RAMADAN NASEEHAH: Personality Traits for Observing Ramadan Fast

Ramadan 01, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah!

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O servants of Allah! I welcome you to the glorious month of Ramadan in which Allah made fasting an
obligation upon all sincere believers. May Allah bestow on us sound health, halal and sufficient provision,
tranquil environment and sincere hearts during this blessed month and beyond.

We need to quickly transit into a new creature to be worthy of a servant that will derive the maximum
benefits from the activities of Ramadan. The areas of quick wins in our personality traits that fits the
Ramadan squarely include:

1. Manage Your Temperament – Do not allow yourself to be provoked, because the Prophet (SAW)
said: “If someone fights him (the fasting person) or insults him, he should say, ‘I am fasting, I am fasting’”
(Bukhari). One reason for this is to remind himself and another reason is to remind his adversary. It is
essential to exercise self-control and discipline when fasting.

2. Be generous – Sharing knowledge, money, food and using one’s position of authority or physical
strength to help others, and having a good attitude are highly rewarding. Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) reported that:
“The Messenger of Allah (SAW) was the most generous of people [in doing good], and he was most
generous of all in Ramadan when Jibreel met with him, and he used to meet him every night in Ramadan
and teach him the Qur’an. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) was more generous in doing good than a
blowing wind” (Bukhari).

Combining fasting with feeding the poor is one of the means of reaching Paradise, as the Prophet (SAW)
said: “Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, will have a reward equal to
his, without it detracting in the slightest from the reward of the fasting person” (Tirmidhi).

3. Keep away from sin – Avoid sins from all your limbs, heart, south and eyes. The Prophet (SAW) said:
“When any of you is fasting, let him not commit sin…” (Bukhari). He (SAW) also said: “Whoever does not
stop speaking falsehood and acting in accordance with it, Allah has no need of him giving up his food and
drink.” (Bukhari). The person who is fasting should avoid all kinds of haram actions, such as backbiting,
obscenity and lies, otherwise his reward may all be lost. The Prophet (SAW) said: “It may be that a fasting
person gets nothing from his fast except hunger” (Ibn Maajah). May Allah secure us against this
misfortune. Aamin.
4. Moderate your eating – Ramadan is not a period for excessive food intake as we see ourselves
doing these days. The Prophet (SAW) said: “The son of Adam fills no worse vessel than his stomach”
(Tirmidhi). The wise person wants to eat to live, not live to eat.

5. Intensify your devotion to Salat & Dhikr – The fasting of one who does not pray WILL NOT BE
ACCEPTED. This is because not praying constitutes kufr as the Prophet (SAW) said: “Between a man and
shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer” (Muslim). Fasting and Salat are not mutually exclusive.
Without salat, no good deed is accepted. Rasulullah (SAW) said: “Whoever does not pray Asr, his good
deeds will be annulled.” (Bukhari). Dhikr (rememberance of Allah), salawat for Rasulullah and reading
and studying the Qur’an should get a lot of our attention. Don’t waste the days and nights of Ramadan
sleeping or engaging in worthless ventures, These are the days for worship.

Dear Brethren! Know that the reward we get from Ramadan depends on the level of our spiritual
connection with Allah and the connection with Allah comes from the observance of the duties of Islam
and avoidance of all its prohibitions. It is important to cultivate a spiritual mind so that we do not pass
through hunger and equate it with fasting while the eyes, hands, mouths, ears and other organs of our
bodies are cut off from fasting. This is the task ahead of us. Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Prophet
(SAW) 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.)”- Bukhari.

O Allah! We seek Your mercy. So, let us not give in to ourselves for the span of an eye’s wink. Make good
all our affairs. We affirm that none deserve to be worshipped except You.

Ramadan Mubarak

Jumu’ah Khutbah: TAQWA GAUGE FOR RAMADAN

Ramadan 02, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh.

All Praise belong to Allah, the First, the Last, the Manifest, the Hidden; who said, “Will they (human
beings) not meditate on the Qur’an, or are there locks on their hearts (which prevent the guidance of
the Qur’an from entering their hearts because of their pride and insolence)?” (Q47:24). And He also said,
He gives wisdom (the understanding of Deen and beneficial knowledge that one practices) to whomever
He pleases; and whoever is given wisdom has truly been given abundant good because it will lead him to
success (Q2:269).
I testify that Allah is one and He alone is God and Lord and nothing deserves obeisance beside Him. We
ask Allah to bestow blessings and peace upon the secret of divine Essence through whom the divine
Names and Attributes were elucidated, our leader and master Muhammad, the best of creations. O
Allah! Shower your grace and overflowing bounties upon his family, companions and all those who
believe and follow him till the Day of Assembly.

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may
(learn) self-restraint” (Q2:183). This is the direct instruction of Allah unto the Umma (community) of
Muhammad (SAW) which explains why we engage in fasting in the month of Ramadan. As people whom
Allah has given wisdom to recognize and obey Allah’s instruction, we thank Allah and congratulate
ourselves on this auspicious moment of the Ramadan for being honoured to be part of the Ummah of
Sayyidina Rasulullah (SAW).

Fast, like a living thing, has a body and a soul. The required abstinence from food, water, sexual relations,
etc., is the body of the fast while “piety” is its soul. If we are not striving to refine our character by the
fast, our fast will be a body without soul. Fast cleanses our body from impurities. Likewise, it must purify
our hearts and minds from all impure thoughts, improper desires and undisciplined sensations.

O servants of Allah! Know that for the fast to achieve the spiritual cleansing of the self and to refocus
man towards the original objective of his creation, every part of man’s body is expected to fast and this
can be summarized thus:

1. Eyes: Keep your eyes off unlawful things and objects; spend this most precious gift of Allah in good
cause and pious acts and read the Holy Qur’an and Du’as.

2. Ears: Abstain from hearing unlawful gossip, lies, false statements, music and obscene topics. Pay
your attention towards sermons and topics of learning etc. Avoid bad assemblies where evil discussions
permeate the scene.

3. Tongue: Do not tell lies or engage in falsehood and useless tales; do not spread rumours or damaging
gossip about other persons; keep aloof from falsity. Use the power of speech in spreading the word of
Allah; in creating goodwill in the society. Avoid harming others through the power that resides in our
mouth.

4. Hands: Do not inflict injury upon others by your actions; instead strive to help them as far as you
can. Remove harmful objects from the ways and settle fights where you are capable of doing so.

5. Feet: Do not go towards forbidden places like bars and cinemas. Do not run between people creating
strife. Go towards those places where Allah is remembered; and your movements should be to bring
people together.
And above all, your heart and mind must be with you in fasting. Because fast, in its real sense, will not be
complete unless your thoughts, your emotions, your actions – in short, all aspects of our life – become
pure, clean and free from blemish. If you maintain this state of consciousness, how will it be that a
fasting person will forget and go on to engage in activities that will break his fast? At this period, you
should be like that person carrying a crate of eggs who is so concerned about the safety of his eggs not
to drop from his hands and break.

O servants of Allah! The whole essence of the fast is to inculcate Taqwa (the consciousness of Allah) so
that we can be admitted back to the original Home (Jannah) as people of Honour. To this end, Allah
reminds us thus: “O people! We have certainly created you from a single male (Adam – AS) and female
(Hawwa – AS) and made you into various families (nations) and tribes so that you may recognise each
other (so that each person may know where he belongs and who the others are). (Your differences in
lineage and race do not make any of you superior to others because) Verily, the most honoured of you in
Allah’s sight is the one with the most Taqwa (piety, purity, righteousness, God-consciousness). Allah is
certainly All Knowing, Informed” (Q49:13).

O brethren! Know that the position of honour with Allah is reserved exclusively for the man or woman
who has attained taqwa; this same taqwa is the very reason why Allah has commanded us to observe
the fast of Ramadan. How much of the taqwa you have acquired is dependent upon your performance
on a number of test questions which you can administer to yourselves similar to when you use a
thermometer to gauge your temperature; I call it taqwa-gauge!

The test questions includeincludee, but not restricted, to the following:

1. Have you been able to guard your tongue from backbiting?

Allah commands you: “Do not backbite one another” (Q49:12). And Rasulullah (SAW) said: “Do you
know what is meant by backbiting?” They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “To say
something about your brother which he dislikes.” One asked, “Even if what I say is true about my
brother?” He replied, “If such defects you say are true about him, then you have backbitten him, and if
he doesn’t have what you say, then you have committed slander against him” (Muslim).

The tongue should be trained to speaks only the truth at all times or be silent for Allah demands that: “…
when you speak, be just” [Q6:152] while the Messenger of Allah – SAW – said, “Most of the sins of the
children of Adam are from the tongue” (At-Tabarani).

2. Are you always suspicious of people and thinking negatively about them?
Allah says: “Avoid much (negative) suspicion. Indeed, some suspicion is sin” [Q49:12] while the Beloved
Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales; do not spy
on one another; do not look for other’s faults; do not be jealous of one another; do not envy one
another; do not hate one another; and do not desert (shun) one another. And O Allah’s servants! Be
brothers” (Muwatta Imam Malik).

3. Do you engage in mockery of other people?

Mockery is done with a view to bring down the honour and esteem of another person. Allah warns you:
“Let not a people ridicule another people; perhaps they may be better than them” (Q49:11). You are not
only disallowed to engage in mockery, you are also not allowed to sit in the company of people engaged
in mockery. So, take a look at the circles you frequently attend and the subject matters that dominate the
discussions.

All those who mock other people are the partners of the disbelievers because mockery started as a
means of belittling the messengers of Allah by the Kuffar. Allah reminds us that “When they (the Kuffar)
see you (O Rasulullah) they seek only to mock you (by saying), ‘Has Allah sent him as a Messenger (i.e.,
Could Allah not find someone else with more wealth and higher social standing to send)?’” (Q25:41).

4. Do you take pleasure in looking at forbidden things?

We all have a big fight in trying to answer this apparently simple question because of the huge challenge
that contemporary societies have hoisted upon the believers. Men and women now go about nakedly
wearing clothes that reveal all their basic features; so bad behaviours of rape and sexual harassment
have sky-rocketed. Virtually all Muslim homes have television sets where nudity of men and women are
the major attractions. Or, is it the social media that has taken over the whole space? We are certainly in
bad times, unless we seek Allah’s mercy what we call ibaadat (acts of worships) can be voided without
our knowing for Allah has instructed His Rasul (SAW) to “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (so as
not to look at non Mahram women) and guard their chastity (not to look at or do anything that may lead
to adultery or fornication or homosexuality). This is purer for them (to ensure their purity and the purity
of society at large). Allah is Informed of what they do (i.e., He knows the inclinations of the heart and the
secretive glances that men cast)” (Q24:30).

5. Do you recognize and appreciate the blessings of Allah upon you?

Even the gift of Islam that you have taken for granted requires that you thank Allah for His guidance. He
(SWT) reminded us that: “… Allah has conferred favor upon you that He has guided you to the faith, if
you should be truthful.” [Q49:17]

6. Are you cautious when spending the wealth Allah has given you?
That you are neither miserly nor wasteful; avoiding spending on haram but only on halal; sharing with
the poor and the needy and not hoarding it; etc. Our Lord admonishes: “And those who, when they
spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate.” [Q25:67]

7. Are you a haughty and arrogant person?

The true servants of Allah are by nature humble and supportive of other servants. They are not known
for raising their shoulders or being arrogant. Allah describes them as: “Ar Rahmaan’s servants are those
who walk on earth in humility (without pride) and, when the ignorant talk to them, they (excuse
themselves) saying, ‘Salam’ (Leave us in peace. And by doing this, they avoid useless talks and senseless
arguments)” Q25:63.

If our aspiration is to be worthy of entering Jannah, then take note: “That home of the Hereafter We
assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption” (Q28:83); it is simply for the
humble servants of Allah.

8. Are diligent in keeping the five daily prayers on time in the congregation?

Allah directs that we: “Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer
and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient” (Q2:238).

9. How Much Reverence Do You Have for the Sunnah of Rasulullah?

Allah says: “We have sent every Rasool so that he should be obeyed by the order (permission) of Allah. If
only it were that when they (the hypocrites) oppress (wrong) their souls (by referring their disputes to
others), they had come to you (O Muhammad), seeking Allah’s forgiveness; and then the Rasool
(Muhammad j seeks forgiveness on their behalf, they will then surely find that Allah is Most Forgiving,
Most Merciful” (Q4:64). Sayyidina Rasulullah is the gate to Allah and obedience to and love of him (SAW)
is a guarantee for Allah’s acceptance of our deeds. Allah repeatedly emphasised this position in the
Qur’an by saying: “Whoever obeys the Rasool (Muhammad – SAW) obeys Allah (because Rasulullah –
SAW – conveys the message of Allah) and whoever turns away, (refusing to accept the message, then O
Muhammad, SAW, you should not upset yourself because) We have not sent you as a watcher (i.e., to
guard over them, you will not be questioned for their denial because your responsibility is merely to
convey the message to the best of your ability)” (Q4:80).

O brethren! Take time to evaluate yourself on each and every question asked herein and take necessary
steps to remediate all areas of default. For Allah advises us to know that this Islam: “… is My Path, which
is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way. This has
He instructed you that you may become righteous” [Q6:153]. So when you face any form of challenge,
turn to the Qur’an, the Sunnah of His Rasul and certainly you shall find guidance and succour.
The blessed month of Ramadan is a time for spiritual renewal for all Muslims, a time when we are able
to fully benefit from the many Divine Gifts that have been offered to the worshipper during this most
special season. Those who have failed to take advantage of the months of Rajab and Sha’ban to prepare
for the blessed month of Ramadan should be especially careful to take full advantage of this month.

“O you who believe, fear Allah, and (always) say a word directed to the Right: That He may make your
conduct whole and sound and forgive you your sins: he that obeys Allah and His Messenger, has already
attained the highest Achievement” (Q33:70-71).

Part 2

All praise is due to Allah, Whom we praise and seek help, guidance and forgiveness from. We seek refuge
with Allah from the evils within ourselves and from the burden of our evil deeds. He, whom Allah guides,
will never be misled; and he whom He allows to stray no one can guide him. I bear witness that there is
no deity worthy of worship except Allah without partners and that Muhammad (SAW) is His servant and
Messenger.

We ask ALLAH to bestow His salutation upon our master and leader, Muhammad, SAW, his household,
his companions and all those who believe in him till the end of time.

O Servants of Allah! You have made your conscience the slave of your desires. Make it free by invoking
Allah for forgiveness. Your back may break from the heavy load of your sins, so prostrate yourself before
Allah for long intervals, and make this load lighter. Understand fully that Allah has promised, in His
Honour and Majesty, that people who perform salat and sajda (prostration) will be guarded from Hell-
fire on the Day of Judgment.

O servants of Allah! Several benefits await you for observing the fast of Ramadan diligently and
extending kindness and generosity to others. These include:

i. If anyone amongst you arranges for iftar (meal at sunset) for any believer, Allah will
reward him as if he had freed a slave, and Allah will forgive him his sins. A companion asked:
“but not all of us have the means to do so” The Prophet (SAW) replied: Keep yourself away
from Hell-fire though it may consist of half a date or even some water if you have nothing
else.
ii. Anyone who, during this month, cultivates good manners will walk over the Sirat (the
bridge over Hell-Fire to Paradise) on the Day of Judgement when feet will tend to slip.
 iii. For anyone who, during this month, eases the workload of his servants, Allah will make
his reckoning easy, and for anyone who doesn’t hurt others during this month, Allah will
safeguard him from His Wrath on the Day of Judgment.

iv. Anyone who respects and treats an orphan with kindness during this month, Allah shall look at
him with kindness on that Day.

iv. Anyone who treats his kinsmen well during this month, Allah will bestow His Mercy on
him on that Day, while anyone who mistreats his kinsmen during this month, Allah will keep
him away from His Mercy.
v. Whoever offers the recommended prayers during this month, Allah will save him from
Hell, and whoever observes his obligations during this month, his reward will be seventy
times the reward during other months. Whoever repeatedly invokes Allah’s blessings on me,
Allah will keep his scale of good deeds heavy, while the scales of others will be tending to
lightness. Whoever recites during this month an ayat (verse) of the Holy Qur’an, will get the
reward of reciting the whole Qur’an in other months.

O people! The gates of Paradise remain open during this month. Pray to your Lord that they may not be
closed for you. In these blessed days too, the gates of Hell are closed, pray to your Lord that they are
never opened for you. Shaytan has been chained, invoke your Lord not to let him dominate you.

We ask Allah to give our teachers and Muslim Scholars long lives to enable the Ummah to benefit from
their wealth of knowledge. May Allah spare our lives beyond Ramadan to engage in ibaadat that are
pleasing unto Him. May we qualify for His ridwaan on the day He calls us unto Himself. Allahumma
Aamiin!

Aquulu qawliy hadha wastagfirullah liy walakum innahu huwal ghafurun Raheem. Subhaana Rabbika
Rabbil izzati amma yasifoon Wassalamun alal mursaleen wal hamdulillahi rabbil aalameen.

Ramadan Naseehah: Hold unto Your Salat while Fasting

Ramadan 03, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahamatullahi wabarakaatuh.

Performance of the five daily Salat by a servant of Allah is the greatest act with which Allah Almighty is
worshipped. The proof for this is that all the mandatory [compulsory] acts of worship which Allah has
commanded us to observe were sent to Rasulullah through Angel Jibril (AS) but as for Salat, when Allah
wanted to bring forth the commandment, He took his servant [Prophet -SAW] upon a nocturnal journey
[Isra’e wal mi’eraj] and He made it mandatory from the heavens- an order handed directly to Rasulullah
(SAW) without any intermediary. And Allah demands that we guide this Salat with all our strength:
“Guide strictly (five obligatory) As-salawat (the Prayers) especially the middle Salat and stand before
Allah obediently” (Q2:238).

Then prayer became an ascension and with prayer, a servant ascends until he becomes very close to
Allah. The Prophet [SAW] said: “The closest a servant gets to Allah is during prayer (at the point of
prostration)”. The Prophet (SAW) was ascended [to the heaven] with salat, it is in the same vain that we
get ascended by it when e consistent offer it with dedication and sincerity.

And Allah has timed prayer with His saying: “Verily, prayer is to the believers a documented practice on
time” (Q4:103). And He has commanded for its performance when He said, Establish prayer (aqeemu-s-
salata) and paying attention to it (haafizuu ala-s-salawati) , as He said, “Pay attention upon your prayers”
(Q2:238) and with reverence (Khushu’i), as He said, “Those who are reverent in their prayer” (Q23:2).
And on its regular performance, He said, “Those who are regular on their prayer” (Q23:9).

And the Prophets and those who came after them, may Allah make us among them, they have done all
that. So, Allah mentioned them when He (SWT) said, “They are the inheritors [of paradise]” (Q23:10-11).

And a group had refrained from prayer. And their leader was Abu Jahl, he and those who followed him
had entered into hell. And those who entered hell asked them and said, “…What has led you to the hell?
They said: we never used to be among those who pray” (Q74:43).

And prayer is like the position of a head from the rest of the body, whoever paid attention to prayer has
paid attention to the religion [Islam]. Whoever mistreated it, he has mistreated the religion. Nothing
from Allah is gained but with prayer. Allah has said, “Advise your family with prayer and be constantly
persistent on it, We [Allah] would not ask you for provision, We will provide for you” (Q20:132).

With or without Ramadan, a Muslim cannot do without Salat. You can observe the fast of Ramadan
without observing Salat. Observing the obligatory Salat in Ramadan has higher rewards than the other
months. The Prophet (SAW) said, ‘A blessed month has come to you. Allah has made fasting in its days an
obligatory act, and prayer in its nights a supererogatory act. Whoever fulfilled an obligatory act in it is
like the one who has fulfilled seventy obligatory prayers’.
May Allah help us to keep our Salat well and be worthy of those counted as having established Salat.

Wassalamu alaykum!

Ramadan Naseehah: Be Patient in the Face of Adversity

Ramadan 04, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah wabarakaatuh!

One of the beautiful attributes of Allah is As-Sabuur (The Patient). With this attribute, He has tolerated
the excesses of creation and creatures, so much so that He does not extract retribution for our misdeeds
hastily. Instead, He gives us time for repentance. “And if Allah were to take mankind to task for their
wrongdoing [through acts of disobedience], He would not leave upon it [that is, upon the earth] any
living being [i.e., any single living thing moving upon it]; but He gives them respite until an appointed
term; and when their term comes they will not defer from it by a single hour nor advance it” (Q16”61).

For man to reach destination in his worldly journey to the Hereafter, he needs to imbibe the attribute of
Patience as the journey is tedious and laid with trials and tribulations. We were forewarned by Allah
about this reality when He (SWT) asked: “Do people think that they will be left alone because they say:
‘we believe,’ and will not be tested? But we indeed tested those who were before them so that We make
manifest (the truth of) those who are true and (the falsehood) of those who are liars” (Q29:2-3). Failure
to acquire patience and acceptance of this reality has led to the deviation of several people from Islam.

Islam is practical and realistic which does not promise vanity. Islam teaches us to know that if life is good
today, it can be otherwise tomorrow and when things appear so bad, we should not lose hope but trust
in Allah as ‘verily, along with every hardship is relief’ (Q94:4).

Whatever is our situation in life; be it poor or rich, healthy or sick, known or unknown, we should realize
that they are all part of the trials of this worldly life. Therefore, we should thread carefully and be guided
by Allah’s Wisdom which advise us to: ‘seek with that (wealth – whatever position) which Allah has
bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter and forget not your portion of lawful enjoyment in this
world; and do good as Allah has been good to you and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah likes
not the mischief makers’ (Q28:77).

We are ordered to be good to other creatures (human and non-human) as Allah has been good to us in
whatever situation we find ourselves through our resources, good counselling, avoiding causing harm,
offering physical help, etc. Compliance with this can be difficult because we are deficient and cannot be
good to everyone as Allah has showered goodness upon us. You must try your best in goodness knowing
that Allah “… gave you all that you asked for, and if you try (repeatedly) to count the Blessings of Allah,
never will you be able to count them. Indeed, (for his failure to obey Allah despite all that Allah does for
him), man is an extreme wrong-doer and an ingrate” (Q14;34).

Notwithstanding the hardship we are together facing, some people are still better than the others. As
such, we should extend goodness as much as humanly possible to those who are less endowed than us.
Most importantly, we should avoid using the blessings which Allah has granted us to create mischief and
rancor in the land.

Understand that poverty which makes life unbearable and present a trial in the form of your having to
embrace haram for survival is a very serious trial. And that wealth which provides so much comfort can
become an object of destruction if it hinders the bearer from remembering Allah and the rights of others
on the wealth that is possessed. Allah promised that ‘you shall certainly be tried and tested in your
wealth and properties and in your personal selves, and you will certainly hear much that will grieve you
from those who received the Scripture before you (Jews & Christians) …’ (Q3:186)

Due to the twin factors of Poverty and Wealth, a lot of people have been deceived to abandon Islam.
While some accomplished their objective, others did not. As for those who got the wealth, they barter
their hereafter for this world. This is a great loss if only they know what Allah keeps in stock for them in
the hereafter. Allah informs us of “those who make the pledge with Allah saying, ‘If He grants us (wealth)
from His bounty, we will definitely give charity and we will certainly be of the pious ones’. However,
when Allah grants them (wealth) from His bounty, they are miserly and turn away in disregard (failing to
keep their promise)’ Q9:75-76.

My brethren! Do not lose sight of Allah’s plan during this journey of ours that: “Surely We will try you
with something of fear (of an enemy or danger), and hunger (by way of drought), and diminution of
goods (as a result of destruction), and lives (as a result of slaughter, death and disease), and fruits (by
way of crop damage): that is to say, We will try you to see if you practice patience or not; yet give good
tidings (of Paradise) to the patient (during calamities). Those who, when they are struck by an affliction
(a calamity) say, ‘Surely we belong to Allah (we are His possession and servants with whom He does as
He pleases) and to Him we will return’ (in the Hereafter whereupon He will requite us)” (Q2:155-156).
The situation in the world today is quite challenging to a lot of people. In the spirit of Ramadan, we ask
Allah to forgive our iniquities which have brought us to this situation and restore us to abundance.
Aaamiin.

Wassalamun alaykum warahmatullah!

Ramadan Naseehah: Do Not Spy on People

Ramadan 05, 1444AH

Assalamu Alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh

O you who have Imaan! Refrain from excessive assumption (suspicion and assuming evil things about
people without verification). Verily, some assumptions are a sin. (Good assumptions about people are
however encouraged). Never spy (on people) and never backbite each other. Does any of you like to eat
the flesh of his dead brother, which you so detest? Fear Allah. (If you repent for these sins, then
remember that) Allah is Most Pardoning, Most Merciful (Q49:12).

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Neither commit Tajassus (to search for something about another
person) nor Tahassus (listening to people when they are talking without their permission or
eavesdropping at their doors) nor hate each other nor commit Tadabur (shunning each other). And be
brothers Oh servants of Allah” (Sahih Hadith).

Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) related, “The Messenger of Allah once stood on the podium (mimbar) and then
said with a loud voice, “O those who have embraced Islam only with their tongue, while faith has not yet
entered their hearts, neither harm Muslims, nor mock them, nor try to expose their mistakes, for he who
follows (searches for) the errors of his brother, Allah will follow his errors, and he whom Allah follows his
errors, He will expose him even if he was in the middle of his home.”[Sahih Al-Jamee]
Imam An-Nawawi writes, “This Hadith indicates that, following and then exposing people’s mistakes only
occurs by the hypocrites and those whose Iman is so weak, that it did not yet fill their hearts.” Contrary
to Imam an-Nawawi’s observation, actively seeking for and exposing the secrets of Muslims is the main
pre-occupation of many Muslims in this generation. The Muslims who do this should may not know that
their Islam has major deficiency as they willing cooperate with non-Muslims to bring up spurious
charges against Muslims for miserable profits.

Spying leads to backbiting and backbiting is Haram. Therefore, Allah has closed every door that leads to
the evil of backbiting and has made spying Haram. It is not allowed to search and disclose secrets of
others. Hence, to eavesdrop upon somebody while hiding or pretending to sleep is like spying on others.
However, if there is a possibility of another party harming you or harming another Muslim, then such
spying is allowed.

O servants of Allah! Who has appointed you as a spy upon other people? Who is your master in this
business and where is he leading you to? Even when the people refused to accept the message of
Sayyidina Rasulullah (SAW), Allah told him (SAW) that: “Whoever obeys the Messenger, verily obeys
Allah; and whoever turns his back, We have not sent you as a watcher over them” (Q4:80).

Allah is very clear in this verse that whoever avoids obedience to His Rasul, Rasulullah (SAW) should not
be concerned with them because he has no duty to keep watch over their deeds; his duty is to
communicate the message and warn the people of the consequences of such disobedience. If he (SAW)
is not allowed to spy on the affairs of the people, how can the followers get that allowance from Allah?
The affairs of the people is with their creator, the All-Seeing, All-Hearing who has enough capacity to
deal with and requite them.

O brethren! Do not employ yourself or allow others to employ you as a spy on fellow Muslims and
ensure that you do not bear any Muslim a grudge in your heart that may provoke you into saying ill of
others. As people aspiring to win Allah’s love, Allah commands that you supplicate for yourselves and
other Muslims by saying: “O our Sustainer! Forgive us our sins, as well as those of our brethren who
preceded us in faith and let not our hearts entertain any unworthy thoughts or feelings against [any of]
those who have attained to faith. O our Sustainer! Verily, Thou art compassionate, a dispenser of grace!”
(Q59:10). If this is the command of Allah and you observe it sincerely, how will the need for spying on
your fellow Muslims come up?

On this note we supplicate thus:

“Rabbana Laa tuzzig qulubana ba’da idh-hadaitana wahhab-lana min ladunka innaka antal Wahhaab”
(Our Lord, do not cause our hearts to stray after You have guided us. Grant us Your mercy for verily You
are the Great Giver (of all things).
“Allahumma Ya Muqallibal Quluub Thabbit qulubana ala deenik” (O Allah, the Turner of hearts, keep our
hearts steadfast on your deen).

[Allahumma Aaaamiiiin]

Ramadan Naseehah: Personal Financial Management in Islam

Ramadan 06, 1444AH

Assalamu Alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh

Bismillahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem.

“Let the rich man spend according to his means; and the man whose resources are restricted, let him
spend out of what Allah has given him. Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given
him. Allah will grant after hardship, ease.” (Q65:7)

We all crave to have the good things of life but not all our wants can be funded by our earnings. What
then do we do? Take a loan, of course, may be the natural response of some people while others will
follow Allah’s directive as per the verse above by simply adjusting to the reality and managing without
stressing himself.

In the manner that Allah has blessed you, “Give the relative his right (maintain good relations with
relatives), as well as (give the rights to) the poor and the traveler (assist them in their need) but do not
be extravagant” (i.e., do not be wasteful) (Q17:26). Do not give beyond your means and thereby putting
yourself in difficulty.

“Without doubt, the extravagant ones (those who waste) are the brothers of the Shayaateen (because
they behave just like the Shayaateen). And Shaytaan (Iblees) was ever ungrateful to his Lord” (Q17:27).
This is because Allah gave Iblees the bounty of intelligence, he was ungrateful by using it to disobey
Allah’s command. Muslims should avoid behaving in this manner. They should therefore use the bounty
of wealth in ways that please Allah and not against His commands.
Even in the times of ease, taking loans or buying things on credit has become a fashion that is being
championed by the western financial system. The culture of borrowing even for things that are not
critical or necessary has become entrenched. The truth is that we have all borrowed (including corporate
and National levels) to the extent that everything that we think we own are all financed from borrowing.
Not just ordinary borrowing, but at exorbitant finance charges/interest rates. The other side of the loan
creation is the issue of repayment by the borrowers which have produced situations of either inability or
willingness to pay back in disregard to the loan covenant.

In the current financial crisis situation, living within our means has become more important than ever.
But it doesn’t have to mean giving up things that make life pleasant and fulfilling. Money management is
one of the most important life disciplines today. The concept is not complicated. Make a list of wants and
a list of needs. Recognize which is which. Spend no more than you have coming in by way of your
income. If you can, spend less, and save some for emergencies.

The problem of financial discipline which drives most people to borrowing and eventually entering the
debt trap is not limited to individuals; nations are also trapped like Nigeria is tending towards in recent
years after its earlier exit. A fall into the debt trap creates humiliation, agony, deprivation and possible
loss of self-pride (or even national pride).

All of the consequences faced by a debt-ridden individual/nation is child’s play compared to the
consequences in the hereafter. As a result, Islam has discouraged living beyond one’s means, because it
can lead to excessive borrowing. And our Noble Prophet (SAW) advised us that:

1. “The best among you are those best in paying off debt”. (Muslim)

2. “Procrastination (delay) in repaying debts by a wealthy person is injustice” (Bukhari).

3. “Whoever contracts a debt intending to repay it, Allah will repay it on his behalf, and whoever
contracts a debt intending to waste it, Allah will bring him to ruin” (Bukhari).

4. “Whoever dies free from three things – arrogance, cheating and debt – will enter Paradise”
(Tirmidhi), and

5. “The soul of a believer is held hostage by his debt in his grave until it is paid off” (Tirmidhi).

Why will you not adjust to operate within your resource limit when the Prophet (SAW) used to regularly
supplicate “O Allah, I seek refuge with You from sin and heavy debt”? When someone remarked, “how
often you seek refuge from heavy debt”, he replied, “when a man gets into debt, he speaks and tells lies,
and he makes a promise and breaks it” (Bukhari and Muslim). It should be clear that the same way that
Allah wants the Muslim to stay clear of Zina (fornication/adultery), the same is applicable to
accumulation of debts because it leads to other deadly sins of lying, deception and breaking of promises.
It is worth emphasizing that incurring debt to fund luxury and extravagance is contrary to core Islamic
values that condemn excess and waste. The Qur’an has in very strong words condemned and prohibited
extravagance and prodigality:

“Eat and drink, but waste not by excess, for God loves not the prodigals” (Q7:31) and “Squander not
wastefully, surely the squanderers are the devil’s brethren” (Q17:26).

Brethren, know that conscious management of your finances is part of Islamic spirituality (Zuhd) and it
can save you from some challenges of the Day of Reckoning. So, be prudent in your finances. Do not play
tricks with your creditors and do not render useless the borrowed money by paying in such a matter that
the creditor will not be able to put it to profitable use.

We supplicate therefor:

ALLAHUMMA LA TAKH-DHULNII FEEHI LI-TA’ARRUDI MA’SIYATIKA

WALA TADRUBNII BISIYAATI NAQIMATIKA

WA ZAHZIHNII FEEHI MIN MU’JIBAATI SAKHATIKA BI-MANNIKA WA AYAADEEKA

YA MUNTAHAA RAGH-BATIR-RAAGHIBEEN

O ALLAH! On this day, do not let me disgrace myself by incurring Your disobedience,

And do not strike me with the whip of Your punishment,

Keep me away from the causes of Your anger, by and Your power,

O the ultimate wish of those who desire.

Allahumma Aamiin!

Wassalamu alaykum warahmatullah!

Ramadan Naseehah: Avoid Bankruptcy on the Day of Reckoning

Ramadan 07, 1444AH

In this world, a Bankrupt is a person declared in law as unable to pay their debts. So, Bankruptcy is a
legal process through which people or other entities who cannot repay their debts to creditors seek
relief through the court to free them from liability after surrendering all his assets.

Though similar in meaning, the bankruptcy of the hereafter has no relief but full liquidation of liabilities
that will consume all the good deeds and added sins for the ones that exceed the available good deeds.

Abu Huraira (RA) reported that Rasulullah (SAW) said, “Do you know who is bankrupt?” They said, “The
one without money or goods is bankrupt.” The Prophet (SAW) said, “Verily, the bankrupts of my nation
are those who come on the Day of Resurrection with prayers, fasting, and charity, but also with insults,
slander, consuming wealth, shedding blood, and beating others. The oppressed will each be given from
his good deeds. If his good deeds run out before justice is fulfilled, then their sins will be cast upon him
and he will be thrown into the Hellfire” (Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim 2581).

When the Day of Resurrection comes, a man’s wealth and capital will be his Hasanaat (good deeds). If he
had done wrong to any people, they will take from his hasanaat to the extent that he mistreated them. If
he does not have any hasanaat, or if his hasanaat run out, then some of their sayi`aat (bad deeds) will be
taken and added to his burden.

‘Awf reported: “I entered the home of Ibn Sirin, RA, and I began discussing the sins of the ruler Al-Hajjaj.
Ibn Sirin said, ‘Verily, Allah Almighty is a just judge. Just as he passes judgment against Al-Hajjaj, he will
pass judgment in favor of Al-Hajjaj. If you were to meet Allah tomorrow, the smallest sin you committed
would be worse for you than the greatest sin Al-Hajjaj committed against you.’” We speak ill of our
leaders and make this our habit. The sin of backbiting, which you fail to recognize, is accumulating in
your record of deeds which will weigh heavily against your good deeds on the Day of Judgement.

Al-Qushayri said, “It is said that a servant will receive his book of deeds on the Day of Resurrection and
he will not see any good in it. He will say: Where are my prayers? Where is my fasting? Where are my
acts of obedience? It will be said: “All of your good deeds have been lost because you were backbiting
against people.” (Source: al-Risalah al-Qushayriyah 1/291)

Abu Hurayrah (RA) also reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Whoever wronged his brother
with regard to his honor or any other matter, should seek his forgiveness today, before there are no
longer any Dinars, or Dirhams; and if he has any righteous deeds, they will be taken from him, in
accordance with the wrong he did; and if he has no hasanaat, some of the sayi`aat of his counterpart will
be taken and added to his burden” (Bukhari)
If a debtor died when he still owed money to people, they will take from his Hasanaat whatever is in
accordance with what he owes them. Ibn Umar (RA) reported that Rasulullah (SAW) said: “Whoever dies
owing a Dinar or a Dirham, it will be paid from his Hasanaat, for then there will be no Dinars or Dirhams.”

If people wronged one another, the score will be settled between them. If they mistreated one another
equally, then there will be no score to settle. If one of them is still owed something by the other, he will
take what he is entitled to. Aisha (RA) said: “A man came and sat in front of the Messenger of Allah
(SAW), and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I have two slaves who tell me lies, betray and disobey me, and I
insult them and beat them. What is my position with regard to them?’ The Messenger of Allah (SAW)
said: ‘On the Day of Resurrection, their betrayal, disobedience and lying will be measured against your
punishment of them. If your punishment is commensurate with their wrongs, then there will be no score
to settle. If your punishment of them was less than their sins deserved, then this will count in your
favour. If your punishment of them was more than their sins deserved, then the score will be settled
against you.’ The man turned away and started to weep. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said to him,
‘Have you not read the words of Allah?’’” “And We shall set up Balances of justice on the Day of
Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard
seed, We will bring it. And Sufficient are We to take account.” (Q21:47).’” (Mishkaat)

The prophet (SAW) in this discussion has revealed the true meaning of bankruptcy. On the Day of
Judgment, every human being will be weighed by criteria that have nothing to do with finances. If I have
abused another human being with my tongue or my hands, then I’m on the road to bankruptcy. If I’ve
committed slandering or backbiting by mocking or criticizing someone in his absence, or if I’ve lied, or
broken promises without cause, then I’m dumping my good deeds down the drain. If I have stolen
someone’s wealth, then I am making myself destitute. If I have shed someone’s blood without cause, or
beaten someone, then I have made myself a penniless wretch.

If I have done all of these things, then it doesn’t matter if I pray and fast and give sadaqah, I am
bankrupt, bankrupt, bankrupt. I am spiritually void. I am giving all my good deeds away and replacing
them with evil, and I am utterly destitute.

Things are not always as they seem, brothers and sisters. The eyes of the world deceive us. Fear the true
bankruptcy, the kind that dooms you before Allah! If you want to avoid that bankruptcy, and come
before Allah as a rich man or woman, then prayer, fasting and charity are only the start. Abuse no one,
backbite no one, insult no one, hurt no one, strike no one. Steal from no one, take advantage of no one.
Instead, be kind, and speak to people gently; be fair in everything, stand up for justice, and tell the truth.
Act with love. Seeking forgiveness of those you have wronged; avoid seeking revenge all the time for if
you exceed the limit in the process, it can create problems for you. Let Allah be your guide, and the
Messenger of Allah (SAW) your example. Do this and you will be richer than any Bill Gates or the Aliko
Dangotes of this world when we attend the court of Allah in the Aakhirah.

ALLAHUMMA A’INNII FEEHI ALAA SIYAAMIHI WA QIYAAMIHI

WAJANNIBNII FEEHI MIN HAFAWAATIHI WA AATHAMIHI

WAR-RUQNII FEEHI DHIKRAKA BI-DAWAMIHI BITAW-FEEQIKA

YAA HAADIYAL MUDILLEEN

ALLAH, on this day, help me with its fasts and prayers,

And keep me away from mistakes and sins of the day,

Grant me that I remember You continuously throughout the day, by Your assistance,

O the Guide of those who stray.

Wassalamu alaykum warahmatullah!

Ramadan Naseehah: Keep Away from Oppression

Ramadan 08, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah wabarakaatuh!

Oppression is one aspect of human behavior that the Muslim should flee from as it is an evil those
consumes the good deeds of a servant. In laying the instruction for retaliation for the wrong done to
another, Allah said:

“And those who retaliate when aggression affects them (without being aggressors) the retribution
(return) for an evil (done against one) must be proportionate (similar in) response (against the aggressor
and not any more). As for the one who (instead of retaliating) forgives (the aggressor) and makes
amends (by restoring good relationships between them), his reward will be (reserved and guaranteed)
with Allah. Verily, Allah does not like the oppressors” (Q42:39-40).
Oppression is a sin arising from inter-personal relationships of people. This includes, but not limited to,
infringement on the rights of other people, dispossession of the property of others, cheating and taking
advantage of someone in a business dealing, causing harm to the body of someone, coercing them to do
what they do not want to do, inflicting hardship on others, defamation of character of the innocent,
perversion of justice and retaliation for a harm suffered in greater amount than the aggression against
him.

Although, forgiving an aggressor is best “there will be no blame (wrong) on the one who takes revenge
(in proportion to the aggression against him) after he has been wronged (because he may exercise his
right to retaliate). There will be blame only on those who oppress (wrong) people (by retaliating in a
manner that exceeds the wrong done to them) and who unjustly rebel (cause corruption) on earth. A
painful punishment shall be the lot of these people.” (Q42:42-43).

Sayyidina Rasulullah (SAW) said, “A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress
him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor” (Bukhari). If the brotherhood of Islam established by
our Noble Prophet and embraced by the Sahabas (RAA), the world would have been so peaceful that no
Muslim will:

1. Take the property of another Muslim by fraudulent method. Allah warns “O you who believe, do not
unjustly consume the wealth of each other by stealing or by other unacceptable means except by way of
trade (conducted) with your mutual consent…” (Q4:29)

2. Kill another person as Allah warned you: “And do not kill a soul that Allah has forbidden except with
a warrant (such as a penalty fo r a crime)” (Q17:33)

3. Kill himself by way of suicide in disregard for Allah’s command that: “… Do not kill yourselves …”
(Q4:29). This means, do not do anything that will lead to your destruction.

4. Induce a woman to leave her Muslim husband because Allah has forbidden for you to marry the
“Married women …” (Q4:24). So, stop chasing women who are already married and go for those that are
permitted for you.

5. Cheating in business dealings. This is a very serious area that we all need prayers of forgiveness
because of its prevalence driven by greed. Allah threatened: Destruction be to the cheaters who take full
measure from mankind (when they are buying from others), When they measure or weigh for people
(when they are the sellers), they reduce (the weight or measurement of the commodity so that the
buyer gets less than what he pays). Do such people not consider that (after death) they will be raised
unto a mighty day (Yawm al-Qiyaama)? The day when all of mankind will stand before the Lord of the
universe (to account for their actions and words)? (Q83:1-6)
Rasulullah (SAW) warned us to “… be afraid of the curse of an oppressed person because there is no
screen between his invocation and Allah.” (Bukhari). Allah does not delay in answering the supplications
of the of the oppressed against their oppressors.

Do not play with the issue of oppression by being deluded that the one oppressed cannot challenge you.
He may be weak but Allah, the creator of this weak soul has promised that: “I shall take revenge on the
oppressor in this world and the next. I shall take revenge on someone who saw the person being
oppressed and was able to help him but did not” (Hadith Qudsi). Our Nabiyy (SAW) further strengthened
that: “There is no sin more fitted to have punishment meted out by Allah to its perpetrator in advance in
this world along with what He stores up for him in the next world than oppression and severing ties of
family relationship” (Sahih Muslim).

If you have ever engaged in any oppressive activity against another person you must immediately seek
forgiveness of the person. Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said, “Whoever has oppressed another person
concerning his reputation or anything else, he should beg him to forgive him before the Day of
Resurrection when there will be no money (to compensate for wrong deeds), but if he has good deeds,
those good deeds will be taken from him according to his oppression which he has done, and if he has
no good deeds, the sins of the oppressed person will be loaded on him” (Sahih Bukhari).

Do not be deluded that you have carried out so much atrocities and yet nothing bad has happened to
you. Repent now before retribution comes. Allah’s Apostle (SAW) said, “Allah gives respite to the
oppressor, but when He takes him over, He never releases him.” Then he recited, “Such is the seizure of
your Lord when He seizes (population of) towns in the midst of their wrong: Painful indeed, and severe is
His seizure’ (Q11:102) Bukhari

Having submitted ourselves to Allah in this blessed month of Ramadan, we implore Allah to help us
against oppression and oppressors and restrain us from being involved in the oppression evil chain.
Aaamiin!

Wassalamu alaykum warahmatullah.

Jumu’ah Khutbah: Continue the Harvest of Allah’s Bounties

Ramadan 09, 1444 AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah wabarakaatuh.

All praise is due to Allah, whom we praise and seek help, guidance and forgiveness from. We seek refuge
with Allah from the evils within ourselves and from the burden of our evil deeds. He, whom Allah guides,
will never be misled; and he whom He allows to stray no one can guide him. I bear witness that there is
no deity worthy of worship except Allah without partners and that Muhammad (SAW) is His servant and
Messenger.

We ask ALLAH to bestow His salutation upon our master and leader, Muhammad, SAW, his household,
his companions and all those who believe in him till the end of time.

O servants of Allah! Hasten towards the search for forgiveness from your Lord and for al-Jannah whose
space is as wide as the heavens and the earth specially prepared for the people who have imbibed the
quality of piety (Q2:133). As we are all aware by now, the sole objective of mandating the believers to
fast in the month of Ramadan is to instill in them with the quality of piety and once this is achieved the
goal of entry al-Jannah will be easy because the Rahmah (mercy) of Allah which is the entry visa is
attached to taqwa (piety). As usual the days of this blessed month move away so quickly that before we
know it the month is over. That is why we need to make haste to do good deeds; there is no room for
laziness.

Baihaqi reported on the authority of Salman Al-Farsi (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) delivered a sermon on
the last day of the month of Sha’ban. In it he (SAW) said:

“O People! The month of Allah (Ramadan) has come with its mercies, blessings and forgiveness. Allah
has decreed this month the best of all months. The days of this month are the best among the days and
the nights are the best among the nights and the hours during Ramadan are the best among the hours.
This is a month in which you have been invited by Him (to fast and pray). Allah has honoured you in it. In
every breath you take is a reward of Allah, your sleep is worship, your good deeds are accepted and your
invocations are answered.
Therefore, you must invoke your Lord in all earnestness with hearts free from sin and evil, and pray that
Allah may help you to keep fast, and to recite the Holy Qur’an. Indeed, miserable is the one who is
deprived of Allah’s forgiveness in this great month. While fasting, remember the hunger and thirst on the
Day of Judgment. Give alms to the poor and needy. Pay respect to your elders, have sympathy for your
youngsters and be kind towards your relatives and kinsmen. Guard your tongue against unworthy words,
and your eyes from scenes that are not worth seeing (forbidden) and your ears from sounds that should
not be heard.

Be kind to orphans so that if your children may become orphans they will also be treated with kindness.
Do repent to Allah for your sins and supplicate with raised hands at the times of prayer as these are the
best times, during which Allah Almighty looks at His servants with mercy. Allah Answers if they
supplicate, Responds if they call, Grants if He is asked, and Accepts if they entreat.

O people! You have made your conscience the slave of your desires. Make it free by invoking Allah for
forgiveness. Your back may break from the heavy load of your sins, so prostrate yourself before Allah for
long intervals, and make this load lighter. Understand fully that Allah has promised, in His Honour and
Majesty, that people who perform salat and sajda (prostration) will be guarded from Hell-fire on the Day
of Judgment.

O people! If anyone amongst you arranges for iftar (meal at sunset) for any believer, Allah will reward
him as if he had freed a slave, and Allah will forgive him his sins. A companion asked: “but not all of us
have the means to do so” The Prophet (SAW) replied: Keep yourself away from Hell-fire though it may
consist of half a date or even some water if you have nothing else.

O people! Anyone who, during this month, cultivates good manners will walk over the Sirat (bridge to
Paradise beneath which is the Hell-fire) on the day when feet will tend to slip. For anyone who during
this month eases the workload of his servants, Allah will make his accounting easy, and for anyone who
doesn’t hurt others during this month, Allah will safeguard him from His Wrath on the Day of Judgment.
Anyone who respects and treats an orphan with kindness during this month, Allah shall look at him with
kindness on that Day. Anyone who treats his kinsmen well during this month, Allah will bestow His Mercy
on him on that Day, while anyone who mistreats his kinsmen during this month, Allah will keep away
from His Mercy.

Whoever offers the recommended prayers during this month, Allah will save him from Hell, and whoever
observes his obligations during this month, his reward will be seventy times the reward during other
months. Whoever repeatedly invokes Allah’s blessings on me, Allah will keep his scale of good deeds
heavy, while the scales of others will be tending to lightness. Whoever recites during this month an ayat
(verse) of the Holy Qur’an, will get the reward of reciting the whole Qur’an in other months.
O people! The gates of Paradise remain open during this month. Pray to your Lord that they may not be
closed for you. While the gates of Hell are closed, pray to your Lord that they never open for you.
Shaytan has been chained, invoke your Lord not to let him dominate you.”

Ali ibn Talib (RAA) said: “I asked, ‘O messenger of Allah, what are the best deeds during this month’?”
‘He replied: ‘O Abul-Hassan, the best of deeds during this month is to be far from what Allah has
forbidden’.”

Sadaqa Rasulullah (SAW). The Prophet (SAW) has spoken the truth.

Part 2

All Praises are due to Allah the Lord of the worlds. May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon the best
of His creation and His Confidant, Muhammad (SAW), his family, Companions and all those who follow
his guidance till the day of resurrection.

O brethren! Gratitude has become our lot beyond the faith Allah has given each and every one of us. To
delight His Prophet and show abundant magnanimity to his Ummah, we have been given the month of
Ramadan, which Rasulullah calls “the month of my ummah”. It is so titled because the amount of
rahmah (mercy) and reward that the servant receives is beyond imagination.

The Prophet (SAW) explains this Rahmah which the fasting month of Ramadan brings to the believers as
including, but not limited to the following:

· A Nafl (voluntary) act of good deed is rewarded as a Far’d (compulsory) act of good deed.

· Fulfilling obligations during this month attracts a reward with a starting base of seventy rewards as
against ten in other months and there is no upper limit for Ramadan while other months it is Seven
hundred.
· Sending salawat (invoking Allah’s blessings) on Rasulullah (SAW) repeatedly will keep the scale of
good deeds heavy, while the scales of others will be tending to lightness.

· Recitation of an ayat (one verse) of the Holy Qur’an during this month will get the reward of reciting
the whole Qur’an in other months.

· The global enemy of humankind, Shaytan, has been chained to make it easy for man to do good
unhindered. What can be better than this?

· All the Gates of Hell have been locked to prevent temptations that may lead man into it and the
Gates of Jannah thrown wide open for the admittance of seekers thereto with ease.

· Allah has promised, in His Honour and Majesty, that people who perform salat and sajda
(prostration) will be guarded from Hell-fire on the Day of Judgment.

· Allah categorically states that: “fasting is for Me and I will reward it”. So, He is keeping the reward
secretly and preserving it against predators who come forward to make claims against us for their rights
on the Day when money will not be of any use. Some people will become bankrupt on account of claims
against them but Allah will protect the Muslim who has fasted sincerely for Allah.

O servants of Allah! The purification of the heart, which scholars call Tazkiyatun-nafs is the centre of
spiritual training that translates a Muslim (who has submitted his desires and wills to what Allah
desires/wishes) to a Mu’meen (who accepts and believes all that Allah has revealed and commanded
with total submission) and eventually to a Muhsin (whose deeds/thoughts accord totally with Allah
because they are permanently conscious of Allah as if he is seeing Allah).

Fasting is that one tool which Allah has designed for soul training in order to restore the wavered soul to
its pure origin to enable it attain the essence of its creation. So, each and every soul who wishes to
engage in the activities of Ramadan should have ikhlas (sincerity) and ensure that everything is done for
seeking Allah’s ridwan (pleasure). Only when we do this that we reap all the bounties that Allah has
promised.

O servants of Allah! Additional benefits for the one who truly acquire Taqwa from engaging in the
Ramadan fast include the following:

Verily, those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, the Most Gracious (Allah) will bestow love
for them (in the hearts of the believers). Q19:96. As a result of this benefit, doing good becomes his first
nature as Allah guides them to perform good deeds and to possess excellent conduct which He loves and
make the people love them and speak favourably about them.)

Verily, Allah loves the Muttaqun (the pious). Q9:7

And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every
difficulty). And will provide from (sources) he never could imagine. Q65:2,3

And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his affairs easy for him. Q65:4

Whoever is careful of his duty to Allah, He will remove from him his evil and give him a big reward. Q65:5

The benefits of taqwa are numerous as can be seen from the above Qur’anic verses. As we strive in the
glorious month, ensure to act on most (if not all) of the admonitions on subject matters that train the
heart to think and relate positively to other human beings. In particular, we must inculcate the art of
gratitude to Allah and those who do good to us, seeking forgiveness of Allah and the people we have (or
may have) wronged and humility. These (i.e., gratitude, Seeking Forgiveness and Humility) are the
catalysts of Taqwa.

My Brethren! A window of opportunities has been flung open to you to seek repentance, put your
needs/requests before your Lord and a whole lot of things.

We supplicate:

O Allah! As the Ramadan continues, we ask You for the good of what we give, the good of what we do in
secret and what we do in the open. We ask You for the attainment of the higher degree in Jannah.

O Allah! Forgive all our sins and faults. Cover all our secrets, Provide abundantly for us, help and guide us
to carry out good deeds and strengthen our morality.

O Allah purify our hearts from envy and desires of the world and clothe us with honour and longing for
your Ridwan, O Lord of the Worlds. Aaamiin.

Wassalamu alal mursaleen walhamdulillahi rabbil aalameen.

Ramadan Naseehah: Respect The Rights of Your Neighbour

1444AH
Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah wabarakaatuh!

O servants of Allah! In the pursuit of the taqwa agenda, we should also remember our neighbours whose
welfare we are commanded to ensure. Goodness to neighbour, in the form of generosity and kindness, is
an act of worship which Allah (SWT) demands of us each as He said: “Worship Allah and worship none
with Him and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the poor, the neighbour who is a stranger, the
companion by your side, the wayfarer (whom you meet) and those (slaves/servants) whom your right
hand possesses. Verily Allah does not love those who are proud and boastful” (Q4:36).

Rasulullah (SAW) was reported in authentic ahadith to have said:

1. “By Allah, he is not a believer! By Allah, he is not a believer! By Allah, he is not a believer.” It was
asked, “Who is that, O Messenger of Allah?” He (SAW) said: “The one whose neighbour is not safe from
his evil.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

2. “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him not harm his neighbour; and he who believes in
Allah and the Last Day let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last
Day let him speak good or remain silent.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Sayyidatuna Aisha (RA) narrated: “I said, O Allah’s Messenger (SAW)! I have two neighbours and would
like to know which of them I should give presents to.” He replied, “To the one whose door is nearer to
you.” (al-Bukhari).

Your neighbours have rights and the ones closest to you have priority. When you give food, give to your
nearest ones first then work your way outwards. Alhamdulillah for our religion which encourages us to
build bridges with our neighbours and honour them!

The duty of goodness to the neighbour demands that we are patient if one is harmed by his neighbour.
Al-Hassan Basri (RA) said: “Being good to one’s neighbour does not stop at abstaining from harming him,
but rather to be patient if one is harmed by his neighbour.”

O servants of Allah! Be careful of the rights of your neighbor. For the Prophet (SAW) said: “On the Day of
Judgment, a person will grab hold of his neighbour saying; O Allah! You made him rich while I was poor.
There were nights when I slept on an empty stomach while he would go to bed with a full stomach. Ask
him why he closed his door on me and why he deprived me of the wealth that you blessed him with.”

Among the good acts towards neighbours is to be generous to them. Rasulullah (SAW) once told Abu
Dharr (RA): “O Abu Dharr! Whenever you prepare gravy, share with your neighbour even if you have to
add extra water to it.” Do not disregard your neighbours. You must take care of them through sharing
your food with them but this Hadīth does not imply that one must always increase the amount of water
in gravies, soups and other food items when intending to share with one’s neighbours but the actual
emphasis in this Hadīth is about being generous towards one’s neighbours.

Rasulullah (SAW)said: “O Muslim women! No one of you should consider any gift insignificant to give to
her neighbour even if it is just the trotters of a sheep.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] `

A sinful act of adultery is forbidden in general, but committing such an act with a neighbour’s wife is the
most despicable crime. Ibn Mas’ud reported that: “I asked Allah’s Messenger (SAW) ‘Which sin is most
serious?’ He said, “To attribute a partner to Allah, though He (Alone) has created you.’ I asked, “What
next?” He replied, ‘To kill your child, fearing that it will share with you your food.’ I asked, “What next?”
He said, ‘To commit adultery with your neighbor’s wife.’” [Agreed upon].

Regarding non-Muslim neighbours, we must approach them with kindness and such character which
exemplifies Islam and Islamic manners. Some guidelines regarding non-Muslim neighbours:

· Every sort of interaction or dealings must be within the perimeters of the shariah.

· Being good to your neighbours is not only restricted to those who share the same building with you.
Your roommate is your neighbour; the person sitting behind you or next to you on a bus or at a bus-stop
is also your neighbour; the one sharing your office at work is also your neighbour.

· In dealing with neighbours, one must deal with those of the same gender as oneself.

· While socializing with non-Muslims, be cautious of becoming too lenient at the expense of our
Deen.
Let the non-Muslim come to know Islam through your personal conducts like Abdullah Ibn Mubarak’s
(Rahimahullah) Jewish neighbour. Abdullah would feed him and take care of him. Someone said to the
Jew: “Sell us your house.” He answered: “My house is for two thousand Dinars.” The potential buyer was
shocked and exclaimed that usually such houses are worth a thousand Dinars only. The Jew replied:
“One thousand is for the price of the house and one thousand is for having Ibn Mubarak as a
neighbour!” When Ibn Mubarak (Rahimahullah) heard of this, he exclaimed: “O Allah, guide him to
Islam.” Allah Ta’ala accepted the Dua of Ibn Mubarak (Rahimahullah) and eventually the Jew entered the
fold of Islam.

O Allah, the Almighty and All-Merciful, grant us the means to do our worships in the manner acceptable
to you; do good deeds with sincerity for only Your Sake, and to engage in all of our worldly work and
business in the best way possible devoid of sins and fraud. We ask that You grant us the best of the
rewards, the best of the abodes in the Hereafter and make us neighbours to Your best servants in
Paradise. Allahumma Aaamiin.

Subhana Rabbil Izzati ama yasifoon. Wassalamun alal Mursaleen Wal-hamdu lillahi Rabbil a’alameen.

Ramadan Naseehah: Islam is Simple, Don’t Complicate it (Part 1)

Ramadan 11, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah wabarakaatuh!

Islam is the deen that has the acceptance of Allah and He (SWT) has made it a moderate way that is
neither to the left nor to the right; nor too hard that the obligations are strenuously demanding nor too
easy that no effort is demanded of the adherents. Just as Allah has guided the Muslims to the straight
path (siratal mustaqeem), He (SWT) said: “… We have made you (the Ummah of Rasulullah, SAW) the
middlemost community (such a group that is moderate in nature and free from excesses and
shortcomings) …” (Q2:143).

Do know that whatever Allah commands to do, we are expected to do them as much as we have
capability to do them but all that we are prohibited from, we must refrain. However, no two individuals
are equal or the same; Allah has put some above the other and so their abilities to perform all
prescribed duties. When Allah enjoined upon the believers in Q3:102 to have taqwa
(reverence/consciousness) of Him as is truly due to Him, the Companions of the Holy Prophet (SAW)
realising the immensity of the directive entreated Allah through the Prophet (SAW) for alleviation which
came by way of Q64:16 saying, “keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can”. In this verse
is a great wisdom that we all cannot perform our obligations to Allah at the same pace and level.

In the matter of fasting, Allah has also provided safety nets for those who may not be able to observe it
arising from conditions that may prevail in the lives of the believer during the month of Ramadan. In
providing the alleviation, He (SWT) said: “… Allah desires ease for you (by allowing travelers and the sick
to fast at a later time) and does not desire hardship for you. And (Allah desires) that you complete the
period (of fasting during Ramadan), so that you glorify Allah for His guiding you and so that you show
gratitude (to Him)” (Q2:185).

On the simplicity of our deen, Rasulullah (SAW) has advised us: ‘This Deen is easy but if anyone overdoes
it, it gets the better of him. So, keep to the right course, approximate to perfection, rejoice, and ask for
help in the mornings, the evenings, and some of the latter part of the night’ (Bukhari). He (SAW) also
exhorts us to ‘do those deeds which you can do easily, as Allah will not get tired [of giving rewards] till
you get bored and tired [of performing good deeds. … and the most beloved deed to Allah is the one
which is done regularly even if it is little’ (Bukhari).

The Introduction of difficulty/complication/rigidity into the aqeedah (practice/ creed) of Islam is the
major challenge facing the Muslims today. This singular challenge has generated the inability to have a
common leadership (Khilafah) for the Ummah and lack of Unity on any world issue to represent and
defend the interest of the Ummah. This convoluted ideology of Islam can be seen in the way a non-
Muslim is viewed/treated as well as the way the Muslims interact inter se.

In this complicated and deviated aqeedah, the non-Muslim is seen as not having the right to existence
and taking his life is considered lawful. This is an extremely dangerous view which has no relationship
with Islam that Sayyidina Rasulullah preached to the world. Allah placed man on the earth, granted him
the freedom to choose whether to obey or disobey, even when He has the power and authority to
compel obedience to Him. Know and appreciate that “He created you, then some of you are disbelievers
and some of you are believers and He sees all that you do” (Q64:2). This is what Allah told us.

If Allah, to Whom belongs all that exist in the heavens and earth, allows this freedom to the extent that
He alerted the believers not to force the faith upon anyone because “there is no compulsion in religion”
(Q2:256), what then is the basis for a Muslim to expect that everyone should be Muslim? Are you not
aware that it is in the existence of disbelief (Kufr) that belief (Iman) has value? This analogy is akin to the
analogy of the names and attributes of Allah; how will Allah’s attributes of Qawwiy, Qahhar, Jabbar,
Sari’ul hisaab be known and appreciated if everyone in creation submits to Allah? The existence of
believers and the non-believers provides the opportunity to understand Allah’s benevolence (Ra’ufun
Raheemun).

O servants of Allah! Accept what Allah has ordered and arranged because “If your Lord had so willed, He
would have made mankind one people, but they will not cease to differ, except those on whom Your
Lord and Sustainer has bestowed His mercy, and for this did He create them” (Q11:118-9).

We have seen so much militancy among new brands of Muslims to the extent that disagreements are
not properly managed. Disagreement has also been there right from the time of Sayyidina Rasulullah
(SAW) due to differences in understanding; yet, they co-existed peace. For instance, in the matter of
fasting for a traveler, some fast during their travels while others do not fast. The Mujtahid Imams (Abu
Hanifa, Malik, Shaafi’ and Ahmad) differed in their fatawas but they each had respect and reverence for
another. But not the new brand of Muslims who do not agree with other peoples’ views which differ
from theirs. They have gone to the extreme of labelling fellow Muslims Kaafir. Wa iyyadhu billah (May
Allah save us from this evil).

There is clearly enough wisdom about the manner of communicating the words of Allah. We saw in the
Qur’an rejection of several Prophets by their communities and the prophets simply retorted: “O my
people! I do not ask you for any wealth. My reward is with my Lord …” (Q11:29) and “If you turn away
(refuse to accept my message), then (remember that) I have never asked for any reward from you (so
you cannot claim that you have rejected my message because you were unable to give me what I had
asked for). My reward shall be from Allah and I have been commanded to be from those who submit
(only to Him)” (Q10:72).

This Deen is easy; Make it easy, don’t make it difficult; “Let people rejoice in being Muslims and not run
away from it’ and ‘Cheerfulness towards other people, even a smile is a sadaqah or charity to be
rewarded by Allah’.

O Allah! Reliever of grief, Reliever of worry, the Answerer of the distressed when they call unto You, the
Merciful of this world and the hereafter, have mercy upon us in our needs through their fulfillment and
success for us, such mercy that come abundantly that we will not be in need of the mercy of any other.
Aaamiin Ya Rabbil aalameen.

Ramadan Naseehah: Islam is Simple, Don’t Complicate it (Part 2)

Ramadan 12, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah wabarakaatuh!

With respect to the hostilities and acrimony between the Muslims, this goes very far back to the time
that Sayyidina Usman was assassinated and the rebellion that erupted during the Khilafa of Sayyidina Ali
and the eventual emergence of the Khawarij.

Some scholars will even say that this was noted in the lifetime of the Holy Prophet ranging from the
statements of some companions which the Prophet (SAW) had to moderate. Indeed, the Prophet always
resisted any tendency towards religious excessiveness. He once said to his close Companion Abdullah ibn
‘Amr: ‘Have I heard right that you fast every day and stand in prayer all night?’ Abdullah replied, ‘Yes, O
Messenger of Allah! The Prophet said, ‘Do not do that. Fast, as well as, eat and drink. Stand in prayer, as
well as, sleep. This is because your body has a right upon you, your eyes have a right upon you, your wife
has a right upon you, and your guest has a right upon you (Bukhari, Muslim).

Abiding by the will of Allah requires that we seek and maintain a delicate balance between the various
obligations that demand our attention; between our obligations to Allah, our obligations towards others
and our obligations towards ourselves. Moreover, whenever the Prophet had to choose between two
options, he always chose the easier, unless it was explicitly forbidden.

The Khawarij introduced difficulty, complication and intolerance into their Islam and declaring those who
refuse to follow their aqeedah as kaafir. The Khawarij actually reared its ugly head right at the time of
the Holy Prophet (SAW) as Jabir ibn Abdullah reported that a person came to the Messenger of Allah
(SAW) at Ja’rana on his way back from the battle of Hunain, and there was in the clothes of Bilal some
silver. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) took a handful out of that and bestowed it upon the people. He
(the person who had met the Prophet at Ja’rana) said to him (SAW): Muhammad, do justice! He (SAW)
said: “Woe be upon thee, who would do justice if I do not do justice, and you would be very unfortunate
and a loser if I do not do justice.” Upon this Umar b. Khattab (RA) said: Permit me to kill this hypocrite.
Upon this he (SAW) said: “May there be protection of Allah! People would say that I kill my companions.
This man and his companions would recite the Qur’an but it would not go beyond their throat, and they
swerve from it just as the arrow goes through the prey” (Muslim, Ibn Maajah).

One of the trademarks of the khawarij is arrogance as evident in the manner this unfortunate soul
addressed the Holy Prophet. And their descendants in recent violence-promoting groups that have held
the Islamic world hostage today.
Another feature of the group is to make a show of their “shallow” understanding without iman. The
Prophet (SAW) said: “There would arise in this nation a people and you would hold insignificant your
prayers as compared with their prayers. And they would recite the Qur’an which would not go beyond
their throats and would swerve through the Deen (as blank) just as an (swift) arrow passes through the
prey…” [Sahih, Muslim]

Allah described the Muslim community as Ummatan wasatan (a middle-course, balanced and just
community that is not given to extremities). Those who differ from the position that Allah has placed the
Muslims yet claiming to belong to the community embrace the extremes and they are the one who calls
to the way of thinking and behaviour at variance with the majority of the Ummah.

Such people belong to the deviant group that creates difficulties for the Muslims and they make the non-
Muslim see Islam as a religion of burden. Avoiding them is necessary because:

1. The Prophet (SAW) described them as people who would swerve away from the religion, just as the
[hunter’s] arrow may swerve away from the animal target, and who would not come back to the fold.
Such indeed are they, for they have swerved away from from Islam. They have separated themselves
from the religious community, breaking loose from it and from the loyal congregation. They have gone
astray from the level course of right guidance and from the true path.

2. They have withdrawn their allegiance from the ruling authority and they have unsheathed the sword
against the rightful leaders whose blood they consider permissible to shed, and whose property they
consider lawful to confiscate. They have branded all those who oppose them as unbelievers.

3. They do not believe in the torment of the tomb nor in the right of intercession. They propounded
the doctrine that if a person tells a lie or commits a minor sin, and makes a habit of it, he must be
considered a polytheist [mushrik], although a person can still be considered a Muslim even if he commits
adultery or fornication, steals, and drinks wine, as long as he does not persist in these offenses. Others
maintained that every major sin is tantamount to unbelief [kufr].

4. They do not regard the congregational prayer [jama’a] as valid unless it is performed behind their
own Imam, but they do regard it as valid to postpone the ritual prayer [salat] beyond its prescribed time,
to begin the fast [sawm] before the sighting of the new moon [of the month of Ramadan], and to break
the fast [fitr] in like manner [before the end of Ramadan has been established by the sighting of the new
moon of Shawwal].

5. They admit the validity of a marriage contracted without the participation of a marriage guardian
[wali]. They accept as lawful [halal] the practice of temporary marriage [mut’a]. And several others.

The senseless killings of Muslims by supposed Muslims have become commonplace. Several incidents of
the evil men entering masajid (mosques) and killing worshippers en-mass have been reported. Know
that any killing that is done intentionally without a justification (duly approved by the Courts) earns the
perpetrators Hell as recompense. Allah declares: “And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his
recompense is Hell to abide therein; and the wrath and curse of Allah are upon him, and a great
punishment is prepared for him.” (Q4:93)

Ibn Mas’ud (RA) reported the Prophet (SAW) to have said: “The blood of a Muslim who testifies that
there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah, is sacred, except
in three instances. (They are): life for life, the married adulterer, and whoever reverts from the religion
and abandons the jama’ah (community of the faithful believers).” When anyone commits any of these
offences, the punishment can only be levied by the Muslim leader or his deputy through the instrument
of a properly established court. An ordinary citizen cannot, even where he has all the evidence, take the
laws into his hands and carry out the punishment without the due process of the law.

In this second segment of Ramadan, O Allah< having secured Your forgiveness that You grant us Your
Mercy and:

1. disassociate us from every wrong doer, and reward everyone that is good to us and bless them
abundantly for us.

2. grant us all good, its immediate and everlasting, that which we know and which we don’t know.

3. grant us Paradise and whatever draws one closer to it in speech and in deeds and secure us against
the Fire and whatever draws one closer to it in speech and in deeds.

Aaamiin Ya Rabbil aalameen.

Ramadan Naseehah: With Sincerity Comes the Help of Allah

Ramadan 13, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah wabarakaatuh!

Bismillahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem

“… whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him do righteous work, and let him give no one any
share at all in the worship due unto his Lord.” (Q18:110)
Sincerity in the matter of our religious deeds requires us to make Allah the central focus of all our deeds
for He is the one to reward the deeds.

Shaddad ibn Aws (RA) is reported as having said: “I once entered the presence of the Prophet (SAW),
and I noticed a look in his face that made me shudder, so I said: ‘What is the matter with you, O
Messenger of Allah?’ He replied (SAW): “’I am afraid that my Community [Ummati] may be guilty of
shirk [attributing partners to Allah], after I am gone.’ “On hearing this, I exclaimed: ‘Do you really mean
to say, O Messenger of Allah, that they will attribute partners to Him after you are gone?’ So he (SAW)
went on to explain: “’They may not worship a sun, or a moon, or a graven image, or a stone idol, but
they will resort to hypocritical display in their religious practices, and hypocritical display is tantamount
to shirk [attributing partners to Allah].’ “Then he recited the words of Allah (Exalted is He): “So whoever
hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him do righteous work, and let him give no one any share at all
in the worship due unto his Lord.” (Q18:110)

In the tribe of Bani Israel, there once lived a pious worshipper. One day, the people informed him that at
a certain location, there existed a tree that was being worshipped by a tribe. When he heard this, the
man flew into a rage, picked up his axe and set out to cut down the tree.

Iblees, appearing before him in the form of an old man, asked, “Where are you headed for?” He replied,
“I intend to cut down the tree, which is being worshipped so that the people worship Allah instead.”
“Hold yourself till you hear what I have to say,” said Iblees to him. The worshipper urged him to carry on.

Iblees continued, “God has His own Prophets and if it had been essential to cut down the tree, He would
have sent them to perform the task.” However, the worshipper did not agree with Iblees and continued
on his way.

“There is no way I shall let you do it,” said Iblees angrily, and he began to wrestle with the man. In the
ensuing contest, the pious worshipper hurled Iblees onto the ground.

“Wait! I have something else to say to you”, pleaded Iblees. “Listen! You are a poor man. If you could
possess some wealth by means of which you could give alms to the other worshippers it would be much
better than cutting the tree. If you refrain from cutting the tree, I shall place two dinars beneath your
pillow every day.”

The pious person said thoughtfully, “If you speak the truth, I shall give one dinar in charity while the
other dinar I shall put to my use. This is better than cutting down the tree; in any case, I have neither
been ordered to perform this task nor am I a Prophet to burden myself with unnecessary grief and
anxiety.” Thus, he acceded to the request of Shaitan (Iblees) who left him alone.

For two days, he received the two dinars and utilized them, but on the third day, there was no sign of the
money. Upset and distressed, he picked up his axe and set out to cut down the tree. On the way, he
encountered Iblees, who asked him: “Where are you headed for?”

“I am going to cut that tree.” “There is no way you are going to do it,” said Shaitan. And once again they
began to contest, but this time Iblees overcame him and hurling him to the ground, ordered, “Turn back
or I shall sever your head from your body.” The pious man said, “Leave me alone and I shall return, but
tell me, how was it that I had managed to overcome you on the previous occasion?”

Iblees answered, “On that occasion, you had set out only for Allah and you were sincere in your intention
as a result of which, Allah subjugated me for you, but this time you were angry for your own self and for
your dinars and so I could overpower you.”

[Source of Story : Ihyaa al-U’loom, vol. 4, pg. 380; Durrat-un-Naasiheen p196 (quoting Zubdatul
Waa’izeen]

My Brethren! Know that sincere devotion requires that the servant devotes his religion sincerely to Allah,
that he puts it into practice for the sake of Allah, that he attributes no partner to Him in his religion, and
that he does not seek to impress anyone with his religious practice.”

Our Lord, the Creator of the universe, dissociate us from every wrong doer, and reward everyone that is
good to us and bless them abundantly for us. O Allah, cast trouble, hunger and blame away from us and
guard us against calamities that no one except You can forestall. Our Lord, give us good in this world and
good in the hereafter and save us from the torment of fire.

Wassalamun alal mursaleen walhamdulillahi rabbil aalameen.

Ramadan Naseehah: Islam Requires the Muslim to Copy the Messenger of Allah
Ramadan 15, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah wabarakaatuh!

Bismillahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem

‫َوِإَّنَك َلَع َلٰى ُخ ُلٍق َع ِظ ی ࣲم‬

“Verily, you are upon (have been blessed with) an exalted (flawless) character (which no insane person
can possess)” (Q68:4).

‫َّلَقۡد َك اَن َلُك ۡم ِفی َر ُسوِل ٱِهَّلل ُأۡس َو ٌة َح َس َن ࣱة ِّلَم ن َك اَن َیۡر ُجو۟ا ٱَهَّلل َو ٱۡل َیۡو َم ٱۡل َٔـاِخ َر َو َذ َك َر ٱَهَّلل َك ِثی ࣰرا‬

“There is definitely an excellent example in Allah’s Rasool (SAW for the one who fears Allah and the Last
Day, and who remembers Allah abundantly” (Q33:21).

Copying the lifestyle of Rasulullah is the fastest way of getting our Islam right and acquiring some of the
noble qualities that he (SAW) possesses. Allah attests to his noble qualities and recommends to the
believer to emulate his ways if we believe that there is reckoning after death.

We will take some examples in the character of the Prophet (SAW) which stand him out of the crowd as
the one to follow in the journey to Allah that is anchored on service and sincerity.

1. Abu Jahl’s (an arch-enemy of the Prophet, SAW)) son. Ikrima, accepted Islam after years of war and
intense hatred for the Muslims so what did the Prophet do? He says, “Ikrimah is coming as a faithful
migrant so no one should speak badly about his father.” That’s character. He is more pre-occupied with
the task of propagating the message of Allah and not pettiness of who threw dirt on him or who praises
him.

2. ‘Abd Yalayl was the man who ordered that the Prophet be stoned in Ta’if in one of the saddest days
of his blessed life in which he was seriously wounded. He, Abd Yalayl, also went to war against him (SAW)
and plots against him. When the Beloved (SAW) was granted victory and success – ‘Abd Yalayl came as a
representative of his people – so what did the Prophet do? He (SAW) presented Islam to him and gives
him gifts until he says La ilaha ila Allah – without mentioning a single thing that happened in the past.
This is about performance. All the brouhaha of the past has translated into winning their souls for Allah.
‘Uthman ibn Talha, the custodian of the keys to the doors of the Ka’bah, used to mock the Prophet (SAW)
and stop him from entering the Ka’bah. When the Rasulullah (SAW) was granted victory in Makkah –
what did he do? The Prophet gives back ‘Uthman the keys and says that his family will have it until the
end of time (which they do till this day). That’s fairness and justice.

3. Fadala goes around the Ka’bah with a dagger hoping to assassinate the Prophet (SAW). The Prophet
turns towards him, places his hand on his heart and his life changes. That’s nobility.

4. A man urinated in the Prophet’s mosque and he never told him off. That’s wisdom.

5. An alcoholic was forgiven time and time again despite his addiction. The Prophet said, “He loves
Allah and His Messenger (SAW).” That’s mercy.

6. People complained about a thief. He said, “His salah will make him leave the theft” until he became
the most truthful of people. That’s beauty.

7. A young man sought permission to commit Zina. The Prophet (SAW) did not shout or dismiss him. He
taught him with love until the man said, “There was no sin more hated in my sight than adultery.” That is
greatness.

This is the Deen the Prophet (SAW) taught and the true believers inherited. Are you then surprised that
Allah praises His Messenger as earlier stated and concluded that: “Undoubtedly a Rasul from yourselves
has come to you (someone whose lineage, morals, manners and integrity you know well). The difficulties
that afflict you are very distressing to him. He is anxious for (good to come to) you and extremely
forgiving and merciful (gentle and land) towards the Mu’mineen” (Q9:128).

Read the Sirah (biography) of Rasulullah and you’ll find stories after stories about his noble and
exemplary character.

O Allah! As Ramadan continues, we ask You for the good of what we give, the good of what we do, the
good of what we do in secret and what we do in the open. We ask You for the attainment of the higher
degree in Jannah.

O Allah! Forgive all our sins and faults. Provide abundantly for us, help and guide us to carry out good
deeds and strengthen our morality.

O Allah, purify our hearts from envy and desires of the world and clothe us with the noble characters of
Your Habeeb that will make us attached to him on the Day of Great Assembly. Aaamiin.
Wassalamu alal mursaleen walhamdulillahi rabbil aalameen.

16th Ramadan 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuhu

All Praise belongs to Allah, the First, the Last, the Manifest, the Hidden; Who said, “Will they not
meditate on the Qur’an, or are there locks on their hearts?” (Q47:24). The owner of wisdom who “gives
wisdom to whomsoever He pleases; and whoever is given wisdom has truly been given abundant good”
(Q2:269).

I testify to the Lordship of Allah Who owns the heavens, the earth and all that is between them. He has
no partner to assist Him in their creation and sustenance. Glorified is Allah far above what the
disbelievers attribute to Him.

O Allah! Bestow Your greatest blessings and peace upon the secret of divine Essence through whom the
divine Names and Attributes were elucidated, our leader and master Muhammad, the best of creations.
O Allah! Shower your grace and overflowing bounties upon his family, companions and all those who
believe and follow him till the Day of Assembly.

O servants of Allah! Fear Allah as He should be feared and be conscious of Him in private and public. Be
dutiful to Him and follow up an evil deed with a good one to erase it. Deal with people kindly. Allah says:
“Verily, he who fears Allah with obedience to Him (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds, and by
performing righteous good deeds), and is patient, then surely, Allah makes not the reward of the good-
doers to be lost.” (Q12:90)

For us living in multi-religious settings, this is a period when the Christians celebrate the festival of
resurrection of Jesus Christ (Isa Alaihis-salam). They call our precious Jumu’ah Good Friday. I ask: Is there
any Bad Friday? No, I respond as all Fridays are good and great. Rasulullah (SAW) said Friday is the
leader of all the days.

During the Easter holidays all kinds of evangelical crusades are on to ‘win souls for Christ’ and the targets
are us, the Muslims. It is in this light that we chose to educate ourselves to know the truth and how to
relate with them in this and other similar periods.
O servants of Allah! The festival of the resurrection, which is called Easter, is a major pivot upon which
the creed of Christianity rests. This is the most important annual Christian festival, which is preceded by
the long fast (Lent) which lasts for forty days before Easter Sunday. It may interest you that most
Christians hardly observe this fast these days save very few old dedicated folks. The Muslims should at
once see the Grace of Allah upon the Ummah of Muhammad who have held tenaciously to the fast of
Ramadan, young and the old.

The Easter festival commemorates the return of the Messiah (AS) or his resurrection after his supposed
crucifixion, two days after his death – according to their claims. It marks the end of the long fast of Lent,
which lasts for forty days before Easter Sunday. They start fasting on a Wednesday known as Ash
Wednesday, where ash is placed on the foreheads of those present and they repeat the words, “From
dust we came and to dust we shall return.” While this saying is similar to the Qur’anic statement where
Allah (SWT) says: ‫ِم ْنَها َخ َلْقَنٰـ ُك ْم َوِفيَها ُنِع يُد ُك ْم َوِم ْنَها ُنْخ ِرُج ُك ْم َتاَر ًة ُأْخ َر ٰى‬

“Thereof (the earth) we created you, and into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out
once again” (Q20:55), we do not take this as a ritual to rub our body with dust. However, this declaration
means the earth is your beginning for your father, Adam (AS), was created with dirt from the surface of
the earth and you also will be returned to the earth when you die wherein you will become dirt after
decaying.

The Week of Sorrows (or Holy Week), which is the last week of the fasting period of Lent, which refers to
the events that led up to the death and resurrection of Jesus (AS) – as they claim. The Christians believe
that Jesus (AS) was crucified and actually died on the cross and this is the source of their sorrow. But for
the Muslim, Allah is very clear of what happened to His Prophet when He declared that

‫َو َقْو ِلِهْم ِإَّنا َقَتْلَنا ٱْلَم ِس يَح ِع يَس ى ٱْبَن َم ْر َيَم َر ُسوَل ٱِهَّلل َوَم ا َقَتُلوُه َوَم ا َص َلُبوُه َو َلٰـِكن ُش ِّبَه َلُهْم َوِإَّن ٱَّلِذ يَن ٱْخ َتَلُفو۟ا ِفيِه َلِفى َشٍّك ِّم ْنُه َم ا َلُهم ِبِهۦ ِم ْن ِع ْلٍم‬
‫ِإاَّل ٱِّتَباَع ٱلَّظِّن َوَم ا َقَتُلوُه َيِقيًۢن ا َبل َّر َفَع ُه ٱُهَّلل ِإَلْيِه َو َك اَن ٱُهَّلل َع ِزيًز ا َحِكيًم ا‬

“And because of their saying (in boast), ‘We killed the Messiah Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam, the
Messenger of Allah,’ – but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but it appeared so to them [the
resemblance of Isa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man)], and those who differed
therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For
surely; they killed him not [i.e., Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). But Allah raised him (Jesus – AS) up
unto Himself. And Allah is Ever All-Powerful, All-Wise” (Q4:157-158).

O servants of Allah! The verses of Surah an-Nisa’I quoted above require very serious reflection. Sayyid
Abul A’la Maududi in Tafhim al-Qur’an (The Meaning of the Qur’an) did an elaborate explanation of
these verses which I have excerpted below:
This verse is explicit on the point that the Prophet Jesus Christ was rescued from crucifixion and that the
Christians and the Jews are both wrong in believing that he died on the cross. A comparative study of the
Qur’an and the Bible shows that most probably it was Jesus himself who stood his trial in the court of
Pilate, who sentenced him to death, but they could not kill or crucify him, for Allah raised him to Himself.

This is what happened, Pilate knew fully well that Christ was innocent and had been brought in his court
out of jealousy. So he asked the crowd whether Jesus Christ should be released on the occasion of the
Festival or Barabbas, a notorious robber. But the high priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for
the release of Barabbas and for the crucifixion of Jesus. After this, God, Who can do any and everything
He wills, raised Jesus to Himself and rescued him from crucifixion and the one who was crucified
afterwards was somehow or other taken for Christ. Nevertheless, his miraculous escape does not lessen
the wicked crime of the Jews, because they knew it well that the one, whom they crowned with a crown
of thorns, and on whose face they spat and whom they crucified with disgrace was Christ, the son of
Mary. As regards the matter of how “it was made doubtful for them” that they had crucified Jesus, we
have no means of ascertaining. Therefore it is not right to base on mere guess-work and rumors an
answer to the question how the Jews were made to believe that they had crucified him, whereas in fact,
Jesus, the son of Mary, had escaped from them.

“Those who have differed”: the Christians. They do not agree in their versions of crucifixion. The very
fact that they offer so many different accounts of the matter is by itself proof that they possess no
definite knowledge of it and are, therefore, in doubt about it. One version is that the person who was
crucified was not Jesus but someone who bore his likeness, whom the Jews and the Romans had
disgracefully put on the cross, while Jesus was standing nearby and laughing at their folly. Another
version is that the one who was nailed to the cross was Jesus, but he did not die on the cross and was
alive when he was taken down from it. Some others say that he died on the cross but came to life
afterwards and met his disciples more than ten times and talked to them. Still others say that death due
to crucifixion occurred on the physical body of Jesus and he was buried but the Divine Spirit within him
was raised. There are still others who say that after his death Jesus came to life with his body and was
raised with his body. Obviously, if the Christians had any knowledge of the truth, they would not have
given so many different versions of it.

Here Allah has told the facts of the matter. The Qur’an explicitly states that the Jews did not succeed in
putting Jesus to death and that Allah raised him to Himself, but it is silent about the nature and details of
the matter and does neither say explicitly whether Allah raised him body and soul together from the
earth to some place in heaven, nor that he died like other mortals and only his soul was raised to
heaven.

Another event in the series of events is the Palm Sunday, which is the Sunday before Easter. This is a
commemoration of the triumphal entry of the Messiah into Jerusalem. This is predicated on their
conjecture that Christ (AS) was the one crucified but had risen from the dead. For us, Christ never died
on the cross and so resurrection was unnecessary.

O servants of Allah! Know that the events of the crucifixion are shrouded in mystery and most of the
Christian scholars simply do not have any understanding about it. They also do not agree in the various
explanations that they offer as to how the event took place. What Allah has informed the Muslims
through His Rasul (SAW) is sufficient for us and it is important for us to study and understand it for the
protection of our Iman (faith) against the attack of Shaytaan masquerading in the shape of Christian
evangelists.

To set the records right and lead mankind back to sirat al-mustaqeem, Allah revealed the above verses of
Surah an-Nisa’I where He openly let us know that ‘they killed him not, nor crucified him, but it appeared
so to them … and those who differed therein are full of doubts. They have no (certainty of) knowledge,
they follow nothing but conjecture.’ We appreciate Allah for His guidance and beg Him to sustain this
guidance unto us all until He admits us in Jannah. Aamiiin.

O servants of Allah! Be steadfast and not despair even with all these calamities. Allah’s promise to the
faithful believer is to the effect that: ‫َوَم ن َيَّتِق ٱَهَّلل َيْج َع ل َّل ۥُه َم ْخ َر ًجا‬

‫ْسُبُه ِإَّن ٱَهَّلل َبٰـِلُغ َأْم ِرِهۦ َقْد َجَعَل ٱُهَّلل ِلُك ِّل َش ْى ٍء َقْد ًرا‬
‫ …“ َو َيْر ُز ْقُه ِم ْن َح ْيُث اَل َيْح َتِس ُب َوَم ن َيَتَو َّك ْل َع َلى ٱِهَّلل َفُهَو َح ٓۥ‬he that fears Allah
will be provided a way out by Him and given sustenance from the sources he could never imagine: for
Allah is all sufficient for the person who puts his trust in Him. Surely Allah brings about what He pleases,
and Allah has set a measure for all things.” [Q65:2-3)

PART 2

All Praises are due to Allah who sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth to prevail
above all other ways despite the protests and rejection by the unbelievers. O Allah! Bestow your
salutation upon your confidant and messenger, Muhammad (SAW), his family and all his companions.

O servants of Allah! Rejoice that you are part of the Ummah of Muhammad- The Praised One (SAW) who
said that ‫ «إَّن َهللا عَّز وجَّل خلق َخ ْلَقه في‬:‫ سمعت رسول هللا صلى هللا عليه وسلم يقول‬:‫عن عبد هللا بن عمرو رضي هللا عنهما قال‬
‫ َج َّف القلم على علم هللا‬:‫ فلذلك أقول‬،»‫ وَم ن أخطأه ضَّل‬،‫ فَم ن أصابه ِم ن ذلك النور اهتدى‬،‫ فألقى عليهم من نوره‬،‫ُظْلمة‬. "Allah created
His creation in darkness then He sprayed them with His light. Those whom this light reached became
rightly guided, while those it did not went astray. It is for this reason that I say that the (ink of) the pen
has dried upon the knowledge of Allah” (At-Tirmidhi). So, we must understand that guidance and
misguidance are in total agreement with Allah’s prior knowledge. That which has been decided eternally
cannot change or be altered, and the expression about the drying of the ink of the pen indicates this
fact.

And he (SAW) also said, as recorded by Muslim, ‫ َسِم ْع ُت َر ُسوَل ِهللا َص َّلى ُهللا َع َلْيِه‬: ‫ َقاَل‬،‫َع ْن َع ْبِد ِهللا ْبِن َعْم ِر و ْبِن اْلَع اِص‬
‫ َو َع ْر ُش ُه َع َلى اْلَم اء صحيح رواه مسلم‬: ‫ َقاَل‬،‫ "َكَتَب ُهللا َم َقاِد يَر اْلَخاَل ِئِق َقْبَل َأْن َيْخ ُلَق الَّس َم اَو اِت َو اَأْلْر َض ِبَخ ْمِس يَن َأْلَف َس َنٍة‬:‫ َيُقوُل‬، ‫"]َو َس َّلَم‬

“Allah, SWT, wrote the destinies of creation fifty thousand years before He created the Heavens and the
earth. His throne was on the water. Among what He wrote in the Remembrance, which is the Mother of
the Book, was: Muhammad is the Seal of the Prophets.” In the light of this, know that salvation does not
lie in the blood of anybody but in Allah’s Mercy which will guide you to follow the seal of Prophethood
(SAW) and the best of Allah’s creation which will in turn meet Ridwanullah (the Good Pleasure of Allah)
and the admittance of the servant of Allah into Jannah.

O brethren! Know that our Great Prophet (SAW) who is the ‘mercy to the whole of creation’ is the only
rope to hold on to which will lead to salvation. At this period, anyone who hears the message of this
Light of Allah (Nurullah-SAW) and refuses to accept it will not be saved by the blood of anybody.
Rasulullah has tirelessly struggled to ensure that no one derails from sirat al-mustaqeem to the point
that Allah has to advise him thus: “Ta Ha. We have not sent down the Qur’an unto you (O Muhammad,
SAW) to cause you distress, but only as a Reminder to those who fear Allah” Q20:1-3. He also let us into
knowing that “Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad, SAW) from amongst
yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty.” Such a Prophet sent to us by
Allah is the only one worthy of followership in this era.

What are we expected to give in return to this great servant of Allah, the Light (Nuur) and the Guide (al-
Haadi) who had to endure all kinds of tribulations and difficulties to bring the message of Islam to us?
Allah and His Messenger advised us thus:

“Say (O Muhammad, SAW, to mankind): If you (really) love Allah then follow me; (only) then will Allah
love you.” Q3:31

“None of you has faith unless I am dearer to him than his father and his sons and all mankind.” Hadith.

O servants of Allah! Know that the Christian belief of the ascension of Jesus Christ (AS), body and soul
together, is a major pillar of their faith today and one of the factors which misled a large section of them
to believe in his divinity (taking Isa, AS, as god). Even though the Qur’an has affirmed the “ascension”,
clarifications have been made to the fact that there was no death prior to the ascension which Allah did
out of His Immense Powers. Recall that in the case of Prophet Idris (AS) Allah stated that: ‘And We had
raised him to a high position’ (Q19:57). Therefore, Christ’s ascension is not the first and not outside the
powers of Allah.

O servants of Allah! This discussion is to acquaint us with the events of Easter and what it is celebrating:
the false divinity attributed to Isa (AS). We have done this piece in compliance with Allah’s directive to
“Help one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another
in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment” [Q5:2]. On his part, the
Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (4031).

Sayyidina Isa (AS) performed many miracles that Allah honored him with, yet the Jews defied and bellied
him and tried their best to harm him. Allah’s Prophet `Isa could not live in any one city for long and he
had to travel often with his mother, peace be upon them. Even so, the Jews were not satisfied, and they
went to the king of Damascus at that time, a Greek polytheist who worshipped the stars. They told him
that there was a man in Bayt Al-Maqdis misguiding and dividing the people in Jerusalem and stirring
unrest among the king’s subjects.

The king became angry and wrote to his deputy in Jerusalem to arrest the rebel leader, stop him from
causing unrest, crucify him and make him wear a crown of thorns. When the king’s deputy in Jerusalem
received these orders, he went with some Jews to the house that `Isa was residing in, and he was then
with twelve, thirteen or seventeen of his companions. That day was a Friday, in the evening. They
surrounded `Isa in the house, and when he felt that they would soon enter the house or that he would
sooner or later have to leave it, he said to his companions, “Who volunteers to be made to look like me,
for which he will be my companion in Paradise?’’ A young man volunteered, but `Isa thought that he was
too young. He asked the question a second and third time, each time the young man volunteering,
prompting `Isa to say, “Well then, you will be that man.’’

Allah made the young man look exactly like `Isa, while a hole opened in the roof of the house, and `Isa
was made to sleep and ascended to heaven while asleep. Allah said, …. ‫ِإْذ َقاَل ٱُهَّلل َيٰـِع يَس ٰٓى ِإِّنى ُم َتَو ِّفيَك َو َر اِفُعَك ِإَلَّى‬

“And (remember) when Allah said: ‘O `Isa! I will take you and raise you to Myself’ …’’ (Q3:55).

When `Isa ascended, those who were in the house came out. When those surrounding the house saw
the man who looked like `Isa, they thought that he was `Isa. So they took him at night, crucified him and
placed a crown of thorns on his head. The Jews then boasted that they killed `Isa and some Christians
accepted their false claim, due to their ignorance and lack of reason.
As for those who were in the house with `Isa, they witnessed his ascension to heaven, while the rest
thought that the Jews killed `Isa by crucifixion. They even said that Maryam sat under the corpse of the
crucified man and cried, and they say that the dead man spoke to her.

All this was a test from Allah for His servants out of His wisdom. Allah explained this matter in the
Glorious Qur’an which He sent to His honorable Messenger, whom He supported with miracles and clear,
unequivocal evidence. Allah is the Most Truthful, and He is the Lord of the worlds Who knows the
secrets, what the hearts conceal, the hidden matters in heaven and earth, what has occurred, what will
occur, and what would occur if it was decreed.

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn Abbas (RA) said, “Just before Allah raised `Isa to the heavens, `Isa went
to his companions, who were twelve inside the house. When he arrived, his hair was dripping water and
he said, `There are those among you who will disbelieve in me twelve times after he had believed in me.’
He then asked, `Who volunteers that his image appears as mine, and be killed in my place. He will be
with me (in Paradise).’ One of the youngest ones among them volunteered and `Isa asked him to sit
down.

`Isa again asked for a volunteer, and the young man kept volunteering and `Isa asked him to sit down.
Then the young man volunteered again and `Isa said, `You will be that man,’ and the resemblance of `Isa
was cast over that man while `Isa ascended to heaven from a hole in the house.

When the Jews came looking for `Isa, they found that young man and crucified him. Some of `Isa’s
followers disbelieved in him twelve times after they had believed in him. They then divided into three
groups:

1. Al-Ya`qubiyyah (Jacobites) said, ‘Allah remained with us as long as He willed and then
ascended to heaven.’ This is the group Allah is referring to when He said, “Surely, they have
disbelieved who say: ‘Allah is the Messiah (Jesus), son of Mary’. But the Messiah said: ‘O children
of Israel! Worship Allah my Lord and your Lord.’ Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship)
with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise to him and the Fire will be his abode”. Q5:72

2. An-Nasturiyyah (Nestorians) said, ‘The son of Allah was with us as long as he willed and Allah
took him to heaven.’ Allah responded that “they say : ‘The Most Gracious (Allah) has begotten a
son. Indeed, you have brought forth a terrible evil thing whereby the heavens are almost torn
and the earth is split asunder and the mountains fall in ruins that they ascribe a son to the Most
Gracious (Allah). But it is not suitable for (the Majesty of) the Most Gracious (Allah) that He
should beget a son. There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes to the Most Gracious
(Allah) as a slave.” (Q19:88-93)
 3. The True Believers (Muslims) said, `The servant and Messenger of Allah remained with us as
long as Allah willed, and Allah then took him to Him.’ As for this group they will benefit from
Allah’s promise that “those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, shall have the
Gardens of Al-Firdaws (Paradise) for their entertainment wherein they shall dwell forever”.
(Q18:107-108)

The two disbelieving groups cooperated against the Muslim group and they killed them. Ever since that
happened, Islam was then veiled until Allah sent Muhammad (SAW).’’ This statement has an authentic
chain of narration leading to Ibn Abbas, and An-Nasa’I narrated it through Abu Kurayb who reported it
from Abu Mu`awiyah.

O servants of Allah! And (remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): “O `Isa, son of
Maryam! Did you say unto men, ‘worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allah?’’’ (Q5:116). And
on that Day of Resurrection, he (`Isa) will be a witness against those who claim he is god or son of god.
He will bear witness before them that he has delivered the Message from Allah and that he is but a
servant of His.’

The matter of Jesus (AS) has remained the determining factor for the path of faith since the events of
crucifixion till the Day of Assembly. While the Jews revile him and truly believe that they killed him, the
Christians raised him to the level of a partner with Allah as one in the Trinity that governs the Universe.
Out of Allah’s favour to His Prophet (SAW) and his followers, we were guided and upon this guidance we
know the true nature of Jesus and uphold him as such. This Ummah which is justly balanced will act as
witness for Jesus on the Day of Assembly as Allah has told His Rasul and on this account we gave
gratitude to Allah.

Allah has placed the Muslims to be a shining example to all and sundry. All manners of evil should not be
seen in us. Acknowledge the gift of Allah as a great for “If your Lord had so willed, He would have made
mankind one people, but they will not cease to differ, except those on whom Your Lord and Sustainer has
bestowed His mercy, and for this did He create them” (Q11:118-9).

O servants of Allah! “Verily, Allah commands justice, and the doing of good and giving (help) to the kith
and kin and He forbids evil deeds, polytheism and oppression. He admonishes you that you may take
heed.” Q16:90
Our Lord, the Creator of the universe, disassociate us from every wrong doer, and reward everyone that
is good to us and bless them abundantly for us. O Allah, cast trouble, hunger and blame away from us
and guard us against calamities that no one except You can forestall. Our Lord, give us good in this world
and good in the hereafter and save us from the torment of fire. Our Lord, punish us not if we forget or
fall into error; Our Lord, lay not on us a burden like that which You laid on those before us; Our Lord, put
not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us forgiveness. Have
mercy on us. You are our Patron. And give us victory over the disbelieving people.

Aquulu qawliy hadha wastagfirullah liy walakum innahu huwal ghafurun Raheem.

Ramadan Naseehah: Poverty and Begging Among the Muslims (1)

Ramadan 17, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh

Islam commands and encourages each and every adherent to seek for his/her livelihood by working
using his hands and the intellect given by Allah. Going out in search of your sustenance is considered as a
high virtue. Islam forbids and disapproves of laziness and begging because Allah “… has made the earth
submissive to you (and instructs you to) traverse its paths and eat of what He provides you …” (Q67:15).
The fundamental attitude of Islam toward man’s position in the world is that Allah (SWT) has made the
earth for the benefit of man, to whom He has given control over it. It is the duty of man to profit from
this favour and to exert himself to seek Allah’s bounties throughout the earth.

The United Nations says: “Poverty is a denial of choices and opportunities, a violation of human dignity.
It means a lack of basic capacity to participate effectively in society. It means not having enough to feed
and clothe a family, not having a school or clinic to go to; not having the land on which to grow one’s
food or a job to earn one’s living, not having access to credit. It means insecurity, powerlessness and
exclusion of individuals, households and communities. It means susceptibility to violence, and it often
implies living in marginal or fragile environments, without access to clean water or sanitation.”

Sayyidina Rasulullah (SAW), in a hadith reported by Abu Na’im from Anas Ibn Malik (RA) said, “Poverty
can lead to infidelity.” Research has shown that, even on worldly considerations alone, poverty creates
insecurity and as a “denial of human dignity” man can be let out of Islam and become a kaafir when
poverty gets excruciating. Some poor Muslims who have health challenges or education of their wards
have been assisted by Christian missionaries with a promise to become Christians.
Five major factors have consistently featured in research on poverty. These are Laziness, Poor
Education/Educational System, Corruption, Unemployment and Inequality.

Islam has, through its social system, provided recipes to address each of the major causes of poverty but
out of disobedience we have not been able to put them to use. Zakah, if judiciously done, has capacity
for income redistribution and the concomitant effect of generating employment and reducing the
inequality gap tremendously.

On the educational front, the Muslims have encountered losses from two fronts. The first front is over-
concentration on western education that merely equips its patrons with skills to speak a language
without training in any trade that he can use to benefit himself and humanity. So, we are all educated
but not employable. The second front is on our Islamic education which also fails to teach any skill to its
students. Graduates of the madrasahs and Jaamiahs are either underemployed or outrightly
unemployable. Despite cries and suggestions for modification of teaching/learning curricula in our
schools, not much has been done as the proprietors of the Islamic schools and the Government have not
given a serious thought in this direction.

As for laziness, this is a chronic disease and appears to have infected quite a lot of people especially
those who have taken begging as a profession. Able-bodied persons, at the slightest challenge of
deprivation, take to begging using all forms of disguises, and in some cases using deceit and lies to get its
target to part with his money. Once tasted and it yields good results, they resort to making it their
permanent call.

The Muslim has a duty to give food to the poor and to offer the one who asks for something. However,
begging, which impairs human honor and virtue, shatters personality and leads to the exploitation of
benevolent people’s pure feelings, is regarded as an ugly act. The Prophet (SAW) stated that it is
permitted to ask for something for only three categories of people. They are as follows:

The people who are indebted because of acting as a guarantor for a person or a community and cannot
pay their debts;

People all of whose property was destroyed in a disaster; and

People who became destitute and whose poverty is acknowledged by people who know them.
It is not permissible for people other than those who have a day’s food and the strength to work for
livelihood to beg. (Muslim)

Anas bin Malik (RA) narrates: One day, a person from Ansar came to The Prophet and asked for
something. The Prophet (SAW) asked him: “Do you have anything at home?”

“Yes, Allah’s Messenger, we have a piece of cloth. We lay some of it beneath us, and with some of it we
cover ourselves. We have a water pot; we drink water from it.”

“Then, get up immediately, bring both your clothes and water pot to me.”

The person fetched them both.

The Prophet took the cloth and the water pot in his hand, and showing them to the people who were
present, he asked, “Is there anybody who will buy these two articles?”

One person among them said, “I will give one Dirham to both.”

The Prophet repeated a couple of times: “Is there not anybody who gives more than one Dirham?”
Afterwards, someone else said, “I will buy them in return for two Dirhams.” The Prophet sold the cloth
and the water pot to that person. He took the two Dirhams and gave it to the possessor of the articles;
then he said: “Buy food with one Dirham of this money and give it to your family; and with the other one
Dirham, buy an axe and bring it to me.” The man left, bought an axe and came back.

The Prophet put a stick to the axe himself. Giving it to the man, he said: “Take this, go and cut some
wood, gather it and sell. I should not see you for fifteen days.”

The man went away, cut wood, gathered and sold it. When he came to the presence of the Prophet, he
had made fifteen Dirhams. With some of it, he bought clothes and some, foods. Thereupon, The Prophet
said: “This is better for you than coming with begging (appearing) as a spot on your face on the Day of
Resurrection. In another narration, He (SAW) said: “Begging is only appropriate for one who is extremely
poor or who is in severe debt, or one who must pay painful blood money”.

It is better for one among you to bring a load of firewood on his back and give charity out of it (and
satisfy his own need) and be independent of people, than that he should beg from people, whether they
give him anything or refuse him (Muslim).

The Prophet (SAW) regarded begging which is taken as an occupation as disgrace and said: “Some among
you do not ever abandon begging. Finally, on the Day of Resurrection, that dishonorable person will
meet Allah with no flesh left on his face” (Muslim). He (SAW) also said: “Whoever continues to beg
people for their property in order to accumulate much property, surely asks for a piece of fire…”
(Muslim).
Islam does not deem Muslims who do not work, who sit idly, make do with a morsel and a coat, and who
pose a burden on other Muslims as good Muslims. As is understood in the hadiths above, it is strictly
forbidden to beg and to take begging as an occupation. Islam has made elaborate plans for the
maintenance of human dignity and has educated all adherents as to measures to take to protect this
dignity. Allah declares that: “And indeed We have honoured the Children of Adam, and We have carried
them on land and sea, and have provided them with pure and lawful things and have preferred them to
many of those whom We have created with a marked preference.” Q17:70

Let all of us know that begging is not an Islamic culture and Muslim should desist from it.

O Allah! Save us from poverty and deprivation. Save us from insufficiency and humiliation attached to
begging from others before our needs are satisfied. Allahumma Aamiin.

Walhamdulillahi Rabbil A’alameen.

Ramadan Naseehah: Poverty and Begging Among the Muslims (2)

Ramadan 18, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh

‫ِبْس ِم ٱِهَّلل ٱلَّرْح َم ٰـ ِن ٱلَّر ِح يِم‬

For the preservation of our honour, Allah provides our means of sustenance and encouraged our striving
through tillage of the land and multiplication of the input to create abundant harvest. He sends down
the rains to water the land and our farms so that one seed planted comes out with 700 the like thereof.
Because He, in His infinite wisdom, knows that there will be others in our midst that may have some
deficiency to carry out this task of striving, the institution of Sadaqa and Zakah were established for
mankind right from the time of creation.
Muslims are keen to share what they have with others. However, this generousity has resulted in a social
malaise called begging. We see in certain quarters where the art of begging has been institutionalized
and professionalized. Very sad to observe, the bulk of these people are Muslims. This has attracted
negative publicity for Islam as it is touted that Islam encourages begging. It has, therefore, become
obligatory to educate ourselves on the position of Islam on this issue.

Allah demands that “you give not to the foolish your property which Allah has made a means of support
for you but feed and clothe them therewith and speak to them words of kindness” (Q4:5). It then means
that when you want to give sadaqa, you select those who are worthy of it and not the lazy ones who
have taken begging as a profession. In this regard, the Prophet (SAW) says: “Charity is Halal (lawful)
neither for the rich nor for the able bodied” (At-Tirmidhi).

Dear Brethren! Rasulullah (SAW) that: “Anyone who begs from people in order to increase his wealth will
have his face scratched on the Day of Resurrection, and will eat burning stones from Hell; so let him
reduce it (his punishment) or let him increase it as he pleases.” (At-Tirmidhi). This means that it is up to
him to decrease his punishment by not begging, and vice-versa. He (SAW) also said: “He who begs
without need is like a person holding a burning piece of coal in his hand’’ (Al-Bayhaqi).

Know that begging is Haram due to the following reasons:

1. Lose dependence on Allah alone – The Muslim turns away from asking Allah for support and
turns to asking men. Allah admonishes us that “… whosoever puts his trust in Allah and keeps his
duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide
him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will
suffice him” (Q65:2-3). Putting trust in Allah is to take work towards attaining your goal and
believe in Allah for its achievement.

2. Loss of self-esteem – The beggar lowers himself before others and thus loses the honour and
dignity which Allah gave him. Rasulullah (SAW) said: “That one of you takes his rope and then
comes with a load of wood upon his back and sells it is better than to beg of men whether they
give or reject him.” (Hadith Bukhari)

3. Depriving Others – The Muslim who begs causes others to go without – To please Allah,
Muslims hasten to assist others even to the point of depriving themselves. Giving sadaqah to the
undeserved is a form of injustice to the recipient.
 4. Begging weakens the economic base of the Muslim Ummah – Laziness increases and progress
of the Ummah is retarded. Charity basically is a re-distribution of already earned income which
does not constitute a productive activity and therefore does not contribute to the GDP. If,
therefore, the preponderance of the people are given to begging, it worsens the economy of the
Muslim nations by raising the level of dependency on hand-outs.

5. Humiliation for Islam – As a pristine way of life, beggars bring not humiliation only upon
themselves but also to our deen. Beggars often make no discrimination as to the person they
approach for alms. We see situations where a Muslim beggar goes into a church to ask for alms
and he not only get humiliated but get Islam ridiculed.

A man asked Allah’s apostle (SAW): “May I beg from people, O Messenger of Allah, when poverty-
stricken?” The Prophet (SAW) said, “Do not beg unless absolutely compelled, then only from the
virtuous.” Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri quotes the Prophet, SAW, as saying: “The likeness of a believer and the
likeness of belief are similar to the horse that, tied to its post, oscillates around. The believer may forget,
but he returns to his belief. Thus, give your food to the righteous people and entrust your favors to the
believers.” (Ahmad)”

Summary of Islamic Position on Begging

1. It is not haram (forbidden) to accept charity that is freely given from a Muslim who is trying to
please Allah. It is forbidden to beg when a genuine need does not exist. Even with a genuine
case, the person approached for alms must be the pious whose source of wealth is pure.

2. Muslims are instructed to avoid giving charity to one who begs regularly so as not to
institutionalize begging and encourage laziness.

3. It is forbidden for a Muslim to tell friends and neighbors about loss of employment and home
with hopes of charity except for help to get another job or provide temporary accommodation. It
is with sincere hope, though, that Muslims will indeed help those in dire need and that charity
be given daily, weekly and monthly to please Allah, the “Creator, the Benefactor and the Forgiver
of Sins, not just at Ramadan as we mostly do.

4. The Prophet (SAW) said, “Every man who beg in order to increase his property, Allah will
diminish it.”
 5. The Prophet (SAW) said, “Verily Allah loves a Muslim with a family, who is poor, and withholds
himself from the unlawful and from begging.”

6. The Prophet said, “Whoso opens unto himself the door of begging, Allah will open unto him
the door of poverty.”

7. The Prophet said, “Verily it is better for any of you to take your rope and bring a bundle of
wood upon your back and sell it, in which case Allah guards your honor than to beg of people,
whether they give or not; if they do not give, your reputation suffers, and you return
disappointed; and if they give, it is worse than that, for it lays you under obligation.”

8. The Prophet said, “Whoever has food for a day and a night, it is prohibited for him to beg.”

The Prophet said, “Verily it is not right for the rich to ask nor for a strong, robust person; but it is allowed
for the indigent and the infirm.”

O Allah! Show us the truth as truth, and guide to follow it, and show us the falsehood as falsehood, and
guide us to avoid it.

O Allah! Make us love each other in Your Majesty and agree on Your sayings, and shade us with Your
Throne on the day there will be no shade except its shade, and make us die as Muslims, and join us with
pious people, and make our best deed its last one, and our best day the day we meet You. Allahumma
Aamiin.

Wassalamu alaykum warahmatullah.

Ramadan Naseehah: Leadership is Trust

Ramadan 19, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh

‫ِبْس ِم ٱِهَّلل ٱلَّرْح َم ٰـ ِن ٱلَّر ِح يِم‬

The Prophet (SAW) said that “a ruler is a trustee and is responsible for the people he leads, a man is
responsible for taking care of his family, a woman is a trustee and is responsible for her household and
even a servant is a trustee and is responsible for the property of the person whom he is serving. Each
and every person carries a part of the trust.” Generally speaking, we all play/occupy leadership role(s) in
one form or the other in our lifetimes and we shall be answerable for how well we discharge the trust(s)
therein. We are, however, limiting our discussions to political leadership.

Leadership is essentially a Trust (Amanah) involving responsibility and accountability because of the need
for proper functioning of societies. It is a serious business requiring only serious-minded, hardworking
and intelligent people to make governance and accountability easy. When Abu Dharr (RA), a very close
companion, requested the Holy Prophet (SAW) for appointment to a public office, the Prophet (SAW)
told him that, “public office is a trust, a source of lamentation and remorse on the Day of Judgement”
(Muslim).

The Prophet’s (SAW) advice to Abu Dharr (RA) was based on the fact that he was weak in physique and
leadership position is not for the weak. Those who are given such responsibility must live up to its
obligations. If they fail, they violate a great trust and are answerable for it on the day of Judgement. It is
clear from the Prophet’s Sunnah that decisiveness and firmness are important considerations for
leadership; those who are weak are not fit for it.

A leader should, of necessity, possess personal character of taqwa and the ability to motivate others
towards the realisation of common societal goals. Inherent in this is also the assumption that his
leadership is accepted by the people; he has not imposed himself by physical force or other coercive
means like use of thugs (and the attributable vices thereto) and financial inducement as prevalent in
Nigeria.

Upon assuming the leadership of the Muslim Ummah, Sayyidina Abubakr as-Siddiq (RA) said: “I have
been chosen to rule over you, though I am not the best among you. Help me if I am right; correct me if I
am wrong. The weak among you will be strong until I have attained for him his due… and the strong
among you will be weak until I have made him give what he owes… Obey me as long as I obey Allah and
His prophet; if I do not obey them, you owe me no obedience”.
The social contract whichh sets out the basis and the limits of the leader’s authority as well as the duties
of his citizens can be appreciated thus:

Ü Position of leadership should be assumed with humility, recognizing that, as Abu Bakr (RA) said “I have
been chosen to rule over you, though I am not the best among you”.

Ü Governance is an on-going relationship between the leader and the people creating duties for the
citizens as well as obligations on the leader. That is what is meant by “Help me if I am right; correct me if
I am wrong”. This participatory relationship has important consequences as the Citizens are not just
governed but are engaged actively in governance.

Ü Justice is the central responsibility of leadership encapsulated in the statement: “The weak among
you will be strong until I have attained for him his due… and the strong among you will be weak until I
have made him give what he owes.” Inequality in economic resources or access to services is a major
source of societal conflict which leadership is required to address. The Zakah (Revenue) collection from
the rich and distribution to the poor is one mechanism to address economic resource inequality while
unhindered and cheap access to justice as well as quick justice dispensation are also critical elements for
a balanced society.

Ü Since man derives leadership authority from his vicegerency of Allah, the first obedience is to Allah
before the leader. Sayyidina Abu Bakr (RA) aptly covered this when he said: “Obey me as long as I obey
Allah and His prophet; if I do not obey them, you owe me no obedience”. No obedience is due to any
leader in disregard of Allah’s command. This noble statement set out the basis and limit of the authority
of the leader.

O servants of Allah! Leadership as a trust revolves around the four issues discussed above which could
be subject of more detailed analysis. The trusts are many and varied and could be appreciated in a
variety of ways including:

Ü Transparent leadership – The public needs to know what their leader is doing. His word to the citizens
should be honest and when there are errors/mistakes, he should accept responsibility. He should not
knowingly mislead the citizens.

Ü Efficient/prudent management of societal resources – He should engage the best people to assist him
manage the economy. He should not take anything beyond what has been contracted as his entitlement.
The Holy Prophet (SAW) said that if anyone is appointed to a given position of power and is paid a salary,
anything that he takes in addition to that is called ghalul and a person would be accountable for this on
the Day of Judgment. The Qur’an refers to this in (Q3:161) “No prophet could (ever) be false to his trust.
If any person is so false, He shall, on the Day of Judgment, restore what he misappropriated; then shall
every soul receive its due (whatever it earned) and none shall be dealt with unjustly.” There is one saying
of the Prophet (SAW) that if a person is responsible for the affairs of people and he appoints someone
who doesn’t deserve to be appointed out of nepotism or favoritism then he has betrayed Allah, the
messenger of Allah and the community of believers. He also considered it to be one of the signs of the
approach of the Day of Judgment. Once the Prophet (SAW) was sitting with his companions and was
talking about the coming of the hour and some people asked him when the Hour was going to come and
he replied “when trust is lost!” Then he was asked “how is trust lost?” He replied “when people are
given responsibilities which they are not qualified for.”

Ü Leadership should consider all classes of citizens – poor, rich, young, old, male, female, etc. Leadership
should not focus on one class of people to the detriment of others. Rather, depending upon the
situation, every person is the “shepherd” of a flock and should be interested in the welfare of the flock.
He should not withdraw himself from the masses or lock his doors against them, nor should he belittle
them or assign mediators between him and the public who allow some people to enter and prevent
others. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever is given responsibility for some matter of the Muslims but
withdraws himself while they are in dire need and poverty, Allah will withdraw Himself from him while
he is in dire need and poverty on the Day of Requital.” [Abu Dawood]

Ü Accountability – The leader should render account of the trust to the trust owners through
mechanisms that enable citizens to engage with their leader – questioning, discussing, expressing their
support or opposition. He must not oppress, deceive, or behave treacherously towards the masses. The
Prophet (SAW) said: “No slave is given responsibility over some people and dies in a state in which he is
treacherous to them, except that Allah forbids him from Paradise.” [Muslim]

Ü Just and compassionate – Justice is a fundamental precept of Islam; even more so for a leader
because it is part of his responsibility to maintain a balance in the society. Injustice invariably leads to
turmoil and conflict. A leader must not, by his action or inaction, bring about conflict among his
followers. The Prophet (SAW) said: “O Allah, whoever takes command of something of my nation and
makes things hard for them, then make things hard for him, and whoever takes command of something
of my Ummah (Nation) and is gentle with them, then be gentle with him.” [Muslim].

Ü Commitment and Spirit of Sacrifice – First, the leader is the servant of his followers. A just ruler is like
a kind shepherd who looks for the best pastures for his flock and steers them away from areas of danger
and protects them from harm. He is to seek their welfare and guide them towards good. He must treat
his responsibilities as a sacred trust and discharge them with that spirit. If the leader is seen to be
making personal sacrifices, then the followers will make even greater sacrifices. The Prophet (SAW), for
instance, never did anything to benefit himself or his family. Often, he and his family went without food
for days on end. An Islamic leader and those in positions of authority make sacrifices so that the
downtrodden would have more.

“O believers! Betray not the trust of Allah and the apostle nor misappropriate knowingly things
entrusted to you” (Q8:27)
May Allah guide our leaders to lead us aright.

Wal-hamdu Lillahi Rabbil A’alameen.

Ramadan Naseehah: Advice to Our Leaders

Ramadan 20, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh

‫ِبْس ِم ٱِهَّلل ٱلَّرْح َم ٰـ ِن ٱلَّر ِح يِم‬

At this period in the life of the Nigerian nation, the leaders need to be strict and just. The leader must
ensure even application of the law without discrimination. Their personal lives should be chaste and
modest.

My brethren! I crave your indulgence, especially those of you serving in advisory capacity to political
office holders, to circulate this piece and the earlier one of leadership to our political leaders to let them
know that Islam requires of leaders to be one who upholds the following virtues:

1. Act with virtue and integrity. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Virtue is noble behaviour, and sin is that
which creates doubt and you do not like people to know about it” (Muslim). Failure to apply the
wealth of society entrusted in your custody for the benefit of the people is betrayal and sin. You
should “… fulfil the pledge (pledges made with people as well as pledges made with Allah).
Certainly, questioning shall take place (on the Day of Qiyamah) with regard to pledges” (Q17:34)
and people will be taken to task for breaking their pledges.

2. Maintain balance and self-control. Anas Ibn Malik reported the Prophet (SAW) saying: “Three
things are part of the good morals of a believer. When he is overcome by anger, his anger should
not drive him to falsehood. When he is happy, his happiness should not take him beyond the
bounds of what is right. When he has power, he should not stake a claim to something which is
 not his” (At-Tirmidhi). In effect, the leader must be disciplined and exhibit consistent emotional
stability.

3. Be proactive and action-oriented especially when confronting evil. On the authority of Abu
Sa’id Al-Khudri, the Prophet (SAW) said: “Whosoever of you sees an evil action, let him change it
with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so,
then with his heart, for that is the minimum that is desirable from a believer” (An-Nasa’i). The
one given leadership authority is required to deal decisively with evil and threat to societal
existence and his failure in this regard is a betrayal of people’s trust of protection. Efforts should
be made to attack the root cause of evil (like poverty, joblessness, lack of justice, etc.,) rather
than scratching the surface.

4. Keep your words and promises (especially the electoral campaign promises). Abu Hurairah
reported the Prophet (SAW) saying: “Three are the signs of a hypocrite: When he speaks, he lies;
when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays his trust” (Bukhari
and Muslim). A leader with these defective attributes should fear becoming a munafiq
(hypocrite) who Allah describes as “… Indeed the hypocrites (try to) deceive Allah …” (Q4:142)
similar to what the politicians do to the electorates and for this reason Allah promises that
“Verily, the hypocrites shall be in the lowest depth of the fire, and they will never find a helper
for them” (Q4:145).

5. Do not meddle in what does not concern you. Be focused and do not allow your followers or
advisers to misdirect your efforts. Abu Hurayra reported the Prophet as having said: “Part of the
excellence of one’s Islam is his giving up of that which does not concern him” (At-Tirmidhi). Be
focused on the tasks assigned to you and follow up actively on delegated functions; do not
delegate and abdicate as you will be the one to account to Allah for any failure thereof.

6. Be kind to your followers. He (SAW) said: “It is better for a leader to make a mistake in forgiving
than to make a mistake in punishing” (Al-Tirmidhi).

7. Do not condone or engage in bigotry. Remain objective in your decision-making paying

attention only to the laws of Allah and the rules of engagement; show no bias in favour of
anyone which will result in miscarriage of justice.
 8. Do not stay far from your followers. Step into the reality of your followers, and do not be aloof
from the needs of other stakeholders, including the community at large. Anas Ibn Malik reported
the Prophet (SAW) as saying that “None of you (truly) believes, until he wishes for his brother
what he wishes for himself” (Bukhari).

O servants of Allah! Let all our leaders know that Allah (Most High) has made a place which is known as
Hell and another called Paradise. He has made you a gate-keeper of these places and granted you three
things;

Ø The Public Treasury – Preserve what you meet in the treasury and put adequate control to safeguard
it against unauthorized access, generate more revenue and with this you are required to provide for the
needs of the people you govern equitably, pay remunerations and wages as per contracts of
employment. Your personal entitlement should be limited to what the law prescribes;

Ø The security apparatus (the Police, Army, etc.) – Provide for the security needs of the people and
ensure that wrong doers are apprehended and brought to justice; and

Ø The Judiciary – ensure that every citizen is given equal access to justice and no discrimination of any
sort against anyone regardless of position in society.

Failure to apply these resources as prescribed by Allah will be a major cause for leaders to enter hell and
the judicious and selfless application of same will elevate a leader in this world and in the hereafter
when the leader will be admitted into Jannah. The leader has a choice to make in this matter.

We ask Allah to make the task of governance easy for them and to guide them to impact positively on
the lives of the people they govern.

Wal-Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil A’alameen

Ramadan Naseehah: Search for Laylatul Qadr & Dedicate Yourself More to Allah’s Worship

Ramadan 20, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah!

‫ِبْس ِم ٱِهَّلل ٱلَّرْح َم ٰـ ِن ٱلَّر ِح يِم‬

1. Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree. (On the night of Qadr the Qur’an
was brought down from the “Lowhul Mahfoodh” to the heaven above the earth. It was from here that
Jibra’eel brought the Qur’an to Rasulullah (SAW) over a period of twenfy-three years).

2. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? (i.e., night of Taqdeer or night of Power
or Pre-Ordainment)

3. The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. (Therefore, the person who engages in
Ibaadah during the night of Qadr will be rewarded more than a person who engages in Ibaadah for a
thousand months that do not include a night of Qadr).

4. The angels and the Rooh (Jibra’eel) descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. (It
is on this night that the angels with duties on earth receive their instructions for the coming year).

5. Peace (blessings and serenity) it (the night) is until the emergence of dawn. (The entire night is
therefore blessed.) Q97:1-5.

Mujahid said: “The Prophet, SAW, mentioned an Israelite who carried weapons and fought for the sake
of Allah for a thousand months. The Muslims were astonished to hear this, and so Allah, SWT, revealed
(Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Predestination. Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Night of
Power is! The Night of Power is better than a thousand months). He said: ‘This is better than the months
in which that man carried his weapons and fought’”.

Aisha, RA, related that the Prophet (SAW) said: “Look for Laylatul Qadr on an odd-numbered night during
the last ten nights of Ramadan” (Bukhari). As such, we are encouraged to increase our worship and
devotion during this period. Sayyidah Aisha (RA) reported: “With the start of the last ten days of
Ramadan, the Prophet (SAW) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e., work harder) and used to pray the
whole night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers” (Bukhari).

Abu Hurayrah (RA) relates that the Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever stands (in the voluntary night prayer
of) Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. And whoever
spends the night of Laylat Al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will
be forgiven” (Sunan an-Nasa’i).
Ibn Abbas reported that The Prophet (SAW) said regarding the Night of Decree, “It is a calm night,
neither hot nor cold, and the sun arises on it red and feeble” (Ṣaḥiiḥ Ibn Khuzaymah). This means it’s a
very weak sun which you can look straight at. Imam An-Nawawi gave us two explanations:

· Allah just wants it that way. He wanted the sun to come up in a very special way after a special night.

· Because of the number of angels filling the sky, they’re actually blocking the sunbeams.

There is a possibility of rainfall on the night of Qadr. There are narrations where Prophet Muhammad
(SAW) did mention that he dreamed about Laylatul-Qadr and in that dream he had prostrated and when
he came up, his face was wet with rain water and mud. (Al-Bukhari, 813).

During this last ten days, we are encouraged to engaged in acts of ibadah as follows:

Ü Recite the Qur’an and think deeply about their meaning and how it affects you on a personal level.
Reciting the Qur’an is among the many good deeds that one can perform on the “Night of Decree”.

Ü Observe Nawafil. Abu Huraira narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Whoever stands (in
prayer) in Laylatul Qadr while nourishing his faith with self-evaluation, expecting reward from Allah, will
have all of his previous sins forgiven. [Bukhari and Muslim). You can use this auspicious time to observe
Salat Tasbih (detail is attached).

Ü Abu Huraira, RA, related that the Prophet (SAW) said: “When the last one-third of the night remains,
our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the heaven of the earth and proclaims: ‘Who is that who
supplicates for Me, and I grant his supplication? Who is that who begs Me for anything and I grant it to
him? And who is that who seeks My forgiveness, and I forgive him?” (Bukhari, Muslim). Allah is quite
close during this period; so, present all your requests to Him.

Ü Aisha, RA, said: I asked the Messenger of Allah: ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night
of Qadr, what should I say during it?’ He said: ‘Say: [ALLAHUMMA INNAKA AFUWWUN TUHIBBUL AFWA
FA’FUANNI] O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.’ “(Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and
Tirmidhi).

The meaning of “Qadr” has been severally explained thus:

1. As veneration or honour, i.e. it is a night that is venerated because of its special characteristics, and
because the one who stays up during this night becomes a man of honour.

2. Means constriction, in the sense that the knowledge of precisely when this night is, is hidden. Al-
Khaleel ibn Ahmad said: it was called Laylat al-Qadr because the earth is constricted by the great
numbers of angels on that night, and Allah says: “But when He tries him, by reducing his means of life [fa
qadara alayhi rizqahu]…” (Q89:16), i.e., by constricting or reducing his provision.
3. Qadar, i.e., that on this night the decrees for the coming year are ordained, as Allah says: “Therein
(that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments” (Q44:4) and because Allah’s decrees are decided
and written down on this night.

So Allah has called it Laylat al-Qadr, because of its great value and high status with Allah, and because so
many sins are forgiven and so many faults are concealed during this night. For it is the night of
forgiveness, as it was reported in the ahadith earlier stated herein.

This special night, as explained by Rasulullah (SAW), can be found on the odd nights of 21/23/25/27/29
of Ramadan. There are a lot of people who try to seek the Laylatul Qadr on the 27th of Ramadan simply
because it did occur on the 27th in the year before. The scholars said that this is something with wisdom;
otherwise, if you know with certainty that it is going to be on the 27th there would not have been any
need to engage in acts of worship on any other night. So basically, Laylatul-Qadr changes from year to
year but still in the last ten nights on the odd nights so that the Muslims actually keep working hard for
the rewards.

Our Lord, the Creator of the universe, disassociate us from every wrong doer, and reward everyone that
is good to us and bless them abundantly for us. O Allah, cast trouble, hunger and blame away from us
and guard us against calamities that no one except You can forestall. Our Lord, give us good in this world
and good in the hereafter and save us from the torment of fire. May us beneficiaries of Your Special
favours of Laylatul Qadr of this year’s Ramadan. Allahumma Aamiin!

Wassalamu alaykum warahmatullahi ta’ala wabarakaatuh.

Jumu’ah Khutbah: Ramadan is in its Last Phase

Ramadan 23, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah wabarakaatuh.

All praises belong to Allah Who sent his Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth to make it
overcome all other ways (not in conformity with it) and Allah is sufficient as Witness upon this. I testify
that none deserves to be worshipped along with Him, as He alone is the Owner and Sustainer of all that
exists.

May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the best of creation, Muhammad (SAW) and all his highly
esteemed companions.

O servants of Allah! This is an auspicious time to show gratitude to Allah for coming this far into the
blessed month of Ramadan. How many a people wish to reach the Month of Ramadan but did not reach
it? I wish to quickly remember Sheikh Muhammad al-Ameen, an erudite scholar and a great teacher and
daa’I (caller to Allah’s way) who, a few years ago passed away just two days before Ramadan. We will
forever miss his good teaching, counseling and leadership. May Allah have mercy upon his soul and take
the affairs of his family better than when he was alive. Allahumma Aaamiin.

How many a people started the Ramdan fast with us and they have since gone to meet their Lord? How
many a people are in their graves, depending upon their deeds, incapable of adding a single good deed
to their accounts or able to diminish/extinguish a single evil deed from the evil deeds in their accounts?

My brethren! Here you are, Allah has favoured you to reach this virtuous moment in the month of
Ramadan awaiting the arrival of Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Majesty). Do not waste this moment as you
have done in previous years or as you have done so far since the commencement of this Ramadan. You
have no assurance that you will meet next year’s Ramadan. Work hard as if this is your last Ramadan on
earth and seek to score the maximum point obtainable. Engage in righteous actions that will draw you
closer to Allah! Seize this happening moment with good intention, obedience and sincerity to Allah and
His Messenger, SAW.

O Brethren! Notwithstanding the economic hardship and the anxiety with which most of us began the
Ramadan fast, we are today getting very close to the finishing line. We can only remember that it is the
favour of Allah that has brought us this far. Allah (SWT) asked a question that: “Is it they who portion out
the Mercy of your Lord? (And He – SWT answered that) It is We Who portion out between them their
livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ
others in their work. But the Mercy (Paradise) of your Lord is better than the (wealth of this world) which
they amass” (Q43:32).

Despite recognizing Allah’s favours, we are given to stinginess which Allah attests to when He said: “The
life of this world is but a play and past time but if you have faith (in Allah) and keep your duty (to Him),
He will give you your reward and He will not ask you of Your wealth. If He were to ask you for it and press
you, you will be niggardly (stingy) and He will bring forth all your (secret) ill-wills. Behold! You are those
who are called to spend in Allah’s way, but among you are those who are niggardly. And whoever is
niggardly, is niggardly against his own soul. And Allah is Self-Sufficient (free from all needs) and you
(mankind) are needy …” (Q47:36-38).

All human beings were created by Allah and they belong to one great brotherhood; all being
descendants of the same progenitor, Adam and Hawa. They must willingly come to one another’s
assistance, like members of the same large family. Islam has, therefore, laid the greatest of emphasis on
the support of destitute and disabled members of society. It is a sacred duty of the wealthy to give part
of their possessions to fulfill the needs of the deprived sections of the community.

Sadaqa, which can be translated as Charity, is one way of showing appreciation for Allah’s favours upon
us by sharing what we have with those who are less endowed. While this includes almsgiving and
donations to the needy, sadaqa also encompasses any act of kindness done to earn Allah’s pleasure. In
this sense, even those without material wealth are able to give charity and earn its reward. This is the
month in which the reward for sadaqa is unquantifiable.

O servants of Allah! Allah has ordered us to do the following:

1. “Give to the near of kin his due, and also to the needy and the wayfarers. Do not squander your
wealth wastefully; for those who squander wastefully are Satan’s brothers, and Satan is ever ungrateful
to his Lord” (Q17:26-27).

2. “… Allah does not love the ones who are proud and boastful. Those who are stingy, exhort the
people to be stingy, and conceal what Allah has bestowed upon them from His bounties. We have
prepared for the disbelievers a shameful retribution. They give money to charity only to show off, while
disbelieving in Allah and the Last Day (they are the friends of Shaytan). And whoever takes Shaytan as a
companion, then what a dreadful companion he has! Why do they not believe in Allah and the Last Day,
and give from Allah’s provisions to them? Allah is fully aware of them” (Q4:36-39).

Remember that our Noble Prophet-SAW (who is the most generous of all mankind) exhorted Muslims to
give charity and help the less fortunate. He taught that even small acts of kindness and money spent on
one’s family were charitable acts: “There is a sadaqa (charity) due on every Muslim; if he cannot give
because he has no money, let him work then he can support himself and give charity; if he is unable to
work, then let him help someone in need of his help; if he does not do that, let him enjoin good; if he
does not do that, then he should not do evil or harm others: it will be written for him as a sadaqa.”
(Ahmad, Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet (SAW) also said: "In one's wealth there is a due (to Allah and man) besides zakah." Upon
this, Sayyidina Ali, RA, explained thus: “Allah has ordained that the rich are to pay out of their wealth to
that extent which is sufficient for the needs of the poor; so that if they do not find food and clothing, or
any other need remains to be fulfilled, it would be because the rich are not doing their duty, and for this
Allah will take them to task on the Day of Judgment.”

O brethren! Is this observation by Sayyidina Ali (RA) not very apt? All the evils that our society is trying to
manage today emanate from the refusal of those whom Allah has blessed with wealth or authority to do
justice that will provide welfare to the less privileged who refused to follow Allah’s command. Do not fall
into the class of people who when Allah asks them to spend in His cause, they become niggardly. Do
have faith that “… Whatever good you send ahead for yourselves (as reward to the Aakhirah), you will
find it with Allah in a better and more rewarding state. Seek forgiveness from Allah. Verily Allah is Most
Forgiving, Most Merciful” (Q73:20).

As Ramadan is coming to a close, remember that several of our brethren observed the fast with hunger
and they have not taken Allah to the court of human beings. They have kept their deprivation to
themselves and patiently waiting on Allah for ease. Be that instrument of ease for the suffering Muslims
and give freely out of the excess with you or sacrifice from the little that you have to put a smile on the
face of your brothers and sisters. Pay your Zakatul fitr on time to enable the less privileged to end the
Ramadan in happiness.

Zakaatul-Fitr, also called Sadaqah al-Fitr is an act of charity associated with Ramadan. Fitr means
breaking a fast; zakaah is an alms-tax which literally means to purify, to grow; and sadaqah means
contribution or donation. Zakaat ul-Fitr is compulsory to be paid on every Muslim.

Ibn Umar (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) prescribed that the Zakaat ul-Fitr is due upon
every slave, free person, male, female, young and elderly among the Muslims (Bukhari). The head of the
household may give the required amount for one’s house.

Sadaqah al-Fitr is compulsory on one even if he or she embraced Islam in the last seconds of Ramadan.
The same applies if a woman gives birth. Conversely, if someone dies before the close of Ramadan his or
her heirs are excused from paying for the deceased.

Zakaat ul-Fitr must be paid before Salaat ul-Eid. If one misses paying it before the prayer without a good
reason it is not considered Zakaah but just another Sadaqa (charity). Naafi’ transmitted that Ibn Umar
(RA) used to pay fitr a day or two before the Eid prayer [Bukhari & Muslim, Abu Dawood]. Whoever pays
fitr after the Eid prayer will not get the blessings of it because it will be rendered as regular Sadaqah
(Abu Dawood).
 It would be strongly advisable for one to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr before the eid prayer because it purifies the
faster of idle deeds and vain talk committed during Ramadan [Abu Dawood] as well as providing its
recipients in time for the Islamic holiday.

At the time of the Prophet, payment of Zakat al-Fitr was made in terms of weight of grain. It is one Sa’a
for each person. One Sa’a approximates between 2.04Kg and 3.25Kg. In most Muslim communities, the
Sa’a has been standardised; either a big mudd (equivalent of the Sa’a) or the small one which will be
measured four times for each person. A sa‘a is a volume measure equal to four double-handfuls and a
mudd is a quarter-sa‘a, one double-handful of an average sized man.

Some Muslim jurists agree that Zakat al-Fitr can also be paid in cash equivalent to the cost of 3.25kg of
grain including rice, wheat, lentils, corn, and dry cheese but this is highly contested. Traditionally, most
scholars did not approve payment of Zakat al-Fitr in money, but either restricted its payment to the food
items the Prophet, SAW, mentioned, or to food staples common to the Muslims of the region in which it
was being paid. But Abu Hanifah (RA), and some other prominent individual scholars, did allow for
payment of Zakat al-Fitr in value. Use of cash or a mixture of cash and food stuff is gaining traction.

In addition, some contemporary scholars have now established that the value of Zakat al-Fitr should be
such as equal to what will “gratify” or “enrich” a poor person in food for the day of Eid based on the cost
of a common food staple or type in the place where that poor person lives.

We observe that people here in Nigeria are fond of limiting their zakah to corn. Although we do not
condemn this item, if you can do better, please do not give corn. Recall that Allah says: “By no means
shall you attain righteousness unless you spend (in Allah’s cause) that which you love; and whatever
good you spend, Allah knows it well” (Q3:92). The standard we should use to assess what to give should
be yourself. Give what you will eat on the Eid-ul-Fitr day considering the injunction in Q3:92.

O servants of Allah! For those who can afford it, give more than the minimum zakatul fitr requirement,
please do so to lighten the burden of the moment from your brothers and sisters for our Holy Prophet
(SAW) said: “He who is not being merciful with the people, Allah will not be merciful with him.” And
“The Muslim is a brother to another Muslim. He does not oppress him, He does not abandon him when
he needs help; Whoever helps his brother when he is needed, Allah will help him at the time of his need.
And whoever clears a distress for a Muslim, Allah will clear for him one of the distresses of the Day of
Judgment” (Bukhari & Muslim).

PART 2
All praise is due to Allah, Whom we praise and seek help, guidance and forgiveness from. I bear witness
that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah without partners and that Muhammad is His
servant and Messenger.

O Allah! Bestow your salutation and peace upon your confidant and messenger, Muhammad (SAW), his
family, his companions and all those who believe in him till the end of time.

At this time of Ramadan, another major preoccupation of the Muslims is I’tikaf. I’tikaf is a meritorious
voluntary act which involves staying in the mosque exclusively for worship and remembrance of Allah.
This seclusion is best done in the last ten days of Ramadan since the Prophet (SAW) did that.

Some of the pertinent rules of I’tikaf include:

1. I’tikaf is not valid for someone who is not fasting, even on account of a valid excuse. If
someone in I’tikaf deliberately breaks their fast, they have to begin their I’tikaf all over again.

2. Once you commence, it should be consecutive and in a mosque. It is not valid in houses,
shops and other such places. I’tikaf is valid in any mosque, even if there are only three mosques
in a town. If the town is one where there is a Jumu’ah, then I’tikaf must be done in the jumu’ah
mosque, unless you are fulfilling a vow to do a certain number of days in I’tikaf and these do not
include the day of Jumu’ah.

3. I’tikaf mandates avoidance of sexual contact with the spouse. Allah ta’ala, declares ‘And do
not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are doing I’tikaf in mosques’
(Q2:187).

4. If you fall ill in I’tikaf you can return home but you should complete your I’tikaf when you are
well again. The same applies to a woman who starts to menstruate in I’tikaf.

5. The restrictions of I’tikaf continue to apply to both sick people and women who are
menstruating during the time they are away from the mosque. When the woman regains her
purity, she should return immediately to the mosque whether this happens by night or by day.
So, they are not permitted to do outside the mosque what is incompatible with I’tikaf except not
fasting. When the menstruating woman becomes pure and has a ghusl, or the sick person
recovers, whether it be night or day, they return to the mosque immediately.
 6. People doing I’tikaf should not leave the mosque except for normal needs. It is all that
compels him to leave: urine, faeces, the ghusl for Jumu’ah, the ‘id, wudu’, ghusl for janaba,
eating and drinking provided that he does not go beyond the near place to the further place.
Otherwise, his I’tikaf is invalidated.

7. He does not engage in conversation with anyone, otherwise his I’tikaf is invalidated. The
practice where one in I’tikaf spends the better part of the time discussing and chatting with
other mu’takif or on the phone most of the time is clearly not good as it invalidates the I’tikaf.

8. You should enter the mosque where you are intending to do your I’tikaf before sunset on the
night you intend to start. This is recommended. Sayyida A’isha (RA) said, “When the Messenger
of Allah wanted to do I’tikaf, he prayed Fajr and then entered into his I’tikaf.”

9. While in I’tikaf you should not visit the sick, follow funeral processions or go out to transact
any business. While in I’tikaf, he is forbidden to visit the sick, as long as it is not one of his
parents or both of them. In such a case, he is obliged to go out to show filial devotion since it is
an obligation in the Shari’a and his I’tikaf is invalidated. If he goes out for the funeral of his
parents, his I’tikaf is invalidated. However, he must go out to the funeral prayer for one of them
since not going out is disobeying the living. This applies to his parents, even if they are
unbelievers. He does not join the funeral prayer, even if it is placed adjacent to him, and if it is
the funeral or a neighbour or righteous person. But if he does visit a sick person in the mosque
or prays in a funeral prayer in it, his I’tikaf is not invalidated.

10. You cannot make your I’tikaf conditional in any way like saying “I will do I’tikaf for ten days. If I
think I should leave, then I will leave,” or “I will do I’tikaf for the days rather than the nights,” or
the reverse.

11. If the period of your I’tikaf continues until the day of the ‘Id al-Fitr then you should spend the
night before the ‘Id in the mosque and leave from it in the morning to go to the place where the
‘id prayer is going to be held.

O servants of Allah! As we intend to do the I’tikaf in the remaining days of Ramadan, let us all be guided
by the Rules and we ask Allah for acceptance.
O servants of Allah! The visa to Jannah is on offer and the price in this Ramadan is Sadaqa. Buy your visa
on time before the end of the month and remember that Allah says: “For those who give in charity, men
and women, and loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan, it shall be increased manifold (to their credit), and they
shall have (besides) a generous reward.”(Q57:18).

Sayyidina Rasulullah (SAW) said: “To give something to a poor man brings one reward, while giving the
same to a needy relation brings two: one for charity and the other for respecting the family ties” (Ahmad
and Tirmidhi). So start your charity with your close relatives.

We ask Allah to accept all our acts of Sadaqa before and during this Ramadan. May He increase our
capacity to enable us to discharge more to our fellow human beings.

Allahumma innaka afuwun tuhibbul afwa fa’afu anna.

Aquulu qawliy hadha wastaghfirullah liy walakum.

Wa aakhiru da’awana anil hamdu lillahi rabbil aalameen.

Ramadan Naseehah: General Guidelines on Zakatul Fitr

Ramadan 24, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah wabarakaatuh

‫ِبْس ِم ٱِهَّلل ٱلَّرْح َم ٰـ ِن ٱلَّر ِح يِم‬

The timeline for deciding whether a situation qualifies for Zakatul Fitr or not is the Maghrib salat on the
last day of Ramadan. Any event before Maghrib will necessitate the giving of the Zakah and if it is after
Maghrib, that falls into the new month of Shawwal and Zakatul Fitr will not be due.

We present the following possible scenarios:

 1. If a person is insane at the time of sunset of the night of Eidul fitr and his insanity continues till
midday on Eidul fitr it is not obligatory on him to pay the Zakatul fitr. Otherwise, it is necessary
for him, on the basis of obligatory precaution, to give fitra.

If a child becomes adult, or an insane person becomes sane, or a pauper becomes free from want before
or during sunset, and satisfies the conditions of fitra becoming obligatory on him, he should give fitra.

If an unbeliever becomes a Muslim after the sunset of the night of Eidul fitr, it is not obligatory on him to
pay fitra.

A person who possesses only one sa’a (about 3 Kilos) of wheat and the like should pay Zakat. And if he
has family members and wishes to pay their Fitra as well he can give that one sa’a to one of his family
members with the intention of fitra and he can give it to another family member and so on till the turn
of the last person comes; and it is better that the last person should give what he receives to a person
who is not one of them. And if one of them is a minor his guardian can take fitra on his behalf and the
precaution is that the thing taken for the minor should not be given to anyone else.

If one’s child is born after the sunset of the night of Eidul fitr (which is not in Ramadan) it is not
obligatory to give its fitra.

If it is obligatory on a person to pay the fitra of another person but he does not pay it, its payment does
not become obligatory on the latter. In the same vein if it is obligatory on a person to pay the fitra of
another person his obligation does not end even if the latter himself pays his own fitra.

If the husband of a woman does not bear her expenses and she takes meals at the house of another
person, it is obligatory on that person to pay her Fitra. And if she does not take her meals at the house of
another person, she should pay her fitra herself, provided that she is not poor.

The fitra of a child who sucks the milk of its mother or nurse is payable by one who bears the expenses
of the mother or the nurse. However, if the mother or the nurse meets her expenses from the property
of the child itself, payment of fitra for the child is not obligatory on any person.

Even though a person meets the expenses of the members of his family with unlawful means he should
pay their fitra out of lawful property.
If a person dies after sunset (after salat al-Maghrib) of the night of Eidul fitr his fitra as well as that of the
members of his family should be paid out of his property, but if he dies before sunset, it is not obligatory
that his Fitra and that of the members of his family be paid out of his property.

A man has to pay on behalf of himself and his wife (even if she has money of her own) and his children
and parents if they are poor, and his daughter if she is married but the marriage has not yet been
consummated. If his son is rich, he does not have to give zakat al-fitr on his behalf.

A husband has to give zakat al-fitr on behalf of a divorced wife whose divorce (talaaq) is not yet final (i.e.,
she is still in the ‘iddah of a first or second talaaq), but not in the case of a rebellious wife or one whose
divorce is final.

A son does not have to give zakaat al-fitr on behalf of a poor father’s wife because he is not obliged to
spend on her.

When giving zakaat al-fitr, one should start with the closest people first, so he gives it on behalf of
himself, then his wife, then his children, then the rest of his relatives in order of closeness, following the
pattern laid out in the rules governing inheritance.

It is not obligatory to give zakaat al-fitr on behalf of a foetus that is still in the mother’s womb, but if this
is done voluntarily, there is nothing wrong with it.

If a servant has set wages that are paid to him daily or monthly, the employer does not have to give
zakaat al-fitr on his behalf, because he is a hired worker, and one is not obliged to spend on a hired
worker.

Concerning giving zakat al-fitr on behalf of an orphan, Imaam Maalik (RA) said: “The guardian should
give zakaat al-fitr on behalf of the orphans some of whose wealth is under his control, even if they are
minors.”

Fitr should be given to deserving Believers who do not have enough income for the maintenance of their
families for the whole year.
If deserving persons are not readily available, Fitr should be sent to places where such persons are
found, or the amount should be sent to a Mujtahid who would do the needful in distributing the same.

Zakaat al-fitr has to be handed over to someone who is entitled to it or someone who has been
appointed to collect it, at the right time before the Eid prayer. If a man wants to give it to a particular
person, but cannot find him or a trustee who can accept it on his behalf, and he is afraid that time is
running out, he has to give it to another entitled person, and not delay giving it.

If a person wants to give his zakaat al-fitr to a specific needy person, and is afraid that he may not see
him at the appropriate time, he should tell him to appoint someone to accept it on his behalf, or to
appoint him (the giver) to take it from himself on his behalf. Then when the time comes, he can take it to
him in a bag or whatever, or keep it for him as a trust until he sees him.

If the one who wants to give zakah appoints someone else to give it on his behalf, he is still responsible
for it until he is certain that his deputy has carried out his instructions. This point becomes relevant for
Muslims who live in places where they cannot find a recipient for their zakah.

O servants of Allah! The payment of Zakat al-Fitr is as important as the fast that you are about to
complete. Do not treat it with levity; make efforts to honour this obligation within the time limit
provided and remember that the Prophet (SAW) said, “Wealth does not decrease because of charity, and
Allah increases His slave in honour when he forgives others. And no one humbles himself before Allah
but Allah will raise him (in status)” (Muslim).

May Almighty Allah keep us with His Prophet in the Hereafter. May He place us in His Paradise without
questioning us. May He make us neighbors to the Prophet in Paradise. May Almighty Allah grant us the
means to do our worship, deeds, and all of our work and business in the best way possible. May He
grant us the best of the rewards, the best of the abodes in the Hereafter. May He make us neighbors to
His best servants in Paradise.

Do not forget or stop this du’a: Allahumma innaka afuwun tuhibbul afwa fa’afu anna.

Alhamdulillahi Rabbil A’alameen

Ramadan Naseehah: Humility is the Gateway to Taqwa

Ramadan 25, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah wabarakaatuh

‫ِبْس ِم ٱِهَّلل ٱلَّرْح َم ٰـ ِن ٱلَّر ِح يِم‬

“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that
you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-
Taqwa (Allah’s consciousness). Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Q 49:15)

Fasting is one mechanism instituted by Allah to train our minds and bodies for taqwa and thereby
making us truly worthy of being called ibaadullah (Servants of Allah). All power and strength is from
Allah alone. All human beings are equal in the sight of Allah and the distinction between nations, tribes,
and families is only to know each other and not for the sake of pride, arrogance or discrimination.

Development of the quality of humility is dependent on proper understanding of the position of

servanthood (Abd) vis-à-vis the lordship of Allah. The kalimah of entering the faith of Islam specifically
declared: La ilaha illa Allah. This in effect shows that everything belongs to and is owned by Allah, who
alone exists; all other things that appear to exist are derivatives from the Real Existence and it is only for
a while. Humility comes from knowing about Allah and recognising His Majesty, venerating Him, loving
Him and being in awe of Him; and it comes from knowing about oneself and one’s own faults, and
weaknesses. Allah gives this characteristic to those who struggle to become close to Him through deeds
of piety and righteousness. A companion close to the Prophet (SAW) heard him say, “Wealth does not
decrease because of charity, and Allah increases His slave in honour when he forgives others. And no
one humbles himself before Allah but Allah will raise him (in status)” (Muslim).

The Prophet (SAW), the leader of this Ummah, did not behave towards others as if he was their King
deserving veneration, nor did he despise anyone. One of the Sahabas reported that Rasulullah (SAW)
worked happily with servants or workers. Other companions related that the Prophet tidied his house,
tied camels, fed animals, ate meals with his servants, and helped them in kneading bread and bringing
provisions from the market. It was also reported that he used to visit the sick, attend funerals, ride on a
donkey, slow down his pace for the sake of the weak and accept invitations from the poor. These are the
characteristics of humility which Muslims must copy from Rasulullah (SAW) and make his way of life.

During his Caliphate, Umar ibn Al Khattab (RA) was marching upon Damascus with his army. Abu Ubayda
ibn Jarrah (RA) was with him. They came upon a little lake. Umar descended from his camel, took off his
shoes, tied them together, and hung them on his shoulder. He then took the halter off his camel and
they entered the water together. Seeing this in front of the army, Abu Ubayda said, “O Commander of
the Believers! How can you be so humble in front of all your men?” Umar answered, “Woe to you, Abu
Ubayda! If only anyone else other than you thought this way! Thoughts like this will cause the downfall
of the Muslims (and it did cause the downfall of the Muslims in Spain [Andalusia] where Islam ruled for
several centuries but has now been completely effaced). Don’t you see we were indeed a very lowly
people and Allah raised us to a position of honour and greatness through Islam? If we forget who we
are and wish for something other than the Islam which elevated us, the One who raised us surely will
debase us.”

The statement of Sayyidina Umar (RA) is full of wisdom that touches each and every one of us. Think
about your humble background when you use to see the “big people” from far thinking they were
specially created. Now, you have forgotten your past because Allah has raised your status in society. My
brother, think and submit humbly to Allah. Do not exalt yourself above another creature of Allah for you
do not know his/her grade before the Creator. The one who is truly humble is the one who is truly
blessed. Every time that Shaytan try to make him feel superior to others, he remembers Allah, the Most
Great and Omnipotent, and humbles himself in true submission. Through this practice, he attains taqwa
and elevation by Allah.

The idea that you are better than someone is sheer ignorance. In the spiritual journey, whose end is the
meeting with Rabbil Izzati (the Lord and Owner of Honour) you ought not to look at anyone without
considering that he is better than you and superior to you. Al-Imam Abu Haamid al-Ghazzali in one of his
soul-training admonitions in his book, Bidayatul Hidayah, advised us thus:

1. If you see a child, you say, “This person has never sinned against Allah, but I have sinned, and so he is
better than me”

2. If you see an older person, you say, “This man was a servant of Allah before me, and is certainly
better than me” for he has served Allah longer.

3. If he is a scholar, you say “This man has been given what I have not been given and reached what I
did not reach, and knows what I am ignorant of; then how shall I be like him?”

4. If he is ignorant, you say, “This man has sinned against Allah in ignorance, and I have sinned against
Him knowingly, so Allah’s case against me is stronger, and I do not know what end He will give to me and
what end to him.”
5. If he is a Kaafir (an infidel), you say “I do not know; perhaps he will become a Muslim and his life will
end in doing good, and because of his acceptance of Islam something of his sins will be taken away, as a
hair is taken from dough; but as for me, Allah is our refuge [or Allah grant that it does not happen]
perhaps Allah will lead me astray so that tomorrow he will be among those brought near to Allah and I
shall be among the punished”

In a story related by Muslim Scholar, the scholar saw a Magian neighbour in a dream seated on a high
platform in Jannah after his demise. The scholar was baffled and enquired from the man: “Are you not
the Magian I know? How did you make it to Jannah? So, the Magian confirmed it is him and that at the
point when the Angel of death came to take his soul, he heard a voice telling the Angel not to take his
soul in its present state due to the honour that he gave to the month of Ramadan by rebuking his son
who was eating publicly without regard to the feelings of the Ummah of Muhammad (SAW) who are
observing the fast of Ramadan. He was made to proclaim the Kalimatu-sh-Shahadah before his soul was
taken away. So, this is a testimony of a virtuous scholar on the practicality of item 5 of Al-Ghazzali’s
advice.

Arrogance is a blameworthy characteristic which is the feature of Iblees (Shaytaan) and his cohorts in
this world, those on whose hearts Allah has placed a seal. This is because the first one who showed
arrogance towards Allah and His creation was the accursed Iblees, when Allah commanded him to
prostrate to Adam (AS) and he refused and was arrogant, and said, “I am better than him (Adam), You
created me from fire, and him You created from clay” (Q7:12). As a Muslim, it is highly blameworthy to
look down on another creature of Allah as it is the root cause of rebellion against the Creator, Allah.

Please use this Ramadan to reform your character and throw away the garb of pride and arrogance
which you have adorned yourself with all these years so that Allah will look upon you with His Mercy
that is currently on free offer.

O Allah! Eliminate the bad characters from us in this blessed month of Ramadan and purify and free us
from the evils of pride, envy, hatred and other bad manners and bad companies. O Allah Increase the
good characters in us and help us carry out the obligations of Zakat ul-Fitr as we get to the end of this
blessed month. Allahumma Aamiin!

Our Lord! You are glorified. There is no knowledge for us except for what You have taught us. Verily You
are All-Knowledgeable, All-Wise.
Ramadan Naseehah: Stand Out Firmly for Justice

Ramadan 26, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah wabarakaatuh

‫ِبْس ِم ٱِهَّلل ٱلَّرْح َم ٰـ ِن ٱلَّر ِح يِم‬

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against
yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you).
So, follow not the lusts (of your hearts) lest you avoid justice; and if you distort witness or refuse to give
it, verily Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do” (Q4:135).

Justice is so central to Islam that once it is not present, one will know that there is no Islam. Those who
accept the Oneness of Allah, believe in the Prophethood of His Messenger, give up primitive prejudices
and join the Muslim community and brotherhood, “then they have the same rights and obligations as
other Muslims have” (al-Bukhari; al-Nisa’i). Thus, there is absolute equality between the new converts to
Islam and the old followers of the Faith.

This religious brotherhood and the uniformity of their rights and obligations is the foundation of equality
in Islamic society, in which the rights and obligations of any person are neither greater nor lesser in any
way than the rights and obligations of other people. As far as the non-Muslim citizens of the Islamic
State are concerned, the rule of Islamic Shari’ah (law) about them has been very well expressed by
Sayyidina Ali (RA) in these words: “They have accepted our protection only because their lives may be
like our lives and their properties like our properties’’ (Abu Dawud). In other words, the lives and
properties of the non-Muslims are as sacred as the lives and properties of the Muslims.

In the time Umar bin Abdul-Aziz was Khalifah, a party from Samarqand came to him claiming that
Qutaibah bin Muslim, the leader of the Muslim Army, attacked them in a treacherous manner (i.e.,
without notification to enable them prepare to meet the Muslim on the battle front). Umar wrote to his
governor who oversees Samarqand requesting him to appoint a judge to rule on the matter. Incidentally,
the judge reviewed the case and ruled in favour of the inhabitants of Samarqand and the Muslims were
ordered to leave the city which they complied with.
The most Interesting aspect of this case is that the judge was a Muslim ruling in favour of non-Muslims
to the effect that the Muslims should leave the occupied land of Samarqand and that the leader of the
Muslim Army should warn them of their attack in line with Islam’s ethic on warfare to enable the
inhabitants of Samarqand make their preparations for fighting with the Muslims.

When the inhabitants of Samarqand (who were weak and already in the full grip of the Muslims) saw the
unparalleled example of justice in history (with all their weak bargaining position) they concluded within
themselves that the Muslims are a nation that they should not go to war with. They embraced Islam in
large numbers and insisted that the Muslim army should not leave their land.

Examples of perfect justice of this nature abound in the history of Islamic empires but not outside of it.
See what is happening in contemporary war-afflicted nations where the non-Muslims have the upper
hand. Is it in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya or Palestine? The stories are pathetic. We ask Allah for succour and
support to the Muslims in all the oppressed places on earth.

Discrimination of people into different classes was one of the greatest crimes that, according to the
Quran, Pharaoh used to indulge in: “He had divided his people into different classes,” … “And he
suppressed one group of them (at the cost of others)” (Q28:4).

Islam clearly insists and demands that all officials of the Islamic State, whether he be the head or an
ordinary employee, are equal in the eyes of the law. None of them is above the law or can claim
immunity (as we do frivolously here in our country).

The justice that Islam talks about does not discriminate by any means of discrimination prevalent in the
world today. Even an ordinary citizen in Islam has the right to put forward a claim or file a legal complaint
against the highest executive of the country. The Khalifah ‘Umar (RA) said, “I have myself seen the
Prophet, SAW, taking revenge against himself (penalizing himself for some shortcoming or failing). On
the occasion of the Battle of Badr, when the Prophet was straightening the rows of the Muslim army, he
hit the belly of a soldier in an attempt to push him back in line. The soldier complained ‘O Prophet, you
have hurt me with your stick.’ The Prophet immediately bared his belly and said: ‘I am very sorry; you
can take revenge by doing the same to me’. The soldier came forward and kissed the abdomen of the
Prophet and said that this was all that he wanted.”

In another instance, a woman belonging to a high and noble family was arrested in connection with a
theft. The case was brought to the Prophet (SAW), and it was recommended that she may be spared the
punishment of theft. The Prophet (SAW) replied: “The nations that lived before you were destroyed by
Allah because they punished the common men for their offences and let their dignitaries go unpunished
for their crimes; I swear by Him (Allah) who holds my life in His Hand that even if Fatimah, the daughter
of Muhammad, has committed this crime then I would have amputated her hand.”

Also reported during the caliphate of ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab (RA) was the case of Muhammad the son of
‘Amr ibn al-‘As (the Governor of Egypt) who whipped an Egyptian. The Egyptian went to Madeenah and
lodged his complaint with the Righteous Caliph, who immediately summoned the Governor and his son
to Madeenah. When they appeared before him in Madeenah, the Caliph handed a whip to the Egyptian
complainant and asked him to whip the son of the Governor in his presence. After taking his revenge
when the Egyptian was about to hand over the whip to ‘Umar, he said to the Egyptian: “Give one stroke
of the whip to the Honourable Governor as well. His son would certainly have not beaten you were it not
for the false pride that he had in his father’s high office.” The plaintiff submitted: “The person who had
beaten me, I have already avenged myself on him.”

‘Umar said: “By Allah, if you had beaten him (the Governor) I would not have prevented you from doing
so. You have spared him of your own free will.” Then he (‘Umar) angrily turned to ‘Amr ibn al-‘As and
said: “O ‘Amr, when did you start to enslave the people, though they were born free of their mothers?”

This is Islam, the straightway: easy and simple to comprehend. Any complex ideology being introduced
should be properly screened against these standards. It bears no grudge against anyone on account of
belief; for the one who fails to acknowledge Allah as Creator and Lord will be answerable to Allah as it is
not your power that you submit.

“Verily Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those whom they are due; and that
when you judge between men, that you are just. Verily, how excellent is the teaching which Allah gives
you! Truly, Allah is Ever All-Hearer, All Seer.” Q4:58

I ask Allah to make us firmly established on the path of truth and justice. Aaamin.

Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa’afu’anni

Ramadan Naseehah: Do Not Ridicule the Sinner

Ramadan 27, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah wabarakaatuh

‫ِبْس ِم ٱِهَّلل ٱلَّرْح َم ٰـ ِن ٱلَّر ِح يِم‬

Rasulullah (SAW) said: “That person who taunts and ridicules his Muslim brother over a sin from which
he has repented, will not die until he himself commits that same sin. E.g., you come to know that a
certain person committed or was involved in a particular sin. You also know that he has made Taubah
(repented) from it. To think low of him or to taunt and ridicule him because of that sin by saying that,
“you are the one who was involved in certain evil actions,” is in itself a sin.

Understand that through repentance a person has:

Ø corrected his relationship with Allah Ta’aala;

Ø not only has the sin been forgiven, it has also been erased from his book of deeds! Allah Ta’aala has
erased it from his book of deeds.

It is bad a manner unbefitting of a Muslim, because of the sin committed by another Muslim, to keep
thinking low of him and treating him with contempt. You are taunting and ridiculing him. This action is
extremely despised by Allah Ta’aala.

A SINNER IS LIKE AN AILING PERSON.

This is regarding a person whom you know has repented. If you don’t know whether he has repented or
not, then there is always this possibility that he, being a Mu’min has repented or will repent in the
future. Therefore, if someone has committed a sin and you do not know whether he has repented or
not, you still do not have the right to hold him in contempt. It is possible that he has repented.

Remember! Abhorrence should be for the sin and not the sinner! Hatred should be for sins. Rasulullah
[1] did not teach us to despise those who sin.
On the other hand, the sinner is worthy of pity and compassion for, this distressed person is overtaken
by a sickness. If a person is overtaken by a physical sickness, do you abhor his sickness or the person who
is sick? Does the sick person become the target of your hatred? Obviously, the sick person is not
deserving of your hatred. Yes, despise his sickness. Concern yourself with removing his sickness, so make
Du’a. The sick person should not be the target of hatred. He should be pitied for the reason that this
poor person is caught up in a difficulty.

KUFR SHOULD BE DESPISED AND NOT THE KAAFIR

If someone is a Kaafir then despise his Kufr, do not despise him. Make Du’a for him that Allah Ta’ala
grants him guidance (Hidaayat). Aameen.

How much did the Kuffaar not persecute Rasulullah (SAW)? They shot at him with arrows, they pelted
stones at him, and his body bled from various places, but the words that flowed from his mouth were
the following: “O Allah! Grant my people guidance, for they do not know the reality” (of this Deen).

Take note that he (SAW) did not despise them because of their Kufr, Shirk, oppression and
transgressions. Rather, while expressing pity and affection, he made Du’a for them that ‘O Allah! These
people are ignorant. They are unaware of the reality; therefore, they are treating me in this manner. O
Allah! Grant them guidance’.

So, when seeing someone involved in sin, take pity on him and make Du’a for him and try to steer him
away from sin. Advise and counsel him but do not think low of him. Perhaps Allah accepts his repentance
and he surpasses you in the sight of Allah.

When a person’s gaze falls on himself that he is pious and others are bad then he is caught up in vanity
(Ujb). Vanity causes all good actions to become worthless. Only that action is acceptable which is done
with sincerity (Ikhlas), for Allah Ta’ala alone. After performing the action, the person makes Shukr
(thanks) unto Allah Ta’ala that He granted me the Taufeeq to perform this action. (If He did not grant me
the Taufeeq, I would never have been able to carry out this action). Therefore, do not treat anyone with
contempt. Do not think low of any non-Muslim or any sinner.

DU’AA TO BE RECITED WHEN SEEING AN AFFLICTED PERSON

It is mentioned in a Hadith Shareef that when seeing a person afflicted with any sickness, recite the
following Du’a:
ALHAMDU LILLAAHILLADHEE AAFAANEE MIMMABTALAAKA BIHEE WA FADH DHALANEE ALAA
KATHEERIM MIMMAN KHALAQA TAFDHEELA.

ALL PRAISES ARE DUE UNTO ALLAH WHO HAS GRANTED ME SAFETY FROM THAT WHICH HE HAS
AFFLICTED YOU WITH, AND GRANTED ME WELL-BEING OVER MANY OF THE CREATION. (Al Hisnul Haseen
p 349)

O Allah! Many people are afflicted with illnesses but you granted me good health. It is Sunnah to recite
this Du’a when seeing an afflicted person. Rasulullah (SAW) taught us this. It should be recited softly lest
the afflicted person is offended.

Even though, Rasulullah (SAW) taught us to recite this Du’a when seeing a sick person, but you can also
recite it when seeing someone involved in sin like seeing people at the bar on your way home or people
at the cinema houses purchasing tickets or engaging in other sinful acts for Allah saved you from this sin
having known that sin is a spiritual sickness just which illness is physical. So, the sinner is worthy of pity
and sympathy, for he is also caught up in a predicament. Make Du’a for him also that ‘O Allah! Remove
this difficulty from him.’

Let it be known that those who are presently involved in sin and whom you consider low and worthy of
contempt may later on receive the grace (Taufeeq) of repentance (Taubah) and surpass you in the
worship of and obedience to Allah! So, be careful not to boast.

O Allah! Guide us every second of our existence until You admit us into Your Presence well-pleased and
admitted in Jannah. Allahumma Aameen.

Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa’afu’anni

Ramadan Naseehah: Bidding Ramadan Farewell

Ramadan 28, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah wabarakaatuh

‫ِبْس ِم ٱِهَّلل ٱلَّرْح َم ٰـ ِن ٱلَّر ِح يِم‬

“O you who have Imaan! Fasting has been made obligatory for you just as it was made obligatory for
those before you (the Jews and Christians), so that you may develop Taqwa (self-restraint that drives
away the passions that lead to sin)” (Q2:183).

We commenced the fast of Ramadan in obedience to Allah’s instruction above and here we are at the
tail end of it. We have tried to comply with Allah’s instruction, we hope Allah will accept and reward all
our Ibaadat in the blessed month.

The whole essence of the training in Ramadan is to become more dedicated and submissive to Allah and
in turn achieve success in this world and the hereafter. There are several signs that signify whether our
deeds have been accepted or rejected by our Lord. The foremost sign of acceptance is to be helped to do
good deeds one after the other, whereas the sign of rejection is to do misdeeds after the good deeds. So,
pray fervently that all the bad qualities that you are able to forgo in this Ramadan, Allah should not let
you go back to them. This is because the reward of the righteous deed and the sign of its acceptance is
that one is helped to do another righteous deed after it.

It should be apparent to us by now how very short the time it takes from the beginning of Ramadan and
it is already 28 days today. It is very short-lived, just like the entire world, as mentioned by Allah (SWT)
thus:

“He (Allah) will ask, “How long did you remain on earth in a number of years?” They will say, “We
remained a day or part of a day; ask those who enumerate (the angels who were recording our lives). He
(Allah) will say, (although not a day or a part of a day, the fact is certain that) you stayed not but a little –
if only you had known” (Q23:112-114).

The Day of Qiyaamah is “The day when the trumpet will be blown and the criminals (the Kuffaar and
sinners) shall be gathered with (frightened and pain-wracked) blue eyes. And because of the length of
the Day of Qiyaamah, they will whisper to each other saying, ‘You have stayed (in the world and the
grave) only for ten days.’ We know best what they will speak (because We have knowledge of the
future), when the most sensible one of them will say, “You had stayed (in the world and the grave) only
for a single day.” (Q20:102-104).

Therefore, Allah calls: “O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put
forth for tomorrow – and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is acquainted with what you do” (Q59:18). Utiliise the
remaining two/three days maximally.
The lesson to learn here is to know that one’s life passes too quickly for him to feel it. Thus, the believers,
in the days of Ramadan must contemplate how quickly the life of this world passes, and the Hereafter
comes, and become from those who are devoted to the Hereafter, and prepare enough for it throughout
the year. No doubt, the Lord of Ramadan is the same Lord of Shawwal and Sha‘ban and all the months of
the year, and those months pass very quickly as Ramadan does.

O brethren! We have all the reasons to rejoice as we come to the end of the fasting season of Ramadan;
we have fasted based on uniform rules and the fast was observed by all conscious God-fearing Muslims
without reservation. This fast has been observed by the faithful in obedience, only, to Allah’s command
and not seeking to achieve any miracle. Among the Christians in our communities, there are some who
join us to fast during Ramadan but have refused to enter the fold of Islam. While they have engaged in
delusion and no reward will accrue for their fasting, we will get rewarded because we acted on
instruction.

Upon contemplation, we need not rejoice entirely for the passage of Ramadan but remorseful. Jaabir
(RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “When the last night of the month of Ramadan approaches,
the heavens, the earth and the Angels weep on the account of the tribulations (difficulties) coming the
way of the community of Muhammad (SAW)”. The Companions (RA) asked: ‘what tribulations, O
Messenger of Allah?’ He (SAW) said: “Ramadan came and supplications in it are all granted; acts of
charity are accepted; good deeds are rewarded several fold and punishment shielded away. What
greater tribulation can there be when Ramadan passes away and the heavens and the earth weep for us
while we rejoice? Weeping and sorrow is rightly for us and not them that weep for the termination of
the immense grace and honour” (which Ramadan brought).

All Glory belongs to Allah Who has guided us to Islam and has empowered us with the intellect to know
and appreciate Him. Our Lord and God, enable us to be grateful for the favor which You have bestowed
upon us and upon our parents to work righteousness of which You will approve and reward. O Allah!
Make righteous our offspring as we repent to You with humility as Your servants.

O Allah! Make us enter Jannah praising You for the fulfilment of Your Promise to us, making us inheritors
of Jannah so that we may settle wherever we wish in it. Make us the recipients of that excellent reward
promised to those who perform good deeds. Allahumma Aameen!

Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa’afu’anni

Ramadan Naseehah: And the Blessed Month Comes to an End

Ramadan 29, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh

‫ِبْس ِم ٱِهَّلل ٱلَّرْح َم ٰـ ِن ٱلَّر ِح يِم‬

If the moon of the month of Shawwal is sighted this evening, fasting will cease and Eid-el-Fitr will be
celebrated tomorrow. Otherwise, the Eid will be held on Saturday. The quick passage of Ramadan, a
month in which Allah facilitates everything for us and secures us against the antics of Shaytaan, should
really engage our thoughts.

The festival [Eid] is not really about dressing up in fine new clothes, eating delicious treats, embracing
attractive ladies, and pursuing carnal pleasures and delights. In its outward celebration, the Eid is
actually meant to symbolize the acceptance of acts of worshipful obedience; the remission of sins and
mistakes; the conversion of bad deeds into good deeds; the glad tidings of promotion to higher spiritual
degrees; the conferring of robes of honor, exquisite gifts, presents, and gracious favors; the expansion of
the feelings through the light of faith; the calming of the heart through the strength of certainty and the
pouring forth of the oceans of knowledge and all kinds of wisdom, from the heart onto the tongue, to be
expressed with fluency and eloquence.

It was on a festival day, as the story is told, that a man once entered the presence of Sayyidina Ali ibn Abi
Taalib (RA) and found him eating coarse brown bread. “Today is the day of Eid,” the man exclaimed, “yet
here you are, eating coarse brown bread!” So, he said to his puzzled visitor: “Today is the day of Eid for
someone whose fast has been accepted, whose effort has been deemed worthy, and whose sin has been
forgiven. Today is Eid for us, and tomorrow. Every day in which we do not disobey Allah is a Festival for
us.” It is therefore important for every intelligent person to stop focusing on the external aspect and not
to let it dominate his attention. Let your perspective on the day of Eid be from the stand point of
contemplation and reflection. From the reflection, it should moderate our celebration and behaviours
after the Ramadan to take account of the following issues:

1. Regarding the Day of Eid as comparable to the Day of Resurrection [Yawm al-Qiyamah]. When we
hear the sound of the Sultan’s trumpet announcing the advent of the Night of the Festival (Lailat al-Eid)
as done in Musli governed societies, we should be reminded of the blast of the trumpet on the Day of
Resurrection.

2. Acceptance of your Ibaadat in Ramadan – Hope and think positively about the acceptance of your
acts of worship by Allah but have fear of possible rejection. Concentrate on asking Allah for acceptance
and when you give out your Zakatul Fitr, let this thought dominate your mind.
3. Plan sustainability of your Ibaadat – While most of the people are spending the Night of the Eid
asleep, resting themselves in preparation for the day of celebration that lies ahead of them, do not be
quick to throw away your routine of Tahajjud (Night Prayer).

4. We should remember the interval of slumber between the two blasts that will be sounded on the
Day of Resurrection.

5. Think about the variety of people on the Day of Assembly – On the morning of the Day of the
Festival we will see how the people look, as they come into town from their mansions and their houses.
We will notice the differences in their states of being, and the variety of style and color in the clothes
they wear, for each person will be dressed in a special outfit and a special set of ornaments. One person
will look happy, while another looks depressed. One will be riding, while another walks on foot. One will
be rich, while another is poor. One will be in a cheerful mood, while another is in some kind of distress.
As he surveys this scene, the intelligent observer should be reminded of the variety there will be among
the people present at the Resurrection. Those who have practiced worshipful obedience will be joyfully
happy, while those who are guilty of sinful disobedience will be miserably hopeless. The truly devout
who has imbibed the quality of taqwa will be riding in comfort, while the offender who is a mushrik [one
who associates partners with Allah] will be stumbling, getting tripped and dragged along with his face to
the ground, or walking at best.

The Prophet (SAW), on the authority of Ibn Abbas (RA) said: “When the month of Ramadan is over, and
the Night of Breaking the Fast [Lailat al-Fitr] has arrived, that night is called the Night of the Prize [Lailat
al-Ja’iza]. Then, in the early morning of the Day of Breaking the Fast, Allah (SWT) will send His angels
forth to visit all the towns and cities on the earth below. Once they have made their descent, they will
position themselves at the entrances to all the streets and alleys. There, in a voice that is audible to
every being created by Allah (SWT), apart from the jinn and humankind, they will issue a proclamation,
saying: “O Community of Muhammad (SAW), come forth into the presence of a Noble and Generous
Lord [Rabbun Kareemun], who will grant you gifts in abundance, and forgive your terrible sin!” Then,
when the believers have emerged and presented themselves at their place of prayer. Allah (SWT) will say
to His angels: “O My angels!” They will respond to His call by saying: “We wait intent upon Your service,
time and time again, and upon aiding Your cause, time and time again [labbaika wa sa‹daik]!” Then He
will say to them: “What is the recompense of the hired laborer, once he has done his job?” The Prophet
(SAW) continued: ‘The angels will reply: “Our God, our Master and our Lord, You will pay him his wages
in full!” So, the Allah al-Jaleel (Magnificent is His Majesty) will say: “I now call upon you to bear witness,
O My angels, that I have conferred My acceptance and My forgiveness, as the reward for their fasting
[Siyam] and vigil [qiyam] during the month of Ramadan.”

Then He will say: “O My human servants, put your requests to Me now, for this I swear, by My Might and
My Majesty: You will not ask Me this day, in this gathering of yours, for anything connected with your life
hereafter, without My granting it to you; nor for anything connected with your life in this lower world,
without My attending to your need. By My Might and My Majesty, I will surely condone the false steps
you make, as long as you are consciously alert in the effort to avoid incurring My displeasure. By My
Might and My Majesty, I will not put you to shame, nor will I expose you to disgrace amongst those who
are faithfully committed to observing the statutes. Now you may depart, knowing that you have been
forgiven. You have won My approval, and I am well pleased with you.”

This hadith concludes with the following words of the Prophet (SAW): “The angels will then be very
happy, as they welcome the good news of all that Allah (SWT) will bestow upon this Community, when
its members break the fast they have kept throughout the month of Ramadan.”

As the Lord of Exalted Majesty and Gracious Favor has told us: “And on the day when the Hour comes, on
that day they (mankind) will be divided” (Q30:14). “A host of them will be in the Garden [of Paradise],
and a host of them in the Blaze [of Hell]” (42:7).

This brings us to the end of the Ramadan Naseehah for 1444AH. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of All the
Worlds!

May Allah accept all our ibaadah in this glorious month; those done with total sincerity to Him and those
whose sincerity fall short of His demand. We also ask that He (SWT) ennobles us with a long life that will
be used to serve Him sincerely.

Wa akhiru da’waana anil hamdu lillahi rabbil a’lameen.

Jumu’ah Khutbah: The Post-Ramadan Life of the Muslim

Shawwal 01, 1444AH

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah wabarakaatuh.

I praise Allah, my Lord and Sustainer, and offer such gratitude which is worthy of His Being and
magnificent sovereignty. I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, He is One and Only and has no
partner and that He is Master of the Day of Qiyamah. I also bear witness that our Prophet and leader,
Muhammad (SAW) is His bondsman and Messenger, leader of all the ancients and the moderns. He was
sent forth with the Holy Qur’an as a blessing for the Muslim and a bearer of glad tidings to them.
O Allah! Send Salutation and Salaam, shower blessings upon your Bondsman and Messenger,
Muhammad (SAW), upon his descendants, Ashaab and Tabi`een and all the people who follow his way
till the Day of Assembly.

O servants of Allah! I congratulate you and myself for all our Ramadan engagements, be it self-denial,
concern for the welfare of other Muslims, endurance, tolerance, awareness of the Ever-Present and All-
Seeing quality of Allah, etc. May Allah accept all our works according to His Majesty and not according to
our deficiency.

Know very well that the 1444 AH Ramadan has gone and now history but the worship of Allah and the
required sincerity, the doing of good to one another and refraining from harming one another remain
evergreen. All the activities of the Ramadan which were directed at achieving Tazkiyatu-n-nafs (the
purification of the soul) and the entrenchment of Taqwa (God-consciousness all the time) should not be
frittered away through negligence and outright abandonment now that the season is over. We should
take conscious steps to integrate these activities into our lives so that Ramadan leaves a permanent sign
on us as evidence of having sincerely obeyed Allah.

O servants of Allah! I counsel you and myself to do what Allah has counseled us to do thus: “… that you
all fear Allah and keep your duty to Him” (Q4:131). As for the duty to Allah which we should keep, Salah
(five daily prayers) ranks very high and then the other pillars of Islam – Hajj and Zakah – which are
dependent on your financial capability. Keeping the Ummah together is another obligation because He
(SWT) directed us to: “hold fast, all of you together, to the lifeline (Rope) of Allah and do not separate”
(Q3:103). Just as you went out of your way to share your provisions with other Muslims and compete
with one another in doing goodness and avoiding causing harm to members of the Ummah and all other
creatures on earth, if this becomes your nature, clearly the world would have become a more peaceful
habitation for all. This, indeed, is Islam- the peace that we sing without implementing.

O servants of Allah! If during the month, you had situations that compelled you to miss some days of
fasting, do know that the missed days are debt that must be repaid. If we repay, then good for us;
otherwise, it remains a permanent debt. As for those whose loved ones missed out on the Ramadan due
to sickness or other acceptable reasons but did not do fidyah (feeding the needy) for each day of fast
missed but have now become deceased, the heirs can observe the fast owed by them to enable their
passage without questioning. “Hasten towards the forgiveness of your Lord and attain Paradise …”
(Q3:133). As quickly as possible try and make up for all the missed fast.

O servants of the Most Merciful! Ramadan has come to a close and the eid was celebrated. Do know that
you have only concluded the Ramadan fast obligation while the other obligations remain to be carried
out on an on-going basis. The basic ethics which Islam upholds remain. The various acts of worship
remain intact and on-going. Ramadan’s completion is not a license for laxity and comedy. Laxity in all
forms of ibaadah (worship) damages the treasure harvested in Ramadan.

Good manners towards all and sundry is a primary demand by Allah on a Muslim. The Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) said, “Any two Muslims who meet each other and shake hands, Allah forgives them
before they separate” (Abu Dawud). And he (SAW) also said, “And your smile in the face of your brother
is a charity.” This is basically to teach us that a Muslim should be a source of happiness and security to
not only the Muslims but to all creatures upon the earth.

One of the lessons of Ramadan is training the mind in compassion and sincere brotherhood among us.
The Prophet (SAW) ordered us to be merciful, help in clearing the hardships and distresses, and help in
satisfying the needs of others. He (SAW) said: “He who is not being merciful with the people, Allah will
not be merciful with him.” And “The Muslim is a brother to another Muslim. He does not oppress him;
he does not abandon him when he needs his help. Whoever helps his brother when he is in need, Allah
will help him at the time of his need. And whoever clears a distress for a Muslim, Allah will clear for him
one of the distresses of the Day of Judgment.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

The requirement of patience, tolerance, forgiveness Is an all-time recipe for success and therefore not
restricted to Ramadan. We are required to “pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allah should forgive
you?” (Q24:22),

Acceptance of any act of worship is predicated upon the sincerity behind its performance. So, ensure
that all your ibaadah are directed to Allah and Him alone without any deception. A man once asked
Allah’s Messenger (SAW): “In what does salvation reside tomorrow [at the Resurrection]?” He replied:
“You must not try to deceive Allah (Exalted is He). The man then asked: “How could I be guilty of trying
to deceive Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He)?” The Prophet (SAW) explained: “By doing what He has
commanded you to do, but doing it for some purpose other than to obtain the gracious favor of Allah
(Exalted is He).”

To most of us, we have two (2) Eids that we celebrate in Islam. Anas Ibn Malik (RA) said: ‘for the believer,
there are five (5) Eids which are:

1. Every day that passes in the life of a believer and no sin is recorded against him is a day of
Eid.
 2. The day he leaves the world with his Imaan (faith in Allah) intact, and the testimony of
Shahadah (the oneness of Allah – Laa-ilaha illa Allah Muhammadu Rasulullah), and victory over
the antics of Shaytan, is a day of Eid.

3. The day he crosses the Sirat (the tiny bridge over Hell-fire) and obtains tranquility over the
trials and tribulations of the Judgement Day, secured from the grip of opponents (who have
claims against him that can render him bankrupt) and the Angels of the Hell-fire; that is the day
of Eid.

4. The day when he is admitted into Jannah (Paradise) and protected against Jahannam (Hell) is
the Eid.

5. The day when he looks into the Face of his Lord is the greatest Eid.’

O servants of the Most Merciful! The five Eids enumerated above by Anas ibn Malik are great hurdles
before every Muslim which requires continued striving. Do not celebrate the Eids of this world and forget
the greater ones ahead. So, now that you have completed the Fitr and enjoying the grace of Allah by
earning His Forgiveness and admittance into Jannah, I urge you and myself not to throw away the
achievements into the waste bin of this world by reverting to our unacceptable old ways. Allah (SWT)
promised that He: “… shall create ease in the affair (in all the duties and concerns of this world and the
Aakhirah) of the one who fears Him (the one who has Taqwa). This is Allah’s command that He has
revealed to you. For the one who fears Allah, Allah shall cancel (forgive) his sins and grant him an
immense reward” (Q65:4-5).

PART 2

All Praises are due to Allah who sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth to prevail
above all other ways despite the protests and rejection by the unbelievers. O Allah! Bestow your
salutation upon your confidant and messenger, Muhammad (SAW), his family and all his companions.
The fast of six days of Shawwal is an established sunnah. Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (RA) relates that Allah’s
Messenger (SAW) says: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of
fasting in the month of Shawwal, it will be as if he had fasted the year all through.” [Muslim]

The month of Shawwal is singled out for the observance of extra fasts, since this month follows
immediately after Ramadan. The six days of voluntary fasting are to the obligatory fast of Ramadan what
the Sunnah prayers (Nafilas) are to the obligatory prayers. It is related from Thawban (RA) that the
Prophet (SAW) said: “The fast of Ramadan is like observing ten months of fasting. Fasting six days of
Shawwal is like observing two months of fasting. This together is like fasting throughout the year” [Ibn
Khuzaymah & al-Nasa’i]. He (SAW) also said “Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of
Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime” being so, if you make it your habit to always follow your
Ramadan fast with the six days of Shawwal.

In addition to what has been mentioned, the six days fast come with a lot of virtues among which are:

1. Like the Sunnah prayers, these extra fasts cover up for the deficiencies in our performance of our
obligatory worship. On the Day of Judgment, our voluntary acts of worship will compensate for the
shortcomings in how we carried out our duties. Most of us have deficiencies in our observance of our
Ramadan fasts and we need something to cover up for those deficiencies.

2. Our return to the habit of fasting right after Ramadan is a sign that our Ramadan fasts were
accepted. When Allah accepts our worship, He blesses us to engage in further acts of piety. The saying
goes: The reward of virtue is further virtue.

3. Those who observe the fast of Ramadan are given their recompense on the day of Eid al-Fitr, the
day when the fast is rewarded. Getting into the habit of fasting again soon thereafter is a means of giving
thanks to Allah for the blessings that we have received. There is no blessing greater than forgiveness for
one’s sins, and we know that the fast of Ramadan is recompensed with forgiveness of one’s previous
sins.

The Prophet (SAW) said: “The first thing for which people will be brought to account on the Day of
Resurrection will be their salah (prayer). Our Lord (SWT) will say to His angels – although He knows best
– ‘Look at the salah of My slave, whether it is complete or incomplete.’ If it is perfect, it will be recorded
as perfect, and if something is lacking, He will say, ‘Look and see whether My slave did any voluntary
(naafil) prayers.’ If he did some voluntary prayers, Allah would say, ‘Complete the obligatory actions of
My slave from his voluntary actions.’ Then all his actions will be dealt with in a similar manner.” [Narrated
by Abu Dawud]
The Fiqh (Legal) Ruling regarding the six days of Shawwal are as follows:

1. Imam al-Shafi’I and Ibn al-Mubarak hold the view that it is preferable to fast the six days in
consecutive order, starting from the second day of Shawwal.

2. Others are of the opinion that it is preferable to fast the six days intermittently, spreading them out
throughout the month of Shawwal. This is the position of Ahmad b. Hanbal and Waki’.

3. Then there are those who hold the view that the days should all be postponed until later in the
month and not close to the day of Eid, which is a time of celebration and feasting. They prefer fasting the
three days in the middle of the month (13/14/15) along with the three days right before or after. This is
the opinion of Ma`mar and `Abd al-Razzaq.

4. Majority of scholars agree that the fast does not have to be done consecutively. You can do it
leisurely at your convenience.

5. The fast of Shawwal cannot be combined with any pending (owed) Ramadan fasts (i.e.,
intending one day’s fast to represent both the missed Ramadan fast and the fast of Shawwal) like
in #3 above where you can combine with the fasts of the white days (13/14/15th); rather, it
should be done separately.

6. The scholars have differed on how to go about fasting the 6 days of Shawwal, when one is
owing some days from the month of Ramadan with the arguments along the two segments:

a. The month of Ramadan must be completed before fasting Shawwal, because of the
wording of the hadith: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and then follows it with
six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal …” which was interpreted to mean that one
who owes some days of Ramadan has not fasted the entire month. They said that if
however, the days of Ramadan to be made up are many and take up the month of
Shawwal, then you may fast the 6 days after that, even if in the month of Dhul Qa’dah,
and you will have the reward insha Allah. (Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 20/19–Islamqa.com)

b. The second opinion is that one may fast the 6 days of Shawwal, and make up the
missed Ramadan fasts later on claiming that the missed Ramadan fast can be made up at
any time throughout the year, so the fasting of Shawwal should be done first. Some of
the scholars allowed this without restriction, while some said that the fast of Ramadan
should be given priority, but there is no problem in fasting Shawwal first.
Based on sound Islamic principles, preference should be given to the obligatory fast because, in the
event of death, questions will be raised upon what is made obligatory and not on the voluntary and no
soul knows the time it will be called upon to come back to its owner.

May Almighty Allah grant us the means to do our worship, perform good deeds, and all of our work and
business in the best way possible that will draw us close to His Mercy. May Allah grant us the best of the
rewards, the best of the abodes in the Hereafter. May He make us neighbors to His best servants in
Paradise.

Our Lord! You are glorified. There is no knowledge for us except for what You have taught us. Verily You
are all knowledgeable, all wise. May Allah’s guidance and the blessings of Ramadan abide with us
forever.

Aquulu qawliy hadha wastagfirullah liy walakum innahu huwal ghafurun Raheem.

Eid-ul-Mubarak. Taqabalallahu minna wa minkum saalihul a’maal (Wishing you blessed festival. May
Allah accept from us and you the good deeds (during Ramadan).

Kullu aam wa antum bi-khair (Wishing you goodness/success every year).

Wassalamu alal mursaleen walhamdulillahi rabbil aalameen.

Suleiman Zubair