Catch These Special Deeds Before End of Ramadan - Professor Ahmad Ibn Saifuddin

Catch These Special Deeds Before Ramadan

Lailatul Qadr – Night of Honour

Talk by Professor Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin Turkestani

Dr. Mozammel Haque

 [From Previous Issue]

In this part, I know there are only few days and nights left of the blessed month of Ramadan, but still there is  important night, the 29 nights of the blessed month of Ramadan that could be the Lailatul Qadr. Who knows, Allah knows better. That’s why, I am again repeating what Dr Saifuddin said about the importance and significance of Lailatul Qadr, How can we catch it? Taubah Rependence; What we have to do: To be involved into More Ibadah and to be closer to Allah: Make Qur’an Your Friend. This is why Dr. Saifuddin Turkistani said in his talk four years ago. So I am going to explain one after another in his words a) Lailatul Qadr; b) Taubah Repentence; c) To be involved More in Ibadah and d) Make Qur’an our Friend.

 About the Talk

Professor Dr. Ahmad bin Saifuddin Turkestani gave a talk on “Catch These Special Deeds Before Ramadan”  four years ago on 15 Ramadan 1441 Hijri at the Islamic Centre for Kuwait (ICK) on an invitation of an organiser. Addressing the gatherings and audience Professor Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin said, “Brothers and Sisters, I am inviting to a very special meeting - very special one at a very special time – special day, i.e. Friday.” He thanked the organiser  at ICK – the Islamic Centre for Kuwait – because they had trust and interest.

About Dr Turkistani

I want to repeat here again to introduce him. Professor Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin Turkestani is a professor in the College of Media and Communication at the Imam Muhammad Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was also Former Head of Cultural Affairs  Section at the Saudi Embassy in the United Kingdom and worked as Director at the Institute of Islamic Studies and Arabic Sciences in Washington under the Ministry of Higher Education, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The talk was delivered four years ago in 1441 A.H. That’s why I have to edit it.

Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin said that half of the month have passed but the forthcoming days are no less than what “we have passed; in fact, the second half is precious and greater opportunities for the Muslims in the month of Ramadan.”

Though Dr Turkistani talked about the last ten days and nights – the Lailatul Qadr – a few years ago, still the significance and importance of Lailatul Qadr remains the same and will be the same in the coming days and years. That’s why, I thought I must mention what he said about Lailatul Qadr.

Lailatul Qadr

Speaking about the last ten days and nights of the month of Ramadan, Professor Ahmad mentioned about Lailatul Qadr. He explained the importance and significance of this night first. He said, “Let me say that these ten days contain Lailatul Qadr – Lailatul Qadr is the Night, is the Night of the Revelation of the Glorious Qur’an. It is the night that if anyone is accepted in their worship and in their dua and coming forward towards Allah, it would have, wishes of Allah, for 83 years, to be exact, 83 years and four months. The 1000 months – 1000 months imagine. And this is exactly the same – the Glorious Qur’an, let me recite Suratul Qadr. To know the significance of this night.

Night of Honour & Prestige

Professor Ahmad continued: “This is the night of Honour & Prestige and the saver, which was revealed the Glorious Qur’an in this night and Allah says oma adraka lailatul Qadr Are you in this night? Lailatul  Qadr Alf-e-Sahr, not only you will worship in this night –this particular time – amount of time – which can be found in one night during nine night or ten nights in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. So if you are very fortunate, if you catch this night before it is over, you will never know whether you would be here in or none of us. Nobody is certain that they would be here again next year or the year after – although we asked Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala long life in the worship of HIM Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. But that’s catch the moment.”

After reciting the Suratul Qadr, Professor explained the greater opportunity lies in that night the Night of Lailatul Qadr. He said, “Lets take the opportunity – kairum min Alf-e Sahr better than 1000 months– Subhanallah – it is like you devoting your life 83 years and 4 months in the worship of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala a accepting all the good things – the great opportunities and for some reason it was hidden. We don’t know exactly which night it is. Yes; some scholars, even Ibn Abbas (R.A.) it is the night of 27; but you know with calendars and not knowing for certain which night Ramadan is and there is in different months in different countries and localities when Ramadan started; nonetheless we will say that it is for certain in the ten nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan. Sure; so if we get it ourselves this; this night from the beginning from the 20^th day, because as you know the night precedes day; so when we say 21^st, it means it is on the 20^th night; means 20^th day; so 5 days from now. We can have that opportunity, Insha Allah. To catch this night.”

 How can we catch it? Taubah Repentance

Dr Ahmad ibn Saifuddin asked: “How can we catch it? That’s the question. It is what you call it one billion Hasanat question. Yes, indeed. How can we catch it?” and he quickly answered, “First we have to do certain things. I advise myself and my brothers and sisters to do this. We need it to catch it starting it from Taubah.  Repentance is very essential. Before we get into worship we need to cleanse our heart. We need to receive the barakah the mercy and the blessings of this night and to be in a good situation to receive all the good in it by coming forward towards away from everything that we have done that in the past. We need to come forward to receive the blessings. And that comes only through Taubah. Taubah from everything that we did in the past; to be determined not to do it again. Not to get involve into wrong doings, although we know the nature of human beings.”

“As soon as we remember we come back just as Ibrahim peace be upon him. He comes back time after time towards Allah. We need to renew our intention every time in order to come closer and closer to Allah and to stay away from all bad things. We may fall in that human beings commit wrong things. But the most Allah loves those who repent every time.  In the Hadith: Those who make mistakes and repent Allah loves them because they come to Allah if they commit mistakes; they do wrongs they come back to Allah. That is a key brothers and sisters. That is the key to repent to Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala; repent sincerely from the bottom of your heart and ready for ten nights and beyond. It is just only the start. Let’s renew. Allah has given the opportunity – to live to this moment and to come Insha Allah – to the end of Ramadan. If that is the case then we are very fortunate,” said Professor Ahmad Saifuddin.

Dr. Ahmad Saifuddin reminded that many people wanted to come back and wanted to do good deeds. He said, “How many people are under the ground wishing to come back and to do something good but are not able to do it. So we need to do that. So Taubah is very very important and very significant; if you have done something wrong against anyone; like taking their rights; like taking their money, their wealth, violating their honour; you are thinking you want to come back; you want to think is it possible; we tried to rectify situations. You have done something wrong you correct it now – Taubah is the way. Allah loves those who can; Allah loves those who repent.”

Involve into More Ibadah:

How do you do it

Professor Ahmad Saifuddin then mentioned about Ibadah and Night Prayer and Reading Qur’an. He said, “Secondly, starting from the first night, the 21^st night which precedes the 20^th day of Ramadan to get involve into more Ibadah. How do you do it? Well just like in the Hadith, When Ayesha (Radhi Anha) said: ‘When it is the ten days Prophet peace be upon him wake up and stay up all night; also in their house, they stay away from intimacy. This is not a time for intimacy; time for Allah  Subhanahu Wa Taala for your own benefit. It is a time we need to devote for Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala in order to be trained; in order to love this and what is better than to stand before Allah – Salah – standing before Allah; recite the Glorious Qur’an; doing Taraweeh, doing Tahajjud; although it’s the same – Tahajjud is the same word for Qiyam. Qiyam is for the first part of the night, second part of the night or the last part of the night. People have come to Taraweeh the early part of the night. Someone told Ibn Umar the importance of standing up at night; Abdullah ibn Umar after knowing the significance of the Qiyam al-Lail, he never left Qiyam-al-Lail at any night of the year. You can do it at any night – no exception.”

“But try to make it like starting point for you every night as much as you can. Read two Rakaats, then you get tired. No take it easy. Take step by step; train yourself and you will love it. I know from the stories of righteous people. It is possible for them to do Qiyam even on travel; when they were travelling on train, or at airport.” He mentioned.

“So Lets make this Ramadan a beginning  to stay and pray at night – never miss a night prayer even if it is two rakaats, or four rakaats – whatever is possible for you; wake up last part of the night, its better; even half an hour before the Azan to Allah,” said Dr. Ahmad Saifuddin and added, “By the way, meet Allah if you will closer to him and strive to do that. Once you do it, you are waiting for some one to see it who stands up in night for prayer and they make Istaqfar at Sahoor time, which is before dawn, before Fajr.”

 Second Part

In this part Professor Turkestani discussed mainly on the recitation of the Glorious Qur’an and Itikaf.

To be closer to Allah

Professor Turkestani said, So we get involved in this night in prayer, in recitation of the Qur’an, in dua, in being kind to people around us within the family, to the neighbours, to outside to the world, just to say good word, be nice, be kind, be generous, just like Prophet peace be upon him, so generous all time; even he was more generous in the month of Ramadan. So these are the good deeds; Sometimes we may say well we have done our prayer; what? Be versified; try to make different kinds of worship. I can read a book on Sirah; I can read a book on the interpretation of the Qur’an. That’s part of worship. That’s part of the righteous deeds. It has not to be recitation of the Glorious Qur’an all times.”

My recommendations:

Make Qur’an Your Friend

Professor Ahmad emphasized, “Though my recommendations for myself and for you is to be as close as much to the Glorious Qur’an; be with the Qur’an at all times; make Qur’an your friend, very close friend- where you enjoy to be always being together; its take time, be attachment. Again like Salah, you feel much attached to the Glorious Qur’an. So we need to do that and nothing better than to recite the Qur’an in prayers. So in prayers you are joining two things – praying and you are reciting the Glorious Qur’an at the same time. I recommend reading the Glorious Qur’an, particularly during the last ten days and  nights of Ramadan this time.”

Professor Turkestani also mentioned, “Anything you feel tired or you want to take rest. Yes rest and listen to the Glorious Qur’an. Even listening to it is good. Nowadays some books – audio books for example, have the interpretation. There are some trusted Islamic audio books – I recommend to read that Book of Alushr Alakheer,  the the Heart of Qur’an because it is a great book.” This book is available on the net  –emphasizing the point – Tawheed – That’s the cornerstone of Islam.

Tawheed – cornerstone of Islam

Speaking about Tawheed, Professor Ahmad Saifuddin said, “The cornerstone of Islam is Tawheed – is to sing with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala not to take partners – not to associate anyone, anything with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. That’s the basis – in fact, the Qur’an and the Sunnah is all about this. Even the start, the Qur’an see the discussion and the dialogue among the Prophets and there we will find they are always talking about Tawheed and devoting yourself to Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala, not to associate partners, not to take anyone, not to worship or dua or supplication. Your tawakkul or your dependency on Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala – everything you do for worship towards Allah and get it from Allah asking help; the thing no one else will be able to do it except by asking Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. That is the essence of it.

When we do it? Can we do it in odd nights?

Professor Turkestani enquired: When we do it? Can we do it in odd nights? And immediately replied, “Yes, You can do it in odd nights. There is much opportunity in the Lailatul Qadr, in the last ten part of the month of Ramadan. They alternate. According to the scholars of Islam, Lailatul Qadr does not stay on every night on every year, on 27^th or even on the odd nights. It could be coming on the even nights; it could come on any night; it could be even on the first night of the last ten days or the last one. Allah knows. We don’t know. So the best thing is to seek it during last ten nights from the beginning of the last ten days and until the end of them and Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala for good reason, kept it hidden.”

“Prophet Sallallahu wa Sallam was told that which night it is of the month. When he came out, the Companions were going to tell them about that. But two persons were quarrelling. There were discussions and they got involved into these terrible discussions so Prophet Peace be upon him forgot. And he said Subhanallah. I was about to tell you; but I forgot as soon as I came out and found out two people were quarrelling,” Dr. Ahmad Saifuddin mentioned.

 Lailatul Qadr is hidden:

Wisdom of Allah the Almighty

He also said, “So quarrel is not good. Even if you have a right, try not to quarrel but to convince people nicely and calmly. If they do not accept it, it is upto them. You don’t go to force it; you don’t need to shout. The reason why the Lailatul Qadr is hidden; it’s good. It’s for a good reason; it has wisdom of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. To hide it in order for us to get more, to seek, even if, suppose that we have in 27^th of Ramadan, we can still do some good in the other nights because the more good you do you are; you are not catching Lailatul Qadr; however you should be keen, you must be very to do this; that’s the very important and significant in that sense much interested.”

 Itikaf

Speaking about Itikaf in this special circumstances Covid-19 Pandemic, Professor Ahmad Saifuddin said, “Coming to worship, that cannot be done nowadays in the special term or sense which is Itikaf because Itikaf is done in the Masjid. However, according to some scholars, if you have a place for worship devoted a part of your house to the worship – such as a place for women to pray, away from the noise and from the other rooms where people are in and out, then you could make Itikaf; it is permissible. Sheikh Saad al-Fatri gave this Fatwa recently this month saying that it is permissible for a person or it is possible for a man or any member of the family to seclude themselves to make Itikaf in their own place of prayer. Not in any corner of the house, not in your bedroom, not in your reception or saloon or whatever. No; only in the place where it is devoted and specialised for offering the Salah. If that is a case you can do it.”

Stay away from TV and Social Media

Professor Turkestani said about the value of time in these ten days and night. He said, “Lets say, I would take Itikaf in the general sense, which is to in isolation, a time you need to come back to yourself to reflect, to stay away from noise of children and homes and whatever happened to you and to come towards Allah in recitation of the Glorious Qur’an and in the dua and in just contemplating your life and in planning for your future. Stay away especially in the last ten days and we need to make fasting from two things: first from television and secondly from social media. They take your time; they steal your time and you should be very very cautious not to let you to do that; turn on TV and watch – things will take us from one programme to another and so on and so forth and you find you lost so much time. And the same social media. Social media is helpful if you can use it just only for contact; see that is very very important; so we need to stay away from that in order of time day and night for these ten nights, especially as I said as per general sense of itikaf.”

First Published in Ramadan 1441 Hijri

  

Seek The Greatest Night of the Year

 

The Last 10 days and nights of Ramadan

Seek the Greatest Night of the Year

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Half of the blessed month of Ramadan has passed. From  coming Monday (9 March 2026), the last ten days and nights of Ramadan start when there will be the Greatest Night of the Year the Lailatul Qadr, The Night of Power.

I still remember my childhood when an old man of 70 years, Abdul Jabbar, used to come from the district of Faridpur (now in Bangladesh) took the silent alleys of our village in the night, chanting and calling, to wake up Muslims for the last meal before another day of Ramadan fasting begins.  Abdul Jabbar reminds one of a character from the book The Thousands and One Nights. He is a strange person who comes out from the depth of the night to disturb the quietness by a shrill cry calling, Suhuoor…Suhoor.

Now that person is replaced in a big city like London by Muslim Community Radio (MCR) – Ramadan Radio – in East London, Kismat Radio and Islam TV Channel calling Muslims to wake up for their breakfast. In Ramadan, all Muslims who want to fast should eat before starting to fast.

The Month of Mercy, the blessed month came and is passing away very fast. Today, Saturday is 18^th day of Ramadan. Half of the blessed month has passed; still there is time to get our sins cleared, still there is time to ask for forgiveness from Allah the Almighty who is ready to forgive our sins. We are already in the other half of the blessed month which is full of Allah’s mercy and blessing. In this part of the month, specially during the last 10 days and nights, a night which is the greatest night of the year, the Lailatul Qadr. During these ten days and nights, Muslims spend in the Mosque for I’tikaf. 

I'tikaf

I’tikaf means seclusion and staying in the Mosque with the intention of becoming closer to Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) would perform I’tikaf for last 10 days every Ramadan. In the year that he passed away, he performed it for twenty days. (Related by Al-Bukhari, Abu Dawud, and Ibn-Majah). Only one  Jumah Friday left. Friday, the 13th of March 2026 (24 Ramadan), will be the Jumatul-Widah, the last Friday of the Blessed Month of Ramadan.

As the month of blessings and mercy is coming to the end, similarly the recitation of the complete Qur’an is also coming to the Khatam which might be on the 29^th night of Ramadan (generally in the Grand Mosque of Makkah al-Mukarramah; but in London, some mosque will do on 27^th night and others on 29th). The last ten nights are very important nights. Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to exert himself in night prayer especially during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Lailatul Qadr (The Night of Decree)

Lailatul-Qadr is the greatest night of the year like the Day of Arafah is the greatest day of the year. It is a night about which Allah revealed a full Surah, Suratul-Qadr (97:1-5) and the 3^rd to the 6^th verses of the Surat ad-Dukhan (44:3-6). Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an, “Indeed We have revealed it (Qur’an) in the Night of Decree. And what will explain to you what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descends the Angels and the Spirit (Jibreel) by Allah’s permission, on every errand: (they say) “Peace” (continuously) till the rise of morning!” (97:1-5). A person who misses Lailatul Qadr is really a deprived person!

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The blessed month has come to you. Allah has made fasting during it obligatory upon you. During it the gates to Paradise are opened and the gates of Hellfire are locked, and the devils are chained. There is a night (during this month) which is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good is really deprived (of something great). (Ahmad, an-Nisai and al-Bayhaqi).

Aishah said, “Allah’s Messenger used to practice I’tikaf in the last ten nights and say: ‘Seek out Lailatul-Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten days of Ramadan.” (Bukhari and Muslim).

 Zakah

The word Zakat in Arabic means purification. The giving of Zakat (obligatory charity) is the third pillar of Islam. There are two types of Zakat: Zakat-ul-Fitr (charity of Eid-ul-Fitr, given to the poor before Eid prayer) and Zakat Al-Maal (purifying charity, paid on one’s wealth).

It is to be noted that Zakat-ul-Fitr was declared by the Prophet (peace be upon him) as a prerequisite for the acceptance of fasting. But when and whom to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr? First of all, who has to pay?  Each and every Muslim, regardless of his social status, is required to give a certain amount of charity usually in the form of food grains, barley, raisin etc. called Zakat-ul-Fitr at the end of Ramadan and before the Eid-ul-Fitr so that every member of the Muslim community, especially the poor, have something to eat on the day of Eid.  It is meant to cement the relationship between the members of the Muslim society, to alleviate the pain of the poor, to cultivate the sense of brotherhood and solidarity in the hearts of the Muslims, etc., said Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi.

Dr. Qaradawi also said, “If a person dies before Maghrib on the last day of Ramadan, Zakat-ul-Fitr would not be obligatory upon him even if he fasted all the other days of the month. Conversely, if a child is born after Maghrib on the last day of Ramadan, i.e. the first night of Shawwal, it would be obligatory to pay Zakat: Zakat-ul-Fitr on his or her behalf. This view is unanimously agreed upon by Muslim scholars.” The head of the household must pay for every member of the family, even for the newborn. The Muslim is supposed to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr (i.e., Zakah of breaking the fast) in the country where he or she spends the first night of the month of Shawwal.

So far as the Zakat-ul-Maal is concerned, it is also obligatory for a Muslim, who possesses the minimum wealth on which Zakat is applicable, to give out Zakat. In his Friday sermon at the Grand Mosque in Makkah al-Mukarramah, Imam and Khateeb Sheikh Dr. Saleh Bin Mohammad Aal-Talib, urged Muslims to be God-Conscious and give charity to the poor and the needy. He said Zakat removes miserliness and cleans the heart from cruelty. 

Allah has stressed on payment of Zakat, which appears in the Holy Qur’an more than 30 times. There are many verses of the Holy Qur’an and sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that urge Muslim to give charity for the sake of Allah. Sheikh Aal-Talib said charity is an act that attracts Allah’s mercy. He said giving charity secretly extinguishes God’s anger and it is a blessing for the person’s wealth. A person who does not give in charity will be punished by removal of the blessing (barakah) from his wealth.

Zakat-ul-Fitr is associated with the Eid and is meant to create happiness in such a way that includes the poor and the needy. That is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Make them (i.e., the poor) rich on this day (i.e. the day of Eid)”.

Charity in Ramadan

About charity and spending from the wealth in the Way of Allah or for the Cause of Allah, Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an, “The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allah is Al-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.” (Al-Qur’an, 2:261).

Allah also said, “Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Al-Qur’an: 2: 262)

Ramadan is also the month of charity. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “...Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month), shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time; and whoever performs an obligatory deed in (this month), shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Paradise. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer’s sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Hell-Fire, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all.” (Reported by Ibn Khuzaymah)

Spend more time with the Qur’an. Read the Qur’an every day. Try to finish at least one time the whole Qur’an during this month by your own personal reading. Pray on time and observe all the prayers. Do not ignore the Tarawih. Make more extra and voluntary prayers. Do as much worship as you can. Do more dhikr (remembering Allah) and du’a (supplication) for yourself and for others. Repent and seek forgiveness for yourself and for others as much as you can. This is the best time for devotion and seeking Allah’s forgiveness. Seek the Night of Qadr by special devotion during the last 10 nights of this month.

The month of blessing and forgiveness is passing away very quickly. Do not miss the remaining last ten days and nights. Let us clear our sins. Let us seek the Night of Qadr.

Lailatul-Qadr is the greatest night of the year like the Day of Arafah is the greatest day of the year. It is a night about which Allah revealed a full Surah, Suratul-Qadr (97:1-5) and the 3^rd to the 6^th verses of the Surat ad-Dukhan (44:3-6). Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an, “Indeed We have revealed it (Qur’an) in the Night of Decree. And what will explain to you what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descends the Angels and the Spirit (Jibreel) by Allah’s permission, on every errand: (they say) “Peace” (continuously) till the rise of morning!” (97:1-5). A person who misses Lailatul Qadr is really a deprived person!

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The blessed month has come to you. Allah has made fasting during it obligatory upon you. During it the gates to Paradise are opened and the gates of Hellfire are locked, and the devils are chained. There is a night (during this month) which is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good is really deprived (of something great). (Ahmad, an-Nisai and al-Bayhaqi).

Aishah said, “Allah’s Messenger used to practice I’tikaf in the last ten nights and say: ‘Seek out Lailatul-Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten days of Ramadan.” (Bukhari and Muslim).

 Zakah

The word Zakat in Arabic means purification. The giving of Zakat (obligatory charity) is the third pillar of Islam. There are two types of Zakat: Zakat-ul-Fitr (charity of Eid-ul-Fitr, given to the poor before Eid prayer) and Zakat Al-Maal (purifying charity, paid on one’s wealth).

It is to be noted that Zakat-ul-Fitr was declared by the Prophet (peace be upon him) as a prerequisite for the acceptance of fasting. But when and whom to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr? First of all, who has to pay?  Each and every Muslim, regardless of his social status, is required to give a certain amount of charity usually in the form of food grains, barley, raisin etc. called Zakat-ul-Fitr at the end of Ramadan and before the Eid-ul-Fitr so that every member of the Muslim community, especially the poor, have something to eat on the day of Eid.  It is meant to cement the relationship between the members of the Muslim society, to alleviate the pain of the poor, to cultivate the sense of brotherhood and solidarity in the hearts of the Muslims, etc., said Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi.

Dr. Qaradawi also said, “If a person dies before Maghrib on the last day of Ramadan, Zakat-ul-Fitr would not be obligatory upon him even if he fasted all the other days of the month. Conversely, if a child is born after Maghrib on the last day of Ramadan, i.e. the first night of Shawwal, it would be obligatory to pay Zakat: Zakat-ul-Fitr on his or her behalf. This view is unanimously agreed upon by Muslim scholars.” The head of the household must pay for every member of the family, even for the newborn. The Muslim is supposed to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr (i.e., Zakah of breaking the fast) in the country where he or she spends the first night of the month of Shawwal.

So far as the Zakat-ul-Maal is concerned, it is also obligatory for a Muslim, who possesses the minimum wealth on which Zakat is applicable, to give out Zakat. In his Friday sermon at the Grand Mosque in Makkah al-Mukarramah, Imam and Khateeb Sheikh Dr. Saleh Bin Mohammad Aal-Talib, urged Muslims to be God-Conscious and give charity to the poor and the needy. He said Zakat removes miserliness and cleans the heart from cruelty. 

Allah has stressed on payment of Zakat, which appears in the Holy Qur’an more than 30 times. There are many verses of the Holy Qur’an and sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that urge Muslim to give charity for the sake of Allah. Sheikh Aal-Talib said charity is an act that attracts Allah’s mercy. He said giving charity secretly extinguishes God’s anger and it is a blessing for the person’s wealth. A person who does not give in charity will be punished by removal of the blessing (barakah) from his wealth.

Zakat-ul-Fitr is associated with the Eid and is meant to create happiness in such a way that includes the poor and the needy. That is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Make them (i.e., the poor) rich on this day (i.e. the day of Eid)”.

Charity in Ramadan

About charity and spending from the wealth in the Way of Allah or for the Cause of Allah, Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an, “The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allah is Al-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.” (Al-Qur’an, 2:261).

Allah also said, “Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Al-Qur’an: 2: 262)

Ramadan is also the month of charity. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “...Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month), shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time; and whoever performs an obligatory deed in (this month), shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Paradise. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer’s sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Hell-Fire, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all.” (Reported by Ibn Khuzaymah)

Spend more time with the Qur’an. Read the Qur’an every day. Try to finish at least one time the whole Qur’an during this month by your own personal reading. Pray on time and observe all the prayers. Do not ignore the Tarawih. Make more extra and voluntary prayers. Do as much worship as you can. Do more dhikr (remembering Allah) and du’a (supplication) for yourself and for others. Repent and seek forgiveness for yourself and for others as much as you can. This is the best time for devotion and seeking Allah’s forgiveness. Seek the Night of Qadr by special devotion during the last 10 nights of this month.

The month of blessing and forgiveness is passing away very quickly. Do not miss the remaining last ten days and nights. Let us clear our sins. Let us seek the Night of Qadr.

  

 

 

Lailatul Qadr - The Night of Power by Professor Dr Ahmad ibn Saifuddin

 

Lailatul Qadr –The Night of Power in the

last ten nights of Ramadan:

Talk by Professor Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin Turkestani

 

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Professor Dr. Ahmad bin Saifuddin Turkestani gave a talk on “Catch These Special Deeds Before Ramadan” at the Islamic Centre for Kuwait (ICK) on an invitation of an organiser on 15 Ramadan 1441 Hijri. Addressing the gatherings and audience Professor Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin said, “Brothers and Sisters, I am inviting to a very special meeting - very special one at a very special time – special day, i.e. Friday. I like to thank my brothers who has organising at ICK – the Islamic Centre for Kuwait – They have trust and interest, we have heart-feeling today because we are supposed today to be  attending Jumah – but because of the circumstances as you know this Pandemic which is all over the world confined   us in our houses, May Allah Subhanahu wa Taala uplifted – the reason are our Masjids, the reasons are our gatherings – near future, very near future by Allah’s Will.”

 

Before I indulge myself into his talk on this very special topic on and about Ramadan, I would like to introduce him. Professor Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin Turkestani is a professor in the College of Media and Communication at the Imam Muhammad Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was also Former Head of Cultural Affairs  Section at the Saudi Embassy in the United Kingdom and worked as Director at the Institute of Islamic Studies and Arabic Sciences in Washington under the Ministry of Higher Education, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Second Half of Ramadan: More

Precious and greater opportunities

Speaking about the first half of Ramadan which has already passed and the forthcoming second half of the month, Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin said, “Since in this month of Ramadan today is 15^th Ramadan, already half of the month has passed heading for second half – the second could be the same days, may be 14 days. The days forthcoming   is no less than what we have passed; in fact the second half is precious and greater opportunities for the Muslims in the month of Ramadan.”

 Explaining why he said that, Dr. Turkestani  mentioned, “Because we are coming towards the end – towards the last ten days and nights of the month of Ramadan – the last ten days are so precious , so good and there is a great opportunity for us to catch certain deeds;  they are marked down in this ten days. So this is our talk today. We are going to concentrate the last ten days of Ramadan and also what is going to take place even afterwards – after the end of Ramadan shortly.”

Lailatul Qadr

Speaking about the last ten days and nights of the month of Ramadan, Professor Ahmad mentioned about Lailatul Qadr. He explained the importance and significance of this night first. He said, “Let me say that these ten days contain Lailatul Qadr – Lailatul Qadr is the Night, is the Night of the Revelation of the Glorious Qur’an. It is the night that if anyone is accepted in their worship and in their dua and coming forward towards Allah, it would have, wishes of Allah, for 83 years, to be exact, 83 years and four months. The 1000 months – 1000 months imagine. And this is exactly the same – the Glorious Qur’an, let me recite Suratul Qadr. To know the significance of this night.

 

Night of Honour & Prestige

Professor Ahmad continued: “This is the night of Honour & Prestige and the saver, which was revealed the Glorious Qur’an in this night and Allah says oma adraka lailatul Qadr Are you in this night? Lailatul  Qadr Alf-e-Sahr, not only you will worship in this night –this particular time – amount of time – which can be found in one night during nine night or ten nights in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. So if you are very fortunate, if you catch this night before it is over, you will never know whether you would be here in or none of us. Nobody is certain that they would be here again next year or the year after – although we asked Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala long life in the worship of HIM Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. But that’s catch the moment.”

 After reciting the Suratul Qadr, Professor explained the greater opportunity lies in that night the Night of Lailatul Qadr. He said, “Lets take the opportunity – kairum min Alf-e Sahr better than 1000 months– Subhanallah – it is like you devoting your life 83 years and 4 months in the worship of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala a accepting all the good things – the great opportunities and for some reason it was hidden. We don’t know exactly which night it is. Yes; some scholars, even Ibn Abbas (R.A.) it is the night of 27; but you know with calendars and not knowing for certain which night Ramadan is and there is in different months in different countries and localities when Ramadan started; nonetheless we will say that it is for certain in the ten nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan. Sure; so if we get it ourselves this; this night from the beginning from the 20^th day, because as you know the night precedes day; so when we say 21^st, it means it is on the 20^th night; means 20^th day; so 5 days from now. We can have that opportunity, Insha Allah. To catch this night.”

How can we catch it? Taubah Repentance

Dr Ahmad ibn Saifuddin asked: “How can we catch it? That’s the question. It is what you call it one billion Hasanat question. Yes, indeed. How can we catch it?” and he quickly answered, “First we have to do certain things. I advise myself and my brothers and sisters to do this. We need it to catch it starting it from Taubah.  Repentance is very essential. Before we get into worship we need to cleanse our heart. We need to receive the barakah the mercy and the blessings of this night and to be in a good situation to receive all the good in it by coming forward towards away from everything that we have done that in the past. We need to come forward to receive the blessings. And that comes only through Taubah. Taubah from everything that we did in the past; to be determined not to do it again. Not to get involve into wrong doings, although we know the nature of human beings.”

 “As soon as we remember we come back just as Ibrahim peace be upon him. He comes back time after time towards Allah. We need to renew our intention every time in order to come closer and closer to Allah and to stay away from all bad things. We may fall in that human beings commit wrong things. But the most Allah loves those who repent every time.  In the Hadith: Those who make mistakes and repent Allah loves them because they come to Allah if they commit mistakes; they do wrongs they come back to Allah. That is a key brothers and sisters. That is the key to repent to Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala; repent sincerely from the bottom of your heart and ready for ten nights and beyond. It is just only the start. Let’s renew. Allah has given the opportunity – to live to this moment and to come Insha Allah – to the end of Ramadan. If that is the case then we are very fortunate,” said Professor Ahmad Saifuddin.

Dr. Ahmad Saifuddin reminded that many people wanted to come back and wanted to do good deeds. He said, “How many people are under the ground wishing to come back and to do something good but are not able to do it. So we need to do that. So Taubah is very very important and very significant; if you have done something wrong against anyone; like taking their rights; like taking their money, their wealth, violating their honour; you are thinking you want to come back; you want to think is it possible; we tried to rectify situations. You have done something wrong you correct it now – Taubah is the way. Allah loves those who can; Allah loves those who repent.”

Involve into More Ibadah:

How do you do it

Professor Ahmad Saifuddin then mentioned about Ibadah and Night Prayer and Reading Qur’an. He said, “Secondly, starting from the first night, the 21^st night which precedes the 20^th day of Ramadan to get involve into more Ibadah. How do you do it? Well just like in the Hadith, When Ayesha (Radhi Anha) said: ‘When it is the ten days Prophet peace be upon him wake up and stay up all night; also in their house, they stay away from intimacy. This is not a time for intimacy; time for Allah  Subhanahu Wa Taala for your own benefit. It is a time we need to devote for Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala in order to be trained; in order to love this and what is better than to stand before Allah – Salah – standing before Allah; recite the Glorious Qur’an; doing Taraweeh, doing Tahajjud; although it’s the same – Tahajjud is the same word for Qiyam. Qiyam is for the first part of the night, second part of the night or the last part of the night. People have come to Taraweeh the early part of the night. Someone told Ibn Umar the importance of standing up at night; Abdullah ibn Umar after knowing the significance of the Qiyam al-Lail, he never left Qiyam-al-Lail at any night of the year. You can do it at any night – no exception.”

 “But try to make it like starting point for you every night as much as you can. Read two Rakaats, then you get tired. No take it easy. Take step by step; train yourself and you will love it. I know from the stories of righteous people. It is possible for them to do Qiyam even on travel; when they were travelling on train, or at airport.” He mentioned.

 

“So Lets make this Ramadan a beginning  to stay and pray at night – never miss a night prayer even if it is two rakaats, or four rakaats – whatever is possible for you; wake up last part of the night, its better; even half an hour before the Azan to Allah,” said Dr. Ahmad Saifuddin and added, “By the way, meet Allah if you will closer to him and strive to do that. Once you do it, you are waiting for some one to see it who stands up in night for prayer and they make Istaqfar at Sahoor time, which is before dawn, before Fajr.”

To be closer to Allah

Professor Turkestani said, So we get involved in this night in prayer, in recitation of the Qur’an, in dua, in being kind to people around us within the family, to the neighbours, to outside to the world, just to say good word, be nice, be kind, be generous, just like Prophet peace be upon him, so generous all time; even he was more generous in the month of Ramadan. So these are the good deeds; Sometimes we may say well we have done our prayer; what? Be versified; try to make different kinds of worship. I can read a book on Sirah; I can read a book on the interpretation of the Qur’an. That’s part of worship. That’s part of the righteous deeds. It has not to be recitation of the Glorious Qur’an all times.”

 My recommendations:

Make Qur’an Your Friend

Professor Ahmad emphasized, “Though my recommendations for myself and for you is to be as close as much to the Glorious Qur’an; be with the Qur’an at all times; make Qur’an your friend, very close friend- where you enjoy to be always being together; its take time, be attachment. Again like Salah, you feel much attached to the Glorious Qur’an. So we need to do that and nothing better than to recite the Qur’an in prayers. So in prayers you are joining two things – praying and you are reciting the Glorious Qur’an at the same time. I recommend reading the Glorious Qur’an in the remaining few days of Ramadan and make it your best companion all the time.”

First Published in Ramadan 1441 Hijri

 [To be Continued[

.