Wednesday, August 3, 2011

The Great Rewards For Fasting!

Virtues of Fasting as mentioned in authentic Hadeeth

- The reward for fasting is immeasurable:
"Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving (reward of) ten times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, 'Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.'
[al-Bukhaaree]

- The fasting person will be happy on Judgement Day when he meets Allah:
"The fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord." [al-Bukhaaree]

-
The fasting person is so dear to Allah that even the unpleasant smell of his mouth is liked by Allah:
"The smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk
." (Bukhari)

- There is a special gate in Paradise for the fasting person:
Prophet (s.a.w.) said:
“There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayyaan, and those who observe fasting will be invited to it. Whoever is one of those who observe fasting will enter it and whoever enters through it will never again be thirsty.” [At-Tirmithi: Hasan Saheeh Ghareeb]
“There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayyaan, and those who observe fasting will enter from it on the Day of Judgment and none except them will enter from it. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe fasting?' They will get up, and none except them will enter from it. After their entry, this gate will be closed and nobody will enter from it (after that).” [Al-Bukhaari]



- Fasting is a shield against the Fire:

"Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the Fire." [Ahmad, Saheeh]

- Fasting will intercede for you on Judgment Day:
On the Day of Judgement, "Fasting will say: O My Lord I prevented him from food an desires so accept my intercession for him. And the intercession will be accepted." [Ahmad, al-Haakim and Abu Nu'aim, Hasan]

- Fasting is a means for one's sins to be forgiven:
The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "He who fasts Ramadhan, due to Iman and hoping for reward (from Allah) then his past sins are forgiven." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]

- The supplication of the fasting person is answered:
"There are in the month of Ramadhan in every day and night those to whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim an supplication which he can make and will be granted." [al-Bazzaar, Ahmad, Saheeh]

- Fasting is an expiation for various sins,
as mentioned in the Qur'aan, in verses: 2:196, 4:92, 5:89, 5:95 and 58:3-4.

- The fasting person will be among the true followers of the prophets and the martyrs:
A man came to the Prophet (s.a.w.) and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, what if I testify that none has the right to worshipped but Allah and that you are the Messenger of Allah, and I observe the five daily prayers, and I pay the zakaah, and I fast and stand in prayer in Ramadhan, then amongst whom shall I be?' He said: 'Amongst the true followers of the prophets and the martyrs.' " [Ibn Hibbaan, Saheeh]

- Fasting is a shield against one's unrestrained desires:
The Prophet (s.a.w.) told the youth: "O youths, whoever amongst you is able to marry then let him do so, since it restrains the eyes and protects the private parts, and he who is unable, then let him fast because it is a shield for him." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]

Once we realise the greatness of fasting and what achievement it leads to, we must put all our efforts in performing fasting in the best manner possible. And since fasting is worship, it must be done solely for Allah's sake. We Muslims must constantly verify our intentions. Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "On the Day of Judgement, a caller will cry out, 'Whoever performed a deed for someone other than Allah may seek his reward from that for which he performed the deed' " [Saheeh al-Jami]

The BEST way to ask Allah's Forgiveness

Prophet (SAWS) said:

"The BEST SUPPLICATION FOR SEEKING FORGIVENESS (Syed-ul-Istighfar) is to say:


اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلا أَنْ
Allahumma Anta Rabbi, la ilaha illa Anta, khalaqtani wa ana `abduka, wa ana `ala `ahdika wa wa`dika mastata`tu, a`udhu bika min sharri ma sana`tu, abu'u laka bini`matika `alayya, wa abu'u bidhanbi faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta

(O Allah! You are my Rubb. There is no true god except You. You have created me, and I am Your slave, and I hold to Your Covenant as far as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge the favours that You have bestowed upon me, and I confess my sins. Pardon me, for none but You has the power to pardon).


He who supplicates in these terms during the day with firm belief in it and dies on the same day (before the evening),

he will be one of the dwellers of Jannah; and if anyone supplicates in these terms during the night with firm belief in it and dies before the morning, he will be one of the dwellers of Jannah.''

[Al-Bukhari]



Monday, August 1, 2011

Your Day in Ramadan (Based on Authentic Hadith)

╰☆╮ The Muslim starts his day with suhoor (pre-dawn meal) before Fajr prayer. It is better to delay suhoor until the latest possible time of the night.
>> Prophet (S) said: "Take the Suhoor meal, for there is blessing in it." (Bukhari)

╰☆╮ When he enters the mosque for Fajr, he prays two rak’ahs (tahiyyat al-masjid – greeting the mosque).
>> Prophet (S) said “When any one of you enters the Mosque, he should not sit down until he has prayed two rak’ahs” (Bukhari).

╰☆╮ Then he sits and keeps busy making du’aa’
>> Prophet (S) said: "There are in the month of Ramadhan in every day and night those to whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim an supplication which he can make and will be granted." (Ahmad, Saheeh)

╰☆╮ He can also occupy himself with reciting Qur'an.
>> Prophet (S) said “Whoever reads one letter from the Book of Allaah will earn one good deed thereby. One good deed is equal to ten good deeds the like of it. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter and Meem is a letter." (Tirmidhi)

╰☆╮ He must try to keep his tongue moist with dhikr (remembrance of Allah).
>> Prophet (S) said "Shall I tell you about the best of all deeds, the best act of piety in the eyes of your Lord, which will elevate your status in the Hereafter, and carries more virtue than the spending of gold and silver in the service of Allah or taking part in jihad and slaying or being slain in the path of Allah? (It is) the dhikr of Allah." (Musnad Ahmad)

╰☆╮ When the muezzin gives the call to prayer, he repeats what the muezzin says, and says the du’aa’ narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to be said after the adhaan ends.
>> Prophet (S) said about the one who recites the prescribed du'a after adhaan that "It becomes obligatory upon me to intercede for him (person reciting the supplication) on the Day of Judgement.” (Bukhari)

╰☆╮ Then after that he prays two rak’ahs (the regular Sunnah of Fajr).
>> Prophet (S) said, "The two Rak`ah before the dawn (Fajr) prayer are better than this world and all it contains." (Muslim)

╰☆╮ Then he occupies himself with du’aa’ and reading Qur’aan until the iqaamah for prayer is given. He is in a state of prayer so long as he is waiting for the prayer.
>> Prophet (S) said "You who waited (for prayer), will be counted as engaged in prayer throughout the period of your waiting.'' (Bukhari)

╰☆╮ After offering the prayer in congregation, he recites the dhikrs that are prescribed following the salaam at the end of the prayer. After that if he wants to sit in the mosque until the sun has risen, reciting dhikr and reading Qur’aan, that is preferable. Then about one-quarter of an hour after the sun has risen, if he wants he can pray Duha prayer (a minimum of two rak’ahs).
>> Prophet (S) said "Whoever prays Fajr in congregation then sits remembering Allaah until the sun rises, then prays two rak’ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and ‘Umrah.” He said: (S) said: “In full, in full, in full."
(Tirmidhi)

╰☆╮ Then if he wants he may sleep to prepare himself for going to work, and he can intend by sleeping to strengthen himself for worship and earning a living, so that he will be rewarded for it in sha Allah. He should try to maintain his best conduct during fasting.
>> Prophet (S) said: If a person does not avoid false talk and false conduct during fast, then Allah does not care if he abstains from food and drink (Bukhari).

╰☆╮ Then he goes to work, and when the time for Zuhr prayer comes, he goes to the mosque early. He prays four rak’ahs with two tasleems (the regular Sunnah before Zuhr). Then he keeps busy with Qur’aan or Du'aas until the iqaamah for prayer is given, and he prays with the congregation, then he prays two rak’ahs (the regular Sunnah after Zuhr).
>> Prophet (S) would perform four Rak`ah before Zuhr prayer. Then he would go out and lead Salat. He (S) would then come back and perform two Rak`ah. (Muslim)

╰☆╮ Then after the prayer he goes and finishes whatever of his work is left, until it is time to leave work. If there is a long time to go after finishing his work until the time for ‘Asr prayer, then he can rest. The Qailulah (short nap in afternoon) is a Sunnah of the Prophet (S).
>> Prophet (S) said “Take a nap, for the shayaateen do not take naps." (Tabarani)
But if there is not enough time and he fears that if he sleeps he will miss ‘Asr prayer, then he should keep busy doing something suitable until the time for ‘Asr comes, such as going to the market to buy some things that his family needs and the like, or going straight to the mosque when he has finished his work, and staying in the mosque until he has prayed ‘Asr.

╰☆╮ Then after ‘Asr, it depends on his circumstances. If he can stay in the mosque and keep busy reading Qur’aan, this is a great opportunity. But if he feels tired, then he should rest at this time so that he will be ready to pray taraaweeh at night.

╰☆╮ Before the adhaan for Maghrib, he should get ready to break his fast, and make lots of du'aa.
>> Prophet (S) said "Three types of du'a are undoubtedly granted: a parent's du'a for his children, du'a of a fasting person, and du'a of the traveller." [Abu Dawud]

╰☆╮ One of the best things that he can do at this time is to take part in offering iftaar to those who are fasting, whether by bringing food to them or helping to distribute it to them and organizing that.
>> Prophet (S) said: He who provides for the breaking of the Siyam of another person earns the same merit as the one who was observing Siyam diminishing in any way the reward of the latter (Tirmidhi).

╰☆╮ After iftaar, he goes and prays in congregation in the mosque, and after the prayer he prays two rak'ahs (the regular Sunnah of Maghrib).
>> Prophet (S) said "Allaah will build a house in Paradise for whoever is diligent in observing 12 Sunnah Rak'aat (as follows): 4 Rak'aat before and 2 after the Dhuhr Prayer, 2 after the Maghrib, 2 after the ‘Ishaa’ Prayer and 2 before the Fajr Prayer." (Sahih Tirmidhi)

╰☆╮ Then he goes back home and eats whatever is available – without eating too much.
>> Prophet (S) said “No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Adam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for air.” [Tirmidhi]

╰☆╮ Then he looks for a suitable way for himself and his family to spend this time, whether reading a book of stories, or a book on isamic rulings, or a quiz, or permissible conversation, or any other useful idea that is of interest to the members of the family and will distracts them from the haraam things that appear in the media which regard this as their prime time, so you find the media transmitting their most attractive programs at that time, that may contain immoral and obscene material. Strive to turn away from that, and fear Allaah with regard to your “flock” (i.e., your family) concerning whom you will be questioned on the Day of Resurrection, so be prepared to answer the questions.
>> Prophet (S) said "Each one of you is a shepherd. And each of you will be asked about your flock. A ruler also is a shepherd and he will be asked about his flock. And every man is a shepherd to his family. And every woman is the custodian of her husband’s house and his children. Thus each one of you is a shepherd and each one will be asked about his flock.” (Bukhari)

╰☆╮ Then go to the mosque and pray 'Isha, then pray two rak’ahs (the regular Sunnah of ‘Isha’), then pray taraaweeh behind the imam with humility and focus, pondering the meanings of what is recited. Do not finish until the imam finishes.
>> Prophet (S) said: “Whoever stands (and prays) with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded as if he spent the night in prayer.” (Sahih Abu Dawood)

╰☆╮ Then after Taraaweeh you can make a program for yourself that is suited to your circumstances and personal commitments. But you should pay attention to the following:
* Keeping away from all haraam things and whatever may lead to them.
* Paying attention to ensuring that your family avoid falling into any haraam thing or whatever may lead to that, in a wise manner, such as preparing a program just for them, or taking them out for leisure trips to permissible places, or keeping them away from bad friends, or looking for good friends for them.
* Keeping busy with things that take priority.

╰☆╮ Then you should try to sleep early, so that you wake up on time for suhoor.
>> Prophet (S) used to dislike sleeping before ‘Isha and (useless) talking after 'Isha. (Bukhari) because that leads to people staying up late at night.

╰☆╮ If you have not yet completed your daily portion of Qur’aan – so do not go to sleep until you have completed it.
>> Jibreel would rehearse the Qur'an with the Prophet SAWS (in Ramadan) once every year. (Bukhari)
Jibreel would come to him every night (of Ramadan) and he would rehearse the Qur'an with him. (Bukhari)

╰☆╮ Then wake up before suhoor, allowing enough time to recite du’aa’, because this is a great opportunity to get du'as answered.
>> Prophet (S) said “Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains, and He says, ‘Who will call Me that I might answer him, who will ask of Me that I might give him, who will ask My forgiveness, that I might forgive him?'" (Bukhari)


► Friday ◄

╰☆╮ Friday is the best day of the week, so you should have a special program of worship on this day, in which you pay attention to the following:

*Coming early to Jumu’ah prayer.

* Reciting abundant blessings on Prophet (S).

*Staying in the mosque after ‘Asr prayer, and keeping busy with reading Qur’aan and making du’aa’ until the last hour of this day, for that is a time when du’aa’s are answered.

*Make this day an opportunity for completing some of your deeds that you did not finish during the week, such as completing your weekly portion of Qur’aan, or finishing reading a book or listening to a tape and other good deeds.


► The last ten days of Ramadan ◄

╰☆╮ The last ten days of Ramadaan include Laylat al-Qadr which is better than a thousand months. Hence it is prescribed for a person to observe i’tikaaf (“retreat” for the purpose of worship) in the mosque during these ten days.
>> Prophet (S) used to spend the last ten nights of Ramadaan in i'tikaaf until he passed away. (Bukhari)

╰☆╮ Whoever cannot observe i’tikaaf for the entire period should do as much as he is able to. If he is not able to do i’tikaaf at all, then he should try to spend the nights in worship. Praying qiyaam, reading Qur’aan, remembering Allaah and making du’aa’. He should prepare for that by resting during the day so that he will be able to stay up at night.
>> Prophet (S) said "Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven." (Bukhari)


(Note: This program is just a suggestion. It is a flexible schedule that each person can adapt to his own circumstances..It does not mean that everything mentioned here is an obligatory duty, rather it includes many things that are Sunnah and mustahabb.

At the beginning of the month a person may be keen to do acts of worship, then he may slow down. Beware of that, and strive to persist in all the actions that you do in this blessed month.
Prophet (S) said “The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most regular and constant even though it were small." (Bukhari))