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!”