Practical steps for making good use of Ramadan

Written by Dr. Ilham Badr Al Jabry Translated by www.alssunnah.net

Introduction

All praise be to Allah. We praise Him and seek His Help and Guidance. We seek refuge with Allah against the evils of ourselves and the evils of our deeds. Whom Allah guides there is no one can mislead and whom Allah misleads no one can guide. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah Alone who has no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger. The Blessed month of Ramadan approached full of goodness and blessings. Whoever is given mercy therein shall be successful, whoever is deprived of its good shall be of the losers, and whoever does not get provision (of piety) therein for the Last Day shall be blameworthy. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "Ramadan approached, so the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: This month has come and therein is one night which is better than a thousand month. So, the one who is deprived of its good shall be deprived of all good and no one shall be deprived of its good but a loser." (1) Ka`b ibn `Ujrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Gather around the pulpit. So, we gathered. When he ascended the first step, he said: Amen! When he ascended the second step, he said: Amen! When he ascended the third step, he said: Amen! When he descended, we said: O Messenger of Allah, we heard you saying something you did not use to say before. He said: Gabriel came to me and said: May the one who attends Ramadan and his sins are not forgiven be wretched! I said: Amen! When I ascended the second step, he said: May the one who hears your name but do not send peace and blessings upon you be wretched! I said: Amen! When I ascended the third step, he said: May the one whose both parents are alive or one of them, but does not enter Paradise be wretched! I said: Amen!" (2)

A month that is full of goodness a Muslim should be ready for and exert efforts to seize the opportunity because its days are few and elapse quickly as Allah (Glory be to Him) described: "A fixed number of days." Therefore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions used to get ready for it since the crescent of Rajab. When they saw the crescent, they supplicated: "O Allah, bless Rajab and Sha`ban for us, and make us reach Ramadan." (3) Ma`la ibn Al Fadl said: They (the Companions) used to invoke Allah (may He be Exalted) six months to reach Ramadan then invoke Him another six months to accept their deeds which they did during Ramadan. Yahya ibn Abu Kathir said: Of their supplications: "O Allah! keep me safe until Ramadan, make me benefit from Ramadan, and accept my deeds." In order to benefit from Ramadan, we should do several steps which I shall mention in short as follows: First, preparing oneself. Second, stimulating the spiritual energy. Third, knowing the reality of fasting. I conclude these steps by mentioning the glad tidings of accepting the Fast. These steps are: The first step is preparing oneself: In the beginning, dear Muslim brother, I shall ask you some questions so that you can evaluate yourself and know your condition and to know whether you are foremost in good deeds, you are moderate, or from those who wrong themselves? So, answer sincerely between yourself:

Are you from those who keep to the obligatory Salah by establishing their pillars, obligations, and perform them in submissiveness? Are you from those who perform Zakah (obligatory charity)? Are you from those who safeguard their hearings, sights, tongues, and body organs from committing things that incur the wrath of Allah? Are you from those who are keen to be dutiful to their parents? If you are a woman, are you from those who wear Hijab (head cover to the waist) as Allah loves or not? Finally, are you contented with yourself and ready to meet your Lord? After answering these questions, I shall ask you more questions which do not need much efforts to answer. Just answer yes or no. - Do you wish to be in the highest ranks of Paradise, which is Al Firdaws? Recite Allah's Saying and enjoy the descriptions of Paradise. "But for him who fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens (i.e. in Paradise). * Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? * With spreading branches. * Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? * In them (both) will be two springs flowing (free). * Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? * In them (both) will be every kind of fruit in pairs. * Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? * Reclining upon the couches lined with silk brocade, and the fruits of the two Gardens will be near at hand. * Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? * Wherein both will be Qsirt-ut-Tarf [chaste females (wives) restraining their glances, desiring none except their husbands], with whom no man or jinni has had deflowered before them. * Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? * (In beauty) they are like rubies and coral. * Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn

and men) deny? * Is there any reward for good other than good?" (5) Do you wish to have the pleasure and love of Allah? Do you desire to lead a good life in this world and to have an everlasting bliss in the Hereafter? The answer is yes for sure. Dear brother, you should know that the chance is still in your hand while you still in the worldly life, and all you have to do is to set an appointment to place your feet on the path of Paradise! One month, one year, or many years before your death?! Do not wonder because I know as you know that ages of people are not known except to Allah (He may be Exalted). However, many people delay repentance and forget about time and death, as if they will live as Noah (Peace be upon him) lived. When they reach twenty of age, they claim that they shall live to the sixty and when they live to the sixty, they claim that they shall live to one hundred, and they do not know that death is closer to him than the leather strap of their shoes. Whisper in yourself: I have to start now, in this moment, while I am reading these lines. You may wonder how to start! Here is this piece of sincere advice which will help you put your feet on the path of Paradise: Dear Muslim brother, let it be known that the Paradise dwellers are those who were described by two qualities: Faith and righteous deeds. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "And whoever does righteous good deeds, male or female, and is a (true) believer [in the Oneness of Allh (Muslim)], such will enter Paradise and not the least injustice, even to the size of a speck on the back of a datestone, will be done to them." (6) Allah (He may be Glorified) also says: "Verily, those who believe (in the Oneness of Allh - Islmic Monotheism) and do righteous

good deeds, and humble themselves (in repentance and obedience) before their Lord, they will be the dwellers of Paradise, to dwell therein forever." (7) And the Ayahs mentioned in this meaning are numerous. Faith as defined by scholars is: Saying by tongue, belief by heart, and work by organs. It is increased by obedience and is decreased by disobedience. (8) It was reported in a Hadith from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Verily Allah does not look to your faces and your wealth but He looks to your heart and to your deeds." (9) If the heart is filled with faith, you can see that in the actions of the body organs, i.e., the actions of a person shall be pious. However, if the heart is filled with hypocrisy and evil, they will appear on the body organs as well, i.e., the actions of a person shall be evil. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Pay attention! There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart." (10) Exactly like a seed when it is planted in the earth; if it is good, it will bring out good plant, but if it is bad, it will bring out a bad pla nt which has no good. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "The vegetation of a good land comes forth (easily) by the Permission of its Lord; and that which is bad, brings forth nothing but (a little) with difficulty. Thus, do We explain variously the Ayt (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) for a people who give thanks." (11) Sheikh `Abdul-Rahman As-Sa`dy (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) said when he explained this Ayah: This is an example of the hearts when revelation comes down upon them, it gives them revival, as water is the matter of the entire life. When revelation comes to good hearts, they accept and know it, then give the output according to their root and kind elements. As for the wicked hearts which do not contain any goodness, when

revelation comes to them, it will not find a place for reception but will find them neglectful and heedless or opposing. Then it will be like rain which passes by sands and rocks without affecting them. (12) The heart is affected by diseases exactly as bodies, so it feels sick and may die while a person is heedless. May Allah protect us against the inattentiveness of hearts. The life of the heart would be with faith and with the codes of Islam. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and Faith) and set for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men - like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out? Thus it is made fair-seeming to the disbelievers that which they used to do." (13) Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "O you who believe! Answer Allh (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he (peace be upon him) calls you to that which will give you life, and know that Allh comes in between a person and his heart (i.e. He prevents an evil person to decide anything). And verily, to Him you shall (all) be gathered." (14) Dear Muslim brother, in order to know whether your heart alive, dead, or sick, you have to examine it well and expose it to the Book of Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) and the Sunnah of the Messenger (peace be upon him) because they contain the qualities of the vivid, the sick, and the dead heart. Here are these attributes: Of the attributes of the vivid heart are: Submissiveness: Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: "Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allh - Islmic Monotheism) to be affected by Allh's Reminder (this Qur'n), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who r eceived the Scripture [the Taurt (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their

hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fsiqn (the rebellious, the disobedient to Allh)." (15) It was part of the Prophet's invocation: "O Allah, I seek refuge with You against the knowledge which is not beneficial, and against a heart which does not fear (You)." (16) The distinctive sign of the people of submissiveness is to love Salah and observe patience on everything that comes from Allah. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And seek help in patience and As-Salt (the prayers) and truly it is extremely heavy and hard except for Al Khshi'n [i.e. the true believers in Allh - those who obey Allh with full submission, fear much from His Punishment, and believe in His Promise (Paradise) and in His Warnings (Hell)]." (17) It is easy and light because submissiveness, fear of Allah, and hoping for His Reward entail that a person does these acts of worship happily because he awaits reward and fears punishment. (18) Although the general rule of submissiveness is it should be in heart, it shows up on the entire body organs. `Ali ibn Abu Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) knelt down, he used to say: "O Allah, it is for You that I bowed. I affirm my faith in You and I submit to You. I submit humbly before You my hearing, my eyesight, my marrow, my bone, my sinew." (19) Piety of the hearts: Piety means taking refuge against things that may harm you in the Hereafter. (20) Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Thus it is [what has been mentioned in the above said Verses (27, 28, 29, 30, 31) is an obligation that mankind owes to Allh] and whosoever honors the Symbols of Allh, then it is truly from the piety of the hearts." (21) Allah (He may be Glorified) says: "Verily, those who lower their voices in the presence of Allh's Messenger (peace be upon him), they are the ones whose hearts Allh has tested for pi ety. For them is forgiveness and a great reward." (22)

Fear of the heart: Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "The believers are only those who, when Allh is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Qur'n) are recited to them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone)." (23) i.e., when the glory and power of Allah is mentioned, their hearts would not feel comfort for what they have done of good deeds and think they are neglectful, so they feel fear and worry. (24) Therefore, when `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about the saying of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He): "And those who give that (their charity) which they give (and also do other good deeds) with their hearts full of fear (whether their alms and charities have been accepted or not), because they are sure to return to their Lord (for reckoning)." (25) Are they the people who drink wine and steal people? He said: "No, O daughter of As-Siddiq, they observe fasting, perform Salah, and give in charity, but they fear that their actions shall not be accepted. They are the people who hasten to (all) good works." (26) Of the qualities of a sick heart: Aberration of hearts: Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "It is He Who has sent down to you (Muhammad peace be upon him) the Book (this Qur'n). In it are Verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book [and those are the Verses of Al -Ahkm (commandments), Al-Fara'id (obligatory duties) and Al-Hudud (legal laws for the punishment of thieves, adulterers)]; and others not entirely clear. So as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah (polytheism and trials), and seeking for its hidden meanings, but none knows its hidden meanings except Allh. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord." And none receive admonition except men of understanding." (27)

Sheikh `Abdul-Rahman As-Sa`dy (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) said in the explanation of this Ayah: [This book (the Qur'an) contains Ayahs which are precise and crystal -clear in meaning which is not misunderstood or misinterpreted with others. And of which there are some Ayahs which are not entirely clear, bear some meanings, and nothing of them is probable but when they are combined with the clear Ayahs, they become clear and the meaning shows up. However, those in whose hearts there are sickness, aberration, and deviation because of their bad intention follow the Ayahs which are not clear in meaning to prove their false point of view, and their fake opinions seeking to cause sedition, distortion to the Book of Allah, and interpreting it to cope with their views and opinions to mislead people]. (28) Aberration is leaning to the way of error, therefore from the invocation of the believers is: "(They say): Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You. Truly, You are the Bestower." (29) Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to say frequently: "Ya muqallibalqulubi, thabbit qalbi `ala dinika" (O Controller of hearts make my heart steadfast in Your religion).'' So, I said: O Prophet of Allah, we have believed in you and in what you brought from your Lord, do you feel fear for us? He said: Yes, the hearts (of all the sons of Adam) are between two fingers out of the fingers of the Compassionate Lord (as one heart) and He turns them to any (direction) He likes." (30) Grudge of the heart: Grudge is envy and hatred. It is a disease hits the heart and causes it to die unless a person is aware of it. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "The dust that a person endures in the cause of Allah and the flame of Hell cannot gather in a person. Faith and envy cannot come together in the heart of a person." (31) Therefore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) warned his nation against grudge when he said: "There are three things concerning

which the heart of a believer should feel no enmity or grudge: devoting one's actions to Allah, giving counsel to Muslim rulers, and adhering to the Muslim public opinion because their invocation includes those who are behind (and surround) them (of Muslims)." (32) These qualities purify the heart of grudge, betrayal, and evil. (33) Harshness of the heart: Harshness of the heart is one of the diseases of the hearts. Allah (may He be Exalted) was merciful when He made His Messenger (peace be upon him) kind and soft, He says: "And by the Mercy of Allh, you dealt with them gently. And had you (Muhammad peace be upon him) been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allh's) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allh, certainly, Allh loves those who put their trust (in Him)." (34) If the heart is harsh, it will have every bad quality whether it appears immediately or later because mercy is taken out only from a miserable person whose heart is harsh. (35) Haughtiness: Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever in his heart is an equal iota of haughtiness shall not enter Paradise. Thereupon, a man said: Verily a person loves that his dress should be fine, and his shoes should be fine. He (the Prophet) said: Verily, Allah is Graceful and He loves Grace. Haughtiness is disdaining the truth (out of self-conceit) and contempt for the people." (36) When the Shaykh of Islam, Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) was asked about this Hadith: Whether it is exclusively for Muslims or includes non-Muslims as well, he said: [Haughtiness which goes against faith shall not admit a person to Paradise. Of this kind of haughtiness is the haughtiness of Satan, Pharaohs, and others whose haughtiness prevented them of faith. However, all kinds of haughtiness is against the required faith. So, whoever in his heart is an equal iota of haughtiness shall not fulfill

the obligations of Allah and does not abandon what Allah has forbidden him to do, but his haughtiness requires denial of the truth and contempt of the people. This is the kind of haughtiness which the Prophet (peace be upon him) explained. So, whoever wastes the required obligations and oppresses people shall not be one of the Paradise dwellers nor shall he deserve to enter it, but rather he shall be from the people who are given a threat of Hell-Fire. Nevertheless, if a person repents or does good deeds to expiate his sins, or has been afflicted by ordeals to expiate his sins or something of the like, haughtiness which prevents him from entering Paradise shall be removed and accordingly he shall enter it]. (37) Of the attributes of the dead heart: The death of the heart is disparate and divided into degrees, so there is a type of death different from the other; here are some kinds of deaths starting from the lower to higher: Heedlessness of the heart: Heedlessness is what distracts a person from the things that concern him, therefore a nything that distracts a person and takes him away from important matters are called heedlessness. (38) Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "Draws near for mankind their reckoning, while they turn away in heedlessness. * Comes not to them an admonition (a chapter of the Qur'n) from their Lord as a recent revelation but they listen to it while they play. * With their hearts distracted (by evil things)." (39) i.e., neglectful and turning away from mentioning Allah and busy themselves with things that do not concern them rather than contemplation and understanding. (40) Thus, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) warned against much laughter. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Do not laugh much, for much laughter kills the heart." (41)

The covered heart: It is a result of the continuation of committing sins and frequent indulgence in amusement. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "Nay, but their hearts are covered from (understanding) this (the Qur'n), and they have other (evil) deeds, besides, which they are doing." (42) [It is something that covers and prevents the heart from understanding the lessons, admonition, and proofs which are mentioned in the Book of Allah]. (43) [Indulgence in lusts is a result of weak insight, lack of knowledge, and following one's desires, so, the heart is covered by sins and Satan adorns these sins to him and makes him see wrong as right and vice-versa. Consequently, a person will be in severe trouble and begins to ignore the best interests of himself and oppresses himself by harming it, thinking that he benefits it by this way. When a person reaches this stage, his heart begins to refuse and deny everything which he does not like because in this case the heart will not be able to differentiate between good and ugly except through whims and desires, at this point the heart is called the denying heart]. (44) The denying heart: It is the heart which does not accept advice, and the remembrance of Allah will not affect therein. (45) Allah (He may be Glorified) says about the descriptions of the infidels: Your Ilh (God) is One Ilh (God - Allh, none has the right to be worshipped but He). But for those who believe not in the Hereafter, their hearts deny (the faith in the Oneness of Allh), and they are proud." (46) Allah (He may be Glorified) says about the description of people: "They recognize the Grace of Allh, yet they deny it (by worshipping others besides Allh) and most of them are disbelievers (deny the Prophethood of Muhammad peace be upon him)." (47) Thus, denial is of two types: The first: Denial resulted from the lack of knowledge because of indulgence in the joys of life and that is something a person denies

by heart and does not admit it by tongue. This sickness may be cured when soft light of pure disposition finds its way to his heart. The second: Denial of haughtiness and repudiation which is resulted from disbelief after complete knowledge. (48) Having diagnosed the conditions of the heart, we have to know the cure and the causes of sickness so that we can avoid them and keep the heart safe. Dear Muslim brother, pay attention to a very important matter which is: It is not enough to know the reason and the cure, but you should hasten to take the medication before sickness destroys your heart. The sickness of the heart is like the sickness of the body if the sick does not hasten to the cure, his sickness may increase and the cure will become difficult or a person may die. A sick person may not want to take medication and turns away from the cure, but the reasonable person who fears destruction has to observe patience and force himself to take medication until the cure. The causes of hearts' sickness: The greatest disease for the heart is crimes and sins. Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says: "Nay! But on their hearts is the Rn (covering of sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn." (49) Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said commenting on this Ayah: "When a person commits a sin, a black mark will be planted in his heart. However, when a person stopped, sought the forgiveness of Allah, and repented his sins, his heart will be polished. If he commits sins again, the black mark increase until it covers the heart and that is the Ran which Allah mentioned in the Ayah." (50)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said in the description of the sick heart: "As for the wrapped heart, it is a heart that contains belief and hypocrisy. The example of faith in this heart, is the example of the herb that is sustained by pure water. The example of hypocrisy in it, is the example of an ulcer that thrives on puss and blood. Whichever of the two substances has the upper hand, it will have the upper hand on that heart)." (51) The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) explained the danger of sins on the heart by saying: "Temptations will be presented to people's hearts as reed mat is woven stick by stick and any heart which is impregnated by them will have a black mark put into it, but any heart which rejects them will have a white mark put in it. The result is that there will become two types of hearts: One white like a white stone which will not be harmed by any turmoil or temptation, so long as the heavens and the earth endure; and the other black and dust-colored like a vessel which is upset, not recognizing what is good or rejecting what is abominable, but being impregnated with passion." (52) The meaning of the Hadith: The Prophet (peace be upon him) likened the presentation of temptations to the hearts one by one with the mat straws which are handled by a craftsman one by one. So, any heart denies these temptations, his heart shall be marked with a white mark and any heart accepts them, a black mark shall be put therein until hearts will become of two types: A white heart which holds fast with faith and therefore it is safeguarded against temptations like a sleek stone which nothing is hung with. The other type is the black heart which is like a cup that is turned upside down. The meaning is: When a person follows his whims and commits sins, darkness will cover his heart with every sin he commits. When a person keeps on committing sins, the light of Islam shall be removed from him. The heart is like a cup, when it is turned upside down, it spills what is therein. So, it does not benefit from admonition or advice, and goodness will not affect it. For more explanation, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "not recognizing what is good or rejecting what is abominable, but being impregnated with passion." (53)

Beware of committing sins! How many favors sins wasted! How many afflictions sins caused! How many houses and countries sins destroyed! Of the worst sins that destroys the heart after polytheism is singing, for it grows hypocrisy in the heart. Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Singing grows hypocrisy in the heart as water grows herbs." (55) Perhaps you, my Muslim brother, inquire: Why does singing grows hypocrisy in the heart from among all sins? Scholar Ibn Al Qayyim (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) said: [Let it be known that singing has qualities that grow hypoc risy in the heart like water grows plants and herbs. Of its properties: It distracts and prevents the heart from understanding and pondering over the Qur'an and acting according to it. The Qur'an and singing cannot be combined in one heart because of the contradiction between them. The Qur'an prohibits the following of one's whims, commands with chastity, avoidance of the desires of oneself, the causes of error, and prohibits the following of Satan's steps. However, singing commands with the opposite of all these things by beautifying them, exciting bodies to desires and lusts. So, it arouses the consonant, moves the souls to every ugly act, and drives them to have illegal relationships. Singing and wine are twins and they compete with one another to incite people to do all deniable acts. The contract of Satan with them is like the contract of brotherhood which cannot be annulled because it is the spy of the heart]. (56) Of the causes of the sickness of the heart are: Grudge, envy, hatred for Muslims. Az-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that he said: "The disease of previous nations has crawled its way to you: envy and hatred. Hatred is the shearer (Al Haliqa). I do not say that it shears hair but it shears religion. By the One in Whose hand Muhammad's soul is! You shall never enter Paradise until you believe, and you shall never believe until you love one another.

Shall I inform you of something which, if you do it, you shall love one another?" They said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah!" He said: "Spread salutations among yourselves." (57) The Prophet (peace be upon him) praised those who have pure and sound heart toward his Muslim brothers. `Abdullah ibn `Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "Somebody asked: O Allah's Messenger! Who is the best among the people? Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) replied: Every Makhmum Al Qalb of truthful tongue. They said: We know "of truthful tongue", but what is Makhmum Al Qalb? He said: The one who has a pious and pure heart which contains no sin, oppression, grudge, or envy." (58) Therefore, it was part of the invocations of the believers is that reported in Allah's Saying: "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." (59) After we have known the causes of the diseases of hearts here is the cure: However, you should pay attention to procrastination because the cure may be difficult for you or you may die before the cure. Let it be known that early cure in young age is not like cure in late conditions, the more delay, the more love of sin it will be. First, sincere determination to walk in the Straight Path. Seeking help with Allah and beseeching Him to reform your heart. It was part of the Prophet's supplications: "Allahumma musarrifal-qulubi, sarrif qulubana `ala ta`atika (O Allah! Controller of the hearts, direct our hearts to Your obedience).'' (60) and "`Allahumma a`inni `ala dhikrika wa shukrika, wa husni `ibadatika,' (O Allah, help me remember You, expressing gratitude to You and worship You in the best manner)." (61)

And "Allahumma inni as'alukal-huda wat-tuqa wal-`afafa wal-ghina (O Allah! I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity and self sufficiency)"." (62) Second, exerting efforts for abandoning all sins whether minor or major because if minor sins are gathered, they will destroy the person. `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Beware of minor sins because if they are committed by a person, they will destroy him. The Messenger of Allah gave an example of them like a people who camped i n the bottom of a valley, and watched what the people were doing. One man brought a stick, another man brought a stick, and so on, until they gathered a huge pile of sticks then lit fire and baked what they have thrown therein." (63) Perhaps what may help you in leaving sins is recalling the glory of Allah (may He be Exalted) because whoever estimates the glory of Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) as should fears to disobey Him. Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says: "They have not estimated Allh His Rightful Estimate. Verily, Allh is All -Strong, All-Mighty." (64) Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "They made not a just estimate of Allh such as is due to Him. And on the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be grasped by His Hand and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified is He, and High is He above all that they associate as partners with Him!" (65) Being shy of Allah as should because Allah (may He be Exalted) is the Granter of these great blessings which a person uses to disobey Him day and night. Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) granted you the blessing of sight, whereas others do not have sights then you use sights to disobey Him by looking at the things which Allah prohibited. He granted you the blessing of hearing, whereas others do not have that blessing then you disobey Him by this blessing by listening to things which Allah made unlawful.

He granted you the blessing of movement; whereas others do not have that blessing then you disobey Him by using this blessing in disobeying Him. Are you sure that the Compeller would not take it from you in a blink of an eye? "Did they then feel secure against the Plan of Allh? None feels secure from the Plan of Allh except the people who are the losers." (66) Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Feel shy of Allah as should We said: O Prophet of Allah, we are shy of Allah, thanks to Him. He said: This is not the meaning of shyness, but shyness is to preserve the head and what it contains, to preserve the belly and what it contains, and to remember death and afflictions. Whoever wants the Hereafter should leave the adornment of worldly life. Whoever does that has achieved the meaning of shyness from Allah as should." You should remember what you hope for from your Lord: His Pleasure, Mercy, and Paradise. So, what you ask for is dear and your wish is precious, so you should give up your lusts for them. How can a person, who frequently commits sins, seek the pleasure of Allah! How can the person, who walks in the way of Hell-Fire, reach Paradise! His example is like a person who studies engineering to be a doctor! Dear Muslim brother, let it be known that Paradise is not just a wish and is not attained by wishes. Allah (He may be Glorified) says: "It will not be in accordance with your desires (Muslims), nor those of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), whosoever works evil, will have the recompense thereof, and he will not find any protector or helper besides Allh." (68) When the Jews and the Christians claimed that they are the dwellers of Paradise, Allah said: These are their wishes and asked them to submit a proof to that. Allah (He may be Glorified) says: "And they say: "None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a

Christian." These are their own desires. Say (O Muhammad peace be upon him), "Produce your proof if you are truthful."" (69) Listen carefully to the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): "A wise man is the one who calls himself to account (and refrains from doing evil deeds) and does noble deeds to benefit him after death. However, the foolish person is the one who subdues himself to his temptations and desires and seeks from Allah the fulfillment of his vain desires." (70) Do you wish higher degrees of Paradise? Do you want Al Firdaws Al A`la (the highest rank of Paradise)? Then you have to restrain your desires and lusts and to control yourself by the bridle of piety. Here are the attributes of the dwellers of Paradise, may Allah help us to reach their degrees and be of them. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "Successful indeed are the believers. * Those who offer their Salt (prayers) with all solemnity and full submissiveness. * And those who turn away from Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk, falsehood, and all that Allh has forbidden). * And those who pay the Zakt. * And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts) * Except from their wives or (the slaves) that their right hands possess, - for then, they are free from blame; * But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors; * Those who are faithfully true to their Amant (all the duties which Allh has ordained, honesty, moral responsibility and trusts) and to their covenants; * And those who strictly guard their (five compulsory congregational) Salawt (prayers) (at their fixed stated hours). * These are indeed the inheritors * Who shall inherit the Firdaus (Paradise). They shall dwell therein forever." (71) You should always remember Allah's Saying: "Or do those who earn evil deeds think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe (in the Oneness of Allh - Islmic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, in their present life and after their death? Worst is the judgment that they make." (72)

Third, sincere repentance. Allah (He may be Glorified) says: "O you who believe! Turn to Allh with sincere repentance!" (73) Allah (Glory be to Him) mentioned the conditions of repentance when He (may He be Glorified and Exalted) said: "And those who, when they have committed Fhishah (great sin as illegal sexual intercourse) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allh and ask forgiveness for their sins; - and none can forgive sins but Allh - and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know." (74) - (remember Allah) by fear of His Punishment and showed shyness to Him. - (and ask forgiveness for their sins) i.e., asked for the pardon of their sins. - (and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done) give up what they used to do and made up their minds not to go back again to sins.(75) What was the consequence of observing patience on obedience and abstaining from sins? Listen to the Ever-Generous (Glory be to Him) when He says: "For such, the reward is Forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath (Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever. How excellent is this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds according to Allh's Orders)." (76) It is not one garden but many gardens and how excellent is the reward of good-doers! Allah (Glory be to Him) informed His Servants about the things which bring about His Forgiveness. He says: "And verily, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them, (till his death)." (77) - (who repents) sincerely.

- (believes) have faith in Allah, His Angles, His Scriptures, His Messengers, and in the Last day. - (and does righteous good deeds) by heart, body, and the saying of the tongue. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Fear Allah wherever you are, do good deeds after doing bad ones, the former will wipe out the latter, and treat people with good manner." (78) - (and then remains constant in doing them) followed the Straight Path, the generous Messenger, and the true religion. (79) Dear Muslim brother, which is easier: Fighting one's desires for moments until thinking of sins disappears or suffering the result of sins for a long time and then repent sincerely until your repentance is accepted? Ibn Al Jawzy (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) said: [Some people say: I shall repent and change the bad deeds to good ones. How fool those who live in dreams then death took them suddenly before achieving their wishes! It is not right to hasten wrong then wait for right. Repentance may not be accepted or invalid, however if it has been accepted, the shame of the action itself shall live with you forever. The bitterness of warding off sins until it goes is much easier than waiting for repentance until it is accepted].(80) Now, after you have purified your heart from sins, begin to fill it with faith and adorn it with obedience. The Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "Hearts are containers and some of them are more aware than others." (81) Fourth, righteous actions increase faith, erase sins, protect against the temptations of time, and make a person firm on religion. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Be prompt in doing good deeds (before you are overtaken) by turbulence which would be like a part of the dark night. During (that stormy period) a man would be a Muslim in the morning and an unbeliever in the evening or he would be a believer in the evening and an unbeliever in the morning, and would sell his faith for worldly goods." (82)

[The meaning of the Hadith is: Exhortation to promptness to good deeds before it is difficult to do them becaus e of the numerous temptations which distract and busy a person. The Prophet (peace be upon him) described a type of these seditions and temptations which is a person become a believer at night but when the morning comes, he becomes a disbeliever or vice-versa (doubt from the narrator). That is because of the great temptations and turmoil pass by a person and make him between a day and a night change his faith to disbelief and vice-versa. And Allah knows best!]. (83) It was reported also that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Hasten to do good deeds before you are overtaken by one of the seven afflictions. Then (giving a warning) he said: Are you waiting for poverty which will make you unmindful of devotion, or prosperity which will make you corrupt, or senility which will make you mentally unstable, or sudden death which will take you all of a sudden, or Ad-Dajjal who is the worst expected, or the Hour; and the Hour will be most grievous and most bitter.'' (84) Of these righteous deeds is Salah. Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him), the freed slave of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Make frequent prostrations before Allah, for you will not make one prostration without raising you a degree because of it, and removing a sin from you, because of it." (85) Rabi`ah ibn Ka`b Al Aslamy (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I used to spend my night in the company of Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and used to put up water for his ablutions. One day he said to me: Ask something of me. I said: I request for your companionship in Paradise. He inquired: Is there anything else? I said: That is all. He said: Then help me in your request by multiplying your prostrations." (86) The meaning of prostration in the Hadith is Salah. (87) Of these righteous deeds is fasting. `Abdullah ibn `Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Fasting and Qur'an intercede (i.e. for the

Muslim) before Allah on the Judgment Day. Fasting says: O my Lord! I prevented him from eating and lust, so accept my intercession for him! And the Qur'an says: I prevented him from sleeping as he stayed up at night reciting me, so accept my intercession for him! He (the Messenger of Allah) said: So, Allah accepts their intercession." (88) The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to fast days from the month of Sha`ban more than any other month. `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "I never saw Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) fasting for a whole month except the month of Ramadan, and did not see him fasting in any month more than in the month of Sha`ban." (89) [When the month of Sha`ban was like an introduction to Ramadan, fasting and reciting of the Qur'an were made desirable in that month to receive Ramadan as should and souls get used to the obedience of the Most Gracious]. (90) Charity: Mu`adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sai d: "Shall I guide you to the gates of goodness? I said: Sure, O Messenger of Allah. He said: Fasting is a screen (from Hell), charity extinguishes (i.e., removes) the sins as water extinguishes fire." (91) Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Verily, charity puts off the Wrath of the Lord and protects a person against bad death." (92) Reciting the Glorious Qur'an: It is one of the easiest acts of worship, however it is the greatest in reward. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that "Alif, Laam, Meem" is a letter, rather I am saying that "Alif" is a letter, "laam" is a letter and "meem" is a letter." (93) `Abdullah ibn `Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "The one who was devoted to the Qur'an will be told to recite, ascend and recite

carefully as he recited carefully when you was in the world, for he will reach his abode when he comes to the last Ayah he recited (in the world)." (94) Precession, precession to good deeds before it is too late and before you are called by your Lord and then you will say: "My Lord! Send me back, * So that I may do good in that which I have left behind! No! It is but a word that he speaks; and behind them is Barzakh (a barrier) until the Day when they will be resurrected." (95) "Lest a person should say: Alas, my grief that I was undutiful to Allh (i.e. I have not done what Allh has ordered me to do), and I was indeed among those who mocked [at the truth! i.e. L ilha illallh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allh), the Qur'n, and Muhammad peace be upon him and at the faithful believers] * Or (lest) he should say: If only Allh had guided me, I should indeed have been among the Muttaqn (the pious). * Or (lest) he should say when he sees the torment: If only I had another chance (to return to the world), then I should indeed be among the Muhsinn (good-doers)." (96) Dear Muslim brother, as soon as you put your feet on the Straight Path and do your first step, Allah will bless it. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "While as for those who accept guidance, He increases their guidance and bestows on them their piety." (97) He says: "And if We had ordered them (saying), "Kill yourselves (i.e. the innocent ones kill the guilty ones) or leave your homes," very few of them would have done it; but if they had done what they were told, it would have been better for them, and would have strengthened their (Faith); * And indeed We should then have bestowed upon them a great reward from Ourselves. * And indeed We should have guided them to a Straight Way." (98) Beware of hesitation, procrastination, the delay of repentance, and persistence on committing sins because Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says: "And (remember) when Msa (Moses) said to his people: "O my people! Why do you annoy me while you know certainly that I am the Messenger of Allh to you? So when

they turned away (from the Path of Allh), Allh turned their hearts away (from the Right Path). And Allh guides not the people who are Fsiqn (rebellious, the disobedient to Allh)." (99) Sheikh `Abdul-Rahman As-Sa`dy (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) said: [(So, when they turned away (from the path of Allah)) by their will, (Allah turned their hearts away from the Right Path) as a punishment for them because of their deviation which they chose and satisfied for themselves Moreover, Allah did not guide them to guidance because they do not deserve goodness and they are only fit to evil. (And Allh guides not the people who are Al-Fsiqn (the rebellious and disobedient).) i.e., those who are characterized by rebellion and disobedience. This great Ayah indicates that misleading a person is not injustice from Allah and they cannot use it as a proof in their favor because they wished and desired that, and they are the ones who closed the gates of guidance before themselves after they have known it. As a result, Allah punishes them with misleading, aberration, and turning their hearts away from the truth as a punishment and justice of Him]. (100) Let it be known that the path of Paradise is one which is through the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of Messenger (peace be upon him), so do not turn away from them and do not incline to whims and false creeds. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "All my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse. They said: O Allah's Messenger, who will refuse? He said: Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter it)." (101) The second step is: Stimulating spiritual energy Stimulating spiritual energy is done by knowing the virtues of Ramadan and the great reward of good deeds therein, here are some virtues:

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are locked and the devils are chained." (102) Sahl ibn Sa`d (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Recompense and none except them will enter through it. It will be said: Where are those who used to observe fasts? They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry, the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it." (103) Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says: All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it. Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say: I am fasting. By Him in Whose Hands my soul is the unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting." (104) Some good deeds are of great advantage, especially in Ramadan, of which are the following: Qiyam: The Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever performs Salah at night the whole month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, all his previous sins will be forgiven." (105)

The most stressed Qiyam is during the last ten days of Ramadan. `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: "With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to perform Salah all the night, and used to keep his family awake for Salah." (106) She also narrated: "The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time." (107) That is for the sake of Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Decree). Allah (He may be Glorified) says: "The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allh in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months)." Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever established Salah on Laylat-ul-Qadr (the night of Decree) out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven." (108) It is desirable that a person invoke Allah frequently in that night. `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that she asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): If it happen that I catch the Night of Qadr, what should I say? He said: Say: O Allah, verily You are All Forgiving and love forgiving, so forgive me." (109) O people, who wasted their lifetimes in nothing, benefit from Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Decree) to make up what you missed because it equals a lifetime. I'tikaf (retiring to the mosque for worship): Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to practice I'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan." (110) I'tikaf is one of the acts of worship that combines many acts of worship, such as: Salah, recitation of the Qur'an, Adhkar (invocations and Remembrances said at certain times on a regular basis), Du`a' (supplication), fasting and others.

Charity: Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel visited him to study the Qur'an with him. Gabriel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to recite the Glorious Qur'an to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare)." (111) Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "The best kind of charity is charity in Ramadan." (112) Reciting the Glorious Qur'an: It was mentioned previously that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was studying the Qur'an with Gabriel in Ramadan, likewise the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Righteous Predecessors were eager to recite the Qur'an more frequently during this Blessed Month. `Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) used to recite the entire volume of the Qur'an everyday. Al Aswad used to recite the Qur'an each two nights. Ash-Shafi`y used to recite the Qur'an sixty times in Ramadan outside Salah. The objective is to recite the Qur'an more frequently than usual with meditation and consideration, not just reading. Feeding a fasting person: Zayd ibn Khalid (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever feeds a fasting person shall have an equal reward without reducing the reward of the fasting person." (113) Performing `Umrah (minor hajj) in Ramadan: It was reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that "`Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) in Ramadan equals Hajj (in reward)." (114) After leafing through these virtues, it is better for a wise person to exert efforts in this Month because it is just one month in the entire year. It is a fixed number of days and soon it ends. Count yourself in a time of test and examination. Amusement during the days of tests is a kind of insanity and negligence in the worldly life, so how

about fun and amusement during the preparation days for the Hereafter? Be keen not to waste any hour therein because hours are very precious in Ramadan and are not comparable with any other. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And Hell will be brought near that Day. On that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance (then) avail him? * He will say: Alas! Would that I had sent forth (good deeds) for (this) my life!" (116) The third step is knowing the reality of fasting: To many people, fasting is abstention from food and drink. However, just abstaining from food, drink, and sexual intercourse do not achieve the objective for which fasting was ordained. This objective was mentioned by the Lord of all the Worlds when He said: "O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fast) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqn (the pious)." (117) So, the objective and the wisdom of fasting is (that you may become Muttaqn (pious)). Yes, piety is that finest degree and highest rank. There is no doubt that it is not achieved by just leaving food and drink, hence fasting is greater than that. Abstention from these matters, which are permissible by origin, was ordained in order that a person leaves the unlawful matters. Drawing near to Allah (may He be Exalted) by leaving the lawful matters is not complete except after drawing near to Him by leaving the unlawfuls. Whoever commits the unlawful matters then draws near to Allah (may He be Exalted) by leaving the lawful matters is like a person who leaves obligatory matters and draws near to Allah by the supererogatory ones. Therefore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave

foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice: I am fasting. (twice)." In another narration in Sahih Al Bukhari: "nor should he raise the voice." (118) The meaning of (Shield) i.e., a protection and coverage. And the meaning is that fasting covers and protects a fasting person against committing of sins and indulgence in major sins which will drive their doers to Hell-Fire. A person should also avoid obscene language and should not do any of the fools' actions such as shouting, raising the voice, and showing enmity. (119) The fasting of a Muslim will not become complete only when he leaves the permissible lusts but he should also leave what Allah has made unlawful, such as: lying, backbiting, talebearing, and aggression against people's blood, money, and honors. Therefore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever does not give up false statements (i.e. telling lies), and evil deeds, and speaking bad words to others, Allah is not in need of his (fasting) leaving his food and drink." (120) The meaning of (false statement) is every bad utterance that is against the Shari`ah and that includes backbiting and tale bearing...etc. (121) Here is the meaning of fasting not literally or idiomatically as we used to define it, but as the venerable Companion Jabir ibn `Abdullah Al Ansary (may Allah be pleased with him) defined when he said: "When you fast, your hearing, sight, tongue should also fast from lie and committing unlawful matters. Give up the harm of your neighbor, adorn yourself with veneration and tranquility, and do not make the day which you fast like other days." (122) Therefore, fast as Allah commanded you to fast in order to achieve the reward which Allah prepared for the fasting people. Abu Sa`id Al Khudry (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan, knows its boundaries, and avoids

things which he must avoid his fasting shall remove his previous sins." (123) If your belly is the only organ which fasts, your share of fasting will be as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "A fasting person may gain just hunger and thirst out of his fasting and the one who wakes up at night for Salah may gain only sleeplessness out of that." (124) Conclusion: Now, after Allah had guided you to follow the previous steps and you fasted Ramadan as should, you should ask yourself: Am I from the winners of Ramadan?

Back for more questions:

- Are you determined to continue obedience? Many people perform 21 Rak`ahs in the last night of Ramadan but when the `Eid comes they give up Salah. So, do not waste your share of staying up at night for Salah even if you perform few Rak`ahs and likewise all acts of worship. - Are you determined to leave the past and start over? When `Eid comes, some people indulge in committing unlawful acts and demolishes what they have built. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "And be not like her who undoes the thread which she has spun, after it has become strong." (125) Dear Muslim brother, the sign for accepting a pious act is continuation in doing other pious actions. Of the signs of accepting the fast of Ramadan is achieving the fruit of fasting in your heart which is gaining piety, has it been achieved in your hear? May Allah guide you and me to observe fasting and Qiyam, and to make us continue pious actions. Written by Dr. Ilham Badr Al Jabry

--------------------------(1) - Reported by Ibn Majah in the book of fasting, chapter on Hadiths reported about the virtue of the Month of Ramadan, Hadith No. 1644- 1/526. Al Busayry said in Az-Zawa'id: in its chain of narration is `Imran ibn Dawud Abu Al `Awwam Al Qattan whom scholars of Hadith have differed about his trustworthiness, however the rest of the chain of transmission are trustworthy. AdDimyaty said in Al Matjar Ar-Rabih p. 345: Reported by Ibn Majah with good chain of transmission. (2) - Reported by Al Hakim in Al Mustadrak in the book of dutifulness and maintaining the ties of kinship, chapter on the curse of Allah to the one who shows ingratitude to his parents 4/153, and he said: This an authentic Hadith, however Al Bukhari and Muslim did not report it. Adh-Dhahaby agreed to his judgment on the Hadith. (3) - Reported by Ahmad in his Musnad 1/259 and Ibn As-Sunny in `Amal Al Yawm Wa Al Laylah (the work of day and night), Hadith No. 664, p. 245. The chain of transmission contains Za`idah ibn Abu Ar-Raqqad Al Bahily who is not a trustworthy narrator. Al Haythamy said in Majma` Az-Zawa'id (collector of excrescences) 2/165: Reported by Al Bazzar and its chain of transmission contains Za'idah ibn Abu Ar-Raqqad. Al Bukhari said: Za'idah does not narrate a good Hadith and others called him ignorant. AnNawawy also graded him as weak in Al Adhkar p. 171. (4) - See Lata'if Al Ma`arif p. 280- 282. (5) - Surat Ar-Rahman: 46- 60. (6) - Surat An-Nisa': 124. (7) - Surat Hud: 23. (8) - See: Lum`at Al A`tiqad p. 93. (9) - Reported by Muslim in the book of dutifulness and preserving the ties of kinship, chapter on the prohibition of oppressing a Muslim 16/121.

(10) - Reported by Al Bukhari and Muslim: Reported by Al Bukhari in the book of faith, chapter on the merit of the person who takes caution for his religion- Fathul-Bary, Hadith No. 39 -1/126, and reported by Muslim in the book of watering, chapter on taking what is lawful and leaving what is doubted, Hadith No. 1559. (11) - Surat Al A`raf: 58. (12) - Tafsir Al Karim Ar-Rahman 3/43. (13) - Surat Al An`am: 122. (14) - Surat Al Anfal: 24. (15) - Surat Al Hadid: 16. (16) - Reported by Muslim in the book of remembrance of Allah 18, Hadith No. 2722. (17) - Surat Al Baqarah: 45. (18) - See the heart and its function in the Qur'an and the Sunnah p. 102. (19) - Reported by Muslim in the book of the Salah of a traveler, chapter on the Salah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his invocation at night, Hadith No. 201 in full length. (20) - Tafsir Abu As-Su`ud 1/27. (21) - Surat Al Hajj: 32. (22) - Surat Al Hujurat: 3. (23) - Surat Al Anfal: 2. (24) - Al Fruqat Al Lughawiyyah p. 202, excerpted from the functions of the heart p. 129. (25) - Surat Al Mun`minun: 60. (26) - Reported by At-Tirmidhy in the book of Tafsir, chapter on Surat Al Mu'minun, Hadith No. 3225-5/9. (27) - Surat Al `Imran: 7.

(28) - Tafsir Al Karim Ar-Rahman 1/357. (29) - Surat Al `Imran: 8. (30) - Reported by At-Tirmidhy in the book of fate, chapter on hearts are between two of the fingers of the Most Gracious, Hadith No. 2226-3/304, and said good and authentic Hadith. (31) - Reported by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih in the book of biographies, chapter on the virtue of Jihad and Ihsan, Hadith No. 4587-7/62. (32) - Reported by Ahmad 5/183 from the Hadith of Zayd ibn Thabit. Reported by Ibn Majah in the book of rituals, chapter on Sermons on the Day of Nahr (Sacrifice), Hadith No. 3056-2/1015 from the Hadith of Jubayr ibn Mut`im. (33) - An-Nihayah fi Gharib Al Hadith 3/381. (34) - Surat Al `Imran: 159. (35) - Functions of the heart p. 224. (36) - Reported by Muslim in the book of faith, chapter on the prohibition of haughtiness - the explanation of An-Nawawy 2/89. (37) - Majmu` Al Fatawa 7/677-678 in short. (38) - Al Mufradat p. 455. (39) - Surat Al Anbiya': 1-3. (40) - Al Jami` Li Ahkam Al Qur'an 11/268 and Al Mufradat p. 455. (41) - Reported by Ibn Majah in the book of asceticism, chapter on grief and crying, Hadith No. 4193-2/1403. Al Busayry said in AzZawa'id: Its chain of transmission is authentic and its narrators are trustworthy. (42) - Surat Al Mu'minun: 63. (43) - Jam'i` Al Bayan of At-Tabary 18/35. (44) - Functions of the heart.

(45) - See Al Jami` Li Ahkam Al Qur'an 10/95 . (46) - Surat An-Nahl 22. (47) - Surat An-Nahl 83. (48) - Functions of the heart 292. (49) - Surat Al Mutaffifin: 14. (50) - Reported by At-Tirmidhy in the book of Tafsir, chapter on Tafsir Surat Al Mutaffifin, Hadith No. 3390-5/105 and said: A good and authentic Hadith (51) - Reported by Ahmad 3/17 and the chain of transmission contains Layth ibn Abu Salim who is not a trustworthy narrator. (52) - Reported by Muslim in the book of faith, chapter on mentioning the turmoil which are like the sea waves, the explanation of An-Nawawy 2/172. (53) - See the commentary of An-Nawawy 2/172, 173. (54) - Lata'if Al Ma`rifah p. 277 and Ad-Dayyan one of the names of Allah (may He be Exalted). (55) - Reported by Ibn Abu Ad-Dunya in dispraising Musical instruments Hadith No. 13, p. 38. (56) - Ighathat Al Lahfan 1/193 . (57) - Reported by At-Tirmidhy in the book of the description of the Resurrection Day, in a chapter that has no title, Hadith No. 26284/74. Reported by Al Bayhaqy in As-Sunan Al Kubra (Hadith compilations classified by jurisprudential themes), in the book of testimonies, chapter on the testimony of the people of kinship 10/232. Al Mundhiry said in At-Targhib wa At-Tarhib, Hadith No. 74/12: Reported by Al Bazzar with a good chain of transmission, as was reported by Al Bayhaqy and others. (58) - Reported by Ibn Majah in the book of asceticism, chapter on devoutness and piety, Hadith No. 4215- 2/1403. Al Busayry said in Az-Zawa'id: This is an authentic chain of transmission and its

narrators are trustworthy. Al Mundhry said in At-Targhib wa AtTarhib, Hadith No. 10- 4/14: Reported by Ibn Majah, Al Bayhaqy, and others with an authentic chain of transmission. (59) - Surat Al Hashr: 10. (60) - Reported by Muslim in the book of Fate, chapter on Allah directs the hearts as He wishes - the explanation of An-Nawawy 16/204. (61) - Reported by Abu Dawud in the book of Salah, chapter on asking forgiveness, Hadith No. 1522- 2/87 and An-Nasa'y in the book of Salah, chapter on another type of invocation, Hadith No. 1303- 3/53. (62) - Reported by Muslim in the book of invocation, chapter on supplications 17/41. (63) - Reported by Ahmad 1/402. Al Albany (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) graded it as authentic in As-Silsilah AsSahihah, Hadith No. 389 - 1/673. (64) - Surat Al Hajj: 74. (65) - Surat Az-Zumar: 67. (66) - Surat Al A`raf: 99. (67) - Reported by At-Tirmidhy in the book of the description of the Day of Resurrection, chapter which has no title, Hadith No. 25754/53. At-Tirmidhy said: This is Hadith Gharib (a Hadith with a single narrator usually at the beginning of the chain of narration). We only know it from the Hadith of Aban ibn Ishaq from AsSabbah ibn Muhammad. (68) - Surat An-Nisa': 123. (69) - Surat Al Baqarah: 111. (70) - Reported by At-Tirmidhy in the book of the description of the Day of Resurrection, chapter which has no title, Hadith No. 2577 4/54. At-Tirmidhy said: This is a good Hadith. The Hadith was also reported by Imam Ahmad 4/124 and Ibn Majah in the book of

asceticism, chapter on recalling death and getting ready to it, Hadith No. 4260- 2/1423. However, Al Albany (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) graded it as weak in Da`if Al Jami`, Hadith No. 4310- 4/167. (71) - Surat Al Mu`minun: 1 - 10. (72) - Surat Al Jathiyah: 21. (73) - Surat At-Tahrim: 8. (74) - Surat Al `Imran: 135. (75) - See Al Jami` Li Ahkam Al Qur'an 2/210 211. (76) - Surat Al `Imran: 136. (77) - Surat Taha: 82. (78) - Reported by At-Tirmidhy in the book of dutifulness and preserving the ties of kinship, chapter on what has been reported in how to treat the people, Hadith No. 2953- 3/239. At-Tirmidhy said: This is a good and authentic Hadith. (79) - See Taysir Al Karim Ar-Rahman fi Tafsir Kalam Al Mannan 5/179. (80) - Talbis Iblis p. 44. (81) - Reported by Ahmad 2/177, however it contains `Abdullah ibn Lahi`ah who is not a trustworthy narrator. (82) - Reported by Muslim in the book of faith, chapter on exhortation to promptness of actions the explanation of An Nawawy 2/133. (83) - Sharh Sahih Muslim of An-Nawawy 2/133. (84) - Reported by At-Tirmidhy in the book of asceticism, chapter on promptness of actions, Hadith No. 2408- 3/378. At-Tirmidhy said this is Hadith Gharib (a Hadith with a single narrator usually at the beginning of the chain of narration).

(85) - Reported by Muslim in the book of Salah, chapter on the excellence of prostration and exhortation to it - explanation of AnNawawy 4/205-206. (86) - Reported by Muslim in the previous position. (87) - Sharh Sahih Muslim of An Nawawy 4/205-206. (88) - Reported by Ahmad 2/174 and Al Hakim in Al Mustadrak 1/554 and said: This is an authentic Hadith according to the conditions of Imam Muslim, however Al Bukhari and Muslim did not report it and Ad-Dhahaby agreed to his judgment on the Hadith. (89) - Reported by Al Bukhari in the book of fasting, chapter on the fasting of Sha`ban and Imam Muslim in the book of fasting, chapter on the fasting of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in other than Ramadan. (90) - Lata'if Al Ma`arif p. 258. (91) - Reported by At-Tirmidhy in the book of faith, chapter on Hadiths that were reported about the sanctity of Salah, Hadith No. 2749 - 4/124. At-Tirmidhy said: This is a good and authentic Hadith. (92) - Reported by At-Tirmidhy in the book of Zakah, chapter on what has been reported in excellence of charity, Hadith No. 6582/86. At-Tirmidhy said: This is Hadith Gharib (a Hadith with a single narrator usually at the beginning of the chain of narration) from this way, and was reported by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih - see benevolence in the book of Zakah, chapter on Voluntary charity, Hadith No. 3298- 5/131. (93) - Reported by At-Tirmidhy in the book of the excellence of the Glorious Qur'an, chapter on Hadiths that were reported about the person who recites a letter from the Qur'an, Hadith No. 3075 4/248 and At-Tirmidhy said: This is a good, authentic, and Gharib Hadith from this way.

(94) - Reported by Abu Dawud in the book of Salah, chapter on the desirability of reciting the Qur'an in a moderate tone, Hadith No. 1464 - 2/74, and reported by At-Tirmidhy in the book of the excellence of the Glorious Qur'an, chapter which has no title, Hadith No. 3081- 4/250 and At-Tirmidhy said: This is a good and authentic Hadith. (95) - Surat Al Mu'minun: 99 100. (96) - Surat Az-Zumar: 56 - 58. (97) - Surat Muhammad: 17. (98) - Surat An-Nisa': 66 - 68. (99) - Surat As-Saf: 5. (100) - Taysir Al Karim Ar-Rahman 7/367 -368. (101) - Reported by Al Bukhari in the book of holding fast, chapter on following the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), Hadith No. 7280 - Fathul-Bary 13/248. (102) - Reported by Al Bukhari in the book of fasting, chapter on should it be said: Ramadan, Hadith No. 1899 - 4/112 and reported by Muslim in the book of fasting, chapter on the excellence of the Month of Ramadan - Sharh An-Nawawy 7/187 with the wordings of Imam Muslim. (103) - Reported by Al Bukhari in the book of fasting, chapter on Ar-Rayyan is the gate of the fasting people, Hadith No. 1896 4/111, and reported by Muslim in the book of fasting, chapter on the excellence of fasting - An-Nawawy 8/33. (104) - Reported by Al Bukhari in several positions, of which: in the book of fasting, chapter on should a person say: I am fasting when he is insulted? Hadith No. 1904 - 4/118 and reported by Muslim in the book of fasting, chapter on the excellence of fasting - AnNawawy 8/31. (105) - Reported by Al Bukhari in the book of Tarawih (voluntary night Salah performed in Ramadan), chapter on the excellence of

those who perform Qiyam in Ramadan, Hadith 2009 - 4/250, and reported by Muslim in the book of the Salah of travellers, chapter on the exhortation to perform Tarawih - the explanation of AnNawawy 6/40. (106) - Reported by Al Bukhari in the book of the excellence of Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Decree), chapter on acting during the last ten days of Ramadan, Hadith 2024 - 4/269, and reported by Muslim in the book of I'tikaf (retiring to the mosque for worship), chapter on exerting efforts in the last ten days of Ramadan - the explanation of An-Nawawy 8/70. (107) - Reported by Muslim in the previous position. (108) - Reported by Al Bukhari in the book of Tarawih, chapter on the excellence of Tarawih, chapter on Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Decree) 4/255, and reported by Muslim in the Salah of the travelers, chapter on the exhortation to Tarawih - the explanation of An-Nawawy 6/40. (109) - Reported by At-Tirmidhy in the book of invocations, chapter which has no title Hadith 3580 - 5/195 and said: This is a good and authentic Hadith, and was reported Ibn Majah in the book of invocation, chapter on invoking Allah for pardon and good health, Hadith No. 3850 - 2/ 1265, and was reported by Ahmad 6/171. (110) - Reported by Al Bukhari in the book of I'tikaf (retiring to the mosque for worship), chapter on I'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan, Hadith No. 2025- 4/271. (111) - Reported by Al Bukhari in several positions, of which: in the book of fasting, chapter on the Prophet's best condition of generosity was in Ramadan, Hadith No. 1902 - 4/ 116, and was reported by Muslim in the book of virtues, chapter on the generosity of the Prophet (peace be upon him) 15/86. (112) - Reported by At-Tirmidhy in the book of Zakah, chapter of Hadiths that were reported in the excellence of charity, Hadith No. 657 - 2/86. At-Tirmidhy said: This is Hadith Gharib, and Sadaqah ibn Musa is not a trustworthy narrator.

(113) - Reported by At-Tirmidhy in the book of fasting, chapter on Hadiths that were reported om the excellence of those who offer food for the fasting people, Hadith No. 804 - 2/151. At-Tirmidhy said: This is a good and authentic Hadith, and reported by Ibn Majah in the book of fasting, chapter on fasting during the Sacred months, Hadith No. 1746 - 1/ 555, and reported by Ahmad 4/114. (114) - Reported by Al Bukhari in the book of `Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage), chapter on performing `Umrah during Ramadan, Hadith No. 1782 - 3/603, and reported by Muslim in the book of Hajj, chapter on the excellence of performing `Umrah during Ramadan 9/2. (115) - Lata'if Al Ma`arif p. 352. (116) - Surat Al Fajr: 23 24. (117) - Surat Al Baqarah: 183. (118) - Reported by Al Bukhari in the book of fasting, chapter on the excellence of Fasting, Hadith No. 1894 - 4/103 - Hadith No. 1904 - 4/118. The Hadith was also reported by Muslim in the book of fasting, chapter on the excellence of fasting - explanation of AnNawawy 8/31. (119) - See: Fathul-Bary 4/104 and 118 Al Matjar Ar-Rabih p. 3376 - explanation of An-Nawawy 8/31. (120) - Reported by Al Bukhari in the book of fasting, chapter on whoever does not leave untruthful speech and acting by during fasting, Hadith No. 1903 - 4/116, and in the book of Literature, chapter on Allah's Saying (may He be Exalted): "And avoid false speech", Hadith No. 6057 - 10/473. (121) - See: Fathul-Bary 4/117-118. (122) - Lata'if Al Ma`arif. (123) - Reported by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih - benevolence, in the book of fasting, chapter on the excellence of the Month of Ramadan, Hadith No. 3424 - 5/183.

(124) - Reported by Ahmad in his Musnad 2/373 and Ibn Majah in the book of fasting, chapter on Hadiths that were reported in backbiting and obscenities for a person who observes fasting, Hadith No. 1690 - 1/539. Al Busayry said: Its chain of transmission is weak. (125) - Surat An-Nahl: 92.