‘Glad tidings for whoever makes himself hungry in anticipation of the Great Day’

Abu Musa al-Ash’ari was on a boat, and he heard someone calling out: “O passengers, stand up!” And he said this three times. So, Abu Musa told him: “How can we stand up? Don’t you see where we are? How can we stand up?” So, the caller said: “Let me tell you of a rule that Allah made upon Himself: whoever makes himself thirsty for Allah’s sake on a hot day has the right upon Allah to have his thirst quenched on the Day of Resurrection.” So, Abu Musa would search out the days that were so hot that one would feel he was being cooked, and he would fast those days.

Ka’b said that Allah Said to Musa: “I made it incumbent upon Myself that whoever is thirsty for My sake will have his thirst quenched on the Day of Resurrection,” and others said that it’s written in the Torah: “Glad tidings for whoever makes himself hungry in anticipation of the Great Day where he will have his hunger satisfied, and glad tidings for whoever makes himself thirsty in anticipation of the Great Day where he will have his thirst quenched.”

The Virtues of Fasting in the Summer

‘Recite so that your ears hear what you recite and your heart pays attention’

{The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)} [Al-Baqarah: 185]

{شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْـزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ} البقرة: 185

“It was said that the salaf would spend the days of Ramdan reading the Qur’an, and the importance of studying the Qur’an cannot be emphasized enough. A single ayah (verse) recided with tadabbur (contemplation) may be better than reciting many ayaat (verses) of the Qur’an without contemplaton. Scholars differed regardubg whether it is better to recide more or recite less with contemplation. Although as isolated deeds they both may be equal, the latter will benefit you for the rest of your life and thus the effects of understanding the Qur’an will elevate you further in the Hereafter.

Abu Jumrah once said to Abdullah ibn Masud ‘‘I am fast in my recitation and perhaps I would recite the Qur’an once or even twice in a single night’ , Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) replied ‘For me to recite one surah is more pleasing to me than if I did that which you do, if you do so then make sure you recite so that your ears hear what you recite and your heart pays attention.’

Taken from: Ramadan: The Month of Deeds

“Fast the very hot days in anticipation of the Day of Resurrection”

Abu ad-Darda’ would say: “Fast the very hot days in anticipation of the Day of Resurrection, and pray two rak’at in the darkness of night in anticipation of the darkness of the grave.”

It’s reported in the two ‘Sahih’s that he said: “You have seen us with the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) on some of his journeys on very hot days, and a man would hold his hand against his head due to the intensity of the heat, and none of them would be fasting except the Messenger of Allah and ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah.” And the narration of Muslim states that Abu ad-Darda’ said: “This was during the month of Ramadan.”

When those who fast for Allah in the heat are patient despite their intense thirst, He will set aside a specific gate of the gates of Paradise for them. This is the gate called Rayyan, and whoever enters through it will drink, and whoever drinks after entering it will never be thirsty again. When they enter through it, it will be locked for those after them, and none will enter through it except them…”

Source: Ibn Rajab in ‘Lata’if al-Ma’arif’
Taken from ‘‘The Virtues of Fasting in Summer’

Intimacy of Tawheed

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ*ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعۡوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ*ۖ فَلۡيَسۡتَجِيبُواْ لِى وَلۡيُؤۡمِنُواْ بِى لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡشُدُونَ

“And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me. So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.”
Surah Al Baqarah (2): 186

This verse is among the same set that commands us with fasting; as we read the words of Our Lord and comply with what is asked from us, we should also ask Him what we need and want from Him. We should feel close to Allah in this month more so than any other month. As Allah speaks to us through his words in His book, we should speak to Allah in our supplications.

Whenever people questioned the Prophet about a matter and Allah addressed it in the Qur’an he would start by saying, ‘Qul’ (Say) Yet, when Allah was asked about Himself as in this ayah, he did not say, ‘Qul’. This shows us that we do not need to go through anyone to reach Allah and ask of Him, emphasising the greatness and importance of His Oneness. This also shows us how close Allah is to us. Allah also expresses His nearness to us by attaching the slave to Himself, ‘And when My slave asks you.’ This also shows the great heights a human being can reach by being a slave of Allah. Other verses refer to the slave as though they are distant and many, whilst here the slaves are being addressed as being near and as one individual.

So we know how close Allah is to us and that He promised to respond to His slave. Now imagine that this slave is fasting and the Prophet has told us that the supplication of the fasting Muslim will not be rejected! (at-Tirmidhi) . The bounties and opportunities of Ramadan are many and unlimited yet the number of days we have to take advantage of it are few and limited.

Source: Islam21c | Ramadhan Pointers

The likeness of Ramadan & prophet Yusuf

 

Ibn al-Jawzi  wrote concerning this great month of Ramadan:

“The month of Ramadan to the other months is like Yusuf to his brothers. So, just like Yusuf was the most beloved son to Ya’qub, Ramadan is likewise the most beloved month to Allah.

A nice point for the nation of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) to ponder over is that if Yusuf had the mercy and compassion to say {“There is no reproach for you today…”} [Yusuf (12): 92], Ramadan is likewise the month of mercy, blessing, goodness, salvation from the Fire, and Forgiveness from the King that exceeds that of all the other months and what can be gained from their days and nights.

Another nice point to think about is that Yusuf’s brothers came to rely on him to fix their mistakes after all those they had made. So, he met them with kindness and helped them out, and he fed them while they were hungry and allowed them to return, and he told his servants: “Carry their belongings with you so that they don’t lose them.” So, one person filled the gaps of eleven others, and the month of Ramadan is likewise one month that fills the gaps of our actions over the other eleven months. Imagine the gaps and shortcoming and deficiency we have in obeying Allah!

We hope that in Ramadan, we are able to make up for our shortcomings in the other months, to rectify our mistakes, and to cap it off with happiness and firmness on the Rope of the Forgiving King.

Another point is that Ya’qub had eleven sons who were living with him and whose actions he would see at all times, and his eyesight did not return because of any of their clothing. Instead, it returned due to Yusuf’s shirt. His eyesight came back strong, and he himself became strong after he was weak, and seeing after he was blind. Likewise, if the sinner smells the scents of Ramadan, sits with those who remind him of Allah, recites the Qur’an, befriends on the condition of Islam and faith, and avoids backbiting and vain talk, he will (by Allah’s Will) become forgiven after he was a sinner, he will become close after he was far, he will be able to see with his heart after it was blind, his presence will be met with happiness after it was met with repulsion, he will be met with mercy after he was met with disdain, he will be provided for without limit or effort on his part, he will be guided for his entire life, he will have his soul dragged out with ease and smoothness when he dies, he will be blessed with Forgiveness when he meets Allah, and he will be granted the best levels in the Gardens of Paradise.

So, by Allah, take advantage of this greatness during these few days and you will soon see abundant blessing, high levels of reward, and a very long period of rest and relaxation by the Will of Allah.

By Allah, this is the true relaxation…”

[‘Bustan al-Wa’idhin wa Riyad as-Sami’in’; p. 213-214]

I ask Allah to grant us life long enough to witness this Ramadan, may He swt grant us the tawfeeq to make preparations so that we may gain the most benefit from this month! ameen

Translated by Tarek Mehanna, may Allah swt hasten his release, check out his blog here

Beyond Ramadhan & Ar-Rayyan

Sahl b. Sa’d (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah’s Messenger sallallahu ‘alayhi wa salam as saying: “In Paradise there is a gate which is called ar-Rayyan through which only the observers of fast would enter on the Day on Resurrection. None else would enter along with them. It would be proclaimed: ‘Where are the observers of fast that they should be admitted into it?’ -and when the last of them would enter, it would be closed and no one would enter it.”

reported by Muslim in Kitab al-Sawm Hadith 2569

so insha’Allah what follows are some easy Sunnah fasts that we can keep beyond the month of Ramadhan so that we can, insha’Allah, be of those who enter Jannah through the gate of ar-Rayan:

Fasting for six days in the month of Shawwal:
It is narrated on the authority of Abu Ayoub al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa salam said: “He that observed fasting in Ramadan then he follows it with six days of Shawwal, this is equal to the fasting of the whole year” [Bukhari: 2758]

Observing fast for three days every month:

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: My friend (the Messenger of Allah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa salam) directed me to observe fast for three days in every month, to perform two Rak`ah (optional) Duha prayer at forenoon and to perform the Witr prayer before going to bed. [Agreed upon:1672 & 1178]

It is mustahabb to observe this fast in the middle of the hijri month, on the days called Ayaam al-Beed. It was narrated that Abu Dharr said: “The Messenger of Allaah sallahu alayhi wa salam said to me, ‘If you fast any part of the month then fast on the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth.’” (al-Nasaa’i, 2424; Ibn Maajah, 1707; Ahmad, 210; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer, 673).

Fasting Mondays & Thursdays:
It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah said: “The Messenger of Allaah sallahu alayhi wa salam was keen to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.” (al-Nasaa’i, 2320; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer, 4827).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, and he said: “Those are two days on which people’s deeds are shown to the Lord of the Worlds, and I want my deeds to be shown to Him when I am fasting.” (al-Nasaa’i, 2358; Ibn Maajah, 1740; Ahmad, 8161; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1583).

Observing fast on the day of Arafah:
It is narrated on the authority of Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa salam said: “Fasting on the day of ‘Arafah is an expiation for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it.” [Muslim: 3746]

Observing fast on the day of Ashurah:
It is narrated on the authority of Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa salam said: “Fasting the day of ‘Ashurah is an expiation for the year preceding it.” [Muslim: 3746]

the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa salam told us that his Lord said: “My slave does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My slave continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I will love him, When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, he seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it.”

(al-Bukhaari, 6502)

useful links:
Days on which it is prescribed to observe naafil (supererogatory) fasts

“It is the month of patience and the reward for patience is Paradise”

On the eve of Ramadan, the Prophet (peace be upon him) gave a sermon and said:

“O people! A great and blessed month is coming upon you, a month containing a night better than a thousand months. Allah has made fasting in its days an obligation and observing prayer in its nights a voluntary act. Anyone who seeks nearness to Allah in this month through any virtuous act will be like one who carried out a religious obligation at another time, and anyone who performs an obligatory act of worship in this month will be like one who performed seventy such acts at another time. It is the month of patience, and the reward for patience is Paradise.”

[Sahîh Ibn Khuzaymah]

A Greater Reward

Talha ibn ‘Ubaydallah (radhiallahu `anhu) reported that two men came to the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) who had accepted Islam at the same time. One of them used to partake in Jihad more-so than the other, and so (one day) he fought in a battle and was martyred therein. The other remained behind him for another year, and then he passed away.

Talha said, ‘I saw in my dream that I was at the door of Paradise when behold, I was with both of them (the two men). Someone came out of Paradise and allowed the man who passed away later to enter first. Then he came out again and allowed the martyred one to enter. Then he returned and said to me, ‘Go back, for your time has not come yet.’

Talha woke up and began to inform others about this and they were all surprised. This reached the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) and when they informed him of it, he said:

من أي ذلك تعجبون؟ قالوا: يا رسول اللهّ هذا كان أشد الرجلين اجتهاداً ثم استشهد ودخل هذا الآخر الجنة قبله فقال رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وسلم) : أليس قد مكث هذا بعده سنة؟ قالوا: بلى. قال: أدرك رمضان فصام وصلى كذا وكذا من سجدة في السنة؟ قالوا: بلى. قال رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وسلم): فما بينهما أبعد مما بين السماء والأرض

He (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘What are you surprised about?’ They said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Out of them both, this one strove harder (in Jihad) then he was martyred but this other one was entered into Paradise before him.’ The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Did he not remain behind him for one year?’ They said, ‘Yes (he did).’ He said, ‘Did he not reach Ramadan, fast and pray with such and such number of prostrations in the year?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘So the difference between them is greater than what is between the heavens and the earth.’

– Sahih narration from Ibn Majah (2/345, 346) and al-Albani’s ‘al-Silsilah al-Sahihah’

Check The Label

 

“If the price is low everyone will buy”

Al Qasim ibn Muhammed said that ‘Aicha would fast in the intense heat and he was asked, “What drove her to do this?”

He replied, “She would take advantage of the days before death.”

Also some of the Righteous women would choose the hottest of days and fast them saying, “If the price is low everyone will buy.” meaning that she wanted to do those actions only few were capable of due to how hard it was to do them and this is indicative of the high aspirations of these righteous women had.

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, Virtues of fasting in the heat in ‘Lata’if al-Ma’arif’