Adapted from “Wa maadha ba`da Ramadaan”, by Dar Al-Watan (120)

AlHamdulillahi wa kafaa, was-Salatu was-salamu `alaa `ibaadihi-lladheena Stafaa

We leave the blessed month of Ramadan, its beautiful days and its fragrant nights. We leave the month of the Qur’an, taqwa, patience, jihad, mercy, forgiveness and freedom from hellfire…

Have we fulfilled the requirements of taqwa and graduated from the Ramadan school with the diploma of the god-fearing?

Have we fought our souls and desires and defeated them, or have we been overtaken by our customs and blind imitations?

Have we performed our actions in a way that fulfills the conditions for receiving mercy, forgiveness and release from the Fire?

Many questions and numerous thoughts come to the heart of the sincere Muslim, who asks and answers with truthfulness.

What Have We Gained From Ramadan?

Ramadan is a school of iman and a ’stop to recharge one’s spiritual batteries’ – to acquire one’s provision for the rest of the year…

For when will one take a lesson and change for better if not in the month of Ramadan?

The noble month is a true school of transformation in which we change our actions, habits and manners that are in variance with the Law of Allah ‘azza wa jall. “Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” [Ar-Ra`d, 11]

If you are from those who benefited from Ramadan, fulfilled the requirements of taqwa, truly fasted the month, prayed in it with truthfulness, and strove against you soul, then praise and thank Allah, and ask Him for steadfastness upon it until you meet your death.

Be not like one who has sewn a shirt and then destroyed it… Have you seen one who sewed a shirt or thawb, so when she looked at it, she liked it. Then she destroyed it pulling a thread by thread for no reason. What would people say about such a person?! Or have you seen one who earns a fortune trading throughout the day, then when the night comes, he throws away all that he earned, dirham by dirham. What would people say about such a person?!

This is the condition of one who returns to sinning and evildoing after Ramadan and leaves obedience and righteous actions. So after he was favored with the blessing of obedience and enjoyment of communicating with Allah he returned to the blaze of sins and evil actions. How evil are the people who know Allah only in Ramadan!

My dear ones,

Falling short in one’s commitment to Islam after Ramadan is manifested in many ways, including:

1 – Men leaving the five prayers in congregation, after they filled mosques for Taraweeh prayers, thus going to the masjid for recommended prayers and leaving obligatory ones.

2 – Return to musical entertainment, forbidden films, women displaying their adornment beyond that which ordinarily appears thereof, free mixing etc.

This is not thankfulness for blessings and favors, nor is it the sign of acceptance of one’s actions, rather this is opposition to favors and absence of thankfulness.

These are from signs of one’s deeds not being accepted – and Allah’s refuge is sought – for one who truly fasts rejoices on the occasion of `eid, praises his Lord for helping him complete the fast, and remains fearful that Allah may not accept his fasting, just as the Salaf would continue asking for acceptance of their actions in Ramadan for six months after it.

From signs that one’s deeds are accepted is that he or she has improved in his or her obedience to Allah `azza wa jall. “And remember when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]…”[Ibrahim, 7] Increase you in good, faith and righteous actions. So if the servant is truly thankful to his Lord, you will see him guided to more obedience and distanced from sinfulness. Thankfulness is leaving sins, as the early Muslims said.

“And worship your Lord until there comes you to the certainty [i.e. death].” [al-Hijr, 99]

The Muslim must continuously be in the state of obedience of Allah, firm upon His Sharee`ah, steadfast upon His Deen, so that he or she is not of those who worship Allah only during one month or only in one place. Rather, the believer knows that the Lord of Ramadan is also the Lord of other months, and that He is the Lord of all times and places, so he is steadfast upon the Sharee`ah of Allah until he meets Him while He is pleased with him. Allah ta`ala said, “So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allah].” [Hud, 112] And, “So take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness.” [Fussilat, 6] And the Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, said, “Say ‘I believe in Allah’, then be steadfast.” [Muslim]

– If the fasting in Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary fasting, such as fasting six days in Shawwal, on Mondays and Thursdays, the three days in the middle of the month, the days of `Aashoora and `Arafat, and others.

– If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary night prayer throughout the year. “They used to sleep but little of the night.” [Adh-Dhaariyaat, 17]

– If the charity in Ramadan and zakat ul-fitr have ended, then there is the obligatory Zakat, and also there are many other open doors to charity, voluntary actions and jihad.

– Reading of the Qur’an and contemplating it is not only for Ramadan, rather it is for all times.

Righteous actions are for all times and all places, so strive – O my brother and sister – and beware of laziness. And remember that it is not allowed for us to leave the obligatory actions or delay them, such as the five daily prayers on time, in congregation etc.

And do not fall into forbidden actions, such as forbidden sayings, food and drinks, or by looking at or listening to what is forbidden.

Be steadfast and upright upon the Deen of Allah at all times, for you do not know when you’ll meet the Angel of Death. Beware of him taking you while you are in a state of sin. “O Allah, Who turns the hearts, keep our hearts steadfast upon Your Deen.”

I ask Allah to accept from us and you our fasting, our prayers and other righteous actions, that our condition after Ramadan be a better one, that the state of our Ummah improves, that we are granted honour and that we truly turn to our Lord…Ameen

Is it permissible to fast the six days of Shawwaal before making up days that I did not fast in Ramadaan, if there is not enough time left in the month to do both? May Allaah reward you with good.

Praise be to Allaah.
Fasting six days of Shawwaal is dependent upon having completed the Ramadaan fast, according to the correct view. This is indicated by the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Whoever fasts Ramadaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be as if he fasted a lifetime.” Narrated by Muslim, 1164.
The conjunction thumma (then) indicates that this must be done in this order. This indicates that the fast of Ramadaan must be completed first (by observing the Ramadaan fast and making up any missed fasts), then after that one may fast the six days of Shawwaal, so as to attain the reward mentioned in the hadeeth.
The one who still owes missed Ramadaan fasts is said to have fasted part of Ramadaan; we cannot say that he has fasted Ramadaan.
But if a person has an excuse that kept him from fasting the six days of Shawwaal in Shawwaal because he had to make up missed fasts – such as a woman who was bleeding followed childbirth and spent all of Shawwaal making up for Ramadaan – then she may fast six days of Shawwaal in Dhu’l-Qa’dah, because she was excused. Similarly for anyone who has an excuse it is prescribed to make up the six days of Shawwaal in Dhu’l-Qa’dah, after making up the missed Ramadaan fasts. But the one who lets the month of Shawwaal go by without fasting these days and with no excuse, will not attain this reward.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen was asked: What if a woman owes days from Ramadaan – is it permissible for her to give precedence to fasting the six days of Shawwaal over making up the days she owes, or should she give priority to the days she owes over fasting the six days of Shawwaal?
He replied: If a woman still owes days from Ramadaan, then she should not fast the six days of Shawwaal until after she has made up what she owes, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal…” Whoever still has days to make up from Ramadaan has not fasted Ramadaan, so she will not attain the reward of fasting the six days of Shawwaal until after she has finished making up the days she owes. If we assume that this making up missed fasts lasts throughout Shawwaal, such as if a woman was bleeding following childbirth and did not fast at all in Ramadaan, then she started to make up her missed fasts in Shawaal and did not finish that until Dhu’l-Qa’dah began, then she may fast the six days, and she will have the reward of one who fasted them in Shawwaal, because she delayed it for a necessary reason, so she will have the reward.
Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 20/19. See also questions no. 4082 and 7863.
In addition to that, it is obligatory to make up missed fasts for the one who had an excuse, indeed that is part of this pillar of Islam. Based on this, hastening to do it and to discharge this duty takes priority over doing actions that are mustahabb. See question no. 23429.
Islam Q&A

EID MUBARAK!!

TaqabalAllahu Minna wa Minkum.

”May Allah accept your (good works) and ours.”

May Allah accept our Ramadan, guide us to continue striving to do the good deeds and worship all year round, and bless us to see another Ramadan. Ameen

Here’s a quick flash presentation that I made that’ll remind you of the sunnats to do on Eid.

You might already know this stuff, but it’s something really beneficial to share with family members, extended family and friends.

www.FiqhFlash.com >> Eid 101
Taken from – Muhammad Alshareef

Subhan Allah 27 days of a Month of mercy and blessings has passed us by already ,and now we’re still in the last 10 days of Ramadan so let us make the most of these precious few days by asking Allah to accept our good deeds and rush in doing good deeds, and asking him to pardon our sins specially in the nights of Ramadan..

Because who knows when truly Lailatul Qadr will fall but Allah Subhana’Wa Ta’ala.

”A reminder for you and I: WHAT IF!!! Laylatul Qadr is tonight? Will we be ready? I want to take advantage of every night of the last ten nights! It’s too precious – the reward of 1000 months is too great!
With best wishes to see you succeed at the highest level!
- Muhammad Alshareef www.PostRamadan.com”

Allahumma innaka ‘affuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni’ ”

- Meaning of the Dua
O Allah You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.

- This Dua is taken from the following Hadith

Aisha radhiya Allahu `anha, that she said: “O Messenger of Allah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was, then what should I say in it?” He said.- “Say.- (Allahumma innaka ‘affuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘annee.)

“O Allah You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.”. [at-Tirmithi and Ibn Majah with a Sahih Isnad]

Many Muslims are unaware that there are invocations upon breaking your fast during Ramadan, or any other time you are fasting. There are two du’aa from the Sunnah.

Pass on this video, or teach others the du’aa, so that you may be rewarded everytime they say it or teach it InshaAllah.

The sources are below:

Du’aa #1:
Al- Albani, Sahihul-Jami’ As-Saghir 4/209

Du’aa #2:
An-Nawawi’s Kitabul-’Athkdr. Sharhul- Athkar 4/342.

Taqabbal
Allahu minnaa wa minkum Salihan Aamal

Ramadan Mubaraak!!

 May Allah make us from among His Awliyaa,winners of His Mercy,Love, Pleasure and Forgiveness in this blessed month and Increase us greatly in faith and to taste the true sweetness of faith…

Talha ibn Ubaidullah (May Allah be pleased with Him) narrated: ‘At the sight of the new moon ( of the lunar month), Allah’s Messenger (Peace and Blessings Be a upon Him) used to supplicate :

”Allahumma ahillahu alaina bil-Amni wal-Imani,was-Salaamati wal-Islami, Rabbi wa Rabbuka-Allah.”

*Compilations of the Intentions and benefits of fasting during the Month of Ramadan *All information contained have been derived from authentic sources

Reported al-Bukhari that Umar bin al-Khaatab narrated:” I heard Allah’s Messenger (salah lahu alyhi wa salaam) saying,’ The reward of deeds depend on the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.’”

The Intentions of Fasting:
1- To carry out the orders of Allah and to attain piety as Allah said: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become al-Muttaqun (pious)” (Al-Baqarah 2:183)
2- To get protection from Hell-Fire. Allah’s Messengers (salah lahu alyhi wa salaam) said:
“When a person fasts for a day, for the sake of Allah, Allah drives away the Hell-Fire from him to a distance of seventy years of traveling.”[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
3- To expiate one’s past sins. Allah’s Messenger said:”whoever observes Saum (fasting) during the month of Ramadan, out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah’s Rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.”[Al-Bukhari]
4-To enter Paradise .Abu Umamah said: I asked the Prophet,’O Allah’s Messenger, guide me to a deed with which I may enter Paradise. “He (salah lahu alyhi wa salaam) replied,’ Observe fasting; there is nothing like it.’”[An-Nissai, Ibn Hibban, and al-Hakim]
5-To get the intercession on the Day of Judgment. “On the Day of Judgment, fasting and Qur’an will intercede for the person who observes fast and recites the Qur’an.” [Ahmed]
6.-To get a granted invocation (supplication).Allah’s Messenger said:’ Three kinds of invocations are to be granted; the invocation of the person who observes fast, the invocation of an oppressed person, and the invocation of a traveler.” [Al-Silsilah as-Sahiha no. 1797]
7-To enter through the gate of Ar-Rayyan on the Day of Judgement. Allah’s Messenger said:” There is a gate of Ar-Rayyan on The Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it.” [Al-Bukhari].
8-To receive the reward in full without reckoning. Allah’s Messenger said:’ A man’s good acts are recompensed many times, from ten times to 700 times. Allah, the Exalted, says ‘But a fast is an exception because it is undertaken simply for My Sake) i.e.,there is no limit for it’s recompense) and I, Alone shall bestow the reward for it.’”[Muslim]

The intentions When taking Sahur (the Pre-Dawn Meal):
1-To carry out the commandment of Prophet Muhammed when he said:” Take the Sahur.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
2-To follow the sunnah of Prophet Muhammed.
3-To gain the blessings, because Allah’s Messenger said:”Take Sahur as there is a blessing in it.” [Agreed upon].
4-To be different from the people of the scriptures who do not observe partaking of Suhur, as reported by Muslim.
5-To seek the salaah of Allah and his angels upon oneself. The Prophet Messenger (salah lahu alyhi wa salaam) said:” Allah sends his salaah (graces, honors, blessings, mercy, etc.) and also his angels send their salaah (ask Allah to bless and forgive them) upon those who take sahur.’”[IbnHibban and at-Tabaraani]
6-To facilitate fasting and gain strength for worshipping.
7-To make Du’aa and ask forgiveness after taking Sahur at the end of the night.

The intentions at the time of breaking Fast.
1-To carry out the orders of Allah (Subhana wa ta’ala) by eating at sunset.
2-To gain strength for worshipping Allah (Subhana wa ta’ala).
3-To follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammed (salah lahu alyhi wa salaam) in hasting the breaking of the fast.
Allah’s Messenger said:” The people will continue to be in a good state of affairs as long as they hasten the breaking the fast.’”[Agreed Upon]
4-To get the pleasure (Joy) when one will meet his Lord on the day of resurrection. Allah’s messenger said:”There are two pleasure of the person observing fast, one at the time of Iftar (breaking fast), and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; Then he will be pleased because of his Saum (fasting).”[Al-Bukhari]
5-To get a granted invocation (prayer) at the time of breaking the fast .Allah’s messenger said:”Indeed the fasting person has at the time of breaking fast a prayer (supplication) which is not rejected.”[Ibn Majah and Al-Hakim]

The Intentions of Qiyaam (Establishing the nights with Prayer):
1-To expiate ones past sins. Allah’s Messenger (salah lahu alyhi wa salaam) said:” Whoever establishes (Nawafil, voluntary) prayers during the nights of Ramadan, faithfully, out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s Rewards, all his past sins will be forgiven.’”[Al Bukhari]
2-To search for Lailatul -Qadar (The Night of Qadar).Allah’s Messenger (salah lahu alyhi wa salaam) said:” Search for the night of Qadar in the odd nights of the last nights of Ramadan.”[Al-Bukhari]
3-To enter paradise with peace. Allah’s Messenger said:” O people! Spread Salaam (greetings), feed others, join your kin, and pray at night while people are sleeping, you will enter paradise with peace.”[Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi]
4-To be one of the Muhsinun (Goodoers) who,” They used to sleep but little by night and in the hours before dawn, they were (found) asking (Allah) for forgiveness.” (51:17-18)
5-To imitate and follow the way of the righteous predecessors. Allah’s messenger said:” exert your utmost to offer night prayers, because it is the way of the righteous predecessors before you it is nearness to your Lord, it expiates sins and prevents one from committing evil deeds or sins.” [At-Tirmidhi and authenticated by al-Albaani]
6-To receive the great booty that comes from reciting the Qur’an in the night prayer is. Allah’s messenger (salah lahu alyhi wa salaam) said:” Whoever establishes the night prayer and recite ten verses, will not be written down as one of the heedless and whoever prays at night reciting 100 verses will e written down as one of the sincere devotes, and whoever prays at night reciting 1000 verses will be written down as one of the al-Muqantarin [i.e. those for whom is written a Qintaar (a weight measure) of reward].”[Abu Dawoud and authenticated by al-Albaani]

The intentions when reciting the Qur’an
1-To get the intercession. Allah’s messenger said: “Read the Qur’an as it shall come on the day of resurrection as an intercessor for its readers” [Muslim]
2-To get the healing for that which is in the breast (disease of ignorance, doubts, etc…)
3- To be raised in grade (ranks) Paradise.
4-To make it a protection (and a shield) from Hellfire
5-To attain high ranks and to be with the angels.
6-To be one of Allah’s special people.
7-To get the Light with which one can be guided in the darkness (i.e. it is a light in the heart, in the face, in the grave and on the bridge (As-Siraat) on the day of Resurrection)
8- To get increased amount of reward and to attain Allah’s love.
9-To get the guidance and mercy of Allah.(Subhana wa ta’ala)
 

Anticipation heightened

then quietened

Uncertain fluctuation

I’d be lying

if I didn’t say

my butterflies have begun to flutter

emerging for it’s pupa

with much celerity

Your eminent arrival

Highly spoken of

Now marked by

a thin crescent.

Preparation admittedly in haste

everything but cordial.

All Praise due

to the one behind your arrival

Sweet tears in solitude

Your nights I seek

with a gentle light

the passing of which

unfolds another

To undress my soul

to rejuvenate

to reveal

and emerge out new

purified.

My thirst now satiates

A thin crescent

Marks the end

Sadness eruptes

A vacant expression

Lips quiver

‘Oh must you leave’

I repress obediently

I address nonetheless

Happiness to be expressed

All Praise due

to the one behind your departure

Bittersweet

Still in dire need

Fear hope entwined

Deeds, Du’aa , Adkhar

Acceptance I hope

Rejection I dread

All Praise due

to the one behind

your departure and arrival

for he still exists eternal

Perpetually nurturing

his slave’s weak dependant soul.

L.A.Rahman © copyright Aug 2009