Tag Archives: Qur’an

Dec 25 2010

Are the verses that mention Allaah’s Attributes from the verses that are unclear (Mutashaabihaat) or clear (Muhkamaat)?

Question: Are the verses that mention Allaah’s Attributes from the verses that are unclear (Mutashaabihaat) or clear (Muhkamaat)?

Answer: They fall under the unclear verses from one perspective, and that is with regard to the manner (of the Attributes), which are related to Allaah. And they do not fall under the unclear verses from any other perspective. This is such that they have clear meanings , i.e. they have meanings that are well known in the Arabic language.

So therefore, with regard to the manner of how the Attributes of Allaah are, they are unclear (Mutashaabihaat), since we are not able to know the manner of Allaah’s Dhaat (Essence). Hence, because of that, we are not able to know the manner of Allaah’s Attributes, since speaking about the Attributes falls under speaking about the Essence (Dhaat). This is why some of the scholars of hadeeth, such as Abu Bakr Al-Khateeb, said: “What is said concerning the Attributes is the same thing as what is said concerning the Essence: negating and affirming.”

So just as we affirm Allaah’s Essence and we do not negate it – for this negation would be an absolute denial (of Allaah’s existence) – then the same applies for Allaah’s Attributes. We affirm them and we don’t negate (deny) them. But just as we do not describe how Allaah’s Essence is, then likewise, we do not describe how His Attributes are. [Al-Asaalah, Issue #3]

Shaykh Naasir al-Deen al-Albaanee
taken from ‘The Fataawaa of Shaikh Al-Albaanee’ which can be downloaded from this link http://AhlalHadeeth.wordpress.com/books/fataawaa/

Dec 24 2010

E-Book & Audio: Explanation of a Summary of Aqeedah al-Hamawiyyah

Explanation of a Summary of Ibn taymiyyahs Aqeeda al-Hamawiyyah


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Explanation of Aqeedah Al-Hamawiyah by Ali at-Timimi (Audio)
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Explanation of Ibn Taymiyyah’s Aqeedah al-Hamawiyyah by Shaykh Uthaymeen
One of the works on this subject is his “al‐Fatwaa al‐Hamawiyyah” which he wrote as an answer to a question presented to him. In it, he was asked what the scholars and Imaams of the religion say concerning the Aayaat and the Ahaadeeth of the Sifaat, or the attributes and characteristics of Allah.

Dec 13 2010

Ten Phrases That Are Short, Easy & Light

Ten different phrases that are short, easy, and light, but will give you what no eye has seen, no hear has heard, and what no mind has imagined.

Enjoy (and implement):

1 – “Whoever says: ‘Glorified is Allah, the Most Great, and praised is He’ [Subhan Allah al-‘Adhim wa bi-Hamdih] will have a date palm planted for him in Paradise.”
[‘Sahih al-Jami” #5531]

2 – “Whoever is stricken with sadness, grief, sickness or hardship and says: ‘Allah is my Lord, without any partners’ [Allahu Rabbi, la sharika lah], then it will be removed from him.”
[‘Sahih al-Jami” #6040]

3 – “Whoever ate something, then said: ‘Praise be to Allah who has fed me this food and provided it for me, without any strength or power on my part’ [al-Hamdu lillah aladhi at’amani hadha wa Razaqnih bi ghayr hawlin minni wa la quwwa] is forgiven his past and future sins. And whoever wears a garment and says: ‘Praise be to Allah who has clothed me with this garment and provided it for me without any strength or power on my part’ [al-Hamdu lillah aladhi kasani hadha at-thawb wa Razaqnih bi ghayr hawlin minni wa la quwwa] is forgiven his past and future sins.”
[‘Sahih al-Jami” #6086]

4 – “Whoever enters the marketplace and says: ‘There is none worthy of worship except Allah who has no partners, for Him is the Dominion, and for Him is all Praise, He brings life and He causes death, and He is Alive and does not die, in His Hand is all good, and He is able to do all things,’ [La ilaha ill-Allah, Wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-Mulk, wa lahul-Hamd, yuhyiyy wa yumit, wa Huwa Hayyun la yamut, bi Yadihil-Khayr wa Huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in Qadir] then Allah will write one million good deeds for him, and will wipe away one million of his bad deeds, and will raise him one million levels and will build a home for him in Paradise.”
[‘Sahih al-Jami” #6231]

5 – “Whoever controls his anger when he is able to act upon it, then Allah will call him to come in front of all of the Creation so that he would let him choose from the Hur al-‘Ayn and marry from them whomever he pleases.”
[‘Sahih al-Jami” #6518]

6 – “Whoever asks Allah for Paradise three times [Allahumma inni as’aluk al-Jannah], then Paradise will say: “O Allah! Enter him into Paradise!” And whoever seeks protection with Allah from the Fire three times [Allahumma najjini min an-Nar], the Fire will say: “O Allah! Protect him from the Fire!””
[Reported by at-Tirmidhi, and it is authentic]

7 – “Whoever seeks forgiveness for the believing men and the believing women, Allah writes for him – for every believing man and woman – a good deed.”
[Reported by at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Ahmad, and it is authentic]

8 – ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud said: “Whoever reads ‘al-Mulk’ (chapter 67 of the Qur’an) every night, Allah will protect him from the torment of the grave. At the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), we used to call it al-mani’ah (that which protects). In the Book of Allah, it is a chapter which – whoever recites it every night – has done very well.”
[‘Sahih at-Targhib wat-Tarhib’ #1475]

9 – “Whoever asks Allah sincerely for martyrdom [Allahumma inni as’aluk ash-shahadah], Allah will cause him to reach the status of the martyrs even if he dies in his bed.”
[‘Sahih al-Bukhari’ #1909]

10 – “No one witnesses that there is none worthy of worship but Allah and that I am Allah’s Messenger – truthfully, from his heart – except that Allah makes the Fire of Hell forbidden to touch him.”
[Reported by Muslim, Ahmad, and al-Bayhaqi]

I saved this on my desktop long time ago and don’t remember where I got it from, may Allaah reward the one who complied this.

Dec 5 2010

Creed of Ahlul-Hadeeth

Beliefs of Ahlul-Hadeeth

Beliefs of Ahlul-Hadeeth by Imam Abu Bakr al-Ismaa'eeli Translater by Amr Jalal Abualrub


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The Fundamental Beliefs Held by Ahlul-Hadeeth
Know, may Allaah have mercy on us and you that the Math-hab of Ahlil-Hadeeth, the Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah is acknowledgment of Allaah, His Angels, His books and His Messengers, and acceptance of what has been spoken of in the book of Allaah, and what been authenticated from the narrations from the Messenger of Allaah (صلى الله عليه وسلم). There is no alteration of that which has been narrated from him and no room for rejection, since they were ordered with following the Book and Sunnah, and they are content with the guidance in them (the Book and Sunnah)

Dec 1 2010

The Last Days of Ibn Taymiyyah

Zain-ud-din Abdur-Rahman relates that after completing 80 recitals of the Qur’aan, Ibn Taymiyyah started it all over again with him. However, when he reached the closing verses of Surah Al-Qamar – “Lo! The righteous will dwell among gardens and rivers firmly established in the favour of a Mighty King” – he expressed his desire to continue the recital further with Abdullah ibn Muhib and his brother Abdullah az-Zara’ee. These brothers were both pious and pure of heart, and their recital pleased Ibn Taymiyyah very much. He did not, however, complete this recital of the Qur’aan before the knell summoning him to heaven was sounded.

The Shaikh had been indisposed for a few days when the Governor of Damascus called upon him. At his request to pardon him for the inconvenience caused on his account, Ibn Taymiyyah replied: “I have already forgiven you and all those persons who have been hostile to me. They knew not that I was in the right. I bear no malice nor have I any grievance against the King for putting me in jail at the instance of the theologians. He did not do it of his own accord and is free from all responsibility in this regard. I have pardoned every man in this affair except those who are enemies of God and His Prophet.”

Ibn Taymiyyah was taken ill 22 days before his death. His health gradually deteriorated till the journey’s end drew near on the night of the 22nd of Dhul-Qa’da, 728 A.H., when he quit the world aged 67 years. “Everyone that is thereon will pass away there remained but the countenance of thy Lord of Might and Glory”. (ar-Rahman 55:26-27)

The crier of the Citadel Mosque announced Ibn Taymiyyah’s death from the minaret. In turn, this was repeated by the guards in the turrets and before long the news has spread like wildfire throughout the whole city. The gates of the fort were thrown open to allow wave after wave of teeming crowds to come and pay their last homage to their departed teacher. With tears brimming in their eyes, many of them kissed the forehead that frequently remained prostrated before the Lord.

The bier was brought to the Ummayad Mosque for the funeral service. The thronging crowd which was getting stronger every moment was so great that the soldiers has to force their way through, carrying the bier with great difficulty. With this vast multitude jostling and pushing to get near the bier many lost their shoes. At last the procession reached Suq al-Khalil where another funeral service was led by Ibn Taymiyyah’s younger brother Zain-ud-din Abdur-Rahman. After the service, Ibn Taymiyyah was laid to rest in Maqbarat-us-Sufiyah (1) by the side of his brother, Sharaf-ud-din Abdullah. It is estimated that some 60,000 to 100,000 persons of which at least 15,000 were women joined the funeral procession. (2)

In several Islamic countries lying to the south and east of Syria funeral services were held in absentia for Ibn Taymiyyah. Ibn Rajab, a chronicler who write Tabalaqat-ul-Hanabilah, says that funeral services were also held in several nearer and far-off lands like Yemen and China. “The funeral service of an expositor of the Qur’aan will now be held,” was the announcement made after Friday Prayuers in a far-off city according to travellers returning from China.

by Shaykh Sayyed Abu’l Hasan Ali an-Nadwi
Sheikh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah’s Life and Achievements
Published by UK Islamic Academy

——————————————————-
1.In this burial ground where such luminaries as Ibn Asakirm Ibn al-Salah, Ibn al-athir, Abul-Hajjaj al-Mizzi, Hafidh Imad-ud-din Ibn Katheer were buried, only the grave of Ibn Taymiyyah now remains in an open space before the hall of the University of Syria and the Hospital.

2.Ibn Katheer, vol.XIV pp 136-9

Oct 4 2010

Deobandi’s and black magic

Compiled by Ali Hassan Khan

As other Sufis, many Deobandis are also involved in magic, and this shows that many of the
Sufis so-called Tasarrufat (controls) and Karamat are in fact the works of Jinns and they use
magic and Jinns to fool people and make them think they have Karamat from Allah and many
of their ignorant followers are deceived by this.

Ashraf Ali Thanvi and magic to separate between two persons

Ashraf Ali Thanvi wrote a book called “A’mal e Qurani”, a book of invocations, Ta’wizat
(Tamaim) and ‘Amaliyat (Sufi formulas).

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In this book, p 21, Thanvi told how to use some magic to separate between two persons:
“(Allah said:) ”We have put hatred and animosity between them until the day of Resurrection”

If you desire to separate and put hatred between two persons, write this verse on a Bhuj stone, then write (the picture):

And below the picture write the sentence: may the separation occur between Fulan (so and so) and Fulan. Write the names of the two persons instead of Fulan, make a Ta’wiz (Tameemah) of it and bury it between two old graves, but don’t do it for people not deserving this, as it will be a sin.”

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One can clearly see that the picture Ashraf Ali Thanvi told to write contains the words “Sihr” meaning magic, and learning magic is Kufr. The heart of the Muslim cries and gets a shock to see that such a Kufr is propagated under the name of Islam and Quran. And in this book, Ashraf Ali Thanvi gave other Ta’wizat to cure from some disease or to have a boy and these Ta’wizat contain numbers and unknown words, and this is also clear magic.

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Invocation to control the Humans and Jinns and possess the kingdom of Sulayman

The Deobandi book called “Jawahir Khamsah” is about Du’a, Ta’wizat and ‘Amaliyat. The author is Muhammad Ghawth Gulyari, and it has been translated from Persian by Mirza Muhammad Beg An-Naqshabani and it is published by famous Deobandi publisher of Karachi “Dar ul Isha’at”, and it is also published by another Deobandi publisher of Lahore “Maktabah Rehmaniyah”. At the end of this book, the Risalah “Futuh ul Ghayb” has been added.

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In this book, the author teaches an invocation to possess the kingdom of Sulayman, control humans and Jinns: “Name 33 for greatness and control of humans and Jinns: “Ya Quddus Tahir min kuli Su fala Shayun Yu’azuhu min jami’ khalqihi” (O Quddus, pure from all evils, none can be protected in

His whole creation). This composed name’s particularity is that whoever for Zahiri and Batini (apparent and interior) greatness, reads it ten thousands time fir forty days, will be cut from what is other than Allah, and all the creation including humans and Jinns will be under his control and obedience…and he will become the inheritor of the kingdom of Sulayman (aley salam)”…

Also to possess the kingdom of Sulayman: whoever read this name for five years … (in a specific manner), he will have improvement in all of his works and the kingdom of Sulayman (aley salam) will come in his hands, and he will possess the control of the earth and the skies, and all the creation of the great and small universe will be under his control, and the whole universe will be enlightened by his benediction…even if he gives order, then the sun will appear in the night and disappear in the day”

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One can wonder is such things are possible then why did the Sahabah fought their enemies and some became martyrs? This kind of Tasawwud totally destroys the intelligence of its author, and they are totally lost in this world of hallucination and madness and accept any kind of fairy tale and nonsense. Allah created humans on pure Fitrah, but this wrong Sufism corrupted his Fitrah and made him accept such falsehood.

Invocation to the men of the invisible (Rijal ul Ghayb)

In the same book “Jawahir Khamsah” p 310 there is an invocation:
“Peace be upon you O men of the invisible (Rijal ul Ghayb) and noble souls, help us with your special help and look at us with your special looking, O Ruqaba, O Nuqaba, O Nujaba, O Bukhaba, O Abdal, O Awtad, O Aqtab, O Qutb al Aqtab help me in this matter…”

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About the invocation called ”Du’a Sayfi”, the author showed that it is finished with a table of numbers, and he does not know reality of it. So these people are writing numbers not knowing what they mean, they found this from Sufis.

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He also gave a circle of the men of invisible (Rijal ul Ghayb) which is at the end of this invocation:

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And it has preceded that these people believe that these Awliya, Abdal and Qutb rule the world.

Writing Al-Fatihah in disorder

This book “Jawahir Khamsah” also tells to write Surah Al-Fatihah in disorder to cure from some diseases. And it is well known that this is pure magic and clear Kufr pleasing Jinns, as Shaykh ul Islam Ibn Taymiyah explained in his book “Furqan bayna Awliya Rahman wa Awliya Shaytan”.

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Circles and crosses with strange words

This book also contains some pictures of crosses made with letters.

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And there are strange circles with words like: Haqiqat Ism A’zam, Haqiqat Muhammad Haqiqi, ‘Alim Wahdat, ‘Alim Sifat, Arwah Maqam Haqiqat, Maqam Arwah.

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There is also a circle containing 19 circles containing words such as: Soul (Ruh), secret (Sir), reason (‘Aql), imagination (Khyal), the heart (Qalb) and others.

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And these terms are the Batini and Zahiri sense known to the Greek philosophers and used by Ibn Sina and then Sufis like Al-Ghazali and others.

Formula to kill someone

In “Futuh Ghayb” of Mirza Beg Naqshabandi published at the end of “Jawahir Khamsah” there is a formula telling us how to kill someone deserving death, not an innocent:

“’Amal (Sufi formula) number ten: killing an enemy whose killing is permissible by the religious law. One should take and put a tree of Sanubar in an empty house, and he should write on it all the Great Names (of Allah) and if there is a group, then 48 times and if there are three then 27 times, and should do Dam (Ruqiyah) with the Great Names (of Allah) on the tree…and he should have no cloth on the head, and he should take a stick and imagine his
enemy then beat the Sanubar and say: “I have killed Fulan (so and so) with the domination of Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu)”. He should do such three or seven days.”

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One can wonder if such things were correct why the Sahabah and Salaf fought and got martyred. But this kind of Sufism is an opium which totally destroys the reason of the person who enters it. This person might be attracted by the stories softening the heart, but then he is brain washed and accepts magic and all these fairy tales containing abominable Kufr and Shirk

Invocation to have the attributes of Allah

In the same “Futuh Ghayb”, there is an invocation for the purpose of possessing the
attributes of Allah:

“If someone wants to enter the state of Fana fi Allah and Baqa bi Allah, and wants to possess the attributes of Jamal and Jalal of Haqq (Allah), and great subsistence and honour…and Ilm Ladduni (Sufi secret knowledge) and Kashf (unveiling) of hidden lights, then he should first fulfill the conditions of this name…then he should do Ghusl in one of the beginning day of the month, sing one or two songs for the soul of the leader of Prophets (saw) and read hundred times Darood Sharif, then he should start reciting this
name 2695 times in the day and night for forty days…”

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May Allah protect us from such Kufr and Shirk.
May Allah send Salah and Salam on the Prophet (saw), his household, companions and those who follow them.
Compiled by Ali Hassan Khan

Sep 29 2010

Where is Allaah?

Where is Allaah?

Where is Allaah?'

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Where is Allaah?

Nov 22 2009

Advice to the seeker of knowledge by Ibn Uthaymeen

Shaykh Al-‘Uthaymeen (rahimullah) says,

“It is obligatory upon the students of knowledge that he should have a complete concern for ‘ilm by taking from its principals in which there is no success for the student of knowledge if he does not begin with it. And they are:

a.) The Noble Qur’aan: It is obligatory upon the student of knowledge to have the desire to read, memorize, understand and act upon it (i.e. the Qur’aan). Because the Qur’aan is the rope of Allah which is everlasting. It is the foundation of knowledge. And the Salaf use to desire [the Qur’aan] with the utmost desire. There are some amazing incidents that are mentioned that relate their concerns for the Qur’aan. You find one of them who memorized the Qur’aan while he was only seven years of age; while some others memorized it is less than a month. And this proofs the concerns that the salaf used to have for the Qur’aan May Allah be pleased with them all. So it is necessary that the students of knowledge should have desire for memorizing it in the hands of the one of the teachers, because the Qur’aan is obtained by a way of meeting [with the teachers].

And indeed it is with regret that you will find some students of knowledge that do not memorize the Qur’aan rather some of them cannot even recite it properly. And this is a big deficiency in the manhaj (methodology) of the students of knowledge. For this reason, I reiterate that it is necessary that the students of knowledge have concerns/desire to memorize the Qur’aan, to act upon it, to call to it, while having the understanding of the salaf-us-Saalih.

b.) The Authentic Sunnah: It is the second source in the Islamic Sharee’ah [besides the Qur’aan]. It is to the Noble Qur’aan a clarifier/explainer. So, it is mandatory on the students of knowledge to combine both of them (i.e. the Qur’aan and the Sûnnah) and to have desire for them as well. And it is upon the students of knowledge to memorize the Sûnnah, [it is done] by memorizing actual texts of the hadith or by studying its chains of narrators, its text and by differentiating the strong [hadith] from the weak [hadith]. Likewise, memorizing the Sûnnah is a way of defending as well as refuting the doubts of the people of innovation. Therefore, it is mandatory upon the students of knowledge that they must comply with the Qur’aan and the authentic Sûnnah…and they are/become for him, meaning the students of knowledge, like the two wings of an airplane. If one of them breaks he is not able to fly. For this reason, don’t maintain the Sûnnah while neglecting the Qur’aan or that you maintain the Qur’aan while neglecting the Sûnnah…Most of the students of knowledge devote their attention to the Sûnnah and it’s explanation, its men, its terminologies with complete devotion. However, if you were to ask [one of them] a verse from the Book of Allah, you will observe that he is ignorant concerning it. And this is a big mistake. It is necessary that the Qur’aan and the Sûnnah should be two wings for you O students of knowledge….” [end of qoute]

I hope everyone benefits from the statements of Shayk Al-‘Uthaymeen (Rahimullah). Indeed, memorizing the Qur’aan has great virtues both in this dunyaa and akhirah. Also, I advice all the students of knowledge to obtian this book which has a lot of beneficial statements from the Shayk concerning students of knowlledge.
*Source:
Kitaabul-‘ilm (Pg. 43-45)
by Shayk Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-‘Uthaymeen (rahimullahi ta’alaa)

Translator: Abu Zayd

Aug 9 2009

The virtues of Ramadaan

Q) What is RAMADAN ?.

A) Praise be to Allaah.

Ramadaan is one of the twelve Arabic months. It is a month which is venerated in the Islamic religion, and it is distinguished from the other months by a number of characteristics and virtues, including the following:

1 – Allaah has made fasting this month the fourth pillar of Islam, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month…”

[al-Baqarah 2:185]

and it was narrated in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 8; Muslim, 16) from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; establishing prayer; paying zakaah; fasting Ramadaan; and Hajj to the House (the Ka’bah).”

2 – Allaah revealed the Qur’aan in this month, as He says in the verse quoted above (interpretation of the meaning):

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…”

[al-Baqarah 2:185]

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).”

[al-Qadr 97:1]

3 – Allaah has made Laylat al-Qadr in this month, which is better than a thousand months, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).

And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?

The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).

Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees,

(All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn”

[al-Qadar 97:1-5]

“We sent it (this Qur’aan) down on a blessed night [(i.e. the Night of Al-Qadr) in the month of Ramadan — the 9th month of the Islamic calendar]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]”

[al-Dukhaan 44:3]

Allaah has blessed Ramadaan with Laylat al-Qadr. Explaining the great status of this blessed night, Soorat al-Qadr was revealed, and there are many ahaadeeth which also speak of that, such as the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There has come to you Ramadaan, a blessed month which Allaah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.”

Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 2106; Ahmad, 8769. classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 999.

And Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever spends Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1910; Muslim, 760.

4 – Allaah has made fasting Ramadaan and spending its nights in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward a means of forgiveness of sins, as was proven in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 2014; Muslim, 760) from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” And al-Bukhaari (2008) and Muslim (174) also narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadaan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

The Muslims are unanimously agreed that it is Sunnah to pray qiyaam at night in Ramadaan. Al-Nawawi said that what is meant by praying qiyaam in Ramadaan is to pray Taraweeh, i.e., one achieves what is meant by qiyaam by praying Taraaweeh.

5 – In this month, Allaah opens the gates of Paradise and closes the gates of Hell, and chains up the devils, as is stated in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 1898; Muslim, 1079),

6 – Every night Allaah has people whom He redeems from the Fire. Imam Ahmad (5/256) narrated from the hadeeth of Abu Umaamah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “At every breaking of the fast, Allaah has people whom He redeems.” Al-Mundhiri said: there is nothing wrong with its isnaad; and it was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 987.

Al-Bazzaar (Kashf 962) narrated that Abu Sa’eed said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has people whom He redeems every day and night – i.e., in Ramadaan – and every Muslim every day and night has a prayer that is answered.”

7 – Fasting Ramadaan is a means of expiation for the sins committed since the previous Ramadaan, so long as one avoids major sins. It was proven in Saheeh Muslim (233) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The five daily prayers, from one Jumu’ah to the next and from one Ramadaan to the next are expiation for (sins committed) in between, so long as you avoid major sins.”

8 – Fasting in Ramadaan is equivalent to fasting ten months, as is indicated by the hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim (1164) narrated from Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.” Ahmad (21906) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan, a month is like ten months, and fasting six days after al-Fitr will complete the year.”

9 – Whoever prays qiyaam in Ramadaan with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer, because of the report narrated by Abu Dawood (1370) and others from the hadeeth of Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever prays qiyaam with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Salaat al-Taraaweeh, p. 15

10 – ‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj. Al-Bukhaari (1782) and Muslim (1256) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to a woman among the Ansaar, “What kept you from doing Hajj with us?” She said, “We only had two camels that we used for bringing water.” So her husband and son had gone for Hajj on one camel, and he left the other for them to use for bringing water.” He said, “When Ramadaan comes, go for ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj.” According to a report narrated by Muslim, “… is equivalent to doing Hajj with me.”

11 – It is Sunnah to observe i’tikaaf (retreat for the purpose of worship) in Ramadaan, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) always did that, as it was narrated in the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to spend the last ten days of Ramadaan in i’tikaaf until he passed away, then his wives observed i’tikaaf after him.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1922; Muslim, 1172.

12 – It is mustahabb in the sense of being strongly recommended in Ramadaan to study the Qur’aan together and to read it a great deal. You may study the Qur’aan together by reciting it to someone else and by having someone else recite it to you. The evidence that this is mustahabb is the fact that Jibreel used to meet the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) every night in Ramadaan and study the Qur’aan with him. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6; Muslim, 2308.

Reading Qur’aaan is mustahabb in general, but more so in Ramadaan.

13 – It is mustahabb in Ramadaan to offer iftaar to those who are fasting, because of the hadeeth of Zayd ibn Khaalid al-Juhani (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever gives iftaar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without that detracting from the fasting person’s reward in the slightest.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 807; Ibn Maajah, 1746; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 647.

And Allaah knows best.

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