Friday 26 July 2013 G الجمعة 71 رمضان 7141 ه ال ح م د هلل ن ح م د ه ونستعين ه ونستغفر ه ونعوذ باهلل من شرور أنفس نا ومن سيئات أعمال نا م ن ي ه د ه هللا فال م ض ل له وم ن ي ض ل ل فال هاد ي له وأشهد أن ال إله إال هللا وحد ه ال شري له وأشهد أن م ح م ادا عدد ه ورسول ه. ي ا أ ي ه ا الن اس ات ق وا ر ب ك م ال ذ ي خ ل ق ك م م ن ن ف س و اح د ة و خ ل ق م ن ه ا ز و ج ه ا و ب ث م ن ه م ا ر ج ا االك ث ي ارا و ن س ا اء و ات ق وا هللا ال ذ ي ت س اء ل ون ب ه و ا ل ر ح ام إ ن هللا ك ان ع ل ي ك م ر ق يداا (النساء: 1). ي ا أ ي ه ا ال ذ ين آم ن وا ات ق وا هللا ح ق ت ق ات ه و ال ت م وت ن إ ال و أ ن ت م م س ل م ون. (آل عمران :101(. ي ا أ ي ه ا ال ذ ين آم ن وا ات ق وا هللا و ق ول وا ق و اال س د ي ادا ي ص ل ح ل ك م أ ع م ال ك م و ي غ ف ر ل ك م ذ ن وب ك م و م ن ي ط ع هللا و ر س ول ه ف ق د ف از ف و ازا ع ظ ي اما. ( ا لحزاب : 00 01(. أما بعد فقد قال هللا تعالى في سورة القدر: بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم إ ن ا أ نز ل ن اه ف ي ل ي ل ة ال ق د ر 1 و م ا أ د ر اك م ا ل ي ل ة ال ق د ر 1 ل ي ل ة ال ق د ر خ ي ر م ن أ ل ف ش ه ر 3 ت ن ز ل ال م ال ئ ك ة و الر وح ف يه ا ب إ ذ ن ر ب ه م م ن ك ل أ م ر 4 س ال م ه ي ح ت ى م ط ل ع ال ف ج ر 5 وقال عزمن قائل في سورة الدخان: حم 1 و ال ك ت اب ال م د ين 2 إ ن ا أ نز ل ن اه ف ي ل ي ل ة م د ار ك ة أ م ر ح ك يم 4 أ م ارا م ن ع ند ن ا إ ن ا ك ن ا م ر س ل ي ن 5 ال ع ل يم 6 إ ن ا ك ن ا م نذ ر ي ن 3 ف يه ا ي ف ر ق ك ل ر ح م ةا م ن ر ب إ ن ه ه و الس م ي ع Dear Brothers in Islam, Dear elders, Al hamdullillah this is the third Friday of Ramadhan and by the end of today Inshaallah we shall have completed 17 days fasting. The last ten of Ramadhan are on the door step. In fact, this Monday is the 20 th of Ramadhan and therefore, the night of this coming Sunday is the first night of the last ten nights. Page 1 of 7 pages
Every Muslim knows that the last ten days and nights of Ramadhan are so important that we should make special preparation to get the best of them. It is reported in Saheeh el-bukhary and Saheeh Muslim that Aisha (RA) said that when the last ten [of Ramadhan] come the Prophet (SAAW) used to stay awake on the night and awaken his family and fasten his apron or cover (Agreed upon Bkhary No 2024 & Muslim No 1174). Imam Muslim reported that Aisha (RA) said the Prophet (SAAW) used to worship Allah (SWT) during the last ten [of Ramadhan] harder than any other times (Saheeh Muslim No 1105). Therefore, Following the example of the Prophet (SAAW), we should all increase our good deeds in these ten days as much as we can. Perhaps, everyone knows his special case and what he should do to multiply his good deeds, however, there are general rules which I summarize as follow: 1. Purify your intention (Niyyah) and make sure it is made for the sake of Allah s pleasure only. 2. Stop sinful actions no matter how small they are, For example stop smoking and stop watching TV programmes at least during these ten days and nights. 3. Avoid places or times where you are more likely to commit sins for instance when you walk or drive concentrate on the road and occupy your heart with the remembrance of Allah (SWT) and do not wander with your gaze looking here and there so that you may avoid seeing sinful sights and there are plenty of them especially nowadays during this hot summer. 4. Recite Quran in abundance and occupy your time with it. Do not undervalue what you already memories from Quran and recite it no matter how short or small the surah or the piece of Quran you memories is. For instance you can repeat surat el fatehah or al-ikhlas or Annas or Al-Falaq etc. Depending on your Niyyah and by the will of Allah (SWT) you will get a lot of rewards. Page 2 of 7 pages
5. Double your generosity to your family and increase your kindness to your wife, children and friends. These are all good deeds and count as Sadaqah. 6. Double your charity actions, for example it is a commendable habit to give certain amount of money or Sadaqah every night of the last ten nights of Ramadhan. 7. Increase the quality of your worshipping by true sincerity and more humbleness. 8. Avoid innovations (Bidaahs) if you know them and if you are in doubt do only those actions which you are sure they are not innovative. Do this for the sake of Allah and by Allah s will He will guide you to the straight path. 9. There is very important issue we should consider all the times and especially during the last ten of Ramadhan. This is to resolve our quarrels or disputes with our fellow Muslims because good deeds may not be accepted by Allah (SWT) as far as we are still in fight or dispute with our brothers. Unfortunately, this is a matter which many Muslims forget or neglect. The Night of Al-Qadr: Most Scholars agree that the Night of Al-Qadr or Decree is one of the last ten nights of Ramadhan. And more precisely, one of the odd nights of the last ten. Obviously, The night of Al-Qadr is a great and blessed night. It is better than one thousand months (i.e.83 years & 4 months). Why is this night so great and so blessed? Qur an answers this question. As I recited earlier in Arabic, Allah (SWT) says in Surat Al- Qadr: Indeed, We revealed the Qur'an during the Night of Decree 1. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree 2?. The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months 3. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter 4. Peace it is until the emergence of early morning 5. And Allah (SWT) said in Surat al-dukhan: Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn 3. On that night is made distinct every precise matter 4. matter from Us. Indeed, We were to send 5. As mercy from your Lord. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing 6. Page 3 of 7 pages
So this greatness and blessing of the Night of Al-Qadr is to celebrate the revelation of Quran. And it is ought to have it because Quran is the greatest constitution for Mankind. Had we followed Quran not only we would get good life in this Dunyah but certainly we will have a blessed and peaceful here after. Allah (SWT) revealed the Quran in the night of Al-Qadr from Alluwhul-mahfoudh (i.e, the preserved tablet in the highest heaven) to Baytulizzah (the House of Al-Izzah) in the lowest Heaven. In this night, revelation of Quran to Prophet Muhammad (SAAW) started. Also, in this night everything is laid down in detail with no change. Of these things, are sustenance and life span of all creations. In this night, the angels with Gabriel (PBUT) are ordered to come down to earth. In this night, the angels give their greetings (salam) to the believers and Allah (SWT) destined goodness and peace. It is a night that is better than a thousand months. Doing good deeds on this night is better than doing good deeds in a thousand months. There are many hadiths that explain the importance of this night: For example, Imams Al-Bukhari and Muslim and others reported that Abu Hurayrah (RA) narrated that the prophet (SAAW) said: "Whoever spends the night of Al-Qadr worshipping Allah and seeking his forgiveness, his past sins will be forgiven." Agreed upon Bukhari 2014 Muslim 760) When is the Night of Ql-Qadr? Allah (SWT) had revealed the date of this night to the prophet (SAAW) but made him forget it because of an argument or fight between two people. Imam Muslim and others reported that Abu saeed Al-Khudry (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAAW) said to his companions: "I went out to tell you about the date of the night of (Al-Qadr), but I was made to forget it because so and so started arguing and shayttan was with them. Seek it in the last ten of Ramadhan, the ninth, seventh and fifth (Muslim No 1167). Page 4 of 7 pages
Imam Al-Bukhari reported that Abu Saeed Al-Khudry (RA) said: We made Ietikaf with the Prophet (SAAW) on the middle ten of Ramadhan and he came out on the morning of the twentieth day [of Ramadhan] and said: "I have seen this night [meaning the Night of Al-Qadr] and I forgot it or was made to forget it, seek it in the last ten, in the odd, In my dream, I had seen myself making prostration [sujood] in water and mud, so those who made Ietikaf with me should come back Abu Saeed (RA) said, we came back and the sky was clear then a cloud came and it rained until water leaked from the Masjid roof and it was of date palms, then Iqamah was made and I saw some mud and water on the prophet's face. (Bukhari No 2016) What should we say? It is reported by Imams Ahmad, Ibn Maja and Tirmithy that Aishah (R.A.) said, "O Messenger of Allah! What if I knew which night the Night of Al-Qadr was, what should I say on it?" The Prophet (SAAW) said, "Say [and in onother version you say] O Allah you are the one who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me." أقول قولى هذا وأستغفر هللا لي ولكم فاستغفروه إنه هو الغفور الرحيم ألحمد هلل رب العالمين والصالة والسالم على محمد خاتم المرسلين وعلى آله وصحده أجمعين ومن اتدع هداه بإحسان الى يوم الدين أما بعد فإن خير الحديث كال م هللا وخي ر الهدي هد ي محمد رسو ل هللا محدثات ها وك ل محدثة بدعة وك ل بدعة ضاللة وك ل ضاللة في النار ا لمور وش ر Dear Brothers: Zakatul-Fitr (break fast charity) is obligatory (فرض) on each Muslim: young or old, male or female, rich or poor, if he has food exceeding his dependents needs for one day and one night. A Muslim should give Zakat-Ul-Fitr for himself and on behalf of his dependents whom he has to support such as children and wife etc. Page 5 of 7 pages
Zakat-Ul-Fitr was made obligatory in the second year of immigration to Madinah in the same year fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory. The proof of its obligation was found in many authentic Ahadith such as: Imams Al-Bukhari and Muslim and others reported that Abdullah Ibn Omar (RA) said, "the prophet (SAAW) ordered Muslims to pay Zakat-Ul-Fitr using a saa' of dates or Saa of barley and made it obligatory on Muslims; free or slave, male or female, young or old. He also ordered it to be given before Eid Prayer. (Agreed upon Bukhari 1503 Muslim 984). What is acceptable to give from? Imams Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported that Abu Sa'eed al- Khudree (RA) said: "We used to give Zakat-Ul-Fitr as a saa' of food or a saa' of dates or a saa' of barley, or a saa' of raisins, or a saa' of dried curds. I will continue to give it as I used to do in my past life. Saa' is a cubic measure used in Madinah and is still used today. The scholars have different opinions when it comes to weighing. The least estimation is 2751 grams, and the greatest (or maximum) is 3800 grams (which is 6lb 1oz - 8lb 6oz) Imam Abu Hanifah said that you could pay Zakat-Ul-Fitr as money because money is more beneficial to the poor. The amount you pay is estimated this year to be from 3 to 5 pounds per person. When should it be given? It should be given before Eid prayer. It is reported by many that Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAAW) said "Zakat-Ul-Fitr is to purify Fast from evil talk and obscenity, and to feed the poor, whoever gives it before Eid prayer then it is accepted as zakat-ul Fitr, and whoever gives it after the prayer, then it is merely a charity." (saheeh UL Jamie No 3570) Page 6 of 7 pages
إن هللا ومالئكته يصلون على الندي يا أيها الذين آمنوا صلوا عليه وسلموا تسليما اللهم صلي على محمد وعلى آل محمد كما صليت على إبراهيم و على آل إبراهيم إن حميد مجيد أللهم بارك على محمد وعلى آل محمد كما باركت على إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيم في العالمين أن حميد مجيد وارض اللهم عن الخلفاء الراشدين ابي بكر وعمر وعثمان وعلي وعن الدقية الداقية من العشرة المدشرة بالجنة وعن سائر الصحابة ومن تدعهم بإحسان الى يوم الدين اللهم اغفر للمؤمنين والمؤمنات والمسلمين والمسلمات ا لحياء منهم وا لموات إن قريب سميع الدعوات أللهم فرج الكرب عن المكروبين من المسلمين واقض الدين عن المدينين من المسلمين واقض حاجات المسلمين وشافي مرضى المسلمين وف أسر المأسورين من المسلمين وانصر المجاهدين في سديل في كل مكان أللهم انصرهم على عدوك وعدوهم واخذل أعداء الدين من الكفرة والزنادقة والملحدين. أعوذ باهلل من الشيطان الرجيم: إ ن هللا ي أ م ر ب ال ع د ل و ا ل ح س ا ن و إ يت اء ذ ي ال ق ر ب ى و ي ن ه ى ع ن ال ف ح ش اء و ال م نك ر و ال د غ ي ي ع ظ ك م ل ع ل ك م ت ذ ك ر ون و أ و ف وا ب ع ه د هللا إ ذ ا ع اه دت م و ال ت نق ض وا ا ل ي م ان ب ع د ت و ك يد ه ا و ق د ج ع ل ت م هللا ع ل ي ك م ك ف ي اال إ ن هللا ي ع ل م م ا ت ف ع ل ون أعوذ باهلل من الشيطان الرجيم: ات ل م ا أ وح ي إ ل ي م ن ال ك ت اب و أ ق م الص ال ة إ ن الص ال ة ت ن ه ى ع ن ال ف ح ش اء و ال م نك ر و ل ذ ك ر هللا أ ك د ر و هللا ي ع ل م م ا ت ص ن ع ون Page 7 of 7 pages