◼️Even though night prayer during Ramadan might have gone, night prayer throughout the year is also highly recommended. In the beautiful Hadith narrated by At Tirmidhi where Muaadh RA asked the messenger of Allah (ﷺ): _”Inform me of an act which will cause me to enter Jannah and keep me far from Hell”, _ part of the prophet response was
_“standing in prayers by a slave of Allah during the last third part of the night.” Then he SAWS recited the 16th and 17th verses of Surah Sajda._
◼️While there are some youths, who during the noble month of Ramadan, were busy passing their time in lustful things, sins and acts of disobedience, there are others who were busy doing deeds of righteousness such as i`tikaf (spiritual retreat) in the houses of Allah. They gave preference to their Lord’s obedience over their own desires. You would see them bowing, prostrating, and reciting the Glorious Qur’an. Such youths are the hope and pride of this Ummah!
May Allah grant us righteousness and Istiqaamah. Allahumma Aameen.
Preserving Ramadan (Part 4)
◼️The person’s continuation of good deeds without restricting it to a certain period, particular month, or special place is a sign of one’s righteousness and acceptance of his good deeds.
◼️Though the Ramadan season is now gone, yet, fasting is still recommended in other months. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) has recommended fasting on Mondays and Thursdays. Imam At-Tirmidhi reported that the Prophet ﷺ said,
_“Deeds are presented (to Allah) on Monday and Thursday and I would like that my deeds be presented while I am fasting.”_
◼️It is also reported that the prophet ﷺ used to command his companions to fast the white days (Al Ayyaam Al Beedh) of each lunar month i.e the 13th, 14th and 15th day.
Preserving Ramadan (Part 3)
◼️Worshipping Allah should not be restricted to Ramadan alone for there is no end to the Muslim’s worship except when he dies (refer to the last ayah of Surah Al Hijr).
◼️Certainly, there are signs for the acceptance and rejection of deeds in Ramadan. Among the signs of acceptance of good deeds is to follow them with more good deeds. Likewise, it is a sign of rejection to follow one’s good deeds with evil ones (refer to Surah Hud Ayah 114).
◼️The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also said: _“Fear Allah wherever you are, follow the evil deed with a good one to erase it, and treat people with good manners.” (At-Tirmidhi)_
Preserving Ramadan: (Part 2)
Allah (SWT) informs us in the Qur’an that, “Indeed the good deeds drive away the evil deeds. This is a Reminder to those who are mindful of Allah” (11:114).
The purpose of such extensive worship during Ramadan is to enable us to remain steadfast and sincere in the upcoming months. Indeed, a sign of acceptance of good deeds is for them to be succeeded by more good deeds thereafter, and one’s ability to abstain from prohibited actions & speech.
In surah Muhammad, Allah (SWT) commands us to remain obedient to Him and His messenger and warns us against doing anything that could do away with our good deeds and bring them to nothing. ⬇
يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنوا أَطيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطيعُوا الرَّسولَ وَلا تُبطِلوا أَعمالَكُم
Believers, obey God and obey the messenger, and do not let your deeds come to nothing”.
Some of the scholars state that this verse refers to following up good deeds with disobedience. May Allah grant us all steadfastness!
Preserving Ramadan: (Part 1)
◼️He who learnt to be steadfast during Ramadan should continue to be steadfast after it.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُون
Surely those who said: “Our Lord is Allah” and then remained steadfast shall have nothing to fear nor to grieve.
◼️Fasting and other acts such as: guarding our tongues, night prayers, daily recitals of the Qur’an, and Charity are not acts that are exclusive to one month. Indeed, Ramadān is like a training camp during which we adopt and develop such good habits in order to implement them during the next 11 months.
◼️One practical step towards preservation is by fasting 6 days during the month of Shawwaal which will result in us being rewarded for an entire year’s worth of fasting while also making up for any shortfalls in our obligatory Ramadan fasts!