THE MONTH OF ENDLESS REWARDS - Ramadan Part-2

RAMADAN

The Month Of Endless Rewards

Purify Your Body & Soul

(Part 2 of 2)

(M. Javed Naseem)

Purify It, And You Are Successful!

Corrupt It, And You Are A Failure!

Success = Paradise

Failure = Hellfire

The purification of soul and body is much easier during the blessed month of Ramadan than during other months. Allah, the Merciful, multiplies for us the rewards of all good deeds in Ramadan.

إِلاَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَابُواْ وَأَصْلَحُواْ وَٱعْتَصَمُواْ بِٱللَّهِ

وَأَخْلَصُواْ دِينَهُمْ لِلَّهِ فَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ مَعَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

وَسَوْفَ يُؤْتِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَجْراً عَظِيماً
“Except for those who repent, mend (their lives)

hold fast to Allah, and purify their religion as in

Allah's sight. If so, they will be (numbered) with

the believers. And soon will Allah grant to the

believers a reward of immense value.”

(al-Quran 4:146)

جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلأَنْهَارُ

خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَذٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ
“Gardens of Eternity, beneath which flow rivers.

They will dwell therein for ever; such is the reward

of those who purify themselves (from evil).”

(al-Quran 20:76)

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ وَذَكَرَ ٱسْمَ رَبِّهِ فَصَلَّىٰ
“But those will prosper who purify themselves,

And glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord,

and (lift their hearts) in prayer.”

(al-Quran 87:14-15)

Ramadan is the month of physical and spiritual purification, and it gives us the greatest opportunity to get closer to our Lord by glorifying His name and obeying His commands. We should show Him our gratitude in a humble, sincere and honest way that pleases Him and He, in return, blesses us by pardoning our sins, easing our pains/difficulties and increasing our provision. He makes our worldly life easier so that we can prepare and work on our ‘Aakhirah’ – the life in the Hereafter.

وَٱلشَّمْسِ وَضُحَاهَا وَٱلْقَمَرِ إِذَا تَلاَهَا وَٱلنَّهَارِ إِذَا جَلاَّهَا

وَٱللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَاهَا وَٱلسَّمَآءِ وَمَا بَنَاهَا وَٱلأَرْضِ وَمَا طَحَاهَا

وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّاهَا فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن زَكَّاهَا وَقَدْ خَابَ مَن دَسَّاهَا
“By the Sun and his (glorious) splendor;

By the Moon as she follows him;

By the Day as it shows up (the Sun's) glory;

By the Night as it conceals it;

And the Heaven and Him Who built it,

And the Earth and Him Who spread it,

And a soul and Him Who perfected it

And inspired it (with conscience of)

what is wrong and right for it.

He is indeed successful who purifies it,

And he is indeed a failure who corrupts it.”

(al-Quran 91:1-10)

CHARITY IS REWARDED:

Allah has commanded the Believers in the Quran to give as much charity as possible and in return He will reward us tremendously. The reward of charity in Ramadan becomes manifold. As Allah put it in the Quran, it is like a ‘goodly loan’ given to Allah and He will return it to us on the Day of Judgment with a lot of interest. Generosity is a quality that the Creator loves to see in His Creation – man. Charity protects us from many troubles. It works like a defense shield.

إِن تُبْدُواْ ٱلصَّدَقَاتِ فَنِعِمَّا هِىَ وَإِن تُخْفُوهَا

وَتُؤْتُوهَا ٱلْفُقَرَآءَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَيُكَفِّرُ عَنكُم

مِّن سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ

“If you disclose (acts of) charity, even so it is well,

but if you conceal them, and make them reach those

(really) in need, that is best for you. It will remove

from you some of your (stains of) evil. And

Allah is well acquainted with what you do.”

(al-Quran 2: 271)

خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِمْ بِهَا

وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ صَلَوَاتَكَ سَكَنٌ لَّهُمْ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
“Of their goods, take alms, that so you might

purify and sanctify them; and pray on their behalf.

Verily your prayers are a source of security for

Them. And Allah is One Who hears and knows.”

(al-Quran 9:13)

Narrated Ibn Abbas:

The Prophet (ﷺ) was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel visited him, and Gabriel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite the Holy Qur'an to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare). (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.126)

SHIELD AGAINST SINS:

Fasting offers the best training toward self-control and self-restraint. It helps make your character solid and sound.

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ

كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you

as it was prescribed to those before you, so that

you may (learn) self-restraint.”

(al-Quran 2:183)

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, 'I am fasting." The Prophet (ﷺ) added, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times."

(Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.118)

Narrated Alqama:

While I was walking with Abdullah, he said, "We were in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) and he said, 'He who can afford to marry should marry, because it will help him refrain from looking at other women, and save his private parts from committing illegal sexual relation; and he who cannot afford to marry is advised to fast, as fasting will diminish his sexual power." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.129)

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)"

(Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.127)

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah said, All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.' Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting.' By Him in Whose Hands my soul is' The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No. 128)

Narrated Al-Bara:

It was the custom among the companions of Muhammad (s.a.w.) that if any of them was fasting and the food was presented (for breaking his fast), but he slept before eating, he would not eat that night and the following day till sunset. Qais bin Sirma-al-Ansari was fasting and came to his wife at the time of Iftar (breaking one's fast) and asked her whether she had anything to eat. She replied, "No, but I would go and bring some for you." He used to do hard work during the day, so he was overwhelmed by sleep and slept. When his wife came and saw him, she said, "Disappointment for you." When it was midday on the following day, he fainted and the Prophet (ﷺ) was informed about the whole matter and the following verses were revealed: "You are permitted to go to your wives (for sexual relation) at the night of fasting." So, they were overjoyed by it. And then Allah also revealed: "And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (of the night)." - (al-Quran 2:187).

(Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.139)

USING MISWAK:

Narrated Amir bin Rabi`a, "I saw the Prophet cleaning his teeth with Siwak while he was fasting so many times as I can't count." And narrated Abu Huraira, "The Prophet said, 'But for my fear that it would be hard for my followers, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with Siwak on every performance of ablution." The same is narrated by Jabir and Zaid bin Khalid from the Prophet who did not differentiate between a fasting and a non-fasting person in this respect (using Siwak). Aisha said, "The Prophet said, "It (i.e. Siwak) is a purification for the mouth and it is a way of seeking Allah's pleasures." Ataa and Qatada said, "There is no harm in swallowing the resultant saliva." (Sahih Bukhari)

FASTING AND TRAVELLING:

Allah, the Merciful, says that fasting is better for us, if we only knew. It’s a virtue full of wisdom, guidance and blessings. In certain situations, it is a bit difficult for us to cope with fasting, therefore, Allah has given us some concessions to make things easier.

أَيَّاماً مَّعْدُودَاتٍ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضاً أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ

فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ

فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْراً فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُ وَأَن تَصُومُواْ

خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

(Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any

of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number

(should be made up) from days later. For those who

can do it (with hardship), is a ransom, the feeding

of one that is indigent. But he that will give more,

of his own free will, it is better for him. And it is

better for you that you fast, if you only knew.”

(al-Quran 2:184)

Narrated Abu Ad-Darda:

We set out with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) on one of his journeys on a very hot day, and it was so hot that one had to put his hand over his head because of the severity of heat. None of us was fasting except the Prophet and Ibn Rawaha. (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.166)

Narrated Aisha (r.a.a.):

Hamza bin Amr Al-Aslami asked the Prophet, "Should I fast while traveling?" The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "You may fast if you wish, and you may not fast if you wish." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No. 164)

Narrated Ibn Abbas:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) set out for Mecca in Ramadan and he fasted, and when he reached Al-Kadid, he broke his fast and the people (with him) broke their fast too. (Abu Abdullah said, "Al-Kadid is a land covered with water between Usfan and Qudaid.")

(Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.165)

Narrated Tawus:

Ibn Abbas said, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) set out from Medina to Mecca and he fasted till he reached Usfan, where he asked for water and raised his hand to let the people see him, and then broke the fast, and did not fast after that till he reached Mecca, and that happened in Ramadan”. Ibn Abbas used to say, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (sometimes) fasted and (sometimes) did not fast during the journeys so whoever wished to fast could fast, and whoever wished not to fast, could do so."

(Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No. 169)

DON’T DELAY IFTAR:

Narrated Sahl bin Saad:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.178)

Narrated Ibn Abi Aufa:

I was with the Prophet (ﷺ) on a journey, and he observed the fast till evening. The Prophet (ﷺ) said to a man, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for me." He replied, "Will you wait till it is evening?" The Prophet said, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for me; when you see night falling from this side, the fasting person should break his fast." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.179)

‘AL-WISAL’ --  PROLONGED FASTING:

Narrated Anas:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Do not practice Al-Wisal (fasting continuously without breaking one's fast in the evening or eating before the following dawn)." The people said to the Prophet, "But you practice Al- Wisal?" The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "I am not like any of you, for I am given food and drink (by Allah) during the night." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No. 182)

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said twice, "(O you people) Be cautious! Do not practice Al-Wisal." The people said to him, "But you practice Al-Wisal?" The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "My Lord gives me food and drink during my sleep. Do that much of deeds which is within your ability." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.187)

YOUR BODY’S RIGHTS:

Keep The Balance!

Narrated Abu Juhaifa:

The Prophet (ﷺ) made a bond of brotherhood between Salman and Abu Ad-Darda. Salman paid a visit to Abu Darda and found Um Darda dressed in shabby clothes and asked her why she was in that state. She replied, "Your brother Abu Darda is not interested in (the luxuries of) this world." In the meantime Abu Darda came and prepared a meal for Salman. Salman requested Abu Darda to eat (with him), but Abu Darda said, "I am fasting." Salman said, "I am not going to eat unless you eat." So, Abu Darda ate (with Salman). When it was night and (a part of the night passed), Abu Darda got up (to offer the night prayer), but Salman told him to sleep and Abu Darda slept. After sometime Abu Darda again got up but Salman told him to sleep. When it was the last hours of the night, Salman told him to get up then, and both of them offered the prayer. Salman told Abu Darda, "Your Lord has a right on you, your soul has a right on you, and your family has a right on you; so you should give the rights of all those who has a right on you."

Abu Darda came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and narrated the whole story. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Salman has spoken the truth." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.189)

Narrated Ibn Abbas:

The Prophet (ﷺ) never fasted a full month except the month of Ramadan, and he used to fast till one could say, "By Allah, he will never stop fasting," and he would abandon fasting till one would say, "By Allah, he will never fast."

(Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.192)

Narrated Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-Aas:

"Once Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) came to me," and then he narrated the whole narration, i.e. your guest has a right on you, and your wife has a right on you. I then asked about the fasting of David. The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "Half of the year," (i.e. he used to fast on every alternate day). 

(Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.195)

Narrated Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-Aas:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said to me, "O Abdullah! Have I not been informed that you fast during the day and offer prayers all the night?" Abdullah replied, "Yes, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)!" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Don't do that; fast for few days and then give it up for few days, offer prayers and also sleep at night, as your body has a right on you, and your wife has a right on you, and your guest has a right on you. And it is sufficient for you to fast three days in a month, as the reward of a good deed is multiplied ten times, so it will be like fasting throughout the year." I insisted (on fasting) and so I was given a hard instruction. I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! I have power." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Fast like the fasting of the Prophet (ﷺ) David and do not fast more than that." I said, "How was the fasting of the Prophet (ﷺ) of Allah, David?" He said, "Half of the year," (i.e. he used to fast on every alternate day). Afterwards when Abdullah became old, he used to say, "It would have been better for me if I had accepted the permission of the Prophet (ﷺ) (which he gave me i.e. to fast only three days a month).

(Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.196)

VALUE & SANCTITY:

Narrated Abu Bakra:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The two months of Eid,  i.e. Ramadan and Dhul-Hijja, do not decrease (in superiority). (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.136)

Narrated Sahl:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe fasts?' They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it." 

(Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.120)

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Whoever gives two kinds (of things or property) in charity for Allah's Cause, will be called from the gates of Paradise and will be addressed, 'O slaves of Allah! Here is prosperity.' So, whoever was amongst the people who used to offer their prayers, will be called from the gate of the prayer; and whoever was amongst the people who used to participate in Jihad, will be called from the gate of Jihad; and whoever was amongst those who used to observe fasts, will be called from the gate of Ar-Raiyan; whoever was amongst those who used to give in charity, will be called from the gate of charity." Abu Bakr said, "Let my parents be sacrificed for you, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! No distress or need will befall him who will be called from those gates. Will there be any one who will be called from all these gates?" The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "Yes, and I hope you will be one of them."

(Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.121)

NAWAFIL AND TRAWEEH:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying regarding Ramadan, "Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 32, No.226)

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Whoever prayed at night the whole month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven." Ibn Shihab (a sub-narrator) said, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) died and the people continued observing that (i.e. Nawafil offered individually, not in congregation), and it remained as it was during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr and in the early days of Umar's Caliphate." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 32, No.227)

Narrated Abdur Rahman bin Abdul Qari:

"I went out in the company of Umar bin Al-Khattab one night in Ramadan to the mosque and found the people praying in different groups. A man praying alone or a man praying with a little group behind him. So, Umar said, 'In my opinion I would better assemble these people behind one Qari (a man reciting the Quran)  and let them pray in congregation!’. So, he made up his mind to congregate them behind Ubai bin Kaab.

Then on another night I went again in his company and the people were praying behind the Qari. On that, Umar remarked, 'What an excellent Bidaa (i.e., innovation in religion) this is; but the prayer which they do not perform and sleep at its time is better than the one they are offering.' He meant the prayer in the last part of the night. (In those days) people used to pray in the early part of the night."

(Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 32, No.227)

Don’t Trade Your Hereafter

Don’t trade your Hereafter for the temporary worldly glitter! We are here in this world to work on our ‘project’ of the Hereafter. We should keep our desires and love of this world within limits and give priority to the preparations for the next life. We need to keep the balance to avoid any regrets.

مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلْحَيَاةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا نُوَفِّ

إِلَيْهِمْ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فِيهَا وَهُمْ فِيهَا لاَ يُبْخَسُونَ
أُوْلَـٰئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ فِى ٱلآخِرَةِ إِلاَّ ٱلنَّارُ

وَحَبِطَ مَا صَنَعُواْ فِيهَا وَبَاطِلٌ مَّا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ

“Those who desire the life of this world and its

glitter, to them We shall pay (the reward of) their

deeds therein, without diminution. They are those

for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but

the Fire. Vain are the designs they frame therein,

and of no effect are the deeds that they do!”

(al-Quran 11:15-16)

Allah loves His faithful and loyal servants. He never leaves the Believers in trouble, rather always comes to their rescue. That’s His promise:

ثُمَّ نُنَجِّى رُسُلَنَا وَٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ

كَذٰلِكَ حَقّاً عَلَيْنَا نُنجِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

“In the end We deliver Our messengers

and those who believe; thus is it

fitting on Our part that We should

deliver those who believe!”

(Quran 10:103)

When you have strong faith in Allah, you have peace of mind and satisfaction. You know that any harm which is not meant for you, cannot touch you. A true believer (Muslim) knows that everything, beneficial or harmful, comes from God as a test of faith; and he needs to stay on the right path. Therefore, he has neither fear nor grief.

أَلاۤ إِنَّ أَوْلِيَآءَ ٱللَّهِ لاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ 
“Behold! Verily on the friends of Allah

there is no fear, nor shall they grieve.”

(al-Quran 10:62)

Allah created Heavens and this earth in Truth and He governs the universe in Truth. He has certain principles and He never changes those principles for anybody, for anything and under any circumstances. He rewards us for all the good things we do in this life and He warns us of severe punishment of all the injustices and transgressions we commit. Success is only guaranteed to the true and sincere believers.

ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَكَانُواْ يَتَّقُونَ

لَهُمُ ٱلْبُشْرَىٰ فِى ٱلْحَياةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَفِى ٱلآخِرَةِ

لاَ تَبْدِيلَ لِكَلِمَاتِ ٱللَّهِ ذٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
“Those who believe and (constantly) guard against
evil, for them are glad tidings, in the life of this

world and in the Hereafter. No change can there

be in the words of Allah. This is indeed

the supreme triumph.”

(al-Quran 10:63-64)

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