Commentary ~ The wealth of the soul

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

The Caliph Othman Ibn Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) said about the richness of the soul:

“The wealth of the soul puts the soul above all need, even if poverty bites hard causing pain.

Any difficult period, endure it with patience even if prolonged, because it is not made ​​to last and ease necessarily will follow.”

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Commentary ~ Safety comes Tomorrow

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

The rightly-guided ruler Umar bin Abdul-Aziz – who was also considered to be an Islamic jurist – said in his last sermon: “O people, indeed, you have not been created without a purpose and you will not be left alone without being held accountable. And you have a final destination, where Allah will judge among you. He will indeed be the loser who is outside of Allah’s Mercy, which comprehends all things. He is the loser who will be forbidden from Paradise, whose width is as the heavens and the earth. Know that safety tomorrow is for he who fears his Lord and sells a small amount to achieve abundance – for he who sells that which is perishing for that which shall remain… I say this to you, though I do not know of anyone among you who has more sins than me, and I ask Allah to forgive both me and you.” Such was the humility of good doers who were practicing Muslims. And indeed Allah’s Mercy is near the good doers.

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
P148

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Commentary ~ Asma bint Yazid Al-Ansariyah

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Muslim bin Asad related from Asma that she went to the Prophet (SAWS) while he was seated with his Companions. She said, “…I came as an emissary to you from a group of women. Indeed Allah has sent you to both men and women, and we believe in you and in your Lord. Indeed, we women are limited and constrained, though we are the pillars of your houses, from us do you fulfill your desires and lusts, and we also carry your children. Indeed, you men have been favored over us by the congregational Friday prayer and by all other congregational prayers, by visiting the sick, by attending funeral prayers, by performing pilgrimage after pilgrimage, and better than all of that – Jihad in the way of Allah. When men go out to perform Hajj, Umrah, or Jihad, we protect for them their wealth, spin for them their garments, and raise for them their children. Shall we not share with you in this recompense and reward?”

The Prophet (SAWS) turned to his Companions and said, “Have you ever heard any speech of a woman that is more beautiful than this woman’s questioning regarding the affairs of her religion?” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, we never thought that a woman should be guided to something like this.” The Prophet (SAWS) turned to her and said, “Understand this, O woman, and teach this to those women whom you left behind: For a woman to be a good spouse to her husband, for her to seek his pleasure, for her to follow and cooperate with him, is equal to all of that (i.e., all of the rewards that men get for their toils or for the deeds mentioned above).”

She left and was making Tahleel (i.e., she was testifying: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah).

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
P106

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Commentary ~ Charity that is given in secret

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Rabi bin Khuthaim said: “All that is desired not for Allah, but for something or someone else, perishes.”

Abu-Hamzah Ath-Thumali said: “Ali bin Husain used to carry loaves of bread on his back during the nighttime, to give them in charity. And he would say: ‘Indeed, charity that is given in secret extinguishes the anger of the Lord.’”

Amr bin Thabit said: “When Ali bin Husain died, they washed him and found black stains on his back. They asked: ‘What is this?’ And they were told: ‘He used to carry sacks of wheat during the nighttime on his back, and he would distribute them to the poor inhabitants of Al-Madinah.’”

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
P188

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Commentary ~ Qutaibah and His Prisoner

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Abu ‘Ubaidah relates that a number of people were presented to Al-Hajjaj; they were all accused of rebelling against him, and so he ordered that they all be executed. Because the time of prayer had arrived, there remained one from them who was still not executed. Al-Hajjaj said to Qutaibah bin Muslim, “He shall remain with you and you will bring him to us early tomorrow.”

Qutaibah said: I went and took the man with me, and as we were on our way, he said, “Qutaibah, do you wish to do a good deed?” I asked, “And what is that?” He said, “I have things that were trusted to me by people, and your companion, Al-Hajjaj, will surely kill me. Let me go free so that I may return each item to its rightful owner. And Allah is my Guarantor that I will return to you tomorrow.” I was amazed at what he said, and I laughed at him. He then repeated for a second time the same words and said, “By Allah, I will return to you.” He continued and persisted in the same manner, until finally, I said, “Go.” When he left, and when I could no longer see him, I returned to my senses and said: ‘What did you do to yourself, O Qutaibah?’ I returned to my family and spent the night, which seemed to last forever. In the morning, there was a man knocking at our door, and when I went to open it, there stood before me the same man from the day before. I said, “You have returned?” He said, “I made Allah as a Guarantor and then why should I not return?” I took him with me, and when Al-Hajjaj saw me, he said, “Where is the prisoner, Qutaibah?” I said, “He is at the door.” I brought him before the ruler and I informed him of the story. Al-Hajjaj gave him many piercing glances, and then said to me, “I give him to you as a gift.” I left with him and when we had exited from the building, I said to him, “Go wherever you please.” The man raised his head to the sky and said, “O Allah, all praise is for You.” He said nothing more and left.

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
P203

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Commentary ~ A Gentle Admonition

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

A man went to the caliph, Mamun, in order to advise and admonish him; however, he was very severe in his speech, so much so that the ruler was visibly affected by his words. When the man left the company of the caliph, he regretted his words and feared punishment from him. When he returned to his home, he found out that the caliph wanted to meet him, and so he returned to him in a state of fear and agitation. Mamun said, “Indeed, Allah has ordered he who is better than you to be gentle in speech with he who is more evil than me.” Allah (the Exalted) said to Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) when he sent him to Firaun:

“And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear Allah.” (Koran 20.44)

The man apologized for what he said, and he learned gentleness in speech from Mamun.

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 146

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Commentary ~ Take account of yourselves

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Umar Ibn al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “Take account of yourselves before you are taken to account. Weigh your deeds before they are weighed for you and beautify yourselves (with good deeds) for the great display (on the Day of Judgment).”

On the Day when every person will be confronted with all the good he has done, and all the evil he has done, he will wish that there were a great distance between him and his evil. And Allâh warns you against Himself (His Punishment) and Allâh is full of Kindness to the (His) slaves. (Koran 3:30)

So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it. (Koran 99:7-8)

Knows he not that when the contents of the graves are brought out and poured forth (all mankind is resurrected). And that which is in the breasts (of men) shall be made known. Verily, that Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) their Lord will be Well-Acquainted with them (as to their deeds), (and will reward them for their deeds). (Koran 100:9-11)

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Commentary ~ Water in a Jug

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Here is a story of Sheikh Mohammed Murte’ach who died in the year 328 (939-940).

The Sheikh said: “I made thirteen trips to the Kabah, but when I think about it I realized that everything I did was only for show. – How so? they asked him. – One day he said my mother had ordered me to bring her water in a jug, the task seemed difficult and heavy to me; I concluded that all my trips to the Kabah were pure acts of hypocrisy, since the rights of a mother on her son override many honors that we owe to the Kabah.”

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Commentary ~ Retribution

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Allah the Exalted, while promising that the retribution of good and evil will happen on the Day of Judgment, in fact, however, sends a small sample of that retribution here, at every instance and at every moment. If man discovers joy in his heart, he is being rewarded for making someone happy; if he is sad, it is that he has made someone sad. These rewards are presents from the other world and signs of the Day of Retribution, so that we may understand, with so little that which is great. We are being shown from a large warehouse, a small handful of wheat.

So that you know and remember that all discomfort, all darkness, all depressions that befall you, are the bitter fruit of sin and the pain you yourself have caused, even though you do not remember the evil that you have done through negligence, or ignorance, or because of a bad companion with no Iman (faith) who downplayed the sins in your eyes, to the point where you no longer considered them sins. Think of the reward: what is the level of your fulfillment and what is the degree of your depression? Certainly, depression is the punishment of sin and fulfillment is the reward of submission to Allah.

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Commentary ~ The wealth of the rich

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Imam Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

“Allah, Glory and Purity to Him, imposed on the goods of the rich enough to feed the poor. A poor man only feels hunger because of an enjoyment of a rich person and Allah, the Exalted, will account them for it.”

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Commentary ~ The emotional bank balance

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

We dictate how others think of us. If a person were to see you in the market and frown at you, then see you at the grocer’s and frown at you, and then you bump into him at a wedding party and see him frowning at you, you would form a picture of him in your mind. If you were to see him again, or even hear of him again, his frowning face would instantly come mind. Isn’t that true?

If a person meets you with a smile, then he meets you elsewhere with a smile, and so on, there will be a positive smiling picture of him imprinted in your mind.

This is concerning someone with whom you have no relationship and only meet with every now and then. But as for those whom we meet all the time, like a wife, children, work colleagues and neighbours, then we don’t always deal with them in the same manner. Yes, they will see us laughing and joking, but no doubt they will also see us sometimes angry, frowning, argumentative or even insulting because we are, after all, human beings.

Consequently, their love for us is governed by our good or bad conduct towards them. If you wish, you can say that their love for us is in proportion to the emotional credit that we may have in our accounts with them. How so?

When you show good conduct towards a person, you are in reality depositing fond memories about yourself in his memory register. In other words, it is as if he has opened up an account for you in his heart where he keeps safe his love and respect for you. Thereafter, your bank balance either increases or decreases. Hence, each time you meet him with a smile, your emotional bank balance increases. Each time you give him a gift, it also increases. Every act of courtesy increases it further. Similarly, each time you offend, insult or curse a person, you make a withdrawal from that emotional bank balance.

Similarly, if you have a huge balance with a person and one day end up angering him, you withdraw only a small percentage from your emotional bank balance due to the huge original balance.

If a beloved comes with one vice,

His virtues come to the rescue with a thousand intercessors

However, if you don’t have an emotional bank balance with a person to begin with and then begin to withdraw, then your account with him will be in deficit. Subsequently, he may develop a dislike for you since you continue to withdraw but never deposit.

You may have heard the story about a wife who was divorced by her husband. When asked about the reason for the divorce, she said, “It was a trivial reason. He wanted me to go with him to see his sister and I refused. He became angry and began insulting and cursing me, and then eventually divorced me!”

If you contemplate a little why she got divorced, you would discover that the reason was not as trivial as she claimed. Rather, the incident was the last straw that broke the camel’s back!

It is said that there was once a man who had a strong camel. One day he decided to travel, so he placed all his belongings on the camel’s back and tied it up. The poor camel tried to withstand the pressure as he managed to place on its back the load of four camels. The camel began to waver as the people shouted at the man saying, “Enough!” But the man didn’t listen. He finally took a belt made out of straw and placed it on the camel, saying, “This is very light, and this is the last thing I will place on it.” As soon as he placed the belt on it, the camel fell to the ground. Thus, his story became an idiom and it was said, “The last straw which broke the camel’s back!”

If you think about it, you will realise that the belt was quite innocent, for it was not the belt that broke the camel’s back. Rather, the back was broken due to the heavy overall load that was placed on it, which it tried to withstand with patience until it could stand it no longer. The miniscule weight of the belt then finally broke its back.

The same goes for the woman who was divorced by her husband (*Note: the same applies to a husband towards his wife). I can say for certain that the reason was not just the fact that she refused to visit his sister. Rather, it was a number of things including refusing to fulfill his requests and his wishes, the lack of love between the two, her arrogance and the lack of respect she had for his views. She continued to withdraw from her emotional bank account without depositing anything. She continued to hurt him without healing his wounds. He continued to bear her with patience, until this incident happened which broke the camel’s back.

If she were to have contributed to her emotional bank account on a regular basis by meeting him nicely, spoiling him a little, making herself beloved to him, joking and being light-hearted with him, taking care of his food and clothes and respecting his views, she would have had a huge emotional bank balance. She would have been a millionaire in his heart. Consequently, it would not have mattered much if her emotional bank balance decreased slightly because her wrong actions would have disappeared in the sea of her virtues.

You can say the same about a troublemaking student who has made one mistake due to which his teacher become very angry and perhaps punish him, or threw him out of the classroom. Then the student may complain, “Such-and-such a colleague of mine does things much worse than me, yet he isn’t punished! As for me, I didn’t do anything, except that I made a joke without permission.” He doesn’t realise that the joke was the last straw which broke the camel’s back. He had always hurt his teacher without healing his wounds. The same can be said about colleagues or neighbours who argue amongst each other.

Hence, we are always in need of depositing into the emotional bank balance that lies in people’s hearts. The husband should look for opportunities to deposit into his wife’s heart and continue to increase his points. The wife should do the same. The son should likewise deposit some love in his mother and father’s heart, as should the teacher with his students and a person with his brother. In fact, even the manager should do the same with those who work under him.

In short…
If a beloved comes with one vice,

His virtues come to the rescue with a thousand intercessors

Enjoy your life
Dr. Muhammad ‘Abd Al-Rahaman Al-Arifi
Translated by: Saleem Beg
Edited By: Nasim Chowdhury
Published By: Darussalam
P510

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Commentary ~ Purify your intention for the sake of Allah

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

I contemplated the way some people, some of whom I have lived with for years, deal with others. I do not ever recall them laughing, or even smiling at a joke out of courtesy, or reacting positively to the person speaking to them. I used to think that perhaps this was how they were nurtured and that they were unable to alter their nature. I was therefore stunned one day to see some of them with a group of rich and powerful people, laughing and being courteous. I then realised that they only did this for their own personal interests and are thereby losing out on great rewards from Allah.

A believer worships Allah by being well-mannered and dealing pleasantly with all, not to attain status or wealth, or for people’s praise, or to get married, etc., but only so that Allah may love him and make him beloved to His creation. Yes! Whoever considers exercising good manners as worship will deal courteously with everyone, be he rich or poor, a manager or a tea-boy. If one day a poor cleaner on the street stretches out his hand for you to shake it, and then another day a director of some company stretches his hand out in the same way, will you treat them equally? Will you welcome them both, and smile at them equally?

The Prophet (SAWS) would certainly treat them both equally in terms of welcoming them and showing them sincere conduct and compassion. Who knows, perhaps the one you may belittle and look down upon might actually be better in Allah’s sight than he who you look up to and show honour and respect to. The Prophet (SAWS) said, “The most beloved of you to me, and the closest of you to me on the Day of Resurrection are the best of you in manners.” (al-Tirmidhi, Sahih)

The Prophet (SAWS) also said to al-Ashaj bin ‘Abd Qays, “You have two qualities that Allah and His Messenger love.” What are these two qualities? Praying at night? Fasting all day? Al-Ashaj became overjoyed and said, “What are the two qualities, O Messenger of Allah?”

The Prophet (SAWS) said, “Forbearance and patience.” (Ahmad and Muslim)

The Prophet (SAWS) was asked about piety, and he replied, “Piety is to show good manners.” (Muslim)

The Prophet (SAWS) was asked about the deed on account of which most people will enter Paradise, The Prophet (SAWS) said, “Fear of Allah and good manners.” (al-Tirmidhi, Sahih)

The Prophet (SAWS) said, “The most complete in faith are those best in their character, those who are easy to socialise with, and those who get along with others and others get along with them. There is no good in the one who cannot get along with others and others cannot get along with him.” (al-Tirmidhi, Sahih)

The Prophet (SAWS) said, “There is nothing heavier in the scales than good manners.” (Abu Dawud, Sahih)

The Prophet (SAWS) said, “A person by his good character reaches the rank of the one praying at night and fasting all day.” (al-Tirmidhi, Sahih)

The one who improves his character becomes successful in both worlds. Consider the incident of Umm Salamah – may Allah be pleased with her – when she sat with the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) and thought about the Hereafter and what Allah had promised her.

She said, “O Messenger of Allah! A woman might be married twice in this world. When she and her husbands die and they all enter paradise, who is she going to be with?”

What did The Prophet (SAWS) say in response? That she will be with the one who prayed the longest? Or the one who fasted the most? Or the most knowledgeable of them? No! Rather, he (SAWS) said, “She will be with the best of them in character.” Umm Salamah was surprised. When the Prophet (SAWS) noticed this, he said, “O Umm Salamah! Good character makes one successful in this life and the next.”

Yes! The best of both worlds. He achieves the best of this world by earning people’s love, and the best of the next by gaining immense reward. No matter how much good a person does, his good deeds would always be marred by bad character. Once it was mentioned to the Prophet (SAWS) that a certain woman prayed, fasted, gave in charity and did many other righteous deeds, but at the same time harmed her neighbours by her words (i.e., she was bad mannered). The Prophet (SAWS) replied, “She will be in Hell.”

The Prophet (SAWS) was the best example to follow in every aspect of character. He was the most generous, the bravest, the most forbearing, and more bashful than a virgin. He was the most truthful and trustworthy person, as the disbelievers will bear witness to even before the believers, as will the sinners before the righteous. So much so that Khadijah – may Allah be pleased with her − said to the Prophet (SAWS) when he first received revelation, “Allah shall never subject you to any indignity, for you always maintain your ties with those of your kin, and you are always generous in giving; you are diligent, and you pursue what others regard as a lost cause; you calm the heart of your guest, and you lend your support to those who seek justice and redress.” As a matter of fact, Allah’s words in his praise are something we will continue to recite until the Last Day, “And indeed, you (O Muhammad (SAWS)) are on an exalted standard of character!” The Prophet’s character in its entirety was the Qur’an. When he recited, “Be good, for Allah loves those who are good” he was good to the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the noble and the weak. When he heard Allah’s words, “Forgive and overlook…” he forgave and overlooked. When he recited, “Speak well to the people…” he spoke well to all.

If the Prophet (SAWS) really is our example, then let us study his life carefully, and in particular how he would deal with others, rectify their faults, bear their harms with patience, tire himself at their service, and call them to guidance. One day he was seen helping a poor person, the next making peace between two Muslims, the next calling the disbelievers to Islam, and so on, until he grew old and his bones became weak. ‘A’ishah – may Allah be pleased with her – said while describing the Prophet (SAWS), “Most of his prayers, when he grew old, he offered sitting.” Can we guess why? She explained, “Because the people had completely exhausted him.”

The Prophet (SAWS) was so eager to improve his character that he would pray to Allah, “O Allah, just as you have beautified my physical being, beautify my character.” (Ahmad, Sahih) He (SAWS) also would say, “O Allah, guide me to the best of manners, for none guides to them except You. Protect me from bad manners, for none can protect me except You.” (Muslim)

Hence, we are in need of emulating the Prophet (SAWS) in his character when we deal with Muslims so that we may win them over, and when we deal with the non-Muslims so that we can educate them about Islam.

A hint…
Purify your intention so that your interpersonal skills can turn into acts of worship, with which you can draw closer to Allah.

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Enjoy your life
Dr. Muhammad ‘Abd Al-Rahaman Al-Arifi
Translated by: Saleem Beg
Edited By: Nasim Chowdhury
Published By: Darussalam
P86

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Commentary ~ Nothing is more Precious

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Nothing, it has been said, is more precious than intelligence used in the service of a good and firm management that itself is nourished by the reverential fear of Allah (Taqwa). There is no good neighborliness without evenness of temper; it is based upon the good education that the behavior of each will be judged; without Divine assistance, there is no success to be expected. Similarly, trade with others only profits where, based on virtue, it aspires for sole compensation the Supreme Reward. There is no better Piety than adherence to the limits set by Islam, there is no better Science than that of reflection; there is no better devotion than fulfilling the obligations of Divine institution; there is no better demonstration of Faith than that which is done in discretion; there is no better merit than humility and no nobility except that which comes with Knowledge. Fair share must be made for what the body feels with, always in mind, the idea of the precariousness of things and of Death.

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Commentary ~ The Night Guard

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

One night, while the night guard of the caravan slept, thieves came and plundered all the goods of the merchants. When they awoke, they saw that their wealth and their camels had all disappeared. They went to the night guard for accountibility. The night guard answered:

“Thieves came hidden under blankets and they took everything!

- But why did you not intervene?

- I was alone and they were numerous and armed to the teeth!

- But if you did not have enough force to push them back, you had to call us!

- They showed me their swords saying, “Shut up or you’re dead!” I was so afraid that I could not scream. But if you want, I can scream now!”

It serves no purpose to recite prayers once the accursed Satan has ruined your life in the Hereafter.

And it will be said: “This Day We will forget you as you forgot the Meeting of this Day of yours. And your abode is the Fire, and there is none to help you.” (Quran 45.34)

Await they just for the final fulfillment of the event? On the Day the event is finally fulfilled (i.e. the Day of Resurrection), those who neglected it before will say: “Verily, the Messengers of our Lord did come with the truth, now are there any intercessors for us that they might intercede on our behalf? Or could we be sent back (to the first life of the world) so that we might do (good) deeds other than those (evil) deeds which we used to do?” Verily, they have lost their ownselves (i.e. destroyed themselves) and that which they used to fabricate (invoking and worshipping others besides Allâh) has gone away from them. (Quran 7.53)

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Commentary ~ A Pious Man

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

A pious man is of unshakable faith. His faith is strong and accompanied by conviction. He yearns for knowledge. He is independent, but moderate. He submits completely to Allah when he prays. He remains noble even when poor. He shows patience in times of difficulty. He always seeks legal (halal) sustenance. He is full of enthusiasm for the straight path. He is careful not to be stingy. He has no reprehensible desires. He controls his anger. Everyone expects him to be good to them, and no one can think he wants to hurt them. He does not speak unkindly. He speaks softly. He does nothing reprehensible. All that he does is desirable. He is calm even in times of disturbance. If he is at ease, he is grateful to Allah. He does not commit a sin for the love of a friend. He does not offend others by insulting or defaming them. He does not harm his neighbor. He suffers difficulties, but others have nothing to fear from him. He strives to obtain salvation in the Afterlife, but he does not harm anybody. If he approaches someone, it is because he has affection and kindness for that person. He doesn’t avoid another person by vanity, nor does he befriend another person to fool him.

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Commentary ~ The Fundamentals of Happiness

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

1. Know that if you do not live within the scope of today, your thoughts will be scattered, your affairs will become confused, and your worrying will increase – these realities explain the Hadith:

“When you are in the morning, do not expect to see the evening, and when you are in the evening, do not expect to see the morning.”

2. Forget the past and all that it contained. Being absorbed in things that are gone is sheer lunacy.

3. Do not be preoccupied with the future. Because the future is in the world of the Unseen, do not let it bother you until it comes.

4. Do not be shaken by criticism; instead, be firm. And know that in proportion to your worth, the level of criticism rises.

5. Faith in Allah and good deeds: these are the ingredients that make up a good and happy life.

6. Whoever desires peace, tranquility, and comfort can find it all in the remembrance of Allah.

7. You should know with certainty that everything that happens, occurs in accordance with a divine decree.

8. Do not expect gratitude from anyone.

9. Train yourself to be ready and prepared for the worst eventuality.

10. Perhaps what has happened is in your best interest (though you may not comprehend how that is so).

11. Everything that is decreed for the Muslim is best for him.

12. Enumerate the blessings of Allah and be thankful for them.

13. You are better off than many others.

14. Relief comes from one hour to the next.

15. In both times of hardship and ease, one should turn to supplication and prayer.

16. Calamities should strengthen your heart and reshape your outlook in a positive sense.

17. Indeed, with each difficulty there is relief.

18. Do not let trifles be the cause of your destruction.

19. Indeed, your Lord is Oft-Forgiving.

20. Do not be angry… Do not be angry… Do not be angry.

21. Life is bread, water, and shade; so do not be perturbed by a lack of any other material thing.

And in the heaven is your provision, and that which you are promised. (Koran 51.22)

22. Most evil that is supposed to happen never occurs.

23. Look at those who are afflicted and be thankful.

24. When Allah loves a people, He makes them endure trials.

25. You should constantly repeat those supplications that the Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) taught us to say during times of hardship.

26. Work hard at something that is productive, and cast off idleness.

27. Don’t spread rumors and don’t listen to them. If you hear a rumor inadvertently, then don’t believe it.

28. Your malice and your striving to seek revenge are much more harmful to your health than they are to your antagonist.

29. The hardships that befall you atone for your sins.

La Tahzan (Don’t be sad)
By Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni
Translated by: Faisal ibn Muhammad Shafeeq, 2nd ed. Riyadh 2005
Publisher: International Islamic Publishing House
ISBN Hard Cover: 9960-850-36-6
ISBN Soft Cover: 9960-850-44-7
Page 135

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Commentary ~ The Day of Justice

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Imam Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Day of Justice (Day of Judgement) will be harder for the unjust than was the day of his injustice to the oppressed.”

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Commentary ~ The Essence of the Story of Yusuf (PBUH)

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

They said: “Are you indeed Yûsuf?” He said: “I am Yûsuf (Joseph), and this is my brother. Allâh has indeed been gracious to us… (Koran 12.90)

I want you to pay attention to the following segment of the ayah. If you were to forget everything that we said in the story of Yusuf (peace be upon him) make sure you don’t forget this. Because this is the essence of the story of Yusuf. Keep in mind that this story was revealed to the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) when? In Makkah. When in Makkah? In the year of sorrow, when Abu Talib passed away, Khadija (may Allah have Mercy on her) passed away and the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) found no one to support him with strength, his uncle Abu Talib. No one to support him financially, his wife Khadija. That was the year of sorrow. It was not only sorrow on the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) because he lost his uncle and he lost his beloved wife but because the dawah (of Islam) was already limited and now additional barriers were being erected in the face of the Messenger of Allah (SAWS). Before that the Messenger of Allah had strength since his uncle was providing him with an umbrella and his wife was comforting him at home. Now the Messenger of Allah has lost these two supporters and the heart of the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) was filled with sadness and sorrow. Those moments that the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) was going through are unbearable. In those moments, the Messenger of Allah is receiving sura Yusuf. In this particular situation sura Yusuf is being revealed because that is what Koran is for

…Thus (it is sent down in parts), that We may strengthen your heart thereby… (Koran 25.32)

So Koran was being revealed on the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) in the appropriate times, for the appropriate situations and to serve the appropriate purpose. So in that specific period of this year of sorrow, Allah reveals to the Messenger of Allah the story of Yusuf. It is the story of someone who went through difficulty, trials, misery, sorrow and sadness but then in the end

…Allâh has indeed been gracious to us… (Koran 12.90)

Why? Allah says in this segment of the ayah the essence of sura Yusuf:

…Verily, he who fears Allâh with obedience to Him (Taqwa – by abstaining from sins and evil deeds, and by performing righteous good deeds), and is patient, then surely, Allâh makes not the reward of the Muhsinûn (good-doers – see V.2:112) to be lost.” (Koran 12.90)

If you have Taqwa and patience eventually you will win even after awhile. If you have taqwa and patience no matter what in the end you will be victorious. And you should have no doubt in that. Saidna Yusuf was victorious in the end, in dounia (this life) and in Ehkira (the Hereafter). It is not only in dounia. In dounia and in Ehkira. But it happened after awhile, it took awhile, it wasn’t swiftly on the same day, it took awhile. Therefore it needs patience. If you do not have patience you will not be able to survive the long road. So Allah is telling the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) that there is a lot struggling, there is a lot of striving but if you have patience and you have Taqwa in Allah, the Exalted, Allah will establish you on the land. There is no victory without patience.

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Source:
Audio lecture “Lives of the Prophets” by Imam Anwar.
The full audio series may be downloaded here.

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Commentary ~ Between two good deeds

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Mou’awia Ben Qourra reported that Mou’adz Ben Jabal said to his son: “O son! When you do the prayer, make ​​it as if it were your last prayer without any hope that you will make another after it. Know my son, that the believer dies between two good deeds one that he has advanced (completed) and another that he has delayed. “(Abu Na’im).

The Compagnons of the Prophet (Hayat-Assahaba)
By Mouhammad Youssef Al-Kandahlawi – Volume II
Translated by Fawzi Chaaban
Editor: Dar El Fikr – Beyrouth/Liban
Page 339

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Commentary ~ In the Good and in the Evil

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Al-Walid Ben ‘Oubada said: “I went to visit ‘Oubada (May Allah be pleased with him) as he was sick, thinking his death was impending. I told him:” Father! Give me some tips that will benefit me. “He asked to be put into a sitting position, and then he said:” O son! You will not taste the sweetness of Faith (Iman) or reach the degree of knowledge on the reality of Allah as long as you do not believe in Destiny in the good and in the evil. “O father, I asked, how will I know Destiny in the good and in the evil? He replied, “Know that what you have missed would not be able to reach you, and what has reached you would not have missed you. O son, I heard the Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) say: “The first thing Allah created was the Calame (Pen). Allah said: “Write.” And the Calame wrote at that moment all that will take place until the Day of Resurrection. “O son! If you die without believing in this, you will enter into Hell.” (Ahmed)

The Compagnons of the Prophet (Hayat-Assahaba)
By Mouhammad Youssef Al-Kandahlawi – Volume II
Translated by Fawzi Chaaban
Editor: Dar El Fikr – Beyrouth/Liban
Page 92

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Commentary ~ People hurt themselves in three things

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Words of Imam Ali (may Allah grant him His Satisfaction):

People hurt themselves in three things:

1. Their overeating, relying on their good health.
2. Their acceptance of intolerable burdens, relying on their strength.
3. And their choice of deliberate inaction, relying on Destiny.

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Commentary ~ Death is hovering above us

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

It is incumbent upon everyone to realize that death is hovering above us. At any moment, day or night, death can come. Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) expressed in lucid terms the reality of our life:

“The Hereafter is traveling towards us and this life is traveling away from us, so be from the children of the Hereafter and not from the children of this world. For today is action without reckoning (judgment), and tomorrow is reckoning without action.”

From this saying, we can learn how imperative it is for us to improve ourselves, to renew our repentance, and to know that we are dealing with Allah, Who is Most Generous and All-Powerful.

Death does not ask a person for permission prior to arrival, nor does it give one an early warning about its being on its way:

…No person knows what he will earn tomorrow, and no person knows in what land he will die. Verily, Allâh is All­Knower, All­Aware (of things). (Koran 31.34)

Say: “The appointment to you is for a Day, which you cannot put back for an hour (or a moment) nor put forward.” (Koran 34.30)

Ash-Shaykh Ali at-Tantawi related a story that equally illustrates the unexpectedness of death. A bus full of people was moving when the driver suddenly pressed on the brakes. The passengers asked him what was wrong. He said, “I am stopping for this old man who is waving so that he can get on the bus.” They all said in wonder, “We do not see anyone.” He said, “Look at him over there.” They repeated that there was no one to be seen. He said confidently, “Now look, he is coming to get in.” Now the situation was beyond wonder, and they exclaimed, “By Allah, we don’t see anyone.” Then, in an instant, the driver died in his seat.

Thus death came to him in the most bizarre and unexpected of scenarios:

…When their term is reached, neither can they delay it nor can they advance it an hour [or a moment]. (Koran 7.34)

Man is cowardly when he faces danger; his heart begins to thump when the possibility of death arises, and then, without prior warning, he dies at a time when he feels most safe.

(They are) the ones who said about their killed brethren while they themselves sat (at home): “If only they had listened to us, they would not have been killed.” Say: “Avert death from your ownselves, if you speak the truth.” (Koran 3.168)

The strange thing is that we do not think about meeting Allah or about the transient nature of this life.

La Tahzan (Don’t be sad)
By Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni
Translated by: Faisal ibn Muhammad Shafeeq, 2nd ed. Riyadh 2005
Publisher: International Islamic Publishing House
ISBN Hard Cover: 9960-850-36-6
ISBN Soft Cover: 9960-850-44-7
Page 426

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Commentary ~ We will not listen and we will not obey

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

When Umar bin Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) was Caliph, the Caliphate received some pieces of cloth from one of the Islamic states. Umar distributed these pieces of cloths evenly; he gave everyone one piece of cloth. One day when Umar stood to give a khutba (lecture), he had two pieces of those cloths on. Umar then spoke and said, “Listen and obey everybody!” Salman Farsi (May Allah be pleased with him) stood up and said, “We will not listen and we will not obey.” Umar bin Khattab asked, “How come?” Salman Farsi said, “Because you have given each one of us, one piece of cloth, and we see that you are wearing two pieces of cloth.” Umar bin Khattab did not respond, but signalled his son Abdullah bin Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) to stand up and respond to what Salman is saying. Abdullah bin Umar stood up and said, “My father is a very tall man, very well built, with wide shoulders. One piece of cloth would not be enough for him, so I gave him mine.” Salman Farsi said, “Now we will listen and obey.” This was the standard of justice that the companions of the Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) had. The leadership was held to account and the people would not accept any injustice from their leaders. They knew that on the Day of Judgement, being a follower of a corrupt leadership will not be an excuse. Allah Alim.

And, when they will dispute in the Fire, the weak will say to those who were arrogant; “Verily! We followed you, can you then take from us some portion of the Fire?” Those who were arrogant will say: “We are all (together) in this (Fire)! Verily Allâh has judged between (His) slaves!” (Koran 40.47-48)

Source: Did not find the exact source of this commentary. Transcribed from an audio lecture and from memory. The exact wording used by the Companions may not be exact. May Allah forgive any errors. Amin.

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Commentary ~ The fruits of contentment

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

…Allah is pleased with them and they with Him… (Koran 5.119)

Contentment bears many blessed fruits. More than anything else, by being contented with that which is decreed, one is able to soar to the highest levels of faith and truthfulness.

Some might wish for only good to befall them, for only pleasant things to occur in their lives, but that is not what being Allah’s slave means. Many of the true believer’s characteristics, which include patience, total dependence, contentment, humbleness, and submission of one’s will, only become manifest when one is confronted with something that one dislikes. So being pleased with that which has been decreed does not mean being contented with only those things that suit one’s disposition; the real gauge for true contentment are those times when one goes through a painful situation. And it is not for the slave to dictate the terms of preordainment; he can be happy or discontented and it makes no difference except that by being discontented, he is sinning. Human beings do not have much choice in regards to Divine decree: the choice and decision thereof belong only with Allah. He is All-Knowing and Most High.

La Tahzan (Don’t be sad)
By Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni
Translated by: Faisal ibn Muhammad Shafeeq, 2nd ed. Riyadh 2005
Publisher: International Islamic Publishing House
ISBN Hard Cover: 9960-850-36-6
ISBN Soft Cover: 9960-850-44-7
Page 349

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Commentary ~ Dissatisfaction is a trap of the devil

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

The devil prevails in his subjugation of man most often in two areas: dissatisfaction and desire. In these instances he finds his prey to be extremely vulnerable, particularly when displeasure becomes deep-rooted. At this point, he says, he does, and he thinks that which displeases his Lord. For this explicit reason, the Prophet (SAWS) said upon the death of his son Ibrahim (the Prophet’s (SAWS) son, who the Prophet named Ibrahim and died at a young age):

“The heart is sad, the eye sheds tears, and yet we don’t say anything, except that which pleases our Lord.”

The death of one’s child is something that might lead to resentment in a person’s heart. Hence, the Prophet (SAWS) informed us that, in such a situation, a situation regarding which most people are resentful and which causes them to say or do that which is displeasing to their Lord, they must not say anything except that which pleases their Lord. If one were to keep the following three matters at his fingertips when he is displeased and angry about what has happened to him, then the burden of his calamity will lighten significantly. They are:

• To know and to believe in the wisdom of Allah, and in the fact that Allah knows best what is good and beneficial for His slaves.
• To be conscious of the great reward and recompense that Allah promised to the slave who becomes afflicted and is then patient.
• To know and accept that rulings and judgments are with Allah, while submission and obedience are for His slaves.

Is it they who would portion out the Mercy of your Lord?… (Koran 43.32)

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

La Tahzan (Don’t be sad)
By Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni
Translated by: Faisal ibn Muhammad Shafeeq, 2nd ed. Riyadh 2005
Publisher: International Islamic Publishing House
ISBN Hard Cover: 9960-850-36-6
ISBN Soft Cover: 9960-850-44-7
P357

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Commentary ~ The distribution of the Book of Deeds

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

On the Day of Judgement the Book of Deeds will be handed out. The manner in which this happens is that the Books of Deeds will be thrown in the air from a high elevation. Mankind is below, and these books will be thrown from above. At that moment when you see your book coming down and you don’t know if it is going to land in the right hand or the left hand (if it is in the right hand that is a good sign, if it lands in the left hand that is a bad sign) and you know that this is the record of your life upon which you will be judged is one of the moments when the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) says “the hair turns gray”. It is a very difficult and extremely critical moment. Allah (The Exalted) says:

That Day shall you be brought to Judgement, not a secret of you will be hidden. Then as for him who will be given his Record in his right hand will say: “Take, read my Record! “Surely, I did believe that I shall meet my Account!” So he shall be in a life, well-pleasing. In a lofty Paradise, The fruits in bunches whereof will be low and near at hand. Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent on before you in days past! (Koran 69.18-24)

That person who receives the Book of Deeds in the right hand says: “Take, read my Record!” That person is willing to show it to everyone. That person is happy and proud. That person understood his/her account would reach them. “Surely, I did believe that I shall meet my Account!” I knew that this day will come. That person will be in a life of bliss. Notice here that Allah is talking about fruits that are low and Allah says “Eat and drink at ease.” It is a very appropriate moment to say “Eat and drink” because at that moment on the Day of Judgement hunger and thirst are at the extreme limits. So the Book will be given and that person will be told that soon you will enter into Jannah (Paradise) and you will eat and drink as you like. Because of the long waiting on the Day of Judgement and extreme hunger and thirst, there is a special value for being told that you will eat and drink for what you did in the days before. This is a very important point; it depends on what you did in the days before. The past will be what you will be held accountable “for that which you have sent on before you in days past!”

Now what about the one who receives the Book in the left hand?

But as for him who will be given his Record in his left hand, will say: “I wish that I had not been given my Record! “And that I had never known, how my Account is? “I wish, would that it had been my end (death)! “My wealth has not availed me, “My power and arguments (to defend myself) have gone from me!” (It will be said): “Seize him and fetter him, Then throw him in the blazing Fire. “Then fasten him with a chain whereof the length is seventy cubits!” Verily, He used not to believe in Allâh, the Most Great, And urged not on the feeding of Al­Miskîn (the poor), So no friend has he here this Day, Nor any food except filth from the washing of wounds, None will eat except the Khâti’ûn (sinners, disbelievers, polytheists, etc.). (Koran 69.25-37)

This person may have loved life so much but on the Day of Judgement they are saying “I wish I was dead now, I wish I had never existed, and of no profit to me has been my wealth and my power they have perished from me”. My wealth didn’t do me any good and my power did not help me. The two things that we strive and struggle for in dounia, power and wealth on the Day of Judgement they will say it is no good. Money buys you whatever you want in dounia. You could buy a house, buy a fancy car, buy the best food; you could go wherever you want, and so it is a tool that gets you what you want. It fulfills your desire, that’s what money does. On the Day of Judgement money will not buy you anything. Money will not get you anything. It is worthless. Hundred dollar bills are pieces of paper they have no value. Therefore what was wealth one day is now nothing. So the person will say: “My wealth is not doing me any good. That wealth that I worked years and years to acquire now when I need it is worthless. I need to buy happiness now but it is not there for me anymore”. Power is the same thing. Power gives you dominance and opens for you doors of opportunity. When you have power you do whatever you want. On the day of Judgement, the person will be powerless. They will be at the lowest levels, because that person on the Day of Judgement will not even have power over their own limbs. Your hand will speak against you. Your tongue will speak against you. Your feet will speak against you. So you are powerless, you do not even have command over your own body. That person will say: “Why was I fighting for power? I killed people for power, I abused people for power, where is it now? I do not even have command over my own self”. Therefore power and wealth are of no value on the Day of Judgement and we need to realize this right now. If we acquire wealth we acquire it for the sake of Allah, if we acquire power we acquire it for the sake of Allah, not for ourselves.

May Allah let the Book of Deeds land in our right hands on the Day of Judgement. Ameen.

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Commentary ~ People of Excuses and People of Action

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

The Qur’an contains detailed accounts of conversations among believers, to whom Allah has given an exalted position in Jannah (Paradise). As well as conversations of the disbelievers and those who didn’t do good. These conversations are important, because they provide a good example for believers in this life to follow to reach Paradise Insha’Allah, as well as examples on what actions lead to Hellfire, may Allah protect us.

One thing you will notice is that excuses, procrastination and regret are characteristics of the people of Hellfire. They complain “If only we had obeyed… If only we could have another chance… If only we had prepared…” I wish I did this, I wish I did that. I should have done this, I should have done that. Send me back and I will be a Muslim, send me back and I will do good etc… The people of Hellfire are the people of Excuses.

On the Day when their faces will be turned over in the Fire, they will say: “Oh, would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger.” And they will say: “Our Lord! Verily, we obeyed our chiefs and our great ones, and they misled us from the (Right) Way. Our Lord! give them double torment and curse them with a mighty curse!” (Koran 33.66-68)

Arguing in it with one another, they will say, “By Allah, we were plainly misguided when We equated you with the Lord of all the worlds. It was only the evildoers who misguided us and now we have no one to intercede for us; we do not have a single loyal friend. If only we could have another chance then we would be among the believers!” (Koran 26.96-102)

And Hell will be brought near that Day. On that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance (then) avail him? He will say: “Alas! Would that I had sent forth (good deeds) for (this) my life!” (Koran 89.23-24)

“What has caused you to enter Hell?” They will say: “We were not of those who used to offer their Salat (prayers) “Nor we used to feed Al-Miskin (the poor); “And we used to talk falsehood (all that which Allah hated) with vain talkers. “And we used to belie the Day of Recompense “Until there came to us (the death) that is certain.” So no intercession of intercessors will be of any use to them. (Koran 74.42-47)

While on the other hand a characteristic of the people of Jannah is the exact opposite “Alhumdilah Allah guided me… Alhumdilah I did this… Alhumdilah I did that… ” etc… People of Jannah don’t make excuses they are people of Action. When reading the Koran, you never read about someone in Jannah saying “Oh I regret… Oh I wish I had done this…, Oh I didn’t have time to do that…, Oh I was prevented from good because of so-and-so…” they are not like that. Through Allah’s guidance the people who succeed are the people who don’t live a life of excuses.

And We shall remove from their breasts any (mutual) hatred or sense of injury (which they had, if at all, in the life of this world); rivers flowing under them, and they will say: “All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has guided us to this, never could we have found guidance, were it not that Allah had guided us! Indeed, the Messengers of our Lord did come with the truth.” And it will be cried out to them: “This is the Paradise which you have inherited for what you used to do.” (Koran 7.43)

And those who kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups, till, when they reach it, and its gates will be opened (before their arrival for their reception) and its keepers will say: Salamun ‘Alaikum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein.” And they will say: “All the praises and thanks be to Allah Who has fulfilled His Promise to us and has made us inherit (this) land. We can dwell in Paradise where we will; how excellent a reward for the (pious good) workers!” (Koran 39.73-74)

“Salamun ‘Alaikum (peace be upon you) for that you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!” (Koran 13.24)

Saying: “Aforetime, we were afraid with our families (from the punishment of Allah). “But Allah has been gracious to us, and has saved us from the torment of the Fire. “Verily, We used to invoke Him (Alone and none else) before. Verily, He is Al­Barr (the Most Subtle, Kind, Courteous, and Generous), the Most Merciful.” (Koran 52.26-28)

Let us strive and not be the people of regret and excuses from the people of Hellfire. With the guidance of Allah, let us strive instead to be of the people of Jannah, the Muslim believers who do good, the people of action. May Allah guide us and all the Muslims and grant us Paradise, and protect us from the Hellfire. Ameen.

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Commentary ~ The Fasting and the Furious

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Audio lecture, The Fasting and The Furious, by Muhammad Alshareef can be found here. Lecture gives tips and advice to maximise the reward during the month of Ramadan inchaAllah.

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Commentary ~ Quran Reading Schedule

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Quran Reading Schedule – PDF Document

Ibn Mas’ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets ten-fold reward. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is one letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter.” (At-Tirmidhi)

Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-’As (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “The one who was devoted to the Quran will be told on the Day of Resurrection: ‘Recite and ascend (in ranks) as you used to recite when you were in the world. Your rank will be at the last Ayah you recite.’” (Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi)

Commentary:
No one can ignore the benefits of Quranic reading. To simplify the division of this reading and ensure that everyone can complete the Quran in its entirety by the end of Ramadan, a timetable has been crafted for men and women*.

Calendar of reading the Quran during Ramadan for Men

Day – Juz	Hizb	Reading to do
1 Ramadan	1 – 2	Sura 1, v.1 to Sura 2, v.141
2 Ramadan	3 – 4	Sura 2, v.142 jusqu’au Sura 2, v.252
3 Ramadan	5 – 6	Sura 2, v.253 jusqu’au Sura 3, v.92
4 Ramadan	7 – 8	Sura 3, v.93 jusqu’au Sura 4, v.23
5 Ramadan	9 – 10	Sura 4, v.24 jusqu’au Sura 4, v.147
6 Ramadan	11 – 12	Sura 4, v.148 jusqu’au Sura 5, v.81
7 Ramadan	13 – 14	Sura 5, v.82 jusqu’au Sura 6, v.110
8 Ramadan	15 – 16	Sura 6, v.111 jusqu’au Sura 7, v.87
9 Ramadan	17 – 18	Sura 7, v.88 jusqu’au Sura 8, v.40
10 Ramadan	19 – 20	Sura 8, v.41 jusqu’au Sura 9, v.92
11 Ramadan	21 – 22	Sura 9, v.93 jusqu’au Sura 11, v.5
12 Ramadan	23 – 24	Sura 11, v.6 jusqu’au Sura 12, v.52
13 Ramadan	25 – 26	Sura 12, v.53 jusqu’au Sura 14, v.52
14 Ramadan	27 – 28	Sura 15, v.1 jusqu’au Sura 16, v.128
15 Ramadan	29 – 30	Sura 17, v.1 jusqu’au Sura 18, v.74
16 Ramadan	31 – 32	Sura 18, v.75 jusqu’au Sura 20, v.135
17 Ramadan	33 – 34	Sura 21, v.1 jusqu’au Sura 22, v.78
18 Ramadan	35 – 36	Sura 23, v.1 jusqu’au Sura 25, v.20
19 Ramadan	37 – 38	Sura 25, v.21 jusqu’au Sura 27, v.55
20 Ramadan	39 – 40	Sura 27, v.56 jusqu’au Sura 29, v.45
21 Ramadan	41 – 42	Sura 29, v.46 jusqu’au Sura 33, v.30
22 Ramadan	43 – 44	Sura 33, v.31 jusqu’au Sura 36, v.27
23 Ramadan	45 – 46	Sura 36, v.28 jusqu’au Sura 39, v.31
24 Ramadan	47 – 48	Sura 39, v.32 jusqu’au Sura 41, v.46
25 Ramadan	49 – 50	Sura 41, v.47 jusqu’au Sura 45, v.37
26 Ramadan	51 – 52	Sura 46, v.1 jusqu’au Sura 51, v.30
27 Ramadan	53 – 54	Sura 51, v.31 jusqu’au Sura 57, v.29
28 Ramadan	55 – 56	Sura 58, v.1 jusqu’au Sura 66, v.12
29 Ramadan	57 – 58	Sura 67, v.1 jusqu’au Sura 77, v.50
30 Ramadan	59 – 60	Sura 78, v.1 jusqu’au Sura 114, v.6

Calendar of reading the Quran during Ramadan for Women*

Day – Juz	Hizb	Reading to do
1 Ramadan	1 – 3	Sura 1, v.1 to Sura 2, v.202
2 Ramadan	4 – 6	Sura 2, v.203 jusqu’au Sura 3, v.92
3 Ramadan	7 – 9	Sura 3, v.93 to Sura 4, v.87
4 Ramadan	10 – 12	Sura 4, v.88 jusqu’au Sura 5, v.81
5 Ramadan	13 – 15	Sura 5, v.82 to Sura 6, v.165
6 Ramadan	16 – 18	Sura 7, v.1 jusqu’au Sura 8, v.40
7 Ramadan	19 – 21	Sura 8, v.41 to Sura 10, v.25
8 Ramadan	22 – 24	Sura 10, v.26 jusqu’au Sura 12, v.52
9 Ramadan	25 – 27	Sura 12, v.53 to Sura 16, v.50
10 Ramadan	28 – 30	Sura 16, v.51 jusqu’au Sura 18, v.74
11 Ramadan	31 – 33	Sura 18, v.75 to Sura 21, v.112
12 Ramadan	34 – 36	Sura 22, v.1 jusqu’au Sura 25, v.20
13 Ramadan	37 – 39	Sura 25, v.21 to Sura 28, v.50
14 Ramadan	40 – 42	Sura 28, v.51 jusqu’au Sura 33, v.30
15 Ramadan	43 – 45	Sura 33, v.31 to Sura 37, v.144
16 Ramadan	46 – 48	Sura 37, v.145 jusqu’au Sura 41, v.46
17 Ramadan	49 – 51	Sura 41, v.47 to Sura 48, v.17
18 Ramadan	52 – 54	Sura 48, v.18 jusqu’au Sura 57, v.29
19 Ramadan	55 – 57	Sura 58, v.1 to Sura 71, v.28
20 Ramadan	58 – 60	Sura 72, v.1 jusqu’au Sura 114, v.6

*Because women may have missed days of fasting during Ramadan, the division was spread over 20 days, at 3 hizb per day, leaving them with a sufficient margin in case of a temporary interruption of their month. It is indeed better to set a reading pace of 3 hizb per day instead of trying to catch up 5-6 days of readings.

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Hadith 1: Chapiter 180, Page 299, No 999
Hadith 2: Chapiter 180, Page 299, No 1001

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Commentary ~ As Time passes

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Abdullah bin Mas’ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “Indeed I hate to see a man idle, neither working for this world nor for the Hereafter.”

Hassan Basri (May Allah have mercy on him) said: “O son of Adam, indeed you are only but a number of days. Whenever a day passes, a part of you leaves with it.”

Hassan said: “I have met (pious) people who are more miserly with their time than they are with their wealth.”

Hassan also said in a sermon, “Do not let the temporary and little charms of this world distract you and entice you…and do not say tomorrow and tomorrow, for indeed you do not know when you will be heading to Allah.”

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 35

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