach is flat, in level
with his chest.
Our beloved Rasool’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) blessed neck is
thin and good looking, like that of a well chiselled iron. It is
narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) that the Beloved
Prophet’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) blessed neck is so radiant, that
it seems as though it is covered and moulded in silver.
His blessed back is straight, smooth, clear and like the rest of body
is of white radiant complexion which glimmers like silver. On his
blessed upper back (between his two shoulders) there is the Seal of
Prophethood. It is a swelled part of the body, reddish in colour and is
the size of a pigeon’s egg. [Shama’il Tirmidhi]
His blessed hands are wide and muscular; when someone shook his hand
they were left with his beautiful scent. His blessed fingers are long
and smooth, and are always ready to give forgiveness, charity and to
help others. These are the fingers from which the water used to flow
when no water was around at the time of need. These are also the very
fingers by whose indication the moon split into half and the sun rose
back once it had set.
Noor ke Chasme Lehraaye Darya Bahe, Ungliyo ki Karaamat Pe Laakho Salaam
Hundreds of thousands of Salaams upon those miraculous fingers, the fountain of light from which flow rivers and lakes
The Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has a very refined,
clear, sweet and strong voice. It is so sweet that even an enemy would
fall in love with it. When the voice was used to show affection and
mercy it was very sweet and winsome in that it would be the coolness for
the heart and the comfort for the soul. He would weep a lot with the
fear of Almighty Allah and for the affection that he holds for his
Ummah. His weeping would beautify his blessed eyes with pearls of tears
that would roll down his face and soak his blessed beard.
To summarise the beauty and excellence of our Beloved Aaqa Muhammad
Mustafa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), it is befitting to conclude with a
verse from a naath written by A’la Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan
(Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh):
Theri Khulq ko Haq ne Jameel Kaha Theri Khalq ko Haq ne Azeem Kaha
Koyi Thuj sa Huwa he na Hoga Shaha There Khaaliqe Husno Adaa ki Qasam
Allah (Haq) has said your mannerism to be beautiful, Allah has said your creation to be great
Oath on Allah, the Creator of your beauty and splendour, There was never, and shall never be anyone equal to you!
Swallallahu 'alanNabiyyil Ummiyyi wa Aalihi Swallallahu 'alayhi wasallam Swalaataw-wa salaaman 'akayka Yaa Rasoolallah
Blessed Ashoorah
Shah Ast Hussain Badshah Ast Hussain
Deen Ast Hussain Deen Pana Ast Hussain
Sar Daad Na Daad Dast Dar Daste-Yazeed
Haqqa Ke Bina’e La Ilaaha Ast Hussain
Hussain, Divinity-kneaded love, Emperor
Hussain, himself the Faith, Faith Saviour
Hussain, sacrificed his self, didn’t submit to Yazeed, nor offered hand to admit
Verily, Faith inculcator is Hussain, ‘There is no God but Allah’ stamped Hussain
These are the beautiful words written by Sultanul-Hind Hazrat Khwaja Ghareebun Nawaaz Khwaja Mu’eenuddin Chishti Ajmeri (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), in praise of Hazrat Imam Hussain (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh).
Our Islamic year begins with Muharramul Haraam, the first month of the Hijri calendar. It is the month of sacrifice and struggle, the month of awareness and consciousness, the month of revival of Islam, the month in which Hazrat Imam Hussain (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), with 72 members of his family and followers were martyred at Karbala by the corrupt Yazeed and his army in the year 61 A.H.
While the followers of other religions spend their opening month in worthless merriment, the first month of Islam teaches us numerous lessons of good conduct, Knowledge of Allah, sacrifice, selflessness, patience, and seeking the Pleasure of Allah as displayed by Hazrat Imam Hussain Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh. Therefore we should spend this month, especially the first ten days, remembering and learning from the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) and trying to implement it in our lives. We should also try to send Esaale Sawaab to the Shuhada-e- Karbala especially in these 10 days, by reciting Surah Yaseen, Surah Ikhlas (Qul Huwallah) or by any other means. (Note: reciting Surah Ikhlas 3 times yields the sawaab of reciting the entire Quran Shareef) Remember, the quantity you read is not as important as the love and sincerity with which you do it.
ASHOORAH
The 10th of Muharram, which is known as Ashoorah is a very blessed day and has distinctive qualities. To mention a few, Allah Ta’ala created the heavens, the earth, the Arsh, the angels as well as Hazrat Adam (Alaihis Salaam) on this blessed day. On this very day He bestowed His Infinite Blessings and Bounties on many of His Prophets and delivered them from the clutches of their enemies. The Day of Resurrection will also occur on this day.
DEEDS TO BE PERFORMED ON ASHOORAH
Hazrat Imam Zainul Abideen (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) reports that whoever recites the Dua-e-Ashoorah on the 10th of Muharram or listens to its recitation from someone else, Allah Ta’ala will most certainly make its recitation an insurance for a year’s life for him, by keeping death away from him. However, if he is to become the victim of death in that year, he will by some strange coincidence not remember or will be unable to recite it.
On the eve of Ashoorah offer 4 rakats nafl namaaz as follows: In every rakat after Surah Fatiha recite Ayatul Kursi once and Surah Ikhlas 3 times. After completing this namaaz recite Surah Ikhlas 100 times. Allah Ta’ala will purify such a person of all his sins and grant him countless bounties and blessings in Paradise, Insha Allah.
One should fast on the 9th and 10th of Muharram. If it is not possible to fast on both days, then every effort should be made to fast on the 10th of Muharram as Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said, “If someone fasts on the day of Ashoorah he will be granted the spiritual reward of ten thousand angels, the spiritual reward of ten thousand martyrs as well as the spiritual reward of ten thousand pilgrims.”The Ulema-e-Ahle Sunnat have listed the following as 10 desirable acts for the day of Ashoorah. Some of them are stated in the Hadith while others are the sayings of Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) and as such every effort should be made to practice upon them as much as possible.
1. To observe fast on the day.
2. To give as much charity as one can afford.
3. To perform nafl prayers.
4. To recite Surah Ikhlas 1000 times.
5. To visit and be in the company of pious Ulema.
6. To place a hand of affection on the head of an orphan.
7. To give generously to one’s relatives.
8. To put surma in one’s eyes.
9. To take a bath (Ghusl)
10. To cut one’s nails (if big).
AHADITH CONCERNING THE DAY OF ASHOORAH
“If someone strokes the head of an orphan with his hand on the day of Ashoorah, for every hair on the orphan’s head, Allah Ta’ala will promote him by one degree in the Garden of Paradise.”
“If someone provides a believer with a meal to break his fast on the night of Ashoorah, it will be as if the entire Ummah of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had broken fast as his guests and had filled their stomachs to capacity.”
“If someone pays a visit to a sick person on the day of Ashoorah, it is as if he had visited all the children of Hazrat Adam (Alaihis Salaam).”
“If someone gives a thirsty person a drink of water on the day of Ashoorah, it is as if he had never disobeyed Allah even for a single instant.”
“If someone spends the night of Ashoorah in vigilant worship and enters upon the morning in a state of fasting, he will die without knowing the agony of death.”
“The most meritorious fasting after the month of Ramadaan is fasting in the month of Muharram, and the most meritorious ritual prayer (namaaz), after that which is obligatory and that which is performed in the middle of the night, is the ritual prayer of the day of Ashoorah.”
“Whosoever prepares ample food and drink for his family on this sacred day and delights in feeding them generously, Allah Ta’ala will increase his provisions for that year and place much blessings and good therein.”
“If someone anoints his eyelids with antimony (Surma) on the day of Ashoorah, he will not suffer from any inflammation of the eyes throughout the entire course of that year.”
“If someone performs the major ritual ablution (Ghusl) on the day of Ashoorah, he will never experience any illness, apart from the sickness of death.” [Ghunyalit Taalibi Tareeqal Haqq]
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to act upon at least a few, if not all of the points above, with love and sincerity. May Allah Ta’ala also grant us the Taufeeq and Hidayat to learn patience and selflessness from the beautiful example of Hazrat Imam Hussain Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh and to implement it in our lives, Ameen.
Excellence of the month of Rajab
Rajab is a month with blessings beyond our imagination and a month in which Duas are sure to be answered. We must respect this month and busy ourselves in as much Ibaadat as is possible within our capacity, so that we may take advantage of the numerous blessings of this month and so that we may attain the Pleasure and Mercy of Allah Ta’ala.
Allah Ta’ala has stated in the Holy Qur’an:
“Undoubtedly, the number of months with Allah is twelve in the Book of Allah since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred. This is the right religion. Therefore, do not wrong yourselves in these months.” [Surah 9, Verse 36]
The four months referred to as sacred in this verse are Rajab, Dhul-Qa’da, Dhul-Hijja and Muharram. One of these stands in isolation, namely Rajab, while the other three occur in a consecutive sequence in the Islamic calendar. Allah Ta’ala in this verse has applied the prohibition of doing wrong actions and committing sins in these four months specifically, in order to make us clearly understand that they deserve particular respect because of the magnitude of their holiness. In other words, it is in order to emphasize their special importance that Allah Ta’ala mentions them explicitly, rather than any of the other months in connection with the prohibition of wrongdoing, although wrongdoing is actually forbidden during all the months of the year.
Hazrat Bayazid Bustami (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) said, “Wrongdoing means the renunciation of obedience to Allah Ta’ala and the perpetration of acts of sinful disobedience against Almighty Allah.” Therefore in accordance with this verse of the Holy Qur’an, much worship should be done during the month of Rajab and every effort should be made to abstain from sins.
Our Beloved Master Muhammad Mustafa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has stated, “Rajab is the month of Allah, Shabaan is my month and Ramadaan is the month of my Ummah.”
Nabi-e-Kareem (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) also said, “There is no doubt that Rajab is one of the sacred months. It was in this month that Allah Ta’ala put Hazrat Nuh (Alaihis Salaam) aboard the Ark. Hazrat Nuh (Alaihis Salaam) then spent the month fasting aboard the Ark, and he ordered those who accompanied him to keep the same fast, so Allah Ta’ala delivered them and kept them safe from drowning, while He used the flood to purify the earth by ridding it of unbelief and tyranny.”
This beautiful and sacred month of Rajab has several names, two of which will be explained here. Once, after the new moon for Rajab had been sighted, Hazrat Uthman Ghani (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) went onto the pulpit during the Jumuah prayer. After he delivered the Khutba he went on to say, “Well now this is the Deaf Month of Allah.” The reason it was called deaf month of Allah (Shahrullah al-Asamm) is because as soon as the new moon was sighted for Rajab, the Arabs, who were perpetually engaged in feuding with each other, would lay down their weapons. As a result the noise of the clashes of arms and spears would not be heard for the duration of the month. A man might have gone out in search of his father’s killer, but if he spotted him during Rajab he would not confront him. He would act as if he could neither see him nor hear him.
Another name of Rajab is Shahrullah al-Asabb, which is the Bountiful Month of Allah. It conveys that Divine Mercy (Rahmah) comes pouring down upon His servants during this month and Allah Ta’ala grants them generous favours and rewards the like of which no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and no human heart has ever conceived. [Ghunyalit Taalibi Tareeqal Haq, Vol. 3]
Insha Allah some of the blessings of Rajab will be discussed here to give us a glimpse into the Divine Mercy of Allah Ta’ala that comes pouring down upon us during this month.
Hazrat Abu Huraira (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) narrates that our Beloved Master Muhammad Mustafa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) never fasted throughout the whole of any month outside of Ramadaan, apart from Rajab and Shabaan. [Ghunyalit Taalibi Tareeqal Haq, Vol. 3]
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said:
“If someone has fasted for three days in Rajab, Allah Ta’ala will cause a trench to be dug between him and the fire of hell, a trench so wide that it would take a whole year to travel from one side of it to the other.
If someone has fasted for four days in Rajab, he will be immunized against such afflictions as insanity, elephantiasis and leprosy, and also against the mischief of Dajjaal.
If someone has fasted for seven days in Rajab, Allah Ta’ala will lock each of the seven gates of hell to make sure he stays out of it, one gate for each of his seven days of fasting.
If someone has fasted for eight days in Rajab, Allah Ta’ala will open each of the eight gates of heaven for his benefit, one gate for each of his eight days of fasting.
If someone has fasted for ten days in Rajab, Allah Ta’ala will provide him with a mattress on which to rest in comfort at every milestone on the narrow bridge called Pul-Siraat.
If someone has fasted for twelve days in Rajab, Allah Ta’ala will clothe him in two garments, and one of these garments alone will be better than this world and all that it contains.
If someone has fasted for thirteen days in Rajab, a table will be spread for him on the Day of Resurrection in the shade of the Arsh (Heavenly Throne), so that he can eat from it while most of the people are in dire distress.
If someone has fasted for twenty days in Rajab, a crier will call out from heaven, “O servant of Allah, whatever may have happened in the past, Allah Ta’ala has already forgiven you, so make a fresh start on the good work you can do in the time you have left.”” [Ghunyalit Taalibi Tareeqal Haq, Vol. 3]
Hazrat Abu Dardah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), who was a Sahabah with the title of ‘Sahib-e-Sirr an-Nabi’ due to the secret knowledge imparted to him by Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), was once asked by a person about fasting during the month of Rajab. In reply he told the person the following:
“You have asked me about a month that was venerated even by the people of the time of ignorance, in spite of their state of ignorance, and Islam has simply added to the respect and veneration with which it is regarded. If someone has fasted for one day during this month, and if he has done so voluntarily, reckoning on the reward of Allah Ta’ala and motivated by the sincere desire to win Allah Ta’ala’s favour, that fast of his will extinguish the wrath of Allah Almighty and Allah Ta’ala will lock one of the gates by which he might otherwise enter the fire of hell. Even if he were given enough gold to fill the earth, it would not be an adequate recompense for him. Nothing belonging to this world could possibly represent full compensation, which he can only receive on the Day of Judgment.
When evening comes (at the time of Iftaar) he is entitled to receive a positive response to each of ten supplications (Duas). He may take this as an opportunity to pray for some immediate worldly benefit, in which case Allah Ta’ala will grant him his request. Otherwise, good things will be held in store for him, and these will be things of the most excellent quality, such as might be prayed for by a supplicant who is among the Saints of Allah Ta’ala (Awliya Allah).
If someone has fasted for two days, he will be entitled to receive those very same benefits, but he will also be granted an extra reward. This will be equivalent to the reward earned by ten Siddiqeen in the course of their entire lives, however long they may have lived. He will also be entitled to intercede in cases similar to those in which they are entitled to intercede. He will be counted as a member of their group, so that he will enter Jannat together with them, and he will be regarded as one of their close companions.
If someone has fasted for three days, he will be entitled to receive those very same benefits, but as an extra reward Allah Ta’ala will say to him at the moment when he breaks his fast, “This servant of Mine must now receive his proper due. He is now entitled to My Love and My Custodial Friendship. I hereby call upon you to bear witness O My angels, to the fact that I have forgiven him for all his sins.””
Hazrat Abu Dardah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) goes on to explain the blessings right up to thirty fasts, which is too lengthy to include here. However, after hearing about all the blessings of fasting in Rajab, the man then asked Hazrat Abu Dardah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) another question: “Supposing that on each of the days when a person is keeping the fast, the amount available to him for Sadaqah (almsgiving) is barely sufficient to provide him with his basic sustenance, should he still give it away in the form of charity?” Hazrat Abu Dardah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) found this question so utterly absurd that he responded with the following, “Preposterous, preposterous, preposterous! Even if all the creatures of the universe were to pool their resources in an effort to match the reward received by that servant of Allah, they could not produce as much as one tenth of the reward that Allah Ta’ala would bestow upon that servant!” [Ghunyalit Taalibi Tareeqal Haq, vol. 3, pg 18]
Subhaanallah! What can we say about the blessings of Rajab other than Subhaanallah! Just from three fasts we see how much Allah Ta’ala loves us and wants to bestow His Mercy and Blessings upon us but it is just that we are too lazy to take advantage of such an opportunity. What more can a person ask for that Allah Ta’ala’s Love and Custodial Friendship? And all it takes is for us to fast for three days in the whole month. We are such disobedient sinners, not even worthy of such a blessing, yet it is the Mercy and Kindness of Allah Ta’ala that He wishes to bestow such blessings upon us, even though we are such worthless and ungrateful servants of His. When are we going to wake up from our heedlessness???
Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Zubair (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), the cousin of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said, “If someone relieves a believer of an anxiety during the month of Rajab, Allah Ta’ala will grant him a palace in Jannat extending as far as the eye can see. Yes indeed, you must honour Rajab, for then Allah Ta’ala will honour you with a thousand generous favours!”
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has also stated that in the Garden of Paradise there is a river called Rajab, which is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey. If someone has fasted for one day during the month of Rajab, Allah Ta’ala will let him quench his thirst by drinking from that river.
Hazrat Anas Ibn Malik (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) reports another Hadith in which Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has stated that in the Garden of Paradise there is a palace that no one may enter, with the exception of someone who makes it a frequent practice of fasting during the month of Rajab.
A’la Hazrat Imam Ahle Sunnat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) says that Hazrat Anas (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) has narrated that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said, “I was given Prophethood on the 27th of Rajab. Whoever fasts on this day then supplicates at the time of Iftaar it will be the expiation for ten years of his sins.” [Fatawa-e-Razaviya]
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has stated that Rajab contains a very special day and very special night which is the 27th. If someone fasts during that day and keeps vigil throughout that night he will be entitled to a reward like the one that would be earned by a person who fasted for a hundred years, and who kept vigil throughout all the nights of that period. [Ghunyalit Taalibi Tareeqal Haq, Vol. 3]
Our Beloved Aaqa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) also encouraged the Sahaabah to perform optional (Nafl) prayers during Rajab as the blessings for this are innumerable.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to wake up from our laziness and heedlessness, to make His Ibaadat and to attain His Pleasure so that we may attain His Infinite Mercy and Blessings during this sacred month, Ameen.
Journey of Mi'raaj Shareef
Lailatul Me’raj is the night in which Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) ascended to the heavens and beyond to meet his Rabb. It is a miracle that was not granted to anyone else before nor will it be granted to anyone in the future. Below is a brief description of the events surrounding and including the Me’raj Shareef.
Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Qur’an: “Holy is He Who carried His bondsman by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Aqsa Mosque around which We have put blessings that We may show him Our grand signs. No doubt, He is the All-Hearing and the All-Seeing.” [Surah 17, Verse 1]
In this verse the Physical Me’raj of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is discussed, which took place in the 11th year of Prophethood, during the latter part of the 27th night of Rajab in a total state of wakefulness. Many Me’raj in the form of dreams had taken place before and after this great event. If this verse referred to a dream it would not have commenced with, “Holy is He Who carried His bondsman” because this is an expression used to describe an incredibly unique incident. Allah Ta’ala invited His Beloved Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) to the heavens and the Throne of Almighty Allah to show him those symbols and signs about which all the previous Prophets had just heard e.g. seeing Almighty Allah with the physical eyes, the Throne of Allah Ta’ala, the Divine Chair, the Divine Tablet and Pen, Paradise, Hell etc. so that the testimony of the other Prophets regarding these would be based on what is heard and that of our Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) on what is seen. [Tafseer Noorul Irfaan]
Prior to the Me’raj, the inhabitants of Makkah would not have Imaan. They had been persecuting the Muslims very much. They had gone too far and had already begun torturing the Muslims. It was one year before the migration to Madina Shareef and Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was 52 years old. Taking Hazrat Zayd bin Haarisa (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) he went to Ta’if. He preached the inhabitants of Ta’if for one month, but none would have Imaan. They mocked him and tortured him, and the children pelted stones at him, eventually making his blessed body bleed. The few months that he spent in Makkah were very troublesome. He eventually went to the district of Abu Talib where the house of Ummi Haani, his uncle’s daughter, was. At the time Ummi Haani had not yet become Muslim but she accepted Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) as her guest, saying that she would sacrifice her life for such a true, trustworthy, honourable and noble guest as him.
That day, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was hurt very much during the day. Performing ablution, he began to entreat his Allah, and pray so that the people would have Imaan and attain happiness. Being very tired, hungry and sorry, he lay down on his mat and soon fell asleep. At that moment Allah Ta’ala commanded to Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam), “I have bothered my beloved Prophet so much. I have hurt his blessed body, his tender heart so much. But he still entreats Me. He does not think of anything besides Me. Go! Bring Me My beloved! Show him My paradise and hell. Let him see the blessings I have prepared for those who love him. Let him see the torments I have prepared for those who disbelieve him, who hurt him with their words, writings and actions. I will console him. I will cure the wounds of his tender heart.”
Within a moment Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) was near Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and he found him sleeping soundly. He did not have the heart to prod him to wake him up so he kissed under the blessed foot of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) woke up, at once recognized Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam), and fearing that Almighty Allah might have gotten offended with him, he said, “O Jibra’eel, Why have you come here at such an unusual time? Have I done something wrong, have I offended my Allah?” Subhaanallah! What humility and fear of Allah Ta’ala Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) possessed.
Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) said, “O you the highest of all creatures! O you the beloved of the Creator! O you the master of the Prophets! O you the honourable Prophet, the source of goodness and superiorities! Your Allah sends His Salaam to you. He bestows upon you the blessing which He has given to no other Prophet, to no other creature. He invites you to Himself. Please get up. Let us go.”
He performed ablution and they went to the Ka’bah Shareef where Shaqqe-Sadr (Opening of the chest) occurred. Angels came and cleaved open his chest, took out his heart, washed it with the water of Zam-Zam, filled it with Noor and wisdom, and placed it back to its prior form. (The opening of the chest had occurred on three other occasions prior to this)
He then mounted a white heavenly animal called the Buraaq and they went to Masjid-ul-Aqsa in a moment, where he led all the Ambiya present in two rakaats of Nafl Salaah. [Tafseer Roohul Bayaan]
After the Salaah Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) took Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) towards the heavens to see paradise, hell etc. When they reached Sidratul Muntaha Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) remained behind and said, “If I go further as much as a hair’s breadth I will burn and perish.” Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Qur’an: “The Lord of Mighty Strength, Who manifested this Ascendance (of Muhammad). And he was on the highest horizon.” [Surah 53, Verse 6-7]
In these verses there is a discussion of the Me’raj, when Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) went through the high regions of the seven heavens to come to the Throne of Almighty Allah. At Sidratul Muntaha (the Heavenly Tree) even Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) could not go beyond. [Tafseer Noorul Irfaan]
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then mounted Raf-Raf, a heavenly carpet, and travelled from Sidratul Muntaha to Qaaba-Qausain (Place of Proximity to Allah Ta’ala). He reached a realm where there is no place, time, direction and attribute, and saw Allah Ta’ala in an unknown, incomprehensible and unexampled manner.
Allah Ta’ala says, “Then the Splendid Vision drew nearer, and then he came closer. So there was a distance of two hands, but rather less than that. And He revealed to His servant whatever He revealed.” [Surah 53, Verses 8-10]
In these verses Allah Ta’ala tells us about the proximity that was experienced by Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) during the Beauteous Vision of Almighty Allah. This is further stated in the Hadith and is narrated by Hazrat Anas bin Malik (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh):
“Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) approached Sidratul Muntaha and came so close to the Glorious Rabb that there was a distance of two bows or even less between them. [Bukhari Shareef]
Allah Ta’ala further says in the Qur’an, “The heart lied not in what he saw.” [Surah 53, Verse 11]
This means that the blessed eye of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) totally absorbed the Beauteous Vision of Almighty Allah and his heart verified that this observation was indeed accurate without any error. Furthermore, unlike Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) our Beloved Aaqa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) did not become unconscious, but instead looked directly at the Beauteous Vision of Allah Ta’ala, in full control of his senses. The heart was able to understand the words of Allah Ta’ala fully and verify what the eye was seeing. [Tafseer Noorul Irfaan]
Allah Ta’ala then says, “And indeed he saw that Splendid Sight twice.” [Surah 53, Verse 13] Here ‘two times’ denotes seeing again and again. On the request of Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) went again and again before Almighty Allah to have the fifty Salaah reduced, and each time he saw the Beauteous Vision of Almighty Allah. [Tafseer Noorul Irfaan]
Regarding the Vision of Almighty Allah, Allah Ta’ala says, “The eye (of Muhammad) did not deviate, nor exceeded the limit.” [Surah 53, Verse 17]
From this verse we learn that the eye of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) neither winked nor did his blessed heart show any sign of fear during the Vision of Almighty Allah. [Tafseer Noorul Irfaan]
Subhaanallah! Besides Allah Ta’ala, who will know the true status of our Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), who saw his Rabb with his physical eyes? It is for this reason that A’la Hazrat Imam Ahle Sunnat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) says in a Naath Shareef:
Aur Koyi Ghayb Kya Thum se Niha ho Bhala
Jab Na Khuda Hi Chupa Thum pe Karoro Durood
What can be hidden from you O Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)?
When Allah the Most Hidden was not hidden from you, millions of Durood be upon you.
After the Me’raj when Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) went back to Ummi Haani’s house, the mat on which he had been sleeping was still warm and the water of his Wudhu was still flowing. The next morning when he went to the Ka’bah and related his Me’raj, the disbelievers ridiculed him, saying that he was gone crazy. Astaghfirullah! The following incident is a lesson for those people who do not believe in the physical Me’raj of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam):
The disbelievers, after ridiculing our Beloved Aaqa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), went to Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) and asked him the duration of travelling from Makkah to Jerusalem. When he said that it would take more than a month, in a laughing and mocking manner they said that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) claims that he went to Jerusalem and came back within one night. As soon as Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) heard the name of his master, he immediately said, “If Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) says so then I believe him. He for sure went and came back in one night.” He then dressed up immediately and went to Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and said, “Ya Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), I congratulate you on your blessed Me’raj. Infinite thanks to Allah Ta’ala because He has honoured us with being the servants of such an exalted Prophet as you are. He has blessed us with seeing your shining face and with hearing your sweet words that please hearts and attract souls. O Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) every word you say is true. I believe in you. I am ready to sacrifice my life for you.”
These words bewildered the kuffaar (disbelievers) and being at a loss for words, they dispersed. These words also strengthened the hearts of a few people with weak Imaan who had doubted the Me’raj. It was on this day that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) called Hazrat Abu Bakr (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) as ‘Siddiq’ and gave him this title which was a testament of his truthfulness. Subhaanallah! This is true Imaan!
Some ignorant people justify their claims of the Me’raj being a dream by quoting Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) when she said, “The Sacred body of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) never left my side.” This statement is true because Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) is referring to Me’raj-e-Manaami which took place in Madina Shareef, and is the other Me’rajs, besides the physical Me’raj, which Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) experienced in dreams. The physical Me’raj took place in Makkah Shareef and at the time Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) was not even present at the side of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). In fact, when the physical Me’raj took place she was not even in the Nikah of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Therefore such claims that the Me’raj was just a dream are baseless.
In fact Allah Ta’ala states in the Glorious Qur’an, “Will you then dispute with him concerning what he saw?” [Surah 53, Verse 12]
In this verse Allah Ta’ala asks the mushrikeen (polytheists) why they reject the physical Me’raj and Vision of Almighty Allah experienced by Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). In this day and age many corrupt and ignorant so-called Muslims refuse to accept the physical Me’raj of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and say that it was just a dream. Astaghfirullah! They should take heed of these verses of the Holy Qur’an and keep in mind that if they reject the physical Me’raj of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), then they are rejecting verses of the Holy Qur’an.
It is now befitting to present a few couplets from Qaseeda-e-Me’raj which was written by A’la Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) in praise of the blessed Me’raj Shareef:
He advanced hesitantly with respect and humility
Allah led him on this endless journey with an exceptional agility
O Moon! You should have picked up the dust from the Prophet’s feet
You would have removed your blemishes by rubbing it on them for a day
Here Allah gave His beloved Messenger a gift of formal and ritual prayers
He also honoured him with garlands of Durood and Salaam’s regal flowers
The tongue was anxious to speak and the ear was eager to go very near
Mysteriously and silently he said what he wanted to say and heard what he wanted to hear
Take pity on Raza, O our intercessor, and Allah’s Messenger of Mercy!
Grant him a small share from the gifts distributed during the Me’raj Journey
May Allah Ta’ala grant us true love for Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), the Taufeeq to follow and serve him as Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) served him, and the Hidayat to act upon the teachings of A’la Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), Ameen
Excellence of the month of Shabaan
We might not realize the greatness of the month that is upon us but Insha Allah we should try to spend this month the way Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and his blessed Companions did, as we will learn hereunder.
Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) has said, “Allah’s Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to fast until we would say he was never going to stop fasting, and he would go so long without fasting that we would say he was never going to fast, but I never saw Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) fasting from the beginning to the end of any month except the month of Ramadaan, and I never saw him do more fasting in any month than he did in Shabaan.”
Hazrat Aisha (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) also stated, “The fasting Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) liked best was that which he did in Shabaan, so I said to him, ‘O Messenger of Allah how is it that I always see you fasting in Shabaan?’ and Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, ‘O Aisha, it is the month in which the Angel of Death has to note down the names of anyone whose soul he must take before the year is out, so I would rather he did not record my name except while I am fasting.’”
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) reports that, “The Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) never fasted throughout the whole of any month outside Ramadaan, apart from Rajab and Shabaan.”
Hazrat Anas ibn Malik (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) reports that when Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was asked about the most meritorious fasting, he replied, “Fasting in Shabaan in honour of Ramadaan.”
Hazrat Abdullah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) narrates that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Anyone who fasts on the last Monday of Shabaan will be granted forgiveness.”
Hazrat Ubaidullah ibn Qais (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) once heard Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) say, “The dearest of months to Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was Shabaan, which he would link to Ramadaan.”
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) narrates that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) once said, “Shabaan is my month, Rajab is the month of Allah, and Ramadaan is the month of my Ummah. Shabaan is the expiator while Ramadaan is the purifier.”
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) also said, “Shabaan is the month between Rajab and Ramadaan. People tend to neglect it, but that is when the deeds of His servants ascend to the Lord of the Worlds, so I would rather mine rose up while I was fasting.”
Hazrat Anas ibn Malik (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) states that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The excellence of Rajab over other months is like the excellence of the Qur’an over all other speech, while the excellence of Shabaan over other months is like my excellence over the rest of the Prophets, and the excellence of Ramadaan over other months is like the excellence of Allah over all His creatures.”
Hazrat Anas (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) also reports that when the Companions of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) beheld the new moon of Shabaan, they would immerse themselves in reading the Holy Qur’an. The Muslims would pay their Zakaat assessed on their wealth, thereby providing the means for the weak and the poor to fortify themselves in preparation for the fasting of the month of Ramadaan. The governors would summon the prison inmates, to carry out the sentence on those convicted of major offences under Islamic Law, and to set the rest free. Businessmen would set about paying their debts and collecting their dues. Then, when they beheld the new moon of Ramadaan, they would bathe themselves and devote themselves to worship.
Shabaan is a month in which the treasures are laid open, in which blessings are sent down, in which faults are forsworn, in which sins are expiated, and in which benedictions are multiplied upon the best of creation, Muhammad Mustafa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
Far from being negligent during this month, therefore, every conscientious believer is obliged to exert himself in preparation for the coming month of Ramadaan, using the days that remain to get clear of sins and repent those committed in the past. One should beseech Almighty Allah in the month of Shabaan. One should appeal to Allah Ta’ala through the owner of the month, Muhammad Mustafa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), until the corruption of one’s heart is corrected, and the sickness of one’s inner being is cured.
This must be done without delay and not put off until tomorrow, for the days are three: yesterday, which is a date in history; today, which is a time for action; and tomorrow, which is a hopeful expectation, for whether you will get there or not is beyond your ken. Thus yesterday is a caution, today is an opportunity and tomorrow is a risk. The months are likewise three: Rajab, now past and gone beyond return; Ramadaan, awaiting in a future you may not live to see; and in between we have Shabaan, so let us seize this opportunity for worshipful devotion.
Hazrat Zunnoon Misri (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) has said the following, “Rajab is the month of sowing, Shabaan is the month of watering and Ramadaan is the month of the harvest. Everyone reaps what he sows, and everyone is recompensed for what he does. If a person wastes the time he should devote to cultivation, he will regret it on his day of harvesting. He will realize in retrospect that he was sowing nothing but a bleak future for himself.”
[Compiled from Ghunyalit Taalibi Tareeqal Haq by Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh]
May Allah Ta’ala through the Sadaqa of our Beloved Master Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam grant us the Taufeeq to do much fasting and repentance during this month and to prepare ourselves for the blessed month of Ramadaan, Ameen.
Shab-e-Bara'at
There are many merits of Shabaan, especially the 15th of Shabaan, which is known as Shab-e-Baraat or Lailatul Baraat, meaning the Night of Absolution. Insha Allah hereunder we will discuss the auspiciousness of Shab-e-Baraat and also a few things that should be read on this night.
Just to highlight the significance of Shabaan, Hazrat Anas ibn Malik (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) reports that once when Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was asked about the most meritorious fasting, he replied, “Fasting in Shabaan in honour of Ramadaan.” Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would fast for the whole month of Shabaan and has stated that Shabaan is his month.
Shab-e-Baraat is a vessel for Mercy, Blessing, Benefit, Pardon and Forgiveness that descends upon the people of the earth. On this great night, Allah Ta’ala descends to the first heaven and proclaims, “Is there anyone who seeks forgiveness so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone who seeks sustenance so that I may grant him sustenance? Is there anyone who seeks freedom from his problems so that I may remove his problems?” This announcement continues until the break of dawn.
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said, “On the night of the middle of Shabaan, Allah Ta’ala descends to the heaven of this lower world and forgives every Muslim, except a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah Ta’ala), the bearer of malice, the breaker of family ties, the adulterer, the miser, the one who is disobedient to his parents and the one who consumes alcohol. He (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has also stated that during this night Allah Ta’ala opens 300 doors of Mercy unto his servants and that the slaves of Allah Ta’ala are emancipated from the fire of hell, as numerous as the hairs on the flocks of the tribe of Bani Kalb.
Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Qur’an, “Therein all matters of wisdom are sorted out for Decree.” [Surah 44, Verse 4]. This Aayat refers to Shab-e-Baraat and it is stated in Tafseer Noorul Irfaan that on this great night, the entire year’s programme of sustenance, death, life, honour and disgrace, in short every affair of man is listed from the Divine Tablet and handed over to the angels of each area on the earth in the form of a book. For example the Angel of Death is given a list of the names of those who would be dying in the coming year.
Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) reports that once on Shab-e-Baraat Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) went into prostration for a long time and she watched him until she thought that Allah Ta’ala had taken His Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) from this world. After a long time had elapsed, she got close enough to touch the soles of his feet. He stirred, and she heard him say in his prostration, “I take refuge with Your pardon from Your punishment. I take refuge with Your approval from Your displeasure. I take refuge in You from You. Glory be to You. I cannot fully praise You, as You have praised Yourself.” After this incident Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) asked Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), “O Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), tonight I have heard you utter something during your prostration that I never heard you mention before.” Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then asked, “Have you learnt it?” When she said yes, he replied, “Study those words and teach them, for Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) instructed me to repeat them during the prostration.”
This Dua is given below and we must try to recite it as much as possible Insha Allah, according to the Sunnah of the Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
Transliteration: (Allahumma) A’oozu bi Afwika Min Iqaabika Wa A’oozu Biradaaka Min Sakhatika Wa A’oozu Bika Minka Jalla Wajhuka Laa Uhsi Sanaa’an Alayka Anta Kama Asnaita Ala Nafsik.
Hereunder are some other Ibaadaat that may be performed during this night:
After Asr Salaah the following should be recited 70 times:
Astagh Firullaha Rabbi Min Kulli Zam Bin Wa A’tubu Elaih
Just before sunset the following should be recited 40 times:
Laa Hawla Wala Quwata Illa Billa Hil Aleeyil Azeem
After Maghrib Salaah 6 rakaats of Nafl Salaah should be read as three sets of two rakaats. Before the first 2 rakaats, make Dua to receive a long life through the barkat of those 2 rakaats. For the second set make Dua to be saved from all types of problems and for the third set make Dua for Allah Ta’ala not to make you needy of anyone besides Him. After each set of rakaats, recite Surah Yaseen once, Surah Ikhlaas 21 times and thereafter Dua-e-Nisfe Shabaan.
One should also try to fast on the 15th of Shabaan as this is the Sunnah of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). It is also better to fast both on the 14th and 15th (if possible) so that one would enter the blessed night of Shab-e-Baraat in a state of fasting.
One should also try to visit the Qabarastan (graveyard) to make Dua of Maghfirat (Forgiveness) for the deceased, as this is the Sunnah of our beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
This is an opportunity that everyone needs to take advantage of. We do not know if our names will be written on the list given to the Angel of Death this year, and whether we will have the opportunity of experiencing this blessed night again. We must make Tauba (repent) for our sins and ask for Allah Ta’ala’s Forgiveness. We are such wretched sinners but the Mercy of Allah Ta’ala is boundless. No matter how sinful we are, it is never too late to fall down in prostration before our Lord and to cry in shame for our insolent behaviour in disobeying His commands. Allah Ta’ala’s Mercy overcomes His anger therefore we should not lose hope in His Mercy, no matter how wretched we might be. Allah Ta’ala just wants an excuse to forgive us but it is we who are too lazy to humble ourselves before Him to ask for His Mercy.
On this night when Allah Ta’ala calls out, “Who is there who seeks forgiveness so that I may forgive Him?” the whole night, why can’t we be the ones to respond to that call by crying in the Court of Allah Ta’ala and saying, “Ya Allah, this wretched sinner seeks Your forgiveness. I am present in Your Court and I humble myself in shame before You. Through the Sadaqah and Wasilah of Your Beloved Messenger, Muhammad Mustafa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) please forgive me.” Nothing is stopping us besides our nafs and Shaitaan. Remember that Allah Ta’ala loves those who cry in His Court out of shame and repent for their sins, so do not let this blessed night go by in vain.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to take full advantage of the blessings of Shab-e-Baraat, to repent from our sins and to make as much Ibaadat as possible on this blessed night, Ameen.
Excellence of Ramadhan
The month of Ramadaan is a blessing for which Muslims await throughout the year. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) referred to this month as “The Month of My Ummah” and it is no doubt a month in which the Ummah can take advantage of the innumerable blessings, both spiritual and worldly. Hereunder is a discussion of some of the excellent qualities of the month of Ramadaan, as told to us by our Beloved Master Muhammad Mustafa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Insha Allah it would inspire us to perform as many good deeds as we can during this sacred month.
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) once delivered a sermon on the last day of Shabaan and said the following from his blessed lips:
“O people! A mighty month has cast its protective shade to screen you. A blessed month, a month in which there is a night that is better than a thousand months! Allah has made keeping fast therein an obligatory duty and the observance of night vigil therein a voluntary practice. If someone seeks to draw near to Allah therein by setting just one example of good conduct, or performs just one religious obligation, that person will be exactly the same as someone who discharges seventy religious obligations during all the other months of the year. It is the month of patient endurance, the reward of which is paradise. It is the month of charitable sharing and it is the month in which the sustenance of the true believer is increased. So if someone provides a meal for a person who is keeping the fast, this will result in forgiveness for his sins, and in his emancipation from hell. The benefactor will also be granted a reward equivalent to that earned by the recipient of his generosity, without any reward being reduced from the former.”
Some of those that were present said that not all of them had the capacity to provide a meal to a fasting person, to which Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied:
“Allah will grant this reward to anyone who gives some kind of nourishment to a fasting person, even if it is merely a dried date, a drink of water or a cup of diluted milk. It is a month, the beginning of which is a mercy, the middle of which is forgiveness, and the last part of which is a deliverance from the fire of hell. During the course of this month you must therefore cultivate four practices and repeat them frequently. Two of these are practices by which you will earn Allah Ta’ala’s pleasure, while the other two are practices that you simply cannot afford to do without. As for the two practices that will earn you Almighty Allah’s pleasure, they are testifying that there is no God except Allah (La Ilaaha Illallah) and begging Him for forgiveness. As for the two that you simply cannot afford to do without, they are imploring Allah to grant you the Garden of Paradise and taking refuge with Him from the Fire of Hell. Furthermore, if someone provides a satisfying meal in the course of this month for a fasting person, Allah Ta’ala will grant the benefactor a drink from my Fountain, after which he will never feel thirsty again.”
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) narrates that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “As soon as Ramadaan comes around, the gates of the Garden of Paradise are flung open, the gates of the Fire of Hell are shut and locked, and the devils (shayateen) are shackled and tied up tight.”
Once, the Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “If the servants of Allah only knew what the month of Ramadaan contains, those servants of His would dearly wish that the month of
Ramadaan could be a whole year!”
On hearing this, someone asked Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) to tell them about this month, to which he responded, by saying:
“The Garden of Paradise will surely be adorned for the sake of the month of Ramadaan, from the beginning of the year through the whole of the intervening period. Then, as soon as the first night of the month of Ramadaan has arrived, a wind will blow from beneath the Heavenly Throne (Arsh), causing the leaves of the trees of the Garden of Paradise to be set in a state of commotion. The brides of Paradise, those maidens with such lovely eyes, will regard this as a good omen, so they will say, “O Lord, grant us from among Your male servants in this month, such husbands that our eyes will be soothed by them, and their eyes will be soothed by us.” No servant of Allah Ta’ala, who keeps the fast through the month of Ramadaan, can possibly fail to be married to a wife from among the brides of Paradise, those maidens with such lovely eyes. The wedding will take place inside a pavilion made from a single hollowed pearl. This fits the description given by Allah Ta’ala: “There are houris, (Virgins of Paradise) confined in tents.” [Surah 55, Verse 72]
Every woman amongst them will be dressed in seventy fine articles of clothing, no item being the same as any other. She will be given seventy kinds of perfume, none with the same fragrance as any other. She will also be given seventy throne-like raised couches, made from red rubies and studded with pearls. Upon each of these couches there will be seventy cushions, the lining of which will consist of thick silk brocade interwoven with gold, and over every cushion there will be seventy canopies. Every woman amongst them will have seventy thousand pageboys to attend to her own needs, as well as seventy thousand maidservants to attend to the needs of her husband. Each of these maidservants will carry a dish made of gold, containing some kind of cooked food, the last morsel of which will be found to have a delicious flavour that went unnoticed in the first bite. Her husband will be given special treats like this, as he reclines upon a couch made from a single red ruby, wearing two bracelets of gold inlaid with sapphires. Such will be the reward for one who has kept the fast through the month of Ramadaan, quite apart from what he might have earned by performing charitable deeds!” Subhaanallah!
On another occasion Nabi-e-Kareem (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The members of my Ummah will not be put to shame, so long as they observe the night vigil during the month of Ramadaan.”
On hearing this, someone asked what resulted in their being put to shame, to which Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied:
“If someone is guilty, during the month of Ramadaan, of violating a sacred ordinance, of committing an evil deed, of drinking intoxicating liquor, or of committing adultery or fornication, his fasting in Ramadaan will not be accepted of him. Allah Ta’ala and His angels and all those who dwell in the heavens will curse him, and the curse will remain in effect until the same point in time the following year. If he happens to die in the interval before the next Ramadaan comes around, he will die without having even one good deed to his credit in the sight of Allah.”
Therefore we must be very careful of committing any sin during this month, as there is a fear that we might be punished by not having our fasting accepted, and by being cursed by Allah Ta’ala and His angels. Furthermore, the shayateen are chained during this month, so we have absolutely no excuse for committing any sin; if we do, we only have our own nafs to blame.
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has mentioned many other excellences of the blessed month of Ramadaan in the Ahadith, a few of which are quoted below:
“If someone keeps the fast on the first day of the month of Ramadaan, Allah will forgive him every sin until the last day of Ramadaan, and his fasting will be an expiation until the same point in time. For every day on which he keeps the fast, he will be granted a palatial mansion in Paradise, equipped with a thousand doors made of gold. From early in the morning, seventy thousand angels will beg for forgiveness on his behalf, and for every act of prostration he performs by night or by day, he will be granted a tree in Paradise, a tree in the shade of which a rider can travel for one hundred years without ever passing beyond it.”
“On each and every night of the month of Ramadaan, Allah Ta’ala will say three times, “Does anyone have a request to make, so that I may grant his request? Is there anyone who wishes to repent, so that I may relent towards him and accept his repentance? Is there anyone wishing to seek forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?””
“On each and every day of the month of Ramadaan, by the time when the fast is duly broken, Allah Ta’ala will have delivered a million of His servants from the Fire of Hell, even though all of them had incurred the penalty of damnation. Moreover, when the night of the Day of Congregation (Jumma) comes around, and on the Day of Jumma itself, it will be during every single hour that Allah Ta’ala delivers a million of His servants from the Fire of Hell, even though all of them had incurred the penalty of damnation. As for what will happen on the last day of the month of Ramadaan, on that day Allah Ta’ala will deliver a number equal to the total of all those he has delivered from the Fire of Hell between the first of the month and the last.”
“Throughout the entire month of Ramadaan, Allah Ta’ala will go on issuing this call, “My servants, men and women alike! Be of good cheer, be patient, and steadily persevere! I am about to grant you relief from your trouble and pain, and you will shortly attain My Mercy and My Generous Favour.””
“If Allah Ta’ala were ever to allow the heavens and the earth to speak, they would surely greet those who keep the fast of Ramadaan, hailing them with glad tidings of the Garden of Paradise.”
“As soon as the first night of the month of Ramadaan has arrived, the All Majestic One will summon Ridwan, the keeper of the Garden of Paradise. The ever-obedient Ridwan will present himself at once, saying, “I wait intent upon Your service, time and time again, and upon aiding Your cause, time and time again!” Allah Ta’ala will then tell him, “You must refurnish and redecorate My Garden of Paradise for the sake of those members of the community (Ummah) of Ahmad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) who are keeping the fast.”
Next, He will summon Malik, the keeper of the Fire of Hell, with the call, “O Malik!” The ever-obedient Malik will present himself at once, saying, “I wait intent upon Your service, time and time again, and upon aiding Your cause, time and time again!” Allah Ta’ala will then tell him, “Shut the doors of the blazing Fire of Hell, so as to lock out those members of the community of Ahmad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) who are keeping the fast. Then do not reopen those doors to them until they have completed their month of fasting.”
At this point He will summon Jibra’eel, who will present himself at once, saying, “I wait intent upon Your service, time and time again, and upon aiding Your cause, time and time again!” Allah Ta’ala will then tell him, “You must go down to the earth below, in order to shackle the defiant and rebellious devils, so that they cannot meddle with the community of Ahmad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), and spoil their experience of fasting and breaking fast.””
“The sleep of one who keeps the fast is an act of worshipful service, his silence is a declaration of the Glory of the Lord, his prayer of supplication is sure to be accepted, and the merit of every good deed he performs is sure to be multiplied.”
“If someone keeps the fast and observes the night in vigil during Ramadaan, as a matter of faith and in anticipation of Allah’s favour in the hereafter, but with no expectation of worldly reward, he will be forgiven his earlier sins, as well as those he committed recently.”
“For every good deed or practice performed by a human being belonging to my Ummah, the merit will be multiplied at least ten times, and up to seven hundred times in some cases. The sole exception is the fast, for Allah Ta’ala has told us, “The fast belongs to Me, and I provide its recompense. When someone keeps the fast he is abstaining from his carnal desire, his eating and drinking, for My sake.” The fast is a suit of armour. Moreover, two occasions of joy are in store for the person who is keeping the fast; joy at the moment of breaking the fast and joy at the moment of meeting his Lord.”
Subhaanallah! Just by us being the Ummah of the Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Allah Ta’ala has so much of Mercy on us. Furthermore, Allah Ta’ala loves us so much that He just finds an excuse to shower His Infinite Mercy upon us. Subhaanallah! May we die in the slavery of Allah and His Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
It is narrated by Hazrat Abul Barakaat (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) that if someone, while performing voluntary worship at night during the month of Ramadaan, recites the words addressed by Allah Ta’ala to His Beloved Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) – “Undoubtedly, We have granted you a clear victory” [Surah 48, Verse 1] – that person will receive a guarantee of safekeeping for the whole of that year.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq and Hidayat to take full advantage of the innumerable blessings in the blessed month of Ramadaan, to make as much Ibaadat as possible, and to stay away from anything that might lead to His displeasure, Ameen.
[Compiled from Ghunyalit Taalibi Tareeqal Haq by Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh]
How to treat Ramadhan?
Respect for the Month of Ramadaan
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said, “The person who serves his parents according to the best of his abilities in the month of Ramadaan, Allah Ta’ala looks at him with special Mercy and takes the responsibility of forgiving him upon Himself. The wife who remains busy in Ramadaan in pleasing her husband will be granted the companionship of Hazrat Mariam and Hazrat Aasiya (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anhuma) in Paradise.”
Once, in the city of Bukhara, the son of a fire worshipper was eating in the market of Muslims during the month of Ramadaan. Upon seeing him, his father slapped him on the face and expressed great disappointment. The son said, “O my Father! You also eat all day long during the month of Ramadaan.” The father replied, “I do not fast at all and do eat but I do it in secret at home. I do not eat in front of the Muslims out of respect for this month.” Sometime later, the fire worshipper died and a pious resident of Bukhara saw in his dream that the fire worshipper was walking in Paradise. He asked him, “You were a fire worshipper, how did you get into Paradise?” The fire worshipper replied, “It is true that I was a fire worshipper but, close to the time of death, Allah Ta’ala granted me the guidance to accept Islam. This is the blessings of respecting the month of Ramadaan that I died as a Muslim and Allah Ta’ala granted me Paradise as a result of respecting Ramadaan and accepting Islam.” [Nuzhatul Majaalis]
Subhaanallah! When a fire worshipper who respected the month of Ramadaan was granted faith and Paradise by Allah Ta’ala, if we Muslims respect the month of Ramadaan and do not violate its sanctity, then we will definitely be deserving of the Grace of the Almighty, Insha Allah.
On the Day of Judgement, a person will be brought in such a state that the angels will be beating him mercilessly. He will seek support from Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) who will ask the angels, “What is his sin? Why are you beating him so much?” The angels will reply, “He obtained the month of Ramadaan but still continued to disobey Allah Ta’ala.” Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) will be about to intercede for him when a voice will state, “O My Beloved! The petitioner against him is the month of Ramadaan.” Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) will say, “I am disgusted with those people whom Ramadaan petitions against.”
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The person who safeguards three things is undoubtedly a Friend of Allah Ta’ala, and know that the person who forsakes these three is an enemy of Allah Ta’ala. These three things are fasting, Namaaz and compulsory bathing (Ghusl-e-Janaabat).”
The Paradise of Allah Ta’ala longs for four kinds of people:
A person who fasts in the month of Ramadaan.
A person who regularly recites the Holy Qur’an.
A person who safeguards his tongue.
A person who feeds his hungry neighbours.
On the Day of Judgement, when Allah Ta’ala orders the people to rise from the graves, He will say to the Angel of Paradise, “O Ridwan! Go and greet my bondsmen who used to fast, and used to go hungry and thirsty for My sake. Go with all the bounties of Paradise and present it to them.” Hazrat Ridwan (Alaihis Salaam) will call out, “O workers of Paradise, bring large serving plates of Paradise, and bring food and drink equivalent to the grains of sand in the world, equal to the drops of rain, and equal to the stars in the sky and leaves on the trees.” This will all be brought and placed in front of the people who used to fast. They will then be told, “Eat as much as you please. This is the reward for the fasts that you observed in the world.”
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “On the night of Me’raj, I saw an Angel at Sidratul Muntaha that I had never seen before. It is so big in length and breadth that it would take a hundred thousand years to cover its size. It has 70,000 heads and each head has 70,000 faces and each face has 70,000 tongues. On each tongue is 70,000 birds of light and on each bird there is a hundred thousand pearls dangling. Each pearl contains a large river and there are huge fish in the river. The size of each fish is 2 years travel time. On the stomach of each fish is written ‘Laa Ilaaha Illallaah Muhammadur Rasoolullah.’ The angel has one hand on his head and the other hand on his back. When he praises Allah Ta’ala in his sweet voice, the Throne of Allah Ta’ala is overjoyed and sways from side to side in happiness. I asked Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) about this angel and was told that this angel was created 2000 years before Hazrat Adam (Alaihis Salaam) was created. This angel has been ordered by Allah Ta’ala to pray rosaries (Tasbeeh) on behalf of me and all those from my Ummah who fast.”
Safeguard Yourself from Sin
When looking at the meaning of fasting, most of us think it only entails the apparent conditions of not eating or drinking and not having sexual relations from sunrise to sunset. However, there are certain hidden etiquettes of fasting as well which must be respected and obeyed. The hidden etiquettes are that all parts of the body must be prevented from committing acts that are against the laws of Shariah. Only then can we truly benefit from the blessings of fasting and only then will we be successful in receiving the reward of becoming pious, as Allah Ta’ala says “O Believers! Fasting has been made obligatory upon you as were made obligatory upon those before you, so that you may become pious. [Surah 2, Verse 183]” Therefore, let us study the fast of the parts of the body and try to act upon them.
It is essential to safeguard the tongue from committing sin by lying, backbiting, using vulgar language etc. Lying is a grave sin that destroys the reward for fasting. We should always refrain from lying but it is especially critical to stay away from lying in the month of Ramadaan because if we lie whilst we are fasting, then we have defeated the purpose of fasting. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said, “If a person does not refrain from lying, then Allah Ta’ala has no need for him to give up his food and drink.” [Bukhari Shareef ]
Backbiting is a sin that many of us commit daily, often without realizing it. During the time of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), two ladies were fasting but became so thirsty that they feared for their lives. Finally, they asked Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) for permission to break the fast. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) sent a bowl to them and told them to vomit everything that they had eaten into the bowl. They did as they were told and their vomit contained running blood and clots of blood also. The people were astonished at seeing this and Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “These two women ate Sehri with those things that Allah Ta’ala has made lawful, but then broke their fast with something that has been made unlawful by Allah Ta’ala; in other words, they remained busy in backbiting.” Remember, backbiting is such an evil sin that Allah Ta’ala has compared it to ‘eating the meat of your dead brother.’ Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Qur’an, “…and do not backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would abominate it… [Surah 49, Verse 12]” Therefore, we must always, and especially in the month of Ramadaan, attempt to refrain from backbiting or speaking ill of others.
It is essential to safeguard the ears from hearing evil things at all times, but special attention should be paid to ensure this whilst fasting. It is said that there is fasting for every part of the body, and fasting of the ears is that they should be protected from hearing evil and useless things as hearing such things has a great effect on the heart, which turns thoughts towards sinning. It is essential for a fasting person to refrain from listening to backbiting, lies, jokes, film stories, film songs and crude talk. Listen to recitation of the Holy Qur’an and Naaths and Insha Allah, the heart will be illuminated and the spiritual benefits of fasting will be obtained.
It is essential for us to safeguard our eyes, especially whilst we are fasting. We have to safeguard our eyes from looking at na-mahram women, TV, dancing, songs, movies and nude or obscene pictures. Looking at such things turns the mind towards committing sins and that destroys the spirit of fasting. Therefore, we must save our eyes from such things and should rather look at and recite the Holy Qur’an and Insha Allah, we will obtain untold benefits.
The aim and object of fasting is to instil in our hearts the enthusiasm to refrain from all kinds of sins. All sins that are committed by humans are first thought about in the heart before they are carried out. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said, “There is a piece of meat in the body of humans, if that remains safe then the whole body is safe, and if that becomes corrupted then the whole body is corrupted; that piece of meat is the heart.” Therefore, it is essential for us to safeguard our hearts from false and evil thoughts.
And lastly, one of the major sins that many of us neglect to safeguard ourselves from, is not reading our five times Salaah. Salaah is compulsory and one would never be able to truly benefit from the blessings of fasting by neglecting the Salaah. In fact, one would be committing a grave sin by disobeying the command of Allah Ta’ala in such a sanctified month, which can only lead to the Anger of Allah Ta’ala.
After saving every part of one’s body from committing sin, out of fear of Allah Ta’ala and for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, a person has full faith that I obeyed the orders of the Almighty Allah completely and Allah Ta’ala will definitely accept the supplication that I make at this time, just as Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said, “The supplications of three types of people are never rejected; a fasting person at the time of Iftaar, a just ruler, and an oppressed person.” [Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]
Recitation of the Holy Qur’an
The revelation of the Holy Qur’an onto the blessed heart of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) began in this very month, and who can know this relationship better than Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). The relationship between the month of Ramadaan and the Holy Qur’an can also be seen in a Hadith that is narrated by Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) in which Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede on behalf of a person. The fast will say “O Almighty Lord! I stopped him from eating and fulfilling his desires during the day, accept my intercession on his behalf.” The Qur’an will say, “I prevented him from sleeping at night, accept my intercession on his behalf.”” Therefore we should make it a habit to recite the Holy Qur’an so that we may thrive on the blessings and excellences thereof.
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) narrates that, “If a person desires that he loves Allah Ta’ala and His Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), he should recite the Holy Qur’an.” Many of us claim to love Allah Ta’ala and His Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) but our claims are short-lived without any action. Therefore, if you claim to love Allah Ta’ala and want to be truthful in that claim, then make it your habit to recite the Holy Qur’an and firmly act on its orders.
The Holy Qur’an is such a book that looking at it, reciting it, learning it and contemplating its meanings are all forms of worship. Our minds are unable to comprehend the reward that Allah Ta’ala grants for reciting the Holy Qur’an. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “One who recites the Qur’an and then thinks that someone else received more reward than him, such a person has definitely taken lightly, something that has been made very exalted by Allah Ta’ala.”
When a heart is drowned in fulfilling its desires and committing various kinds of sins, becomes neglectful of the remembrance of Almighty Allah, and forgets its reason for being alive, the result is that, little by little, it becomes rusted, and this rust is the cause of dissension in the whole body. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Undoubtedly, hearts get rusted just as iron gets rusty when water falls on it.” The Blessed Companions asked, “Ya Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), how is the heart cleaned?” Our Beloved Aaqa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, “Remembering death often and reciting the Holy Qur’an.” [Mishkaat Shareef]
If any of us are guilty of disobeying the commands of Allah Ta’ala in this blessed month, let us make Taubah (repent) and try to stay away from committing sins. Let us also try to make as much Ibaadat as possible in these last ten days that are left because we do not know if we will see another Ramadaan Shareef. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to always respect the month of Ramadaan, and to always seek His pleasure and the pleasure of His Beloved, our Aaqa Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, Ameen
Night of Power
The Night of Power (Lailatul Qadr) is a treasure of greatness, sanctity, excellence and magnitude. The excellences and blessings of Lailatul Qadr are so vast that only a few can be mentioned hereunder. The excellence and supremacy of this blessed night can be seen from the fact that the Allah Ta’ala revealed a complete Surah in relation to this night. He states:
“Undoubtedly, We sent it down in the blessed and valuable night. And what you know, what the blessed night is? The blessed and valuable Night is better than a thousand months. Therein descend Angels and Jibra’eel (the Spirit) by the command of their Lord for every affair. That is all peace till the rising of the dawn.” [Surah Qadr]
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has stated, “Search for the Night of Power during the odd nights in the last ten nights of Ramadaan.” The opinion of most Scholars is that Lailatul Qadr is the 27th night of Ramadaan, and this is also the opinion of Imam-e-Azam Sayyiduna Imam Abu Hanifa (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). This night is very unique to other nights and there some signs that we can look for when looking for it. There is peace and calm in this night, the sky is jet-black, it is neither too hot nor too cold, and leaves do not fall off trees until daybreak. No barking of dogs is heard on this night and when the sun rises in the morning it appears as a disk without rays.
The reason for not knowing the exact date for the Night of Power is explained by the following Hadith. Hazrat Ubadah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) reports that one day Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) came out to inform us about the Night of Power. However, two Muslims were arguing and Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “I came out to tell you which night is the Night of Power, but due to the fact that so and so were arguing this information has been lifted from me. The wisdom behind it being lifted is best known by Allah Ta’ala.” [Bukhari Shareef ]
We see from the above Hadith that fighting and arguing with each other is such a bad deed that we were deprived of the knowledge of the Night of Power because of it.
Allama Qurtubi (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) quotes another narration, in which Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was shown the ages of the people of the previous nations. Upon seeing that his nation’s lifespan was shorter than that of the previous nations, he was fearful that the deeds of his Ummah would not be able to compare with the deeds of the previous nations who had longer lives. Upon this, Allah Ta’ala granted him the Night of Power, which is better than the worship of 1000 months of the previous nations.
Another narration is reported by Hazrat Ali bin Urwah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), who states that one day Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) mentioned four men of the Children of Israel who worshipped Allah Ta’ala for 80 years and not a single moment in that time was spent in disobedience of Allah Ta’ala. The four who were mentioned were Hazrat Ayub, Hazrat Hizqeel, Hazrat Yoosha and Hazrat Zakariyya (Alaihimus Salaam). The Companions of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) were amazed upon hearing this when Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) descended from the heavens and said, “O Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Your Companions are amazed at the worship of 80 years of those people? Allah Ta’ala has revealed something better than that upon you.” He then recited Surah Qadr and said, “This is better than that upon which your companions were amazed.”
Allah Ta’ala has stated in Surah Qadr that, “Therein descend Angels and Jibra’eel herein (the Spirit).” We can understand the meaning of this Aayat by looking at the Hadith in which Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “On the Night of Power, Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) descends onto the earth with a huge army of angels and this army of angels supplicate for forgiveness and mercy for all those people who are busy, whether standing or sitting, in the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala.”
In another Hadith, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has stated, “As soon as the Night of Power has arrived, Allah Ta’ala will give the order to Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam), who will promptly descend to the earth below, travelling in a throng of angels and bearing a green banner, which he will set up on top of the Ka’bah Shareef. Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) has no fewer than six hundred wings, which he only unfolds on the Night of Power. He will therefore spread them on that night, and by doing so, he will span the entire distance between the East and the West. Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) will command the angels to infiltrate into this Ummah, so they will insert themselves unobtrusively among its members. They will then give the greeting of peace to every believer who is found to be observing the night vigil, performing the ritual prayer, and practicing the remembrance of Allah. They will exchange greetings with them and say ‘Ameen’ to their Duas until the break of dawn. At this point Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) will cry out, “O company of angelic friends, now is the moment for us to be homeward bound.” The other angels will then ask, “O Jibra’eel, what has Allah done to meet the needs of the believers belonging to the Ummah of Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)?” So he will respond by saying, “Allah has scrutinized them carefully, and He has pardoned and forgiven them all, with only four exceptions.”” Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then went on to explain that the four exceptions include anyone who is consumes intoxicating liquor, anyone who is disobedient and disrespectful towards his parents, anyone who is guilty of disrupting a bond of kinship, and anyone who is virulently rancorous. When the blessed Sahaabah asked what kind of person is virulently rancorous, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Someone who is spitefully reluctant to abandon a grudge and stubbornly unwilling to accept the restoration of good relation with anyone who has offended him.” [Ghunyalit Taalibi Tareeqal Haq, Vol. 3]
It is also stated that there is an angel whose head is under the Throne (Arsh) and his feet are deep in the core of the earth. This angel has 1000 heads and each head is bigger than the world. Each head has 1000 faces, with 1000 mouths on each face and 1000 tongues in each mouth. With each tongue, he glorifies and praises the Lord in thousands of different ways, and the language of each tongue is different. When he opens his mouth all the heavenly angels fall into prostration out of fear that the brightness of his face might burn them. Every morning and night, he praises Allah Ta’ala with these mouths. This angel comes down to the earth on the Night of Power and supplicates until sunrise for the forgiveness of all the believing men and women of the Ummah of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) who fast. [Tafseer Roohul Bayaan]
It has also been stated that when Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) comes down to earth on the Night of Power, he will not leave any human being without giving him the greeting of peace and shaking him by the hand. For the recipient, the sign of this will be the sudden appearance of goose bumps all over his skin, coinciding with a surge of tender feelings in his heart, and a tearful moistening of his eyes. [Ghunyalit Taalibi Tareeqal Haq, Vol. 3]
Mother of Believers, Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) states that she asked Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), “If I find the Night of Power, what should I do?” Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, “Recite the following supplication: Allahumma Innaka ‘Afuwwun Tuhibbul ‘Afwa Fa’fu ‘Annee.” (O Allah! You are the One who forgives, You like to forgive, therefore forgive me) [Tirmidhi Shareef ]
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) narrates that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The person who stands in prayer in the Night of Power with faith and belief has his previous sins forgiven.” [Bukhari Shareef; Muslim Shareef]
It is reported in a Hadith-e-Qudsi that Allah Ta’ala states, “The sound of sinners sobbing and weeping is more beloved to Me than the sound of praise and glorification.” We can therefore see the importance of crying in the court of Allah Ta’ala and seeking His forgiveness, especially during this Blessed Night.
The person who prays 4 Rakaats on this night, and in each Rakaat recites Surah Qadr once and Surah Ikhlas 27 times after Surah Fatiha, becomes so pure of sins it is as though he was born on that day. Additionally, Allah Ta’ala grants him 1000 palaces in Paradise. Subhaanallah!
Whilst there are great benefits in staying awake and worshipping Allah Ta’ala in the night of Power, there is also great loss and harm in being lazy and neglectful about this night. Look at the damage and loss that will be incurred if we neglect to take advantage of this blessed night by remembering and worshipping Allah Ta’ala. It is stated in a Hadith that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has stated, “The person who remains deprived of the blessings of this night will remain deprived of all goodness. No one is deprived of the blessings of this night except the most wretched ones.” [Ibn Majah]
The above Hadith makes clear that we should not be negligent and heedless in the Night of Power. Rather we should prepare ourselves completely for worshipping on this night because the Merciful Lord, through the Sadaqa of His Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) grants the reward of worshipping for more than a thousand months for just a few hours worship. Very unfortunate are those people who are not prepared to sacrifice a few hours to worship their Lord.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq and Hidayat to take full advantage of Lailatul Qadr and to make as much Ibaadat as possible and to cry in the Court of Allah Ta’ala and to beg for His Mercy and Forgiveness through the Wasilah of His Habeeb, our Master, Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, Ameen.
Eid ul Fitr
In this day and age, many Muslims eagerly await the end of Ramadaan and the coming of Eid-ul-Fitr to gain their ‘freedom’ in order to go back to committing sin and disobeying Almighty Allah. Many people start on the day of Eid itself and engage in shameful and reprehensible behaviour in the name of celebration. We should remember that celebration does not mean committing sin, but rather it involves remembering Allah Ta’ala and being grateful to Allah Ta’ala for showering His Mercy and Bounties upon us. Let us look at the true essence and significance of Eid-ul-Fitr, and the way in which those pious servants close to Almighty Allah celebrated Eid.
Eid is a day of celebration for Muslims, a day of happiness. On this day, Muslims perform two rakaats of prayer, meet one another, shake hands and embrace and give charity to the poor and needy. Islam teaches protecting the poor, helping the helpless, and easing the pain and sufferings of orphans and the meek at every turn, and they should not be forgotten, especially on the day of Eid. That is why Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) ordered us to pay the Sadqa-e-Fitr before performing the Eid Salaah so that Muslims remember their poor brothers on this occasion and include them in their happiness.
It is reported on the authority of Hazrat Anas (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) that when Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) came to Madina Shareef, the people of Madina would celebrate two festivals. They were asked what these days were and they replied, “We used to celebrate on these days in the days of ignorance.” Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Allah Ta’ala has granted you two better days than these days; Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha.” [Abu Dawood]
Regarding Eid-ul-Fitr, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) once said, “When the month of Ramadaan is over, and the night of Eid-ul-Fitr has arrived, that night is called the Night of Prize. Then, in the early morning of Eid-ul-Fitr Allah Ta’ala will send His angels forth to visit all the towns and cities on the earth below. Once they have made their descent, they will position themselves at the entrances to all the streets and alleys. There, in a voice that is audible to every being created by Allah Ta’ala, apart from the jinn and humankind, they will issue a proclamation saying, “O Community of Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), come forth into the presence of a Noble and Generous Lord, who will grant you gifts in abundance and forgive your terrible sin!” Then when the believers have emerged and presented themselves at their place of prayer, Allah Ta’ala will say to His angels, “O My angels, what is the recompense of the hired labourer, once he has done his job?” The angels will reply, “Our Lord and our Master, You will pay him his wages in full!” So Allah Ta’ala will say, “I now call upon you to bear witness, O My angels, that I have conferred My acceptance and My forgiveness as the reward for their fasting and night vigil during the month of Ramadaan.” Allah Ta’ala will then say, “O My servants put your requests to Me now, for this I swear by My Might and My Majesty, you will not ask Me this day, in this gathering of yours for anything connected with your life hereafter, without My granting it to you; nor for anything connected with your life in this lower world, without My attending to your need. By My Might and My Majesty, I will not put you to shame, nor will I expose you to disgrace amongst those who are faithfully committed to observing the laws (of Shariah). Now you may depart, knowing that you have been forgiven. You have won My approval, and I am well pleased with you.”” [Ghunyalit Taalibi Tareeqal Haq, Vol. 3]
Subhaanallah! How Merciful is our Rabb, even though we are such wretched sinners.
Before the advent of Eid-ul-Fitr we need to ask ourselves, “Have we reflected on whether we have respected and honoured the month of Ramadaan as it should be respected and honoured? Have we worshipped in it as we should have?” The final night of Ramadaan is the night for collecting the rewards for all the goodness that was done throughout the month. If we are neglectful of Allah Ta’ala on this night, then our efforts of the whole month might be ruined and will go to waste. Therefore, read the following Hadith and try to spend the last night of Ramadaan remembering Allah Ta’ala and evaluating the deeds that have been performed during the month.
The excellence of remembering Allah Ta’ala on this night is reported in a Hadith in which Hazrat Abu Amamah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) narrates that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The hearts of the people who stand in prayers on the night of Eid will not die on the day when all hearts will die.” In another narration, Hazrat Mu’az bin Jabal (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) reports that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has stated, “Paradise is compulsory (Wajib) for one who stays up and worships on five nights – the nights of the 8th, 9th and 10th of Zul Hijjah, the night of Eid-ul-Fitr, and the 15th night of Shabaan.” We can therefore understand the significance of the night of Eid from these Ahadith and we should try as much as possible to busy ourselves in the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala, even if it is for a portion of the night.
If we study the lives of the Companions and our pious predecessors we will see that even though they used to worship extensively in the month of Ramadaan, they would still feel regret and sorrow on the day of Eid. They were constantly worried about the fact of whether or not they had fulfilled the rights of Ramadaan, just as it is reported about Hazrat Umar (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) that on the day of Eid, he sat in a corner and cried so much that his blessed beard became soaked. When people asked the reason for this, he replied, “How can a person who does not know if his fasts have been accepted celebrate Eid?” That Hazrat Umar (Radiallahu Ta’ala ‘Anh) about whom Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said that his good deeds are equivalent to the number of stars in the sky, is crying upon reflecting as to whether his fasts have been accepted or not, whether he has obeyed the orders of Almighty Allah properly and if Allah Ta’ala is pleased with them. Allahu Akbar! And yet sinners like us are absolutely carefree and cannot wait to engage ourselves into sin again!
It was on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr that a man once entered the presence of Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) and found him eating coarse brown bread. “Today is the day of Eid, yet here you are, eating coarse brown bread!” the man exclaimed. So Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) replied to the visitor, saying, “Today is the day of Eid for someone whose fast has been accepted, whose effort has been deemed worthy, and whose sin has been forgiven. Today is Eid for us, and tomorrow is Eid for us. Every day in which we do not disobey Allah Ta’ala is an Eid for us.”
Commenting on this incident, Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam Hazrat Shaikh Sayyid Abdul Qadir Jilani (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) says that it is therefore important for every intelligent person to stop focusing on the external aspect, and not to let it capture his attention. His perspective on the day of Eid should be from the standpoint of contemplation and reflection.
Eid-ul-Fitr is not all about dressing up in fine new clothes, eating delicious treats and pursuing carnal pleasures and delights. In its outward celebration Eid-ul-Fitr is actually meant to symbolize the acceptance of acts of worshipful obedience; the remission of sins and mistakes; the conversion of bad deeds into good deeds; the glad tidings of promotion to higher spiritual degrees and the conferring of robes of honour, gifts and gracious favours. Eid should be celebrated, but together with celebrating it, Allah Ta’ala should also be remembered. Whether there is happiness or sadness, He should never be forgotten; just as Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said, “The people who will be called towards Paradise first on the Day of Judgment are those who praised Allah Ta’ala during happiness and sadness.”
Lastly, on this joyous occasion we should try as much as possible to follow the beautiful Sunnah of our Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Some of the Sunnahs are listed below, and what better way could we spend our day of Eid, than following in the footsteps of our Beloved Aaqa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam):
Cut the hair
Trim the nails
Have a bath (Ghusl)
Use a Miswaak
Wear nice clothes – if you have new clothes then wear new, otherwise nice clean clothes.
Wear an Amaama
Put on Itr (perfume)
Put Surma
Perform the morning prayer in the local Masjid
Go to the Eid Gah early
Pay the Sadqa-e-Fitr before the Eid Salaah
Walk to the Eid Gah and take a different route on the way back home.
Eat some dates before leaving home for the Eid Salaah (3, 5 or any amount that is an odd number). If there are no dates available, then you should eat anything sweet.
Express happiness, give lots of charity, go to the Eid Gah calmly, relaxed and dignified, with the gaze lowered.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq and Hidayat to celebrate Eid the way His pious servants celebrated it, and the Taufeeq to always stay away from sins, but especially during this Mubarak Day, Ameen.
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