Asalamu alaykum my dear brothers and sisters,
Hope you are all well and feeling blissful as Ramadan continues to approach us. Today is the first White Day of the lunar month of Shabaan (13th Shabaan). A gentle reminder of the importance of fasting the white days: Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘As (May Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Observing Saum (fasting) on three days of every month is equivalent to a full month’s fasting.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Another narration by Qatadah ibn Malhan Al-Qaysi (may Allah have mercy upon him) reported: 'The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to command us to fast the days of the white (nights): thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth of the month.' He said: 'This is like keeping perpetual fast.' [Sahih, Al-Albani] Why Shaban? Usamah ibn Zayd (may Allah have mercy upon him) narrated: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting any month as much as in Shaban.’ He said: ‘That is a month to which people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are taken up to the Lord of the worlds, and I like that my deeds be taken up when I am fasting.”‘ [Hadith, Al-Nasai] Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) narrated, “I never saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) fast for a complete month except for the month of Ramadan, and I never saw him fast in a month more than he did in the month of Shaban.” [Hadith, Al-Bukhari and Muslim] So, I would like to encourage us all to try and fast to discipline and purify ourselves spiritually, healthily and physically before the blessed month of Ramadan. We have nearly reached half of the lunar month, please reflect and ponder on the following questions: How well have we prepared and utilised our time for the blessed month of Ramadan? How sincere and excited are we for Ramadan? What are our intentions? We believe that Allah (The Most High) has given us six senses: eyes to see, ears to hear and balance, tongue to speak and taste, hands to touch, nose to smell and proprioception for our position and movement of our bodies. How well are we utilising our senses spiritually and practically? Our mind and senses work hand in hand to visualise everything around us and commit ourselves. Our intentions are the root of sincerity and conscience in our actions to achieve eternal happiness. Allah (The Most High) said: "Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth; the alternation of the day and the night; the ships that sail the sea for the benefit of humanity; the rain sent down by Allah from the skies, reviving the earth after its death; the scattering of all kinds of creatures throughout; the shifting of the winds; and the clouds drifting between the heavens and the earth—˹in all of this˺ are surely signs for people of understanding." [Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) 2:164] The sincerity in our actions allows us to maintain our true purpose and give compassion to others positively. Through intuitive reasoning and logic, we can perceive the world and try to do the best we can, especially in the month of Shaban to sow the seeds and try our best to perform good deeds. Shaban is the month especially the Prophet (peace be upon him) strived to do good deeds for his sake. Sincerity through our senses requires us to think, feel and perform for the sake of Allah (The Most High) and not for the sake of people. For example, when we are fasting. Abu Huraira (may Allah have mercy upon him) reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him said: “Allah, the Majestic, and the Exalted said: Every act of the son of Adam is for him except fasting. It is done for My sake, and I will give a reward for it. By Allah in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk. [Sahih Muslim] Sincerity is key not only in our relationship with Allah (The Most High) but with others. We tend to have sincerity in our intentions but sometimes our actions may perceive the opposite. However, a person with a good mindset will always try to see the porosity of the sand granules and give the benefit of the doubt. To be sincere in our actions, requires us to be selfless and deal with honesty in our behaviour and maintain good ethics. This is what creates a good foundation. An action to be accepted requires to be lawful within the Quran and Sunnah and done with sincerity. Many of us hide our sins as much as possible to prevent others from finding out. Similarly, those that are sincere try to hide their good deeds done for His sake. They humbly recall Allah (The Most High) for He is the Most Powerful, Omnipresent, All-knowing, All-seeing and All-Hearing and knows the secrets of our intentions, heart and motives of our actions. However, there is also a third form of intention where we try to show good deeds to encourage others to do the same. This is what allows positivity to flow within the society. Good to overcome evil. The sincerity in our intentions is key because when we perform things for the sake of Allah, Allah (The Most High) tries to bring ease. "Certain categories of people will be called first of all for reckoning on the Day of Judgment. A martyr will be asked by Allah (The Most High) "Did I not bestow such and such favours on you?" How will admit those boons and favours? Then Allah will ask him; " How did you make use of My favours? He will answer: " I went to the Holy War to please You, and was killed therein." Allah will say " You lie; you participated in the Holy War to be called a Hero by people, and this has been done." Then he will be thrown headlong into the fire of Hell. Next, a Scholar will be called and the same questions will be put to him. In reply, he will admit the favours of Allah (The Most High). Then he will be asked; " How did you make us of My favours?" He will answer, " I acquired knowledge of Islam and taught it to others, simply to please You" Allah will say: You lie; you attained knowledge to be called a scholar and recited the Holy Qur'an to be called a "Qaari." then he too will be thrown headlong into the fire of Hell. Thereafter a rich man will be called, and the same questions will be put to him. He will say: " I always spent money to please You. Allah will say: you lie; you spend money to be called a "generous" man, and this has been said." Then he will also be thrown headlong into the fire of Hell." My dear brothers and sisters, sincerity is so important because our senses and movement will be our witnesses. In the Quran, Allah (The Most High) states: “On a Day when their tongues, their hands and their feet will bear witness against them as to what they used to do.” [Quran, Surah Al-Nur (The Light), 24:24] Regarding this verse, Ibn Abi Hatim also recorded that Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "We were with the Prophet and he smiled so broadly that his back teeth could be seen, then he said: “Do you know why I am smiling?” We said,” Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said: “Because of the way a person will dispute with his Lord. He will say, "O Lord, did you not protect me from doing wrong'' Allah will say, "Of course,'' The person will say, "I will not accept for anyone to give testimony concerning me except myself.'' Allah will say, "You are sufficient as a witness against yourself.'' Then a seal will be put upon his mouth and it will be said to his faculties, "Speak.'' So they will speak about his deeds. Then he will be permitted to speak, and he will say, "Away with you! I was only speaking in your defence!''. [Hadith, Muslim, Al-Nisai] Overall, it is important to remind ourselves of the importance of ikhlas al-niyyat (sincerity of our intentions) to do actions for the sake of Allah and his pleasure. “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.” [Sahih Bukhari] Below are duas to help maintain sincerity through our senses: “My Lord, grant me an entrance of sincerity and an exit of sincerity and grant me from yourself a victorious power” [Surah Al-Isra, Quran 17:80] Rifa’ah ibn Rafi’ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “O Allah, make faith beloved to us and beautify it in our hearts, and make unbelief, wickedness, and disobedience hateful to us, and make us among the rightly-guided. O Allah, let us pass away as Muslims, live as Muslims, and let us be joined with the righteous.” [al-Adab al-Mufrad 699] May Allah bless you all.
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AuthorThe AFT team have organized a series of weekly inspiration, every Wednesday to help motivate and prepare you for this amazing moment we all yearn for. ArchivesCategories |