As-salaamu alaykum wa’rahmatullahi wa’barakatuh

Dhul-Hijjah is less than 5 days away, let us spend the remaining days to plan our ibadaah for these blessed days that are about to approach us.

Inshaa Allah, November 18 ( Next Wednesday ) will be the first day of the Hijri month of “Dhul Hijjah”

Below is a transcription of a lecture on how to benefit from the blessed days of Dhul-Hijjah by Umm ‘Abdur-Rahmân. May Allâh reward the sister who transcribed the lecture, with the best in this world and next, ameen. Insha’Allah the information below will help.

“By the ten nights.” [Al-Fajr 89:2]

The “ten nights” which Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] is swearing by here, are the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah. [1] Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] swears an oath by them, and swearing an oath by something is indicative of its importance and great benefit.

Ibn ‘Abbâs [radi Allâhu ‘anhu] narrated that Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] said: “There is no deed more precious in the sight of Allâh, or greater in reward, than a good deed done during the ten days of Sacrifice.” He was asked: “Not even jihâd for the sake of Allâh?” He said: “Not even jihâd for the sake of Allâh, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” [2]

So, my sisters [and brothers] take note of the following:

Have the intention to spread this important information.

It is a great chance to collect uncountable hasanât [rewards]. It is a great chance to renew your relation with Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ]. Prepare now so you can start from the first night/day of the month [i.e. as soon as Dhul-Hijjah is announced]. You don’t want to miss a moment of the best days in the sight of Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ].

Since the Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] referred to the 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah as: “…no days better than these days in the sight of Allâh.” [3], the scholars have said that these are better than Ramadan. [4] Therefore, be very vigilant and don’t waste these precious moments. Ask Allâh to help you to benefit from this period of His special Grace.

Ask yourself these questions [non-rhetorical]:

Did you intend to benefit from these days?

What have you done to prepare for these 10 days?

Did you prepare a program?

What is your plan of action?

Here is a brief guide to help you to prepare for the best days of the year [inspired by a lecture by Shaykh Muhammad Hassan Yâqûb]:

Read the Qur’ân:

Plan to complete the reading of the Qur’ân within this period.

If you read three juz a day, it can be accomplished. It is not difficult. Ask Allâh to make it easy for you. We know reciting one letter is equal to ten hasanât [rewards]. If you read three juz everyday, it translates to thousands of millions of hasanât.
Subhâna’Allâh! And this calculation is just based on the 1=10 ratio. These are special days of His Grace. Therefore, don’t even think about how much Allâh can/will increase & add it for you. You cannot fathom it. He is Kareem. He knows that you have ikhlâs [sincerity]; He will not count it as 1=10. He could raise it to 1=700 or even more. And this is what you can earn every day of these special days. Keep in mind that reciting the Qur’ân is a good deed and Allâh specially loves the good deeds done in these days: “And if He [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] loves the good deeds, He will love the doer of those good deeds.” [5] If Allâh loves someone, He will not punish them. Remember this concept so that the deeds you do come from your heart [don’t be like a machine]. Honour the rights of the Qur’ân when reciting it.

Increase in Nawâfil Prayers:

Increase your supererogatory prayers.
Ask yourself these questions and make sure that your heart gives you sincere answers:
Do you have an aim?
Do you really want to be closer to Allâh?
Do you live with this craving?
Do you really love Allâh and seek His closeness?
If, you want this, then know that Allâh teaches you the means to gaining His qurb [closeness].

Allâh says:

“Fall prostrate and draw near to Allâh!” [Al-Alaq 96:19]

This is the way! Prostrate in sujûd to Him [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] and you will be closer to Him. The Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] said: “The closest that a person is to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so say a great deal of du’â then.” [6] He [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] is commanding us to make a lot of du’â while in sujûd. Are we obeying his order? Yes? We need to do more. For he [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] said to: “…make lots of du’â.” Remember, the Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] loved us and he knew that we have a lot of needs from Allâh. This is why he taught us the way to get those needs fulfilled. Therefore, if you have needs, then you cannot leave sujûd. Any sajdah without khushû’ [focus] & without du’â [like your forehead is touching the ground and your mind is in the kitchen or the office] is a big khasâra [regretful loss]. Let us not be losers from now on bi-idhnillâh.

When the Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] instructed us to do a lot of sujûd, it means to perform a lot of salâh [prayer]. “With each sajdah for Allâh, He will raise you a level with it. And cancel a sin with it.” So, the more you increase in your sujûd, the closer you are to being a winner.

Examples for increasing nawâfil salâh [voluntary prayers]:

a] Salât Dhuha: Also known as al-Awwâbeen, may be offered as 2, 4, 6 or 8 rak’ât, prayed after the sun has risen and before the time for Dhuhr approaches. [7] “Al-Awwâb’ means one who is obedient, or one who turns to obedience. Bi-idhnillâh, we want to show Allâh that we are of those who are obedient.

b] 4 rak’ât before and 4 after Dhuhr: “Whoever regularly performs four rak’ât before Dhuhr and four after it, Allâh will forbid him to the Fire.” [8]

c] 4 rak’ât before ‘Asr – The Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] said: “May Allâh have mercy on those who pray four rak’ât before ‘Asr prayer.” [9] Bi-idhnillâh, you stand to gain the mercy of Allâh because of the du’â of Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]. Do you want the mercy of Allâh to reach you? Don’t leave these 4 rak’ât.

d] Tahhiyatul masjid: Greet the masjid with two rak’ât: “If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two rak’ât before sitting.” [10]

e] Salât at-Tawbah: It could be any bad deed, any sin, you hear something bad [backbiting], you see something bad, you feel your heart constricted because of something you have done and you didn’t mean it, etc, you can erase it immediately with your prayer of repentance. Make a good wudhû’ and offer two sincere rak’ât of repentance. Ask Allâh to forgive you. If it’s from your heart, then know that Allâh will cancel your sin.

f] Qiyâm al-Layl: With this prayer, we hope that Allâh will illuminate our graves; will bestow nûr on our faces; will cancel our bad deeds, bi-idhnillâh. Pray at least 2 rak’ât. If you are able to follow the Sunnah, then pray all 11 rak’ât [including witr].
Remember that in these special days and nights, Allâh is sending His special mercy. Do you think that this special mercy will reach everybody? Do you think that it will reach the one who is in front of the TV watching a movie? Or listening to music? Or do you think it will reach the one who is making sujûd, rukû’, tilâwah, making istighfâr, etc.?

We have to show Allâh that we want this special mercy. We need to make ourselves eligible for it.

Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] swears by the night [Sûrah Fajr]. Therefore, take care of the nights. Don’t be among the losers. Write this in bold and make it your motivational factor for the special days: “We won’t be among the losers!” Remember: “Our Lord, may He be blessed and exalted, comes down to the lowest heaven every night when the last third of the night is left, and He says: ‘Who will call upon Me, that I may answer him? Who will ask of Me, that I may give him? Who will ask Me for forgiveness, that I may forgive him?’.” [11] And, now that it is winter, we get really long nights. So it’s a good chance to maximise our hasanât. Don’t forget while you are praying qiyâm that Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] Loves this deed. Therefore, He [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] loves the doer of this deed also.

If we were lazy before, we will be active and good from now on bi-idhnillâh. We will not be among the losers. If these days and nights are a king who is distributing gifts of gold while announcing: “Come take these gold nuggets”, wAllâhi, you will find people standing in long queues and hordes to collect them. Subhâna’Allâh, Allâh is spreading [special] mercy during these days. He [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] is accepting supplications. He [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] is offering unimaginably wonderful blessings that we don’t even know of. So will we not work to get in those lines to gather Allâh’s gifts?

Makes lots of Dhikr:

Do a lot of dhikr, especially in these days.

“There are no days greater in the sight of Allâh…” [12]

So what did the Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] tell us to do in these days? That, we need to make the dhikr of tahlîl, tahmîd & takbîr. [13] As soon as the announcement of Dhul-Hijjah is made, start your dhikr:

“Allâhu Akbâr, Allâhu Akbâr, lâ ilâha ill-Allâh, Wallâhu Akbâr. Walilâhilhamd.”

Many people mistakenly believe that you chant this only on the day of ‘Îd. But, it is meant to be recited from the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah. Bukhârî related that Ibn ‘Umar & Abu Hurayrah said that they used to go out in the streets making loud takbîr. They did not think that this was riyâ [showing off]. They were busy with declaring the [signs of Allâh. This practice has now become a forgotten Sunnah. Why do people feel shy to follow this Sunnah? These are the days of takbîr, tahlîl & tahmîd with raised voices.

Therefore revive this Sunnah by doing audible tasbîh during all of the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

For women, when you are in your homes, raise your voices. You will remind your children, husbands, brothers, etc. Make it like a habit so that you will find yourself doing dhikr automatically. While walking, reclining, working, eating, just keep doing dhikr.
Send a lot of blessings and salâm upon the Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] consistently. Just one hadîth should be enough for the believer who loves Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]. It is enough honour that when you send your salâm to Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam], Allâh returns his soul to him in order to answer you: “There is no one who sends salâm upon me but Allâh will restore to me my soul so that I may return his salâm.” [14] Therefore, send your darûd & salâm from your heart. Feel that special honour in doing that deed.

Istighfâr:

All kinds of dhikr will make your relation with Allâh stronger and stronger. How many Muslim’s are there today? 1.5 billion? In one minute it is possible to gain 1.5 billion hasanât. Allâhu Akbâr! How generous is Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ]. No one will give you like Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] gives. So how can you gain 1.5 million hasanât? By making istighfâr [seeking forgiveness] for all Muslim’s. The Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] is reported to have said that when a person seeks forgiveness for all believers, Allâh will write for him a hasanât for every one of those believers. [15] Just say ‘Astaghfirullâh’ for yourself and for all the believers, from your heart. Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] is forgiving & generous.

On the Day of Judgement, when you will see your book, you will find the record of your sins in it & you will feel regret. But, Subhâna’Allâh, you will find between these sins, Astaghfirullâh, Astaghfirullâh, Astaghfirullâh. Bi-idhnillâh, Allâh, the Karîm will cancel those sins that have istighfâr beside them, around them, after them.

Luqmân taught his sons to make istighfâr. He said: “Oh my sons, istighfirullâha qâidun, istighfirullâh qâimum, istghfirullâha râqibun [make istighfâr when you are standing, sitting, reclining]. For the mercy of Allâh is descending.”

Indeed, rahamât are falling down like rain. So try to be under those rahamât. Look at it this way – there are seasons of mercy during which Allâh sends down abundant mercy [like during Ramadân, like the days of Dhul-Hijjah, etc.]. Allâh is always generous because that is one of His [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] Attributes, but He says that He gives more during certain periods. Allâh is Rahîm always, but He says He has more mercy during a certain period. These days are like those special-rate promotions or sale season. Therefore, don’t leave or ignore this sale. Go and ask for more. Keep saying ‘astaghfirullâh’, ‘astaghfirullâh’, astaghfirullâh’, keep insisting on it till Allâh forgives you. Start from the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah.

“…nor will He punish them while they seek (Allâh’s) forgiveness.” [Al-Anfâl 8:33]

We are informed that there is no punishment from Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ a] on the yastaghfirûn [i.e. those who seek forgiveness]. Allâh relieves all problems with istighfâr. Those who are persistent in istighfâr in their lives, disasters and calamities will be repelled from them. Mercy is like a cloud on the head of the mustaghfirîn [those who consistently seek forgiveness]. How do we know this?

“Why seek you not the forgiveness of Allâh, that you may receive mercy?” [An-Naml 27:46]
Allâh is telling us to make istighfâr to gain His mercy. Let your istighfâr ascend to Him and His mercy will descend upon you.

Fasting:

Fast as much as you can during these blessed days. If you can fast all of these days, then do so. Even in any regular day, Allâh has promised a great reward for the one who fasts: “Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allâh, Allâh will keep his face seventy years distance away from the Fire because of it.” [16] So what about these special days for which it is said: “There is no deed more precious in the sight of Allâh, or greater in reward, than a good deed done during the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.” Allâh loves the good deeds in these days. Allâh loves siyâm. Put these two beloved things together. You are the doer of the things Allâh loves. He [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] will Love you, bi-idhnillâh.

Any ‘ibâdah, be it salâh, dhikr, Qur’ân, that is done during some periods of time and with them, are also periods of non action. Can you do any of them from Fajr till Maghrib continuously? Which ‘ibâdah will you be able to do non-stop? Siyâm! From Fajr till Maghrib during the best days, you will be able to be in a continuous state of worship. So please my sisters [& brothers], grab this chance eagerly. Also don’t forget you have if Allâh wills, at least one du’â guaranteed with each siyâm – at the time of breaking the fast. So that is nine opportune moments during this period.

Regarding fasting on the day of ‘Arâfah, the Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] said: “Fasting the day of ‘Arafâh, I hope, will expiate the sins of the year before it and the year to come…” [17] So how does this happen? Does this mean that we can fast on that day and for the rest of the year we can do whatever we want of bad deeds? No! It implies that Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] will help us to abstain from sins. And, if you commit a sin by mistake, He [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] will cancel it due to His promise.

Charity:

Spending for the sake of Allâh!
Only Allâh knows how many trials & calamities have been pushed away from us, our family and loved ones as a result of our sadaqâh. Allâh knows how many times relief and ease has come to us due to the sadaqâh we gave. Therefore, give in the way of Allâh, as much as you can. Don’t leave any raised hands return empty. Show Allâh that you love Him by spending from that which you love. Show Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] that all these things mean nothing besides gaining His ridha [pleasure].
Don’t look and remind yourself of what you have already spent in the past. If Allâh wills, He [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] has accepted and written it for you. Now, think of how you can outdo that sadaqâh during these days. Spend from what you love and Allâh will love you.

Preserve the Ties of Kinship:

Preserve the ties of kinship for: “No one who severs the ties of kinship will enter Paradise.” [18] If it is difficult for you to call or meet every relative, then send them a message. But write with your heart and with the right intention. There is a man who connects with all of his near and far relatives. It is almost like a mission for him for the sake of Allâh. He [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] loves this ‘ibâdah. Even those who are far away, he calls and connects them to the rest of the family and brings them all together. And subhâna’Allaah, Allâh has given him a lot of wealth and with such ease and has made his life easy, and as a result of his deeds. The Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] promised this reward for the one who connects and maintains kinship: “Whoever would like his rizq [provision] to be increased and his life to be extended, should uphold the ties of kinship.” [19]
These were just a few of the wonderful things we can do during the forthcoming best days of Dhul-Hijjah. Therefore, if we want Allâh’s help with these deeds and our schedule for them, we need to do a lot of tawbah. The Salaf as-Sâlih used to say that they would feel prevented from qiyâm al-layl due to their sins. They knew that when they want to do ‘ibâdah and they are unable to do it, it is due sins. So, what do we need to do? A lot of istighfâr with tawbah, real Tawbah! Ask Allâh for help.

Make the du’â:
“O Allâh, help me to remember You, to give You thanks, and to perform Your worship in the best manner.” [20]

Footnotes:
[1] Ibn ‘Abbâs, Ibn az-Zubayr, Mujâhid and others of the earlier and later generations said that this refers to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Ibn Kathîr said: “This is the correct opinion.” [Tafsîr ibn Kathîr, 8/413]
[2] Al-Bukhârî, 2/457
[3] Ahmad, 7/224 – Ahmad Shâkir stated that it is sahîh
[4] The verses [Al-Fajr 89:1-2] and various hadîth indicate that these 10 days are better than all the other days of the year, with no exceptions, not even the last ten days of Ramadân. But the last ten nights of Ramadân are better, because they include Layl al-Qadr [“the Night of Power”], which is better than a thousand months. Thus the various reports may be reconciled. [See: Tafsîr ibn Kathîr, 5/412]
[5] Shaykh Muhammad bin Sâlih al-‘Uthaymîn
[6] Muslim, 482
[7] Muslim, 1238
[8] At-Tirmidhî, 428 – classed as sahîh by al-Albânî in Sahîh al-Nasâ’î
[9] At-Tirmidhî, 395 – classed as hasan by al-Albânî in Sahîh al-Jâmi 3493
[10] Al-Bukhârî & Muslim
[11] Al-Bukhârî, 1094 and Muslim, 758
[12] Ahmad, 7/224
[13] Tahlîl [“Lâ ilâha ill-Allâh”], Tahmîd [“Alhamdulillâh”] and Takbîr ["Allâhu Akbâr"]. See: Ahmad, 7/224
[14] Abû Dâwûd, 2041 – classed as hasan by al-Albânî
[15] Classed as hasan by al Albânî
[16] Muslim, 2/808
[17] Muslim, 1976
[18] Sahîh Muslim
[19] Al-Bukhârî, 5986 and Muslim, 2557
[20] Sahîh Abû Dâwûd, 1/284

>> My Ramadan Time Table.pdf <<

I was talking to my dear friend – and we started to discuss Laylatul Qadr – and I come to know that I had misunderstood something about that night for many years. I had always thought that it was the night in which the first revelation was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (S)… but this is not correct! Allah informs us that He sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Al-Qadr in its entirety and it is a blessed night that occurs every year during the month of Ramadan:

“We sent it (The Qur’an) down on a blessed night.” [44:3]

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an.” [2:185]

But wasn’t it revealed gradually over 23 years?

Ibn Abbas explains this ayat by saying:

“Allah sent the Qur’an down all at one time from the Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz) to the House of Might (Baytul-`Izzah), which is in the heaven of this world. Then it came down in parts to the Messenger of Allah based upon the incidents that occurred over a period of twenty-three years.” [Taken from Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

I have made note of this correction on the document above, may Allah forgive me!

(( updated 19th September 2009 ))

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Ramadan Mubarak! – From AlQamarDesigns

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Masha’allah, a week has already passed! Subhaanallah, time is just flying by too fast.

A few days before Ramadan I wanted to make myself a Ramadan timetable, just something to try and organise my time – so that I can strive hard not to waste my days in this blessed month.

I had gathered together information from many audio lectures and books on Ramadan – put them into categories and source referenced all the evidences from the Quran and aHadith into one document – most of the information was gained from the Ramadan Classes attended on www.sunnahfollowers.net taught by my teacher Sister Laila Nasheeba.

I wanted to share this document with you, I hope it will serve beneficial to you (the same way it is doing for me.) Still another 3 weeks to go! Enjoy the rest of your Ramadan. May Allah accept from us and you, ameen.

Dated: Ramadan 2006

Finally, Ramadan is here, so now what? Do you have a plan?

DateDrive of Ramadan 1430/Sept 2009

Alhamdulillah, this is the 2nd Ramadan for HalfDate. Last year, HalfDaters helped to raise over $20,000 and have completed several projects, see this article. This year, we will have a productivity race among supporters of different projects, because Ramadan is a month of productivity, not laziness.

So, this drive will include:

1. A productivity training for you, click here
2. Volunteer for this drive, just pick the days you want to volunteer, click here
3. A productivity race among non-profit projects (each week only those projects that met certain goals will be advanced to the next round, the finalists will get special prize, inshaAllah)

GET INVOLVED: http://halfdate.com/2009/08/17/my-pro…

Email sent by IslamicTube.net..

Assalamu Alaikum waRahmatullahi waBarakatuh

InshaAllah you are well.

We thought we would share an article we had come across on IslamQA:

—–Quote——

Question: Should he fast on the fifteenth of Sha’baan even if the hadeeth is da’eef?

Answer: Is it permissible, even after finding out that a hadeeth is da’eef (weak), to follow it, by way of doing righteous deeds? The hadeeth says: “When it is halfway through Sha’baan, spend that night in prayer and fast on that day.” The fast is observed as a voluntary act of devotion to Allaah, as is spending that night in prayer (qiyaam al-layl).

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

What is narrated concerning the virtue of praying, fasting and worshipping on the fifteenth of Sha’baan (al-nusf min Sha’baan) does not come under the heading of da’eef (weak), rather it comes under the heading of mawdoo’ (fabricated) and baatil (false). So it is not permissible to follow it or to act upon it, whether that is in doing righteous deeds or otherwise.

A number of scholars ruled that the reports concerning that were false, such as Ibn al-Jawzi in his book al-Mawdoo’aat, 2/440-445; Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah in al-Manaar al-Muneef, no. 174- 177; Abu Shaamah al-Shaafa’i in al-Baa’ith ‘ala Inkaar al-Bida’ wa’l-Hawaadith, 124-137; al-‘Iraaqi in Takhreej Ihyaa’ ‘Uloom il-Deen, no. 582. Shaykh al-Islam narrated that there was consensus on the fact that they are false, in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 28/138.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Hukm al-Ihtifaal bi Laylat al-Nusf min Sha’baan (Ruling on celebrating the fifteenth of Sha’baan):

Celebrating the night of the fifteenth of Sha’baan (Laylat al-Nusf min Sha’baan) by praying etc, or singling out this day for fasting, is a reprehensible bid’ah (innovation) according to the majority of scholars, and there is no basis for this in sharee’ah.

And he (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

There is no saheeh hadeeth concerning the night of the fifteenth of Sha’baan (Laylat al-Nusf min Sha’baan). All the ahaadeeth that have been narrated concerning that are mawdoo’ (fabricated) and da’eef (weak), and have no basis. There is nothing special about this night, and no recitation of Qur’aan or prayer, whether alone or in congregation, is specified for this night. What some of the scholars have said about it being special is a weak opinion. It is not permissible to single it out for any special actions. This is the correct view. And Allaah is the Source of strength.

Fataawa Islamiyyah, 4/511.

See also question no. 8907.

Secondly:

Even if we assume that the hadeeth is da’eef (weak) and not mawdoo’ (fabricated), the correct scholarly view is that weak ahaadeeth should not be followed at all, even if they speak of righteous deeds or of targheeb and tarheeb (promises and warnings). The saheeh reports are sufficient and the Muslim has no need to follow the da’eef reports. Nothing is known in Islam to suggest that this night or day is special, either from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or from his companions.

The scholar Ahmad Shaakir said: There is no difference between rulings or righteous deeds; we do not take any of them from da’eef reports, rather no one hast he right to use any report as evidence unless it is proven to be soundly narrated from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in a saheeh or hasan hadeeth.

Al-Baa’ith al-Hatheeth, 1/278.

For more information, see: al-Qawl al-Muneef fi Hukm al-‘Aml bi’l-Hadeeth al-Da’eef.

See also the answer to question no. 44877.

And Allaah knows best.

—–End of Quote——

Jazak Allahu Khair

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Shaban is the month preceding Ramadhan

BUKHARI, 3, Book 31, Number 133: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (S) said, “Start fasting on seeing the crescent (of Ramadan), and give up fasting on seeing the crescent (of Shawwal), and if the sky is overcast (and you cannot see it), complete thirty days of Sha’ban.”

Fasting in Shaban?

The month of Sha`ban is a beloved month for Muslims, for it precedes the month of Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have observed optional fasting in this month more than in any other month (except Ramadan). He used to fast most of Sha`ban:

Narrated that Abu Salamah said: “I asked ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) about the fasting of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and she said: ‘He used to fast until we thought that he would always fast, then he would not fast until we thought that he would always not fast, but I never saw him fast in any month more than he fasted in Sha’baan. He used to fast all of Sha’baan, and he used to fast all of Sha’baan apart from a few days.’” [Muslim (1156)]

This was a kind of self-preparation for the coming of Ramadan; that is, to act as some sort of girding oneself for Ramadan. But there is no textual evidence that there are specific days in Sha`ban in which fasting is commendable. It is, by and large, impermissible for one to prefer certain days to observe voluntary fasting or certain nights to perform Night Prayers, lacking any juristic basis for that action (from Quran or Hadith). Religious acts are not left for man’s whims. Rather, they are subject to Divine legislation and specifying certain times and places for worship and the description of different acts of worship are the matters of the Divine (Allah), not that of human.

There is nothing wrong with one increasing his fasting in the days during Sha’ban, as this is emulating the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)…. it is considered highly recommended to fast in the early part of Sha`ban and stop fasting the last few days of the month, as long as it does not involve any hardship/or one does not specify certain dates/or worship.

Evidence from the Sunnah, for ways the prophet (sa) fasted

Fasting the middle 3 days of each month:

Something that is clear is that it has been made permissible for a person to fast on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of every month; as the prophet Muhammad (sa) had recommended.

He also used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays:

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to fast on Monday and Thursday. On being asked about that the Prophet said: “Deeds are presented on every Monday and Thursday. Allah forgives every Muslim or every believer, except for those who are forsaking each other. He says [about them]: ‘Leave them.’ ” (Reported by Ahmad with authentic chain of narrators)

And sometimes used to fast every alternate day, following the pattern of Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him):

He (sa) said: “The best way of fasting in Allah’s sight is that of Dawud, who used to observe fasting every alternate day.”

Our deeds are presented to Allah in Shabaan

There is an authentic hadith which states:

Usamah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with both of them) was reported to have said that he asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), “I have not seen you observe additional fast during any month [other than Ramadan] as you do in Sha`ban?”

He (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, “This is a month that people usually forget about between Rajab and Ramadan, and it is a month in which people’s deeds are presented to Allah, so I like that my deeds are presented while I am fasting” (An-Nasa’i).

Therefore it is recommended to do acts of ibadah throughout this month (but not by specifing certain dates,time,or actions) in hope for our goods deeds to be presented to Allah while in the remembrance of him.

NOTE: the Hadith did not single out 15th of Shaban, rather it said he fasted the days of Shaban.

Singling out 15th of Shaban to fast or to do acts of worship on that night – Is it from the Sunnah?!?!?!

Shedding light on the question “whether it is allowed to specify the 15th of Sha`ban with some acts of worship or not”:

There is nothing firm nor reliable established on the authority of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), that he did or recommend extra worship during the night of the 15th of Sha`ban. So, the night of the 15th of Sha`ban is like any other night in the month of Sha’ban.

When specifying a time for any act of worship requires an authentic proof (from quran or authentic hadith), because if there is no authentic proof then the act is regarded as an innovation and all innovations are misguidance, and all misguidance will be in the hellfire. So the one who does single out the 15th night of Sha’baan and does particular acts of worship with the intention that this is a special night with much reward/etc, i.e. reciting certain parts of the Qur’an or making (particular) supplications has committed an innovation as this has no basis for this in Sharee’ah; but if one does so seeking the pleasure of Allah SWT and it just happens to fall on that night then Allah knows what your intention was. One should strive to worship Allah all year round; and not specify days to worship Him that have not been established in the Sharee’ah, but rather stick to those days that have evidence to back them up.

May Allah protect us from falling into that which causes Him displeasure…aameen

What is an Innovation (Bid’aa)?

The Sharee’ah definition of bid’ah is: “A newly invented way (in beliefs and actions) in the religion, in imitation of the Sharee’ah, by which nearness to Allaah is sought, not being supported by any authentic proof, neither in it’s foundations nor in the manner in which it is performed.” [al-I'tisaam 1/231 of ash-Shaatibee]

Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alahi wa-sallam) said: “I warn you of the newly invented matters (in the religion), and every newly invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Hellfire” [An-Nasa'ee]

He (sallallahu alahi wa-sallam) used to declare at the beginning of his lectures, “….and the best speech is the Speech of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (sallallhu alahi wa-sallam), and the worst of all affairs are the newly invented matters (in the religion)” [Saheeh Muslim]

And he (sallallahu alahi wa-sallam) also commanded us, to reject everything, which has no basis in the religion saying: “Whosoever does an action, which we have not commanded then it must be rejected.” [Saheeh Muslim]

“Whosoever introduces into this religion of ours that which is not a part of it then it must be rejected” [Musnad Ahmad]

So regarding specifically fasting during the 15th of Sha`ban or any other month, if there is no (authentic) proof established on the authority of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or from the Quran to indicate the legality of fasting on that particular day — It shall be rejected by Allah SWT.

NOTE: There are many Hadith stating to do such acts of worship on the 15th of Sha’baan – but the scholars of Hadeeth have stated they are weak, not authentic and/or they were never narrated from our prophet (sa).

THE EXCEPTION — For the one who regularly does acts of worship

If someone regularly observes acts of worship e.g. during the nights OR regularly fasts in the middle of the month/etc, then they may prayer on this night without assuming anything special (i.e. because of it being the night of the 15th of Sha`ban), and continue his worship as he usually does. May ALLAH SWT reward them and increase them in goodness,ameen.

CONCLUSION

1. To conclude, it can clearly be analysed that the 15th of Shabaan is just like any other day in the month of Sha’ban, as there is no authentic hadith which calls upon Muslims to perform special prayers, fasting, dhikr or particular worship on that day.

2. However, we cannot stop people from performing nawafil at any time; for nawafil are simply optional prayers; except for those times when prayers are forbidden.

3. But these nawafil must not be done only on a specific day with the intentions claiming it will bring certain blessings (that the Sharee’ah has not authorized), this is when it becomes innovation and Allah hates innovation! (aou’thubillah), we must realise when one innovates they are saying Allah SWT did not complete this religion for us, when He SWT has told us He has in the Quran. When we specifiy a certain time, place, quantity or method of worship – we must be able to bring forth the evidence. If no evidence can be found, and if after consulting the people of knowledge they verify this act has no basis from the Sharee’ah and one continues with the act, then they have committed this serious grave sin and must repent immediatley.

May Allah accept our repentance, for Allah surely is The One who forgives all sins nomatter how big or small.

“This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion” (5:4)

4. Those who wish to spend this night in Ibadah (worship), please do so and to do so in other nights – inshAllah they will get rewards for such deeds. But one should not to single out this day, as this particular night is not a special night that warrants people staying up all night.

A REMINDER – Shaban is a month when Ayesha(RA) offered missed Fasts from last ramadan

If you still have to make up any missed obligatory fasts of last Ramadaan, then hasten to make up them before the next Ramadaan arrives. It is not permissible to delay missed fasts until after the following Ramadaan, except in cases of necessity (such as a valid excuse that continues between the two Ramadaan). Aa’ishah (radhi allahu anha) says, ‘It used to be that I had days to make up for Ramadaan and I would not be able to do so except in Shabaan.’ [Saheeh al-Bukharee] Anybody who is able to make up the missed fasts before the (second) Ramadaan and does not do so has to make them up after the (second) Ramadaan and in addition, he should repent and feed one poor person for each day that was missed.

We gots to stick to the sunnah

“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah, you have an excellent example to follow for him, who hopes in (the meeting with) Allaah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much” [(33): 21]

We need to stick to the sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad (sa), and not be so quick to let it go. For it is by sticking to his sunnah and his alone, that will save us from the hellfire.

“And whosoever contends with the Messenger after guidance has been made clear to him, and follows a way other than the way of the believers, We shall leave in the path he has chosen, and land him in Hell, what an evil destination!” (4:115)

Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be please with him) reported that the Prophet s.a.w said: “All of my Ummah will enter Paradise except those that refuse. Those who were with him (the Sahaabah) said, “And who will refuse?” He s.a.w said: Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise and whoever disobeys me will have refused.” (Sahih Al- Bukhari)

The Messenger of Allaah said, “I have left behind me two things, if you cling to them you will never go astray. They are the Book of Allaah and my Sunnah” (al-Haakim)

JazaakAllahu khairan katheeran

All praise is due to Allah alone. All good is from Allah, while any wrong is from myself. And I ask Allah in His infinite mercy to forgive me my sins, Ameen.

SOURCES

Article written by Dr Khalid Khan

http://www.drkhalid.co.uk/ShabiBaraat.php

IslamBradford Article

http://islambradford.com/articles/2853

Islam Online – Question answered by Sheikh Uthaymeen

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1119503544540&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaEAskTheScholar

SunnahFollowersNet Tawheed Classes

http://sunnahfollowers.net

Allah’s has made Muharram sacred, as it is a blessed and important month; because:

1) It is the first month of the Hijri calendar.

2) It is one of the four sacred months concerning which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, the number of months with Allaah is twelve months (in a year), so it was ordained by Allaah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein…” [al-Tawbah 9:36]

Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (sa) said:

“The year is twelve months of which four are sacred, the three consecutive months of:
1. Dhu’l-Qa’dah,
2. Dhu’l-Hijjah and
3. Muharram, and
4. Rajab Mudar which comes between Jumaada and Sha’baan.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2958).

3) Muharram itself also means sacred and confirms its sanctity.

4) The 10th of Muharram is the “day of Ashura”

Al-‘Izz ibn ‘Abd al-Salaam (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Times and places may be given preferred status in two ways, either temporal or religious/spiritual. With regard to the latter, this is because Allaah bestows His generosity on His slaves at those times or in those places, by giving a greater reward for deeds done, such as giving a greater reward for fasting in Ramadaan than for fasting at all other times, and also on the day of ‘Aashooraa’, the virtue of which is due to Allaah’s generosity and kindness towards His slaves on that day…” (Qawaa’id al-Ahkaam, 1/38).

5) Sins in this month are more serious, and good deeds bring greater reward

It was reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: Allaah’s words (interpretation of the meaning): “so wrong not yourselves therein…” referred to all the months, then these four were singled out and made sacred, so that sin in these months is more serious and good deeds bring a greater reward.

6) Virtues of observing Nafl (voluntary fasts)

Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (sa) said: ‘The best of fasting after Ramadaan is fasting Allaah’s month of Muharram.’” (reported by Muslim, 1982).

The phrase “Allaah’s month”, connecting the name of the month to the name of Allaah in a genitive grammatical structure, signifies the importance of the month. Al-Qaari said: “The apparent meaning is all of the month of Muharram.” But it was proven that the Prophet sa) never fasted any whole month apart from Ramadan, so this hadeeth is probably meant to encourage increasing one’s fasting during Muharram, without meaning that one should fast for the entire month.”

It was reported that the Prophet (sa) used to fast more in Sha’baan. It is likely that the virtue of Muharram was not revealed to him until the end of his life, before he was able to fast during this month. (Sharh al-Nawawi ‘ala Saheeh Muslim).

Source

For More on Muharram

Praise be to Allaah.

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked:

What is the ruling on congratulating people on the occasion of the Hijri new year, and how should one reply to a person who offers congratulations?

He replied:

If someone offers you congratulations, then respond to him, but do not initiate such greetings. This is the correct view concerning this matter. So if a person says to you, for example, “Happy New Year”, then you can say, “May Allaah make it a good and blessed year for you.” But you should not initiate such a greeting, because I do not know of any report that the salaf [early generations of Islam] congratulated one another on the occasion of the new year, rather the salaf did not regard the first of Muharram as the first day of the new year until the caliphate of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him.

Shaykh ‘Abd al-Kareem al-Khudayr said concerning offering congratulations on the occasion of the hijri new year:

Praying for another Muslim in general terms, in phrases that are not meant as a kind of ritual  on special occasions such as Eid, is acceptable, especially if what is meant by this greeting is friendship and to show a friendly face to one’s fellow Muslim. Imaam Ahmad (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “I do not initiate the greeting but if someone greets me I return the greeting, because responding to the greeting is obligatory. But being the first to offer congratulations is neither Sunnah nor forbidden.”

[Source]