ARE INDIAN MUSLIMS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR BACKWARDNESS?


Original_mg-grave
No. Political and administrative system largely bears the blame.


By Syed Shahabuddin,

Ever since the presentation of the Sachar Committee Report and particularly after the publication of the Ranghanathan Mishra Commission Report, the spokesman of the political establishment has been repeatedly holding the Muslim community and its leadership themselves responsible for its deprivation, degradation and backwardness. Their purposes are obviously meant to shift the blame away from the governments which have been in power from 1947, particularly the Congress at the Centre and the states of Muslim concentration. Muslim backwardness is the consequence of various political, social and economic changes on which the Muslims had little or no control.

The Muslim rural elite, who held land, were adversely affected by the abolition of Zamindari; the urban elite particularly from north India moved to Pakistan. The Muslim intelligentsia was effectively barred from government employment. Muslim community had never been very active in commerce and industry. The Muslim community has never been able to accumulate a surplus to invest in their education and welfare, or to pay bribes for securing government service. Confined to its ghettos and to petty occupations, devoid of education and access to bank credit, they just managed to keep body and soul together. In the era of planned inclusive development, they were deprived of even their proportional benefits of development even at the operational level. We do not have the figures of their per capita income but nearly 80% live on a daily expenditure of Rupees 20. Surely Muslims are very poorly represented in the upper and middle classes. Continuously they faced pressure against the exercise of their religious freedom and the adverse impact of the recurrent communal violence. Despite all these handicaps, it is a tribute to the resilience of the community that it maintained its religious identity and at least managed to keep alive a system for the religious education of its children and to open some schools wherever possible.

It goes without saying that in a developing society, the physical infrastructure, roads, bridges, railways, electricity, irrigation and drainage etc. are provided by the government. So is the basic social infrastructure in terms of educational & health facilities and public housing. The government also subsidizes all industrial production, and agricultural and the distribution of essential goods. Because the Muslim community has consistently remained under-represented in the legislatures, the governments and the bureaucracy, it never got its due share of fruits of development. One has only to visit the Muslim concentration areas, whether in cities, blocks or villages, he cannot miss the step-motherly treatment they have received from the powers that be in terms of their development and progress.

Little attention has been paid by the establishment, though Muslims have become politically conscious, to give due attention to their habitats and their legitimate demands.

The establishments as well as all political parties try to divide the country by caste and baradaris, though the Sachar Report has pointed out that, at the end of the day there are no substantial differences among the various baradaris (Ashraf, Arzal and Ajlaf) in terms of development.

It is also a matter of fact that no political party has permitted Muslims to rise to the level of leadership. Yet the establishment continues to highlight that the Muslims have no leadership, but they all want Muslim votes & hire some unemployed Muslims at the time of elections or even give them tickets from non-winnable constituencies to maintain the facade of Muslim participation.

With no surplus, no political representation, and no place in the administration, no access to higher education, it is not surprising that the Muslims have remained backward and the life of the community revolves around masjids and madrasas and performance of religious rites and observance of social customs.

Objectively they were never in a position to do much for themselves. The government, the parties & the administration did not care for them or provide them their due. The conclusion is that the responsibility for their backwardness is only 10% their own and 90% of the political system. The Muslim fault lies in putting faith in political manifestos and government schemes and in the Constitutional principles of equality and justice.

Slowly, a Muslim middle class is coming up, some are taking advantage of Mandal reservation. They are themselves establishing primary schools in their areas. They are trying to find a place in the lower echelons of administration. But unless the Muslims community is provided with reservation in government jobs at all levels, subject to eligibility, access to higher education, bank-credit and proportional benefit in fruits of social and economic development as well as in the political system, unless the Muslim youth are coopted in the ranks and given due opportunities to grow into leadership positions, the gap between the Muslim community and the rest of the people is likely to grow.

It may however be added that the Muslim community can now invest a little more for constructive purposes, by cutting out social and religious extravaganza. If the elite also direct their charity towards education and economic advancement, things would perhaps be better. The Waqf properties may be managed better & their surplus used for community welfare. The community may identity skills needed for national development and train its youth to take advantage of the market openings. In every district, Muslim educated youth may establish information and facilitation centres to enable the eligible to utilise the benefits from central and state schemes and if necessary monitor the progress of their applications. The Ulema and the Imams may voluntarily divert Zakat, Sadqat away from Masjids & Madrasas and religious functions towards community welfare.

Yet no amount of community effort can be a substitute for institutional and systemic changes in a developing society and for government support. Logically, Muslims must receive at least 15% of the development outlay in all schemes. Why can’t they have a Component Plan like the SC’s and the ST’s. Finally, why can’t the government lay it down that they should enjoy due share in the fruits of all economic & social schemes, targeted at individuals & families, in proportion to their local population.

Let us remember that the Sachar Committee found all Muslims more backward than the non-Muslim OBCs and about as backward as SC/STs. And that after 60 years of independence!

REASONS FOR MUSLIM DOWNFALL


Rise-downfall, downfall-rise, this is the cycle humans saw since the beginning of the human race. History has proven that whenever a nation was cursed or destroyed, the reason was the men of knowledge of that nation, who invested in their own as well as their whole nation’s destruction. ALLAH swt has described the destruction of the nations who met humiliated end because of their evil deeds and their forgetfulness of the deen of ALLAH.

Al-Quran 43: 8
“Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these,— and the example of the ancients has passed away (before them)”

ALLAH swt destroyed them because their pride over their own selves made them disbelieving ALLAH swt and rejecting HIS prophets.

Al-Quran 54:51

“And indeed, We have destroyed your likes, then is there any that will remember (or receive admonition)?”
These nations were destroyed because they disobeyed. Some were dishonest and some were indulged in illicit relationships that too out of nature, so they met a horrible end.

What do we see in muslim nation today? Are not we the people who are dishonest, have all the evils in us? Being muslims and having clear cut warnings in our holy book, we should have been the nicest people but instead muslims chose the way of destruction for themselves and for their coming generations. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.w prophesied that muslims of later ages will be more in number but will be the most humiliated among the others. How true, we are the most humiliated people today because we are called terrorists, illiterate, backward, greedy of power and riches etc. we have won many titles from the kufaars who were our enemies once and now our masters. This is all prophesied by the way. The reasons of the downfall of the muslim nation are many, countless, but the major ones are:

1: THE GREED FOR POWER:

In the greedy of power, the muslim rulers never understood that they are human beings with limited mental and physical capacity. They killed millions or other muslims to rule the area and to be the biggest kings. Some of them even married the non muslims to rule bigger areas. We have examples or the kings of the muslims from arab, turk and asian regions. They, instead of joining hands against the non muslim powers, even helped them to get rid of the muslim competitors. Even with the division of power and inter hated muslim ummah, crusaders could never won any battle against muslims.

They did not even then realized their power and duty. This continues to date. Soo, how many muslim countries are really governed by just and honest GOD fearing muslim rulers? None, all of them are the boot lickers of America which is real terms is the god of world now. Muslims are killing each other so that they could remain in power with the help of America! America, who is America? A country of people like us, the correct sentence should be: a country of people who killed red Indians and occupied that land, people who are the blood suckers and killers and have an illiterate and jahil beginning? They have nothing to be proud of, the people of the white house and the devil worshipers in real terms. And the muslims are the boot lickers of the devil worshipers of the west. This is the main reason of the downfall of muslims.

2: THE DISUNITY:

The second most important reason for the downfall of the muslim ummah is the disunity. Muslims are divided into sects and sub sects and even their subsects. They have divided themselves on the basis of their understanding of religion sometimes and sometimes they were fooled by the evil minded people who took the disguise of islam to mislead the muslims. They never tried to think if they are been fooled. They followed blindly their scholars and masters. Today, muslims proudly own sects and curse the ones they do not like. They deviate from the message of ALLAH clearly.

Al Quran 3:105

“Do not be like those who splintered (into sects) and differed (among themselves), even though clear proofs had already come to them. It is they, for whom there exists the severest (most awful) punishment.”
This is what ALLAH swt has said about those who divide themselves in sects and then curse each other, is there anyone to take guidance from Quran and sunnah? Muhammad s.a.w.w prophesied about the division of ummah into sects only because ummah did not believe in ALLAH and pay head to what His Messenger s.a.w.w said much.

3: RUNNING FOR RICHES

The third reason for downfall of ummah is the greed of money. This can be trcked back to the kings of turk, asia and arabs a thousand years ago. These kings and amirs did not ever try to take guidance from Quran; instead, they accumulated wealth by looting it and by deceiving others. This is also a clear cut deviation from Quran.

Al-Quran 2:195
“Spend your wealth for the cause of Allah. Do not, by your own doings, put yourself in harm’s way. Do the right thing. Of course, Allah loves the righteous.”

ALLAH swt said to spend wealth so that the due share of those which is given as part of our rizq can reach them, but we see the trend of money accumulation today whose foundations were set by our ancestor.
If we read our history (the later history when the righteous rulers were no more), we will see how unjust the rulers were and how unjustly they gathered wealth to keep themselves powerful. This trend is found to date. Just see the powerful expropriating the rights of the poor people, we pay taxes and the rich people eat those taxes, those big tummy rich people. Today, a son kills father and siblings kill each other for the wealth. This is what ALLAH swt said us to do;

Al- Quran 4:029

“Oh you who believe! Do not devour each other’s wealth unfairly _ (through force or fraud). Rather, enter into (a legitimate) trade (and deal fairly) with mutual consent and agreement. Do not kill (destroy) each other. Indeed Allah is full of mercy for you!”

4: DISBELIEF IN ALLAH AND HIS MESSENGER[PBUH]:

Apparently, everyone will say, no we believe, we are muslims. But when it comes to set a practical example, very few muslims strive. The forth major reason of the down fall of muslims is the deviation from the right path in every aspect. This is the mother of all the other reasons of downfall. We see all the vulgarity, disbelief, deviation from islam, innovation in deen and other diseases in the muslim society today. People do not take ALLAH as their Lord instead they believe in a pir baba or some imam or scholar and associate their loyal-ness to a man like them.

AL-Quran 3:032

“Say, “,Obey ALLAH and obey the messenger!” But if they turn away (beware), Allah does not like the unbelievers.”

Is the trend of the modern muslims not anti Islamic, anti quranic and like disbelievers. It certainly is.
All the troubles we muslims are seeing today are only because of our own deeds. We have strayed and now we wonder around in a world where we are the most insulted nation. ALLAH does not take care of those who do not take care of themselves. We cannot blame our fates, but our nafs.

Al-Quran 13:11

Lo! Allah changeth not the condition of a folk until they (first) change that which is in their hearts; and if Allah willeth misfortune for a folk there is none that can repel it, nor have they a defender beside Him.

FAREWELL RAMADAN



When one ponders over the history of nations, they will realise that all are in the process of constant change. This is the course destined for them by Allah and nothing can change that.

If an honourable guest visits you in your dwellings, showers you with goodness and loves you – which you reciprocate; then the time for his departure arrives, how are you going to bid him farewell and how are you going to feel? What separation is then greater and more emotional than that from the beloved guest of the Muslims, the blessed month of Ramadan?

Ramadan is the month of righteousness and generosity, the month of forgiveness and liberation from Hell. It is all but gone now and nothing remains of it but a few days. Yesterday, we were congratulating each other on the arrival of the month; today we are consoling one another over its departure and invoking Allah to accept all our acts of worship.

In this noble month, many have done good deeds, while others have done the opposite. These deeds are going to testify for or against us on the Day of Reckoning. We do not know whether we are going to live to witness this glorious month again or not. Therefore, the fortunate Muslim during this month was the one who was able to perfect their acts of worship with sincerity and self-examination and end it with sincere repentance, for acts are judged according to their ends.

Our righteous predecessors, may Allah be pleased with them, used to exert maximum effort in perfecting their acts of worship and had grave concerns regarding their acceptance or rejection. ‘Ali ibn Abu Taalib, may Allah be pleased with him, warned: “Have a greater concern for the acceptance of your deeds than you do for the amount of deeds you have performed. Do not you hear the saying of Allah (which means): “Indeed, Allah accepts only from the righteous.”[Quran 5: 27]

Fudhaalah ibn ‘Ubayd, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “To know that Allah has accepted a single act of righteousness from me would be dearer to me than this world and all that it contains.” This is how our diligent predecessors, may Allah be pleased with them, were.

May the peace of Allah be upon the month of fasting and night prayers! May the peace of Allah be upon the month of the Quran and the remembrance of Allah! It has now passed like the twinkling of an eye, yet while it was here it was an arena for those who race to do good deeds. We have to endeavour, then, to utilise the remaining hours of it by performing good deeds for Ramadan can never be substituted by any other month. It is a month in which hearts are refined and sins are forgiven. It is a month of security and peace for the frightened. In this great month, many hands have been raised in supplication, many a tear has been shed and many a heart has been struck with the fear of Allah. Allah has showered His Mercy and Favor on many of His slaves in this month - particularly in the last ten days of it.

When will one who has not been forgiven his/her sins in this month ever be forgiven? When will the one whose supplication is rejected in Laylatul-Qadr (the Night of Decree/Power) ever have it accepted? Ibn Rajab may Allah have mercy upon him narrated that ‘Ali ibn Abu Taalib, may Allah be pleased with him, used to proclaim in the last night of Ramadan: “I earnestly wish I knew those whose acts of worship have been accepted so that I could congratulate them; and I earnestly wish I knew those whose acts of worship have been rejected so that I could commiserate with them!”

Whose loss is greater than he who missed the blessings of Ramadan? When will the one who did not reform himself during the month of Ramadan ever do so? When will the one who was not cured from the sickness of ignorance and heedlessness in this month ever get cured?

For those among us who have committed great sins, these few remaining blessed days are an opportunity to repent, for whoever is librated from Hell has indeed won a great reward. As for those who have been liberated from Hell by our Lord; they should do their level best not to indulge in sin again. They should not move closer to Hell after Allah Almighty Has pardoned them from it. We must hasten, therefore, to do more good deeds, for some of us may not live to see the end of this year. Let the negligent ones among us seize the opportunity of this outgoing month in doing righteous deeds before it is too late. Let the heedless ones among us wake up and remember the terrible fate that awaits them; let them try to spend the rest of their lives doing good deeds.

Let us look at our present condition in light of the effects Ramadanhad on us. Let us compare our condition at the start of Ramadan to our condition now: Was the advent of Ramadan something that made us become pious? Did it reform our actions and conduct? Did it unify our ranks against our enemies? Did it remove the hatred and rancour between us? Did it eliminate the evil deeds committed by our communities?

We have responded to the call of our Lord by fasting, so we should respond to His Command in all other matters and at all times. We must humble our hearts for the mention of Allah and be united in adherence to the Book of Allah (the Quran) and the Sunnah (tradition) of His Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), so that the Muslim nation may be saved from calamities.

Zakat Al-Fitr:

Allah has prescribed for us, at the end of Ramadan, a great deed with which we can make amends for our deficiencies within that month. By doing this, we can also gain immense rewards; Allah Says (what means): “He wants for you to complete the period and to magnify Allah for that (to) which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.”[Quran 2: 185]

Therefore, Allah also prescribed Zakat Al-Fitr [end of Ramadan alms-giving] for us as a sign of gratitude to Him for facilitating fasting and night prayers for us, to purify us from any obscenity we may have uttered and as a feeding for the poor and the needy in order to promote the brotherhood and unity among the Muslims. The amount to be given is one Saa’ [approximately 3 kg] of wheat, rice or any other staple food of the land. It is to be given by every Muslim, be they young, old, male or female. It is also rewardable if it is given on behalf of the unborn foetus. It is best given between the Fajr and ‘Eed prayers (on the day of ‘Eed) but there is no harm if it is given a day or two before ‘‘Eed.

It is recommended to give it out in foodstuff as it has been explicitly explained in the Hadeeth and in accordance with the practice of our righteous predecessors, may Allah be pleased with them. So give this charity out, for Allah has only asked you to give a negligible amount of the huge bounty that He has bestowed upon you.

We should continue in our good deeds even after Ramadan and be constant in observing the five obligatory prayers and other acts of worship. We should know that among the signs of the acceptance of a good deed is to continue and be steadfast in performing that deed, and that it is only the evil people who know and worship Allah in Ramadan only.

SUPPLICATIONS ARE ANSWERED DURING RAMADAN'S LAST TEN DAYS!!



When someone has a particular need, he has to take recourse to those who can fulfill it. However, people’s needs, for which they have to seek out others, are endless – sometimes they succeed in fulfilling them and at other times they cannot. The ability of created beings is limited, yet many people fail to realize this, and are heedless of asking The One who is able to fulfill all the needs – The One without whom no need is fulfilled. Nothing is impossible for Him, He is free from need, although all creatures are in need of Him and beseech Him. His treasury is full of goodness, and it does not decrease by giving. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, Our word to a thing when We Intend it is but that We Say to it, "Be," and it is.} [Quran 16: 40]

His is the dominion, as He Says (what means):
· {Blessed is He in Whose Hand is dominion, and He Is over all things competent}[Quran 67:1 ]

· {And there is not a thing but that with Us are its depositories, and We do not send it down except according to a known measure.} [Quran 15:21 ]

Allah The Almighty addresses His slaves in the Qudsi Hadeeth (sacred narration) Saying: “O My slaves, if all of you, the early and late generations, the human and the Jinn, stood in one place asking Me (their needs) and I fulfilled the need of everyone, this would not decrease what I have except like what a needle decreases of the sea if put into it.” [Muslim]

Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {O mankind, you are those in need of Allah, while Allah is The Free of need, The Praiseworthy]. [Quran 35:15]

His treasury does not decrease because of His immense gifts, and His property does not perish despite the fact that He gives in ultimate generosity, as He Says (what means): {Whatever you have will end, but what Allah has is lasting.”[Quran 16:96] The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “The hand of Allah is full and (its fullness) is not affected by the continuous spending night and day. Have you not seen what He has spent since He created the heavens and the earth? Nevertheless, what is in His hand has not decreased, and His throne was over the water; and in His hand there is the balance (of justice) whereby He raises and lowers (people).” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

How rich is Allah and how generous and Exalted is He, Who gives in abundance during this blessed time! However, where are those who beseech Him? Where are those who direct their needs to Him more than to His creation? Is there anyone who has knocked on His doors then found them closed; indeed He likes those who beseech Him, so why do we not adhere to this etiquette?
Why supplicate?

All the believers know that the one who brings benefits and causes harm is Allah The Almighty. He gives whom He likes and deprives whom He likes. He provides for whomever He likes without account. To Him belong the depositories of the heavens and earth. If He wanted to cause benefit to someone, no one can harm him even if all the people on earth wanted to, and if He wanted to harm an individual, no one can protect him even if all the people on earth supported him. Every believer has firm faith in this; because whoever doubts this, will not be a believer. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And if Allah should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him; and if He intends for you good, then there is no repeller of His bounty. He causes it to reach whom He wills of His servants. And He is The Forgiving, The Merciful] [Quran 10:107]

Yes, no one benefits or harms but Allah The Almighty Who Says (what means):
· {And whatever you have of favor - it is from Allah. Then when adversity touches you, to Him you cry for help} [Quran 16:53]

· {And when adversity touches you at sea, lost are [all] those you invoke except for Him.}[Quran 17:67]
· {Say, "Then who could prevent Allah at all if He Intended for you harm or Intended for you benefit? Rather, ever is Allah , with what you do, acquainted.} [Quran 48:11]

Only Allah The Almighty hears the call of the drowning person in the middle of the sea; the supplications of the one in prostration, and the complaints of the oppressed and only He recognizes the tears of the humble one in seclusion at night. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And if you speak aloud - then indeed, He knows the secret and what is [even] more hidden Allah - there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names} [Quran 20:7-8]

He gets angry if He is not asked, He likes humility and persistence in supplication, He likes the supplication of the distressed and He relieves the distressed one. He Says (what means): {Is He [not best] who responds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him and removes evil and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is there a deity with Allah? Little do you remember } [Quran 27:62]

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Our Lord The Exalted, The Superior, descends every night to the lowest Heaven in the last third of the night, Saying, ‘Is there anyone supplicating Me, so I may respond to him? Is there anyone asking Me, so I may grant him? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so I may forgive him?” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

What a great virtue and reward from The Merciful Lord! Knowing this, does it make sense to ask other than Him? Should we seek our needs from other than Him? Should we ask slaves like ourselves, and leave our Creator? Should we refer to weak creatures, and turn away from The Strong, The Subjugator and The Omnipotent? This is not fitting for someone who is honored by slavery to Allah The Almighty.


The virtue of supplication



Supplication is one of the greatest acts of worship; rather, it is worship itself as the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said because it implies the humiliation of beseeching and being in need of Allah The Almighty, which show the real aspects of servitude to Him. Therefore, it is the most honorable act in the sight of Allah The Almighty as the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “There is nothing dearer to Allah than supplication.” [At-Tirmithi] [Ibn Maajah: Hasan]



If a person calls upon his Lord, His Lord Is closer to him than himself as Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided] [Quran 2:186]



Ibn Katheer may Allaah have mercy upon him said, “Allah stated this verse, which guides one to make supplication, between the verses of fasting in order to urge us to be diligent in supplication when completing the fast, and every time when breaking the fast, as ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “When breaking his fast, the fasting person has a supplication that will not be rejected.” [Ibn Maajah]



What great blessings: a supplication that will not be rejected when breaking the fast, an answered supplication in the last third of the night, and a night that is better than a thousand months of continuous worship! Supplicating during that night is better than supplicating during one thousand months. What a great virtue! Who is the one who will control his desire, seize the opportunity of goodness, compete in obedience and make sincere supplications?



Make sure you take advantage of these ten nights. Show your best deeds to Allah The Almighty. You may strive for a few days that will be your path to eternal happiness. Everyone goes through these days: both the hardworking ones and the heedless; but their actions differ, so do not let the devil deceive you, and do not lose opportunities in these days as you may have lost others.



In Ramadan, we experience the best nights, in which gifts are multiplied, the mercy of Allah The Almighty descends, faults are forgiven, and the ranks of believers are elevated.



Does it make sense to waste these nights in frivolities, when the Lord of the worlds descends to the lowest heaven to fulfill our needs? He looks at the worshipers, while they are involved in acts of obedience and submission, seeking forgiveness, asking sincerely, repeating in supplication: O our Lord, O our Lord! Their hearts became soft upon hearing the Quran, they are eager to meet The King, and their eyes are full of tears out of fear of Allah The Almighty. Who deserves the mercy of Allah The Almighty –those who seek His pleasure or those who spend their nights in doing what Allah The Almighty has forbidden, and were heedless about supplicating Him? How much did they lose when it is the time for gaining profits? Wretched are their deeds, how weak is their resolution! Can they not be patient for a few nights?



Who will invest in such a profitable time?



This is the time of gaining profits. During these nights needs are fulfilled, so seek the fulfillment of your needs with Allah The Almighty. Supplication is one of the most honorable acts of worship in the sight of Allah, He does not disappoint any Muslim who supplicates Him. Allah The Almighty Says (what means):



· {And your Lord Says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you."}[Quran 40:60]



· {Call upon your Lord in humility and privately; indeed, He does not like transgressors And cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good}[Quran 7:55-56]



The relationship between fasting and supplication



The verses on fasting were followed by the mention of supplication. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided} [Quran 2:186] Some scholars of Tafseer (Quranic exegesis) said, "There is an indication in this verse that the fasting person’s supplication is likely to be answered, that all the supplications during the month of Ramadan are likely to be answered, and that it is recommended to make supplication at the end of each day of Ramadan. Allah gets angry if He is not asked, as the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: ‘Allah gets angry at the one who does not ask Him.’ [Ahmad and At-Tirmithi]”

Allah is The Most Rich and The Most Generous

Whatever one asks, Allah The Almighty gives him more. It was narrated on the authority of Abu Sa‘eed, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “‘No Muslim supplicates Allah with a supplication that contains neither sin nor severing kinship ties, except that Allah gives him one of three things: He either answers his supplication, or saves it for him in the Hereafter or diverts an equal amount of evil from him.’ They said, ‘So we shall ask Allah a lot.’ The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: ‘Allah has more.’” [Ahmad]

Supplication drives away predestined afflictions as the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Nothing drives away predestined affliction but supplication, and nothing extends one’s life but righteousness.” [At-Tirmithi]

In another Hadeeth, the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Supplication is beneficial regarding the affliction that has already occurred and that which has not yet occurred, so adhere to it, O slaves of Allah.” [Ahmad]

Humility to Allah The Almighty when supplicating Him

Supplication entails submission to Allah The Almighty. Ibn Rajab may Allaah have mercy upon him said, “Some of those who fear Allah used to sit at night, keeping silent, lowering their head, and raising their hands like a beggar. This condition shows how deep the need for Allah is. The more sincere, humble and needy we are in our supplication, the more likely our supplications will be answered.” Al-Awzaa‘I may Allaah have mercy upon him stated that it was said, "The best manner of supplication is insistence and begging Allah."

O you who supplicate, have good expectations of Allah The Almighty.
Allah The Almighty gives His slave according to his expectations of Him; so if he thinks that his Lord is Generous, he is sure that Allah The Almighty will not disappoint him, and asks Him, while adhering to the manners of supplication, Allah The Almighty will give him whatever he asks for and more. Allah The Almighty Says in a Qudsi Hadeeth (sacred narration): “I am with My slave as he thinks of Me, and I am with him when he supplicates Me.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Supplicating in time of prosperity is one of the reasons for a supplication being answered
If one makes many supplications in times of prosperity, in addition to what he receives immediately and long term, it will be more likely that his supplication will be answered in times of hardship, than the one who does not supplicate except in times of calamities.

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Whoever likes Allah to respond to him in times of hardship, let him make much supplication in times of prosperity.” [At-Tirmithi]

Despite the fact that Allah The Almighty created and provided for us, and has no need of us, He is too bashful to disappoint us if we supplicate Him.

Salmaan, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Allah is modest and generous, and is shy to turn away empty the hands of His slave when he raises them to Him.” [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi]

Righteousness is what counts, not strength

There may be a person who is considered insignificant because he is poor and weak, but he may be dear to Allah The Almighty, and He does not ever neglect his supplications, as the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “There may be a man with dishevelled hair, driven away from the doors (but he is so pious) that if he were to swear in the Name of Allah, He would definitely fulfill that.” [Muslim]

Do not be hasty when supplicating to Allah The Almighty
It is wrong to leave supplication because one feels that Allah The Almighty does not respond to him. The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “The supplication of everyone of you is granted if he does not grow impatient and say, ‘I supplicated but it was not granted.’” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Muwarriq Al-‘Ijli may Allaah have mercy upon him said, "I was never filled with anger, and I asked Allah for a need twenty years ago but He did not respond, yet I did not cease supplicating Him.”
Our righteous predecessors used to prolong their supplication. Imaam Maalik may Allaah have mercy upon him said, "‘Aamir ibn ‘Abdullaah ibn Az-Zubayr may begin to supplicate Allah after he finished the ‘Ishaa’ Prayer and did not finish it till Fajr.”

Moosa ibn Ja‘far ibn Muhammad may Allaah have mercy upon him entered the Mosque of the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), then he prostrated in the first part of the night and he kept saying till Fajr, "My sins are great so I beg Your pardon, O you who is worthy of fear and qualified for [granting] forgiveness.”

Muslims should follow the practice of the Prophets in supplication. Imaam Maalik may Allaah have mercy upon him was asked about the one who says 'O Master', in supplication. He said, "I prefer the prophets’ supplication: O our Lord.”

These days are for supplicating Allah The Almighty
Even though supplication is prescribed at all times, it is more likely to be accepted during the last ten days of Ramadan. Thus, strive to attain piety during these days of blessing, for the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), used to avoid sexual intercourse with his wives (even though it is permissible), to pray the whole night and to wake his family in order to pray during the night during those virtuous days. He used to spend all the last ten nights in worshipping Allah The Almighty, because it includes the Night of Al-Qadr, prayers in which are worth praying more than the whole year for its virtue, so why not seek patience in order to witness it? They are just a few nights.

Make sure you take advantage of these ten nights. Show your best deeds to Allah The Almighty. You may strive for a few days that will be your path to eternal happiness. Everyone goes through these days: both the hardworking ones and the heedless; but their actions differ, so do not let the devil deceive you, and do not lose opportunities in these days as you may have lost others.

CALL YOURSELF TO ACCOUNT BEFORE YOU ARE CALLED TO ACCOUNT !!

First of all, have you ever been alone and checked and weighed what you have said or done previously? Have you ever tried to list your bad deeds in the same way as you think of your good deeds? Have you ever thought how you will be held accountable before Allah The Almighty while you are carrying such a heavy load of sins?

How can you yield yourself to a state that is far too dangerous for you to handle?

Allah The Almighty Says (what means):
{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. And be not like those who forgot Allah, so He made them forget themselves.}[Quran 59:18-19]

{And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped...} [Quran 39:54]

‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Call yourselves to account before you are called to account, and weigh yourselves before you are weighed, as calling yourselves to account today will make it easier for you when you are called to account tomorrow, and be adorned for the great appearance: that Day shall you be brought to Judgment, and not a secret of you will be hidden.”

Quotes about Self-Reckoning

1. ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, wrote to one of his appointed governors saying, “Call yourself to account when you are in bliss before the reckoning of that severe Day, for whoever calls himself to account when he is in bliss will win the pleasure of Allah and achieve happiness, and whoever allows his life and desires to occupy all his attention and cause him to be negligent will be a regretful loser.”

2. Al-Hasan, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “The worshiper will be in a safe position as long as he keeps admonishing his own self and continuously calls his soul to account.”
3. Maymoon ibn Mihraan may Allaah have mercy upon him said, “A slave will not be pious until he holds himself to account more severely than a man does with his business partner; that is why it was said that the soul is like the untrustworthy partner whom, if you do not call to account, will flee with your capital.”

4. Imaam Ahmad may Allaah have mercy upon him narrated that Wahb may Allaah have mercy upon him said, “It is written in the wisdom of the family of Daawood (David) that an intelligent person should not be negligent of four times; a time to supplicate his Lord, a time to hold himself to account, a time with his truthful friends who inform him of his shortcomings, and a time when he is alone with himself and its lawful desires, as this time will help him through the other times and will comfort his heart.”

5. Al-Hasan Al-Basri may Allaah have mercy upon him said, “The true believer is a guardian of his own self and continuously calls his soul to account for the sake of Allah. The reckoning of the Day of Resurrection will only be easy for those who continuously call their souls to account in the life of this world. The reckoning of the Day of Resurrection will only be difficult for those who live the life of this world without ever examining their conscience and calling themselves to account.”
6. Ibn Abi Mulaykah may Allaah have mercy upon him said, “I have met thirty companions of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) and each one of them feared that he may be afflicted by hypocrisy and none of them said that his faith is like that of Jibreel or Meekaa’eel.”

7. Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim may Allaah have mercy upon him said, “Whoever contemplates the circumstances of the Companions of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) would find them doing many good deeds with much fear while we fall short of doing good deeds or rather are negligent about that and at the same time we feel secure (from punishment).” This is what Ibn Al-Qayyim may Allaah have mercy upon him said about himself and the time he lived in, so what should we say about ourselves and the time in which we live!

Categories of Self-reckoning

Self-reckoning is of two kinds and they are as follows:

The first kind: self-examination before starting any action. That is, one should check every idea that comes to his mind and not take any action until he considers which is preferred; carrying it out or leaving it. Al-Hasan may Allaah have mercy upon him said, “May Allah The Almighty Be merciful upon the one who examines every matter well and then (decides that) if it is for the sake of Allah The Almighty he executes it, and if not, he overlooks it.”

The second kind: self-examination after doing any action and it is of three types which are as follows:

1. One should call his soul to account and reproach it for its negligence in the acts of worshiping Allah The Almighty; for not having performed them properly.

2. One should call his soul to account for any action that he did while it would have been better for him not to do it.

3. One should cast a critical look back at whatever permissible act or habitual act that he did and ask himself why he did it. Did he do it for the Sake of Allah The Almighty and the Hereafter? If so, he will be rewarded greatly. Or, did he do it for this world and its trifling gains? If so, he will miss many great rewards.

Tips that make self-reckoning easier

There are some methods that would assist a person to call himself to account and make that process easier; they are as follows:
1. Knowing that the more effort he exerts in calling his soul to account in this world, the more he will be relieved in the Hereafter. Likewise, the more he neglects calling himself to account in this world, the more severe his reckoning will be in the Hereafter.

2. Knowing that the rewards of self-reckoning are residing in Firdaws (highest level of Paradise), looking at the Noble Face of Allah The Almighty and enjoying the company of the prophets and the righteous.

3. Looking at the serious consequences of overlooking self-reckoning such as entering Hellfire, deprivation of looking at the Noble face of Allah The Almighty, and being with the wicked people of disbelief and misguidance.

4. Keeping company with good people who call themselves to account and who tell him about his shortcomings, and keeping away from others who are not like that.

5. Contemplating attentively the stories of those who were keen on self-reckoning and learning about our righteous predecessors.
6. Visiting the graves and contemplating the conditions of the dead who have become helpless and can no longer call their souls to account or rectify their faults.

7. Attending the circles of knowledge and admonishing lessons as these call people to check their souls.

8. Performing voluntary night prayers, reciting Quran, and doing many other righteous deeds that bring a person closer to Allah The Almighty.

9. Keeping away from the places of diversion and distractions for they make one forget about observing self-reckoning.

10. Adhering to the remembrance and mentioning of Allah The Almighty and invoking Him to make him/her from those who call themselves to account and to guide him/her to everything good.

11. Not having full trust and confidence in oneself as this makes him forget checking on his situation and also makes him believe that his defects are nothing except perfect noble manners.

How can self-reckoning be fulfilled?

Self-reckoning can be done as follows:
1. One should start first by checking his performance of the his obligatory duties, and if he finds any defects in them he has to rectify them.

2. One should then check the prohibited matters. If he finds that he has transgressed the red lines of such forbidden matters, then he has to repent, seek forgiveness and offer the extra righteous deeds that would wipe out his misdeeds.

3. One should check every action of the parts of his body such as the actions of his tongue, feet, hands, eyes, and ears. He has to ask himself why, for the sake of whom and how he did them.

4. One should call his soul to account for its heedlessness and negligence and rectify such things with the Remembrance of Allah The Almighty and doing a lot of righteous deeds.

The considerable benefits of self-reckoning

1. Realizing the defects and shortcomings in one’s character. In fact, no one can be able to get rid of the defects of his character without acknowledging them.

2. Repentance, remorse and rectifying these mistakes before it is too late.

3. Being mindful of the rights of Allah The Almighty, for self-reckoning is mainly based on holding one's soul to account regarding negligence in observing the rights of Allah The Almighty.

4. Complete submissiveness and humbleness of the slave before his Lord The Almighty and the Most Glorified.

5. Realizing the Generosity, Forgiveness and Mercy of Allah The Almighty towards His slaves for He The Almighty gave them respite and delayed their punishment in spite of their odious sins and evil deeds.

6. Exerting oneself to do a lot of righteous deeds and renounce disobedience so that self-reckoning will then be much easier.

7. Returning the rights or property one wrongly took to their owners, getting rid of hatred and envy, and acquiring noble traits. Such is the most fruitful benefit of the matter of self-reckoning.

Remember: Life is far too short, and the time we waste can never be regained.

Abu Ad-Dardaa’, may Allah be pleased with him, said,
“Man’s life is but days. Whenever a day passes, a part of man’s life passes too. So, O you youth in your twenties, contemplate how many comrades of yours have passed away, and you are still there! You people in your thirties, you are losing your youth, how come you regret nothing? You people in your forties, youth has abandoned you and you are still indulging in amusement! You people in your fifties, you are a half-century old, but you still wrong yourselves! And, you people in your sixties, you are on the threshold of death, yet you still succumb to the temptations of this world. Surely, you have transgressed!”

MAKE RAMADAN YOUR BREAKTHROUGH TO VICTORY‎‎




‎‎‎‎Today our Ummah (nation) is experiencing one of the most critical periods it has ever encountered throughout its history. All the members of the Ummah must hasten and exert efforts to change the status quo and regain the status this Ummah is supposed to have among nations;‎‎ ‎‎as a leading nation not a follower; ‎‎as an honorable not humiliated nation and ‎‎as one which protects its followers and guards them from the plots of its enemies and their punishment.‎‎

‎‎The most important aspect for the Ummah to be reformed is to return in sincere repentance to Allah The Almighty and to ask for His forgiveness regarding all the sins and matters that displease Him. The Ummah should also exert efforts to fulfill its duty in enjoining good and forbidding evil and illuminating and guiding oblivious people. This way would lead to dignity, pride, strength, Jihad (striving in the cause of Allah The Almighty) and victory. Allah The Almighty Says (what means):

· {if you support Allah , He will support you}[Quran 47:7]

· {Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.} [Quran 13:11]‎‎

‎‎It was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: "When you enter into ‘Eenah (a kind of forbidden transaction), hold the tails of cows (and oxen) are pleased with agriculture (i.e. being engaged with worldly matters), and give up Jihaad, Allah will make humiliation overpower you, and will not remove it until you return to your religion." [ Abu Daawood ].‎

‎‎The primary wisdom behind the obligation of fasting the month of Ramadan is to achieve repentance, gain piety, avoid what dissatisfies Allah The Almighty and do what He likes. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous} [Quran 2:183]‎‎

The most favorable deed in the sight of Allah The Almighty in the month of Ramadan and at any other time is gaining piety through adhering to the orders and obligations of religion and avoiding what Allah The Almighty forbids. Nowadays, the obligation of Da‘wah (calling to Islam) is becoming more important than performing more favorable righteous deeds, as the Ummah is getting distanced from the true religion.‎‎ ‎‎
It was narrated in the Qudsi Hadeeth (sacred narration) that Allah The Almighty Says: "My slave does not get closer to Me with anything dearer to Me than something that I have enjoined upon him." [Al-Bukhari and Ibn Hibbaan]

‎‎ ‎‎The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: "Avoid the prohibitions and you will be the best worshipper." [At-Tirmithi] [Al-Albaani: Hasan]. It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‎‎"Returning one-sixth dirham that is earned unlawfully is dearer to Allah than spending a hundred thousand for His sake".‎‎

‎‎If you think about the wisdom behind fasting, and the reality and the ailments of the Ummah as well as the oppression, humiliation and dangers that the Ummah is subjected to all over the world, undoubtedly, your kind heart and enlightened thinking would realize the necessity and importance of changing our own selves. You would realize the necessity of reforming and reminding those who are around us, so that we would be back on track, become victorious and succeed in this life and the Hereafter.‎‎

‎‎Dear Muslim brother and sister,‎‎
‎‎the lamentation of the bereaved,
‎‎the weeping of the orphans,
‎‎the pain of the injured,
‎‎the cries of the tortured,
‎‎the sighs of the homeless,‎‎
‎‎and the suffering of the captives,‎‎
‎‎all call you towards this change and this new beginning.‎‎

‎‎Will you, dear Muslim brother and sister, make this month of Ramadan, which comes while our Ummah is suffering, a new beginning for righteousness and reform, and for doing all that brings the satisfaction of Allah The Almighty, goodness and that which helps the Ummah to regain its glory in any aspect of life.?

‎‎Dear brother and sister, start and do not delay this as life is short, the reality is bitter and the Ummah is waiting for your support, so do not let it down!‎‎
‎‎Allah The Almighty Says (what means):‎‎ ‎‎

· {And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.} [Quran 24:31]‎‎

· ‎‎{O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true.}‎‎ ‎‎[Quran 9:119].‎‎

Remember your great reward for adhering to the orders of Your creator and endeavoring to obey Him. Your reward would be Paradise and its ranks; the distance between the two is like the distance between heaven and earth.‎‎

‎‎Allah The Almighty Says (what means):‎‎ ‎‎{And they will be called, "This is Paradise, which you have been made to inherit for what you used to do."} [Quran 7:43].‎‎

‎‎Practical steps that help you start off and be steadfast:‎‎

‎‎1- Having righteous company and being keen on this: an example is a beneficial tape or CD that you could listen to in your car or at home.‎‎

‎‎2- Avoiding companions who do not help you to be upright such as‎‎ ‎‎any means that offers you something that displeases Allah. Remember what Allah The Almighty Says (which means): {Close friends, that Day, will be enemies to each other, except for the righteous.} [Quran 43:67].‎‎

‎3- Remind yourself usually of the status and pain of the Ummah so that your determination would not weaken, your enthusiasm would be renewed, and you would exert more efforts in Da‘wah. Remember that your negligence causes the victory of the Ummah to be delayed.‎

‎4- Supplicate Allah The Almighty repeatedly to help you reach guidance and protect you from the planning of devils.‎

5- Dear brother and sister, remember that indulging in amusement even if it was lawful in these circumstances that the Ummah is experiencing is not acceptable, so what about prohibited and impermissible amusement.

6- Think about the transience of life, its shortness and mortality.

7- Remember that death is near and might come suddenly. Remember the grave and what would be in it, Paradise and its prosperity, and Hell and its punishment.

8- Finally, dear brother and sister who seeks the Mercy of Allah The Almighty and the highest ranks, remember that one of the signs of the acceptance of your deeds during the month of Ramadan is that you would become a better person who is endeavoring to do all good deeds and avoid all sins.

RISE AGAIN O SALAH-AD-DEEN

The month of goodness is fast approaching and the Muslims rejoice at its advent. People differ in their attitudes towards Ramadan: some strive to follow the example of the righteous predecessors in carrying out acts of worship and good deeds; others try to (moderately) do good deeds, hoping for the forgiveness of Allah The Exalted; while some others completely neglect the month of Ramadan. The last group conceives of Ramadan as nothing more than a month for watching TV serials.

What is Ramadan like in Palestine? The heart of the Ummah (Muslim nation) bleeds anew every day, as yet another Palestinian martyr sacrifices his life for the cause of Allah. A Palestinian child bids his father farewell to a remote world, about which that child knows nothing. He does not know that it is his father’s eternal abode. A Palestinian wife loses her beloved husband, hoping to meet him soon in a world where no neighbor or relative will turn down her pleas for assistance; where no hideous Zionist will threaten her life.

How is Ramadan in Jerusalem, the heart of the Islamic nation and the beloved jewel of the Muslims? How do the people of Palestine spend the month of Ramadan? Do they relish happiness and bliss in the company of their relatives and beloved ones like we do? Or do they suffer from the painful silence and neglect of their nation? How are our brothers and sisters in Islam, with whom we share the same Qiblah, Book and religion? How is my mother in Jerusalem? How is my father in Jerusalem? How is my brother, sister, and son?

We often hear about the tears of our sisters in Jerusalem during Ramadan and at other times. Indeed, the Zionists show no respect for the sanctity of the holy month of Ramadan, or for the sanctity of any other holy place or time. They even went to the extreme when they insulted and cursed the Lord of the Worlds!

Where is Al-Mu’tasim to hear the cry of a chaste Muslim woman who was asked to disrobe in prison?

O Salah ad-Deen, your memory quenches the thirsty hearts of the Muslims; the memory of great victories revives hope in the hearts in times of cowardice. The Ummah yearns for someone like you to rise again and restore the usurped glory and lost dignity of the Muslim nation. It is the Divine Law that those who have passed away will not return to the worldly life. However, we are attached not to you but to your Creator, and we implore Him to grant us another Muslim leader like Salah ad-Deen, even if none among us now is like you.

O Allah, we complain to You of our weakness, hopelessness, and scarcity of resources. You are the Lord of the weak people, and You are our Lord. O Allah, guide our nation to the genuine guidance, conduct its affairs in the optimal manner, grant Your obedient slaves glory and pride and humiliate the disobedient ones. Usher them to a world where good is enjoined and evil is forbidden. O Allah, grant victory to Your slaves who are striving for Your cause east and west. O Lord, purify every inch of this earth that was watered with the blood of the Muslims of those criminals who shed their blessed blood.

Hearts are softened during the month of Ramadan as they are more inclined to goodness and are closer to the Lord of the Worlds, the Knower of the Unseen. Do not let these abundant blessings and bounties, the sweetness of gatherings and Iftaar banquets in Ramadan, make you forget your brothers and sisters in Palestine. Do not forget to support them; offer them your unlimited aid and support, to the best of your abilities. Do not fail to remember to supplicate Allah The Exalted for them; for supplication is an effective weapon, and whoever withholds even his supplications from his victimized brothers and sisters in Palestine will never be willing to sacrifice his life for them one day.

The sweet memories of the great victories in Badr, Hitteen, ‘Ayn Jaaloot and the various victories and triumphs in the history of Islam remind us of these great Muslim leaders. Should we not rise up again and act like true men? True men are known by their actions, not just their words. Alas, we are merely men of words and speeches and not of actions!

The winds of victory and change are blowing. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.} [Quran 13:11] Therefore, let us work diligently and strive like an active beehive. We should strive in seeking knowledge, calling to Islam, performing Jihaad with wealth and self, tirelessly and without hesitation. How great it is to spread Tawheed at a time when knowledge has become a rare commodity and in a world that abounds with ignorant tyrants!

Indeed, seeking knowledge and calling people to the teachings of Islam are obligatory for Muslims. Participating in Jihaad, to the best of one’s abilities, the least of which is supplicating for our brothers and sisters in Palestine, standing by them and advocating their cause even with words, and reviving the Palestinian cause are commendable, much-needed efforts.

Whoever fails to do any of the above deeds to support his suffering brothers and sisters is sinful and has failed to shoulder his due responsibility towards them. Let us be the first building blocks in the edifice of the Islamic awakening so that the day will come when another Salah ud-Deen would emerge. What a great honor it is that one may lose, along with the responsibility due upon the Muslims!

O Muslims, let us wake up from our deep sleep and let us make the month of Ramadan a time to renew our covenant with Allah The Exalted, that was made even before we were born.

Let us make the month of Ramadan the beginning of raising a new Muslim generation that would bring a smile once again on the faces of our brothers and sisters in Palestine and in every occupied Muslim land. We yearn for a generation like that of Khaalid ibn Al-Waleed, Salah ud-Deen, Qutuz, Al-‘Izz ibn ‘Abdus-Salaam, and ‘Umar Al-Mukhtaar and the other great Muslim heroes.

O Allah The Exalted, grant us the victory that You have promised. O Lord, we acknowledge our failure to shoulder our due responsibilities and admit our mistakes. O Lord, we implore You not to punish us for our sins and the errors of the foolish people among us. O Allah The Exalted, rectify our grave condition and replace our disgrace with power, glory and victory.

Allah The Exalted Says (what means):

{Allah has written, "I will surely overcome, I and My messengers." Indeed, Allah is All-Powerful and Exalted in Might.} [Quran 58:21]

{And Our word has already preceded for Our servants, the messengers, * [That] indeed, they would be those given victory * And [that] indeed, Our soldiers will be those who overcome.} [Quran 37:171-173]


{…And to Allah belongs [all] honor, and to His Messenger, and to the believers, but the hypocrites do not know.} [Quran 63:8]

We supplicate Allah The Exalted that the next Ramadan comes when the Muslim nation is in a better state than it is today.

REPENTANCE IN RAMADAN




Allah Says (what means): “And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers that you might succeed” [Quran 24:31]
And also (what means): “O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance” [Quran 66:8] Therefore, repentance is not only requested from one who has committed a sin, but rather it is demanded from all people including the believers who wish to win the great prize of Paradise as well as being prosperous in this life.

One of the great blessings of Allah upon His slaves is that He left the door for repentance open for those who wish to repent and return to Him. Allah made repentance the new dawn that indicates the start of a new day for the journey towards the Hereafter.

Abu Moosaa Al-Ash`ari, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Allah, the Exalted, will continue to stretch out His Hand in the night so that the sinners of the day may repent, and continue to stretch His Hand in the daytime so that the sinners of the night may repent, until the sun rises from the west”. [Muslim].

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “He who repents before the sun rises from the west, Allah will forgive him”. [Muslim].

`Abdullaah Ibn `Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Allah accepts a slave's repentance as long as the latter is not on his death bed (that is, before the soul of the dying person reaches the throat)”. [Ahmad and At-Tirmithi].

Know that the month of Ramadan is a great opportunity to repent and return to Allah, and it is a chance to renew the pledge with Allah. On the other hand, one must be careful lest Ramadan passes him by without him utilizing the season and without being one of those whom Allah forgave their sins. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with them, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “May Allah humble the one who lives long enough to witness Ramadan and passes the month without being forgiven”. [At-Tirmithi].

Beloved brothers! This blessed month is the month of the Qur’aan, kindness, repentance, expiation of sins, the descent of mercy and elevation of ranks … So let us rush in repentance to Allah, because the believers will not find comfort except in Paradise … let us take refuge from Allah with Allah and repent to Him before our sins destroy us … let us wake up from our deep sleep as the days pass by very rapidly … let us strive not to be of the deprived ones by undermining the pleasure of Paradise … let us rush and repent and make up for what we have missed out on.

The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) whose sins have been forgiven repents to Allah and asked for forgiveness multiple times in a single day. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) saying: “I swear by Allah that I seek Allah's Pardon and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day.” [Al-Bukhari].

Al-Agharr Ibn Yasaar Al-Muzani, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "Turn you people in repentance to Allah and beg pardon of Him. I turn to Him in repentance a hundred times a day". [Muslim].

Let us follow the example of our beloved Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) and let us not delay our repentance and let us abandon using the term: “I will do it later on”, and remember that life is nothing but an illusion.

O you who has wasted yesterday and is waiting today … you are killing yourself with sins … repent to your Lord and regret your shortcomings … if you cry and humble yourself before your Lord and ask Him to forgive you, He will accept you and be happy with your repentance.

Indeed Allah is pleased with the repentance of His slaves. Anas Ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, the servant of the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) narrated: The Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "Verily, Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than a person who has his camel in a waterless desert carrying his provision of food and drink and it is lost. He, having lost all hopes (to get that back), lies down in shade and is disappointed about his camel; when all of a sudden he finds that camel standing before him. He takes hold of its reins and then out of boundless joy blurts out: 'O Allah, You are my slave and I am Your Lord'. He commits this mistake out of extreme joy" [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Do you see how Allah is pleased with the person when he turns to Him in repentance? Who are we for Allah to rejoice for our repentance? We are nothing but weak creatures of His who possess no power. On the other hand, He is The All Powerful, Almighty, The King and The One Who controls the Heavens and the earth.

Let us not give up on the mercy of Allah … we must know that there is no sin too great for Allah to forgive, and that a slave never turns to Him in repentance sincerely, but He will accept and forgive him, as He is The Oft Forgiving and His mercy has encompassed everything.

Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Allah, the Exalted, has said: `O son of Aadam! I forgive you as long as you pray to Me and hope for My forgiveness, whatever sins you have committed. O son of Aadam! I do not care if your sins reach the height of the heaven, then you ask for my forgiveness, I would forgive you. O son of Aadam! If you come to Me with an earth load of sins, and meet Me associating nothing to Me, I would match it with an earth-load of forgiveness`” [At-Tirmithi].

When you turn to Allah repentance, never go back to committing the same sins again, as this is one of the most destructive disasters. Never go back after having been blessed and rescued by Allah, because returning to sins after having been rescued has severe consequences. Remember that fasting is not merely refraining from eating and drinking, and that you must shun all sins ands rush to Allah in repentance.

FASTING IS A SCIENTIFIC MIRACLE

Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.} [Quran 2:183] In this Noble Quranic verse, Allah The Almighty tells us that He has ordained fasting and made it an established norm common to all generations of human beings. History books report that the Persians, Romans, Indians, Greeks, Babylonians and ancient Egyptians would fast and consider that a good deed. Jews and Christians also used to fast - and still do - even though it is done in different forms that they have innovated, thereby deviating from its true meaning.

All living beings except man were made by Allah The Almighty to live according to a balanced law to obtain their needs of food and nothing more. An animal's appetite for food is always related to its real need for it, or the purpose for which it has been subdued. For example, an animal may abstain from having food for a long time, as shown when some animals hibernate, or obtain food at far intervals, as shown in some kinds of snakes, or refrain from food during periods of disease, injury or fracture, as is the case with horses, dogs, cats or so on, or at the time of journeying, emigration or procreation as is the case with salmon, some birds and mammals.

But man is different. He has been endowed with will and freedom of choice. Thus, his appetite for food may not be connected with his real need for it. He gets of it what is beyond his need, especially when it is available in various forms and kinds. Man in this age - as stated by one scientist - does not eat because he is hungry but rather to satisfy his appetite for food. The surplus food then accumulates in his body and leads to severe troubles in its different components, and the poisons of nutrients are stored in its tissues, resulting in imbalance, diseases and defects.

The dangers and risks resulting from consuming food in great quantities irregularly and without criterion have become an indisputable fact. According to one scientist, “It is certain that getting different kinds of food in succession, that is, to have one kind of food straight after another, overburdens the body’s metabolism. Getting rid of this habit will, necessarily, reduce the secretions of the digestive system hormones and insulin in great quantities, which preserves the health of the body and maintains for man a longer and better life. Research confirms that lab rats which eat every other day live 63 weeks longer than those allowed to eat whenever they want, and they are more active during the final weeks of life.”

With the beginning of the age of scientific renaissance in Europe, scientists began to call upon people not to consume excessive amounts of food, nor to excessively indulge in pleasures, and rather suggested fasting in order to reduce this. One of them addressed his people saying, "O poor miserable Italy! Do you not see that gluttony leads to the death of your citizens more than any spreading epidemic or sweeping war does? Such shameful banquets (photos of feasts and people who eat greedily) as are widespread these days are as harmful and detrimental as the most ferocious military war. For this reason, it is due upon us to eat only as much as is necessary to sustain our bodies properly; and any increase in the quantity of food only gratifies us temporarily. But in the end, we have to endure the results of this in the form of diseases, and even death in some cases."

This is, indeed, a clear testimony to the truthfulness of the scientific miraculous nature of the Prophetic Hadeeth of the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ): "Man fills no vessel worse than his stomach, even though it is sufficient for mankind to have only small morsels to sustain him. However, if it is necessary for him to do so (i.e. to fill his stomach), then let him assign one-third to his food, one-third to his drink, and one-third for his breath." [At-Tirmithi, Ibn Maajah & Al-Haakim] Can we see how these non-Muslim scientists testify, with their words and research, to the Prophetic Hadeeth of the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) given that they do not even know him and their beliefs are quite different from his?

Dr. Chin, an English physician who lived in the 18th century, said, "I do not know what people do in other countries, but we Protestants do not regard excess in consuming food as harmful or detrimental, to the extent that people look down upon their friends who do not eat their fill at every meal.”

One of the latest remedies for obesity is to fix a balloon-type device in the intestine as big as one-third its size, in order to determine the quantity of food and drink and forcibly leave one-third empty (for air). The result of treating obesity in this way is amazing. Allah The Almighty certainly tells the truth when He says about His Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) (what means): {Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination. It is not but a revelation revealed.} [Quran 53:3-4]

Thus, Allah The Almighty has ordained fasting thereby to purify man's soul, discipline his behavior, and be a means of prevention and treatment for whatever diseases and ailments may afflict his body because of his relentlessly eating food in great quantities. In confirmation of that, He The Almighty Says (what means): {But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.} [Quran 2:184] That is, if only you knew the superiority and benefits of fasting. These benefits seem evident in our time for those upon whom Allah has made fasting due and those who have concessions but can endure it.

These benefits include:

1- There is a relationship between fasting and the immune system: the functional index of lymphocytes improves ten times greater with fasting people. These are the blood cells that defend the body against the micro-organisms and foreign bodies that attack it. Furthermore, the ratio of the qualitative immune cells drastically increases in number. These are a particular kind of lymphocytes called T-cells. Some types of antibodies also increase, whose function is to destroy any organisms invading the body.

2- There is a relationship between fasting and prevention from obesity as well as a treatment of its dangers. Obesity may result from imbalance of metabolism, or from environmental, psychological and social pressures. The Islamic fasting is the preventive barrier to all of these causes, due to the mental and psychological stability brought about by fasting, which results from the spiritual atmosphere surrounding the fasting person; much worship, remembrance and mentioning of Allah, recitation of the Quran, remoteness from excitement and tension, adjustment of motives and desires, and useful constructive utilization of psychological and physical energies. Fasting also treats the diseases resulting from obesity like arteriosclerosis, high blood-pressure and several types of heart disease.

3- Physicians believed and still believe that fasting has a negative effect on patients suffering from genitourinary tract diseases, especially those who are more susceptible to kidney stones or renal failure, and are, therefore, advised by physicians to not fast and drink a large quantity of liquids, although some scientific research has proven otherwise, according to which, while fasting, the rate of sodium rises in the blood, which impedes the crystallization of calcium salts and the urea increases in the blood and contributes in preventing sedimentation of uric salts which form stones of the genitourinary tract.

Fasting also has no negative effect upon those suffering from renal failure who need repeated dialysis, given that it is one of the most dangerous diseases that afflict the urinary system. It is also proven that fasting does not put to risk most diabetics: on the contrary, it is beneficial for a lot of them. It also poses no risk to breastfeeding and pregnant women, especially during the first six months of pregnancy.

4- Fasting protects the body from the toxins accumulated in its cells and between its tissues which result from eating food - especially canned and manufactured food, intake of medicines, and breathing in air polluted with such toxins.

5- Man receives benefit from the thirst he experiences while fasting. It helps to provide the body with energy, enhance the capability of learning, and strengthen the memory.

6- Fasting enhances the fertility of both men and women, and to fast often alleviates and placates the sexual desire of youth. In this way, it prevents psychological and physical disturbances and behavioral deviance. This is a confirmation of the scientific miracle of the Prophetic Hadeeth of the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) where he said: "O community of youth, whoever among you has the ability to marry, let him marry; and whoever cannot, then let him adhere to fasting as it diminishes his sexual desire." The male hormone testosterone falls notably with continuous fasting for many days, after which it rises remarkably. This may indicate that observing the Islamic fast often and reducing one's intake of food during it, like continuous fasting, could curb sexual desire and then enhance it after the breaking of the fast.

7- Weak and sick cells collapse when deconstruction prevails over construction during fasting; and the body cells are renewed in the process of construction.

8- Many people think that fasting has a negative effect on their health, and see their bodies as if they are lifeless machines that work only by means of fuel. They seem to agree on the idea that the failure to have three meals daily poses great risks and produces harmful outcomes. This causes them to spend the whole night of Ramadan trying to compensate this missing meal by consuming great quantities of food and drink, and they spend most of the day fast asleep. Thereupon work stops, productivity decreases, and the rate of food and drink consumption increases!

The following are the decisive scientific proofs for the falsehood of this belief and conduct:

Verified scientific studies in physiology indicate the fact that the Islamic fast is very easy, during which the body is not exposed to any negative effects: on the contrary, the body receives many benefits which could not be gained without fasting. Islamic fasting is very easy upon the body. In confirmation of this, Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.} [Quran 2:185] According to Ar-Raazi may Allaah have mercy upon him "No doubt, Allah The Almighty enjoins fasting in an easy and light manner, and for just a few days in the year. Moreover, He did not enjoin this short period of fasting upon the sick or the traveler."

This ease is apparent in the fact that it provides the body with all its nutritious needs. In this fasting, man abstains from food and drink for a limited time during the day, exactly from the break of dawn to the setting of the sun, and at night, he has the freedom to eat and drink. Thus, what fasting does is change the times in which one may consume food and drink, and not much more.

Allah The Almighty has deposited in man stored energies which suffice him, in case of abstention from food, from one to three months during which he may consume no food at all. Based on this, many international sanatoriums were founded to treat a lot of diseases by what is called medical fasting, during which the sick or medically fasting person is deprived of all kinds of food and drink except pure water.

The Islamic 12 to16-hour fast, a part of which, as long as 5 hours lies within the absorption period just after eating, and most of which, as long as 12-14 hours, after absorption, is very safe by all scientific measures. During this period, all mechanisms of absorption are activated, and metabolism is balanced, giving way to the creation of a mechanism by which glycogen is dissolved and fats are oxidized and dissolved, and protein is dissolved and new glucose is formed from it. The body suffers no imbalance in any of its functions. Fats are not oxidized so much as to procreate harmful cationic bodies, nor is there any negative nitrogen imbalance that could affect the metabolism of protein. The brain cells, red blood cells and nervous system depend only on glucose to obtain energy.

Medical starvation or medical fasting, therefore, goes beyond the activation of these mechanisms and may go as far as to lead to imbalance in the functions of some physical organs. This is why the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) forbade continuous fasting in order to be easy and to facilitate fasting for his Ummah (nation). Thus, the body cells work naturally while fasting, and obtain all their needs from the huge reserve in the body. The nutrition processes never stop. It is only the processes of digestion and absorption which stop.

Islamic fasting is considered a unique metabolism as it includes both stages of construction and deconstruction. After both meals of Iftaar (fast-breaking) and Suhoor (pre-dawn), the construction of the important complexes starts in the cells, and the reserved substances are renewed, which have been consumed to produce energy; and after the absorption of the Suhoor meal, the deconstruction starts, and the nutritious reserve of glycogen and fat is dissolved in order to provide the body with the necessary energy during movement and activity throughout the day of fasting. This is why the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) confirmed and exhorted us to take the Suhoor meal, in order to provide the body with constructive substances. This is also why he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) exhorted us to delay Suhoor and hasten to break the fast, in order to reduce the period of fasting so that it would not exceed the post absorption time as much as possible. Consequently, the Islamic fasting does not lead to difficulty nor harm the body, under any circumstances. On the contrary, fasting enhances the endurance of physical effort, and the competence of muscular performance.

Experiments have been conducted by a scientist in this respect, who said, in reference to the results, that the competence of muscular performance of people who are fasting in this interesting experiment improved by 20% with 30% of the subjects, and by 7% with 40%; and the heart rate has improved by 6%; and the product of multiplying the blood pressure by the pulse speed improved by 12%; and the feeling of shortness of breath by 9%; and the feeling of leg strain by 11%. This wonderful experiment renders false the concept that seems to be held by a lot people that fasting weakens physical effort and negatively affects activity and movement; thereupon they adhere to rest and stillness, and spend the greatest part of the day of fasting in sleep and idleness.

Who was it that told Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) about those facts about fasting? Who told him that in fasting there is prevention from psychological and physical diseases? Who informed him about the fact that fasting diminishes a lot of sexual desires and alleviates its urge, especially among the youth? Who told him that in fasting there are benefits and advantages to be received by the healthy and those who could fast from among the sick and legally excused? Who told him that fasting is very easy and causes no harm to the body and does not put one to difficulty, given that he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) was brought up in an environment in which the kind of fasting that was revealed to him was neither known nor practiced?

The one who informed him of all this was none other than Allah The Almighty who Says to His Messenger sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) (what means): {But Allah bears witness to that which He has revealed to you. He has sent it down with His knowledge.} [Quran 4:166]

Thus, scientists in this age see that which was brought by Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) as the truth revealed from Allah The Almighty; Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And those who have been given knowledge see that what is revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, and it guides to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy.} [Quran 34:6]

TAQWA:THE FORGOTTON JEWEL OF RAMADAN



By Shaykh Sajid Umar


O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous –
[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] – then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] – a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess – it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.

The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.[1]

O servants of Allah, and O children of Adam. Indeed all praises belong to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) Who said:

“Indeed Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is with the people of Taqwa, and with those who do good”.[2]
We praise Allah, we seek His Assistance, and we seek His Guidance. And we seek refuge in Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) from the evils of ourselves and the adverse consequences of our deeds.

It is said that the first khutbah that Muhammad (sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) completed upon his arrival to Madinah was a khutbah dedicated to the topic of Taqwa. This is befitting when we consider that having Taqwa was the advice that Allah gave to previous nations before us, as well as to the Ummah of Muhammad (sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Allah Almighty advised previous nations – the Jews and the Christians – towards Taqwa and gaining this quality in their lives. He also advised the Ummah of Muhamamd (sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) towards adopting this quality of Taqwa in their lives. Allah says,
“And We have instructed those who were given the Scripture before you to have Taqwa. And We have advised you, as well, towards Taqwa.”[3]

Taqwa is a tremendous quality and a lofty station to achieve. It forms the foundation of our religion and without it one cannot say that they live a real life. This is due to the fact that the abode and home of Taqwa is the heart, and we are more hearts and souls than we are bodies. This becomes even clearer when we visit someone that we knew, or someone that we befriended, after they pass away. When we visit them, their body’s with all its various parts are in front of us, however nothing is working because Allah the All Powerful has removed the force that caused the bodily functions to work. This means that when we visit one another, we are actually visiting one another’s hearts and souls rather than visiting only bodies.

Without Taqwa there can be neither prosperity for us in this life nor the next, because the fruits of Taqwa encompass the life of this world and the next. In Taqwa we find precious gems, we find wealth and we find success – both in this world and the Hereafter.

Taqwa is a term that, along with its derivatives, has been mentioned in the Qur’an approximately 240 times. When Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) makes mention of a particular word that denotes a particular quality, numerous times, it teaches us how important that quality is to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). It is no secret that this quality of Taqwa is synonymous with the month of Ramadan.

Whilst the term ‘Taqwa’ is not foreign to the majority of us, the reality is that the actual meanings of Taqwa are foreign to many of us. According to many Muslims, because of the various English translations available, Taqwa means the fear of Allah, piety, righteousness, or – and perhaps this is the best explanation, given the richness of the Arabic language and the inabilities of the English language – Taqwa refers to being God-conscious.

In reality these translations, definitions or explanations only deal with a portion of the meanings for Taqwa. When we look at the Qur’anic narrative we find a plethora of meanings intended when the word Taqwa is used by Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) depending on context.

Linguistic Perspective

To look at the meaning of Taqwa from a linguistic perspective is to consider its meaning before the advent of Muhammad (sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Our scholars (rahimahum Allahu) say that Taqwa, linguistically, referred to the method by which someone repels a particular harm, or the tool used to repel a particular harm. That is why the Arabs would say “waqahu Allah su’a wiqayatan” – Allah protected him from harm or He shielded him from harm.

Islamic Perspective

As for the definition of Taqwa after the advent of Muhammad (sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), the ‘Ulama (rahimahum Allahu) discuss Taqwa using different explanations, nonetheless the meanings of their explanations are similar. The reason for these different explanations is due to the various usages of the term Taqwa by Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), in His Book.
An example of this is when alcohol became prohibited. The companions of the Prophet (sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) expressed their concerns over the fate of their brothers who had passed away before this commandment had been revealed. In response to their question Allah revealed:

“On those who believe and do good there is no blame for what they eat, when they are careful [of their duty] and believe and do good deeds, then they are careful [of their duty] and believe, then they are careful [of their duty] and do good [to others], and Allah loves those who do good [to others].”[4]
Taqwa has been mentioned three times in this ayah. Our Scholars say that Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) intended independent meanings of the same word. Thus when Allah used Taqwa the first time in the verse, He referred to avoiding shirk and perfecting Tawhid; when Allah used it the second time, He used it to warn us against bid’ah and to command us towards protecting the Sunnah, and when Allah used it for the third time in this ayah, Allah used it to denote the importance of obedience and remaining steadfast.
This teaches us that in our quest of acquiring Taqwa we must endeavour to:

1. Protect our Tawhid and shun Shirk.
2. Revive the Sunnah and eradicate bid’ah.
3. Adopt piety and righteousness and stay away from all causes of
In other instances, Allah intends by the term Taqwa to fear something like in the following verse:

“And fear the day in which you shall be returned to Allah…”[5]
Here the verse refers to fearing the day you die and fearing the Day of Judgement.

Sometimes Taqwa is used in the Qur’an in the context of a commandment. In many a translation, we find it translated as ‘fear Allah’, however the term fear here should not be understood to mean staying away from Allah, losing hope in Allah and feeling incapable of turning back to Allah. Rather, it refers to fearing the punishment of Allah. Thus, to grow in your Taqwa this Ramadan, grow in your fear of the Day of Judgement and grow your fear of the punishments of the grave and the hellfire.
In other verses Allah uses the word Taqwa in the context of veneration and reverence of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala).

For Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says, “…and Allah makes you cautious of (retribution from) Himself….”[6] The scholars say here Allah commands us to exalt Him, glorify Him, and hold Him in high regard. Therefore, we should strive to ensure that Allah is the purpose, reason and focus behind our every thought and action.

For example, when we begin our Salah we say Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greater). What is Allah greater than?
Allah is Greater than everything outside of the Salah. When saying Allahu Akbar, everything outside of the Salah is irrelevant and thus only Allah Almighty matters as Allah is greater than everything else.

Legal Perspective

From amongst the definitions we have is that Taqwa is to place a barrier between oneself and the punishment of Allah by remaining upon the commandments of Allah and staying away from the prohibitions.[7]

Ali (radiy Allahu ‘anhu) defined Taqwa as fearing the Majestic (meaning Allah) and acting upon revelation (following the Qur’an and Sunnah), being satisfied with a little, being a person of contentment and preparing yourself for the day when you return to Allah.

‘Umar b. Al-Khattab (radiy Allahu ‘anhu) once turned to Ubay b. Ka’b (radiy Allahu ‘anhu) and asked him, “O Ubayy, what is your understanding of Taqwa?”

His reply was “O Commander of the Faithful, have you ever walked a thorny path?”

So ‘Umar said, “Yes I have.”

“What did you do when you walked that path?”

‘Umar said, “I rolled up my garments up to my shin, so I could see the ground and see my feet. And I would put one foot forward and another back, out of fear of being pricked by a thorn.”

Ubayy then said, “O Commander of the Faithful, that is Taqwa.”

Taqwa is to roll up one’s garments, to work in obedience to Allah, to watch out for halal and haram, and to be cautious not to commit errors out of the fear of Allah.
Ibn al-Mu’taz said: “Shun all sins, be they small or large, for that is Taqwa. And be like the one walking on a thorny path, weary of what he sees. And do not make light of small sins, because mountains are made of many pebbles”

Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahu Allahu) says that Taqwa is to act in the obedience of Allah out of faith and desire for reward, in respect to both commandments and prohibitions. For when you do something, you do it because you believe in Allah, expecting Allah to reward you. And when you leave something, you leave it because Allah warned you against it, and you leave it expecting rewards form Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). This is Taqwa. That is why the Prophet (sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said the one who stands during the night of Ramadan and fasts during the day of Ramadan because he knows that Allah has commanded him to do it, and he believes in Allah and he does it with the belief that Allah will reward him, his previous sins will be forgiven.

Talq b. Habib said “When tribulation befalls you, extinguish it with Taqwa.”

So they asked him, “What is Taqwa?”

And he said, “Taqwa is to act in obedience to Allah, on a light from Allah hoping for Allah’s reward. It is to leave disobedience to Allah, on a light from Allah, fearing the punishment of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala).

Analysis

If we analyse these different definitions and usages of the word Taqwa in the Book of Allah we can say that Taqwa refers to a few things:
1. Tawhid and everything that leads toward strengthening it and leaving shirk, and adopting all those processes that will protect you from falling into shirk.

2. Leaving all that which will cause punishment in the Hellfire, even for a short while. To seek repentance, to practice good deeds, to be charitable, to revive the Sunnah, and to leave bid’ah.
3. Shunning those matters which, despite being halal and permissible, obstruct us from acquiring a greater portion of the Hereafter. Sometimes we engage in something permissible which causes us to become desensitised to the extent that we start practicing that which is disliked, until we become even further desensitised. Eventually our iman decreases to the point when doing haram becomes an option.

Food for thought

One may reflect as to why we witness people on the day of Eid engaged in numerous sins after fasting an entire month of Ramadan. If fasting brings about Taqwa why is it so easy to fall into sin on the day of Eid and onwards? This happens because of a deficiency in the entire fasting process that prevents the attainment of Taqwa. This deficiency is in the form of Ramadan being experienced with only the body and not with the heart and soul. The body fasts whilst the heart, soul and tongue are immersed in disobedience. That is why the Prophet (sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink”.[8]
Thus, when fasting this Ramadan, pay acute attention to the fasting of the entire self; when the body starts fasting, the heart, soul, mind and tongue should start fasting as well. In this way our fasting is holistic and acquiring the true benefits of this blessed month becomes a true possibility.
Do I know if I am from the people of Taqwa after Ramadan?

If you find that after Ramadan there were certain sins that overcame you and now you are proactively abstaining from these sins, and seeking sincere forgiveness from Allah in the event of falling into them, then that is from the signs of Taqwa being present in you, InshaAllah
Conclusion
We are witnessing the European Cup fever at the moment. A great lesson that we can derive from these sporting events is the rigorous training the athletes undergo before they start the event. The Olympian is running and training four years prior to that one big marathon run. The footballers are training and practicing in preparation for their big stage.

Let us learn from this and prepare for our own big stage – Ramadan – from now. If we want to be a diligent faster in the month of Ramadan, let’s start fasting now. If we want to be diligent with Tahajjud in Ramadan, let’s start Tahajjud now. If we want to be diligent with Salah al-Duha, let’s start Salah al-Duha now. Train for Ramadan and do not be deceived by Shaytan into thinking that you have time, that you will acclimatise when Ramadan begins. You will. But only after ten days and after a third of Ramadan is gone. Do not lose Ramadan. Respect it; it is a gift from Allah.

I promise to make an effort to remember every reader of this article during Ramadan and request that you all too remember me and my family in your Ramadan supplications. May Allah grant us life to witness another Ramadan and make us from the family of Taqwa.

Death is a door that everyone will walk through. Many people we spent Ramadan with last year have since departed. Today we received the sad news of the passing away of Muhammad Ali, someone considered a legend by the masses, irrespective of their religion.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raajioon

His death comes as a shock and should be a lesson for us all especially since he has passed away just before Ramadan. May Allah Almighty have mercy on him and grant him a grave which is a garden from Jannah. May Allah preserve us all in His obedience and bless us with sound health and strength to witness this Ramadan with excellence, and many more Ramadans thereafter. Amin.

May Allah make us diligent before Ramadan and during Ramadan. May Allah protect us from the curse of Jibril (‘alayhi al-Salam) upon the person who witnesses Ramadan and Ramadan leaves them without them being forgiven. May Allah protect us, accept our deeds and grant us the highest paradise. Amin.

Notes:
[1] Al-Qur’an, 2:182-185
[2] Al-Qur’an, 16:128
[3] Al-Qur’an, 4:131
[4] Al-Qur’an, 5:93
[5] Al-Qur’an, 2:281
[6] Al-Qur’an, 3:28
[7] Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalaani (raḥimahu Allahu) in his book Fath al-Baari
[8] Sahih al-Bukhari 1903