RAMADHAN
THE MONTH OF QURAN
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon
His Messenger, his household and companions.
Fellow Muslims! I implore myself and you all to fear Allah; this honors the soul
and brings it close to its Lord. No God-fearing person will ever fail and anyone
who disregards the importance of piety will never be successful.
Dear Muslims! Whoever observes the condition of people in light of the current
trials, tribulations and calamities that are occurring all over the world will see that
the Muslims are in dire need of a generous guest that brings with it relief and
progress. They are in need of this grand guest with whom they hope to be
strengthened after a series of indescribable calamities and weakening incidents;
hence their need for this great month of tranquility and spiritual development. It is
the month of self-examination, conscience reawakening and freedom from
selfishness and lustful desires. Allah says that which translates as: "O you who
have believed! Decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before
you, that you may become righteous." (Al-Baqarah/ 183)
Fellow Muslims! The month of Ramadan is the month of Quran; a Book whose
light will never fade and which is a path that never leads one astray. The Glorious
Quran is to man as the soul is to the body; it is a light for guidance. Whoever does
not read Quran or doesnt put its injunctions into practice is dead, despite the fact
that they may speak and move. Whoever does not put it into practice, has gone far
astray even if they are apparently successful in all areas of life.
Allah says that which translates as: "Is one who is dead and We gave him life and
made for him light by which to walk among the people like one who is in
darkness, never to emerge there from?" (Al-An’aam/ 122)
A human being without the guidance of Quran is like any living being without air
or water; all their endeavors will end up in bankruptcy. Allah says that which
translates as: "Say: 'It is for those who believe, a guidance and a cure'. And those
who do not believe – in their ears is deafness, and it (i.e. Quran) is upon them
blindness. Those are being called from a distant place." (Fussilat/ 44)
Fellow Muslims! There is no doubt that the relationship of many Muslims with
Quran is one of abandonments of either its recitation or implementation of its
injunctions. It is no exaggeration to say that the diseases of past nations have
affected the Muslims, while they are unaware of this. Allah says that which
translates as: “And there are among them unlettered people who do not know not
the Scripture except (indulging in) wishful thinking, but they are only assuming.”
(Al Baqarah/ 78) The scholars of Tafsir say about this verse: 'It means: they know
nothing about the Book except for its recitation, for it never passed their lungs and
throats. This is because of the fact that there was a spiritual absence in their
recitation and; therefore, they were unable to ponder over its meanings'.
Among the causes of the absence of reflection on the meanings of Quran is the
failure to explore and understand the laws of Allah in relation to human-beings
and natural phenomena. Also, to blame is the sanctification of erroneous concepts
and wrong interpretations of life that have become widespread among people and
which are caused by unrestrained love for this world and the hatred of death.
Ziyaad Ibn Labeed Al-Ansari ( may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the
Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) mentioned something and then said: "….and that is
when there will be no more knowledge. We said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! How
will knowledge disappear while we have Quran with us and we teach it to our
children and while they will also teach it to theirs?’ The Prophet (p.b.u.h.)
retorted: I thought you were one of the most knowledgeable of the people of
Madinah! Are there not Jews and Christians who have their scriptures with them
and yet they take no benefit from what is inside them?’" (At-Tirmidhi and others).
One is stricken with grief and shock when they see the stance that many Muslims
have adopted with regard to the Book of their Lord. They have been covered by
darkness and wander aimlessly; the foreign systems and ideologies that they have
embraced have done nothing for them. How can it be that we have the light and
yet follow the paths of other nations?
The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) lived for sixty-three years; we are used to
believing that old age and the vicissitudes of life cause hair to turn grey. What then
will you think of a man who attributed grey hair to some verses of the glorious
Quran that he used to recite? Abu Bakr ( may Allah be pleased with him) asked
the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) about what caused some of his beard to become
grey, he (p.b.u.h.) replied: ‘It was caused by Soorah Hood, Soorah Al-Waaqi’ah,
Soorah An-Naba’ and Soorah At-Takweer.” (At-Tirmidhi)
Brothers in faith! The blessed month of Ramadan should be regarded as a
wonderful opportunity for every Muslim to save himself from destruction and to
purify their soul in preparation for Quranic guidance that is inherent in night
prayer. Allah says that which translates as: “Indeed, the hours of the night (i.e. the
rising for Tahajjud prayer) are more effective for concurrence (of heart and
tongue) and more suitable for words (i.e. for recitation of Quran and for hearing
and understanding it).” (Al-Muzzammil/ 6).
Brothers in faith! The blessed month of Ramadan is a great opportunity for the
Muslims to wake up for night prayers, seek refuge with Allah and turn to Him for
their needs, for none has the power to answer their call except Allah alone. The
Lord descends to the nearest heaven, in a way that befits his majesty, in the last
third of the night and asks: "Is there anyone who seeks My forgiveness so that I
can forgive him?" Do any of us ever reflect upon and appreciate this great period
which is one of those in which supplications are answered? Tell me, what are the
people doing in this last part of the night? Many a miserable soul missed this
blessed period! Many people are in deep slumber at this time. It is saddening that
some of those who are negligent of this great period are however, ready to go
anywhere where they can lodge their complaints and seek solutions to their
problems - from their fellow human beings, forgetting that it is only Allah who is
capable of removing sorrow and distress. He says that which translates as: "What
is (the matter) with you that you do not attribute to Allah (due) grandeur while He
has created you in stages?" (Nooh/ 13-14)
Imam Tirmidhi reported that the Prophet of Allah (p.b.u.h.) said: "There are three
persons whose supplications are never rejected: The just leader, the fasting person
when he breaks his fast and the oppressed when he supplicates and whose
supplication is raised above the clouds and the gates of heaven are opened for it
and Allah will say, 'By My Glory! I shall assist you even if it is after a while.'"
Brothers in faith! There are; however, some people who raise their hands in prayer
and are impatient for a rapid answer; they may even feel despair if their
supplications are not speedily answered. The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) said:
"Allah will answer the supplication of any one of you as long as he is not hasty
and says: ‘I called my Lord and He did not answer.’"
The delay may also be caused by sins such as the failure to uphold the rights of
kinship, or perhaps it may be due to the fact that the prayer emanated only from
the tongue and was not rooted in the heart. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.): "Allah does not
accept the supplications from an inattentive heart." The heart is not free from
turning to the desires of this life and we all know that one who always looks back
does not reach his goal in time.
Therefore, I implore you O Muslims, to make plentiful supplications to Allah, for
supplication is the essence of worship. Let nobody slight their requirements
however great or small they may be. Allah says that which translates as: "And
your Lord says: ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’ Indeed, those who disdain
My worship will enter Hell (rendered) contemptible.'" (Ghaafir/ 60)
Here is an example for those in sorrow and distress: The Messenger of Allah
(p.b.u.h.) entered the mosque one day and saw an Ansari (a resident of Madinah)
man there by the name of Abu Umaamah. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) asked him: " O
Abu Umaamah, why are you sitting in the mosque at a time that is not a prayer
time?" He replied: 'I was forced to do so by sorrow and debt.' The Messenger of
Allah (p.b.u.h.) then asked: 'Shall I teach you a supplication by which Allah will
remove your sorrow and pay for you your debts?' He answered: 'O yes, Messenger
of Allah!' The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) then said: 'Say every morning and evening:
Allahumma innee a’oodhu bikka minal-hammi wal hazan, wa a’oodhu bika minal-
‘ajzi wal-kasal wa a’oodhu bika minal-jubni wal-bukhul wa a’oodhu bika min
ghalabatid-dayn wa qahrir-rijaal.’ (Meaning: O Allah, I seek refuge with You from
anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden
of debts and from being over powered by men.) Abu Umaamah said: 'I did that
and Allah removed my distress and paid for me my debt.'" (Abu Dawood)
Fellow Muslims! The month of Ramadan is a month of generosity and spending in
ways that are virtuous. Let every Muslim take part in the generosity of this month
and not hesitate to wipe the tears off the faces of orphans, widows and the
destitute. Let everyone keep away from stinginess and covetousness for these are
two of the bad qualities from which the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) sought
refuge with his Lord from. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was the most generous of
mankind and his generosity multiplied during the month of Ramadan. He would
never say ‘no’ when he was asked of anything.
Further, the benefits of charity are not restricted to the beneficiary; the donor also
has a share. An example of this is when a generous person gives in charity, their
heart becomes gladdened and they become pleased with that. Therefore, this
person will be encouraged to give more and gain extra rewards. As for the miser,
whenever he thinks of giving in charity his heart feels constrained; he feels as if he
is giving away a chunk of his life!, this in turn leads to his whole life feeling
constrained. However, nothing destroys the tricks and insinuations of Satan more
than giving sincerely in charity.
Allah says that which translates as: "Satan threatens you with poverty and orders
you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty.
And Allah is All-Encompassing and Knowing." (Al-Baqarah/ 268)
THE MONTH OF QURAN
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon
His Messenger, his household and companions.
Fellow Muslims! I implore myself and you all to fear Allah; this honors the soul
and brings it close to its Lord. No God-fearing person will ever fail and anyone
who disregards the importance of piety will never be successful.
Dear Muslims! Whoever observes the condition of people in light of the current
trials, tribulations and calamities that are occurring all over the world will see that
the Muslims are in dire need of a generous guest that brings with it relief and
progress. They are in need of this grand guest with whom they hope to be
strengthened after a series of indescribable calamities and weakening incidents;
hence their need for this great month of tranquility and spiritual development. It is
the month of self-examination, conscience reawakening and freedom from
selfishness and lustful desires. Allah says that which translates as: "O you who
have believed! Decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before
you, that you may become righteous." (Al-Baqarah/ 183)
Fellow Muslims! The month of Ramadan is the month of Quran; a Book whose
light will never fade and which is a path that never leads one astray. The Glorious
Quran is to man as the soul is to the body; it is a light for guidance. Whoever does
not read Quran or doesnt put its injunctions into practice is dead, despite the fact
that they may speak and move. Whoever does not put it into practice, has gone far
astray even if they are apparently successful in all areas of life.
Allah says that which translates as: "Is one who is dead and We gave him life and
made for him light by which to walk among the people like one who is in
darkness, never to emerge there from?" (Al-An’aam/ 122)
A human being without the guidance of Quran is like any living being without air
or water; all their endeavors will end up in bankruptcy. Allah says that which
translates as: "Say: 'It is for those who believe, a guidance and a cure'. And those
who do not believe – in their ears is deafness, and it (i.e. Quran) is upon them
blindness. Those are being called from a distant place." (Fussilat/ 44)
Fellow Muslims! There is no doubt that the relationship of many Muslims with
Quran is one of abandonments of either its recitation or implementation of its
injunctions. It is no exaggeration to say that the diseases of past nations have
affected the Muslims, while they are unaware of this. Allah says that which
translates as: “And there are among them unlettered people who do not know not
the Scripture except (indulging in) wishful thinking, but they are only assuming.”
(Al Baqarah/ 78) The scholars of Tafsir say about this verse: 'It means: they know
nothing about the Book except for its recitation, for it never passed their lungs and
throats. This is because of the fact that there was a spiritual absence in their
recitation and; therefore, they were unable to ponder over its meanings'.
Among the causes of the absence of reflection on the meanings of Quran is the
failure to explore and understand the laws of Allah in relation to human-beings
and natural phenomena. Also, to blame is the sanctification of erroneous concepts
and wrong interpretations of life that have become widespread among people and
which are caused by unrestrained love for this world and the hatred of death.
Ziyaad Ibn Labeed Al-Ansari ( may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the
Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) mentioned something and then said: "….and that is
when there will be no more knowledge. We said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! How
will knowledge disappear while we have Quran with us and we teach it to our
children and while they will also teach it to theirs?’ The Prophet (p.b.u.h.)
retorted: I thought you were one of the most knowledgeable of the people of
Madinah! Are there not Jews and Christians who have their scriptures with them
and yet they take no benefit from what is inside them?’" (At-Tirmidhi and others).
One is stricken with grief and shock when they see the stance that many Muslims
have adopted with regard to the Book of their Lord. They have been covered by
darkness and wander aimlessly; the foreign systems and ideologies that they have
embraced have done nothing for them. How can it be that we have the light and
yet follow the paths of other nations?
The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) lived for sixty-three years; we are used to
believing that old age and the vicissitudes of life cause hair to turn grey. What then
will you think of a man who attributed grey hair to some verses of the glorious
Quran that he used to recite? Abu Bakr ( may Allah be pleased with him) asked
the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) about what caused some of his beard to become
grey, he (p.b.u.h.) replied: ‘It was caused by Soorah Hood, Soorah Al-Waaqi’ah,
Soorah An-Naba’ and Soorah At-Takweer.” (At-Tirmidhi)
Brothers in faith! The blessed month of Ramadan should be regarded as a
wonderful opportunity for every Muslim to save himself from destruction and to
purify their soul in preparation for Quranic guidance that is inherent in night
prayer. Allah says that which translates as: “Indeed, the hours of the night (i.e. the
rising for Tahajjud prayer) are more effective for concurrence (of heart and
tongue) and more suitable for words (i.e. for recitation of Quran and for hearing
and understanding it).” (Al-Muzzammil/ 6).
Brothers in faith! The blessed month of Ramadan is a great opportunity for the
Muslims to wake up for night prayers, seek refuge with Allah and turn to Him for
their needs, for none has the power to answer their call except Allah alone. The
Lord descends to the nearest heaven, in a way that befits his majesty, in the last
third of the night and asks: "Is there anyone who seeks My forgiveness so that I
can forgive him?" Do any of us ever reflect upon and appreciate this great period
which is one of those in which supplications are answered? Tell me, what are the
people doing in this last part of the night? Many a miserable soul missed this
blessed period! Many people are in deep slumber at this time. It is saddening that
some of those who are negligent of this great period are however, ready to go
anywhere where they can lodge their complaints and seek solutions to their
problems - from their fellow human beings, forgetting that it is only Allah who is
capable of removing sorrow and distress. He says that which translates as: "What
is (the matter) with you that you do not attribute to Allah (due) grandeur while He
has created you in stages?" (Nooh/ 13-14)
Imam Tirmidhi reported that the Prophet of Allah (p.b.u.h.) said: "There are three
persons whose supplications are never rejected: The just leader, the fasting person
when he breaks his fast and the oppressed when he supplicates and whose
supplication is raised above the clouds and the gates of heaven are opened for it
and Allah will say, 'By My Glory! I shall assist you even if it is after a while.'"
Brothers in faith! There are; however, some people who raise their hands in prayer
and are impatient for a rapid answer; they may even feel despair if their
supplications are not speedily answered. The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) said:
"Allah will answer the supplication of any one of you as long as he is not hasty
and says: ‘I called my Lord and He did not answer.’"
The delay may also be caused by sins such as the failure to uphold the rights of
kinship, or perhaps it may be due to the fact that the prayer emanated only from
the tongue and was not rooted in the heart. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.): "Allah does not
accept the supplications from an inattentive heart." The heart is not free from
turning to the desires of this life and we all know that one who always looks back
does not reach his goal in time.
Therefore, I implore you O Muslims, to make plentiful supplications to Allah, for
supplication is the essence of worship. Let nobody slight their requirements
however great or small they may be. Allah says that which translates as: "And
your Lord says: ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’ Indeed, those who disdain
My worship will enter Hell (rendered) contemptible.'" (Ghaafir/ 60)
Here is an example for those in sorrow and distress: The Messenger of Allah
(p.b.u.h.) entered the mosque one day and saw an Ansari (a resident of Madinah)
man there by the name of Abu Umaamah. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) asked him: " O
Abu Umaamah, why are you sitting in the mosque at a time that is not a prayer
time?" He replied: 'I was forced to do so by sorrow and debt.' The Messenger of
Allah (p.b.u.h.) then asked: 'Shall I teach you a supplication by which Allah will
remove your sorrow and pay for you your debts?' He answered: 'O yes, Messenger
of Allah!' The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) then said: 'Say every morning and evening:
Allahumma innee a’oodhu bikka minal-hammi wal hazan, wa a’oodhu bika minal-
‘ajzi wal-kasal wa a’oodhu bika minal-jubni wal-bukhul wa a’oodhu bika min
ghalabatid-dayn wa qahrir-rijaal.’ (Meaning: O Allah, I seek refuge with You from
anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden
of debts and from being over powered by men.) Abu Umaamah said: 'I did that
and Allah removed my distress and paid for me my debt.'" (Abu Dawood)
Fellow Muslims! The month of Ramadan is a month of generosity and spending in
ways that are virtuous. Let every Muslim take part in the generosity of this month
and not hesitate to wipe the tears off the faces of orphans, widows and the
destitute. Let everyone keep away from stinginess and covetousness for these are
two of the bad qualities from which the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) sought
refuge with his Lord from. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was the most generous of
mankind and his generosity multiplied during the month of Ramadan. He would
never say ‘no’ when he was asked of anything.
Further, the benefits of charity are not restricted to the beneficiary; the donor also
has a share. An example of this is when a generous person gives in charity, their
heart becomes gladdened and they become pleased with that. Therefore, this
person will be encouraged to give more and gain extra rewards. As for the miser,
whenever he thinks of giving in charity his heart feels constrained; he feels as if he
is giving away a chunk of his life!, this in turn leads to his whole life feeling
constrained. However, nothing destroys the tricks and insinuations of Satan more
than giving sincerely in charity.
Allah says that which translates as: "Satan threatens you with poverty and orders
you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty.
And Allah is All-Encompassing and Knowing." (Al-Baqarah/ 268)
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