........Generosity: We should not neglect this important point. The
prophet (S) has encouraged the Ummah especially the rich to do their best in
this direction. The reward of kind gestures in Ramadhan is exceptionally
rewarded. This is why group and community Iftar were encouraged to help the
needy. So also,Zakatul fitrah (an obligatory charity) at the eve of Sallah
celebration.......
In the name of Allah Who states "O you who believe! Fasting is
prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may learn
self-restraint (al-Taqwa)” Q2:183
May the everlasting peace and blessings of Allah be upon His noble
servant our master Muḥammad and his purified progeny.
Let me start with a general congratulation on the advent of this
great month – Ramaḍan. May Allah include us among His servants destined to
achieve salvation in it. Some significant historic events remembered include
loss of prophet's beloved wife SayyidāKhadīja and his compassionate Uncle Abi Ṭālib,
father of Imam ‘Ali, the commander of the faithful, at the early stage. Thus,
the year was named year of sorrow in Islamic history. SayyidāKhadīja was the
first wife of the Holy Prophet. She was a prominent lady known for her piety,
compassion and generosity before revelation for which she was referred as
"the pure" among other names. The prophet associated the success of
Islam to her wealth, sword of ‘Ali in defense of the religion and protection of
Abu Talib! In a hadeeth “the most superior women of paradise are Khadīja
daughter of Khuwailid, Fātima daughter of Muḥammad, Āsiyā daughter of Muzāhim
and Maryam daughter of Imrān”. She spent good fifteen years with HolyMessenger
(S). And throughout the period, he did not marry anyother woman. In fact,
contrary to the lies circulated by the enemies, the logic in the marriages of
the prophet was basically on compassionate and political ground.
‘A’isha, mother of the faithful reported “one day the messenger of
Allah remembered Khadīja (his deceased wife). I disliked this and said she was
old; she was such and such. Now Allah has provided you with a better wife. (She
meant herself). He said; Allah has not provided me with a better wife. She
believed in my prophet hood when others refused to believe in me, and she
verified and supported my words when others contradicted them, and she placed
her wealth at my disposal when others disappointed me. Allah blessed me with
children through her and not through any other wife” Istī’āb by Ibn ‘AbdulBārr,
with similar records by Bukhāri and Muslim. The prophet (S) conveyed
SayyidāKhadīja glad tidings of Allah’s forgiveness and mercy in the hereafter!
It was part of the boundless blessings that her daughter Fātima was
highly elevated above all women in this Ummah “O my daughter! Are you not
satisfied that you are the doyenne of the women of the world? She said: o
father! What about Mary daughter of Imrān (then)? He said: she was the doyenne
of the women of her world and you are the doyenne of the women of your world; I
swear by Allah that I have married you to a master in life and hereafter.
Hilyat al-Auliyā volume 2 page 42.
Abu Tālib on the other hand was the father of ‘Ali. He believed in
the noble prophet and gave him utmost protection although the enemies of his
son have rejected his faith. He also died in the same year as SayyidāKhadīja
for which the Great Messenger suffered much and named the year as mentioned
above.
THE WAR OF BADR
The battle of Badr was fought in the holy month of Ramaḍān on the
17th. Despite fasting, the believers were faced with the persecution of the
Meccan pagans under Abu Sufyān. As such Allah permitted them to protect
themselves from the persistent persecution and helped them with great victory.
“Assuredly Allah did help you In many battle-fields, And on the day of Hunain;
Behold! Your great numbers Elated you, but they Availed you naught; the land.
For all that it is wide, Did constrain you, and ye Turned back in retreat”
Q9:25
Over seventy enemies of Islam were killed with about the same
number taken as hostages!No one could imagine success for the believers with
their little number and few arms when the unbelievers have more than tripled
them fully armed to teeth! “Remember ye implored The assistance of your Lord,
And He answered you; I will assist you With a thousand of the angels, Ranks and
ranks” Q8:9. Similar victory awaits all believers steadfast in their faith
forever “O Prophet! Sufficient unto thee is Allah, And unto those Who follow
thee Among the Believers” Q7:64
BIRTH OF IMAM HASAN (AS)
Birth of Imam Hasan al-Mujtabā was part of the historic events. The
Imam was born on 15th Ramadhan, 3 years after hijra. His father was the
commander of the faithful, Imam ‘Ali son of Abi Tālib and mother SayyidāFātima
daughter of the noble prophet (S). At his birth, the prophet went to the house
and took him in his blessed arms and recited Adhan and Iqāma naming him
al-Hasan! He was brought up under the patronage of his grandfather the prophet
(S). However, he was finally murdered on orders of his father’s enemy, Mu'āwiya
son of Abu Sufyān, 50 years AH.
MARTYRDOM OF IMAM ALI (AS)
The martyrdom of Imam ‘Ali, commander of the faithful by Mu’awiya’s
tool, Ibn Muljimhappened on 21st Ramadan, 40 years after hijra when the Imam
was leading the morning prayer at Kufa. “And do not speak of those who are
slain in Allah’s way as dead; nay (they are) alive, but you do not perceive”
Q2:154. Before his last breath, the Imam passed his lengthy will to his eldest
son Imam Hasan, part of which; “… I advise you all my children, members of my
family and everyone whom my writing reaches to fear Allah, to keep your affairs
in order and to maintain good relations among yourselves for I have heard
grandfather (the holy prophet) saying; improvement of mutual differences is
better than general prayers and fasting…”
ASSESSING OUR FASTING
As the above verse clearly stated, the rationale behind fasting is
to achieve self-restraint, in other words, abstention from Allah’s prohibitions
and adhering to His commands with the aim of gaining His pleasure. No doubt, if
this worship is done accordingly, the much needed taqwa could be achieved and
will positively impact our bedeviled nation in turn. Fasting is not only
leaving one’s food, drink and sexual desires within the stipulated period, but
one must put all his organs under control especially mouth from vain talks.
With regard to some forms of worshipspecifically encouraged, l will briefly
draw attention to the following points:
1. Qur'anic recitation: Undoubtedly, recitation of the noble Qur'an
is the most important functions of the month. So, every believer should do his
or her utmost best in this direction. I use this medium to encourage brothers
and sisters on the need to master the noble book as the level of ignorance in
this regard is very disheartening. Our attention is more on the secular
direction. How many of us acquired their first, second degree and PhD but are
lagging behind regarding the noble Qur'an? Therefore, we must wake up and do
the right thing for our goodness. We should try to recite the whole Qur'an as
many times as possible and sacrifice such rewards to the noble prophet and his
progeny, parents and other loved ones dead or alive.
2. Salat: Another significant action we must draw attention to is
the noncompulsory prayers. Taraweeh is the most popular. But there are different
seriesin the month. In fact, there is a popular narration of a thousand
raka'atsby Imam Jaafar al-Sadiq (AS). Accordingly, 20 raka'ats in the first 20
nights with 8 after Magrib and 12 after Isha respectively. In the last 10 days,
30 raka'ats are performed, 8 after Magrib, 22 after Isha and 100 raka'ats each
on Layālulqadr' 19th, 21st and 23rd nights.
3. Supplications: More than any other time believers are encouraged
to put in more efforts in this direction. Allah said “When My servants Ask thee
concerning Me, I am indeed Close (to them); I respond To the prayer of every
supplicant when he calleth on Me; Let them also, with a will listen to My call,
And believe in Me; That they may walk in the right way” Q2: 186. So, we should
keep up the night prayers seeking Allah’s forgiveness and mercy for our humble
selves, parents and beloved to attain salvation. Additionally, other forms of
remembrance such as SalatunNabiy, Istigfarand so on must be maintained. We
should befriend books of supplication like MafaateehulJinaan,
Dhiyaa'usSaaliheen and so on.And as the Zaria massacre clocked more than four
years,we should not relent in prayers for Allah's retribution against the
killers of innocent, armlessand peace-lovingcitizens.
4. Generosity: We should not neglect this important point. The
prophet (S) has encouraged the Ummah especially the rich to do their best in
this direction. The reward of kind gestures in Ramadhan is exceptionally
rewarded. This is why group and community Iftar were encouraged to help the needy.
So also,Zakatul fitrah (an obligatory charity) at the eve of Sallah
celebration.
5. Tafseer sessions: With regard to Tafseer and relevant other
sessions, most importantly. we make sure we practice lessons therein as actions
always speak louder. This is on general basis, as the sources are immaterial.
Given the PANDEMIC SITUATION and social distancing, most of
theseacts will not be as they were formerly observed. So, believers should heed
advices of medical experts and instructions of their local authorities.
While stressing the need for self and general assessment on the
clearly stated objective of this unique act of worship, I reiterate the
unconditional need for Sheikh el-Zakzaky’s release and all his disciples.
Wassalamualaikum.
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