There is Not a Day In The World Where Allah Emancipates From The Fire Like The Day of Arafah

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”When the Month of Ramadan starts..”

 

Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi Allahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said,

“When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari]

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“When a person’s child dies..”

 Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said:

 

“When a person’s child dies, Allaah says to His angels, ‘You have taken the child of My slave.’ They say, ‘Yes.’ He says, ‘You have taken the apple of his eye.’ They say, ‘Yes.’ He says, ‘What did My slave say?’ They say, ‘He praised you and said “Innaa lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon (Verily to Allaah we belong and unto Him is our return).’ Allaah says, ‘Build for My slave a house in Paradise and call it the house of praise.’” 

 

[Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 1408]

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عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ : والَّذي نفسي بيدِه إنَّ السِّقطَ ليَجرُّ أمَّهُ بسَرَرِه إلى الجنَّةِ إذا احتَسبَتهُ

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الراوي: معاذ بن جبل المحدث: الألباني – المصدر: صحيح ابن ماجه – الصفحة أو الرقم: 1315
خلاصة حكم المحدث: صحيح

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It was narrated from Mu’adh bin Jabal that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

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“By the One in Whose Hand is my soul! The miscarried fetus will drag his mother by his umbilical cord to Paradise, if she (was patient and) sought reward (for her loss).”

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[ Classed as Saheeh by Shaikh Al-Albani in Saheeh ibn Majah,1315]

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Gladtidings for the one who abandons lying on ”April Fools Day”!!

 “I guarantee a house in Jannah for one who gives up arguing, even if he is in the right; and I guarantee a home in the middle of Jannah for one who abandons lying even if he is joking; and I guarantee a house in the highest part of Jannah for one who has good manners.”

[Abu Da’wud, 4800; also found in ‘Tahdhib al-Kamal’, 3/498; ‘Mu’jam al-Kabeer’, 7488; ‘al-Bayhaqi’, 10/249 and others – graded as Hasan by al-Albani in ‘Saheeh al-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb’, 6/3; and Ibn Baz in ‘Khashiyah Buloogh al-Maraam’, 810]

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Surah Kahf —Shaykh Maher al-Mu’aqily

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Zakat-ul-Fitr

Meaning

Zakah al-Fitr is often referred to as Sadaqah al-Fitr. The word Fitr means the same as Iftar, breaking a fast and it comes from the same root word as Futur which means breakfast. Thus, Islamically, Zakah al-Fitr is the name given to charity which is distributed at the end of the fast of Ramadan.

Significance

The significant role played by Zakah in the circulation of wealth within the Islamic society is also played by the Sadaqah al-Fitr. However, in the case of Sadaqah al-Fitr, each individual is required to calculate how much charity is due from himself and his dependents and go into the community in order to find those who deserve such charity. Thus, Sadaqah al-Fitr plays a very important role in the development of the bonds of community. The rich are obliged to come in direct contact with the poor, and the poor are put in contact with the extremely poor. This contact between the various levels of society helps to build real bonds of brotherhood and love within the Islamic community and trains those who have, to be generous to those who do not have.

Purpose

The main purpose of Zakah al-Fitr is to provide those who fasted with the means of making up for their errors during the month of fasting. Zakah al-Fitr also provides the poor with a mean with which they can celebrate the festival of breaking the fast (Eid al-Fitr) along with the rest of the Muslims. Ibn Abbas reported, “The Prophet (peace be upon him) made Zakah al-Fitr compulsory so that those who fasted may be purified of their idle deeds and shameful talk (committed during Ramadan) and so that the poor may be fed. Whoever gives it before Salah will have it accepted as Zakah, while he who gives it after the Salah has given Sadaqah.” [Reported by Abu Dawud and Shaikh Naser Al-Albani said it is Hasan (good)]

«فرض رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم زكاة الفطر طهرة للصائم من اللغو والرفث وطعمة للمساكين من أداها قبل الصلاة فهي زكاة مقبولة ومن أداها بعد الصلاة فهي صدقة من الصدقات» رواه أبو داود وحسنه الألباني

Hence, the goal of Sadaqah al-Fitr is the spiritual development of the Believers. By making them give up some of their wealth, the believers are taught the higher moral characteristics of generosity, compassion (sympathy for the unfortunate), gratitude to God and the righteousness. But, since Islam does not neglect man’s material need, part of the goal of Zakah al-Fitr is the economic well-being of the poorer members of society. ” ..[Taken from:Wathaker Production]

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Ruling on Zakat-ul-Fitr

Ruling on Zakat-ul-Fitr

The fifth question of Fatwa no. 5733

Q 5: Is it an authentic Hadith that says: “The Sawm (Fasting) of Ramadan is not raised (to Allah) until Zakat-ul-Fitr (obligatory charity paid before the Festival of Breaking the Fast) is paid”? Is Zakat-ul-Fitr obligatory on a fasting Muslim who is needy and does not have the Nisab (the minimum amount on which Zakah is due) based on the authenticity of the previous Hadith or other Islamic textual evidence authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him)?

A: Zakat-ul-Fitr is obligatory on every Muslim who should be self-supporting if he has one Sa‘ (1 Sa‘ = 2.172 kg) or more in excess of his and his family’s need on the day and night of ‘Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast). This is based on the Hadith authentically reported on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) enjoined the payment of one Sa‘ of dates or one Sa‘ of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he ordered that it be paid before the people go out to offer ‘Eid Prayer.

(Part No. 9; Page No. 365)

(Related by both Al-Bukhari and Muslim and the wording is that of Al-Bukhari)

Moreover, Abu Sa‘id Al-Khudry (may Allah be pleased with him) is reported to have said: We used to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr as one Sa‘ of food, or one Sa‘ of dried dates, or one Sa‘ of barley, or one Sa‘ of raisins, or one Sa‘ of curd during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). (Related by both Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

It will also suffice to discharge the obligation by giving a Sa‘ of the local staple food such as rice and the like. Sa‘ here means the Sa‘ of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), which is four handfuls scooped up with the two hands of an average built man. Accordingly, a person who does not pay Zakat-ul-Fitr is sinful and has to make up for it. With regard to the Hadith you have mentioned, we know nothing to the effect of its authenticity.

We ask Allah to guide you and to make our words and deeds and yours righteous.

May Allah grant us success! May blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’

Member	Member	Deputy Chairman	Chairman
`Abdullah ibn Qa`ud	`Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan	`Abdul-Razzaq `Afify	`Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The time that Zakat-ul-Fitr (obligatory charity paid before the Festival of Breaking the Fast) is due

First question from Fatwa No. ( 2896 )

Q 1: Does the time that Zakatul-Fitr is due begin after offering the `Eid Salah (Prayer) and end at the end of that day?

A: The time that Zakatul-Fitr is due does not begin after the `Eid Salah. It begins after sunset of the last day of Ramadan, marking the first night of Shawwal, and ends with the `Eid Salah. This is based on the fact that the Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered it to be paid before the `Eid Salah. To the same effect, Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported the Prophet (peace be upon him) to have said: If anyone pays it before the Salah (of `Eid), it will be accepted as Zakah. If anyone pays it after the Salah, that will be a Sadaqah (charity) like other Sadaqahs. However, it may be paid two or three days before that time based on the Hadith in which Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) is reported to have said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) imposed Sadaqatul-Fitr in Ramadan. He said at the end of the Hadith, “They used to pay it a day or two in advance.” Thus, whoever delays paying it is sinful and has to repent to Allah and pay it to the poor.

(Part No. 9; Page No. 374)

May Allah grant us success! May blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta

Member	Member	Deputy Chairman	Chairman
`Abdullah ibn Qa`ud	`Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan	`Abdul-Razzaq `Afify	`Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz

Source:  http://www.alifta.net/

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Tafseer of Surah Al-Qadr -Shaykh ‘Abdur-Raḥmān al-S’adī (rahimahullaah)

A Word on The Night of Al-Qadr…

Bismillāh

Allāh, The Might and Sublime, says:

 [1]: Verily! We have sent it (this Qurān) down in the night of al-Qadr.

[2]: And what will make you know what the night of al-Qadr is?

[3]: The night of al-Qadr is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allāh in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).

[4]: Therein descend the angels and Jibrīl by Allāh’s permission with all decrees.

[5]: Peace! until the appearance of dawn.  [Sūrah al-Qadr (97): 1-5]

Imām al-S’adī [d. 1376 AH], may Allāh have mercy on him, commented on this sūrah by saying:

Allāh, the Most High, says:  ‘Verily! We have sent it (i.e. this Qurān) down in the night of al-Qadr.’ – He, the Most High, revealed this verse in order to make clear it’s (i.e the night al-Qadr’s) virtue and its high standing. He, The Most High, also says [in another place in the Qurān]: ‘Verily! We have sent it (this Qurān) down on a blessed night.’

What is meant is that Allāh, the Most High, sent it down in Ramaḍān, on the night of al-Qadr. [And by doing so], He, the Most High, showed great mercy to His slaves; and [His] slaves are unable to show [sufficient] thanks for this blessing.

The night of al-Qadr has been named so due to its greatness and virtue to Allāh. It has also been named that because it is the night wherein it is decreed what will happen this year. Life spans, provisions and destinies will all be decreed on this night.

[After this verse], Allāh, the Most High, magnifies the affair and status of the night of al-Qadr by saying: ‘And what will make you know what the night of al-Qadr is?’ In other words: Indeed its affair is lofty, and its significance is great.

[Then, Allāh, the Most High, says]: ‘The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allāh in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months). – [Noble Quran]

Meaning, its virtue is that of a thousand months. Therefore, [a worshipper’s righteous] actions that night are better than worshipping Allāh a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months) other than it.

This is something that bewilders the minds and astonishes the intellects.  Allāh, the Most High, has bestowed upon this weak nation great strength by providing them with a night wherein their [righteous] actions are equal to and greater than those performed in a thousand months other than it.

[Realize O Muslim], that a life span of eighty years is viewed as a long life; [yet, one is able to achieve a life time of worship in one night].

[Then, Allah, the Most High, says]: Therein descend the angels and the Rūh [Jibrīl] by Allāh’s Permission with all decrees. In other words: The descent of the angels that night is plentiful.

[And in the last verse] He, the Most High, says: ‘Peace! until the appearance of dawn.’ In other words: There is safety that night from all evil and harm, beginning from when the sun sets until the sun has fully risen.

And there are an abundance of ḥadīth discussing its (the night of al-Qadr’s) virtue and that it is in the last ten nights of Ramaḍān, specifically the odd nights. These characteristics will remain until the [final] hour is established.

For this reason, the Messenger of Allah, used to seclude himself in the Masjid and increase in worship during the last ten nights in Ramaḍān, hoping that his acts of worship would fall on the night of al-Qadr. (1)

Translated by:
Abū Ādam Jamīl Finch
19th of Ramaḍan, 1432/August 19, 2011
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – West Oak Lane

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(1) ‘Abdur-Raḥmān al-S’adī, Taysīr al-Karīm al-Raḥmān, 790

source: embodyislam.org

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An Explanation of the Things Legislated at the End of Ramadaan‏

By Shaykh Allaamah Saalih Al-Fawzaan
Source: http://www.al-athariyyah.com/

All praise is due to Allaah, whom through Him all good things are accomplished. He appointed an end for all that exists in this world, and death to all that is living. So that the people with faith may contemplate upon this, and hence, rush to perform righteous deeds for as long as they are capable; and not be bamboozled by false hopes. And may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon our Prophet, Muhammad, his companions – who are the best companions (one could have) – and his family. To proceed:

Seize the Opportunity
Slaves of Allaah!
Think about how fast the days and nights haves passed. Know that as they pass so do your lives and the pages where your deeds are recorded are turned. So rush to repent and perform righteous actions before this wonderful opportunity has gone.

Ramadaan was Only a Few Days Ago
Slaves of Allah!
Yesterday, which was only a short while ago, you were greeting the blessed month of Ramadaan. Today you are saying your goodbyes, because it is leaving you with all you have done within it.

Who is to be congratulated?
Congratulations to those who it will testify in their favour before Allaah that they were upon goodness, intercede for them to enter paradise and free them from the hellfire.

Who has lost out?
Woe to those who it will testify against due to their evil behaviour-complaining to its Lord about his negligence and shortcoming.

How to say goodbye to the month of Ramadaan
Say goodbye to the month of fasting and prayer by finishing it in the best way possible, as actions are judged on their final result.
Whoever has done well in this month, then let him continue and whoever has sinned, then it is upon him to repent and do righteous deeds in the remaining days, as maybe he will not see another Ramadaan after this year.
Finish this month with good and continue to perform righteous actions in the rest of the months (of the year), as you have done in this month (of Ramadaan).
Verily the Lord of these months is one, and He sees and is a witness over you. He commanded you to obey Him throughout your whole lives.

Advice to those who only do as they have been commanded during Ramadaan
Whoever worshipped the month of Ramadaan, then it has passed and come to an end; whoever worships Allaah, then Allaah is The All Living and never dies. Therefore, continue to worship him at all times.
Some people only worship (properly) during Ramadaan. So they consistently attend the congregational prayer in the Masjid, they recite much Qur’aan and give charity from their wealth. But when the month of Ramadaan is over they become lazy with acts of obedience. Maybe, they abandon Jumu’ah and the Jamaa’ah, thus destroying what they have built and wiping away what they established. It is as if they believe that exerting themselves in Ramadaan will expiate the filth, destructive sins, and the abandonment of obligations and their committing of forbidden acts.

Will Ramadaan expiate their sins?
They do not know that (in order) for Ramadaan to expiate their sins then it is conditional that the major and destructive sins be avoided.
(Allaah) The Most High said:

“If you avoid the major sins which you have been forbidden, We will expiate from you your minor sins.”¹

The Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The five daily prayers, Jumu’ah to Jumu’ah and Ramadaan to Ramadaan will expiate what is between them, as long as the major sins are avoided.”² Which sin, after shirk, is greater than the failure to perform the prayer?! And the abandonment of the prayer has become a habit that many of the people are accustomed to. These people who only exert themselves in Ramadaan, then it will not benefit them in the slightest with Allaah if they follow (this month) with disobedience, the abandonment of obligations and doing that which is impermissible.

A saying of one of the Salaf about people who only exert themselves in Ramadaan
One of the Salaf was asked about a people who exert themselves (performing worship) in Ramadaan and as soon as the month is over they are negligent (i.e. with what they are commanded) and sinful.
He responded: How evil are these type of people! They only know Allaah during Ramadaan. Yes, because the one who knows Allaah will fear him at all times.

Different types of people that fast during Ramadaan
Some people fast Ramadaan, pray, outwardly portray good and stay away from sins, but this is not out of faith or hope for the reward; instead, he does this out of flattery and to be in conformity with society.

He regards this as community tradition, and this is major hypocrisy, because the hypocrites used to openly perform acts of worship to show off to the people.
Another individual regards Ramadaan as a temporary prison; he can’t wait until it’s over so that he can rush to commit disobedient and forbidden acts. He is delighted that Ramadaan has come to an end, as it will release him from his prison.
Ibn Khuzaimah reported in his Saheeh upon the authority of Abu Hurairah (Radiy Allaahu ‘anhu) that the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi was sallam) said:
The month of yours is approaching. The Messenger of Allaah took an oath- never has a better month for the Muslims arrived and never has a worse month come to pass for the hypocrites than Ramadaan. Allaah will write for the believer his reward and optional deeds before he even enters the month and He will write the sin and misery for (the hypocrite) before he enters it. This is because the believer is preparing his strength and wealth to worship Allaah and the hypocrite is preparing to follow the shortcomings and unmindfulness of the believers. That is why Ramadaan is a great profit obtained by the believer.

The difference between the Believer and Hypocrite at the end of the month
However, the Muslim is delighted that Ramadaan has come to an end because he utilized it to worship and do acts of obedience. So he hopes for the reward and blessings. The hypocrite, on the other hand, is delighted that the month is over so that he is free to commit acts of disobedience and (chase) his lusts, which he was obstructed from in Ramadaan.
That is why the believer should follow on from the month of Ramadaan with seeking forgiveness, Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar) and worship.
The hypocrite follows the month of Ramadaan with disobedience, amusement and musical parties, where they sing and play drums and wind instruments, as he is delighted the month has departed.

And the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon our Prophet, Muhammed.

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The Virtues of the Night of Al-Qadr

Author:’Abdullaah Ibn Saalih Al-Fawzaan
Source:Ahaadeeth As-Siyaam (pg. 141-143)
Translator:Al-Manhaj.Com Staff

Abu Hurairah (raa) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (saws) said: “Whoever performs the night prayer on the night of Al-Qadr with Eemaan (firm belief) and seeking reward will have all his past sins forgiven.” [1]

This hadeeth is evidence for the virtue of the night of Al-Qadr as well as performing qiyaam (night prayer) during it. And it indicates that it is a grand night, which Allaah has honored and made better than a thousand months, with regard to its blessing and the blessings found in the righteous deeds that are performed in it. Thus it is better than the worship of a thousand months and that is equivalent to eighty-three years and four months. Due to this, whoever performs qiyaam (night prayer) with true faith and while seeking reward in it, will be forgiven his past sins. There were certain verses revealed concerning this virtue:

Allaah says: “We sent it (the Qur’aan) down on a blessed night. Verily We are Ever-Warning. Therein (on that night) is decreed every matter of ordainment.” [2]

Therefore, it is a “blessed night” meaning it possesses much good and blessing due to its merit and the great reward that awaits the one who does good deeds in it. Among its blessings, is that Allaah revealed the Qur’aan in it. Allaah says:

“Verily, We have sent it (the Qur’aan) down in the night of Al-Qadr. And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr is? The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (Jibreel) by their Lord’s permission with all decrees. (All that night) there is peace, until the appearance of dawn.” [3]

Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) said concerning Allaah’s saying: “Therein descend the angels and the Rooh“: “This means that the descending of the angels increases during this night due to the vast amount of its blessings. And the angels descend along with the descent of blessing and mercy, just as they descend during the time when the Qur’aan is recited and encompass the gatherings in which Allaah is remembered and spread their wings for the true seeker of knowledge, out of respect for him.” [4]

This night occurs only in Ramadaan, since Allaah revealed the Qur’aan in it. He informs us that its revelation occurred during the month of Ramadaan in His saying: “Verily, We have sent it (the Qur’aan) down in the night of Al-Qadr.” [5]

And His saying: “The month of Ramadaan in which was revealed the Qur’aan” [6]

This means that its revelation from Allaah to His Prophet Muhammad (saws) began in it.

Allaah’s statement: “The night of Al-Qadr” is either an indicative of the honor and station of that night, as it is said: “Such and such person has great Qadr”. The conjunction of “the night” to Al-Qadr is the joining of a descriptive feature to it, thus making it mean “An honorable night”. The word “Al-Qadr” may also be in reference to the ordainment and disposal of affairs. Thus, its being joined to the word “the night” would be in order to denote a place or time for it. So it would mean “the night in which all that will occur in the following year will be decreed.” This is similar to Allaah’s saying: “Therein (on that night) is decreed every matter of ordainment.” [7]

Qataadah said of this: “Therein is decreed every matter for the (upcoming) year” [8] and Ibn Al-Qayyim said that this is the correct opinion. [9]

What seems most correct is that there is nothing that restricts the possibility of these two understandings and Allaah knows best.

His statement: “with Eemaan“ means with firm conviction in what Allaah has prepared for those who stand in prayer during this magnificent night. And “seeking reward” means looking for reward and the attainment of recompense.

Thus, this is a grand night, which Allaah has chosen for beginning the revelation of the Qur’aan. So the Muslim must acknowledge its weight in worth, by guarding it and spending it in worship whilst having firm conviction and seeking the reward of Allaah, in order that Allaah may forgive all of his previous sins. This is why the Prophet (saws) warned us about being heedless of this night and being neglectful of spending it in worship, for the Muslim would be prevented from its good.

Abu Hurairah (raa) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (saws) said: “Ramadaan has come to you – a blessed month. Allaah has made it obligatory upon you to fast in it. During this month, the gates of heaven are open, the gates of the Hellfire are closed and the evil devils are chained. To Allaah belongs a night in it, which is better than a thousand months. Whoever is prevented from its good, then he has been deprived.” [10]

The Muslim should supplicate much on the nights in which the night of Al-Qadr is sought. And he should supplicate with that which the Prophet (saws) instructed ‘Aa’ishah (raa) with, when she asked him: “What if I know on which night the night of Al-Qadr occurs, what should I say?” So he (saws) said: “Say: O Allaah, indeed you are All-Pardoning. You love forgiveness, so forgive me.” [11]

Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) said: “It is recommended to supplicate a lot at all times and (to supplicate) more than that during the month of Ramadaan, its last ten days and its odd days. And it is highly recommended to increase ones invoking with this supplication: ‘O Allaah, indeed you are All-Pardoning. You love forgiveness, so forgive me.'” [12]

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Footnotes:

[1] Al-Bukhaaree (4/2550 and Muslim (759)

[2] Surat-ud-Dukhaan: 3-4

[3] Surat-ul-Qadr: 1-5

[4] Tafseer Ibn Katheer: (8/465)

[5] Surat-ul-Qadr: 1

[6] Surat-ul-Baqarah: 185

[7] Surat-ud-Dukhaan: 4

[8] Reported by At-Tabaree in his Tafseer (25/65) as well as Al-Bayhaqee in his book Fadaa’il-ul-Awqaat (pg. 216). Its chain of narration is saheeh.

[9] See Shifaa’-ul-‘Aleel of Ibn Qayyim (pg. 42)

[10] This hadeeth is reported by Ahmad and An-Nasaa’ee. See Ahmad Shaakir’s checking of the Musnad (no. 7148) and Saheeh At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb of Al-Albaanee (1490) as well as Tamaam-ul-Mannah (395)

[11] Reported by At-Tirmidhee and Ibn Maajah with an authentic chain. [Translator’s note: The supplication transliterated from Arabic reads: “Allaahumma Innaka ‘Afuwwun Tuhibbul-‘Afwa Fa’affoo ‘annee.” ]

[12] Tafseer Ibn Katheer: 8/472

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