Monday, September 14, 2009

Ramadhan : Month of forgiveness

Past Sins
Narrated Abu Huraira(r.a): The Prophet said:"... whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven." (Sahih Al-Bukhari).

Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Apostle saying regarding Ramadan, “Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.”

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (S) said : "The time between the five prayers, two consecutive Friday Prayers, and two cosecutive Ramadans are expiations for all that has happened during that period, provided that one has avoided the grave (major) sins." [Muslim]

Whosoever feeds another who fasted, in order to break the fast at sunset, for the feeder there shall be forgiveness of sins....

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.”

Past and Future Sins

Fasting the month of Ramadan with belief and seeking Allahs reward"Whoever fasts Ramadhan out of Iman and seeking Allahs reward then his past and future sins are forgiven." [Hasan, Ahmad]

Performing the night prayer in Ramadan with belief and seeking Allahs reward"Whoever stands (in prayer) in Ramadan out of Iman and seeking Allahs reward then his past and future sins are forgiven." [Saheeh an-Nasaai.]

Performing the night prayer on the Night of Qadar with belief and seeking Allahs reward"It (Laylatul-Qadr) is in Ramadan, and expect it in the last ten days; it is on an odd night: on the 21st, or the 23rd, or the 25th, or the 27th, or the 29th, or on the last night (of Ramadan). He who performs the night prayer on it out of belief and seeking Allah's reward his past and future sins are forgiven." [Ahmad]]

Ramadhan: The month Qur’an was brought down

in this month the Qur’an was brought down from the Lowhul Mahfoozh to the Samaa'ud Dunyaa, from where it was revealed bit by bit to Rasulullah (SAW) in a span of twenty three years.

Ramadan is the (month) in which the Quran was sent down, as a guide to mankind and a clear guidance and judgment (so that mankind will distinguish from right and wrong).." (Q 2:183)

Many of those who fast obtain nothing except hunger

Abu,Hurayra (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) relates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said: "Many of those who fast obtain nothing through such fasting except hunger, and many a one performs "Salaat" by' night but obtains nothing by it, except the discomfort of staying awake."

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)”

Care that should be taken during fasting:-

First, one should keep the eyes away from any place where one should not look; looking at any evil action or where evil is committed should be avoided.

Secondly, one should guard the tongue against lies, unnecessary conversation, backbiting, arguments, swearing, etc. In Bukhari, we read that fasting is a shield for the fasting person; for this reason, those who fast should avoid all useless talk, joking, argument, etc. Should anyone pick an argument, then say: "I am fasting." In other words, one should not start an argument and if someone else starts it, then too, one should avoid taking it up. When the person who starts an argument is not an understanding person, then at least one should remind oneself that: "I am fasting."

Thirdly, we should be careful that the ears are kept away from listening to anything undesirable (Makrooh). It is equally unlawful to listen to anything that should not be said. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) has said, 'In backbiting, both the bickbiter and the one who listens to it are equal partners in sin.'

Fourthly, the rest of the body should be kept away from sin and unlawful things. Neither should the hands touch it, nor the feet walk towards it. With

Shataan" flows through the body of man like blood

Our Nabi (SallallaahuÁlayhi Wasallam) said: 'Shataan" flows through the body of man like blood; so, close up his path by remaining hunqry," i.e. when the body is hungry, the spirit receives strength.

Laylatul Qadr

Aisha related that the Prophet said: Look for Lailat al-Qadr on an odd-numbered night during the last ten nights of Ramadan (Bukhari).

Ubaadah bin Saamit (Radhiallaho anhu) reports that he asked the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) about"Laylatul Qadr". He replied: "It is in Ramadan, during the last ten days, on the unevenly numbered nights, either the 21st 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th or the last night of Ramadan. Whosoever stands in "Ibaadah" on this night, with sincere faith and with genuine hopes of gaining reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.

Among the signs of this night is that it is a serene, quiet, shining night, neither hot, nor cold but temperate as if a moon is shining clear, and no meteors are shot at the "Shayateen" on that night; it lasts until the break of the dawn. Another sign is that at morn, the Sun rises without any radiant beams of light, appearing rather like the moon in it's fullness. On that day, Allah prohibits the "Shayateen" from rising up with the Sun."

Aaisha (RadhiAllaho anha) reports: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam), should I find myself the "Laylatul Qadr", what shall I pray. The Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) replied: say, Allaahumma innaka afuwwun tohibbu al'afwa fa'fu anna (O Allah, Thou art the One who grants pardon for sins. Thou lovest to
pardon, so O pardon me.)

Virtues of Ramadhan

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle 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.”

Abu Saeed Khudri (Radhiallaahu anhu) relates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: "During each day and night of Ramadan, Allah sets free a great number of souls from Hell. And for every Muslim, during each day and night, at least one prayer is certainly accepted."

Abu Ubaidah (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) reports: "I have heard RasuluLlah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) saying:
"Fasting is a protective Shield for Man, as long as he does not tear up that protection'

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: "Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord" (Muslim).

My Ummah was given five things for Ramadan

Abu Hurayrah relates that Rasulullah (SAW) said, "My Ummah was given five things for Ramadan which was not given to anyone except them.

For them, the smell from the mouth of a fasting person is more sweeter to Allah than the fragrant smell of musk.

On their behalf the fish in the sea seek forgiveness for the fasting persons until they break their fast.

Allah prepares and decorates a special garden in Jannah everyday and then says (to it),"The time is near when faithful servants shall cast aside the great trials of the world and come to you".

In this month (for them) evil-minded Shaytaan is chained so as not to reach unto those evils to which they normally reach during other months besides Ramadan.

On the last night of Ramadan they are forgiven". The Sahaabah R.A. thereupon enquired, "0 Messenger of Allah, is that last night Laylatul Qadr? Rasulullah (SAW) replied, "No. But it is only right that a servant should be given his reward on having completed his service".

Reported by Ahmad, Bazzaar and Bayhaqi