Day Thirty Concluding the Month

My brothers: The month of Ramadhan is leaving us, and it is either a witness for you or against you. So whoever ends the month and he did good, then let them praise Allah for that and have glad tidings of much reward, for indeed Allah does not lose the reward of a person who did good.

As for the person who did evil acts, then let them repent to his Lord a sincere repentance, for indeed Allah forgives for whoever repents.

[The Saying Of The Takbeer]

Allah has prescribed for you in the end of this month acts that will bring you closer to Allah and increase your iman, and increase your good deeds. Allah has prescribed for you zakatulfitr, and we spoke about this already, and Allah prescribed for you to make takbeer on the last day once the sun sets until the Eid prayer.

Allah (swt) says, “So that you may finish the month, and make takbeer to Allah for what he has guided you, and so that you may be thankful.”

The takbeer should be said like this: “Allahu Akbar, Allahu akbar, La Illaha Illalah, Allahu akbar, allahu akbar, walilaahilhamd.”

And the men should say it out loud in the mosques, marketplace, and houses. This is to show the greatness of Allah, and to show thankfulness. As for women, they should say it quietly, because they are ordered with modesty and using low voices. There is not a more beautiful sight than to see the people making takbeer of Allah in every place after they finished the month, they fill the places with takbeer and praise seeking the mercy of Allah and scared of His punishment.

[The 'Eid Prayer]

Allah has also prescribed the Eid prayer, and it is a completion to thikr of Allah (swt). The Prophet (saw) ordered both men and women to attend the Eid prayer, even though the house is better for the women, except for the Eid prayer.

Umm ‘Atiyah (ra) said, “The Prophet Muhammad (saw) ordered us to go out for Fitr and alAdha, the young virgins and the menstruating women, as for the menstruating woman she should avoid the prayer area, and should witness the goodness and the many Muslims. She said, “Oh Messenger of Allah, one of us doesn’t have a jilbab.” He said, “Let one of her sister give her one of her jilbabs.” (Agreed upon)

[The Etiquettes Of Going To The 'Eid Salaah]

It is from the sunnah to eat before leaving the house, it should be an odd number of dates. Anas bin Malik said, “The Prophet (saw) used eat on the day of Fitr an odd number of dates.” (Ahmad, Bukhari)

And they should go by foot to the masjid, except if you have an excuse like being old, or being far away. As Ali bin Abi Talib said, “It is from the sunnah to go to the Eid prayer walking.” (graded hassan by Tirmidhee)

It is also sunnah for the man to have a nice appearance, and wear perfume, and wear his best clothes. Abdullah ibn ‘Umar said, “’Umar bought a silk cloak from the market, took it to the Prophet (SAW), and said: “O Allah’s Apostle! Take it and adorn yourself with it during the Eids and when the delegations visit you.” Allah’s Apostle answered: “This dress is for those who have no share in the Hereafter.” (Agreed upon) He said this because it was made of silk which is haram for men to wear. As for the woman, she should leave without beautifying herself, or wearing perfume, or dressed immodestly.

[Internal Etiquettes]

And you should come to the prayer with khushoo’ and a present heart, and you should increase in the thikr of Allah and du’ah, and seeking is mercy, and fearing his punishment, and they should picture the people gathering to the masjid, as the people gathering between the hands of Allah on the Day of Judgment.

And you should be happy with the blessings of Allah on you, for finishing Ramadhan, and being able to do the prayer, fasting, reciting, charity, and other acts of worship. For indeed that is better than the world and what it contains. “Say: In the grace of Allah and in His mercy– in that they should rejoice; it is better than that which they gather.”

For indeed fasting and establishing Ramadhan with faith and expecting its reward is a cause for forgiveness from sins, and purification. So the believer gets happy with the completion of the fast and prayer, so that it purifies them. While the person of weak faith is happy to get the fasting over with. And the difference between the two groups is vast.

[Continuing Good Deeds After Ramadhaan]

My brothers: This month is over, but the actions of a believer never finish before his death. Allah (swt) said, “And worship your Lord until death overtakes you.” And, “Oh you who believe, fear Allah as he should be rightfully, and do not die except as Muslims.”

And the Prophet (saw) said, “When the slave dies, then his actions are cut.”

So nothing cuts the acts of worship except death, so when Ramadhan is completed, then the believer should still continue to fast. Fasting is allowed during the whole year, and we praise Allah for that. The Prophet (saw) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadhan, then fasted six from Shawwal, it is as if they fasted the entire year.” (Muslim)

Also fasting three days of every month. It is best if these are the days of Badh, which are the 13th,14th, and 15th of the month. The Prophet (saw) said, “Oh Abu Dhar if you fast three days of every month, then let it be the 13th, 14th, and 15th.” (Ahmad, Nisaee)

The Prophet (saw) also said that fasting on the day of Arafah is a forgiveness for the past and upcoming years. (Muslim) And fasting on the day of ‘Ashura forgives the past year. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) was asked, “Which is the best fast after Ramadhan?” He said, “After fasting Ramadhan, fasting the month of Muharram.” (Muslim)

The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “The actions are raised on Mondays and Thursday, so I like my actions to be raised while I am fasting.” (Tirmidhee)

[Continuing The Night Prayer]

When the night prayer is over in Ramadhan, know that it is permissible to pray every night of the year, and to Allah is the praise for that. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) used to pray at night until his feet swelled, and when he was asked about this he said, “Should I not be a thankful slave?” (Bukhari)

The Prophet (saw) also said, “Oh people spread the salaam, and feed the poor, and keep the relations of the womb, and pray at night while the people sleep, you will enter paradise in peace.” (graded Saheeh by Tirmidhee)

In Saheeh Muslim the Prophet (saw) said, “The best prayer after the obligatory ones is the night prayer.”

A person should pray the night prayer in units of two, and if they fear that fajr will approach, then they should pray one rak’ah and that will be their witr. And if they wish they can pray the different ways that were described in the fourth sitting. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “Allah tabarak wa ta’ala descends every last third of the night to the first heaven and says, ‘Who will make du’ah so that I can answer it? Who will ask so that I will give them? Who will seek forgiveness so that I will grant it to them?‘ ” (Agreed upon)

[Doing Plenty Of Dhikr]

And thikr follows the five prayers, as Allah says, “When you finish the prayer then make thikr of Allah standing, sitting, and on your sides.”

When the Prophet Muhammad (saw) finished the prayer, he would say “astaghfirallah” three times, then say “Allahuma antassalam waminkassalam tabarakta wadhiljalalee walikraam”.

And the Prophet (saw) said who every made tasbeeh after ever prayer 33 times and hamd 33 times and takbeer 33 times, this is 99, then said to complete 100, “La Ilaha illallah wahdahu lashareekalahu, lahulmulku walahulhamdu wahuwa ala kuli shain qadeer” then he is forgiven for his sins even if it was as much as the foam of the sea. (Muslim)

[Conclusion]

So strive by brothers in doing the acts of obedience and leave the sins so that you may achieve the successful life in the world and in the next, as Allah (swt) says, “Whoever does good whether male or female and he is a believer, We will most certainly make him live a happy life, and We will most certainly give them their reward for the best of what they did.”

Oh Allah make us steadfast with eman and on doing righteous actions, and give us a nice life and allow us to be with the righteous, and all praise is to Allah Lord of the worlds, and send your peace and blessing on the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and on his family and companions.

This is the completion of this book which was written in the year 1396H (1976).

Day Twenty-Nine Repentance

My brothers: Conclude this month of Ramadhan with repentance to Allah from disobeying Him. And with returning to Him with what pleases Him. Indeed a person will never stop from committing sins, and being deficient. And all of the sons of Adam are sinners, and the best of sinners are those that repent.

[A Few Verses On Forgiveness]

As Allah says, “(And to preach thus), ‘Seek ye the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance; that He may grant you enjoyment, good (and true), for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding grace on all who abound in merit! But if ye turn away, then I fear for you the penalty of a great day.’ ”

And, “Say: I am only a mortal like you; it is revealed to me that your Allah is one Allah, therefore follow the right way to Him and ask His forgiveness; and woe to the polytheists;” And, “and turn to Allah all of you, O believers! so that you may be successful.”

And, “O you who believe! turn to Allah a sincere turning; maybe your Lord will remove from you your evil and cause you to enter gardens beneath which rivers flow, on the day on which Allah will not abase the Prophet and those who believe with him; their light shall run on before them and on their right hands; they shall say: Our Lord! make perfect for us our light, and grant us protection, surely Thou hast power over all things.”

And, “Surely Allah loves those who turn much (to Him), and He loves those who purify themselves.” And there are many verses that mention repentance.

[A Few Ahaadeeth On Forgiveness]

The Prophet (saw) said, “Oh you who believe, repent to Allah, and seek his forgiveness, for indeed I seek repentance 100 a day.” (Muslim)

And he said, “Indeed I repent to Allah in one day more than 70 times.” (Bukhari)

And he said, “Allah is more pleased with the repentance of a servant as he turns towards Him for repentance than this that one amongst you is upon the camel in a waterless desert and there is upon (that camel) his provision of food and drink also and it is lost by him, and he having lost all hope lies down in the shadow and is disappointed about his camel and there he finds that camel standing before him. He takes hold of his nosestring and then out of boundless joy says: O lord, You are my slave, and I am your Lord. He commits this mistake out of extreme delight.” (Muslim)

He (saw) also said, “If the son of Adam had a mountain of gold, they would want to have two mountains, and they will not be pleased until their mouth is filled with dirt, and Allah forgives for whoever repents.” (Agreed upon)

[What Is Repentance?]

So repentance is returing to Allah from disobedience to obedience, because He (swt) is the rightfully worshiped, and the rights of worship is that a person should be low and humble to the Lord with love, and if someone disobeys Allah, then their repentance is to return to Allah, and to stand at His door the standing of someone who is poor in fear, and humbleness.

And repentance is an obligation, and it is not permissible to delay it. Because Allah and His Messenger ordered us to make repentance, and nobody knows what will happen to them if they delay it. Continuing on the disobedience of Allah will make the heart hard, and will distance a person from Allah (swt) and will decrease their faith. For indeed the faith increases with obedience and decreases with disobedience. Continuing to commit sins will lead to making it a habit which will make it even harder to stop, and this will open the door for Shaytan and will lead to more and bigger sins.

[The Five Conditions Of Repentance]

And repentance to Allah should be sincere, and it has five conditions.

First: It should be done sincerely for the sake of Allah, and with hope of being forgiven, and fear of being punished.

Second: They should feel regret and sadness over what they did, and they should wish that they never did that sin.

Third: They should desist from committing the sin, otherwise the tawba is not accepted. (So), if someone stole money from someone, then their repentance is not accepted until it is returned to the person, if that person is dead, then it should be given to their inheritors. If that person doesn’t have inheritors then it is to be give to baytalmal. If they are unsure of who the money they stole belongs to, then they should give it in charity. If they spoke about someone behind their back, then they should apologize to the person.

Fourth: The person should resolve that they will not return to this sin, this is the fruits of the repentance as well as proof its sincerity.

Fifth: It cannot be made after two certain times. One time general for all people, and one time specific for each person.

As for the general time for all people, then that is when the sun rises from the west. As Allah says, “On the day when some of the signs of your Lord shall come, its faith shall not profit a soul which did not believe before, or earn good through its faith.” The Prophet (saw) said, “Whoever repents before the sun rises from the west, Allah will forgive them.” (Muslim)

As for the specific time, then it is the stages before a person’s soul leaves the body. As Allah says, “And repentance is not for those who go on doing evil deeds, until when death comes to one of them, he says: Surely now I repent; nor (for) those who die while they are unbelievers.”

[And The Mercy Of Allaah Is Vast]

Allah says, “Say: O my servants! who have acted extravagantly against their own souls, do not despair of the mercy of Allah; surely Allah forgives the faults altogether; surely He is the Forgiving the Merciful.”

And Allah says, “And whoever does evil or acts unjustly to his soul, then asks forgiveness of Allah, he shall find Allah Forgiving, Merciful.”

Day Twenty-Eight From ZakatulFitr

My brothers: Indeed this noble month is almost over, so whoever was good in this month, then let them praise Allah, and whoever wasn’t, then let them repent to Allah. Indeed Allah has made it obligatory to end this month with giving the zakatulfitr before the Eid prayer, we will talk in detail about it.

[The Ruling On Zakaat Al-Fitr]

As for its ruling, it is an obligation that was obligated on us from the Prophet Muhammad (saw), and whatever he obligates or orders us, it is taken the same as something obligated on us from Allah (swt). As Allah (swt) says, “Whoever obeys the Messenger then they have indeed obeyed Allah…” And it is an obligation on the young and old, male and female, free man and slave, from the Muslims.

Abdullah bin ‘Umar (ra) said, “The Prophet (saw) made zakatulfitr from Ramadhan obligatory, a sa’ah of dates or barley on the slave, free, male, female, young, and old from the Muslims.” (Agreed upon)

It is not obligatory to be paid on the baby still in the mother’s stomach, but if they pay it for the rewards, then that is okay. ‘Uthman (ra) used to take it. Each person is responsible for paying it on themselves, if they can’t then their family can pay it for them. Whoever can’t afford to give one sa’ah, then they can give less as Allah (swt) says, “Fear Allah as much as you’re able.” And the saying of the Prophet (saw), “If I order you with something, then do it to the best of your ability.” (Agreed upon)

[The Wisdom Behind Zakaat Al-Fitr]

As for the wisdom behind paying zakatulfitr, it is sustenance for the poor, and it will stop them from begging on the day of Eid. They will be able to join the rich people in their happiness, and it will be Eid for everyone. It is also makes a person more generous, and it purifies the person’s fast and completes any deficiencies in it. It also shows a way to thank the blessings bestowed upon us from Allah, for finishing fasting in this month, and worshiping in it.

Ibn ‘Abbas (ra) said, “The Prophet (saw) made zakatulfitr obligatory for the fasting person as a purification from sins committed during the fast, and to feed the poor, so whoever gives it before the Eid prayer, then it is an accepted zakah, and whoever gives it after the Eid prayer, then it is considered charity.” (Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah)

[How It Should Be Given]

It should be given in the form of human food like dates, rice, raisins, or other types of food for humans. The zakatulfitr was given in dates or barley during that time because that is the food that they used to eat. Abu Sa’eid al Khudry (ra) said, “We used to give on the day of fitr during the time of the Prophet (saw) a sa’ah of food, and our food was barley, raisins, cheese, and dates.” (Bukhari)

So it is not permissible to give animal feed, because the Prophet (saw) obligated it to be eaten by the poor not by animals. Nor should it be given as clothes, covers, and other things, only food for humans, because the Prophet (saw) made it food, and you shouldn’t do other than that.

It is not permissible to give the equivalence of the food. This is going on something different than what the Prophet Muhammad (saw) ordered, as the Prophet (saw) said, “Whoever does an action that is not from us, then it is rejected.” (Muslim)

Also, giving the equivalence is against the actions of the Sahaba (ra), as they used to give it as a sa’ah of food. As the Prophet (saw) said, “It is upon you to follow my way, and the way of the rightly guided caliphs after me.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah, Tirmidhee)

Zakatulfitr is an obligatory act that is very specific, so it is not permissible to give it other than how it was specified, just like it is not permissible to give it in other than its specific time. It is something given in front of everyone publicly, not like money which is given secretly between the giver and the taker. The sa’ah should be given in terms of the measurements during the time of the Prophet (saw) and adjusted to today’s measurements.

[When It Becomes Obligatory]

The time that it becomes an obligation is the night of Eid. So if someone dies before the setting of the sun, even it is by two minutes, then it doesn’t have to be paid. But if someone dies after the setting of the sun, even by two minutes, then it must be paid on them. Also if someone is born before the setting of the sun, then it must be paid on them.

As for the times to give the zakah there are two: a time that is preferred, and a time that is permissible.

As for the preferred time, it is the morning of Eid before the prayer. As the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eid al Khudri when he said they used to give the zakah on the day of fitr, and a hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) used to order the zakah to be given before the people leave for the Eid prayer (Muslim). For this reason it is good to delay the Eid prayer so that the people can have time to give out the zakah.

As for the time when it is permissible, this is before Eid by a day or two.

It is not to be given after the Eid prayer without an excuse, otherwise it is not accepted. If a person has a valid excuse then this is fine, like being at sea during the time of Eid, or being told about the day being Eid and it is a surprise to you. Or if you are relying on someone to distribute it for you and they forget, then this is fine to give after the Eid prayer as well.

[The Recepients Of Zakaat Al-Fitr]

As for the place where the people receive the zakah, they should be the poor people living in the area. Regardless if a person lives in a Muslim country or not, or if the people in a different country could use it more, it is to be given in the area where a person is living.

As for the people that receive the zakah, they are the poor people who have debts that they cannot pay by themselves. It is permissible for the zakah to be distributed on more than one poor person, and it is permissible for all of the zakah to go to just one person as well. It is

also permissible for the poor person to take the zakah and use it as zakatulfitr for themselves or their family members.

Day Twenty-Seven: The Second Type from the Reason of Entering Hell

My brothers: We spoke last week about many different reasons form the first type of entering Hell and remaining there forever. We will talk about the second type, and this is the reasons that make a person enter hell but will not remain in there forever.

Reason One: Disobeying the parents.

This includes cutting them off, not listening to them, or saying or doing something impermissible to them. Allah says, “And your Lord has commanded that you shall not serve (any) but Him, and goodness to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) “Ugh” nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word. And make yourself submissively gentle to them with compassion, and say: O my Lord! have compassion on them, as they brought me up (when I was) little.”

And Allah says, “Give thanks unto Me and unto thy parents. Unto Me is the journeying.”

The Prophet (saw) mentions a person that disobeys the parents as not entering Jannah in Ahmad and Nisaee.

Reason Two: Cutting the relations of the womb.

This is when a person doesn’t give his relatives their rights from the dunya and from their wealth. In the Saheehayn, the Prophet (saw) said, “He will not enter Jannah the person who cuts the relations.” Allah (swt) says, “But if you held command, you were sure to make mischief in the land and cut off the ties of kinship! Such are the men whom Allah has cursed for He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.”

Unfortunately, many Muslims have neglected this duty of obeying the parents and of upholding the ties of kinship. Some people use the excuse that the relative does not want to be upheld with them, and this excuse does not hold. Because, if someone only upheld the ties to the relatives that wanted to uphold the ties with them, then they wouldn’t be doing it for the sake of Allah. The Prophet (saw) said, “The person who upholds the ties of kinship, is not the one who just continues a tie, but it is one who if a relationship is cut, they repair it.” (Bukhari)

Reason Three: Dealing in usury.

As Allah (swt) says, “O you who believe! Do not devour usury, making it double and redouble, and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, that you may be successful. And guard yourselves against the fire which has been prepared for the unbelievers. And obey Allah and the Messenger, that you may be shown mercy.”

Allaah promised the person who goes back to dealing in usury after being shown the truth and being warned, that they would enter hell eternally. “Those who swallow down usury cannot arise except as one whom Shaitan has prostrated by (his) touch does rise. That is because they say, trading is only like usury; and Allah has allowed trading and forbidden usury. To whomsoever then the admonition has come from his Lord, then he desists, he

shall have what has already passed, and his affair is in the hands of Allah; and whoever returns (to it)– these arc the inmates of the fire; they shall abide in it.”

Reason Four: Using the wealth of the orphans.

Regardless if the orphan is male or female. Allah (swt) says, “(As for) those who swallow the property of the orphans unjustly, surely they only swallow fire into their bellies and they shall enter burning fire.” And an orphan is a person whose father dies before they reach puberty.

Reason Five: Giving false witness.

Bearing witness to that which you don’t know or that you do know and you are not sure of.

Reason Six: Bribing an official.

The Prophet (saw) said, “The person giving the bribe and the person receiving the bribe are in the Hellfire.” (Tabarani)

Reason Seven: The person who makes false oaths.

The Prophet (saw) said, “Whoever cuts the wealth of his brother with a false oath, then let him take his place in the fire.” (Ahmad, graded Saheeh by Hakim)

Reason Eight: A person who judges between the people without any knowledge, or with corruption and crookedness.

The Prophet (saw) said, “The judge is of three types, one is in heaven and the other two are in hell. As for the one who is in heaven, it a man who knows the truth and judges by it, the man who knows the truth and doesn’t judge by it is in hell, and the man who judges for the people while he is ignorant, then he is in hell.” (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhee, Ibn Majah)

Reason Nine: A person who rips off those that he is in charge of, and doesn’t give them advice, and doesn’t deal with them in a way that is for their benefit.

The Prophet (saw) said, “There is not a slave, who on they day they day are ripping off those that they are in charge of, except that Allah forbids for them Jannah.” (Agreed upon)

Reason Ten: Making an image of something that has a soul from humans and animals.

The Prophet (saw) said, “Whoever makes an image, then Allah will punish them until the put a soul into what they created, and they will not be able to ever.” (Bukahri) As for drawing trees and plants, and the like, then this is permissible according to the majority of scholars.

Reason Eleven: In the Saheehayn the Prophet (saw) said, “Shall I not inform you about the inmates of Hell? It is every violent, impertinent and proud person.” The violent is the one who is very harsh and is not gentle to the truth, nor to the creation. The impertinent is the greedy person. The proud person is the one who isn’t humble to the creation and sees himself as higher than the people.

Reason Twelve: Eating from utensils made of gold or silver for both men and women.

It is mentioned in the Saheehayn that the Prophet (saw) said, “The person who eats or drinks form gold or silver utensils, then they are dragging hellfire in their stomach.”

Beware of the reasons for entering hell. And do the acts that will pull you further away from hell so that you may be successful in the hereafter. And know that this life is a short time of play. And ask your Lord for steadfastness on the truth until death. And that He gathers you on the Day of Judgment with those He is pleased with from the believing men and women.

Day Twenty-Six: Reasons for Entering Hell

My brothers: know that there are reasons for entering the hellfire, which Allah has clarified in the Qur’an and on the tongue of his Prophet (saw). That is so people may avoid it and protect themselves from it. And these are of two kinds:

First: Causes that make a person a kafir, which take him from eeman to kufr. This obligates upon such a person to abide in hell forever.

Second: Causes that make a person a Faasiq, and he deserves to enter hell, but he will not stay there forever.

We will mention some cases for the first category.

First: To commit shirk, by making a partner to Allah in His rububiyah, uluhiya, or attributes.

So whoever thinks there is another creator partnering with Allah or by himself, or thinks there is another God that deserves worship, or devotes some kind of worship to a false god, or that someone has knowledge, power, etc…, like Allah’s, then this person has committed major shirk, and will abide in hell forever.

Allah says, “But you will see those in whose hearts is a disease hastening towards them, saying: We fear lest a calamity should befall us; but it may be that Allah will bring the victory or a punishment from Himself, so that they shall be regretting on account of what they hid in their souls.”

Second: Kufr in Allah, or his angels, or books, or messengers, or the Day of Judgment, or Qadr.

So whoever disbelieves in one of these either by denying it, or doubting it, then he is kafir, who will stay in hell forever. Allah says, “Surely those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers and (those who) desire to make a distinction between Allah and His messengers and say: We believe in some and disbelieve in others, and desire to take a course between (this and) that. These it is that are truly unbelievers, and We have prepared for the unbelievers a disgraceful chastisement.”

And, “Verily Allah has cursed the Unbelievers and prepared for them a Blazing Fire, To abide therein for a long time; they shall not find a protector or a helper, On the day when their faces shall be turned back into the fire, they shall say: ‘O would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger!’ And they would say: ‘Our Lord! We obeyed our chiefs and our great ones, and they misled us as to the (right) Path. Our Lord! Give them double Penalty and curse them with a very great Curse!’ ”

Third: Disbelieving in one of the five pillars of Islam.

So whoever disbelieves in tawheed, or in the Prophet, or that Islam is general for all mankind, or the obligation of prayer, fasting, zakah, or hajj, then he is a kafir because he is denying Allah, his messenger, and the ijmaa’ of the Muslims. Likewise, whoever denies that shirk is forbidden, or killing an innocent soul that Allah has forbidden to be killed, or that

zina and homosexuality are forbidden, or anything else that is very clear in the Qur’an and sunnah to be haram.

This is because he is denying Allah and his Prophet. But if a new Muslim denies that one of these is forbidden out of his ignorance, he doesn’t become a kafir until he learns more about the religion, then still denies it after his knowledge.

Fourth: Mocking Allah or his religion or Prophet.

Allah says, “The Hypocrites are afraid lest a Sura should be sent down about them, showing them what is (really passing) in their hearts. Say: Mock ye! But verily Allah will bring to light all that ye fear (should be revealed). And if you should question them, they would certainly say: We were only idly discoursing and sporting. Say: Was it at Allah and His communications and His Messenger that you mocked?”

Fifth: Cursing Allah or his religion or Prophet.

Ibn Taymiyyah said, “Whoever curses Allah or the Prophet then he is a kafir, regardless if he thought it to be halal or haram to say it.” Our companions said, “He becomes a kafir if he was joking or serious.” This is the correct position, and it is narrated on Ishaq bin Rahawyah that he said, “The Muslims agreed that whoever curses Allah or his Prophet or denies something that Allah revealed then he is a kafir, even if he obeys what Allah revealed.” And the ruling in cursing any Prophet is the same as the ruling on cursing the Prophet Muhammad (saw)

As for cursing other than the Prophet, then if their intention is to curse the prophet, for example if someone curses the Sahaba intending to curse the Prophet, because they were imitating the Prophet. Or if someone accuses one of the Prophet’s wives of zina, then he is a kafir because he is defaming the Prophet (saw), Allah says, “Bad women are for bad men and bad men are for bad women. Good women are for good men and good men are for good women.”

Sixth: Ruling by other than what Allah revealed, thinking it is more correct and beneficial, or that its equal to what Allah revealed, or that its permissible to rule by.

He is a kafir, because Allah says, “Whoever did not judge by what Allah revealed, those are they that are the unbelievers.” Likewise if someone thinks that ruling by other than what Allah revealed is better than Allahs rules, or thinks that it is equal, or that it is permissible to rule by it, then he is a kafir, even if he rules by what Allah revealed, be cause the is denying Allah’s statement, “But who, for a people whose faith is assured, can give better judgment than Allah?”

Seventh: Nifaq, which is to be kafir in the heart, but to appear externally as a Muslim, whether by words or deeds.

Allah says, “Surely the hypocrites are in the lowest stage of the fire and you shall not find a helper for them.”

This category is greater than the previous ones, so its punishment is more severe, they will be in the lowest depths of hell, because their kufr is a combination of kufr, deceit, and mockery. Allah says about them, “And there are some people who say: We believe in Allah

and the last day; and they are not at all believers. They desire to deceive Allah and those who believe, and they deceive only themselves and they do not perceive. In their hearts is a disease; and Allah has increased their disease: And grievous is the penalty they (incur), because they are false (to themselves). And when it is said to them, Do not make mischief in the land, they say: We are but peace-makers. Are not they indeed the mischief-makers? But they perceive not. : And when it is said to them: Believe as the people believe they say: Shall we believe as the fools believe? Now surely they themselves are the fools, but they do not know. When they meet those who believe, they say: “We believe;” but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say: “We are really with you: We (were) only jesting.” ”

[From The The Signs Of Hypocrisy]

Nifaq has many signs, from them: Doubting what Allah revealed, even if he makes himself appear to be a believer, Allah says, “They only ask leave of you who do not believe in Allah and the latter day and their hearts are in doubt, so in their doubt do they waver.”

Also, to hate Allah and his messenger, Allah says, “Have you not seen those who assert that they believe in what has been revealed to you and what was revealed before you? They desire to summon one another to the judgment of the Shaitan, though they were commanded to deny him, and the Shaitan desires to lead them astray into a remote error. And when it is said to them: Come to what Allah has revealed and to the Messenger, you will see the hypocrites turning away from you with (utter) aversion.”

Also, to hate the superiority of Islam, and its victory and to be happy at it’s losses, Allah says, “If good befalls you, it grieves them, and if hardship afflicts you, they say: Indeed we had taken care of our affair before; and they turn back and are glad.” and “Lo! You are they who will love them while they do not love you, and you believe in the Book (in) the whole of it; and when they meet you they say: We believe, and when they are alone, they bite the ends of their fingers in rage against you. Say: Die in your rage; surely Allah knows what is in the breasts. If good befalls you, it grieves them, and if an evil afflicts you, they rejoice at it; and if you are patient and guard yourselves, their scheme will not injure you in any way; surely Allah comprehends what they do.”

Likewise, to want fitna and division between Muslims, and to like that, Allah says, “Had they gone forth with you, they would not have added to you aught save corruption, and they would certainly have hurried about among you seeking (to sow) dissension among you, and among you there are those who hearken for their sake; and Allah knows the unjust.”

Also, to love the enemies of Islam and the leaders of kufr, and to praise and commend them, and to spread their opinions, Allah says, “Have you not seen those who befriend a people with whom Allah is wroth? They are neither of you nor of them, and they swear falsely while they know.”

Likewise to find fault with the believers, and to criticize their ibadah “They who taunt those of the faithful who give their alms freely, and those who give to the extent of their earnings and scoff at them; Allah will pay them back their scoffing, and they shall have a painful chastisement.”

So they accuse those who work hard of showing off, and those who do less of not doing enough.

Also, to be arrogant regarding the du’a of the believers, and to belittle and doubt it. “And when it is said to them: Come, the Messenger of Allah will ask forgiveness for you, they turn back their heads and you may see them turning away while they are big with pride.”

Also, to be lazy with the prayer. “Surely the hypocrites strive to deceive Allah, and He shall requite their deceit to them, and when they stand up to prayer they stand up sluggishly; they do it only to be seen of men and do not remember Allah save a little.”

The prophet (saw) said, “The heaviest prayers on the munafiqeen are Isha and Fajr.” (Agreed upon)

Also, to harm and annoy Allah and the Prophet. Allah says, “And there are some of them who molest the Prophet and say: He is one who believes everything that he hears; say: A hearer of good for you (who) believes in Allah and believes the faithful and a mercy for those of you who believe; and (as for) those who molest the Messenger of Allah, they shall have a painful punishment.” and “Those who annoy Allah and His Messenger – Allah has cursed them in this World and in the Hereafter, and has prepared for them a humiliating Punishment. And those who speak evil things of the believing men and the believing women without their having earned (it), they are guilty indeed of a false accusation and a manifest sin.”

So these are some of the signs of the munafiqeen, we mentioned them so that we can beware of having these signs in ourselves.

Day Twenty-Five: From the Description of Hell-Fire

My brothers: Allah has warned us in His book about the Hellfire, and informed us about the different punishments it contains, that which terrifies the believer, as a mercy to us so that we may fear Him and be cautious. So listen to what has come in the Qur’an and ahadeeth of it’s punishments so that you may remember. And repent to Allah and submit to him before the punishment comes.

[Description Of Hell From The Quraan]

Allah (swt) says: “Fear the Fire, which is prepared for those who reject Faith.“

“For the Rejecters we have prepared chains, yokes, and a blazing Fire.”

“for the wrong-doers We have prepared a Fire whose (smoke and flames)”

“And verily, Hell is the promised abode for them all!, To it are seven gates: for each of those gates is a (special) class (of sinners) assigned.”

“The Unbelievers will be led to Hell in crowd: until, when they arrive, there, its gates will be opened.”

“For those who reject their Lord (and Cherisher) is the Penalty of Hell: and evil is (such), Destination. When they are cast therein, they will hear the (terrible) drawing in of its breath even as it blazes forth Almost bursting with fury: Every time a Group is cast therein, its Keepers will ask, “Did no Warner come to you?” and “On the Day that the Punishment shall cover them from above them and from below them, and (a Voice) shall say: “Taste ye (the fruits) of your deeds!” “

“They shall have Layers of Fire above them and Layers (of Fire) below them: with this doth Allah warn off his servants: “O My Servants! Then fear ye Me!” “

“The Companions of the Left Hand, – what will be the Companions of the Left Hand? In hot wind and boiling water and in the shades of Black Smoke Nothing (will there be) to refresh, nor to please”

“they said, “Go not forth in the heat.” Say, “The fire of Hell is fiercer in heat.” If only they could understand!” “

“And what will make you know what it is? a Fire Blazing fiercely!”

“Surely the guilty are in error and distress. The Day they will be dragged through the Fire on their faces, (they will hear) “Taste ye the touch of Hell” “

“And what will explain to thee what Hell-Fire is? It leaveth naught; it spareth naught, Darkening and changing the colour of man!”

“O you who believe! save yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones; over it are angels stern and strong, they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them, and do as they are commanded.”

“Surely it sends up sparks like palaces, As if they were tawny camels.”

“And you will see the guilty on that day linked together in chains, Their shirts made of pitch and the fire covering their faces”

“When the fetters and the chains shall be on their necks; they shall be dragged, Into boiling water, then in the fire shall they be burned”

“then (as to) those who disbelieve, for them are cut out garments of fire, boiling water shall be poured over their heads. With it shall be melted what is in their bellies and (their) skins as well And for them are whips of iron Whenever they will desire to go forth from it, from grief, they shall be turned back into it, and taste the chastisement of burning.”

“Those who reject our Signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire: as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.”

“Verily the tree of Zaqqum, Is the food of the sinful, Like dregs of oil; it shall boil in (their) bellies, Like the boiling of hot water.”

“For it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-Fire, The shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of devils.”

“Then shall you, O you who err and call it a lie! Most surely eat of a tree of Zaqqoom And fill (your) bellies with it; Then drink over it of boiling water; And drink as drinks the thirsty camel.”

“for the wrong-doers We have prepared a Fire whose (smoke and flames), like the walls and roof of a tent, will hem them in: if they implore relief they will be granted water like melted brass, that will scald their faces, how dreadful the drink! How uncomfortable a couch to recline on!”

“In front of such a one is Hell, and he is given, for drink, boiling fetid water. In gulps will he sip it, but never will he be near swallowing it down his throat: death will come to him from every quarter, yet will he not die: and in front of him will be a chastisement unrelenting.”

“Surely the guilty shall abide in the chastisement of hell. It is not relaxed for them, and they despair therein. And We are not unjust to them, but they themselves were unjust. They will cry: “O Malik! would that thy Lord put an end to us!” He will say, “Nay, but ye shall abide!” ”

“their abode will be Hell: every time it shows abatement, We shall increase from them the fierceness of the Fire.”

“Those who reject Faith and do wrong,- Allah will not forgive them nor guide them to any way-Except the way of Hell, to dwell therein for ever. And this to Allah is easy”

“Verily Allah has cursed the Unbelievers and prepared for them a Blazing Fire,- to dwell therein for ever: no protector will they find, nor helper.”

“For any that disobey Allah and His Messenger,- for them is Hell: they shall dwell therein for ever.”

“And what will explain to thee that which Breaks to Pieces? It is the fire kindled by Allah Which rises above the hearts Surely it shall be closed over upon them, In extended columns.”

And the verses describing the painful punishment of Hell are many.

[Description Of Hell From The Sunnah]

As for the ahadeeth, the Prophet (saw) said: “Hell will be brought on the Day of Judgment, it will have 70,000 ropes, with 70,000 angels pulling on each rope.” (Muslim)

“Your (ordinary) fire is one of 70 parts of the (Hell) Fire.” Someone asked, “O Allah’s Apostle This (ordinary) fire would have been sufficient (to torture the unbelievers),” Allah’s Apostle said, “The (Hell) Fire has 69 parts more than the ordinary (worldly) fire, each part is as hot as this (worldly) fire.” (Agreed Upon)

Abu Hurayrah said, “We were with the Prophet (saw) and we heard a noise. The Prophet (saw) said, “Do you know what that was?” They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “It was a stone that Allah sent to Hell 70 years ago, and know it finally reached the bottom.” (Muslim)

Utbah Bin Gharwan (ra) said in a speech, “We know that it takes the stone 70 years to reach the bottom of Hell, By Allah the entire Hell will be filled, does that surprise you?” (Muslim)

The Prophet (saw) said, “If just a small piece of Zaqqum was released on the earth, it would have ruined the lives of the people.” (Nisaee, Tirmidhee, Ibn Majah)

The Prophet (saw) said, “Indeed the least of punishments in Hell is that someone will have sandals of fire, that will boil their brain like boiling water, and they will not think that anyone is getting punished more than they are, and this is the least of the punishment.” (Muslim, similar in Bukhari)

The Prophet (saw) said, “Allaah will send to the people of Hell clouds, and once the clouds reach them, it will be said to them, “Oh people of Hell, is there any thing you ask?” They will think that they are the clouds of the dunya with water that used to come to them, so they will say, “We ask O Lord, the drink.” So it will rain on them boiling water, which will increase them in their boling, and chains which will increase their chains, and coal that will increase the fire on them.”

Also, “Allaah promised for the person who drinks alcohol that they will drink from Teenatul Khabaal.” They asked “What is that?” He said, “The sweat from the people of Hell.”

Ibn Al-Jawzi (ra) said about the Hellfire:

A place its inhabitants are banished to, where they are forbidden from tasting any pleasure, their cleanliness is changed to blackness on their faces, and they are beaten by hammers stronger than mountains, over it are angels, harsh and severe, if you only saw them. So their sadness is permanent, no happiness after it, and their state is unchangeable, they will never leave, living there forever and ever.

Upon it are angels, harsh and severe. What sadness for them, that the Creator is angry with them! They are exposed in front of all the people, they cry over wasting their lives, and every time they cry the punishment increases!

What happened to their chasing of the dunya!? What happened to them striving in sins?! It seems like only a dream…then their bodies are burned, and then healed, then burned. Upon it are angels, harsh and severe…

Oh Allah save us from the Fire and protect us from it, and enter us by your mercy with the righteous and pious in Jannah.

Day Twenty-Four From the Description of the People of Paradise

My brothers: You heard the description of paradise and its blessings, and what it contains from happiness. By Allah, this is what the people should compete to achieve, and what they should spend their entire lives to seek. As Allah (swt) says, “Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous, those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; for Allah loves those who do good; And those who, having done something to be ashamed of, or wronged their own souls, earnestly bring Allah to mind, and ask for forgiveness for their sins,- and who can forgive sins except Allah.- and are never obstinate in persisting knowingly in (the wrong) they have done.” This is the description of the people of paradise.

First: “the righteous”

These are the ones who fear their Lord, and fear the punishment in the afterlife, and they do what they are commanded obediently, with hopes of being rewarded

Second: “those who spend, whether in prosperity, or in adversity”

These are the ones who spend what is commanded of them from zakah and charity, and spending on those who have a right to the money, and on Jihad and other paths of good. These people spend in prosperity and they do not love the money, and they spend in adversity without fear of needing the money.

Third: “who restrain anger”

They are the ones who control their anger, and when they get angry they don’t harm those around them from their anger.

Fourth: “and pardon men”

They are the ones who forgive those who have wronged them. Then Allah says, “for Allah loves those who do good.” Which shows that those who pardon others are from the good doers, because they wish to make good ties between the people as Allah says, “So whoever forgives, and repairs the relationships, indeed their reward is on Allah.”

Fifth: “And those who, having done something to be ashamed of, or wronged their own souls, earnestly bring Allah to mind, and ask for forgiveness for their sins”

The sin to be ashamed of is from the major sins, like wrongfully killing someone, or disobeying their parents, or committing zina, or stealing, or taking the money of the orphan, or spending in usury, and other major sins. The sin that wrongs a person’s soul is from the minor sin. So if a person commits a major or minor sin, then they remember the greatness of the one whom they disobeyed and feel fear, then they remember his forgiveness and mercy, so they race to it, and for these reasons, they are forgiven. As Allah says, “And who can forgive the sins except Allah.” This shows that they do not seek forgiveness from other than Allah, because no one else can forgive besides Him.

Sixth: “and are never obstinate in persisting knowingly in (the wrong) they have done”

Meaning they do not continue committing the sin while they know it’s a sin, and they know the greatness of the one whom they disobey. And Allah (swt) says, “Successful indeed are the believers Who are humble in their prayers, And who shun vain conversation, And who are payers of the poor due; And who guard their modesty Save from their wives or the (slaves) that their right hands possess, for then they are not blameworthy, But whoso craveth beyond that, such are transgressors, And who are shepherds of their pledge and their covenant, And who pay heed to their prayers. These are the heirs who will inherit Paradise: There they will abide.” These noble verses combined many descriptions of the people of paradise.

First: “the believers”

These are the ones who believe in Allah and with all of the obligations of faith, from the angels, books, messengers, the Last Day, and Divine Decree its good and bad, they believe in all of this and practice it in their sayings and actions.

Second: “Who are humble in their prayers”

Their hearts are present with them, and they feel as if they are standing between the hands of Allah (swt) speaking to him with His words, and getting closer to Him with His remembrance, and they make supplication to Him, so they are humble.

Third: “Who shun vain talk”

Vain talk is all that has no benefit, and there is no good in its saying or action, so they stay away from it from their strength and their willingness not to waste time. Just like they make their prayer filled with humbleness, they make their timed filled with benefit.

Fourth: “And who pay the zakah”

They pay what they are obliged to, and this is a way to purify their sayings and actions.

Fifth: “And who guard their modesty Save from their wives or the (slaves) that their right hands possess, for then they are not blameworthy”

They protect their modesty from committing zina, and also from touching and seeing. “For then they are not blameworthy” shows that it is permissible for them to be with their wives and what their right hand possesses, “But whoso craveth beyond that, such are transgressors” shows that masturbation is not permissible, because the verse only mentions the wives and what the right hand possesses.

Sixth: “And who are shepherds of their pledge and their covenant”

They do what they promise at its promised time with its promised conditions.

Allah has mentioned the description of the people of paradise in many different parts of the Qur’an. Allah mentions them so that whoever desires to go to paradise will know its requirements.

[Ahaadeeth Describing The People Of Paradise]

There are also many ahadeeth describing the people of paradise. The Prophet (saw) said, “There is not any one from amongst you who makes wudhu, then says, ‘I bear witness there in no God but Allah alone with no partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his slave and Messenger‘, except that the eight doors or paradise are opened for them, and they can enter from whichever one they desire.” (Muslim)

Also, “Whoever follows the Mu’athin with their heart enters paradise.” (Muslim)

Also, “Whoever builds a masjid with the intention of seeking the Face of Allah, Allah builds for them a house in Jannah.” (Agreed upon)

Also, “Five prayers Allah has prescribed on the slaves, whoever performs them without losing any of them, and with its rights, they have a covenant with Allah that they will enter Jannah.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Nisaee)

Thawban (ra) asked the Prophet (saw) about an act that will enter him into paradise, The Prophet (saw) said, “Increasing in sujood is upon you, for indeed you do not make one sajda to Allah, except that Allah will raise you in status and wipe away from your sins.” (Muslim)

The Prophet (saw) said, “There is not a Muslim slave who prays to Allah 12 rakahs of extra prayers, except that Allah builds for them a house in Jannah.” (Muslim)

And they are four before dhuhur, and two after it, two after Maghrib, and two after Isha, and two before Fajr.

Muadh ibn Jabal asked the Prophet (saw) to tell him about an action that will bring him closer to Paradise and keep him away from the Fire. The Prophet (saw) said, “You have asked about a great matter and indeed it is easy for whoever Allah makes it easy for, worship Allah and don’t associate with Him any partners, establish the prayers and give the zakah, and make Hajj…” (Ahmad, graded Saheeh by Tirmidhee)

The Prophet (saw) said, “The Umrah to Umrah is a forgiveness for what is between them, and a Hajj Mabroor is not rewarded except with Jannah.” (Agreed upon)

The Prophet (saw) was asked what will cause the most people to enter Jannah. He said, “Taqwah of Allah, and good manners.” (Tirmidhee and Ibn Habban’s Saheeh)

These ahadeeth show us many actions of the people of Paradise, for whoever desires reaching it. We ask Allah to make easy our path to Jannah.

Day Twenty-Three From the Description of Paradise may Allah Make us from its Inhabitants

My brothers: Hasten to the forgiveness of your Lord, and to Paradise, whose width is that of the heavens and the earth, it has what no eye has ever seen, nor what any ear has ever heard, nor what has never crossed the mind of any person.

Allaah (swt) says, “The parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised!- beneath it flow rivers: perpetual is the enjoyment thereof and the shade therein”.

And, “(Here is) a Parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised: in it are rivers of water incorruptible; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink; and rivers of honey pure and clear. In it there are for them all kinds of fruits; and Grace from their Lord.”

And, “But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is Gardens, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits therefrom, they say: “Why, this is what we were fed with before,” for they are given things in similitude; and they have therein companions pure (and holy); and they abide therein (for ever).”

And, “And the shades of the (Garden) will come low over them, and the bunches (of fruit), there, will hang low in humility. Goblets of silver are brought round for them, and beakers (as) of glass (Bright as) glass but (made) of silver, which they (themselves) have measured to the measure (of their deeds). There are they watered with a cup whereof the mixture is of Zanjabil, The water of a spring therein, named Salsabil There serve them youths of everlasting youth, whom, when thou seest, thou wouldst take for scattered pearls. When thou seest, thou wilt see there bliss and high estate.”

And, “In a Garden on high Where they hear no idle speech, Wherein is a gushing spring, Wherein are couches raised, And goblets set at hand, And cushions ranged, And silken carpets spread.”

And, “Allaah will admit those who believe and work righteous deeds, to Gardens beneath which rivers flow: they shall be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls; and their garments there will be of silk.”

*The shaykh mentions many more verses from the Qur’an describing Paradise+

As for the ahadeeth that describe Paradise, Abu Hurairah said:

“We said, “Oh Messenger of Allah, speak to us about Paradise. What is it’s building material?”

He (saw) said “A stone of Silver and a stone of Gold, and it’s cement between the bricks is musk. It’s pebbles are pearls and rubies, it’s soil is saffron. He who enters it will be in bliss and never will become wretched; he will live forever and will never die. His garment will not wear out and his youth will never fade.” (Ahmed and Tirmidhee)

The Prophet (saw) said, “Heaven has 8 doors, there is a door named Ar-Rayaan, no one enters it except the fasting ones.” (Agreed upon)

The Prophet (saw) said, “Indeed there are 100 levels in jannah Allah prepared for the mujahedeen in his sake between each level the distance between them is like that of the heavens and the earth, so if you ask Allah, then ask of Him for Firdous for indeed it is in the middle of Heaven at the highest point, and from it the rivers begin and above it is the throne of the Merciful.” (Bukhari)

Also in Bukhari that the Prophet (saw) said, “The people of Jannah will see the people above them just like you see the stars that are so far.”

And he (saw) said, “In Paradise there will be a tent of a single hollowed pearl, the width of which will be sixty miles from all sides. There will live a family in each corner, and the other will not be able to see the believer who goes around to them.” (Agreed upon)

And he (saw) said, “The first group (of people) to enter Jannah will be shining like the moon on a full-moon night. Then will come those who follow them who will be like the most shining planet in the sky. They will not stand in need of urinating or relieving of nature or of spitting or blowing their noses. Their combs will be of gold and their sweat will smell like musk; in their censers the aloes-wood will be used. Their wives will be large eyed maidens. All men will be alike in the form of their father Adam, sixty cubits tall.” (Muslim)

As well as, “The inhabitants of Jannah will eat and drink therein, but they will not have to pass excrement, to blow their noses or to urinate. Their food will be digested producing belch which will give out a smell like that of musk. They will be inspired to declare the freedom of Allah from imperfection and proclaim His Greatness as easily as you breathe.” (Muslim)

And, “In Paradise there is a street to which they would come every Friday. The north wind will blow and would scatter fragrance on their faces and on their clothes and would add to their beauty and loveliness, and then they would go back to their family after having an added luster to their beauty and loveliness, and their family would say to them: ‘By Allah, you have been increased in beauty and loveliness after leaving us,‘ and they would say: ‘By Allah, you have also increased in beauty and loveliness after us‘.” (Muslim)

And in Muslim as well, “There would be an announcer (in Paradise) who would make this announcement: ‘Verily I there is in store for you (everlasting) health and that you should never fall ill and that you live (for ever) and do not die at all. And that you would remain young and never grow old. And that you would always live in affluent circumstances and never become destitute‘, as words of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, are: “And it would be announced to them: This is the Paradise. You have been made to inherit it for what you used to do.” “

Suhaib reported the Prophet (saw) saying: “When those deserving of Paradise would enter Paradise, the Blessed and the Exalted would ask: ‘Do you wish Me to give you anything more?‘ They would say: ‘Have You not brightened our faces? Have You not made us enter Paradise and saved us from Fire?‘ ” He (the narrator) said: “He (God) would lift the veil, and of things given to them nothing would he dearer to them than the sight of their Lord, the Mighty and the Glorious.” (Muslim)

Also in Muslim, the Prophet (saw) said that Allah will say to the people of Jannah, “My pleasure has been bestowed upon you, and I will never be angry with you again.”

Oh Allah grant us eternity in Paradise, and bestow upon us your pleasure, and the ability to see your face.

Day Twenty-Two Striving in the Last Ten Days and Laylatul-Qadr

My brothers: In these blessed ten nights is Laylatul-Qadr which Allah has made great and noble for this Ummah. Allaah says, “Indeed We have revealed it in a blessed night, indeed we were always warning. Whereupon every wise command is made clear As a command from Our presence.–Lo! We are ever sending A mercy from thy Lord. Lo! He is the Hereafter, the Knower Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, if ye would be sure. There is no God save Him. He quickeneth and giveth death; your Lord and Lord of your forefathers.”

Allaah described it as blessed because of all the good and virtues it possesses. From its greatness is that the Qur’an was revealed in it, and Allaah describes this night as every wise command being made clear. Meaning that on this night Allah decrees for the following year every person’s wealth, good, and evil, and all else that will happen to them.

Allaah (swt) says, “Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Power. Ah, what will convey unto You what the Night of Power is! The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, with all decrees. (That night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn.”

Qadr can mean greatness, or it can mean decree because this is the night that Allah will decree for the upcoming year. Better than a thousand months means, in terms of its virtues and deeds, that is why whoever establishes this night with faith and seeking reward, is forgiven for all previous sins.

As for the angels, they are slaves of Allah that worship day and night; they come to earth in this night with good, blessings, and mercy. The Spirit is Gibreel (as). That night is Peace, means that it is peace for the Muslims because there are freed from the fire in this night. Until the rising of dawn means that Laylatul-Qadr ends at Fajr, and all the acts of worship in this night should continue until Fajr, and in this noble surah, we are shown the many virtues of this night.

The First Blessing: Allah revealed the Qur’an as a guide to mankind which contains their happiness in this life and the next.

The Second Blessing: The greatness of this night which we will never be able to understand as Allah says, “what will convey unto you what the Night of Power is!”

The Third Blessing: It is greater then 1000 months.

The Fourth Blessing: The angels come down in this night, who do not come down except with good, blessings, and mercy.

The Fifth Blessing: It is Peace or safety from the punishment of Allah.

The Sixth Blessing: Because of it’s greatness, Allah revealed a surah about it which will be recited until the Day of Judgment.

From the virtues of this month is that the Prophet (saw) said, “Whoever establishes Laylatul-Qadr with faith, and seeking reward, his previous sins are forgiven.” (Bukhari) Which means having faith in Allah, and expecting to get rewarded.

Laylatul-Qadr is in Ramadhan because Allah says, “Indeed we have revealed it in Laylatul-Qadr.” As well as, “The month of Ramadhan Allah revealed the Quran.” So from these two ayahs we know that Laylatul-Qadr is in Ramadhan.

This night was also there for the other nations, as is related that Abu Dhar (ra) asked the Prophet (saw), “Oh Messenger of Allah, tell me about Laylatul-Qadr, is it in Ramadhan?” He said, “Yes it is in Ramadhan.” He then asked, “Is it with the Prophets that once they die it leaves, or does it stay until the Day of Judgment?” He replied, “Yes, it is until the Day of Judgment.”

But, it’s greatness and reward is specialized for this nation as is the day of Jumuah, and Allah knows best.

This night is in the last 10 night of Ramadhan as the Prophet (saw) said, “Seek it in the last 10 nights of Ramadhan.” (Agreed upon)

From the proofs, it seems to be closer to the odd nights. As the Prophet (saw), “Seek it in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadhan.” (Bukhari)

It is more likely to be in the last seven nights, as the Prophet (saw), “Seek it in the last ten nights, but if you are weak or old, then do not let the last 7 nights pass you by.” (Muslim)

And from these last seven, the most likely is the 27th night as Abi bin Ka’b (ra) said, “By Allah I know when Laylatul-Qadr is, and it is the night that the Prophet (saw) ordered us to worship in, and it is the 27th night.” (Muslim)

The 27th should not be the only night that a person makes for this worship, because it may be the 27th one year, then the 25th another year, according to the will of Allah. This night has been made hidden by Allah (swt) as a mercy for the believer so that they may increase in prayer, dhikr, and du’aa, and get closer to Allaah. Also, so that Allah can see who is devoted to seeking out the night, as opposed to who is lazy.

My brothers: Laylatul-Qadr is greater than 1000 months. So exert yourselves and strive in seeking this night, and do not be heedless. Oh Allah, make us from those who fast Ramadhan, and become successful from our worship on Laylatul-Qadr.

Day Twenty-One: The Preference of the Last Ten Nights

My Brothers: The last ten nights of Ramadhan have come upon us, in them is great rewards and virtues.

One great attribute of these last 10 days is that the Prophet (saw) worked harder in worship in them more than any other time. It is narrated in Muslim on Aisha (ra) that the Prophet used to exert himself in these last 10 days more than any other time. Aisha (ra) said, “When the last 10 days came, he used to “tighten his izar” and stay up all night in worship, and wake his wives.” (Saheehayn)

The Prophet (saw) used to combine both prayer and sleep in the first 20 nights, but in the last 10 he would prepare to work hard an “tighten his izar” (stay away from his wives).

So in these ahadeeth are proofs of the virtue of these last 10 nights. Because the Prophet (saw) worked harder than normal in his worship. And he would combine between prayer, reciting Qur’an, making dhikr, giving charity, and other forms of worship. He also used to “tighten his izar” which means that he would stay away form his wives to free himself for prayer and shirk.

Another proof of it’s virtue is that he used to stay up at night, praying, reciting Qur’an, and making thikr with his heart, tongue, and limbs, due to the greatness of these nights, and seeking Laylatul-Qadr, the night that whoever worships in it, with eman, and seeking reward, will be forgiven all of his previous sins.

What is clear from these ahadeeth is that the Prophet (saw) used to do different kinds of worship in this night, reciting Qur’an, praying, and also eating suhur, etc. So there is no contradiction between this fact and the hadith which is narrated in Saheeh Muslim on Aisha (ra) that she said, “I never saw him pray all night until morning.”

Another proof of the virtue of these nights is that he used to wake his wives for worship in them, because they are in the presence of a chance of a lifetime. So it is not acceptable for any sane Muslim to pass this great opportunity for himself and his family, because it is only a few nights. Maybe a person will be happy in this life and the hereafter because of this one night.

And from the huge depravations and losses is that you see some Muslims wasting their time n useless matters on this valuable night, and when it is time to pray they fall asleep. They have missed a great deal of good, and there is no guarantee they will have this chance again. This is from the shaytan’s tricks. The sane person would not take the Shaytan as an ally, knowing how much Shaytan hates us, and this goes against logic and eman.

[Doing Itikaaf In The Last 10 Days]

Form the special matters of this month is that the Prophet (saw) would make itikaf in it. Itikaf is staying in the masjid to free your time to worship Allah. This is a confirmed sunnah in both the Qur’an and Hadith. Allah says, “Then strictly observe the fast till nightfall and touch them not, but be at your devotions in the mosques.”

And the Prophet (saw) made itikaaf and his companions followed him in that. The Prophet (saw) said, “I made itikaaf in the first 10 days of Ramadhan looking for this night, then the middle 10, then I was told it is in the last 10. So whoever wants to make itikaaf then let him do so.” (Muslim)

It is narrated in the Saheehayn on Aisha (ra) that she said, “The Prophet made itikaaf in the last 10 days of Ramadhan until he died. Then his wives made itikaaf after him.”

Aisha reported that when the Prophet wanted to make itikaaf, he would pray Fajr, then enter his place of itikaaf, so Aisha asked permission to enter and he gave her permission to enter, and she put up a tent to stay in. The Hafsa asked permission to enter, and also put up a tent, the same happned with Zainab. So when the Prophet (saw) saw theses tents, he said, “What is this?” They said, “They were put up for Aisha and Hafsa and Zainab.” He said, “Did they intend righteousness by this? Take them down so I don’t see them.” So they were taken down and he left his itikaaf in Ramadhan. Then he made itikaaf in the first 10 days of Shawwal. (From Bukhari and Muslim)

Imam Ahmad said, “I don’t know of any of the Ulama who disagreed that itikaaf is sunnah.”

The point of itikaaf is staying away from people to worship Allah in the masjid, seeking reward and Laylatul-Qadr. So he should be busy in worship, and he should not waste his time in talking except in useful matters with his family or friends. The proof is from the hadeeth of Umm al Mumineen Safiiya (ra), “The Prophet was making itikaaf, so I visited him at night, so I talked to him, then got up to leave. So the Prophet got up with me.” (Agreed upon)

Marital relations are forbidden for the person making itikaaf, and what leads to it from kissing and touching. As for leaving the masjid with only part of the body it is permissible because of the hadeeth were Aisha (ra) says, “The Prophet used to stick his head out of the masjid and I would wash his hair while I was in menstruation.” (Bukhari)

As for leaving the masjid, it is in three ways.

First: Leaving for necessity, such as for using the bathroom, making wudu or ghusl, and eating and drinking. All this is permissible unless they can be done in the masjid.

Second: Leaving to do a righteous action that is optional, such as visiting the sick or following a janaza, etc. He should not do this. If he wants to visit a sick person, or he fears the sick person may die, he may make a condition that he will leave in the beginning of his itikaaf, and this is fine.

Third: Leaving for something inconsistent with the itikaaf, such as buying and selling, having relaions with your wife, etc…This should not be done even if a condition is made before the itikaaf, and it would break the person’s itikaaf.

From the greatest things about theses nights is that they contain Laylatul-Qadr, which is better than 1000 months. So realize the virtue of these nights and do not waste them.

Day Twenty: Reasons for the Real Victory

My Brothers: Allah has helped the believers in many situations, in Badr, al-Ahzab, al-Fath, Hunayn, and others. He helped them as a fulfillment of his pledge, “And it is incumbent upon Us to help the believers.” And He helped them because they stood for the religion, which is superior to all the religions, so whoever sticks to this deen then he is superior over all other nations.

“He it is who has sent forth His Apostle with the [task of spreading] guidance and the religion of truth, to the end that He may cause it to prevail over all [false] religion however hateful this may be to those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God.”

Allah helped them because they prepared themselves both physically and spiritually. So they stood firm when they confronted the enemy, following this guidance and enjoying his support, “Be not, then, faint of heart, and grieve not: for you are bound to rise high if you are [truly] believers. If misfortune touches you, [know that] similar misfortune has touched [other] people as well; for it is by turns that We apportion unto men such days [of fortune and misfortune]: and [this] to the end that God might mark out those who have attained to faith, and choose from among you such as [with their lives] bear witness to the truth – since God does not love evildoers.”

So they went forward steadfastly, making every kind of preparation, as Allah says, “And if thou couldst but see [how it will be] when He causes those who are bent on denying the truth to die: the angels will strike their faces: and their backs, and *will say+: ‘Taste suffering through fire’.”

Both the inward power and the outward military power, and Allah helped them because they helped his religion, “And Allah will help those who help him.” All power and might that opposes him will become weak and humiliated, as He says, “To Allah belongs the end of the affairs.”

So when the help seems far in a believer’s eyes, then he knows that end belongs to Allah, He changes the affairs as He wills. So when the believer is given power on earth, he should not be deceived by greed, boastfulness, pride, or mischief, for only Allah’s religion and adherence to it will increase his power. Allah makes clear the person deserving His help.

The First Description:

“Those, if we give them power on earth, establish the prayer…” And power on earth is not until Allah’s worship is actualized, as He says, “And yet, some people worship, instead of God, things that can neither benefit them nor harm them: thus, he who denies the truth does indeed turn his back on his Sustainer!” So if the believer stands up for Allah’s worship sincerely, in his sayings, actions and desires, not wanting position or praise form people, and remains firm upon that in ease and hardship, Allah will establish him and give him power on earth.

The Second Description:

Establishing the prayer as is required from him, fulfilling all its conditions, pillars, and obligations, then perfecting it by the mustahab actions. So he perfects his wudu, and

correctly does rukoo’ and sujood, and is careful about the prayer time and about praying in congregation. And he maintains khushoo’, which is the presence of the heart and stillness of the limbs, because khushoo’ is the soul of the prayer. So a prayer without khushoo’ is like a body without a soul.

Ammar bin yasir said that the Prophet (saw) said, “A person may leave the prayer with nothing but a tenth of it written for him, or a ninth, 8th, 7th, 6th, 5th 4th, 3rd, or half.” (Abu Dawood and Nisaee)

The Third Description:

Giving the zakah, giving it to the deserving, seeking Allah’s pleasure by it, purifying themselves and their wealth and benefiting the poor. And we already discussed zakah in majlis 17.

The Fourth Description:

Enjoining the good. Good (Al-Ma’ruf) is everything that Allah and his Messenger ordered, either obligatory or mustahab. A believer to another believer is like a wall, one part supports another. So just like a believer likes for himself to be obedient and righteous, then he must love the same for his brothers.

The Fifth Description:

Forbidding the evil, which is everything that Allah and his Messenger forbade, from major or minor sins, with regards to worship, manners, or dealings with people.

So ordering good and forbidding the evils, are a cause of honor and unity for this Ummah. Because of this, it is an obligation on every Muslim as much as they are able. Were it not for ordering the good, and forbidding the evil, the people would have split into many different groups and sects. And by it, this Ummah was favored over all others “You are indeed the best community that has ever been brought forth for [the good of] mankind: you enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong, and you believe in God.“

Now if the followers of earlier revelation had attained to [this kind of] faith, it would have been for their own good; [but only few] among them are believers, while most of them are iniquitous” and because of ignoring this duty! “Those of the children of Israel who went astray were cursed by the tongue of David, and of Jesus, son of Mary. That was because they rebelled and used to transgress. They restrained not one another from the wickedness they did. Verily evil was that they used to do!”

[Conclusion]

So these five descriptions, whenever they are actualized, along with determination and making preparation, will result in the help of Allah. So they will be helped in ways they never imagined. Verily, the believer knows that physical power, no matter how strong, is nothing compared to the power of Allah who created them. “As for Aad, they were arrogant in the land without right, and they said: ‘Who is mightier than us in power?’ Could they not see that Allah Who created them, He was mightier than them in power? And they denied Our revelations. Therefore We let loose on them a raging wind in evil days, that We might make them taste the torment of disgrace in the life of the

world. And verily the doom of the Hereafter will be more shameful, and they will not be helped.”

And Firoun boasted about his kingdom of Egypt, and the rivers that ran underneath him, so Allaah drowned him in waters like it, and gave his kingdom to Musa and his people, who Firoun considered as lowly.

And Quraysh boasted about their power, and came out for the battle of Badr, arrogantly and showing off. Their leaders were saying, “we will not return from Badr until we slaughter camels there, and drink wine, and listen to music, so all the Arab will hear about us.” So the Prophet (saw) and his companions destroyed them, and they became an example of humiliation until the Day of Judgment.

So we Muslims in these times, if we took these steps for the help of Allaah, and fulfilled the obligations of our religion, and we became an example to be followed, not followers to others, and we used modern military technology with sincerity to Allaah, Allaah would help us against our enemy like he helped those before us. “It is the law of Allah which hath taken course aforetime. Thou wilt not find for the law of Allah aught of power to change.”

Day Nineteen: From the Opening of Makkah

My brothers: Just like the Battle of Badr took place in this month, so did the opening of Makkah. Which took place in the 8th year of Hijrah. Allah got rid of shirk by giving the Muslims victory in the city, and made it an Islamic city.

These are the events that led to the opening of Makkah:

After the Treaty of Hudabiyah was completed, whoever wanted to enter in agreement with the Prophet (saw) could, and whoever wanted to enter in agreement with Quraysh could. So Khuza’a entered in agreement with the Prophet (saw), and Banu Bakr entered in agreement with Quraysh. These two tribes had conflict between each other during the time of ignorance. Banu Bakr attacked Khuza’a, and Quraysh was secretly providing them weapons and men. The Prophet (saw) was told about this, and Quraysh found out and realized that this broke the treaty. They sent Abu Sufyan to try to convince the Prophet (saw) to keep the treaty but the Prophet (saw) would not even respond to him, he then tried speaking to Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, they did not respond either, he then spoke to ‘Ali who at first didn’t speak to him but finally said, “I do not think that anything can help you now. You are the chief of Banu Kinana, so get up and try to restore peace”.

He asked, “Do you think it would do any good?”

“By God, I do not,” replied Ali, “but there is nothing else you can do.“

He then returned to Makkah and told Quraysh what had happned and how he made peace between the people, they asked him if Muhammad (saw) approved of him to make peace, and he replied “no“, so they said, “Woe to you, they made a fool of you.”

The Prophet (saw) ordered his companions to prepare for war, and he made dua for Allah to take away the information and seeing from Quraysh so that they will not know the Muslims are coming until they reach Makkah.

On the way to Makkah, they came across Al-Abbas who had his family with him, and he was making Hijrah as a muslim to Madinah. They also came across Abu Sufyan ibn alHarith as well as Abdullah Bin Abu Umayah who was one of the staunchest enemies of Islam, and they both became Muslim.

Once they reached a place called Marra Adhahraan, the Prophet (saw) ordered the soldiers to light the campfires, and Al-Abbas rode on his donkey so that he would be safe. Al-Abbas then heard the voice of Abu Sufyan saying to Budayl bin Waraqah, “I have never seen an army with this much fire.”

Budayl replied that it was Khuza’a, and Abu Sufyan said that Khuza’a is less and smaller. After Al-Abbas recognized Abu Sufyan voice he called out to him and said ride with me and I will take you to the Prophet (saw). So Al-Abbas took Abu Sufyan to the Prophet (saw) and the Prophet (saw) said, “Woe to you, Abu Sufyan! Has not the time come for you to acknowledge that there is no god but Allah?“

Abu Sufyan replied, “How kind and gentle you are! By Allah, I think that if there had been another god besides Allah, he would have helped me today.”

“Woe to you, Abu Sufyan! Is it not time that you recognized that I am the Messenger of Allah?”

Abu Sufyan hesitated, and Al-Abbas said to him, “Woe to you Submit!”

Then Sufyan made the true Shadah and became Muslim. Then the Prophet (saw) ordered him to stand with Al-Abbas at a place where all of the Muslims would pass by, and he saw all the different tribes with their flags. So the Prophet (saw) then entered Makkah with greatness, and his head lowered in humility to Allah (swt). The Prophet (saw) then said whoever enters the Masjid is safe, whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyan is safe, and whoever enters their house and locks the door is safe.

Then the Prophet (saw) went to the Ka’bah and made tawaf while riding. There were 360 idols surrounding the Ka’bah. He destroyed the idols with a stick that he had while reciting, “The truth has come and falsehood has vanished away. Falsehood is ever vanishing.”

He then entered the Ka’bah which had pictures which he ordered to be destroyed, he then prayed inside the Ka’bah. He then made takbeer and proclaimed the oneness of Allah, then he stood at the door of the Ka’bah while Quraysh were all watching to see what he would do next.

He (saw) said, “There is no god but Allah the One, with no partners, to Him belongs the Kingdom, and Praise, and he is capable of all things, his promise is true, and he gave victory to his slaves, and caused the enemy to flee, O people of the Quraysh! Allah has abolished the haughtiness of the Jahiliyyah and its veneration of ancestors. People all spring from Adam, and Adam came from dust.“

Then he recited this verse, “O mankind, We have created you male and female, and appointed you races and tribes, that you may know one another. Surely the noblest among you in the sight of Allah is the most God-fearing of you. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware“, then said, “Oh People of Quraysh, what do think I will do with you today?”

They said, “Good oh noble brother, son of a noble brother.”

He (saw) said, “For indeed I will say to you like Yusuf said to his brothers, “This day let no reproach be (cast) on you: Allah will forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!” So go for indeed you are free.” The Prophet (saw) stayed for 19 days in Makkah and he prayed the prayer of the traveler, and he did not fast the rest of the month.

With this great opening Allah gave victory to the believers, and the people entered Islam in crowds. A state for the Muslims ruled by the book of Allah was established, and to Allah is all the praise, and this is from the bounty of Allah which will last until the Day of Judgment.

Day Eighteen: From the Battle of Badr

My brothers: Indeed in this blessed month, Allah gave the Muslims victory in the battle of Badr. This day is called the Day of Furqan (criterion) because Allah (swt) separated on this day between the Truth and Falsehood, with the victory of his Messenger and the believers. This was in Ramadhan in the second year Hijri. The reason for this battle was because the Prophet (saw) heard that Abu Sufyan was heading from Sham to Makkah with a caravan belonging to Quraysh. So he told his companions to leave so that they may take the caravan.

This is because Quraysh fought the Messenger (saw) and his companions and they did not have a treaty between them, and they forced them from their land and their wealth, and they stood against their dawah of truth. So the Muslims had the right to take the caravan.

So the Prophet (saw) left with 300 and some companions, ten of them on horses, 70 of them on camels, 70 of them were from the Muhajereen, and the rest were from the Ansar. They were intending to take the caravan, and they weren’t expecting to fight a battle. This is so that Allah could carry out an order that was going to happen, and to do what he wills. Abu Sufyan found out that the Muslims were going to attach so he sent someone to Quraysh to prepare to defend the caravan. Abu Sufyan took a different route and went towards the sea, so he was safe.

As for Qurayash, when the message reached them they prepared for war with 1000 men, 100 horses, and 700 camels, and singers singing about the destruction of the Muslims, “insolently and to be seen of men, and to hinder (men) from the path of Allah. For Allah compasseth round about all that they do.”

When Abu Sufyan learned about Quraysh leaving he told them that he was safe and that he didn’t need them. Upon hearing this message Abu Jahl said, “By Allah, we will not turn back until we get to Badr. There we will stay for three days, slaughter animals, have a feast, drink wine and have the girls sing for us. All of Arabia shall hear of our march, our strength and shall afterwards respect us.”

As for the Messenger (saw), when he heard of the advancement of Quraysh, he gathered the Sahaabah with him and sought counsel from them. He (saw) said, “Indeed Allah has promised me either the caravan or the victory.”

So Al-Maqdad bin AlAswad who was one of the Muhajereen said, “Oh messenger of Allah, do what Allah (swt) has ordered, for by Allah we wont say what the children of Israel said to Musa, “Go you and your Lord and fight, indeed we will stay here.” But we fight on your right and your left, from in front of you, and from behind you.”

Said bin Muadh, who was from the ansar and the leader of the Aus said, “Oh Messenger of Allah, it may be that you fear we may not see it from our agreement to protect you outside of Madinah, but I want to tell you on behalf of the Ansaar that you may lead us wherever you like, align with whom you may desire or break relations with whom you may think fit; you may take whatever you desire from our property and give us as much as you want; for, whatever you would take from our property would be dearer to us than what you would leave for us. We will follow whatever you command us to do. By Allah, if you go ahead until you reach Bark Ghimdan, we will accompany you, and by Allah if you march into the sea, we will also do it with you.”

The Prophet (saw) smiled when he heard this from the Muhajereen and the Ansaar, and said, “Go and fight, for it is as though I can see us fighting the enemy.”

So the Prophet (saw) went with the army of the Merciful until they reached a low point containing the water of Badr. Al-Hobab bin Almundhir said, “Oh Messenger of Allah do you see this place we are in? Has Allah ordered you to choose this place for the battle? Or is it a war plan?“

The Prophet (saw) replied that it was a war plan. Al-Hobab then said, “The choice of this place is inappropriate.”

The Prophet (saw) asked him, “So, what do you suggest, Hobab?“

He replied, “I think we should fill up all the wells but one, and place our army in front of it. Thus, we can drink while they cannot. Being thirsty, they are going to fight us for water, while we are going to fight for our cause.“

The Prophet (saw) used his suggestion. So on that night, Allah sent down heavy rain for the kuffar. It was so heavy that it stopped them from advancing. This same rain was light for the Muslims, and made them pure, and made their feet steady.

The Sahaba built for the Prophet (saw) a shelter on high ground with a view of the battlefield. The Prophet (saw) came down and prepared the ranks. The Prophet (saw) also made dua for Allaah to give them the victory that they were promised.

Allah (swt) said, “When thy Lord inspired the angels, (saying) I am with you. So make those who believe stand firm. I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger. That is because they opposed Allah and His messenger. Whoso opposeth Allah and His messenger, (for him) lo! Allah is severe in punishment. That (is the award), so taste it, and (know) that for disbelievers is the torment of the Fire.”

The Prophet (saw) then went back up to his encampment wit him was Abu Bakr and Said bin Muadh (ra) and he was making dua. He then said, “The hosts will all be routed and will turn and flee.”

And he encouraged his companions to fight and said, “By the one whose hands lies the soul Muhammad, no one will be killed today while they are patient and with the right intention and not turning away, except that Allah will enter them into Jannah.”

Upon hearing this, Umair bin al-Hemam stood up with dates in his hands and said, “Oh Messenger of Allah, is Paradise the width of the heavens and earth?”

The Prophet (saw) replied, “Yes.”

He said, “(Bakhin! Bakhin!) Oh Messenger of Allah, there is nothing standing between me and entering paradise except to be killed by the enemy, if I lived until I eat these dates, then it will be a long life.” He then threw down his dates and fought until he was killed may Allah be pleased with him.

The Prophet (saw) took a handful of dirt and threw it towards the enemy. There was not one person of them that didn’t get dirt in their eyes, this was a sign from Allah (swt). So the enemy was defeated, and they turned and ran, and the Muslims chased them away. They killed 70 of them and captured 70. The number of Muslims that died were 24. Of the enemy that was killed were, Abu Jahl, Shaibah bin Rabiah, and his brother Utba, and his son Waleed. It is narrated in Muslim that the Prophet (saw) kissed the ka’bah and made dua against those four.

As for the prisoner of war, the Prophet (saw) sought counsel from his companions. Umar (ra) wanted to kill all of them because they were the leaders of disbelief. Abu Bakr (ra) wanted to sell them back and said it may be that Allah will guide them to Islam.

So the Prophet (saw) decided to take the blood money, some were freed for 4000 dirhams, other for 1000 dirhams, some of them were released after teaching some Muslim children how to read and write. Others were freed for some Muslims that Quraysh had, and some were killed by the Prophet (saw), and some were released for free because of a certain benefit.

This is the battle of Badr, a small group beating a larger group, “One fighting for the sake of Allah, and the other one disbelievers.”

The smaller group won because it was established with the religion of Allah. So establish the religion of Muslims so that Allah will make us victorious against the enemies.

Day Seventeen: From the People of Zakah

Allah (swt) says, “The offerings given for the sake of God are [meant] only for the poor and the needy, and those who are in charge thereof, and those whose hearts are to be won over, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage, and [for] those who are over burdened with debts, and *for every struggle+ in God’s cause, and *for+ the wayfarer: *this is] an ordinance from God – and God is all-knowing, wise.”

From this noble verse, Allah shows us the rightful receivers of the zakah, and this from Allah’s justice and mercy. Allah (swt) divides them into 8 categories and shows us the obligation of the zakah. It is not permissible to give zakah to other then these, because Allah (swt) knows what is better for His creation than we do. “But for people who have inner certainty, who could be a better law-giver than God?”

Categories 1-2: The poor and the needy.

And they are the ones who cannot find a way to support themselves, and families. They do not have a steady income, a successful business, and it is on us to help them.

The scholars say, “So they should be given enough money to sustain them and their families for one year until the next year is reached.”

Also the person who doesn’t make enough money to support himself and family is given the extra amount needed to be able to support them.

As for the person who is able to support themselves, then they are not to be given money. Even if they ask for it, they should be advised not to ask for that which is not permissible to be given to them.

The Prophet (saw) said, “Whoever asks from the people for money to gain their own money, are only asking for embers from Hell, so let them increase or decrease.” (Muslim)

One time the Prophet (saw) told Hakeem Ibn Hizam (ra), “O Hakeem! This property is like a sweet fresh fruit; whoever takes it without greediness, he is blessed in it, and whoever takes it with greediness, he is not blessed in it, and he is like a person who eats but is never satisfied; and the upper (giving) hand is better than the lower (receiving) hand.” (Bukhari)

Zakah is not for the rich or the able.

Category 3: These are the ones in charge of collecting and giving out the zakah.

They are to be given for the amount of work they put in. If they are financially sound, then they should add it to the zakah that is being given out, and they will participate in getting rewards for that.

Category 4: The ones whose hearts are to be won over.

They are the new converts to Islam. They are the ones whom hearts are weak in iman. They are given the money to strengthen their commitment to Islam.

Category 5: To free the slaves.

They are given the money that is enough to buy their freedom.

Category 6: The ones whom are burdened with debts.

They are given enough money so that they can get out of debt, also so that they can repair the relationship between them and the Muslim who loaned them the money. There is a hadeeth in Muslim that Qabisa al-Hilali said, “I was under debt and I came to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and begged from him regarding it. He said: “Wait till we receive Sadaqa, so that we order that to be given to you.” He again said: “Qabisa, begging is not permissible but for one of the three (classes) of persons: one who has incurred debt…” “

Category 7: This is for jihad in the path of Allah, which is meant to make the word of Allah the highest.

It is given to the Mujahid with this intention, they are given enough so that they can perform jihad, or so they can purchase weapons.

Category 8: This is for the wayfer.

This is for the person who travels and is cut off from wealth from traveling. They should be given enough to go back to their family. If they are rich, then they have no right to the money.

Zakah is not to be given to a disbeliever, except if they are under the category of their hearts being won over. Zakah is not given to a rich person, except if they are the once collecting and distributing it, or fighting for the sake of Allah, or need to get out of debt to repair that which is between them and another Muslim.

Zakah is not to be paid on someone’s dependents. It can be paid to someone’s family member, as long as they are not their dependent.

Day Sixteen: From Zakah

My brothers: Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an, “And they have been commanded no more than this: To worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true (in faith); to establish regular prayer; and to practice regular charity; and that is the Religion Right and Straight.”

As well as, “and be constant in prayer, and spend in charity, and [thus] lend unto God a goodly loan: for whatever good deed you may offer up in your own behalf, you shall truly find it with God – yea, better, and richer in reward.”

As well as, “And [remember:] whatever you may give out in usury so that it might increase through *other+ people’s possessions will bring *you+ no increase in the sight of God, whereas all that you give out in charity, seeking God’s countenance, *will be blessed by Him:] for it is they, they [who thus seek His countenance] that shall have their recompense multiplied!”

The verses that describe the zakah as being an obligation are many. As for the ahadeeth, there is in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of Abdullah bin Umar (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said, “Islam was established on five, tawhid, establishing prayer, giving the zakah, fasting Ramadhan, and Hajj…”

So giving zakah is one of the pillars of Islam. Whoever denies this obligation while they are aware, then they have disbelieved and left the fold of Islam. Whoever is greedy in performing this, or is deficient in it, then they are from the wrongdoers who are heedless to being punished. Zakah is obligatory on four things.

First: That which emerges from the ground like crops.

This is from the saying of Allah (swt), “O you who have attained to faith! Spend on others out of the good things which you may have acquired, and out of that which We bring forth for you from the earth.”

As well as, “and give [unto the poor] their due on harvest day.”

The greatest of the rights that your money has over you is zakah. The Prophet (saw) said, “On a land irrigated by rain water or by natural water channels or if the land is wet due to a near by water channel Ushr (i.e. one-tenth) is compulsory (as Zakah); and on the land irrigated by the well, half of an Ushr (i.e. one-twentieth) is compulsory (as Zakah on the yield of the land).” (Bukhari)

The zakah is not due until the crops reach the threshold (nisaab) which is five Awsuq. One Awsuq equals sixty Sa’ah. This means that the threshold is 300 Sa’ah. This is calculated to be about 612 kilos. There is no zakah on other than it.

There is no zakah on fruits and vegetables, this is known from the statement of ‘Umar (ra), “There is no charity for vegetables.” And the statement of ‘Ali (ra), “There is no charity on the apple and the like. But, if they sell it for money, and one year has passed on it’s profits, then there is zakah on it.”

Second: Animals such as camels, sheep, cattle.

The threshold for camels are five, cows are thirty, and sheep are forty.

Third: Gold and silver no matter what state they are in.

As Allah (swt) says, “But as for all who lay up treasures of gold and silver and do not spend them for the sake of Gods – give them the tiding of grievous suffering [in the life to come] on the Day when that [hoarded wealth] shall be heated in the fire of hell and their foreheads and their sides and their backs branded therewith , [those sinners shall be told:] “These are the treasures which you have laid up for yourselves! Taste, then, *the evil of+ your hoarded treasures!”

This is the greatest way to give in zakah.

Abu Hurayrah reported Allah’s Messenger (saw) as saying, “If any owner of gold or silver does not pay what is due on him, when the Day of Resurrection would come, plates of fire would be beaten out for him; these would then be heated in the fire of Hell and his sides, his forehead and his back would be cauterized with them. Whenever these cool down, (the process is) repeated during a day the extent of which would be fifty thousand years, until judgment is pronounced among servants.” (Muslim)

Zakah is due on the gold and silver regardless if it is being used or stored. This is known from the hadeeth of Abdullah bin Amr bin Al ‘Aas (ra) that a woman once came to the Prophet (saw) with her daughter who was wearing two thick bracelets of gold. The Prophet (saw) asked if she paid zakah on the bracelets, so she answered in the negative, so he replied by asking if she wished for Allah to replace them with bracelets of fire on the Day of Judgment. She then removed the bracelets and gave them to the Prophet (saw) and said, “These are for Allah and His Messenger.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Nisaee, Tirmidhee)

‘Aisha (ra) reported that, “The Messenger of Allah came to me and saw me wearing silver rings, whereupon, he asked: ‘What is this, Aisha?‘ I replied: ‘I made them to adorn myself for you, O Messenger of Allah.‘ He said: ‘Did you pay their zakah?‘ I said: ‘No, or what Allah wishes.‘ Then he said: ‘Their punishment in Hell is enough for you.‘” (Abu Dawood, Bayhaqi, Hakim)

Zakah is not due on gold until it reaches its threshold, which is twenty dinars. The Prophet (saw) said about gold, “There is nothing upon you until it reaches twenty dinars.” (Abu Dawood) Which is to be calculated to today’s currency.

Zakah is not due on silver until it reaches its threshold, which is five ‘Awaq. This is from the statement of the Prophet (SAW), “There is no charity upon other than five ‘Awaq.” (Agreed upon)

Which the Sheikh calculates to today’s currency. Zakah is taken on cash because cash takes the place of silver, so if you reach the threshold of silver then you have to pay zakah on it. Zakah is due on the money, gold, and silver regardless if it is in your possession or not. So for this reason, zakah is due on a loan that is given out as well. The person can either add the loan with their money every year, or they can wait until they get the money back and then pay what they would have paid for every year.

Fourth: All that is held with the intention to trade and make money with, from animals, to cars, to food and drink.

So the person should estimate the cost of it all once it reaches one year in their possession. Then they should take out 14% of the total amount, the amount is not estimated by how much the person paid, but it is taken by how much the product is worth.

There is no zakah on what a person uses for themselves, be it food, drink, house, animals, cars, clothes, and gold and silver jewelry that is used. This is known from the statement of the Prophet (saw), “There is no charity due on a slave or horse belonging to a Muslim.” (Agreed upon)