Sister Eman al Obaid www.alhudasisters.wordpress.com Summary of Days 1-30 Virtues of Wudu and Purification Virtues of the Prayer - Obligatory - Voluntary - Qiyam al Layl - Jama ah o Fajr - Asr o Isha Virtues of Loving Someone for the Sake of Allah Virtues DhikrAllah Virtues of the Study Circle Isti ghfar & Tawba Virtues of the Du a Virtues of Sending Blessings on Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam The Last 10 Nights of Ramadan & Layla tul Qadr Virtues of the Knowledge Virtues of the Good Manners Virtues of the Qur an Virtues of the Surah s Virtues of Being Dutiful to Your Parents - Being Undutiful to Your Parents Virtues of Visiting the Sick Virtues of Keeping ties with Relatives Virtues of Zakat Virtues of Helping People Virtues of Zakat The Joy of Eid Virtues of Marriage After Ramadan Mini Ramadan Bites #26 Tuesday 14th August 2012. 1
Al Arha m from the word for uterus. My relatives are from the Fathers side and Mothers side. Who is keeping ties with their relatives? 2
Waaasil means to connect they cut the relation and you are joining it, you are keeping ties with your family. A man came to the Prophet ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam and said that he had relatives with whom he kept ties but they are cutting the ties. The Prophet ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam said Continue what you are doing. This does not mean being with them 24hours you visit with the required etiquettes, or phone them or write a message. In life you think of Allah subhana wa ta'ala s love and Allah subhana wa ta'ala s Pleasure. There are many verses in the Qur an regarding keeping ties with the relatives this is a command from Allah subhana wa ta'ala. If relatives do not connect with each other what will happen to the society? The Prophet ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam whom you love is advising us to keep the ties with the relatives. He would not advise us to do this if it was not good for us. Hadith: Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam said If you believe in Allah subhana wa ta'ala and His Messenger you will have ties with your relatives. 3
Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam said The one who loves and likes for Allah subhana wa ta'ala to enlarge their provision, their money and wealth, let him tie the relations with his family. These virtues are to encourage the people. Some relatives only need a call now and again. Some like to have visitors more frequently. Some are poor and needy and need your help. Don t think I will visit them just to get rich. The blessing in your life is your health and your time in old age. Keeping ties with your relatives will bless you time, will bless your health and will bless your old age. 4
This is having faith with your relationships with people, relationships with Husna Khuluq. The faith is associated with how good you are to the people around you, especially your relatives. Believing in Allah subhana wa ta'ala and the Day of Judgment is mentioned because if you really do everything for the Sake of Allah subhana wa ta'ala you will do whatever to please Allah subhana wa ta'ala. If you believe one day I will meet Allah subhana wa ta'ala on the Day of Judgement and Allah subhana wa ta'ala will reward me accordingly this will make it easy for you to keep the ties with your relatives. Al Waaasil the one pushing himself to keep the ties. Keeping the ties with the relatives is as if you are connected to the Arsh of Allah subhana wa ta'ala. Hadith: If you are keeping the ties with the your relatives Allah subhana wa ta'ala will keep the ties with you. When you are WaasilulAllah Allah subhana wa ta'ala will connect with you. If you connect to somebody for the Sake of Allah subhana wa ta'ala, Allah subhana wa ta'ala will keep the ties with you. If one cuts that tie Allah subhana wa ta'ala will forsake him maybe because of a small mistake - especially with the in-laws - your husband will visit his family secretly, your children 5
cannot go, this is cutting the ties. When your concern is the akhirah, the problems of the dunya will not be important to you. May Allah subhana wa ta'ala make easy the means to enter Paradise. A man came to Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam and asked Teach me one deed that will take me go to Paradise. Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam replied the means to enter Paradise are: - to worship Allah subhana wa ta'ala and not to associate anything with Allah subhana wa ta'ala. - to pray - to give the zakat - Arha m the relatives The first 3 are obligations but the last one is sunnat arh am. When Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam was asked this question he used to gave different answers to different people i.e. not to get angry, the parents, voluntary acts. There are different hadith for the way to Paradise. Everyone in Paradise will be brothers and sisters whom they love each other for the Sake of Allah subhana wa ta'ala. If you have a problem with a relative, your duty is to connect with them. Even if your relatives are non Muslim you should keep the ties for the Sake of Allah 6
subhana wa ta'ala but don t call them at Xmas etc. If they affect your deen you need to make a choice. Even with your cousins you need to keep ties with them not male cousins i.e. non mehram. Eid is coming and you will visit or call your relatives for the Sake of Allah subhana wa ta'ala. The rights of Allah subhana wa ta'ala are more than the rights of people. Du a page 64 This du a can be said in the Qunut. Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam taught the sahabah this du a. A du a without the heart and not knowing the meaning is useless. A du a should be with the presence of the heart and with the meaning. 7
Guide those on the straight path, those with beneficial guidance. This creates unity in Islam Pardon to have well being from disbelief, disobedience, the trials, purify my sins and pardon me. Friendship to be among Your Special Friends. Bless with what You grant me of the provision. We only appreciate the provision when it is taken away from us so in order for Allah subhana wa ta'ala to keep it for you and to bless it for you, you need to make du a to Allah subhana wa ta'ala your children, family, house. 8
Evil the means to be saved is make du a and Allah subhana wa ta'ala will do it for you. Protect you and save you but you need to take the means. Decree attributing the Perfection to Allah subhana wa ta'ala. How will you ask Allah subhana wa ta'ala about the evil? Allah decrees and none can influence Allah subhana wa ta'ala. You can t change the qadr but you can make du a. Humiliate attributing Allah subhana wa ta'ala with the best, with justice. This is Praising and Magnifying Allah subhana wa ta'ala. Allah subhana wa ta'ala will not humiliate anyone who is His friend, Awliyullah trusting Allah subhana wa ta'ala, Allah subhana wa ta'ala will never humiliate His wali. You should always think good about Allah subhana wa ta'ala. Enemy when Allah subhana wa ta'ala enlarges the provision for them this is only in the dunya. The real honour is on the Day of Judgement, the real humiliation is on the Day of Judgement, the real fakhir is after the Day of Judgment, the real richness (hasanat) is after the Day of Judgement. Allah subhana wa ta'ala will not honour your enemy SubhanaAllah. Bless Allah subhana wa ta'ala gives the blessing and He is the Exalted. Mini Ramadan Bites #27 Wednesday 15th August 2012. The word Zakat is from the Arabic word for purification it will purify the person from being miserly. 9
Zakat al Fitr this is usually given in the form of food before salatul Fajr on the Day of Eid. You are fasting but may still sin or make a mistake in your fast. The Zakat al Fitr will make up your fast, complete your fast, purify your fast. 10
Sadaqa the charity. The word sadaqa is from sidq, truthfulness, giving something you own to someone else, voluntary spending. It is a proof of someone s truthfulness and full faith. By spending for the Sake of Allah subhana wa ta'ala and Pleasing Allah subhana wa ta'ala, this deed will be multiplied 700 times. This is unlike any other Ibadat. Hadith: Allah subhana wa ta'ala accepts the charity, Allah subhana wa ta'ala will take care of your sadaqa like when you take care of a small pony until it grows up, until your charity will reach Jabbal Uhud. The sadaqa is so dear to Allah subhana wa ta'ala because human beings love money and money is very dear to them. 11
If anyone gives sadaqa seventy shaitan will be freed from you. In the morning two angels come down making a du a for some people and against some people: O Allah, the one who spends their money for the Sake of Allah subhana wa ta'ala give him the return. O Allah, the one who withholds the sadaqa, they are ruined 12
If you give even half a date it will be a shield for you from Hellfire. When you give charity it is preferable to give to your relatives, this is when you give them anything to strengthen the ties. The best of charities is when a man spends on his household. When a man or woman spends on their household even having the intention is charity. The best of charities is when you spend on your household, when you spend on your parents and on your relatives. Some people with their families are very miserly and prefer to spend on people outside their families. Sadaqa is with the intention. 13
Hadith for spending on girls: Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam said The one having three daughters, was patient with them, gave them drinks and bought them clothes, the reward is a barrier against Hellfire. When you spend on the orphan, a child who has lost their father, Allah subhana wa ta'ala said Myself subhana wa ta'ala and the sponsor of the orphan will be as close as these two fingers in Paradise. 14
Someone who struggles and helps the widows, it will be as if someone struggled and strived for the Sake of Allah subhana wa ta'ala Mujahid. Imagine you have a tree in your garden, some people get angry if any animals or birds eat from their tree. But the birds, animals and people eating from your tree is sadaqa for you. If you move house and leave the trees, fruit and vegetables you planted this will also be sadaqa for you. 15
When Sadaqa is given secretly there are extra rewards that person will be under the Throne of Allah subhana wa ta'ala on the Day of Judgement and Allah subhana wa ta'ala will not be angry with them. What if I have nothing to give? Abu Dharr, radiyallahu 'anhu, reported that some of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhi wasallam, said to him: "O Messenger of Allah, the rich have taken away all the rewards. They observe the prayer as we do, and they keep the fasts as we do, and they give sadaqah (charity) from their surplus riches." Upon this he (the Prophet) said: "Has Allah not prescribed for you (a course) by 16
following which you can also do sadaqah? Verily in every tasbih (i.e. saying Subhanallah) there is a sadaqah, every takbir (i.e. saying Allahu Akbar) is a sadaqah, every tahmid (i.e. saying Alhamdulillah) is a sadaqah, every tahlil (i.e. saying Lailaha illallah) is a sadaqah, enjoining of good is a sadaqah, forbidding of evil is a sadaqah, and having sexual intercourse with your wife is a sadaqah. They (the Companions) said: "O Messenger of Allah, is there reward for him who satisfies his sexual passion among us?" He said: "Tell me, if he were to devote it to something forbidden, would it not be a sin on his part? Similarly, if he were to devote it to something lawful, he should have a reward." [Muslim] You are a sadaqa for people with what you say and what you do if you remember the intention. Du a page 68 If you just memorise this du a it is equivalent to memorising all the du as in all the hadiths and the whole Qur an. 17
Good which comes now or later. Which I know and which I don t know. I may ask for something which is not good for me, this is trusting Allah subhana wa ta'ala. Refuge from the evil now or later, which I know or don t know. You are relying on Allah subhana wa ta'ala. 18
Slave includes all the du a of Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam that I know and don t know. This is Ameen for all the du as for the good and for seeking refuge. Paradise bring me the means Hellfire protect me 19
Decree all the good, make me closer to Allah subhana wa ta'ala, soften my heart, all that will be good for me. Mini Ramadan Bites #28 Thursday 16th August 2012. The month of Ramadan will be start of something better after Ramadan. You will know Allah subhana wa ta'ala accepted your ibadah when you see yourself performing the ibadah you did in Ramadan also after Ramadan. The critical days are after Ramadan especially the day of Eid. On the night of Eid all the shaitan will be free and trying to spoil your Ramadan. May Allah subhana wa ta'ala keeps us firm on the guidance. Allah subhana wa ta'ala will accept your deeds if you are hoping from Allah subhana wa ta'ala and Allah subhana wa ta'ala will give you more in return if you do it purely for His Sake, according to what you have in your heart. You can help people in different ways, financially, with advice, doing something, giving them a glass of water. One hadith tells us the virtues of helping people. 20
Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam said The most beloved people to Allah subhana wa ta'ala are those benefiting others. The most beloved deeds to Allah subhana wa ta'ala are if you make someone happy, smile or laugh (not making fun of people for a laugh), relieving people of some distress. They are hungry and you will feed them. 21
When you walk with someone to complete their affairs, this is better than doing itikhaff for one month in the Prophets Mosque in Madinah. The one who stops their angry Allah subhana wa ta'ala covers their faults in this life and on the Day of Judgement. 22
By suppressing your anger Allah subhana wa ta'ala will fill your heart with hope on the Day of Judgement. You will not be afraid or feel regret. If you walk (take them somewhere, sacrificing your time and energy) with your brother or sister for the Sake of Allah subhana wa ta'ala until you fulfil it, you will get firmness on the siraat on the Day of Judgement - the siraat is very slippery narrow and has thorns. 23
The Prophet ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam said the closest among you from me on the Day of Judgment are the ones who have excellent character. -The most beloved of people to Allah subhana wa ta'ala is the one who brings most benefit to the people and the most beloved of deeds to Allah subhana wa ta'ala is a Muslim making another Muslim happy (within the boundaries of shareeah) or relieving them from hardship or paying off their debt or warding off hunger from him. - The Prophet ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam said, "For me to go with my Muslim brother to meet his need is dearer to me than observing itikhaff in this mosque (madinah) for a month." -Whoever does not act upon his anger, Allah subhana wa ta'ala will not expose him -Whoever suppresses his rage even though when he is able to express it, Allah subhana wa ta'ala will fill up his heart with hope on Judgment Day. -Whoever goes with their Muslim brother to meet his need until it is accomplished; Allah subhana wa ta'ala will make him stand firm on the day when all feet will slip. Surely, evil character and behaviour will spoil [or ruin] the [good deeds and pious actions] (as vinegar spoils honey). Don t spoil your good deeds with bad manners. 24
Everyone is scared from a bad end. Hadith: if you are making the good (fixing things helping people) will prevent from the bad end. Hadith: If you help somebody Allah subhana wa ta'ala will help you in your affairs. If you relieve any distress form a Muslim Allah subhana wa ta'ala will release your distress on the Day of Judgement. Du a page 72 25
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This dua is for seeking refuge from what you are scared from and don t want. The du a should come from your heart, you feel I seek refuge with Allah subhana wa ta'ala, only Allah subhana wa ta'ala can protect me. You should have a strong belief in Allah subhana wa ta'ala and you are afraid from these things in order to have isti adha (seeking refuge). Allah subhana wa ta'ala will protect you from all these harms. This du a is protection from the sicknesses of the hearts and the limbs: Inability when you cannot work, read, do etc. anything that will stop you from doing your obligations, your ibadah. Laziness doing the ibadah feels like a heavy burden. Cowardice afraid of saying the truth, afraid to help somebody. Miserliness you don t want to give, to give zakat, to smile at people, to return the salaam, not to do the obligations between you and Allah subhana wa ta'ala etc. Senility old age with the easily losing your temper, having bad manners, senility which shows on the face, being weak, losing respect from people. Hard Heart where you will not be affected by the warnings, admonitions. Heedlessness of the ibadah, the obligations, the virtues. Deprivation people are in so much need that they depend on someone to do their affairs. We want to die in a good form. If you make du a Allah subhana wa ta'ala will protect you. Only Allah subhana wa ta'ala can help you du a is the greatest weapon. Disgraced people looking down on you, making fun of you. 27
Poverty / Absolute Poverty you need people for money, food or shelter. Disbelief major and minor, for being ungrateful to Allah subhana wa ta'ala and ungrateful to people. Rebellion to come out of Islam by committing a sin, not staying on the straight path. Dissension conflict between people, rejecting the truth, or causing feuds between people. Hypocrisy one the diseases which we need to ask Allah subhana wa ta'ala protection from. These diseases show a lack of confidence in that you are not trusting yourself but trusting Allah subhana wa ta'ala, you are really in need of Allah subhana wa ta'ala. Seeking fame you want to be known. Seeking fame when doing good deeds and you are not seeking Allah subhana wa ta'ala s Pleasure. Showing off you love to feel and see people praising you. The opposite of showing off is Ikhlas Seeking Allah subhana wa ta'ala s Pleasure, doing everything for the Sake of Allah 28
subhana wa ta'ala. This is difficult, don t trust yourself not to show off as we like to feel special. Deafness totally or partially. Mute can t speak Insanity mental problems Hair loss Leprosy physically not attractive, shows on the skin. Any Bad sickness all types of bad sickness where there is no cure. This du a is like a multi vitamin for you if said everyday. This du a is protection from sicknesses which didn t even cross your mind. People think when they grow old their children will take care of them. This is not a good intention nobody wishes to be in need, even of their own children. You only trust Allah subhana wa ta'ala. When Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam passed away he was in good health. Mini Ramadan Bites #29 Friday 17th August 2012. 29
Allah subhana wa ta'ala prescribed a great event for His most beloved servant, the worshipper, the fasting people, the people who established the night prayer. Allah subhana wa ta'ala knows His servant and chooses the best for us. Why do we have Eid? In order to show your happiness and joy. Happiness and joy for something Allah subhana wa ta'ala prescribed. People have different celebrations but the celebration where you find that excitement and happiness is Eid. Also to show your gratitude towards Allah subhana wa ta'ala, that He is the One. After you completed the month of Ramadan and you are hoping for the reward from Allah subhana wa ta'ala. Eid is show the gratitude and happiness to Allah subhana wa ta'ala. 30
This is all related to the heart. Some people say Eid is so boring we don t feel anything. To feel bored or excited all depends on your heart. You feel excited because Allah subhana wa ta'ala prescribed the Eid for the people. Ibn Rajab said This is a season to show the happiness and the joy, the believer s happiness. Why are you happy? Because of your Lord, because of Allah subhana wa ta'ala, because you are hoping from Allah subhana wa ta'ala, hoping Allah subhana wa ta'ala will complete you ibadah, perfect your ibadah. Yawm al Jazi ah the Day of Rights. Nothing is more surprising than when you know you have the forgiveness of the sins, freedom from Hellfire, the Pleasure of Allah subhana wa ta'ala, of being admitted to Paradise and the Taqwa. Eid does not have to be with the people, some people have no one to celebrate Eid with. The excitement and the happiness comes from the heart because I am happy with Allah subhana wa ta'ala, Your Guardian and you are having hope from Allah subhana wa ta'ala. Chapter (10) sūrat yūnus (Jonah) 10:58 Say, "In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy - in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate." The happiness you will get from Allah subhana wa ta'ala for completing this great ibadah is better than what you are collecting in this life. 31
Allah subhana wa ta'ala ordained these celebrations after a great worship. We have two celebrations. Eid means something to return we cannot prescribe or add anything again and again except what Allah subhana wa ta'ala prescribed. You only have two Eid s after you have accomplished something, Eid al Fitr after fasting and Eid al Adha after Hajj. We need to magnify the Eid as Allah subhana wa ta'ala prescribed the Eid. Just your happiness is as if you are magnifying Allah subhana wa ta'ala and magnifying His symbols. We need to revive the sunnat Nabi ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam. A believer s emotions are attached to Allah subhana wa ta'ala. The heedless on rejoices only with the dunya which will not last. The ever lasting happiness is when it comes from Allah subhana wa ta'ala. What are the manners and etiquettes of the day of Eid? The Sunnah is that on the night of Eid you will magnify Allah, as soon as they announce Eid. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar La illaha ill Allah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar walilahil Hamd Allah is Great, Allah is Great, there is no God, but Allah, Allah is Great, Allah is Great to Him belongs all Praise. You are magnifying and exalting Allah in case you feel proud of your accomplishments, this is to humble your heart, you are giving what you are doing to Allah subhana wa ta'ala, Who is Great. Don t wash away your fast with even one atom of arrogance. 32
You are doing this to attain Allah subhana wa ta'ala s Pleasure. Renew your intention, you are magnifying Allah subhana wa ta'ala, you will get a reward for your intention. 33
A highly recommended Sunnah for the men, women and menstruating women is to witness the Eid prayer. This by itself is a joy. 34
You will do this for Allah subhana wa ta'ala. Not because it is a burden but for the Pleasure of Allah subhana wa ta'ala. There is no special Qiyam al Layl for Eid, or special gathering. It is forbidden to fast on the day of Eid. 35
If you missed the Salat ul Eid, you can t make it up. Don t forget your heart on the first day of Eid, it is very fragile, handle it with care, do not fill your heart with sicknesses. 36
May Allah accept from us our ibadah and our fasts. 37
The Virtues of the Marriage Renew your intentions for your marriage. People marrying is the will of Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam. 38
Being married is to follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam. To fulfil the wish of Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam said I Encourage marriage as I will see the Ummah Muhammad is increasing on the Day of Judgement. 39
It will help to lower the gaze (desire) and protect your chastity. To open the gates of the provision and richness. To have a righteous child who will invoke for you. Mini Ramadan Bites #30 Saturday 18th August 2012. Allah subhana wa ta'ala showered us with His blessings in the month of Ramadan. Allah subhana wa ta'ala made the ibadah easy for us, the fasting easy, the prayer easy, the dhikr easy, the du a easy, the istighfar easy and to acquire the knowledge and share the knowledge easy. Even after Ramadan everyday is a treat. 40
The Muslim feels sad that the month of Ramadan is over, he will remember how the days and nights were filled with the worship of Allah subhana wa ta'ala, with the goodness. Critical is the day after Ramadan. People are different. People will be busy with their lives. In Ramadan you are tasting how close to Allah subhana wa ta'ala you are, you are worshipping Allah subhana wa ta'ala, how beautiful is that and now it is gone. 41
When Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam passed away everybody was in shock. Abu Bakr said If the person worships Muhammad, Muhammad passed away. The one who worships Allah, Allah is Ever Living, never dies. The same can be said for Ramadan. The one who only worships in Ramadan will say Ramadan is over. But the one who worships Allah subhana wa ta'ala all the time will say Allah is Ever Living, never dies. Allah subhana wa ta'ala is not only the Lord of Ramadan, he is also the Lord of all the months. In Ramadan there is a race and everybody is participating in this race. There is a feast in order to taste the sweetness of the faith. The taste of the ibadah is like candy, very sweet, it has a taste. Allah subhana wa ta'ala made Ramadan a blessed month, you will understand what is the taste the sweetness of Ramadan all the obstacles are chained, you are lighter, you have power and control over yourself so that you can taste the sweetness of the ibadah. 42
Remember what you did in Ramadan. Chapter (16) sūrat l-naḥl (The Bees) 16:92 And do not be like she who untwisted her spun thread after it was strong [by] taking your oaths as [means of] deceit between you because one community is more plentiful [in number or wealth] than another community. Allah only tries you thereby. And He will surely make clear to you on the Day of Resurrection that over which you used to differ. Don t be like the woman knitting a beautiful sweater, don t undo what you did. Don t go back to how you were before. You prayed 11 rakats in taraweh your body is used to the ibadah, don t make the night of Eid free from ibadah. Don t wrong the people, by back biting and slandering, don t make a sin between the people etc. 43
Islam is steadfastness it is not temporary. Chapter (14) sūrat ib'rāhīm (Abraham) 14:24 Have you not considered how Allah presents an example, [making] a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches [high] in the sky? 14:25 It produces its fruit all the time, by permission of its Lord. And Allah presents examples for the people that perhaps they will be reminded. A believer is like a date palm whose roots are firm and strong. In Ramadan your heart is fasting, it is not just abstaining from food and drink. The virtues make your roots very strong. Your ibadah is very strong. Your ibadah, your fasting and your prayer will reach the heavens. Allah subhana wa ta'ala will accept it and it will give you the fruits through out the year. This is the heart of the Muttaqeen. 44
Ramadan is the month of the taqwa. Ramadan is the month of forgiveness you have no other month like this to ask for forgiveness. Remember the nights you prayed to Allah subhana wa ta'ala, invoked Allah subhana wa ta'ala, and in your heart you are having Allah subhana wa ta'ala and the love of Allah subhana wa ta'ala and hoping for the forgiveness of the sins. Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam said A deprived one, is one whose Ramadan came and went and his sins were not forgiven. 45
Every night in Ramadan Allah subhana wa ta'ala will free a servant from Hellfire. We want the freedom from Hellfire. We still have a few hours left, this is our last chance. Who does Allah subhana wa ta'ala accept in this month? We hope from Allah subhana wa ta'ala May Allah subhana wa ta'ala accept from everyone their ibadah. This Ramadan is a good start, to start another race with the heart. 46
Chapter (24) sūrat l-nūr (The Light) 24:35 Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things. 24:36 [Such niches are] in mosques which Allah has ordered to be raised and that His name be mentioned therein; exalting Him within them in the morning and the evenings Like a brilliant star, a zujajah after Ramadan to have the same determination and strength you need to take care of your heart after lots of polishing and cleaning, the heart of the Muttaqeen is like a brilliant star, like glass, crystal clear. Chapter (2) sūrat l-baqarah (The Cow) 2:265 And the example of those who spend their wealth seeking means to the approval of Allah and assuring [reward for] themselves is like a garden on high ground which is hit by a downpour - so it yields its fruits in double. And [even] if it is not hit by a downpour, then a drizzle [is sufficient]. And Allah, of what you do, is Seeing. The heart of the Muttaqeen is like a garden on the best land, in the best location which is on top of a hill which receives water throughout the year, it is away from the obstacles, and it is very high reaching to the sky, reaching to the horizon. This is the blessed land, like the heart of the believer, the heart of the Muttaqeen. Crystal clear, you can see it is transparent, fruitful whether you have a little or abundant rain. Chapter (13) sūrat l-raʿd (The Thunder) 13:17 He sends down from the sky, rain, and valleys flow according to their capacity, and the torrent carries a rising foam. And from that [ore] which they heat in the fire, desiring adornments and utensils, is a foam like it. Thus Allah presents [the example of] truth and falsehood. As for the foam, it vanishes, [being] cast off; but as for that which benefits the people, it remains on the earth. Thus does Allah present examples. The heart of the believer is like a valley, the water removes the dirt. The heart of the believer is like metal pure and strong gold, glowing. The heart of the Muttaqeen is always making Jihad. He will not indulge in the dunya, when he does any deed he is always fighting with himself do and don t do based on the knowledge of Allah subhana wa ta'ala. The believer has knowledge about 2 things - The Muttaqeen knows who he is worshipping he knows he is worshipping Allah subhana wa ta'ala, His Guardian. He is attached to the Lord who always enjoins the goodness, justice and commands you to always be on the straight path. 47
- The Muttaqeen knows the value of the dunya like the parable of the rain which will descend on the land and the plants will grow, you will have the fruits and then everything will be washed away. You do not occupy your heart with the dunya. The heart of the Muttaqeen is very happy and comfortable. The heat of the Muttaqeen is not only in Ramadan. The heart of the Muttaqeen is always checking his heart. After Ramadan don t neglect you heart, you need to save guard your heart. After Ramadan your heart is always humble to Allah subhana wa ta'ala, one is always looking at their faults and mistakes, never feeling proud. Don t be proud of your ibadah. Remain between fear and hope, fear of Allah subhana wa ta'ala, hoping for the rewards from Allah subhana wa ta'ala and the acceptance and fearing Allah subhana wa ta'ala will not accept my ibadah. You are between hope and fear. 48
Be Grateful after Ramadan. Be firm on the amal salih. Allah subhana wa ta'ala made it easy for us to taste how beautiful is the ibadah, when you invoke Allah subhana wa ta'ala, when you are close to Allah subhana wa ta'ala, when you notice the difference with your heart. Be on the straight path, steadfast with isti anah billah, the action of the heart. You cannot trust yourself but trust Allah subhana wa ta'ala to hold you. 49
After Ramadan maybe cannot fast everyday or pray the night prayer everyday but do a little ibadah and do it constantly. Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu alayhi wa sallam advised us to fast 6 days of shawwal anytime within this month after first making up your Ramadan fasts as this is more obligatory. The one who finishes the month of Ramadan and follows it with 6 days in Shawwal it is as if you fasted one year. It will also makes up for any shortage in your obligatory fasts. Also it is as if Allah subhana wa ta'ala accepts your ibadah a sign of the acceptance. You are showing your gratitude to Allah subhana wa ta'ala. In your heart Ya Rabbi make me among the muttaqeen, may Allah subhana wa ta'ala make us graduate from this month with taqwa. We need this taqwa to face the big challenges which are after Ramadan, to face the trials after Ramadan. 50
May Allah subhana wa ta'ala accept all our worship, our fast (siyam), our Qur an, and accept our knowledge and this gathering, and may Allah subhana wa ta'ala make this Ramadan a start for something else, something which is better. We ask Allah subhana wa ta ala for His forgiveness and His Mercy. Anything that is good from these notes is from Allah subhana wa ta ala. Any mistakes & misrepresentations are my own. I ask Allah subhana wa ta ala for His forgiveness and to put forgiveness in the hearts of those who read them. JazakAllah Khairan. 51