Wednesday 3 August 2011

Common Mistakes Made During Ramzan...

Most Muslims who fast in Ramadan focus on the benefits and rewards of it. But in doing so, we often make mistakes that instead of adding to our experience actually detract from it. Mistakes that can make us commercialize Ramadan as so many other religions have commercialized their sacred days. Insha’Allah the following will serve as a reminder to, first, myself and then to all Muslims. May Allah help us in spending our time wisely this Ramadan and help us in avoiding these mistakes. Ameen!


1. Taking Ramadan as a Ritual

For many of us Ramadan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibaadah. We fast from morning to night like a zombie just because everyone around us is fasting, too. We forget that it’s a time to purify our hearts and our souls from all evil. We forget to beseech Allah SWT to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Hell-Fire. Surely, we stay away from food and drink but that’s about it.

Although the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: Jibra’eel said to me, ‘May Allah rub his nose in the dust, that person to who Ramadan comes and his sins are not forgiven,’ and I said, ‘Ameen’. Then he said, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (by not serving them) and I said, ‘Ameen’. Then he said, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you,’ and I said, ‘Ameen.” [Tirmidhi, Ahmad and others. It is classified as Saheeh by al-Albaani] 


2. Too much stress on food and drink

For some people, the entire month of Ramadan revolves around food. They spend the eintire day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking only about food, instead of concentrating on Salah, Quraan and other acts of worship. They think so much about food that they turn the month of ‘fasting’ into the month of ‘Feasting’. Come Iftar time, their table is a sight to see, with the multitudes and varieties of food, sweets and drinks.

They are missing the very purpose of fasting, and thus, increase in their greed and desires instead of learning to control them. Besides, it leads to wastage of food and extravagance. …and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance) [Qur’an, al-Araaf :31]

3. Spending all day cooking

Some of the sisters (either by their own choice or forced by their husbands) are cooking all day and all night, so that by the end of the day, they are too tired to even pray Ishaa, let alone pray Taraweeh or Tahajjud or even read the Qur’an. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness. So turn off that stove and turn on your Imaan! 4. Eating too much
Some people stuff themselves at Saher until they are ready to burst, because they think this is the way to not feel hungry during the day and some people eat at Iftaar, like there is no tomorrow, trying to ‘make up for the food missed’. However, this is completely against the Sunnah. Moderation is the key to everything.

The Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air.’ [Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah. Classified as saheeh by al-Albaani]

Too much food distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship, makes him lazy and also makes the heart heedless. It was said to Imam Ahmad: Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full? He said, I do not think so.

5. Sleeping all day

Some people spend their entire day (or a major part of it) ’sleeping away their fast’. Is this what is really required of us during this noble month? These people are also missing the purpose of fasting and are slaves to their desires of comfort and ease. They cannot ‘bear’ to be awake and face a little hunger or exert a little self-control. For a fasting person to spend most of the day asleep is nothing but negligence on his part.
6. Wasting time

The month of Ramadan is a very precious time, so much so that Allaah SWT calls this month ‘Ayyamum Ma’doodaat’ (A fixed number of days). Before we know it, this month of mercy and forgiveness will be over. We should try and spend every moment possible in the worship of Allah so that we can make the most of this blessing. However, there are some of us who waste away their day playing video games, or worse still, watching TV, movies or even listening to music to occupy their mind so that they won’t feel the hunger pangs. Subhaan Allah! Trying to obey Allah by DISOBEYING Him!?
7. Fasting but not giving up evil

Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. and some of us fast but do not give up cheating, stealing, dealing in haraam activities, buying lottery tickets, selling alcohol, fornication, etc. and all kinds of impermissible things without realizing that the purpose of fasting is to not stay away from food and drink; rather the aim behind it is to fear Allaah, to increase our Taqwa.

‘O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)’ [Qur’an, al-Baqarah :183]

The Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food and drink.’ [Bukhaari]
8. Skipping Saher (sehri)

The Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘Eat Saher for in suhoor there is blessing.’ [Bukhaari, Muslim] and he (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘The thing that differentiates between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is eating suhoor.’ [Muslim]
9. Not fasting if they missed Saher

Some people are too scared to fast if they miss Saher. However, this is an act kind of cowardice and love of ease. Missing a few morsels in the morning will, insha’Allah, not lead to death. Remember, obedience to Allaah overcomes everything. Saying the intention for fast out loud or saying a specific dua’a to start fasting are bid’ah. The intention is an action of the heart. We should resolve in our heart that we are going to fast tomorrow. That is all we need. It is not prescribed by the Shari’ah for us to say out loud. Also, there is no specific dua’a to be recited at the time of starting the fast in the Sunnah. Whatever ‘dua’a’ one may see on some papers or Ramadan calendars, etc. is Bid’ah.
10. Delaying opening fast

Some people wait until the adhaan finishes or even several minutes after that, just to be ‘on the safe side’. However, the Sunnah is to hasten to open the fast, which means opening fast whenever the adhaan starts, right after the sun has set (and not before). Aa’ishah (RA) said: This is what the Messenger of Allaah (s.a.w.w.) used to do. [Muslim]

The Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘The people will continue to do well so long as they hasten to open the fast.’ [Bukhaari, Muslim]

Determine to the best of your ability, the accuracy of your clock, calendar, etc. and then have tawakkul (trust) on Allaah SWT and break your fast exactly on time.

11. Eating continuously until the time for Maghrib is up

Some people put so much food in their plates when breaking their fast and continue eating, enjoying dessert, drinking tea, etc., until they miss the Maghrib prayer. That is obviously not right. The Sunnah of the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) was that once he broke his fast with some dates, them he would hasten to the prayer. Once you are done with the prayer, you can always go back and eat some more if you wish. 12. Missing the golden chance of having your Dua’a accepted
The prayer of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted at the time of breaking fast.

The Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler.’ [al-Bayhaqi, classified as saheeh by al-Albaani]

Instead of sitting down and making Dua’a at this precious time, some people forego this beautiful chance, and are too busy frying samosas, talking, setting the food, filling their plates and glasses, etc. Think about it…Is food more important than the chance to have your sins forgiven or the fulfillment of your

Dua’as.

13. Fasting but not praying

The fasting of one who does not pray WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. This is because not praying constitutes kufr as the

Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer.’ [Muslim]

In fact,none of his good deeds will be accepted; rather, they are all annulled.

‘Whoever does not pray ‘Asr, his good deeds will be annulled.’ [Bukhaari]
14. Fasting and not wearing Hijaab

Not wearing the Hijaab is a major sin as it is obligatory for Muslim women. (See Surah Nur, Surah Ahzaab). So fasting and not wearing hijaab certainly takes away, enormously, from the rewards of fasting.
15. Not fasting because of exams or work
Exams or work is not one of the excuses allowed by the Shariah to not fast. You can do your studying and revision at night if it is too hard to do it during the day. Also remember that pleasing and obeying Allaah is much more important than ‘good grades’. Besides, if you will fulfill your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allaah will make your studies and other activities easy for you and help you in everything you do. ‘Whosoever fears Allah, He will appoint for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect, Allah is Sufficient for whosoever puts his trust in Him. [Qur’an, Surah at-Talaaq :2-3]
16. Mixing fasting and dieting

Do Not make the mistake of fasting with the intention to diet. That is one of the biggest mistakes some of us make (especially sisters). Fasting is an act of worship and can only be for the sake of Allah alone. Otherwise, mixing it with the intention of dieting may become a form of (minor) Shirk.



17. Praying only on the night of the 27th Ramadan

Some people pray only on the 27th to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights, although the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘Seek Lailat ul-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan.’ [Bukhaari, Muslim]
18. Wasting the last part of Ramadan preparing for Eid

Some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting Ibadah and Lailatul Qadr. Even though, the

Prophet (s.a.w.w.) used to strive the most during the last ten days of Ramadan in worship [Ahmad, Muslim] and not in shopping. Buy whatever you need for Eid before Ramadan so that you can utilize the time in Ramadan to the utmost.

Aa’ishah (RA) said: ‘When the (last) ten nights began, the Messenger of Allaah (s.a.w.w.) would tighten his waist-wrapper (i..e., strive hard in worship or refrain from intimacy with his wives), stay awake at night and wake his fa


mily.’ [Bukhaari and Muslim]
19. Iftaar parties
Although inviting each other for breaking fast is good and encouraged, some people go to extremes with lavish ‘Iftaar parties’ with all sorts of disobedience to Allah, from flirting, mixing of the sexes and hijaab-less women to show-off and extravagance, to heedlessness to Salaah, and Taraweeh to even music and dancing. It’s not too late to rectify ones mistake and do good for the sake of Allah. Inform My servants that I am the Forgiver, Most Merciful. [Qur’an, al-Hijr:49] 

Thursday 28 July 2011

Ramadan, an Opportunity.....

Lesson 1: Gaining taqwa (fear of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala)

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala legislated fasting for gaining taqwa, "O you who believe fasting has been prescribed upon you as it has been prescribed upon those before you, so that you may attain taqwa." (meaning of Sooratul Baqarah (2):138) Tawqa in this case means, to make a shield between oneself and Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala's anger and hellfire. So we should ask ourselves, when we break our fasts, 'Has this fasting day made us fear Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala more ? Has it resulted that we want to protect ourselves from the hellfire ?'


Lesson 2: Drawing us closer to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala

This is achieved by reciting and reflecting on Al-Qur'an during the night and the day, attending the taraveeh prayers, remembering Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala and his prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam, Also for those who can, making itikaf (seclusion) in the last ten days of Ramadan, However, the obedient worshipper feels closer to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala and wants to worship Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala more, because Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'alaforgives and is merciful.


Lesson 3: Acquiring patience and strong will

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala has mentioned patience more than seventy times in the Qur'an and has commanded patience in more than sixteen ways in His Book. So when one fasts, and gives up one's food and drink, for those hours, one learns restraint and patience.
Lesson 4: Striving for ihsan (righteousness & sincerity) and staying away from riyaa’ (showing off)

Ihsan means to worship Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala as if one sees Him, for if one does not see Him, So when one is fasting, one should gain this quality of watching oneself and also staying away from riyah (showing off). That is why Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala said in a qudsi hadith, "..Fasting is for Me and I will reward it.." (Bukhari) Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala singles out fasting from all other types of worship saying, "..Fasting is for Me..", because no one knows whether you are fasting or not, except Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala.


Lesson 5: Refinement of manners, especially those related to truthfulness and discharging trusts.

The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam said,"Whoever does not abandon falsehood in word and action, then Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala has no need that he should leave his food and drink." (Bukhari) And the Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam said,"It may be that a fasting person attains nothing but hunger and thirst from his fast." (Ibn Majah) What we learn from this, is that we must pay attention to the purification of our manners. The Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallamsaid,"I was sent to perfect good manners." (Muwatta)


Lesson 6: Recognising that one can change for the better

The Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam said,"Every son of Adam sins and the best of the sinners are those who repent." (Ibn Majah) Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala provides many opportunities to repent to Him and seek His forgiveness. If one was disobedient they can become obedient.
Lesson 7:Being more charitable
Ibn Abbas Radi Allahu anhu said,"The Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam is the most charitable amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gibreel alayhis 'salam used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam said, "He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, without nothing being reduced from the fasting person's reward." (Tirmidhi )



Lesson 8: Sensing the unity of the Muslims

The Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam said, "...Those of you who will live after me, will see many differences. Then you must cling on to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided khalifah. Hold fast to it and stick to it.." (Abu Dawud) It is possible for Muslims to be a single body, but this will only be achieved when obedience is only to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala and His Rasool Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam one senses unity, because the Muslims pray and fast together.

Monday 25 July 2011

PREPARING FOR RAMADHAN ! ! ! !~

In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate
"May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon You"
Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah
As-Salaam Alaykum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakaatuh




Preparing for Ramadhaan

Ramadaan is just round the corner. It's never too late to start preparing for it. A good reminder and beneficial tips to get ourselves prepared & enjoy Ramadaan at its fullest.
Ayesha (radhi-Allaahu anha) said: "I have never seen Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam fast in month of the year more than he did in Sha3baan. He used to fast all of Sha'baan." and in another narration. "He used to fast almost all of it, except a little." [Saheeh Muslim]
The scholars' advice is to fast a lot in sha3baan, and increase acts of worship in the same way, by getting up at night for Taha jjud, more Qur'aan, and more Dhikr and to make it a month of 3Ibaadah, to prepare ourselves for Ramadaan.
Sweetness of any Ibaadah does not com e straight away. It requires a lot of patience and striving. We have to start early to taste the sweetness of Ibaadah in Ramadaan.
One of the salaf said: "I strove hard to do Qiyaam al-Layl (supererogatory prayers offered at night) for twenty years, and I enjoyed it for the next twenty years."
Before running a marathon one has to do some preparation. In the same way, we need to do some Preparatory/ Warm Up exercises.

1st Exercise:
We have to renew our Tawbah (repentance) and practice perfecting it. Tawbah is a lifetime affair. We have to clean our hearts from all the dirt, junk and rust of the sins before we decorate & fill them with the beautiful, powerful acts of worship in Ramadaan.
We have to make Tawbah from:
1. Sins of the tongue (backbiting, lies, slander, speaking to people in an insulting way, making fun of others).
2. Sins of the heart (show-off, self admiration, arrogance, envy, hatred)
3. Lack of modesty (in dressing, mannerism, way of speaking with the Non-Mahrams)
4. Tawbah from pleasing others while its displeasing to Allaah
5. Tawbah from all the time wasted (in shopping, telephone, long chat, browsing net).

Clean up your heart, forgive others and forget, hoping for Allaah's forgiveness.
When making Tawbah, remember that there is no sin too great/huge that Allaah does not forgive. Be confident that Allaah will forgive your sins.
2nd Exercise:
Increase your level of motivation by increasing Ibaadah (act of worship) during Sha'baan.
1. Pray/increase the nawafil (supererogatory) prayers.
2. Pray Du'aa (If you are already praying, increase the raka3h)
3. Tahajjud (night prayer)
4. Fast (Monday & Thursday / make up your missed fast)
5. Morning and Evening Adhkaar (these are protection/shield against Jinn &Shayateen. Do not leave them ever)
6. Make a lot of Du3aa' (at last 3rd part of night, accepted times, last hour of Friday)
7. Read Qur'aan after Fajr.

3rd Exercise:
We need to train our senses (tongue/ears/eye-sight). These are the avenues/ways to the heart. We have to train them to get them used to the act of worship and to refrain from sins.
We have to train ourselves/our nafs to hate the sins. Naturally our fitrah (inborn natural state) hates sins, but we have be com e so accustomed to sins that we have be com e numb to them. Prophet Sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam said:" Whoever among you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand (by taking action); if he cannot, then with his tongue (by speaking out); and if he cannot, then with his heart (by hating it and feeling that it is wrong)." (Narrated by Muslim, 49).
All this is part of cleaning the inside/heart/soul for Ramadaan to take effect & to feel the real sweetness of 3Ibaadah.

4th Exercise:
Train your self to humiliate/break yourself apart before Allaah. Understand that you are in desperate need of Allaah.
Human beings transgress when they feel self sufficient. Teenagers rebel against parents when they feel they no longer need them. Ask Allaah to keep us steadfast upon His Path, we are in desperate need of Allaah to survive in our Dunya and Deen. If Allaah doesn't keep us steadfast on his way, we can never last!
We are in need of Allaah to fulfill any act of worship. We have to realize ourselves how badly we are in need of Allaah for everything.

5th Exercise
Magnify the symbols of Allaah.
Salaah (prayer), Hajj, Fasting, Masaajid, these are all the symbols of Allaah. We should magnify and elevate the symbols of Allaah. We should not take these acts of worship routinely and lightly. We have to give them their right & take them as something huge/heavy and serious.
Having Ghaflah (heedlessness) is very dangerous to our religion. We must awake ourselves.
Ramadaan is a big symbol of Allaah. It com es once a Year. The doors of Jannah are open, doors of Jahannam are closed, Allaah is boasting to His angels about people, it has "laylatul-Qadr".
One way to help to magnify the symbols is to get ourselves used to reflecting on acts of worship before we do them. e.g., when you are starting the salaah, reflect and think:
"I am about to pray, I am going to meet Allah, put Jannah (Paradise) to your right and the Naar (Hellfire) to your left, think what if I am on the Siraat (Path over Hellfire on day of Judgement) now?"
The nafs will start talking and reminding you of this and that, say be quiet I am the only one talking now and I am talking to Allaah.

Keep struggling and fighting to have Khushoo (humility and attentiveness) in Salaah and Allaah will grant it.