The Salaf and the Quraan during Ramadhaan

Follow @AhleDhikr Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

It is narrated in Sunan Abee Dawood that ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Whoever stands to pray at night and recites ten Aayaat then he will not be recorded as the negligent. If one stands to pray at night and recites one hundred Aayaat then he will recorded as the obedient. If one stands to prayer and recites one thousand Aayaat a night then he will be recorded as those who are the Muqantareen.” The Muqantareen are those who have obtained a huge amount of reward.

Therefore, the one who prays in congregation should try to achieve what is mentioned in this Hadeeth, as it is was the practice of many from the Salaf that they would complete the Quraan every third night in their night prayers.

Some would complete it every seven nights as it was narrated to be the habit of Qataadah.

Some would complete the Quraan every tenth night as it was narrated about Aboo Rajaa’ al-‘Itaardee.

It was the habit of the Salaf to recite the Quraan abundantly in the month of Ramadhaan, within their Salaat and outside it.  

Aswad would recite the Quraan and complete it every two nights in Ramadhaan.

Nakhaa’ee would complete the Quraan every two nights in the last ten nights of Ramadhaan but during the rest of the month he would complete it every three nights. Qataadah would complete the Quraan every week outside of Ramadhaan but within Ramadhaan he would complete the Quraan every three nights and in the last ten nights, he would complete it every night.

Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee would complete the Quraan sixty times in Ramadhaan and this was outside of his Salaah.

It is narrated that Aboo Haneefah would do the same.

Qataadah was narrated as giving the month of Ramadhaan specific importance in studying the Quraan.

When Ramadhaan would enter, it is narrated that Imaam az-Zuhree would recite the Quraan and feed the poor.

Ibn ‘Abdul-Hakam said, “When Ramadhaan would enter, Maalik would leave studying Hadeeth and he would give importance to reciting the Quraan from the Mushaf instead.”

‘Abdur-Razaaq said, “When Ramadhaan would enter, Sufyaan ath-Thawree would leave all the acts of worship he would normally do and he would give all his attention to reciting the Quraan.”

‘Aaishah [May Allaah be Pleased with her] used to recite the Quraan from the Mushaf in the morning during the month of Ramadhaan and once the sun had risen, she would sleep.

Sufyaan said, “When Ramadhaan would come, Zubayd al-Yaamee would draw his attention to the Mushaf and he would gather his companions whilst doing so.”

It has been narrated from the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] that he prohibited us from completing the Quraan within every three nights, however when we come across a time which is virtuous, like the month of Ramadhaan, especially the nights of this month, or a place that is virtuous, like being in Makkaah, then there is no restriction in how much Quraan you recite.

This was the view of Imaam Ahmad, Ishaaq and others from the scholars of the Salaf. The evidence for this has proceeded as this was the view and the habit of many of the Salaf.

Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif: Chapter 37: The Virtue of Giving in Charity and Reciting the Quraan in Ramadhaan (Pg. 125-134)

The Worship of Fasting and Its Virtues

Follow @AhleDhikr It has been narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] who said that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “All of the actions of the children of Aadam are for him and can be rewarded tenfold to seven hundred times, and Allaah, the Most High, said, ‘Except fasting, that is for Me and I Will Reward it. He leaves following his desires, food, drink all because of Me.’ The fasting person has two times where he is extremely happy; when he breaks his fast and when he meets his Lord. Verily, the smell that comes from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allaah than the perfume provided by musk.”

[Narrated by Bukhaari (1894) and Muslim (1151)]

It has been narrated on the authority of Sa’d [May Allaah be Pleased with him] who said that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Verily, in Jannah there are doors called ar-Rayyaan and this is allocated for those who fast, they will enter through them on the Day of Judgment. None other than them will enter it. It will be said on that day, ‘Where are the ones who used to fast?’ So they will stand up in response and enter through its gates, once they enter, the doors will be shut behind them and none will be allowed to enter it after them.”

[Narrated by Bukhaari (1896) and Muslim (1152)]

It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar [May Allaah be Pleased with him] who said that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Verily, when the fasting person breaks his fast has a supplication which will not be rejected.”

[Narrated by Ibn Maajah (1753) and Haakim in Mustadrak (1/422)]

It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar [May Allaah be Pleased with him] which can be attributed to the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] who said, “Even the sleep of the fasting person is worship, if he supplicates he is answered and his deeds are multiplied.” 

[Narrated by Musnad Daylamee (3576)]

The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] also said, “Whoever fasts Ramadhaan, with Faith and Hope, his previous and forthcoming sins will be forgiven.”  [Agreed Upon]

The Grand Muftee, the Shaykh Abdul-Azeez aal ash-Shaykh [May Allaah Preserve him] said;

It is for the Muslim, when he fasts to hope to gain the benefits of it, he should know that fasting is from the foremost ways that a believer can strengthen his heart. Taqwaa in its reality, it to follow what Allaah has Ordered you to do, so you fulfill this command based upon knowledge and staying away from what He has Prohibited us from based upon knowledge. He does all of this seeking the Reward of Allaah and fearing His Punishment.

When the fasting person is prevented from eating and drinking and fulfilling his desires with women, from the moment the sunrises until it sets, he is in a state of responding to Allaah. Therefore, he is in state of rectifying himself, he is accounting and cleansing his soul as he has left all these things which he can normally have, for the sake of Allaah. So he leaves all this to get close to Allaah, and Allaah says about those who fear Him and respond to his call; 

“But for him who [the true believer of Islamic Monotheism who performs all the duties ordained by Allah and His Messenger Muhammad , and keeps away (abstain) from all kinds of sin and evil deeds prohibited in Islam and] fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens (i.e. in Paradise).”

[ar-Rahmaan 55:46]

It can be that some people appear to be fasting but when he enters his home; he eats, he drinks and goes to his woman. In front of people he is fasting but when in private, he is not. However, for the believer fasting is more than this, so when the believer is called to rectify himself by leaving of food, drink and intercourse, he leaves it because he has full certainty that Allaah Knows his inner and outer-self. 

“Say (O Muhammad ): "Whether you hide what is in your breasts or reveal it, Allah knows it, and He knows what is in the heavens and what is in the earth. And Allah is Able to do all things."” 

[aal-'Imraan 3:29]

Therefore, fasting increases one in having Ikhlaas with Allaah, it increases ones conviction in Allaah and it makes one humble in front of Allaah, the Exalted and the Glorified.

When the fasting person is asked to leave food and drink, he prevents himself from all of these things even though he is able to benefit from them. If he is asked to refrain, he will do so despite being starved at times. He does this to thank Allaah for the favours he has placed upon him; he does this by leaving what Allaah has told him to leave out of obedience to Him.

This is from the greatest of favours that Allaah has given the slave,  

“And He gave you of all that you asked for, and if you count the Blessings of Allah, never will you be able to count them. Verily! Man is indeed an extreme wrong-doer, - a disbeliever (an extreme ingrate, denies Allah's Blessings by disbelief, and by worshipping others besides Allah, and by disobeying Allah and His Prophet Muhammad ).” 

[Ibraaheem 14:34]

 And 

“And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah” 

[an-Nahl 16:53]

Dear Muslim, thank Allaah that you are alive and well and that you are Muslim, because these are the conditions for one to fast. Think about the virtues of these days and those who are lost within in them, think about those who are not able to fast. So thank Allaah that He has given you this great benefit, the chance to get close to Him by doing good deeds. This is an opportunity to return to Him and to regret over your sins. This is a chance for those who constantly sin and transgress; repent to Allaah, in these blessed days and nights.

This is an opportunity for those who fell short in doing good deeds; you know have a chance to make them up. So seek help in Allaah and seek to obey Him, return to Him and ask for sincere repentance for the sins you have committed and ask Allaah to help you do deeds that that are righteous and Pleased to Him.

[Taken from the Khutbah; ‘Verily, this is Fasting’]

Shaykh al-‘Allaamah Saaleh al-Fawzaan [May Allaah Preserve him] said;

“From the virtues of Ramadhaan is that your deeds are multiplied, so fasting is multiplied, all your other righteous deeds will be multiplied from tenfold to up to seven hundred times.

From the deeds that are multiplied is when one has sincerity in his fasting, if he has this then his fasting will be multiplied like no other deeds, as Allaah says in the hadeeth, ‘He left his desires, drinking and eating because of Me.’”

Also from the virtues of fasting is that Allaah has made fasting only for him, unlike other deeds. So He says, “Fasting is for me and I will reward it.”

Also from the virtues of fasting is that one is filled with joy, joy that he will experience in the Dunya and the Aakhira. So he has joy when he meets his Lord, this is a joy that is reserved for the Hereafter as there is no greater reward than seeing your Lord. 

“They said: "In Allah we put our trust. Our Lord! Make us not a trial for the folk who are Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doing) (i.e. do not make them overpower us).”

[Yoonus 10:85]

In addition from the virtues of fasting is that the fasting person is that Allaah has made an exclusive entrance to Jannah for those who fast, none will enter before or after them, this is from the greatest forms of honouring of them.

Also from the benefits of fasting is that the fasting person will meet his friend without causing any harm to him as the fasting people are protected from harming others and falling into following their desires. Therefore, they are protected from the fire. This has been narrated in a Hadeeth which states that, ‘Fasting is a shield’ meaning it is a protection from all forms of harm affecting him.

Also from the virtues of fasting is that the fasting person has his supplication accepted. As Allaah, the Most High, says within the context of fasting, to incite those fasting to supplicate to him;

“And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad ) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.” 

[al-Baqarah 2:186]

Also from the virtues of fasting is that it has a medical benefit, it helps one to remain healthy as it was narrated that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Fast and be healthy.” [Narrated by Nasaa’ee, Aboo Na’eem, Hindee in Kanz al-‘Amal (32605), Haafidh al-‘Iraaqee said in Takhreej of Ahyaa (3/75)]

Therefore, fasting protects ones limbs internally and externally. These are some of the benefits of fasting; of which there are many more, many that we may never even comprehend.

[Ithaaf Ahl al-Eemaan Bi Dars Ramadaan by Shaykh Saaleh al-Fawzaan]

http://ramadhan.af.org.sa/node/857

Chapter 35: Virtues of Ramadhaan and Fasting [Part 2]

Follow @AhleDhikr Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (d.795) [May Allaah have Mercy on him] says in his book Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif (Pg. 114-120)

“He leaves following his desires, food, drink all because of Me…”

[Narrated by Bukhaari (1894) and Muslim (1151)]

Some of the Salaf would say in relation to this, ‘Good news to the one who gives up following his desires in public and when he is in private, when no one can see him.’ This is because the believer who is fasting seeks to please his Lord, so he gives up following his desires and gives preference to Pleasing Allaah, His Master, above his whims due to his Eemaan in Allaah and his attempt to get close to Him. 

So the reward is greater when one leaves off following his whims in desires when he is alone, only seeking to Please his Lord, rather the believer dislikes it just as he dislikes being physically harmed if he was alone. 

Therefore, the believers have the attitude that even if they were beaten and forced to eat during the daytime in Ramadhaan, then would not comply, they would continue their fast, and this is a sign of their Eeman. 

Likewise, the believer hates for his desires and whims to get the better of him, especially with the fact that Allaah Knows their intent and that He would be Angry if they followed their desires and disobeyed their Master. So if we apply this rule; that the fasting person abstains from food, drink or intercourse then it will be even more so for the believer to stop himself from sinning and everything that Angers His Lord, in every time and every place.

So if the Eemaan of the believer is strengthened and made firm, sinning and Angering his Lord will become despicable to believer well, even more so than if he was beaten or fought against. For this reason, the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] has informed us that the sign for one tasting the sweetness of Eeman is when he hates to return to sinning and Kufr after Allaah has freed him and guided him away from it. Added to this, Yoosuf [Peace be Upon him] said:

“O my Lord! Prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me”

[Yoosuf 12:33]

It was asked to Dhunn Noon al-Misree, “When will I truly love Allaah?” He replied by saying, “When what Allaah dislikes for us to do is met with patience with yourself.” 

And another person added, “It cannot be, that you love something which is hated by the one you love.” 

Most people transcend the path of life without truly experiencing true Eemaan or what it entails; therefore most people would leave acts of obedience, in this case fasting, with the slightest bit of harm. From their ignorance, they feel that staying away from sins will complete their Eeeman, so abstaining from sins like fornication/adultery, killing people, drinking alcohol etc. rather it is more than that, Eemaan is to make yourself patient from abstaining and removing all that causes the Anger and Displeasure of Allaah from yourself.  So programming yourself to seek the Pleasure of Allaah is from the sweetness of Eemaan.

Chapter 35: Virtues of Ramadhaan and Fasting

Follow @AhleDhikr Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (d.795) [May Allaah have Mercy on him] says in his book Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif (Pg. 114-120) 

It has been narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] who said that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “All of the actions of the children of Aadam are for him and can be rewarded tenfold to seven hundred times, and Allaah, the Most High, said, ‘Except fasting, that is for Me and I Will Reward it. He leaves following his desires, food, drink all because of Me.’ The fasting person has two times where he is extremely happy; when he breaks his fast and when he meets his Lord. Verily, the smell that comes from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allaah than the perfume provided by musk.” 

[Narrated by Bukhaari (1894) and Muslim (1151)]

In another narration the wording states, ‘All of the actions of the children of Aadam are for him except for fasting, it is for Me…’

In another narration narrated by Bukhaaree and Imaam Ahmad in his Musnad, it states; ‘Every deed has a reward but fasting is for Me and I will reward it…’

Perhaps, the first version of the narration gives an exception to fasting, which is that all ones good deeds are multiplied from tenfold to seven hundred times more, however fasting is the only exception to this multiplication, fasting can be rewarded and multiplied without any limit. This is especially the case as Allaah, the Exalted and the Glorified, has said that Fasting is for Him and He will Reward it, thus this reward has no limit. 

Furthermore, fasting is from the different types of patience, and Allaah, the Most High, says about the reward for the patient;

“Only those who are patient shall receive their rewards in full, without reckoning (or limit)”

[az-Zumar 39:10]

This is why this month has been named by the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] as the month of patience. In another hadeeth, he [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Fasting is half of patience.” [Narrated by at-Tirmidhee]

Patience is of three types: being patient in being steadfast on obeying Allaah, patience in staying away from acts of disobedience to Allaah and having patience on what Allaah has Decreed for you, from the tests and trials of life. Fasting, however, combines all three types of patience. So one must be patient and striving in worshipping Allaah,

He must be patient with himself in not following his desires and he must be patient in what is decreed upon him during this fasting, so he will become hungry, thirsty, his body will become weak etc. So fasting combines the various forms of patience, and this is from the most virtuous deeds one can do.

As for good deeds, Allaah, the Most High, rewards the person who remains steadfast on doing good deeds for the act of doing the good deed and everything that is connected to it;

“That is because they suffer neither thirst nor fatigue, nor hunger in the Cause of Allah, nor they take any step to raise the anger of disbelievers nor inflict any injury upon an enemy but is written to their credit as a deed of righteousness. Surely, Allah wastes not the reward of the Muhsinun” [Tawbah 9:120]

It was also narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah in his Saheeh in the Chapter of Virtues of Ramadhaan, and the Hadeeth can be authentically attributed to the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him], that he said, “It is the month of patience and the reward of patience is Jannah.”

It is also narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said, “The reward for fasting is not known except to Allaah, the Glorified and the Exalted.” [Narrated by at-Tabaraanee but it is more correct to say that this narration is Mursal (the chain stops at a Taabi’ee)]

Based on this, your deeds may be multiplied due to the virtue of a particular place, such as having multiplied reward for being in Makkah or Madeenah as it has been narrated in the authentic Hadeeth, ‘A prayer in my Masjid is better than any other masjid by one thousand times except Masjid al-Haraam.’

It has also been narrated; ‘Fasting is multiplied in the Haram in Makkah’ as was narrated by Ibn Majah but this narration is weak. There is also another weak narration from the route of Ibn ‘Abbaas [May Allaah be Pleased with him] , ‘Whoever reaches Ramadhaan in Makkah and he fasts it and stands during its nights reciting what is made easy for him from the Book of Allaah, then he will have one thousand times the reward because of the month of Ramadhaan than any other time or place.’

The reward for deeds can also be multiplied due to the virtue of time, like the month of Ramadhaan or the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. It has been narrated about the virtues of the month of Ramadhaan in the Hadeeth of Salmaan al-Farsee [May Allaah be Pleased with him] where it states, ‘One who performs a voluntary good deed during Ramadhaan, then its reward is like that of an obligatory good deeds was performed in any other month. And one who performs an obligatory deed in Ramadhaan then its reward is as if he has performed seventy obligatory deeds in any other month.’

It is also narrated by Anas [May Allaah be Pleased with him] as was recorded by at-Tirmidhee, that he asked the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him], ‘Which charity is the best?’ He [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] replied, “Sadaqah in Ramadhaan.”

It is also narrated that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, as was recorded in the two Saheehs, “Performing ‘Umrah in Ramadhaan brings the same reward as Hajj.” In another narration, “Hajj performed with me.” In another narration, “The deeds of the person fasting will be multiplied.”

It has been narrated from Aboo Bakr bin Abee Maryam that his teachers used to say, “If one of you reaches Ramadhaan, then make sure you are constant in giving in charity because it is multiplied to an extent that you have given charity in the path of Allaah. And make Tasbeeh (to say Subhaan-Allaah) because it is multiplied to thousands like it.”

It is also narrated that Nakhaa’ee said, “Fasting a day in Ramadhaan is better than fasting a thousand days outside of Ramadhaan. Making Tasbeeh in Ramadhaan is better than a thousand Tasbeeh in outside of Ramadhaan. A Rak’ah in it is better than a thousand Rak’ah outside it. So if one is doing all of this whilst fasting, then all these deeds will have a reward that will be multiplied because of the virtues of this time, the month of Ramadhaan.”

Fasting is one of the pillars of Islaam, Allaah, the Most High, has made it obligatory for His Slaves to fast and Has Built Islaam upon it. Therefore, fasting brings about a multiplication of reward, because of the honour given to this time of year, this month is a month that one gets closer to Allaah, he increases in Taqwaa and thus, his reward is multiplied even more so than those nations that fasted before us.

A Short Word About Ramadhaan

Follow @AhleDhikr

Shaykh Saaleh bin Fawzaan bin Abdullah Aal-Fawzaan - May Allaah Preserve him

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

All Praise belongs to Allaah, the Lord of the ‘Aalameen and May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon His Messenger Muhammad, upon all His Family and Companions.

There is no doubt that this month is a month in which we increase in doing good deeds. Allaah, Glorified and Exalted, has made it a reoccurring favour for us, every year in the life of a Muslim he has this opportunity to act in this month. This month has features and advantages which distinguishes itself from the other months. So the Muslim should accept this month from his Lord as it is more virtuous than any other month. This is because, and Allaah Knows Best, for two reasons:

Firstly: The actions of a Muslim is insignificant, his lifespan is short, however due to the blessings placed by Allaah in this month, the deeds a Muslim does in this month is multiplied. This is perhaps because he is deficient in his life and because of this month being filled with blessings, his good deeds are multiplied as if he lived a life which is longer than his actual number of years.

Secondly: This month is a month of practice and training, it trains and programs us to do good deeds in the hope that we continue doing them after the month of Ramadan has ended. So it is a month of programming and training, making us steadfast and eradicating negligence and of our shortcomings. 

So as you can see, it is a great month as the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] described it. It is a great and blessed month. Allaah has Blessed it so that the deeds you do are multiplied to the degree that you will not even realize how much reward you will receive for it, depending on your intention and sincerity to Allaah, The Glorified and Exalted.

This month has acts of worship that have been obligated for us to fulfill, thus this month especially incites the Muslim to increase in doing good deeds, fulfilling his obligations, some of which are absolutely necessary for him to carry out, such as their five daily prayers, fasting etc. These are obligatory for a Muslim to implement, even more so in this month as they are from the pillars of al-Islaam.

Likewise, the Muslim is also encouraged to increase in voluntary acts of righteousness, and its types are many. Therefore, the Muslim in this month should not settle with doing what is obligatory upon him alone, even though there is great good in doing the obligatory deeds, however he should program himself and encourage himself to increase in accompanying these obligatory deeds with optional ones.

The scope of optional deeds one can perform is vast, however it depends on the individual, the slave of Allaah, on how close he wants to get to his Lord and the hope he has within himself and how determined he is. As for obligatory deeds, then this is absolutely necessary. Obligatory deeds are never waived from a person, it is binding that he carries them out, however he may perform them in the best manner he can.

"Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope"

[al-Baqarah 2:286]

As for optional acts of righteousness, then the subject is broad despite it involving a great amount of goodness. It is narrated in an authentic narration that Allaah, The Exalted and Glorified, said:

"My servant does not come close to me with something I Love except when he performs the obligatory deeds…"

So one gets close to Allaah, The Glorified and Exalted, by performing the obligatory deeds 

Then Allaah, The Exalted and Glorified, said:

"…and he continues to get closer to Me by doing optional deeds…"

So by doing optional deeds, the slave gets close to Allaah and His Love. This is the incitement we should have by doing these optional deeds. This is important because some people are very lazy and negligent in this regard, once they hear that a particular act of worship is Nafil or optional or if they find out it is recommended or Mustahab, they become lazy. They say, 'As long as it is not obligatory then it is Okay if I leave it.' They do not realise that this one optional deed may carry a great weight and it may be that he desperately needs the reward from this one deed. Besides, most of these deeds are easy and they do not create difficulty for the one performing them, however when they hear that it is not obligatory, they automatically become lazy and negligent of it. 

Sometimes, this laziness spoils over to the obligatory deeds, they become lazy and negligent of performing the obligatory deeds, so if one is lazy in himself in performing optional acts of righteousness ,then he will also become lazy in performing the obligatory ones. So the Muslim needs to pay attention to this.

Another thing we should pay attention to is that even if you fulfill your obligations, it does not mean that they are perfect. There will always be a shortcoming in them. This is always the case. There is no way that one can perform obligatory deeds without there being any form of shortcoming. 
So if you have performed optional deeds, the shortcomings in your obligatory deeds will be strengthened by these optional deeds, as this appears in the Hadeeth. 

Therefore you are in need of doing optional deeds, so how can you neglect them whilst you are in need of them? You have shortcomings in your obligatory deeds, so don’t leave off performing optional ones. If you hear that doing a particular deed is opinion, then you may often become lazy and think the affair is all of a sudden easy, however you do not know the benefit of performing it, despite you being in need of it.

Therefore, it is incumbent upon the Muslim to be active in being obedient to Allaah, train yourself, program yourself to do acts of obedient and don’t spare any opportunity  of doing good deeds if it presents itself. Do not become lazy. Your desires is like an animal, if you train it to come back then it will come back. If you leave the animal to fend for itself from the very beginning, then you will have no control over it. So your desires is like an animal that needs to be trained. 

Therefore, it is necessary that you program yourself to come back, return to doing good deeds and acts of obedience. There is no doubt that a person and his soul finds it difficult to program itself in being obedient, it becomes lazy, however it is a must that you strive and work hard in being patient. Patience comes after a long time of programming and training oneself in being obedience, if one does this then he will taste the sweetness in doing them and he will become accustomed to it.

Based on this, as soon as the Salaf heard about standing the night in prayer, they rushed to it. They worked hard and they became enduring upon it.  This is because, and there is no doubt in this, that if humans are sleeping at night, they have the warmth of their beds during the winter, or they are tired and they have a need to sleep during the night, despite all of this they make themselves firm in standing during the night in Salaah, then it will not be difficult for him to do this as he trained himself from the very beginning. He has become accustomed to its taste because doing good deeds and being obedient has a beautiful taste, only if people train themselves to accept its taste. 

Whatever the case, humans don’t obey intrinsically rather they need to be trained to obey.  Rather, they need to be programmed and become pleased in being obedient. So if you train yourself, it will become easy but if you leave it then it will be extremely difficult for you to return. These people are already overcome, they are overcome by themselves. They are overcome by laziness, the love and need of relaxing and they have lost the desire for the ending. 

People need to work hard and program themselves. If you obey your desires then it will overcome you and it will be very difficult for you to worship. However, if you grab yourself firmly and make yourself return then it will become easy for you and you will lose this laziness, as a result you will taste the sweetness of worshipping Allaah. Because of this, Allaah, the Most High, says:

"7. And by Nafs (Adam or a person or a soul, etc.), and Him Who perfected him in proportion;

8. Then He showed him what is wrong for him and what is right for him;

9. Indeed he succeeds who purifies his ownself (i.e. obeys and performs all that Allah ordered, by following the true Faith of Islamic Monotheism and by doing righteous good deeds).

10. And indeed he fails who corrupts his ownself (i.e. disobeys what Allah has ordered by rejecting the true Faith of Islamic Monotheism or by following polytheism, etc. or by doing every kind of evil wicked deeds)."

[ash-Shams 91:7-10]

The one who purifies himself is successful, if he purifies it by doing good deeds and acts of obedience by returning to the worship of Allaah. 

The one who is corrupted is the one who is engulfed by the dirt of the earth, he is debased and undignified; this is the corrupt one. This person thinks that he can get whatever he wants however in reality he is insulting himself. In contrast, if someone is given something and he uses this to obey Allaah then he will be honoured and dignified, even if it appears as if he is inferior to the other. It appears as if he is deprived from attaining what he desires and that he lacks in freedom however in reality, this person is honourable and his status is elevated.

So this is an extremely important affair so the Muslim must take it upon himself to make sure he understand it. He should understand it with awareness internally and externally, this month has many benefits and virtues, more so than any other month. The Muslim cannot live whilst wasting his life, he is getting older and this month is an opportunity for him. You have heard the statement of Allaah, the Most High;   

"Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent on before you in days past!" [al-Haaqah 69:24]

Meaning, what you have done in the days that have passed of your life, from the acts of obedience in the world, then this will be said to them. In the hereafter, it will not be said to them, eat and drink and enjoy it. Be at ease because of what you did in the past. The opposite is also true, those who had wasted their past, then it will not be said to them, 'eat and drink' or 'be at ease' rather it will be said to them, "drink from the hell-fire, from the tree called Zaqoom (a tree in hellfire of which the roots come from the bottom of hell-fire and its fruits resemble that the heads of Shayaateen engulfed with thorns), from Hameem (extremely boiling and scalding water)"

So it is incumbent for the Muslim to be attentive to this. 

May Allaah enable us all to do what He is Pleased with and Loves and May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon His Family and all His Companions.

http://ramadhan.af.org.sa/node/1440

Chapter 39: What has Come in Relation to the Virtues of the Fifteenth of Sha’baan

Follow @AhleDhikr

Imaam Aboo ‘Eesaa at-Tirmidhi said in his Sunnan (3/116):

Chapter 39: What has Come in Relation to the Virtues of the Fifteenth of Sha’baan

Hadeeth 739:

It is narrated that A’aishah [May Allaah be Pleased with her and her father] that she said, “The Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] left me one night and he headed towards to the graveyard of Baqee’ and I followed him.” The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] turned and asked me, “Do you fear that Allaah and His Messenger will betray you?” I said, “No, Oh Messenger of Allaah! I thought you were going to another one of your wives.” So he said, “Verily, Allaah, the Exalted and the Glorified, comes down on the night of fifteenth Sha’baan to the first heavens and He Forgives as much as the hair found on cattle.”

It says in Tuhfah al-Awadee, which is a famous explanation of Sunnan at-Tirmidhee, by Shaykh Muhammad bin ‘Abdur-Rahmaan al-Mubaarakfooree [May Allaah have Mercy on him] (3/366-369):

The Hadeeth mentioned here is weak as it is discontinued in its chain of narration, so we cannot depend on this Hadeeth as proof for the virtues of this night…In fact, if we look at the Ahaadeeth used by those who condone taking this night as a virtuous night then we will see that none of the Ahadeeth are affirmed in the slightest, and Allaah, the Most High, Knows Best.

Note:

Know! That the meaning of the Ayaah in which Allaah, the Most High, says:

“We sent it (this Qur'an) down on a blessed night [(i.e. night of Qadr, Surah No: 97) in the month of Ramadan,, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments.”

[ad-Dukhaan 44:3-4]

This night refers to Layla al-Qadr or the Night of Power in Ramadhaan. Some said it refers to the fifteenth of Sha’baan however the majority say this Ayaah applies to the Night of Power in Ramadhaan and this is the truth.

Haafidh Ibn Katheer said, “Saying that this night in the Aayah refers to the fifteenth of Sha’baan is far from the truth. Rather, the textual proofs from the Quraan prove that it refers to the night in Ramadhaan.” End Quote

In the Sharh of Mishkaat, it is stated that a number of the Salaf held that the opinion that the Ayaat above refer to the fifteenth of Sha’baan however what it is apparent is that the Quraan itself refutes this view. The Quraan clearly states that it was revealed in the month of Ramadhaan, in further detailed, it also states that the Quraan was revealed on the Night of Power and no scholars differed on this fact. Once this is established it becomes apparent that the Night of Decrees cannot be in the night of the fifteenth of Sha’baan.

Another Note:

Mulla ‘Alee Qaaree al-Hanafee in his Sharh of Mishkaat writes:

Know! It is mentioned that on the night of fifteenth Sha’baan that it is recommended to pray one hundred Rak’aat of prayer, reciting Surah Ikhlaas ten times in each Rak’ah thus making each Rak’ah long. The virtues of this night and this prayer are fabricated and cannot be relied upon as was stated by ad-Daylamee and others.

In other treatise it states that ‘Alee bin Ibraaheem [d.329] said, “Another newly invented matter is holding the night of fifteenth Sha’baan with virtue, praying one thousand Rak’aat and reciting Surah Ikhlaas tens and tens of times in congregation. I am worried because the number of people congregating on this night is increasing, although they are unable to bring any proof or narration to support what they are doing, except by the way of presenting weak or fabricated ones, and do not be deceived by the authors of certain books who present them.”

The first ones to perform these acts of worship occurred 448AH in al-Quds. Their ignorance led them to performing prayers in congregation on this night and the likes. With Praise to Allaah, the guided scholars stood up against this all and they refuted these invented practices and its refutation spread to the lands of Egypt and Shaam. 

From those who refuted and rejected these practices that began to occur on this night was Tartoosee. He talked about those who gathered on the fifteenth of Sha’baan, gathering to pray Taraaweeh and hold talks from the Mimbar, he explained that all these acts are all innovated.

Another point to note:

There is nothing narrated in the Ahadeeth that state that one should fast on the day of the fifteenth of Sha’baan (or the day after). There are narrations that state that one should pray during the night and fast on the fifteenth of Sha’baan as was narrated by Ibn Maajah, but these narrations are extremely weak. 

A Detailed Study into Narrations Pertaining to the Virtue of Mid-Sha'baan

Follow @AhleDhikr

Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (d.795) [May Allaah have Mercy on him] writes:

Chapter 33: Second Sitting on Mid-Sha'baan

It has been narrated by Imaam Ahmad, Aboo Dawood, at-Tirmidhee, an-Nisaa'ee, ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan and Haakim, on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah [May Allah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said;

"If half of the month of Sha'baan has passed, do not fast."

At-Tirmidhee classed this as Saheeh as did others, such as Ibn Hibbaan, Haakim at-Tahaawee al-Hanafee, Ibn Abdul-Barr.

Others such as Bin Mahdee, Imaam Ahmad, Aboo Zur'ah ar-Raazee and Athram classed the hadeeth as being weak and rejected.

They also stated that it contradicts another hadeeth; "Do no precede Ramadhaan by fasting a day or two days before it."

Based on the latter, the understanding is that it is permissible to fast after mid-Shab'aan except for a day or two before the commencement of Ramadhaan. Athraam also explained that it goes against other Ahadeeth as well, for instance it is also narrated that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] fasted the whole of Sha'baan to the extent that he combined the month of Sha'baan in fasting with Ramadhaan, so it's not permissible to fast a day or two before Ramadhaan and all the other Ahadeeth are not authentic in this regard.

Imaam at-Tahaawee al-Hanafee says that the Hadeeth is abrogated and stated that there is consensus from the scholars that this Hadeeth must be left however the majority of the scholars acted upon these Ahadeeth.

Others like Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee and his companions reconciled by stating that it is not permissible to fast voluntary fasts post mid-Sha'baan except for the one who has a habit of fasting voluntarily on a regular basis. Many of the scholars agreed with this explanation.

Despite this, the scholars differed as to the reason behind the prohibition. Some stated that it was to prevent the month of Ramadhaan having extra days or an extension to the month. Others stated that the reason was to prevent any form of weakness during the fasting of Ramadhaan, as was stated by Wakee' and this is how he explained the fact that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] combined the months of Sha'baan and Ramadhaan.

As for singling out the fifteenth day of Sha'baan for worship and fasting, then this is not permissible unless one is fasting the Ayaam al-Beed[1] and that this is his habit to fast these days throughout the year.

It has been narrated in a Hadeeth narrated by Ibn Maajah with a very weak chain of narrators, on the authority of 'Alee [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said:

"When you reach mid-Sha'baan, stand the night in prayer and fast during the day because Allaah, the Most High, descends after the sun sets to the first sky and says, 'Is there anyone asking for forgiveness so I may Forgive them? Is there anyone seeking any provision so I may Give it to them? Is there anyone facing any difficulties so I may Relieve them? 'And this continues until the break of dawn."

There are many other Ahaadeeth that discuss the virtues of the 15^th of Sha'baan but the majority of the scholars have said that they are all weak. Ibn Hibbaan, however, stated that some of them are authentic. For example, it has been narrated in his Saheeh, on the authority of A'isahah [May Allaah be Pleased with her] that she said;

"The Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] left to the graveyard of Baq'ee and he then raised his head to the sky and said, 'Are you scared that Allaah and His Messenger are doing something wrong?' I replied, 'Oh Messenger of Allaah! I thought that you were going to another wife.' To which he replied, 'Verily, Allaah, The Exalted and The Most High, Comes Down on the night of mid-Sha'baan to the first sky and He Forgives people more than the number of hairs on a Sheppard's dog.'"

This was also narrated by Imaam Ahamd and at-Tirmidhee. Imaam Ahmad, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajaah and Imaam al-Bukhaaree all classified this Hadeeth as being weak.

It has been narrated by Ibn Maajah from the Hadeeth of Aboo Moosaa [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, "Verily, Allaah descends on the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan and He Forgives all of His Creation except the Mushrik or the one who has a quarrel with another."

Imaam Ahmad also narrated from the Hadeeth of Abdullah bin 'Amr [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, "Verily, Allaah Descends upon His creation on the night of fifteenth of Sha'baan and He Forgives all of His creation except the one who is worshipping idols, the one has a quarrel with another or the person who commits suicide."

Another narration has been narrated by Ibn Hibbaan on the authority of Mu'aadh [May Allaah be Pleased with him] which states, "When the fifteenth of Sha'baan arrives a caller calls out and says; 'Is there anyone who needs forgiveness so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone who has a need so that I may give it to him? And he will give to everyone except for the adulterer or the Mushrik'."

There are many Ahaadeeth on the virtues of this night but they are all weak. It has been narrated that Nawf al-Bakaalee that 'Alee [May Allaah be Pleased with him] went out on the night of fifteenth of Sha'baan and he looked at the sky and said, 

"Verily, Dawood - Peace be Upon him - came out on the same night, at about the same time at night and looked at the sky and said, 'Verily, if one calls to Allaah at this hour, He Will Give it to him. There is no one who asks for forgiveness at this time, except He Will Forgive him, as long as they are not involved in immorality or involved in Sihr.'"

Many of the scholars of Makkah and Madeenah have rejected this narration from 'Alee or other similar to it, from them are the likes of 'Ataa and Ibn Abee Mulaykah. In fact, it has been narrated from Abdur-Rahmaan bin Zayd bin Aslam that the Fuqahaa or the scholars of Madeenah rejected it also, from them were the likes of Imaam Maalik's companions and other than them, all stating that holding this night as a night of virtue is an innovation.

The scholars of Shaam differed about this night into two views. Some said that is it recommended for people to gather in the Masjid, this was the view of Khaalid bin Ma'dan and Luqmaan bin 'Aamir and others. They stated that one should wear his finest clothes, we should perfume the Masjid with incense and we should stand in prayer in the Masjid during this night.  Ishaaq bin Raahooyah agreed with them and stated that having a congregational optional prayer during this night in the Masjid is not an innovation, and he narrated this from Harb al-Karmaanee as well.

The second view from the people of Shaam is that they said it was not permissible to gather in the Masaajid and single this night out, holding prayers during the night, reciting stories, making Dua'aa are all not permissible. However, they did state that a man may stand alone during this night in prayer if he doesn’t single the night out believing there to be special virtue in his praying on this particular night.  This was the view of 'Awzaa'ee, who was the most knowledgeable in Shaam and he was also labeled as Imaam Ahl ash-Shaam, their Faqeeh and their 'Aalim. And this is the correct opinion, Allaah Willing.

It has also been narrated from 'Umar bin 'Abdul-'Azeez that he wrote to his mayor in Basrah, that he should not leave off venerating four nights in the year; the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Sha'baan, the night of 'Eid al-Fitr and the night of 'Eid al-Adhaa. However, this narration is not authentic.

Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] stated about this, "It has reached us that some say we should venerate five nights; the night before Jumu'ah, the nights before the two 'Eids, the first night of Rajab and the night of fifteenth of Sha'baan. They have stated that it is recommended to increase in worship during these nights but I do not know from Imaam Ahmad anything authentic about the night of fifteenth Sha'baan."   

It is also narrated from him that it is recommended or Mustahab to stand the night in prayer, this is one of two views narrated from him. In the view that you are recommended to stand, it states that we should stand the night of ‘Eid in prayer and this night, however it is not recommended to stand the night in congregational prayer, as it has not been narrated from the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] or any of his Companions [May Allaah be Pleased with them]. It is recommended or Mustahab to stand this night in prayer due to the action of Abdur-Rahmaan bin Yazeed bin al-Aswad, who was a Tabi’ee. However, standing the night in prayer, the 15^th night in Sha’baan has not been narrated from the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] or any of his Companions [May Allaah be Pleased with them] or any other of the Tabi’een or any of the scholars of Shaam.

It has been narrated on the authority of K’ab [May Allaah have Mercy on him] that he said, “Verily, Allaah, the Most High, sends on the night of 15^th Sha’baan  Jibreel [Peace be Upon him] to Jannah and orders him to tell them, ‘Verily, Allaah, the Most High, has freed people from the fire on the night of 15^th Sha’baan which are equivalent to the stars in the sky, equivalent to the number of days and nights in the Dunya, equivalent to the number of leaves on the tress, equivalent to the weight of the mountains and equivalent to every gain of sand.’”

It is also narrated that ‘Ataa [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said, “There is no night, after the night of Qadr in Ramadhaan, except the night of 15^th Sha’baan. Allaah Descends to the first sky on this night, Honored and He is, and He Forgives everyone except a Mushrik, a person who has a quarrel or someone who is cutting the ties of kinship, the rest He Frees from the fire. ”

Therefore it is incumbent upon the Muslim to remember Allaah, the Most High, on this night, ask Him to forgive you your sins, to cover your mistakes and to get close to Allaah, the Most High, by repenting to Him and gaining close to Him[2].

It is also important that the Muslim leaves off sinning on this night, lest he be prevented from attaining the Forgiveness and Mercy of Allaah, lest he may find his Dua’aa rejected on this night.

It has been narrated that the worst of sins that one can commit are Shirk, committing suicide and fornicating/adultery as it has been narrated from the hadeeth of Ibn Ma’sood [May Allaah be Pleased with him] which is Agree Upon on its authenticity that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Do you know what is the worst of sins? It is to make a partner or equal to Allaah when He Created you…to kill your children fearing poverty…to fornicate/commit adultery with the wife of your neighbor.”

Allaah, the Most High, Descends on this night, so think about the saying;

“And those who invoke not any other ilah (god) along with Allah, nor kill such life as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.”

[al-Furqaan 25:68]

Also from the sins that could prevent one from attaining Mercy and Forgiveness is to be in a state of argumentation with another Muslim. Having enmity, hatred and spreading rumors about him are also causes for one to be prevented from having Mercy and Forgiveness upon him. This is not exclusive to this night, rather this prevention of Mercy and Forgiveness applies to the quarrelsome person every night, as it has been narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that has been narrated by Saheeh Muslim that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “The doors of Jannah are opened every Monday and Thursday, so Allaah forgives all His Slaves except for the one who is involved in doing Shirk, two Muslim brothers who have a quarrel with each other and they. So it said, ‘Let them be until they reconcile’”

Al-‘Awzaa’ee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] explained the meaning of this by stating that the one who is argumentative or quarrelsome is the one who harbors ill-thought and hatred towards another Muslim.  There is no doubt that this type of sin is worse than mere argument or disagreements that may occur between two people, just like the people of Bid’ah split the Ummah.

Ibn Thawbaan [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said that the argumentative person here in this Hadeeth refers to the one who leaves following the Sunnah of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him].

Therefore this argumentative person, I mean the person of Bid’ah, includes everyone who splits the Ummah, he splits them in their religion, their wealth and their honor just like the Khwaarij and the Rawaafid, they insult the Jama’ah of the Muslims and even make Halaal their blood and the likes.

So from the best of actions is that one is clean and pure in his heart, free from having any quarrels or grudges, unlike those who follow their desires or Bid’ah, that which insults the Salaf of this Ummah and those who came after them, sharing in their ‘Aqeedah and their enmity to the people of innovation. Branching off from this, if one is clean in his heart and his thoughts of people, it will lead to him being sincere to the general Muslims, wanting good for them and giving them sincere advice. The one who is clean and free from grudges wants for others that which he would want for himself.

Allaah, the Most High, has given the believer this special characteristic, as He States:

“And those who came after them say: "Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith, and put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful.”

[al-Hashr 59:10]

The Salaf would see the best deed one can do is to have a clean heart, rectifying himself and being sincere to the Ummah. Because of the virtue of having a clean heart, goodness has spread throughout the land, even more so than the ones who are heavy in praying and fasting.

My brothers! Leave off everything that will make the Mercy and Forgiveness of Allaah abandoned from you. The slave is the slave of a Mawlaa who is al-Ghafaar, Forgiving especially in this season, a season of Mercy, Repentance and Forgiveness. As for the Mushrik, then Allaah says;

“Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode . And for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no helpers.” [al-Maaidah 5:72]

If one commits the sin of murder, had the heavens and the earth’s and all its inhabitants were to gather to help this person, then he will not be saved from the fire.

As for the one who commits fornication or adultery, then he should beware of the Anger of al-Jabbaar. All of the creation are slaves to Allaah, there is no one more jealous than Allaah when a slave commits fornication/adultery, thus because of this He has Prohibited His slaves from committing any lewd act and Has Ordered us to lower our gaze.   

“Consider not that Allah is unaware of that which the Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, etc.) do, but He gives them respite up to a Day when the eyes will stare in horror”

[Ibraaheem 14: 42]

This is all sufficient for us to be prohibited from attaining the Forgiveness of Allaah.

It has also been narrated about this night from ‘Ikrimah and others from the scholars of Tafseer about the Aayah

“We sent it (this Qur'an) down on a blessed night [(i.e. night of Qadr, Surah No: 97) in the month of Ramadan,, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments.”

[ad-Dukhaan 44:3-4]

That this refers to the 15^th of Sha’baan. However, the majority of the scholars, and this is the correct opinion, they stated that this Aayah refers to Laylah al-Qadr in Ramadhaan.

[Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif (Pg. 102-107)]

---

[1] Literally meaning the 'White Day's', these are the days when there is a full moon and it is Sunnah to fast during these days or any three days of a given month. See: Sharh al-Mumti' 6/373 [TN]

[2] Assuming that some of the Ahaadeeth are authentic, there is nothing narrated from the Sunnah that states we should gather in the Masaajid or pray Salaah or supplicate in congregation or to fast the day of the 15^th Sha’baan. As Shaykh Sa’ood ash-Shuraym [May Allaah Preserve him] pointed out, “So the correct view about the virtues of this night, the night of 15^th Sha’baan, is that there is no virtue or anything special about this night and there is nothing specifically prescribed for us to do on this night. Some people try to use the hadeeth, “Allah descends on this night and he forgives al of his creation except the Mushrik [the one who is doing Shirk], the Mushaahin [one who has a quarrel with another] or the Mudmin [addict]”. Some of the scholars did say that this hadeeth is Saheeh, but even if it is Saheeh for arguments sake, then the hadeeth doesn’t prescribe for us to do anything special on this night by the way of act of worships. This is because the hadeeth doesn’t encourage us to do any special act of worship or to fast the day or the following day, rather all the hadeeth states is that Allaah will forgive on this night.” [Sharh Nathm al-Habeer fi Usool at-Tafseer, tape 14]