Get The Best Out Of Ramadan

The foregoing are a few things one can do during the month of Ramadan. It is high time for us to think about how we are going to meet this blessed month. Is it as in the same fashion we encounter other months, in which we disobey Allah (SWT) and pay no heed to His commandments? Or will it be with honour that we greet this month, because of its advantages and virtues? Or will it be with the intention of deserving to be admitted to Paradise and to be saved from Hell- Fire?

1. Read Quran

The blessed month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’aan was revealed. Thus, this blessed month of Ramadan is even more special because Allah (SWT) distinguished it by revealing the Qur’an during it. Aside from recitation of the Qur’an, learning the translation of the meaning, pondering over its Verses are also recommended and encouraged acts.

We should be realistic and not go in extremes. Moderation and consistency is also very important. Try to make a plan for your self. Perhaps you should read a page of the Qur’an, followed by its translation, and then followed by its Tafsir. This way, the verses will have a greater impact on you. The Qur’an is sent as a guide, and its imperative we read it with understanding.

2. Make Dua'a

One should make as much Dua'a for himself, family and the Muslim Ummah as much as he can during Ramadan.

Umm Darda' reported: My husband reported that he heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: “He who supplicates for his brother behind his back (in his absence), the Angel commissioned (for carrying supplication to his Lord) says: Amen, and it is for you also." 

3. Family Ties

Ramadan is a time where a person who may have problems or disagreements between his family members should clear them. There is great reward for one who upholds kinship.

Narrated Jubair bin Mut'im (may Allaah be pleased with him): That he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying, "The person who severs the bond of kinship will not enter Paradise." [Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 13]

4. Praying Qiyam / Taraweeh (the Night Prayer)

Narrated Abu Huraira (may Allaah be pleased with him): I heard Allaah's Apostle (peace be upon him) saying regarding Ramadan:

[Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 3, Book 32, Number 226; Saheeh Muslim, Book 4, Number 1662]

Please note: There’s a trend (especially with the youth), of not praying the whole day, except Taraweeh. This is very odd and it would be like someone working over time, but not working during the normal time! How can you have any benefit from voluntary actions, if you are not doing the obligatory?

5. Making Da’wah

Ramadan is a perfect time for Muslims to make Da’wah to those that are not practicing, as well as non-Muslims. One can do this by being a kind person and showing the right example of the good Muslim, or even reminding his fellow Muslims what the obligations are of Islam.

6. Nawafil / Voluntary Prayers

At-tatawwu', or nawafil or supererogatory prayers, have been legislated to make up for any deficiencies left in the performance of fardh Salah (obligatory prayers). In Salah, there are virtues that are not found in any other form of worship. 

7. Duha Prayer

The Duha Prayer is a voluntary Salah prayer between the time after Fajr (i.e. Dawn) and the time before the Dhuhr prayer (i.e. forenoon). Ishraq, Salat – ul Awwabin (prayer of the penitent) and Duha are different Names for the same prayer. The minimum Rak’ahs for Duha prayer are two and the maximum are twelve. The preferable amount among them is four, which is supported and approved by the ahadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him). It may also be remembered that this Salah was a tradition of the previous Messengers and they used to perform it during their times. Hence this prayer is Sunnah and Mustahab (desirable). [Commentary Bulugh – Al – Maram (Englsih), published by Darussalam, Hadith: 310]

Anas (may Allaah pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that, “Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits and remembers Allaah (makes dhikr) until the sun rises, then prays two rak’ahs, will have a reward like that for Hajj and ‘Umrah, complete, complete, complete.”

8. Make Dhikr Of Allah
Allah, the Most High, says in the Qur'an, "O you who believes! Remember Allah with much remembrance!" [Surah al-Ahzab 33:41]

And He said: “And remember your Lord by your tongue and within yourself, humbly and with fear without loudness in words in the mornings, and in the afternoons and be not of those who are neglectful.”[Surah Al- Ar'af 7:205]

9. Fasting

Narrated Abu Huraira (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allaah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allaah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."[Saheeh Bukhari]

Narrated Abu Said (may Allah be pleased with him): I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying, "Indeed, anyone who fasts for one day for Allah's Pleasure, Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years."[Saheeh Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim]

10. Itikaaf

Narrated 'Aisha (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to practice Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice Itikaf after him.[Saheeh Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim][20]

11. Not Missing the Witr Salah

“Witr” literally means odd number. Witr has two different meanings in the Sunnah: The last one or three Rak’ahs of the night prayer, or it means all of the night prayers (because in essence they are odd – numbered). This discussion refers to the former meaning. We learn from the following hadith that Witr is not obligatory but desirable. But it would not be correct to show any slackness in performing it because every Muslim should do his best to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

12. Giving Charity

Allah, the Most High, says in His Noble Book: “O you who believe! Spend of that with which We have provided for you, before a Day comes when there will be no bargaining, nor friendship, nor intercession. And it is the disbelievers who are the Wrongdoers.”[Surat Al=Baqarah 2:254] 

13. Providing For One to Open The Fast

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, will have a reward equal to his, without it detracting in the slightest from the reward of the fasting person.”[Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Musnad Ahmad]

14. Be Consistent and Moderate

It’s very easy to have a sudden burst of energy and do a lot in one day and then not do anything during the rest of the month (due to tiredness). It’s Sunnah to be moderate and consistent. Don’t over burden yourself, and don’t look at what others are doing. You should do what you can to your ability (and properly) and be constant with those deeds.

Narrated 'Aisha: Allaah's Apostle said, "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allaah's is the most regular and constant even though it were little."

Narrated 'Aisha: The Prophet was asked, "What deeds are loved most by Allaah?" He said, "The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few." He added, 'Don't take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability."

Oh Allah allow us to make the most of Ramadan. Oh Allah, let us meet you with a clean heart, with all our sins erased. Oh Allah grant us mercy, and make us from those that you have freed from hell fire. Oh Allah allow us to be from those that you enter in heaven. [Saheeh Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 76, Number 473]

Surah al-Kafirun (109)

This Surah was named Surah al-Kāfirūn or 'Qul Yā Ayyuhal-Kāfirūn', and was revealed in Makkah.


Cause Of Revelation:

Ibn `Abbᾱs reported that when once the Prophet was making ṭawᾱf, al-Walīd bin al-Mughīrah, al-`Ᾱṣ bin Wᾱ’il, al-Aswad bin al-Muṭṭalib and Umayyah bin Khalaf met him (peace be upon him) and said, “O Muhammad, let us agree that we would worship your lord and you would worship our gods, and we would be partners in all our affairs. So if what you have brought was better than what we possess, we would be partners in it with you and have our share in it. But if what we possess is better than what you have brought, you would be partners in it with us and have your share of it.” He replied, “I seek refuge in Allah from taking any partner with Him.” Thus, Allah (subhānahū wa-ta`ālā) sent down ( قل ياأيها الكافرون...- the Sūrah). On the following day, the Prophet came to al-Ka`bah where the Quraysh assembled and recited the Sūrah to them. With the revelation of this Sūrah, the dispute between the chiefs of Quraysh and the Prophet (peace be upon him) was brought to an end. 

Ayah 1: قُلْ يأَيُّهَا الْكَـفِرُونَ

Say, ‘O disbelievers,’

Say indicates that this is a message to be delivered to mankind, and conveys the message that it is a clear divine order telling that the whole affair belongs to Allah alone, and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) had only to deliver the message, whereas Allah is the one who orders and decides.

The disbelievers are all those who do not acknowledge Muhammad (peace be upon him) as Allah’s Messenger, and the teachings brought by him as the teachings given by Allah Himself, then they die in a state of disbelief. They may be the Jews, the Christians, the Zoroastrians, the polytheists, or the pagans and their likes.

Ayah 2: لاَ أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ

I do not worship what you worship.

Definition of `ibādah: Imam Ibn Taymiyah believed that a servant of Allah has to fulfill 5 conditions:

1. Be Obedient to Allah. 

2. Love Allah more than anything else. The believers are intense in their love for Allah (والذين آمنوا أشد حباً لله (2:165). 

3. Trust Allah & rely on Him. 

4. When doing anything [especially an act of worship] he should do it sincerely for the sake of Allah alone.

5. Be a true slave of Allah. He is not in a position to discuss a command of Allah, for 'Ubūdiyyah is not just worship but also slavery.

Ayah 3: وَلاَ أَنتُمْ عَـبِدُونَ مَآ أَعْبُدُ

Nor are you worshippers of what I worship.

Worshipper is a noun, which signifies that never have you been in the past, nor are you now, nor will you ever be in the future, in any way, worshipping the same God that I worship. 

Ayah 4: وَلا أَنَآ عَابِدٌ مَّا عَبَدتُّمْ

Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship.

And I am not a worshipper of what you worshiped. I have never ever been enslaved to what you worshipped. Don't think that your god was the same as mine and don't think mine was the same as yours. 

Ayah 5:  وَلاَ أَنتُمْ عَـبِدُونَ مَآ أَعْبُدُ

Verses 3 and verse 5 “nor will you be worshippers of what I worship” looks identical.

It indicates that the disbelievers repeated their proposal to the Prophet, so Allah repeated it to give a decisive and final decision of refusing their proposals. It also refers to the past and the future. And it implies anger of Allah with them. 

The word ما is significantly used instead of من. 

Allah didn't say: and you don't worship “WHO” I worship”. He said "What" I worship.

Who involves an identity (like a name). What involves a quality. The use of ‘ما’ is significant, because if you say: “I do not worship whom you worship”, the disbelievers will say, “We worship the same god that you worship [i.e., Allah],” so  ‘ما’ leaves no confusion or ambiguity, it gives the meaning: “You are not worshippers of the deity who has the attributes of the Deity whom I worship.” 

The Muslim’s God is different from the gods of all of the disbelievers.

The Deity of the Muslims is the One who sets the system of the universe, and who runs and controls it. 

Allah says: 

He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Bestower of faith, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, and the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. 

Ayah 6:  لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِىَ دِينِ

To you is your religion and for me is my religion.

It sums up the entire argument. Islam is not a message of tolerance with kufr or shirk, rather it is a declaration of disassociation and distinction from the disbelievers as long as they are disbelievers. 

The message is “You, who are disbelievers, and I who am a Muslim, are very far apart without any bridge to connect us. My religion is entirely distinct and separate from yours. We would never come to terms with you, because there is no room for half-solutions or compromise in our religion. It is based on absolute monotheism whose concepts, values, beliefs and laws include all aspects of human life and that which is received from Allah (subhanahu wa-ta’ala) and none else.”

Your judgment will be only for you. And my judgment will be only for me. And you'll find out the consequences of your kufr when the Day of Judgment comes. 

From Being A Musician To Becoming A Muslim

This story has been taken from another website. To maintain anonymity, no names have been mentioned.

If you want to understand what Islam is, read the stories of the people who have converted to Islam just recently. They will tell you such angles of religion which you won't find in books. They are on such high level and will teach you many things which your religious leaders won't be able to.

I was fortunate enough to meet one such Muslim in Spain. He belonged to one of the European countries and before converting to Islam, was a guitarist associated with a famous musical band. He also had a degree in music but after converting he had a beard now, left music and travelled around the world to study Islam. He told me the story of converting to Islam which was amazing.

He had three hobbies; playing the guitar, impressing girls and drinking wild. He used to play guitar and collect money, impress a girl by taking her to a date, sitting in a pub and drinking until late night. The next day they were usually found in a park, beside a road, in a hotel room or in the girl's apartment. This was his daily routine until he made friends with another Muslim boy, who also loved drinking. He was from Egypt and had come to Europe for higher studyies but had fallen in love with a girl who had left him for another man. The Egyptian guy could not take this and had started drinking. He used to drink all night and sleep in his hostel's room all day. His father who was a rich man used to send him money so his life was easy. The musician met the Muslim guy in a pub. They were both not that religious. Musician thought that every religion was fraud. The Egyptian guy said there must be no religion as it made people fight and humanity was better served if there were no religious divisions.

They talked about religion everyday in the pub while drinking. During these chats the musician noticed something strange. The Egyptian guy used to quote Allah (SWT), Qur'an and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) without any hesitation at the start of the discussion but as soon as he started drinking he never uttered a single word about these three or any quote relating to it.  He used to change the topic toward other religions of the world. Musician tried his best to bring the Egyptian towards Allah and Prophet but was never successful. Egyptian was so adamant that even when he was drunk at the best he never ever uttered anything about these.

One day Musician asked the Egyptian guy about it. They were at a coffee shop and were in normal condition. Egyptian guy gave an answer which he found really strange.

He said that after he is drunk his tongue becomes dirty as drinking is not allowed.  I can never utter the names of Allah and my Prophet (peace be upon him) with my dirty tongue. After drinking I wake up in the morning, brush my teeth, clean my face, mouth and tongue, only then I utter the names of my beloved Prophet, Allah and Holy Qur'an. This is my love for them and no matter how bad a Muslim I am, no matter how bad I get, I can never take the names or disrespect them in any way.

This struck the Musician deep inside the heart. He went to a book shop, bought the translation of Holy Quran. The moment he stated reading it he knew his life had changed, as he kept on reading he fell deep in love with it. He left music, changed his dressing and converted to Islam.

I asked him what Inspired you most about Islam, and he answered "Unconditional Love".

Islam is the only religion of the world which fills your heart with unconditional love for Allah and Prophet (peace be upon him) , it builds a fort inside your heart which can never be destroyed. A Muslim can be cruel, liar, drunk, cheater or anything, he can compromise on anything but when its the matter of Quran, Allah and Prophet (peace be upon him) he will forget everything, fight the biggest forces in the world, stand against the Pharaoh but never hear or say a word against them, that too just after reciting the first Kalima,  that's what impressed me the most.

The Virtues of Ramadan

Ramadan is coming up so I decided to share an aricle related to Ramadan, to give you a better understanding of the month and its virtues.

During the month of Ramadan, the Prophet (peace be upon him), stood up on a Minbar, called the Companions and gave them a Khutbah. He said: 

"Oh people, know that a month is upon you. Know that you are witnessing a month that Allah (SWT) has made sacred, that Allah (SWT) made obligatory to fast during its days and He has requested that you stand during its nights (its not obligatory, but it is rather good to do so)."

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said the following about this month:

~ During this month, all of the doors of Hell are shut and chained, and all of the gates of Ramadan are opened; meaning that every opportunity to do good is opened up. You are safe from the fire of Hell.
~ This is a month in which all of the evil Shayaateen are locked up, and they are not allowed to go around, whispering evil thoughts.

~ This is a month that every single night, Allah (SWT) saves people who were destined to go to Hell, and this month has a day which is better than a thousands months. This month is Ramadan.

The Preferred Month

Allah has preferred certain months over others, and Ramadan is the most preferred month in the sight of Allah (SWT). Realize that this month has been made very easy as the Shayaateen and gates of Hell are locked, and also realize that 100 percent of the evil deeds that you do in this month is solely from your soul. Therefore, Ramadan is a reflection of your soul.

The Three Ameens

One day, when the Prophet was giving the Friday Khutbah, he was climbing up the pulpit, which had three steps. When he climbed the first step, he said Ameen. Then he climbed up the second and said Ameen. Then he climbed up the third and said Ameen. 

So the companions were confused and asked, 'Oh Messenger of Allah, we have never heard you say Ameen every time you climb a step. What is the reason for this?' 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'When I was climbing the pulpit, Jibreel came to me and told me, "Oh Muhammad, anyone in your nation who manages to be alive when Ramadan comes and does not manage to get his sins forgiven, let him perish in the hell fire! Say Ameen!" So Muhammad said Ameen. Then when he climbed the second step, Jibreel said, "Anyone who manages to catch Laylatul Qadr and does not manage to get his sins forgiven, may he perish in the hell fire! Say Ameen!" So the Prophet said Ameen and when the Prophet climbed the third step, Jibreel said to him, "Oh Muhammad, anyone of your Ummah who manages to catch one of them or both, when they are elderly and they need his help and is not able to service them properly and get his sins forgiven, may he perish in the hell fire say Ameen!" So the Prophet said Ameen."'

So three duas are made. Three golden opportunities that even the worst of men can get all of their sins erased by turning to Allah. Two of those opportunities are related to the entire month of Ramadan and Laylatul Qadr. Therefore, if you cannot be righteous in this month, then there is no hope for you because there are no excuses.

Three Ways to Get All Bad Deeds Forgiven

So what do you have to do? The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned three things and anyone of them will unconditionally forgive all of ones bad deeds: 

1. Whoever fasts the entire month of Ramadan, believing in Allah and hoping for Allah (SWT)'s reward.

2. Standing up at night in Ramadan (Taraweeh).

3. The night of Laylatul Qadr.

Ar-Rayyan

One more blessing of Ramadan is that it is the month when you perfect your fasting, and you can enter through a special door set aside for those who fast. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 

"In Jannah, there is a special door called Ar-Rayyan and Ar-Rayyan means that which will give you a lot of water, because the way to get to that is to deprive yourself of water (by fasting)."

Ramadan has been put for you to achieve righteousness and piety this is the ultimate goal. Allah does not benefit when you tire yourself out. Rather, you are the one that benefits. May Allah make us among those whose sins are forgiven in this month, whose fasting is accepted, whose reading of the Quran is accepted, and whose Qiyyam is accepted, and may He make us among those who enter Jannah through the gate of Rayyan.

Ameen!

The Misconceptions of the Month of Sha'abaan

Below is a very beautifully written article, along with reference form the Qur'an and Ahadith that I came across. It is written by Asma Bint Shameem and I give her full credit for it. May Allah (SWT) accept from her for reaching out to a whole community and clarifying the following misconceptions and Bidah.

Growing up in Pakistan, the month of Shabaan would bring in a lot of excitement and celebration. And that was because celebrating the night of the fifteenth of Shabaan was a big thing and considered a very virtuous act, indeed. 

Men would gather in the masjid while the women prepared Halwas and sweets, preparations were made for all night vigils or "Shabeenas" as they were called, buses were made available to take the men to visit the graveyards and flyers were distributed to everyone containing a long list of special prayers so that they could stay up all night praying.

But, Alhamdulillaah, how Allah (SWT) protects His Deen. When Allah enabled me to study this beautiful religion of ours, all that changed. I realized that all those special prayers, all those night vigils, all those Halwas and all those graveyard visits were really not the way of the Prophet (peace be upon him). In fact all that was far, far away from his Sunnah and the Shari'ah that he brought.

And so I thought I would bring to attention some of the misconceptions and wrong ideas attached to this month as this ignorance and innovation has become so rampant, that it has become a sort of an epidemic, not only in Pakistan but in practically every Muslim community that exists. 

Misconception # 1:

The night of the 15th of Shabaan should be singled out for worship, prayer, etc.

Clarification:

Our best example and role model is the Prophet (peace be upon him) and he never, ever singled out this night for worship or qiyaam nor did his Sahaba.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz said: "There is no saheeh hadeeth concerning the night of the fifteenth of Shabaan. All the Ahadith that have been narrated concerning that are mawdoo (fabricated) and daeef (weak), and have no basis. There is nothing special about this night, and no recitation of Quraan or prayer, whether alone or in congregation, is specified for this night. What some of the scholars have said about it being special is a weak opinion. It is not permissible to single it out for any special actions. This is the correct view." 

(Fataawa Islamiyyah, 4/511)

Misconception # 2:

There are special prayers to be offered on this night.

Clarification:

The truth of the matter is that there are NO special prayers to be offered on this night specifically. And all those Ahadith giving you long lists of special formulas that are "supposed to guarantee you Allah's forgiveness and Jannah" are all fabricated, false and innovations in our Deen. If there were such prayers, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would have told us about them and we would have had evidence of him and the Sahaba doing it.

Misconception # 3:

Allah descends to the first heavens on this night to forgive us.

Clarification:

Allah’s descending to the first heaven does not only happen on the night of the fifteenth of Shabaan. Rather it happens every single night of the year.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 

"Every night when it is the last third of the night, our Lord, the Superior, the Blessed, descends to the nearest heaven and says: "Is there anyone to invoke Me that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone asking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?." (Bukhari).

Thus, when Abd-Allah ibn al-Mubaarak was asked about the descent of Allah on the night of the fifteenth of Shabaan, he said to the one who asked him: “O weak one! The night of the fifteenth?! He descends every night!” 

Misconception # 4:

This is the night when our fate, lifespan, and provisions are decreed.

Clarification: 

Some people think that the "blessed night" (laylatim-mubarakah) mentioned in Surah ad-Dukhaan (44): 3, refers to the night of 15th Shabaan, when Allah decrees our lifespan, provisions and fate. In fact, they even pray 6 rakahs, 2 for each of these things. However, all that is fabricated and far, far away from the Sunnah. And, in reality, the "blessed night" mentioned in Surah ad-Dukhaan, actually is referring to Laylatul Qadr that comes in Ramadan. (Tafseer Ibn Kathir of Surah al-Qadr).

Misconception # 5:

One should fast on the day of the 15th.

Clarification: 

Here again, there is no saheeh reports that tell us that the Prophet (peace be upon him) or his Sahaabah ever picked this day specifically to fast. The Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was to fast most of this month and not just the 15th. However, if the fifteenth of Shabaan coincides with a Monday or Thursday, or with the three white days or if a person is generally fasting, without associating seeking extra rewards to fasting this specific day, then it is allowed. (Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid)

Misconception # 6:

This is the night when the souls of departed ones return to their families.

Clarification:

Here again, some people misunderstand the ayaat in Surah al-Qadr and think that the "sending down of the Ruh" as mentioned in this Surah refers to the souls of dead people returning to see their families, even though it refers to Jibreel (Tafseer Ibn Kathir). And that is why we see women preparing the sweets, the Halwas and other "goodies" for the souls of their loved ones.

Not only is that in itself an erroneous, deviant belief and bidah, but to believe that the souls of the dead can return back to the world and meet/see their relatives is also totally incorrect and false. The teachings of the Quraan and the Sunnah clearly state that the souls of the dead do not return back to the world. Besides, they dont even eat the Halwas. It is actually you who eats it! 

Misconception # 7:

Visiting graveyards especially this night is something good.

Clarification:

Although the Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged visiting graves, he forbade singling out any day or night for any kinds of good deeds if it is not prescribed in the Shareeah. And he did not specifically visit the graveyard on the night of the 15th of Shabaan. The hadith of Aisha (RA) that mentions that the Prophet (peace be upon him) visited the graveyard this night is not authentic and thus does not have any proof for visiting graves specifically on this night of Shabaan.

Misconception # 8:

Even if the Ahadith about worship on this night are weak, one can still do it.

Clarification: The correct scholarly view is that weak ahaadeeth should not be followed at all, even if they speak of righteous deeds or of targheeb and tarheeb (promises and warnings). The saheeh reports are sufficient and the Muslim has no need to follow the daeef reports.

Shaykh Ahmad Shaakir said: "There is no difference between rulings or righteous deeds; we do not take any of them from daeef reports, rather no one has the right to use any report as evidence unless it is proven to be soundly narrated from the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) in a saheeh or hasan hadeeth." 

Misconception # 9:

Look at all those people doing it. How can they all be wrong?

Clarification:

The Muslim is supposed to refer to Allah and His Messenger's (peace be upon him) Sunnah. If there is any confusion or dispute about matters and NOT what the rest of the world is doing.

“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those of you who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination. [al-Nisaa 4:59]

Shaykh Ibn Jibreen said: "These reports (about worship and fasting an the 15th of Shabaan) became very well known in some countries which were overwhelmed by ignorance; One should not be deceived by the large numbers of ignorant people who do these things."

The REAL Sunnah regarding Shabaan: 

If you truly and sincerely want to please Allah and do deeds that will be acceptable to Him, then follow the REAL Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Here is what is proven in the authentic sunnah:

1. Fast most of this month as much as you can.

Aaishah RA said: “I never saw the Messenger of Allaah fasting for an entire month except in Ramadaan, and I never saw him fast more than he did in Shabaan.” (Bukhaari, Muslim).

2. However, if you are weak or do not fast habitually and feel that this nafil fasting may be a hindrance to your obligatory fasting in the month of Ramadhaan, then the person may stop the nafil fasting in the last few days of this month. And for that person, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“When Shabaan is half over, do not fast.” (saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi). 

3. If you have fasts left over from last Ramadhaan to make up, then hurry up and do so in this month of Shabaan before the next Ramadhaan comes. It is not permissible to delay missed fasts until after the following Ramadhaan, except in cases of necessity (such as a valid excuse that continues between the two Ramadaans).

Aaishah RA said: 'It used to be that I had days to make up for Ramadhaan and I would not be able to do so except in Shabaan.” [Bukhaari]

I hope this article helped to clear your doubts. Please leave any comments or queries you have in the comments provided below and InSha Allah we will try our best to help you out.

Surah An-Nasr (110)

It is named Sūrah an-Nasr and Sūrah al-Fatḥ. Ibn Mas`ūd used to call it Sūratut-Tawdē` (Farewell Sūrah).

It is a Madani surah, received by the Prophet (peace be upon him) during his Farewell Ḥajj. Ibn `Abbās reported that when it was revealed, the Prophet ( peace be upon him ) said, “My death has been announced to me.”

Ibn `Abbās also said, “`Umar bin al-Khattāb used to invite me to sit in his assembly along with the companions of the Badr Battle. However, some of them didn’t like it, because they also had sons of my age [who were not invited]. One day he called them all and invited me to come. He then asked the assembly, “What do you say about ‘When the victory of Allāh has come and the Conquest?’ Some of them said, “Allāh orders us to praise Him and ask His forgiveness when His help comes and He gives us victory.” However, some of them remained silent. `Umar turned to me and asked my opinion. I replied, “Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him ) was informed that when Allāh’s help has come and victory was attained, it would be a sign that his hour has come. Therefore, he should praise Allāh and ask His forgiveness.” `Umar confirmed, “I know nothing but what you have said.” Then he turned to the assembly and said, “How can you blame me for inviting this boy? You all do not really know who he is.”

Summary of the Sūrah

Allāh has informed Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him ), “When Islām attained complete victory in Arabia and the people have entered into Allāh’s religion in multitudes, it would mean that your mission [O Muhammad] has been fulfilled. So praise and glorify your Lord by Whom you were able to accomplish such a great task; and ask Him to forgive whatever failings you might have shown throughout the performance of this task.”

Meaning of the Sūrah

Ayah 1: إِذَا جَآءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ 

When the victory of Allāh has come and the conquest,

Among the great blessings granted to the Prophet was victory over his enemies. It is referred to in this verse as ‘the victory of Allah’, to call attention to the role of man in the whole process of the struggle. It is also called the “the victory of Allāh” to hint at its greatness and miraculous nature; Allāh is the one who managed its occurrence.

Ibnul-Qayyim described the Conquest of Makkah as the greatest one, by which Allāh gave power to His religion, to His Messenger and his companions.

The city of Makkah was opened peacefully; the Prophet asked the people, “What do you think that I would do to you?” They replied, “(Something) good! For you are a noble brother and a noble nephew.” He then said; ‘Indeed, I want to say to you like what Yūsuf said to his brothers, ‘No blame will there be upon you today.’ Then he added, “Go all of you, for you are free.”

Ayah 2:  وَرَأَيْتَ النَّاسَ يَدْخُلُونَ فِى دِينِ اللَّهِ أَفْوجاً

And you see the people entering into the religion of Allāh in multitudes.

The second blessing granted to the Prophet ( peace be upon him ) was that the majority of the people in Arabia accepted Islām. A great number of delegations arrived at Madēnah successively in the years 9 and 10 AH from all over Arabia to take the oath of allegiance with the Prophet ( peace be upon him ). In fact, the year 9AH was called ‘the Year of Delegations’, 

Ayah 3: فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوِبَا 

Then glorify the praise of your Lord and ask His forgiveness. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of Repentance.

Tasbēh (glorifying) is combined to tahmēd (praising) in this verse. 

Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him ) was commanded to glorify and praise Allāh recognizing Him as the source of these victories, and to pray for His forgiveness. He ( peace be upon him ) behaved according to the divine instruction; he entered Makkah with his head bowed down, thanking and praising his Lord and seeking His forgiveness, because he ( peace be upon him ) used to feel his shortcoming in praising His Lord. 

Additionally, praising Allāh and seeking His forgiveness is a part of worship which everyone, whether he is a leader or not, should do constantly.

`Ᾱyshah narrated that after the Prophet ( peace be upon him ) had received the revelation of Sūrah an-Nasr, he ( peace be upon him ) often recited the du`ā:

"سبحانك اللهم ربنا وبحمدك ، اللهم اغفر لي."

‘Glorified be You, O Allāh, our Lord and praised. O Allāh, forgive me.’

He would say it in his rukū` and sujūd, until he ( peace be upon him ) died – practicing what he was instructed to do.”- 

Jesus: The Prophet We All Love

I came across this article is Arab News on Thursday and found it worthy of sharing it with you. It is written by Tariq Qais Alsugair.

Some may ask why Muslims have such great reverence for the Qur'an. The answer is obvious to everyone who may have dedicated some time to reading through its chapters. For example, Christians who have read the Qur'an and went through the story of Jesus are impressed by the fact that Muslims share with Christians the love and respect of Jesus who contributed to the righteousness of humanity.

To be a Muslim, it is obligatory to believe in prophets and messengers sent by Almighty God to guide the humanity. Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them all) are all messengers highly respected, loved and honored by Muslims for their mission. These messengers and their followers submitted their will to God. In Arabic, the word Islam means submission, and therefore to be a Muslim means one who submits to God.

The Qur'an values the role of Jesus in guiding humanity. Jesus is mentioned 25 times compared to Muhammad who is only mentioned four times. The Qur'an also mentions the story of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus and dedicates an entire chapter describing her life. No other woman in history is mentioned by name in the Qur'an except the mother of Jesus. These facts signify that Almighty God wants Christians to know that this book is sent to all humanity.

It is worth noting that Christianity and Judaism are terms that did not exist at the time of Moses and Jesus. Neither Moses nor Jesus called themselves by the name given to them by their followers. Muslims believe that Jesus was sent to the Jews after they went astray to guide them back to worship the one True God, the Creator. If you search the word God in Hebrew and Aramaic you will find it pronounced as "Elah." Jesus' language, Aramaic, is a lost language and for many, it is disturbing not to know what Jesus precisely said to his followers. This remains an obstacle to those seeking to reach the truth.

All prophets and messengers submitted their will to God and they never claimed a divinity. The problem humanity faces is associating a created entity with the Creator in regards of worship and deeds. God will never forgive such a thing as He said in the Qur'an: 

"Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him; but He forgives anything else, to whom He pleases; to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin most heinous indeed."

(Qur'an: 4:48)

The Qur'an explains the position of Jesus to God. God says:

"The similitude of Jesus before God is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him: Be: and he was." (Qur'an: 3:59)

In Christianity, no one claims that Adam is son of God, even though he did not have a father or mother. This is why the Qur'an emphasizes the creation of Adam and compares it to the creation of Jesus. As a matter of fact, Adam is mentioned twenty five times in the Qur'an. God is telling us by numbers that Adam and Jesus are equal in creation.

To follow the path of the prophets, a scientific approach is needed. The primary factor that determines such an approach is a form of citation generally accepted in the academic field. Humanity will reach righteousness by searching the remaining books revealed by God. Muslims believe that the only remaining authentic book is the Qur'an. Academic scholars consider the Qur'an to be a record of the words revealed by the Almighty God and spoken by Muhammad (peace be upon him). No one claims to have a book or books that contain literal words of God except the people who recite the Qur'an. All academic books use citation to reference claims being made, and the Qur'an has citation that goes back 1432 years. Qur'an we read today is cited by either verbal memorization of several generations who kept the Arabic language alive for centuries in the Middle East, or in written documents. For example, the Othman manuscript of the Qur'an preserved in Tashkent, the Topkapi manuscript of the Qur'an exhibited in Istanbul, and the Yemeni parchments of the Qur'an found in 1972.

The book of final revelation to humanity still stands the test of time. Anyone wanting to search the truth should read the Qur'an and compare the available sources that claim to contain the words of God. Having an authentic book recited for more than 1,432 years is by no comparison a "One Occurrence Experience". The first step to walk toward the road of the Prophets is to say there is only One God and Muhammad is His Messenger and Slave, and Jesus is His Messenger and Slave as well.

— Tariq Qais Alsugair is the member of the Advisory Council of Alkhobar Islamic Center.