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When The Night Equals A Thousand

It was narrated that in the days that Musa (Alahi salaam) wandered with Bani Israel in the desert an intense drought befell them. Together, they raised their hands towards the heavens praying for the blessed rain to come. Then, to the astonishment of Musa (Alahi salaam) and all those watching, the few scattered clouds that were in the sky vanished, the heat poured down, and the drought intensified.

It was revealed to Musa that there was a sinner amongst the tribe of Bani Israel who had disobeyed Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) for more than forty years of his life. “Let him separate himself from the congregation,” Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) told Musa (Alahi salaam). “Only then shall I shower you all with rain.”

Musa (Alahi salaam) then called out to the throngs of humanity, “There is a person amongst us who has disobeyed Allah for forty years. Let him separate himself from the congregation and only then shall we be rescued from the drought.” That man, waited, looking left and right, hoping that someone else would step forward, but no one did. Sweat poured forth from his brow and he knew that he was the one.

The man knew that if he stayed amongst the congregation all would die of thirst and that if he stepped forward he would be humiliated for all eternity.

He raised his hands with a sincerity he had never known before, with a humility he had never tasted, and as tears poured down on both cheeks he said: “O Allah, have mercy on me! O Allah, hide my sins! O Allah, forgive me!”

As Musa (Alahi salaam) and the people of Bani Israel awaited for the sinner to step forward, the clouds hugged the sky and the rain poured. Musa (Alahi salaam) asked Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala), “O Allah, you blessed us with rain even though the sinner did not come forward.” And Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) replied, “O Musa, it is for the repentance of that very person that I blessed all of Bani Israel with water.”

Musa (Alahi salaam), wanting to know who this blessed man was, asked, “Show him to me, O Allah!” Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) replied, “O Musa, I hid his sins for forty years, do you think that after his repentance I shall expose him”?

Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) revealed the Quan in the most blessed month; the month of Ramadan, the month in which the Quran was sent down.

On the most blessed night, the Grand night: Laylatul Qadr; “Verily, we revealed the Quran on the night of Qadr.”

Ibn Jareer narrates, on the authority of Mujaahid that there was a man from Bani Israel who used to spend the night in prayer. Then in the morning, he would fight the enemy in the Way of Allah during the day, until the evening and he did this for a thousand months.

And so Allah revealed the Surah: “Verily, We sent it down in the night of Al-Qadr” until the verse “The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months” That is, standing in prayer on that night is better than the actions of that man.

Sufyaan ath-Thawree reports, on the authority of Mujaahid (also), that the night of Al-Qadr being better than a thousand months means that the good deeds performed on it, fasting on it, and standing in prayer on it are better than a thousand months good deeds, prayers and fasting. (Narrated by Ibn Jareer)

It is reported by Abu Hurairah that he said: “When the month of Ramadan came, the Messenger of Allah said: “The month of Ramadan has come, a blessed month in which Allah has made it obligatory for you to fast; in it, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained. In it is a night better than a thousand months, whoever loses the benefit of it has lost something irreplaceable.”” (Narrated by Imam Ahmad and An-Nasaa’i).

It is reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah, that Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever stood in prayer on the night of Al-Qadr, in faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, he will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

This one night surpasses the value of 30,000 nights. The sincere believer who worries day and night about his sins and phases of neglect in his life patiently awaits the onset of Ramadan. During it he hopes to be forgiven by Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) for past sins, knowing that the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) promised that all who bear down during the last ten days shall have all their sins forgiven. To achieve this, the believer remembers the Prophet’s (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) advice in different sayings wherein he used words like ‘seek’, ‘pursue’, ‘search’, and ‘look hard’ for Laylatul Qadr.

Laylatul Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of good. The Mumin should search for it in the last ten nights of Ramadan, passing the nights in worship and obedience.

For those who catch the opportunity, their gift is that of past sins wiped away.

The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) illustrated for us some of the things we should be doing on this Grand Night. From his blessed Sunnah, we find the following:

Praying Qiyaam (night prayer):
It is recommended to make a long qiyaam prayer during the nights on which Laylatul Qadr could fall. This is indicated in many ahadeeth, such as “Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylatul Qadr [and it is facilitated for him] out of faith and expectation (of Allah’s reward), will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim; the addition ‘and it is facilitated for him’ is recorded by Ahmad from the report of Ubaadah Bin as-Samit; it means that he is permitted to be among the sincere worshippers during that blessed night.]

Making Supplications:
It is also recommended to make extensive supplication on this night. A’ishah reported that she asked Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) “O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylatul Qadr, what should I say during it”? And he instructed her to say: “Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee – O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me.” [An authentic Hadith recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmidhi.]

Abandoning Worldly Pleasures for the Sake of Worship:
It is further recommended to spend more time in worship during the nights on which Laylatul Qadr is likely to fall. This calls for abandoning many worldly pleasures in order to secure the time and thoughts solely for worshipping Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala).

A’ishah reported: “When the (last) ten started, the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would tighten his izaar (i.e. he stayed away from his wives in order to have more time for worship), spend the whole night awake (in prayer) and wake up his family.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

And she said: “Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) used to exert more (in worship) on the last ten than on other nights.” [Muslim]

Have we estimated Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) correctly?

The opportunity of Laylatul Qadr is coming in the next few days. Life is about people that take advantage of their opportunities to win the love of Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala), and this is indeed one of those chances. Abu Dah Daah was one of those who found an opportunity and won that which is greater than the heavens and the earth. An adult companion of the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) cultivated his garden next to the property of an orphan. The orphan claimed that a specific palm tree was on his property and thus belonged to him. The companion rejected the claim and off to the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) went the orphan boy to complain. With his justness, the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) measured the two gardens and found that the palm tree did indeed belong to the companion. The orphan erupted crying. Seeing this, the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) offered the companion, “would you give him the palm tree and to you is a palm tree in Jannah”? However, the companion in his disbelief that an orphan would complain to the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) missed the opportunity and went away angry.

But someone else saw the opportunity, Abu Dah Daah – radi Allahu’anhu. He went to the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and asked, “Ya Rasul Allah, if I buy the tree from him and give it to the orphan shall I have that tree in Jannah”? The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) replied, “Yes.”

Abu Dah Daah chased after the companion and asked, “Would you sell that tree to me for my entire garden”? The companion answered, “Take it for there is no good in a tree that I complained to the Prophet about.”

Immediately, Abu Dah Daah went home and found his wife and children playing in the garden. “Leave the garden!” shouted Abu Dah Daah, “we’ve sold it to Allah! We’ve sold it to Allah!” Some of his children had dates in their hands and he snatched the dates from them and threw them back into the garden.  “We’ve sold it to Allah!”

When Abu Dah Daah was later martyred in the battle of Uhud, Rasul Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) stood over his slain body and remarked, “How many shady palm trees does Abu Dah Daah now have in paradise”?

What did Abu Dah Daah lose Dates? Bushes? Dirt? What did he gain? He gained a Jannah whose expanse is the heavens and the earth.

Abu Dah Daah did not miss his opportunity, and I pray to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) that we do not miss our opportunity of standing to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) on Laylatul Qadr.

Dear brothers and sisters, we do not obey, worship and revere Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) in a way befitting of His Majesty.

Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) revealed: “No just estimate have they made of Allah, such as is due to Him. On the Day of Resurrection, the whole of the earth will be but His handful, and the heavens will be rolled up in His right hand: Glory to Him! High is He above the partners they attribute to Him” (Surat al-An’aam, Ayat 91).

Everything that we have belongs to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala). When someone dies we say, Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon, Indeed to Allah we belong and indeed to Him we shall return. This is not a supplication just for when a soul is lost. It is a supplication for every calamity that befalls a believer, even if his sandal were to tear. Why? Because everything belongs to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) and everything shall come back to him. Sit and try to count the blessings Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) has bestowed upon you. Have you ever tried to count stars?

“And He giveth you of all that ye ask for. But if ye count the favors of Allah, never will ye be able to number them. Verily, man is given up to injustice and ingratitude” (Surat Ibrahim, Ayat 34).

We have not understood the weight of this Qur’an that we rest on our high shelves, this Noble book that was sent to give life to the dead. For even if our hearts were as solid as rock they would have crumbled to the ground in fear and hope of Allah’s (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) punishment and Mercy. Could it be that our hearts are harder than that mountain?

“Had We sent down this Quran on a mountain, verily, thou wouldst have seen it humble itself and split asunder in fear of Allah” (Surat al-Hashr, Ayat 21).

Dear brothers and sisters, as you fill the Masajid for Qiyamul Layl in the last ten nights of Ramadan, remember what Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) wants you to know:

“Know ye that Allah is strict in punishment and that Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.”

There shall be a night, some night in your life that you shall awaken in Jannah or Hell fire. Anas ibn Malik, on his deathbed, prayed to Allah, (Subhanahu wa ta’ala), “O Allah, protect from a night whose morning brings a journey to hell fire.” Think about that morning.

Peace shall descend on Laylatul Qadr until dawn. It may be that you shall leave the Masjid after Fajr one day soon forgiven by Allah, Glorious and Most High.

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: When Allah created the creation He put down in his Book, which is with Him upon the Throne: Verily, My mercy predominates My wrath.
Hadith number in Sahih Muslim [Arabic only]: 4939; English: Book 37, Number 6626

By Muhammad Alshareef

What Is The Quran?

There are a few things we need to know about the Holy Quran before we start interpreting its verses. I shall briefly state the most important of these here:

The Quran is not simply a book that equals the Bible, though there are many common points between the two. One major difference is that the original books of the Bible are not available in the form and language in which they were first written and only translations are extant – whereas no translation of the Quran is called the Quran.

Anyone who has done translation knows that some kind of interpretation creeps into every translation, and only a person who knows the original language can be a legitimate interpreter of the sourcebook. So, to interpret the Quran truthfully, one should have a good knowledge of the Arabic language.

Another point about the Quran is that it is not a book of history, a book of science, or a book of law – though it has all these in it. It is first and foremost a book of Divine Guidance. Also, one needs to know that the Quran does not contain detailed explanations of the situations that prompted the revelations of its verses.

Mostly the verses are guidelines and general principles. Besides, they offer good news for the good people and warnings for the misguided. They contain a number of narrations that serve to give admonitions, exhortations, and warnings to mankind in general. Also in certain cases, the Quran gives specific instructions too.

The Quran was revealed in the course of the 23 years of the prophetic career of Muhammad (peace be upon him), in accordance with the requirements of the particular contexts that called for divine guidance in certain issues. For this reason, in order to arrive at the correct understanding of many of its verses, we need to know the circumstances in which these verses were revealed. That is why the foundation of the religion of Islam is not just the Quran; it includes the sayings and the example of the Messenger (peace be upon him), as well. This also means that the best interpreter of the Quran is the Prophet (peace be upon him), to whom the verses were actually revealed.

For example, Allah says in the Holy Quran:
And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad, peace be upon him) the Book (this Quran) in truth, confirming the Scriptures that came before it, and Muhaymin (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures). So judge among them by what Allah has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging away from the truth that has come to you. To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way. If Allah had willed, He would have made you one nation, but that (He) may test you in what He has given you; so compete in good deeds. The return of you (all) is to Allah; then He will inform you about that in which you used to differ. (Surah Al-Ma idah, 5: 48)

This above verse clearly states:
(1) That the Quran is not the only scripture sent by God.
(2) That the Quran confirms the truth in the earlier scriptures.
(3) That God will judge between those who dispute the truth of the matters at issue.

The Prophet (peace be upon him), in fact, started his preaching of Islam among his own people in Makkah. To most of the influential figures in Makkah, Islam meant a number of things. Among these were the giving up of their gods and idols, the acceptance of their slaves as equals, and the loss of a number of privileges they were enjoying in the old dispensation.

Naturally, they opposed Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his religion; but Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) determination in his mission piqued these leaders so much that they unleashed a most brutal persecution campaign against him and his followers. It was in this context that he was forced to emigrate to Madina, where he was welcomed, wholeheartedly, by the people of that city.

The Road To Success Is Not Straight

There is a curve called failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, caution lights called family, and you will have flats called jobs.

But, if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, insurance called faith, and the support of the Omnipresent called Allah, you will make it to a place called success!

what you think!
Your inner thoughts can cause you to be rich or poor, loved or unloved, happy or unhappy, attractive or unattractive, powerful or weak.

What you impress upon your mind, you’ll inevitably become. It’s a psychological law that whatever you desire to accomplish you must first impress upon your subconscious mind.

Relentless, repetitive self-talk will change your self-image. You’ll affect your subconscious mind with verbal repetition. Constant repetition carries conviction.

When you change your values you’ll change your behavior. Start thinking of yourself as becoming the person you want to be. Self-suggestion will make you the master of yourself.

Must do:
Each task that is given to you feels like an opportunity for further success. See the task not as a burden, but as an encouragement to be fully alive and effective.

The real burden would be the inability to do anything. No task is a burden but is instead the chance to express your own aliveness.

Does the work seem dreary, unimaginative, tedious, or boring? That’s mainly because your attitude makes it so. See what happens when you start by being thankful for the opportunity to do it. Your genuine gratitude will help you to see the positive value.

When the things you must do become things you want to do, it can transform your life. Each moment takes on more meaning; each effort brings greater and greater rewards.

Rather than fighting and forcing yourself to do what must be done, let go of your resistance and allow yourself to accomplish it. Let what you must, become what you want, and watch yourself begin to soar

And you will yourself one step away from your goal. And a little bit more would make it all worthwhile to achieve your next destination.

After attaining success slow down in fulfilling your duties towards your family members, work will always pounce back even if you are not attentive towards it which is a part of your life. But don’t forget you are a part of your family.

Slow down:
Life is not a race. It is a journey.
Getting someplace first, before anyone else, has very little real and lasting meaning. Seek instead to encourage others to come along, and you’ll find the journey much more fulfilling.

When you hurry through each moment, you miss out on the richness that could be yours. Take the time to live, to experience where you are, rather than being so obsessed with getting to the next checkpoint.

When you stop demanding to have it all now, you’ll discover that you have plenty already. Learn to experience joy where you are, and you’ll experience it in abundance.

Yes, it can be wonderfully exhilarating when life is moving quickly. But do not move so quickly that speed becomes your only experience, for there is much more to enjoy.

The terrain of life is filled with wonderful and astounding detail. Slow down and take in its richness.

Feed The Orphan

[Allah’s Quran – 76:8] “And they give food out of love for Him to the poor and the orphan and the captive:”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said: It was narrated from Abu Bakr Siddiq(RA) that the Messenger of Allah(PBUH) said:
“No person who mistreats his slave will enter Paradise.” They said: ” O Messenger of Allah, did you not tell us that this nation will have more slaves and orphans than any other nation?” He said: ” Yes, so be as kind to them as you are to your own children, and feed them with the same food that you eat.” They said: “What will benefit us in this world?” He said: “A horse that is kept ready for fighting in the cause of Allah, and your slave to take care of you, and if he performs prayer, then he is your brother(in Islam).”
[Sunan Ibn Majah, English Translation, Vol. 5, Book 33, Hadith 3691]

Our Faults In Ramadan

At this point, we should ponder over our ibadah. How much importance do we attach to it in Ramadan? How many nafl do we perform? As for fardh deeds, we observe how numerous people who after having eaten sah’ri get back into bed with the result that the Fajr ‘salaah is neglected. Many perform it, but not with Jamaa’ah. It gives the impression that we give thanks to Allah for the food we had eaten for sah’ri by not performing the most important fardh or by not performing it with Jamaa’ah. Such a ‘salaah has been termed defective. Rasulullah (SAW) said that “There is no ‘salah for those near the musjid except in the musjid”.

In the Kitab ‘Mazhaahire Haq’ we find that there is no reward for the ‘salah for persons who do not perform ‘salah with Jamaa’ah without any valid reason or excuse.

Similarly, in numerous cases at the time of iftar (boeka) Maghrib ‘salah is missed, and many who do not come to the musjid miss the Takbeer at the beginning or miss the first raka’ah. Many people hasten to get over the Taraweeh ‘salah early and even perform the ‘isha’ ‘salah before the time of ‘Isha’ commences. (Some do not pay any attention to ‘salah even in Ramadan.)

That is the way we look after our very important fardh ‘salaah in Ramadan. Sometimes in the process of performing one fardh, three others are destroyed. How often do we see even the time of Zhuh-r ‘salah going by because we are asleep, while the time of A’sr goes by because we are too busy buying, selling, or cooking to prepare for iftar.

If such is the case with the faraa’idh, then we can imagine how much less importance is given to the nafl actions. One finds that because of sleep, the time of ‘salaatul Ishraaq (after sunrise) and ‘salaatul Dhuhaa (before noon) go by.

Then what about ‘salaat Awwaabeen (just after Maghrib)? Here we find ourselves busy with If’tar and when thinking about Taraweeh after about an hour this ‘salah too is wasted. Further, we find that for ‘salaatul Ta-hajjud the time is the same as that for sah’ri with the result that this too goes by. One may make a thousand excuses for not finding time for these nawafil. These are all excuses for not performing these ‘salah.

We see that there are many who do find the time to do all these ‘ibadahs during these precious moments. I personally observed my ustaaz Maulana Khalil Ahmad during many Ramadan. He was a weak sickly person and of advanced age but in spite of these drawbacks, he used to read one and a quarter juz of the Qur’an in nafl namaz after Maghrib. Thereafter he used to have meals for about half an hour. After performing all other necessities in preparation for Taraweeh ‘salah he used to stand in Taraweeh for about two and a half hours when he was in India, and when he was in Madinah Munawwarah the duration was three hours.

Thereafter he used to sleep about two or three hours (according to the season). Then he used to again recite the Qur’an in Tahajjud ‘salah until about half an hour before Fajr. Then he ate sah’ri. From that time until Fajr he remained busy with reading the Qur’an or reciting of wazifas. With the greyness of dawn, he performed Fajr ‘salah, thereafter he remained in meditation (muraa-qabah) until Ishraaq. Having performed Ishraaq he used to write his famous kitab, ‘Baziul Majhood’, commentary on Abu Dawood. Then he normally attends to letters and dictating replies up to mid-day. Then he used to rest up to Zhuh-r ‘salah. Between Zhuh-r and A’sr he used to recite the Qur’an.

From A’sr Namaaz until Maghrib he used to be busy with tasbeeh and answering the queries of those who visited him. When he completed ‘Baziul Majhood’ then part of the morning used to be spent in tilaawah and studying some monumental religious works, especially Baziul Majhood and Wafa al Wafa. This was his daily program for nafl ‘ibadah throughout the year.

In Ramadan however, he used to spend a bit more time in his ibadah, making the rak’aats longer. For the ordinary person to observe the special programs the other pious elders had for Ramadan would be difficult. Shaikhul Hind Maulana Mahmoo-dul Hasan (Rahmatullah alaihi) used to remain in nafl ‘salah from after Taraweeh until Fajr, while also listening to the Qur’an recited by various huffaazh one after the other.

Maulana Shah Abdurraheem Raipuri (d 1963) remained busy with tilaawah (recitation) of the Qur’an day and night through Ramadan. There used to be no time for attending to correspondence or meeting visitors. Only his special ones were allowed to wait on him after Taraweeh for a short period while he drank a cup of tea.