What To Do Toward the End of the Month of Ramadan

 

What to do toward the end of the

month of Ramadan

 Dr. Mozammel Haque

The blessed month is approaching to the end; only a few days and nights remain. Today is Saturday, 29 Ramadan corresponding to 30th of April, 2022. Tomorrow Sunday 1^st of May 2022   is 30 Ramadan subject to the sighting of moon in Saudi Arabia today’s evening.  

Saudi Arabia has officially asked local citizens to spot and report if any the new moon of Shawwal – that marks the beginning of Eid al Fitr and end of the holy month of fasting, on Saturday 29th of Ramadan 1443 AH corresponding to April 30, 2022.

"The Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has asked citizens and residents in the Kingdom to search for the crescent of Shawwal 1443 on the evening of Saturday, 29th Ramadan 1443 according to Umm Al Qura Calendar corresponding to April 30, 2022 and report any sightings to their nearest court", local media said in a report Thursday.

"The Supreme Court’s special session will sit and deliberate on Saturday evening the results of the crescent search and will issue a decision shortly after Isha Prayers", the reports added.

The Kingdom’s main observations are made from Sudair and Tumair and sightings from these cities are part of the official decision.

According to local media reports of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, several Astronomers have said that there are less chances of the crescent of being seen on Saturday evening and the month of Ramadan 1443 is likely to complete 30 days.

An Interview with Dr. Ahmad

 ibn Saifuddin Turkestani

I have already mentioned in my last week column the importance and significance of the last ten days and nights of the month of Ramadan. What I am going to write in today’s column seems to be repetition of the same but it is not. It is actually an interview carried out a few years ago with a renowned Islamic scholar, Professor Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin al-Turkistani. He was a Professor at the Imam Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As early as early 80’s when the Saudi Television started the Second Channel in English, there used to be an Islamic programme entitled “Islam In Focus” run by Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin every Friday just after the Jumah Prayer. It was very popular to the English knowing immigrants, particularly in Jeddah, Hejaz. I was one of them. I had the opportunity to meet him in London when he came here at the Saudi Cultural Bureau, London. I conducted an interview with him at the last week of the month of Ramadan a few years ago.

 “This is one of the days that we are so much happy to live, to observe. Today is Friday and Friday is the best day the Sun has ever risen on and today is one of the days of the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the master of the months. This is a month of blessings, favours on us. We should be thankful to Allah the Almighty for what he has given us. We are many others deprived of not enjoying the mercy of the month of Ramadan. So Alhamdolillah. Alhamdolillah, Alhamdolillah,” said Professor Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin Turkistani.

Lailatul Qadr

We have only a few days and nights are left but still they are very important. Only yesterday we have been receiving the month, just yesterday, 28 days past but still the best is there, 29^th night of Ramadan; there is Lailatul Qadr. Professor Turkistani asked do you know what Lailatul Qadr is and said, “It is better than 1000 months; by simple calculation, Lailatul Qadr is better than more than 83 years. Just imagine 84 years. The average life of Muslims, most Muslims die before their age; which means you are getting the reward of more than 83 years. Even better, because Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says Lailatul Qadr khairun. This is a golden opportunity; it’s a gift even to this Ummah and we shall take it. It’s worth to take a vacation, to take some days off your work; to leave all things at your hands and get this opportunity. Only a few days. Then they will be gone.”

Narrating the blessing of this month of Ramadan, Professor Turkistani said, “This night is so much blessed. The Angels will come down and will bring blessings and Allah Subhanahu wa Taala will forgive anyone who is committed to Allah on that night reciting the Glorious Qur’an, engage in prayer, doing all the good deeds that a person can do. Even if you stay awake all the night it’s worth it. When the last ten days come on his own life, the Prophet peace be upon him would avoid sleep during the nights of the last ten days. And he would stay away from his wives only concentrating on Ibadah. It’s worth it.”

“It is nine days or ten days for more than 83 years what a bargain. Why can you not use it brothers and sisters. This is what Allah Subhanahu wa Taala has promised us.  This stays  until Fajr; until the coming dawn; so we shall be very much interested in this. Anyone who misses that he is a deprived one. Deprived. We shall not be deprived of this great prize, a great opportunity,” said Professor Turkistani.

 What a blessing! What a gift!

Professor Turkistani also mentioned what a bargain it is. He said, “Just say a one good thing:  SubhanAllah Alhamdo lillah La ilaha Illallah Allahu Akbar.  It is like you have done for 83 years and 4 months. What a blessing; what a gift that is given to us this opportunity the biggest bargain. I do not see any bargain better than that. You see that? Even when people bargain, they go to stores and markets and online trying to buy the best thing that they need and they dream of. They say ouh; this is the biggest bargain; no, wallahe, the bargain is Lailatul Qadr. This is the biggest bargain.”

Professor Turkistani urged people “Please do not let it go away without cashing as much as you can; devote the rest of the time for Ibadah; because that will affect the rest of your life. It should, if you surely coming towards Allah with Taubah from your heart, from inside, then Allah will accept you, Insha Allah and then Insha Allah, you would be happy for the rest of your life. You would be guided on the straight path. So you keep on the truck until you meet Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. This is the time and that’s why Allah Subhanahu wa Taala promises that you stand with imaan and Ihtesab. imaan believing in Allah and believing in His Rewards and Ihtesaban seeking the rewards from Allah Subhanahu wa Taala alone; not from any one else and all your previous sins are forgiven. You fast the month of Ramadan all your previous sins are forgiven if again if you stand up in Salah during all the month of Ramadan and you should do it out of Imaan and Ihtesab and all your previous sins are forgiven.”

Zakat-ul-Fitr

Professor Turkistani mentioned the first of those Ibadah is the Zakat-ul-Fitr.  He said, “Zakat-ul-Fitr is the source of purification and feeding of the poor and the needy. It is a source of purification for yourself in case you have committed some sins and who amongst us has not committed something wrong in the month of Ramadan or any other time and it is something to feed the poor and the needy.”

How Zakat-ul-Fitr is estimated? Enquired Professor Turkistani and promptly answered, “It is estimated Soa as in the Hadith of Abu Sayeed al-Khudri (RA) follow the Rasoolullah peace be upon him. He gave examples, all these types of food. So it means that we should give Zakat-ul-Fitr in food, not in money. I know that Imam Abu Hanifah (Rahimullah) said it is permissible to do in money but the Prophet peace be upon him and the Companions did not give Zakat-ul-Fitr in money. They gave it in food. They could have given in money; they would pay Zakat-ul-Maal or any type of Zakah from wealth, from money. Zakat-ul-Fitr again so that the poor and the needy have not to seek on the day of Eid, they should be happy; they should enjoy with the rest of the Muslim community. That’s why, we should have to give it in food.”

Again, Professor Turkistani enquired, “How do we do it?” and answered, “Well, lets seek the poor and the needy in our community. If we have someone we know who is in need we shall give Zakat-ul-Fitr to these people. If we do not know people, then we shall give the money to the trusted charities and organisations that collect the money, buy the food and give it to the poor and the needy on your behalf. If not in this country; if this country would not  have poor people to the extent that they can be receiving Zakat-ul-Fitr, there are many people up there, in Africa, Asia and throughout the Muslim World who need this food who cannot buy who stay at night starving.”

 “In Syria, for example, as you have heard from your brothers, telling you that the Ulema in that country in their Fatwa people eat cats and rats because they do not have the food to eat. Situations because of the war going on in Syria; and the same thing with other people who are starving and do not have the food. This is the way to express your own sympathy with your brothers. This is something that you need to do and Zakat-ul-Fitr is a must. It’s not a choice and it is for everyone in the household, everyone. Even those who think they are poor; if they have a food for a day and a night, they should give out Zakat-ul-Fitr. If they have enough for one day, they should give Zakah to other poor people and the needy people and that would be a Saa,” said Professor Turkistani in his Khutba (Sermon).

How that would be translated into today’s measurement? Professor Turkistani asked and promptly replied, “It would be about two kilogram and a quarter. If you pay three kilograms of any types of food, rice, dates, barley, anything that people eat, which is an edible thing; something they can keep and preserve. You cannot give out, in meat, for example, or something that can be immediately consumed; cooked food, for example. It has to be a food that the poor and the needy can save and can prepare their own meals. For everyone in the household, young or old, male or female, the newly born, anyone born before the sun set of the last day of the month of Ramadan has to be given Zakat-ul-Fitr and it is the responsibility of the head of the household; those who spent is the man who is earning and even if it is the woman who is earning and spending in the family then it is their responsibility to pay.”

When shall we pay it? Professor Turkistani again enquired and said, “Not until before Eid day; at least two days before Eid and it shall be given out before Salat-ul-Eid, otherwise it would not be Zakat-ul-Fitr; it would be sadaqah. And it would not do its purpose unless it is done and given to the poor and the needy so that they can go for the Eid prayer and happy. They feel that they have enough and they can share with the Muslim community. Nice occasion and celebrate Eid along with them.”

Think about the people who became homeless due to the terrible horrific London Tower Fire at Kensington West London. Help those people with whatever you have and whatever you can give either food, clothes, material and donations. At this stage, this charity, this donation near to your home, near to your locality, near to your neighbour is most important and they deserve to have your Zakat, alms-giving and charity.

 Takbeer

That was for Zakat-ul-Fitr. The second form of Ibadah is Takbeer. Professor Turkistani mentioned, “It is a Sunnah to do Takbeer starting from the Maghreb of the night of Eid until Eid prayer. How do we say, what do we say? Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar La Ilaha Illallah Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar walillahe wal Hamd. Any form of Takbeer is good to announce this and to obey Allah Subhanahu wa Taala as Allah said so you shall complete the number of days fasting and announce Takbeer. That’s why it is Sunnah to do Takbeer from the Maghreb to the Salat-ul-Eid in congregation. You say on yourself, you say it among Muslims, you say in the Masjid, in the house, anywhere wherever it is possible to pronounce loudly just to inform Muslims around you that this is the time of praising Allah and celebrate Eid.”

 Salat-ul-Eid

The third form of Ibadah during the end of the month of Ramadan is Salat-ul-Eid. Professor Turkistani mentioned, “We need to come to Salat-ul-Eid. Salat-ul-Eid is an obligation upon the whole community, but for every individual it is something strongly recommended. Some people choose to sleep on the morning of Eid and miss the prizes because during the day of Eid as people are coming to the prayer the Angels are standing at the doors giving prizes. You wouldn’t see them but belief me, if you have done well in the month of Ramadan you receive prize on the day of Eid. That’s why it is important to come to Eid prayer and to receive the prize and look and see that prize on the day of Eid. So on the Eid, take complete bath and then wear the must you have, put on perfume for man, but not for woman because you will attract the opposite gender, and then come to Salatul Eid to attend and celebrate with the rest of the community Eid. Everyone, man and woman, young or old, shall come to Eid prayer; without exception, even women who are having the menstruation. But they should avoid area of prayer, area of musalla. But they should come and be among the community to enjoy this occasion along with the rest of the Muslims. This is the third Ibadah.”

Fasting is prohibited on Eid Day

Fasting is prohibited on the day of Eid. “We need to break on the day of Eid of fast because it is prohibited to fast on the day of Eid,” said Professor Turkistani and added, “It is a gift from Allah and we shall receive it and how do we break we break it with date, one or three or five or more, eat single or odd number of dates on the day of Eid in your home before you come out. And it is Sunnah to go from one way and to return another way in order to meet as many people and to greet them on the day of Eid. Eid is the day of forgiveness, a day when you really forgive those who have done wrong to you. This is the time to show forgiveness and Allah who give you forgiveness in return.”

 

Catch These Special Deeds - Lailatul Qadr

 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]

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 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.”

[To be continued]

Lailatul Qadr - Night of Power

 Lailatul Qadr – 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.”

[To be Continued[

.

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 next coming Thursday, the last ten days and nights will 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 is 18^th 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. The other half of the blessed month is approaching 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 died, he performed it for twenty days. (Related by Al-Bukhari, Abu Dawud, and Ibn-Majah). The next Friday on 3^rd of September (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. 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.

 

Ramadan - The Month of the Qur'an

 

Ramadan: The Month of the Qur’an

 

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The Noble Qur’an was revealed in the month of Ramadan (Al-Qur’an, 97:1-3.). The Qur’an was sent down in the month of Ramadan on the Night of Power Lailatul Qadr. (Al-Qur’an, 91:1-3.). It is the month of Ramadan that Allah has honoured by revealing the Qur’an. Because of this strong relation between the Qur’an and the month of Ramadan, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to read the Qur’an to Archangel Jibreel every Ramadan. I think this is the right place to discuss the purpose and objective of the revelation of the Qur’an, its importance, the campaigns against it and the do’s and don’ts of the Qur’an.

First of all, Allah the Most High, created mankind and gave him the gift of expression. For the guidance of mankind Allah sent Prophets (peace be upon them all) to every single community. In the words of the Qur’an, "There has been no community to which God’s messengers have not come" and "Muslims should make no distinctions between them." So it is the duty of a Muslim to honour all the prophets equally.

The Qur’an represents the culmination of all other earlier Revealed Books. The Qur’an is the last of the Revealed Books. The Qur’an is the first religious book in the world, which requires the belief in other revelations, a part of its Faith. This Sacred Book was revealed to the last Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the month of Ramadan. Allah Himself said in the Qur’an: “Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to Mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).” (2:185). Allah the Most High has especially mentioned the exact date and month of the revelation: “We have indeed revealed This (Message) in the Night of Power.” (97:1) So the purpose of the revelation of the Qur’an was for guidance of Mankind.

The Qur’an is emphatic in proclaiming that Islam is the religion of Jesus, Moses, Abraham and the Prophets Jesus and Moses were not Jews but Muslims. "Surely those who believe (in that which is revealed to Muhammad Peace be upon him) and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabaeans – whoever believes in Allah, and the Last Day and does good, surely their reward is with their Lord, and there is no fear for them nor shall they grieve." (2:62). "A Guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and judgement (between right and wrong)." This is the most important characteristic of the Qur’an, the Book that Allah has revealed in the month of Ramadan. It is guidance for mankind. It is clear proof, clear proof of guidance and of judgement.

Before the revelation of the Qur’an, it was preserved and guarded from corruption in the "Mother of the Book". Allah Himself said: "Nay this is a Glorious Qur’an (inscribed) in a Tablet Preserved" (85:21-22). When Allah wanted to give this Trust to someone, the Heavens, the Earth, and the Mountains, i.e. other creatures of Allah, besides man, refused to undertake this Trust or responsibility. They preferred to submit their will entirely to Allah’s Will, which is All-Wise and Perfect, and which would give them far more happiness than a faculty of choice, with their imperfect knowledge. Allah says in the Qur’an: "We did indeed offer the Trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it: He was indeed unjust and foolish." (33-72).

So it is the human beings who took the responsibility of the Trust without realising its importance. This Sacred Book was revealed to the last Messenger Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the month of Ramadan. The Qur’an is the revealed book of God which has been in existence for more than four hundred years and the Word of Allah is available in its original form. There has not been an iota of change in this unique historic record. Its originality and authenticity has been guaranteed by no other than Allah the Almighty who challenges in the Qur’an itself.

Allah said, "This Qur’an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah: on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelation) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book - wherein there is no doubt – from the Lord of the Worlds." (10:37). In another verse of the Qur’an Allah challenges, "Or do they say, "He forged it?" Say: "Bring then a Surah like unto it; and call (to your aid) anyone who can, beside Allah if it be you speak the truth!" (10:38). "Or they may say, "He forged it." Say, "Bring you then ten Suras forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid) whomsoever you can, other than Allah! – if you speak the truth!" (11:13).

 Allah said in the Qur’an, "And if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant then produce a Sura like thereunto, and call your witness and helpers (if there are any) besides Allah, if you are truthful." (2:23) Allah places many verses before you. Can you produce one like it?

The world is challenged to produce a Book like it and has not produced one. It is the only Revealed Book whose text stands pure and uncorrupted today. Allah said, "Say: "if the whole of mankind and jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support." (17:88)

Since the revelation of the Qur’an, the adversaries of Islam have been trying to distort it. Firstly, they said, it is not revelation, it is written by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Then they started attacking its authenticity and originality. Recently, attempts have been made to humiliate Muslims by burning copies of the Muslim Holy Book, The Qur’an.

Pastor Jones and members of his Dove Outreach Church in Gainesville, Florida, had intended to throw200 copies of the Islamic holy book on a bonfire on 11 September 2010, reported in the Daily Mail on 11 September 2010. Jones burned a Qur’an on the grounds of his church in Florida in March last year, 2011. On 24 April 2012, Al-Arabiya News reported that US Pastor Terry Jones, a self-professed scourge of Islam, has threatened to ‘burn Qur’ans and images of Prophet Mohammad’ if a Christian religious leader in Iran is not released from jail. The Guardian London reported on 23 February 2012 the burning of copies of the Qur’an by American soldiers in Afghanistan on Monday, the 20^th of February, 2012. In spite of their conspiracy, the Qur’an has been preserved in its original form.

Not only that, it is recently reported that The Birmingham Qur’an Manuscript contains parts of suras 18-20 of the Qur’an. The Qur’an  manuscript held by the University of Birmingham has been placed among the oldest in the world. It is said that the result of radiocarbon dating of the parchment on which the textis written places the manuscript in the period between 568 and 645 with 95.4% probability. The testing was commissioned from the University of Oxford and carried out in 2014. This result suggests that the manuscript dates back to the first century of Islam, close to the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) [about 570-632] and the rule of the first three Caliphs.

The Qur’an is the only Book in the world which has remained more than fourteen centuries pure without any interpolation or change and will remain so till the Last Day as Allah has guaranteed its purity. (15:9).

The purity, preservation and propagation of the Qur’an were maintained by two methods: memorization of Qur’an in Qur’anic schools and the recitation of the complete Qur’an in Ramadan. In the month of Ramadan every year the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked by Archangel Jibreel to recite the whole of it twice. It was a Muzakira between the two. Abu Huraira reported that Jibreel used to repeat the recitation of the Qur’an with the Prophet once a year, but he repeated it twice with him in the year the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed away. The Qur’an was recited in the Taraweeh for the first time during the era of Caliph Omar.

So far as the memorization of the Qur’an in Qur’anic schools is concerned, many Huffaz and Islamic scholars have been killed in different parts of the world at different times. But still there is no dearth of Islamic scholars who can recite the complete Qur’an from memory. Severe campaigns have been launched against the Qur’anic schools, which teach the study, recitation and memorization of the Qur’an. The Qur’an is the main Book of the Muslims; it is the duty of the Muslims to learn Qur’an, which contains their code of life and ethical values whose benefits have been experienced by mankind throughout the ages.

I have already mentioned the objective and importance of the Qur’an and how its originality and purity have been maintained. Our Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions dedicated their days and nights for worship. Their lives revolved completely around the Book of Allah, the Qur’an, reciting it in and out of Salah.

The Qur’an is the basis of the religion of Islam, and on the preservation and propagation of the Qur’an depends the very existence of this Faith. Hence the virtue of learning and teaching the Qur’an is self-evident and does not need further elucidation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The best amongst you is he who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.” (Bukhari, Daud and Tirmidhi).

A great Islamic scholar wrote in his book entitled Toward Understanding of the Qur’an: “The present arrangement of the Qur'an is not the work of later generations, but was made by the Prophet under God's direction. Whenever a surah was revealed, the Prophet summoned his scribes, to whom he carefully dictated its contents, and instructed them where to place it in relation to the other surahs. The Prophet followed the same order of surahs and verses when reciting during ritual Prayer as on other occasions, and his Companions followed the same practice in memorizing the Qur'an. It is therefore a historical fact that the collection of the Qur'an came to an end on the very day that its revelation ceased. The One who was responsible for its revelation was also the One who fixed its arrangement. The one whose heart was the receptacle of the Qur'an was also respon­sible for arranging its sequence. This was far too important and too delicate a matter for anyone else to dare to become involved in.”

"Not even the most skeptical person has any reason to doubt that the Qur'an as we know it today is identical with the Qur'an which Muhammad (peace be on him) set before the world; this is an unquestionable, objective, historical fact, and there is nothing in human history on which the evidence is so overwhelmingly strong and conclusive. To doubt the authenticity of the Qur'an is like doubting the existence of the Roman Empire, the Mughals of India, or Napoleon! To doubt historical facts like these is a sign of stark ignorance, not a mark of erudition and scholarships," he added.