Hadith ~ Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree)

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

Abu Hurairah (MAPH) reported: The Prophet (SAWS) said: “Whoever performs Qiyam during Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), with Faith and being hopeful of Allah’s reward, will have his former sins forgiven.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Ibn Umar (MAPH) reported: Some of the Companions of the Prophet (SAWS) saw Lailat-ul-Qadr (night of Decree) in their dreams in the last seven nights of Ramadan, whereupon the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: “I see that your dreams all agree upon the last seven nights. Whosoever seeks it, let him seek it in the last seven nights.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Aishah (MAPH) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) used to seclude himself (in the mosque) during the last ten nights of Ramadan. He would say: “Search for Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree) in the last ten nights of Ramadan.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Aishah (MAPH) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PHUB) used to observe I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan and say: “Seek Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree) in the odd nights out of the last ten nights of Ramadan.” (Al-Bukhari)

Aishah (MAPH) reported: When the last ten nights (of ramadan) would begin, the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) would keep awake at night (for prayer and devotion), awaken his family and prepare himself to be more diligent in worship. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Aishah (MAPH) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) used to strive more in worship during Ramadan than he strove in any other time of the year, and he would devote himself more (in the worship of Allah) in the last ten nights of Ramadan than he strove in earlier part of the month. (Muslim)

Aishah (MAPH) reported: I asked: “O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), what should I supplicate in it? The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) replied: “You should supplicate: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).” (At-Tirmidhi)

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection
MAPH: May Allah be pleased with him

Commentary: There is a general belief that it is fixed, on the 27th night of Ramadan. But this is not correct. The hadith do not confirm this view. Allah Alim.

Commentary:
If you do duas, give sadaqah or any other good deed on the last ten evenings of Ramadan you are guaranteed one of the evenings to be the night of al-Qadr

If you started Ramadan on the evening of April 1st, 2022, it means that the evening of Ramadan 20 falls on the evening of April 20th, 2022 inshaAllah. Allah Alim.

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Hadith 1: Chapter 214, Page 346, No 1189
Hadith 2: Chapter 214, Page 346, No 1190
Hadith 3: Chapter 214, Page 347, No 1191
Hadith 4: Chapter 214, Page 347, No 1192
Hadith 5: Chapter 214, Page 347, No 1193
Hadith 6: Chapter 214, Page 347, No 1195

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Hadith ~ Two joyous occasions

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

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: “Allah the Exalted and Majestic said: ‘Every act of the son of Adam is for him, except As-Siyam (the fasting) which is (exclusively) for Me, and I will reward him for it.’ Fasting is a shield. When anyone of you is observing fast, he should neither indulge in obscene language nor should he raise his voice; and if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him, he should say: ‘I am fasting.’ By Him in Whose Hand the soul of Muhammad is, the breath of one observing Saum is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk. The one who fasts, experiences two joys: he feels pleasure when he breaks the fast. He is joyful by virtue of his fast when he meets his Rubb (Lord).” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

In a narration by Al-Bukhari, the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: “Allah says: ‘(The person observing Saum) has abstained from food and drink, and sexual pleasures for My sake; fasting is for Me, and I will bestow its reward. Every good deed has ten times its reward’.”

In a narration by Muslim, the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: “The reward of every (good) deed of a person is multiplied from ten to seven hundred times. Allah (SWT) says: ‘The reward of observing Saum is different from the reward of other good deeds; Saum is for Me, and I Alone will give its reward. The person observing Saum abstains from food and drink only for My sake.’ The fasting person has two joyous occasions, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time of meeting his Rubb (Lord). Surely, the breath of one observing Saum is better smelling to Allah than the fragrance of musk.”

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

Commentary: “Khuluf”, is the smell that comes from the mouth of the person who observes Saum. It results from the thirst and hunger which the person has to suffer suring the Saum. The Hadith not only tells us the merits of Saum but also brings into focus the true significance of it. Saum is not thus mere abstention from food, drink and sexual intercourse, but also keeping away from all evils and vices and embracing virtues.

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 217, Page 354, No 1215

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Importance of Charity (Zakat and Sadaqah) – Especially during Ramadan

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

And spend (in charity) of that with which We have provided you, before death comes to one of you and he says: “My Lord! If only You would give me respite for a little while (i.e. return to the worldly life), then I should give Sadaqah (i.e. Zakât) of my wealth, and be among the righteous. (Koran 63.10)

…And whatever you spend in good, it is for yourselves, when you spend not except seeking Allâh’s Countenance. And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged. (Koran 2.272)

Those who spend their wealth (in Allâh’s Cause) by night and day, in secret and in public, they shall have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Koran 2.274 )

Say: “Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and (also) restricts (it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allâh’s Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers.” (Koran 34.39)

Ibn Abbas (MAPH) reported: the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) was the most generous of the men; and he was the most generous during the month of Ramadan when Jibril visited him every night and recited the Quran to him. During this period, the generosity of Messenger of Allah (SAWS) waxed faster than the rain bearing wind. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Abu Hurairah (MAPH) reported: The Prophet (SAWS) said: “Two angels descend every morning, and one says: ‘O Allah, give him who spends something, in place of what he spends.’ The other one says: ‘O Allah, give destruction to him who withholds”. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection
MAPH: May Allah be pleased with him

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Hadith 1: Chapter 218, Page 356, No 1222
Hadith 2: Chapter 36, Page 99, No 295

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Ayaat 255 (Ayaat-ul-Kursi) ~ Al-Baqarah (The Cow)

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

Listen to Recitation

Lecture about Ayaat-ul-Kursi (61Mb)

255. Allâh! Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter . And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursî extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. [This Verse 2:255 is called Ayaat-ul-Kursî.]

Sura 2. Al-Baqarah (The Cow)

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Hadith ~ Protecting As-Saum (the Fast)

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

Abu Hurairah (MAPH) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said, “When any one of you is observing Saum (fasting) on a day, he should neither indulge in obscene language nor should he raise the voice; and if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him he should say: ‘I am observing fast.'” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Abu Hurairah (MAPH) reported: The Prophet (SAWS) said, “If one does not eschew lies and false conduct, Allah has no need that he should abstain from his food and his drink.” (Al-Bukhari).

Commentary Hadith 1: We learn from this Hadith that during Saum not only food, drink and intimate relations with one’s spouse are prohibited but the improper use of the tongue and the other organs of the body as well. When one is observing Saum, he should neither use abusive language nor talk foolishly nor tell lies nor make obscene conversation nor indulge in backbiting nor quarrel with anyone. If someone provokes him, he should keep himself quiet and remember that he is observing Saum and he has to abstain from such things. As far as possible, he should keep his tongue engaged in the remembrance of Allah and recitation of the Quran.

Commentary Hadith 2: This Hadith exhorts those observing Saum to fulfill all the requirements of fasting. One should not conduct himself in such a manner that on the one side he observes Saum and on the other he is fearless of Allah. To save himself from Allah’s Wrath and to get the reward of the fasts, one must abstain from all sorts of vices, such as cheating, lying, backbiting, and using obscene language. The threat held against such people in this Hadith should make them fear that their Saum will go to waste and they would be deprived of its reward. It does not mean that such people should start eating and drinking during Saum but what is intended is that they should save themselves from all kinds of sins so that they may earn the reward of Saum.

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection
MAPH: May Allah be pleased with him

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Hadith 1: Chapter 223, Page 360, No 1240
Hadith 2: Chapter 223, Page 361, No 1241

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Hadith ~ Whoever observes fasting

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

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “He who observes fasting during the month of Ramadan with Faith while seeking its reward from Allah, will have his past sins forgiven.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 217, Page 355, No 1219

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Ayaat 183-187 ~ Al-Baqarah (The Cow)

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

Listen to Recitation

183. O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious – see V.2:2).

184. [Observing Saum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskîn (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.

185. The month of Ramadân in which was revealed the Qur’ân, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadân i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allâh intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allâh for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.

186. And when My slaves ask you concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.

187. It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of As-Saum (the fasts). They are Lîbas [i.e. body cover, or screen, or Sakan, (i.e. you enjoy the pleasure of living with her – as in Verse 7:189) Tafsir At-Tabarî], for you and you are the same for them. Allâh knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you (accepted your repentance) and forgave you. So now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allâh has ordained for you, and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Saum (fast) till the nightfall. And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are in I’tikâf (i.e. confining oneself in a mosque for prayers and invocations leaving the worldly activities) in the mosques. These are the limits (set) by Allâh, so approach them not. Thus does Allâh make clear His Ayât (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, revelations, verses, laws, legal and illegal things, Allâh’s set limits, orders, etc.) to mankind that they may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious – see V.2:2).

Sura 2. Al-Baqarah (The Cow)

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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: Chapter 180, Page 299, No 999
Hadith 2: Chapter 180, Page 299, No 1001

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Hadith ~ Fast when you see the New Moon (of Ramadan)

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

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “Fast when you see the new moon (of Ramadan) and break your fast when you see the new moon (of Shawwal.) If clouds prevent you from seeing it, complete thirty days in the month of Shaban (the one that precedes Ramadan). (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Commentary: (…) If the moon of Ramadan is not sighted on the 29th Sha’ban, then its thirty days be completed and Ramadan’s Saum be started on the next day. Similarly, if the moon for the month of Shawwal is not sighted on the 29th of Ramadan, thirty days of Saum must be completed before celebrating ‘Eid-ul-Fitr. This means that the sighting of the moon is necessary for keeping the Saum of Ramadan. Counting by celestial system is not sufficient for this purpose. (…)

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 217, Page 356, No 1221

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