An Introduction to the Lord of the Worlds – Day 25

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

[Here’s Day 24.]

These two attributes (i.e. withholding and giving lavishly) are also mentioned in various ayaat (verses):

مَّن ذَا الَّذِي يُقْرِ‌ضُ اللَّـهَ قَرْ‌ضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضَاعِفَهُ لَهُ أَضْعَافًا كَثِيرَ‌ةً ۚ وَاللَّـهُ يَقْبِضُ وَيَبْسُطُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْ‌جَعُونَ

“Who is he that will lend to Allah a goodly loan so that He may multiply it to him many times? And it is Allah that decreases or increases (your provisions), and unto Him you shall return.” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 245]

لَهُ مَقَالِيدُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْ‌ضِ ۖ يَبْسُطُ الرِّ‌زْقَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ‌ ۚ إِنَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

“To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth, He enlarges provision for whom He wills, and straitens (it for whom He wills). Verily! He is the All-Knower of everything.” [Surah Ash-Shura (42) : 12]

Interestingly enough, this Surah (i.e. Ash-Shura) mentions the giving of provision two more times (the attribute of giving lavishly (or enlarging) is mentioned in the second ayah):

اللَّـهُ لَطِيفٌ بِعِبَادِهِ يَرْ‌زُقُ مَن يَشَاءُ ۖ وَهُوَ الْقَوِيُّ الْعَزِيزُ

“Allah is Lateef (very Gracious and Kind) to His slaves. He gives provisions to whom He wills. And He is the All-Strong, the All-Mighty.” [Surah Ash-Shura (42) : 19]

وَلَوْ بَسَطَ اللَّـهُ الرِّ‌زْقَ لِعِبَادِهِ لَبَغَوْا فِي الْأَرْ‌ضِ وَلَـٰكِن يُنَزِّلُ بِقَدَرٍ‌ مَّا يَشَاءُ ۚ إِنَّهُ بِعِبَادِهِ خَبِيرٌ‌ بَصِيرٌ‌

“And if Allah were to enlarge the provision for His slaves, they would surely rebel in the earth, but He sends down by measure as He wills. Verily! He is in respect of His slaves, the Well-Aware, the All-Seer (of things that benefit them).” [Surah Ash-Shura (42) : 27]

The second ayah (verse) shows that it is from Allah’s Perfection and complete ability that He can both withhold and extend provisions. This is why these two attributes, although opposites, are always mentioned together.

اللَّـهُ يَبْسُطُ الرِّ‌زْقَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ‌ ۚ وَفَرِ‌حُوا بِالْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَ‌ةِ إِلَّا مَتَاعٌ

“Allah increases the provision for whom He wills, and straitens (it for whom He wills), and they rejoice in the life of the world, whereas the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter is but a brief passing enjoyment.” [Surah Ar-Raad (13) : 26]

وَآتِ ذَا الْقُرْ‌بَىٰ حَقَّهُ وَالْمِسْكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرْ‌ تَبْذِيرً‌ا

إِنَّ الْمُبَذِّرِ‌ينَ كَانُوا إِخْوَانَ الشَّيَاطِينِ ۖ وَكَانَ الشَّيْطَانُ لِرَ‌بِّهِ كَفُورً‌ا

وَإِمَّا تُعْرِ‌ضَنَّ عَنْهُمُ ابْتِغَاءَ رَ‌حْمَةٍ مِّن رَّ‌بِّكَ تَرْ‌جُوهَا فَقُل لَّهُمْ قَوْلًا مَّيْسُورً‌ا

وَلَا تَجْعَلْ يَدَكَ مَغْلُولَةً إِلَىٰ عُنُقِكَ وَلَا تَبْسُطْهَا كُلَّ الْبَسْطِ فَتَقْعُدَ مَلُومًا مَّحْسُورً‌ا

إِنَّ رَ‌بَّكَ يَبْسُطُ الرِّ‌زْقَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ‌ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِ خَبِيرً‌ا بَصِيرً‌ا

وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلَاقٍ ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْ‌زُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْئًا كَبِيرً‌ا

“And give to the kindred his due and to the Miskeen (poor) and to the wayfarer. But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift.

Verily, spendthrifts are brothers of the Shayateen (devils), and the Shaytaan (Satan) is ever ungrateful to his Lord.

And if you (O Muhammad) turn away from them (kindred, poor, wayfarer, etc. whom We have ordered you to give their rights, but if you have no money at the time they ask you for it) and you are awaiting a mercy from your Lord for which you hope, then, speak unto them a soft kind word (i.e. Allah will give me and I shall give you).

And let not your hand be tied (like a miser) to your neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach (like a spendthrift), so that you become blameworthy and in severe poverty.

Truly, your Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills and straitens (for whom He wills). Verily, He is Ever All-Knower, All-Seer of His slaves.

And kill not your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Surely, the killing of them is a great sin.”

[Surah Al-Israa (17) : 26-31]

In the above ayaat (verses), Allah first orders us to give in charity and then informs us not to be spendthrifts (i.e. be moderate in spending). After this, we are informed that He enlarges and withholds provision out of His Knowledge. Then He commands us not to kill our children due to poverty as He will provide for us and them.

Ponder over the order of these ayaat. It’s very interesting.

The last ayah should also be a reply to those who say that they don’t want children or want only one or two because they “can’t afford the expenses”.

وَمَا أَرْ‌سَلْنَا فِي قَرْ‌يَةٍ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ‌ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتْرَ‌فُوهَا إِنَّا بِمَا أُرْ‌سِلْتُم بِهِ كَافِرُ‌ونَ

وَقَالُوا نَحْنُ أَكْثَرُ‌ أَمْوَالًا وَأَوْلَادًا وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ

قُلْ إِنَّ رَ‌بِّي يَبْسُطُ الرِّ‌زْقَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ‌ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ‌ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

وَمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُم بِالَّتِي تُقَرِّ‌بُكُمْ عِندَنَا زُلْفَىٰ إِلَّا مَنْ آمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَأُولَـٰئِكَ لَهُمْ جَزَاءُ الضِّعْفِ بِمَا عَمِلُوا وَهُمْ فِي الْغُرُ‌فَاتِ آمِنُونَ

وَالَّذِينَ يَسْعَوْنَ فِي آيَاتِنَا مُعَاجِزِينَ أُولَـٰئِكَ فِي الْعَذَابِ مُحْضَرُ‌ونَ

قُلْ إِنَّ رَ‌بِّي يَبْسُطُ الرِّ‌زْقَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَقْدِرُ‌ لَهُ ۚ وَمَا أَنفَقْتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ‌ الرَّ‌ازِقِينَ

“And We did not send a warner to a township, but those who were given the worldly wealth and luxuries among them said: “We believe not in the (Message) with which you have been sent.

And they say: “We are more in wealth and in children, and we are not going to be punished.”

Say (O Muhammad): “Verily, my Lord enlarges and restricts the provision to whom He pleases, but most men know not.”

And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us (i.e. pleases Allah), but only he (will please Us) who believes (in the Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds; as for such, there will be twofold reward for what they did, and they will reside in the high dwellings (Paradise) in peace and security.

And those who strive against Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), to frustrate them, will be brought to the torment.

Say: “Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and (also) restricts (it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah’s Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers.””

[Surah Saba (34) : 34-39]

In the above ayaat, the fact that Allah enlarges and straitens provision is mentioned TWICE.

وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ يَدُ اللَّـهِ مَغْلُولَةٌ ۚ غُلَّتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَلُعِنُوا بِمَا قَالُوا ۘ بَلْ يَدَاهُ مَبْسُوطَتَانِ يُنفِقُ كَيْفَ يَشَاءُ

“The Jews say: “Allah’s Hand is tied up (i.e. He does not give and spend of His Bounty).” Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for what they uttered. Nay, both His Hands are widely outstretched. He spends (of His Bounty) as He wills.” [Surah Al-Maaidah (5) : 64]

Al-Qaabidh is the One who takes the provisions (i.e. withholds them) and the souls. Al-Baasit is the One who freely gives provisions and gives life to the hearts.

So, the first Name should cause us to increase in fear and the second Name should cause us to increase in hope.

Al-Baasit also gives people a chance to repent for the sins that they committed during the day:

إن الله عز وجل يبسط يده بالليل ، ليتوب مسيء النهار . ويبسط يده بالنهار ، ليتوب مسيء الليل . حتى تطلع الشمس من مغربها

Abu Musa (radiallahu anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, Stretches out His Hand during the night so that the people repent for the fault committed from dawn till dusk and He stretches out His Hand during the day so that the people may repent for the fault committed from dusk to dawn. (He would accept repentance) before the sun rises in the west. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 6644]

So, we should rush to take advantage of this by repenting from our sins. [And no, this hadeeth does not mean that we can sin and then repent as we wish!]

Want Al-Baasit to grant you more provision? Well, here’s what you have to do:

من أحب أن يبسط له في رزقه ، وينسأ له في أثره ، فليصل رحمه

Narrated by Anas bin Malik (radiallahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Whoever loves that he be granted more wealth and that his lease of life be prolonged then he should keep good relations with his Kith and kin.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume No. 8, Hadeeth No. 15]

[Visiting inquisitive elderly aunts doesn’t seem so bad now, does it?]

There is a lot more to these two Names. I’ve just summarised it and pointed out the aspects which relate to what we’ve already covered like giving and rizq (provision).

What we also learn from these Names is that WE should generously to others.

Insha-Allah, this will be the last post for this Ramadan (I mentioned earlier that I was only going to be blogging for 7 days).

[I had mentioned earlier that I was going to cover dawah (calling to Islam) in this series during Ramadan but I wasn’t able to get to it. I’ll cover that in future, insha-Allah.]

I would like to remind myself and all of you to study the Names and Attributes of Allah, because without it, we won’t be able to know who Allah is. And if we don’t know who He is, we won’t worship Him the way that we’re supposed to.

I would also like to remind everyone to apply this knowledge in their daily lives. This is not just theoretical information. We can’t say “Oh yeah, I know the Names of Allah because I read a few blog posts on this topic.”

We need to keep learning them until we understand them.

Let me give you an example related to Ramadan:

Here we are in Ramadan, the Month of Rectification and these are some of the search terms that people used to reach my blog:

– “Is it okay not to fast in Ramadan?” [They got this post.]

– “Is it haram to masturbate whilst fasting?” [They got this post.]

-“Is it haram to listen to music whilst fasting?” [They got this post.]

These have been the top search terms for the past week now.

Subhan Allah, these people don’t realise that Allah is the All-Seer, the All-Hearer and the All-Knower. If they had known, this would have been a reason for them to try to overcome these problems rather than trying to google a way out.

Also, if they had realised that He was Samee As-Dua (the Hearer of supplications), they would have asked Him to aid them in worshipping Him and fighting their weaknesses

So, let’s remember His Names during this month as that will help us to improve (and yes, all of us need to improve).

A final reminder: I read this article by Shaikh Saleh Al-Fawzan recently and the following part caught my eye:

“Slaves of Allah, Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)would strive hard in this month more than he would strive in other months; and he, upon him be prayers and peace, would be serious in al-‘Ibaadah during all of its times. He would remove himself in this month from most distractions which are in actuality worship, but he would remove himself from the virtuous acts for that which was more virtuous than it. And the Salafus-Saalih would follow his example in that and would particularize this month with an abundance of importance and they would dedicate themselves therein to righteous actions. They would spend its night in Tahajjud and its day in fasting, remembrance and recitation of the Qur’aan. They would spend time in the masaajid with that; so let us compare our affair to their affair and what is the extent of our knowledge with this month. And let us know that just as the good deeds are multiplied therein, the sins committed therein are likewise and their punishment is increased. So let us fear Allah the Glorified and honor His sacred things: “And whoever honors the sacred things of Allah that is better for him with his Lord.” (Al-Hajj 22:30)”

So, I advise myself and you to take heed of this advice and fill up this month with the most virtuous acts of worship, including itikaf (retreat in the masjid) during the last ten days.

There are lots of resources on this blog for all the topics mentioned for those who are interested in learning more (the search function really, really does help).

Insha-Allah, I’ll resume this blog after Hajj season as I want to focus on my Hajj blogs (the links are on the right hand corner of the site) after Ramadan.

May Allah accept our fasts, prayers and all our good deeds in this blessed month.

Ramadan 2012 Prep Tip #1: Seek Knowledge… – Part 1

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

As I mentioned in this post, the first few posts of the Ramadan 2012 Prep series will focus on seeking knowledge.

Why?

Well, we were created to worship Allah alone. We’re supposed to do this in Ramadan and outside of it. Obviously, due to the virtues of Ramadan, we increase in ibaadah (worship) during it.

However, we need to worship Allah based on the correct knowledge, not our desires. So, if we want to worship Him properly, we need to get the required knowledge first.

[Later on in this series, insha-Allah, I’ll give you various examples about how correct knowledge can really improve our Ramadan.]

Which knowledge is being referred to?

As the scholars pointed out, when the word knowledge is mentioned in the Quran and the Sunnah, it refers to Islamic knowledge.

Why seek knowledge?

As I mentioned above, knowledge is sought in order to worship Allah. Due to this, it (i.e. the act of seeking knowledge) is itself an act of worship.

Imam Ahmad (rahimahullah) pointed out that knowledge was sought to raise ignorance from oneself and others.

So, subhan Allah, we’re supposed to be seeking this knowledge in order to worship Allah properly, to know Him, to get closer to Him and to gain His Love.

In the survey, I asked “If you seek knowledge, then what motivates you to do that?”

From the answers, it became apparent that some people did not know the real reason for seeking this knowledge. I would divide the answers into three categories:

1) The ones who got it right, alhamdulillah

They were doing it to get closer to Allah 

2) The ones who were sort of in the middle

The answers varied: reminding one about Islam, reminding one about the hereafter, to improve oneself, etc.

These answers weren’t wrong but they didn’t quite hit the target.

3) The not-so-right ones

Some of them were:

[Note: To the ones who filled out the survey, I’m not discussing the answers in order to put you down but rather so that everyone can benefit.]

– Just for the sake of seeking knowledge

Variations of this included thirst/yearning/desire for more knowledge

– To know/feel the beauty of the Quran or Islam; the sadness about not knowing about Islam

– Greater understanding in order to answer other people’s questions

– To do ijtihad on day to day issues

Now, many people might be a bit confused at this point because, on the face of it, these answers sound fine.

And they sound similar to No. 2 (the group who wasn’t wrong but wasn’t that accurate).

So, what’s the difference between No. 2 and No. 3?

And what’s wrong with the answers in No. 3?

Well, I’m going to answer that in the next part, because I want everyone to ponder over this issue.

For those who may disagree with my grouping, that’s fine. I’m not infallible. However, please wait for Part 2 so that I can explain.

[I would have asked you to post your thoughts but I’ve come to realise that 99% of you really don’t like to do that so…]

To be continued…

An Introduction to the Lord of the Worlds – Day 14

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

[So, I write that I’m going to continue this series because I’m enjoying learning about the Names of Allah. After this, I get a flood of comments asking me to continue the series.

Did I miss something?]

The dua (supplication) which I referred to in yesterday’s post is as follows:

[Congratulations to the one who guessed it correctly.]

ما يمنعك أن تسمعي ما أوصيك به ؟ أن تقولي إذا أصبحت و إذا أمسيت : يا حي يا قيوم برحمتك أستغيث ، أصلح لي شأني كله ، و لا تكلني إلى نفسي طرفة عين

Anas ibn Malik (radiallahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said to Fatima (radiallahu anha): “What prevents you from listening to what I have advised you with, or saying at the onset of every morning and evening: “O Ever Living One, O Self Sustaining One, by Your Mercy I seek assistance, rectify for me all my affairs, and do not leave me to myself even for the blink of any eye.” [Sahih At-Targhib Wat-Tarhib, Hadeeth No. 661]

What can we learn from this hadeeth?

An Introduction to the Lord of the Worlds – Day 6

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

[Note: You can now access the site at http://thegreatestmonth.com instead of https://thegreatestmonth.wordpress.com (which still works but takes longer to type!)]

[It seems that everyone ran away again. I suppose it’s a good thing that I’m used to talking to myself…]

Day 6 continues from where I left off yesterday.

In this part, I’m just going to talk about the meaning of ibaadah (worship), because this is essential for understanding the purpose of life, and one must understand this point if one wishes to get closer to the Lord of the Worlds.

It seems there was some confusion about what ibaadah is so let’s do this step by step.

An Introduction to the Lord of the Worlds – Day 5

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

7. He is the One who created us to worship Him alone.

Allah says:

 

 

“And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). “ [Surah Ad-Dhaariyat (51) : 56]

What can we learn from the above ayah (verse)?

An analogy to ponder…

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

A friend of mine gave me a simple but beautiful analogy a few years ago.

See that battery charger?

That’s Ramadan.

See those batteries?

Those are us.

Like those batteries, we run out of charge so we need to get recharged.

And that’s what Ramadan does: it recharges our iman (faith) which had perhaps become a bit worn out. (That’s why I summarised it like this.)

إن الإيمان ليخلق في جوف أحدكم كما يخلق الثوب ، فاسألوا الله تعالى : أن يجدد الإيمان في قلوبكم

The Prophet (salallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Iman wears out in the heart of any one of you just as garments wear out, so ask Allah to renew the faith in your hearts.” [Sahih Al-Jaami, Hadeeth No. 1590. You may see the Dorar results here.]

Ramadan: The Month of… – Part 1

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

I thought that it would be a good idea to remind ourselves of the virtues of Ramadan from the Quran and the Sunnah.

[Yes, many of us might know these but we all need reminders now and then.]

The Month of Fasting

“O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 183]

“[Observing Saum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskeen (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 184]

The Month of the Quran, Guidance, Gratitude and Generosity

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbir (Allahu-Akbar; Allah is the Most Great) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramadan and Shawwal] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 185]

كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أجود الناس ، وكان أجود ما يكون في رمضان حين يلقاه جبريل ، وكان يلقاه في كل ليلة من رمضان فيدارسه القرآن ، فلرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أجود بالخير من الريح المرسلة

Narrated Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (salallahu alaihi wasallam) was the most generous of all the people, and he used to reach the peak in generosity in the month of Ramadan when Jibreel* met him. Jibreel used to meet him every night of Ramadan to teach him the Quran. Allah’s Messenger (salallahu alaihi wasallam) was the most generous person, even more generous than the strong uncontrollable wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds). [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume No. 1, Hadeeth No. 5]

[*For those new to Islam, Jibreel = Gabriel (the angel).]

The Month of Tawheed (worshipping Allah alone) and Dua (supplication)

“And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 186]

To be continued…

A Pictorial Summary of how most people seem to be spending Rajab and Shabaan…

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

Are they preparing for Ramadan, you ask?

Well, from what I’ve seen….no.

Most people seem to be busy with the following:

Now, I’m not asking anybody not to enjoy the summer break. However, I’ve noticed that many people are ignoring their Ramadan preparations.

Remember that an accepted Ramadan paves the way for us to get to Paradise, so we shouldn’t let the little holiday (“summer break”) get in the way of the bigger holiday – the one that will last forever.

“Verily, the Abrar (pious, who fear Allah and avoid evil), shall drink a cup (of wine) mixed with water from a spring in Paradise called Kaafur.”

“A spring where from the slaves of Allah will drink, causing it to gush forth abundantly.”

“They (are those who) fulfill (their) vows, and they fear a Day whose evil will be wide-spreading.”

“And they give food, in spite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to Miskeen (poor), the orphan, and the captive,”

“(Saying): “We feed you seeking Allah’s Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you.””

“”Verily, We fear from our Lord a Day, hard and distressful, that will make the faces look horrible (from extreme dislikeness to it).””

“So Allah saved them from the evil of that Day, and gave them Nadratan (a light of beauty) and joy.”

“And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken garments, because they were patient.”

“Reclining therein on raised thrones, they will see there neither the excessive heat of the sun, nor the excessive bitter cold, (as in Paradise there is no sun and no moon).”

“And the shade thereof is close upon them, and the bunches of fruit thereof will hang low within their reach.”

“And amongst them will be passed round vessels of silver and cups of crystal,”

“Crystal-clear, made of silver. They will determine the measure thereof according to their wishes.”
“And they will be given to drink there a cup (of wine) mixed with Zanjabeel (ginger, etc.),”

“A spring there, called Salsabeel.”
“And round about them will (serve) boys of everlasting youth. If you see them, you would think them scattered pearls.”
“And when you look there (in Paradise), you will see a delight (that cannot be imagined), and a great dominion.”

“Their garments will be of fine green silk, and gold embroidery. They will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a pure drink.”
“(And it will be said to them): “Verily, this is a reward for you, and your endeavour has been accepted.””

[Surah Al-Insan (76) : 5-22]

May Allah make us from amongst the inhabitants of Paradise.

What to do if your Ramadan preparation hasn’t been going well…

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

Bad Ramadan Prep so far? Here’s what you could do:

1) Don’t panic.

Look at the bright side: you still have over a month to repair the damage. A month is a long time.

2) Don’t give up.

That might sound weird but many people do tend to mentally give up on having a great Ramadan just because they weren’t well-prepared for it.

3) Don’t wait for the next Ramadan.

This one might also sound weird but I know that I used to go through this in the past.

The Ramadan Prep and the first few weeks of Ramadan would not be great so I would just imagine that next year’s Ramadan would be the Awesome Ramadan.

However, a few Ramadans ago, I had a dreadful first 2 weeks due to being ill. I spent most of the time sleeping.

Ironically, the last ten days of that Ramadan were probably my best ever. That made me realise that the way you end Ramadan is more important than the way you begin it.

So, even if your preparation is going bad, or if you aren’t doing well in the first 2-3 weeks of Ramadan, DO NOT GIVE UP.

Just keep going until Shawwal.

What if the entire Ramadan was dreadful?

Well, assuming you’re still alive at the end of it, could you please enlighten me as to what would stop you from having a great Shawwal? Allah is not just the Lord of Ramadan, but rather the Lord of the Worlds.

This might seem like an incredibly strange post. However, I thought it was necessary because I know that there might be people out there who would make the same mistake that I made years ago and give up because they couldn’t have their ideal Ramadan.

You know, we’ll never have that ideal Ramadan but that shouldn’t stop us from trying to get as close as we can to the dream.