Ramadan almost Ends, what should We DO??? Laylatul Qadr

Bismillaahirrahmaanirrahiim

I got this article from my mailing list. I'd like to share it to others whom have not received this informative and useful article before Ramadan Ends. May Allah SWT forgive all our sins and accept all our 'Ibaadah.

LAILATHUL QADR


!! The most unluckiest person in the world.. is the one who did not make it to forgive all his past sins in month of Ramadhaan.


!! How many people are laying in there Grave, who thought they can make it to Ramadhaan this year. They never made it !!

We are lucky we got a chance this year!!

The Prophet (SAW) said: 'Whosoever reaches the month of Ramadhaan and does not have his sins forgiven, and so enters the Fire, then may ALLAH distance him.'[Ahmad (2/246) and Bayhaqi (4/204)]


Its not too late, Also we have the 'Night of Power' ( Lailat-ul-Qadr ) in hand

The Messenger (SAW) said: 'Whoever prays the Night of Qadr with Eemaan (faith) and hoping for its reward, ALLAH will forgive him all his previous sins.' [Bukhaaree and Muslim]


# 'Lailat-ul-Qadr' or 'Night of Power' a very important occasion in the history of Islam and in our personnel lives.


# The Night Of Power is better for you to live, to experience and to enjoy than one thousand months of your personal life. Even if you were to live one thousand months (83.3 years) with sincerity, dedication, and sacrifices and with good intentions and deeds, the Night Of Power is still far better for you to live and to enjoy.

ALLAH says in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Qadr:
'We have indeed revealed this (message) in the Night of Power. And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the spirit by God's permission, on every errand: Peace! This until the rise of Morn.' (97:1-5)

# The Night of Power is a night of blessings ALLAH has blessed this Night. Therefore whosoever is interested in receiving the blessings of ALLAH may look forward to the Night of Power.

# Anyone who seeks the Night of Power and lives it, all his/her sin will be erased. This is, as if, he/she is, born again now free of all sin and mistakes.



Aa'isha (R) said: 'When the last ten days of Ramadhaan arrived the Messenger (SAW) used to abstain (from contact a with his wives) and he would establish the nights. He would awaken (his family) to do the same also.' [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

I am sure every one of us would like to live a life free of sins an free of mistakes. Everyone would like to meet ALLAH on the Day of Judgment without sins. Every one of us would like to feel that he/she is reborn today. All of us wish to rejuvenate ourselves, and to start a new year with a fresh outlook and a fresh life. Every one of us wants to live a pure life and everyone wants to purify himself/herself without anguish or torment.

# The Night of Power is one of the best way in which a person is to achieve all these ideals. For this reason may I suggest that you start looking for it, so you will be able to observe it and enjoy it.

Imam Bukhari reports from 'Aishah that the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) would tighten his waist-cloth (i.e. detach himself from his wives), spend the night in worship and awake his family, during the last ten nights of Ramadan.

As far as determining the Night of Power (Lailat-ul-Qadr) is concerned, it has been reported to be during one of the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadhaan, i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. It has been emphasized that it is most likely to be the 27th night. But this doesn't mean you should stick to 27th night only.

The Signs of the Night of Qadr.

The Messenger of ALLAH (js) described the morning of the night of Qadr so that the muslims can know which night it is.

Ubayy (R) said: 'On the morning of the night of Qadr the sun would rise without any beams; (it is like) a wash basin until it rises.' [Muslim]
Abu Hurairah (R) said: 'We mentioned the night of Qadr to the Messenger of ALLAH (JS) and he said: 'Which of you remembers when the moon rises and it is like half a bowl.' [Muslim]

Ibn Abbaas (R) said that the Messenger of ALLAH (JS) said: 'The night of Qadr is a night of generosity and happiness, it is not hot and neither is it cold. The sun comes up in its morning weak, reddish.' [Tabaranee, Ibn Khuzaimah and Bazzaar]

To summarize, I would like to mention the following:

1. The sun rises early in the morning without rays.
2. Rain may fall either during the night or during the day of that night.
3. During night the sky will be lightly foggy.
4. The sky will be slightly lighted without reflections and without rays.
5. The angels and Gabriel all descend down onto earth for many purposes.

If you are interested in living the Night of Power, let me remind you of some of the things that you might have to do.

a. Recitation of the Our'an.
b. Prayers-Nafl after Taraweeh.
c. Remembrance of ALLAH or zikr
d. Supplication or Du'a for you and for others.
e. Reading books of Hadeeth so as to enjoy the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).


In Sahih Bukhari (6/521), there is an amazing piece of advice from the Prophet (may ALLAH blesses him and grants him peace): 'Recite the Quran as long as your hearts agree on it; if you disagree about it, stop reciting it (for the time being)' -- studying the Quran should bring people together!


Ten days are the last part of the month and a person's actions are based on his last ones. So perhaps, he will encounter the night of Al-Qadr, while standing in prayer for ALLAH and thus have all his past sins forgiven.

# The Night of Power is a very important occasion in Islam. Everyone is asked to live it and to enjoy it. This Night is a 'Night of Mercy', a 'Night of Blessing', a 'Night of Peace' and a 'Night of Guidance'. It is a 'Night of Unification' between the finite world of ours and the Infinite Universe of the Unseen.


May ALLAH give us the strength, the power, the courage and the effort to do our best to obey ALLAH and to follow His teachings. May ALLAH guide us and may ALLAH strengthen our Iman. May ALLAH help us to live another year with sincerity and devotion. May ALLAH make us realize that one year of our life is over and that we are one year closer to our graves.

Let us wake up and do our best to please ALLAH in our daily life. Let us ask Almighty ALLAH forgiveness. Ameen.

And one must incite, animate and persuade his family to perform acts of worship, especially in these great times in which no one neglects it except that he has been deprived. What is more incredible than this is that while the people are performing prayer and making tahajjud, some individuals spend their time in forbidden gatherings and sinful events? This is indeed the greatest loss. We ask ALLAH for his protection.

So we ask ALLAH to grant us the ability to change ourselves for the better, during this blessed month, and not to be of those who are prevented from His Mercy and forgiveness. Indeed He is the One who Hears and He is the One to Respond.
Take a vacation for ALLAH

We take a break from our jobs for almost everything in life. Why not this time to focus on worshiping and thanking our Creator.

If this is not possible at least take a few days off if you can. This can make it easier to stay awake at night to do extra Ibadah. Whatever you loose is very negligible in front of whatever you gain from this Night.

Brothers and sisters in Islam!

Fear ALLAH Ta'ala and beware of wasting your life away in futile activities. Make use of your time by being positive and constructive. This may this will be your last Ramadaan, your last opportunity to benefit from the special blessings and forgiveness that accompanies this month. Know that Ramadaan is a manifestation of ALLAH Ta'ala's bountiful blessings on His slaves. Use it as a turning point in your life; a time for transformation towards a better way of life.

Yaa ALLAH ! We are full of sins. We ignore you in our life, Please don't ignore us and guide us towards your path with the help of Prophet Mohammed (SAW). And open our hearts to understand our Deen.. Ameen

May ALLAH Subhanahu wa Ta'ala weigh your prayers in gold, count your blessings with stars and ease your every effort like a gentle summer breeze.

Compiled from various sources

JazakALLAH to all those who are involved directly and indirectly in this article.

Ramadan is the Month of Tawbah (Repentance)

Bismillaahirrahmaanirrahiim.

Ya Allah...... I know I have made a lots of mistakes......
Ya Allah...... I know I have committed a lots of sins ......
Ya Allah...... I know I have made people mad at me......
Ya Allah...... I know I have messed up people's lives......
Ya Allah...... I know I have done something wrong.....
Ya Allah...... I know....I realize Ya Allah..... What I've done
Astagfirullaahul 'Aziim...... Astaghfirullaahul 'Aziim
Ya Allah...... please forgive all my sins
Ya Allah...... please accept all my 'Ibaadah in this blessed of Ramadan. Amiin


Alhamdulillah, we are still alive. That means Allah SWT gives us another chance to correct all the mistakes we have done in the past. Alhamdulillah we are still given an opportunity by Allah SWT to convey the message of Islam toward people. No ones is free from mistakes, no ones is perfect. Only Allah who created us, who created everything, is the perfect one.

What Should One Do When We made a Mistake?


"Say, 'O my servants who have transgressed against their souls Do not despair of Allaah's Mercy, for Allaah forgives all sins. He is indeed Oft Forgiving, Oft Merciful.'" [QS Az-Zumar:53]

"Surely Allaah loves those who constantly turn to Him in repentance and those who keep themselves pure." [QS Al Baqarah:222]

"And Turn all of you in repentance to Allah SWT oh believers, in order that you may be successful." [QS An Nur:31]

"And for those who do not knowingly persist in the wrong they have done, is a reward of forgiveness from their Lord." [QS. Al Imraan:135-6]

"When a believer commits a sin a black spot appears on his heart. If he repents, desists and asks for forgiveness, his heart is polished clean. But if he does more sins, the spots increase. That is the rust which which Allaah mentions in His Book; 'By no means! But rust has covered their (heart) from the (sins) they do.' [QS. Al Mutaffifeen:14"

"O Believers! Fear Allaah and give up remaining interest if you believe." [QS Al Baqarah:278]

What is Tawbah (Repentance)?


Tawbah means return to the soul's initial spirituality after the light of its human nature (fitrah) and its spirit has been covered by the darkness of sins and disobedience. The human soul in its initial state has neither any spiritual virtues nor any vices. It is capable of reaching any station, but in its original state it is pure, sinless and has an intrinsic luminosity. The perpetration of sins causes obscurity within the heart, and the light of intrin­sic nature is extinguished and converted into darkness. However, before total darkness envelops the heart, if a person awakens from the slumber of negligence and makes repentance, the soul gradually returns from the darkness to the light of its original nature and essential spirituality. This is mentioned in the famous hadith from Imam Baqir (a):“One who repents from sin is like the one who has not sinned..” [Al‑Kulayni, al‑Kafi, kitab al‑'iman wa al‑kufr, bab al‑tawbah, hadith #10]

What are conditions required for Tawbah?

Tawbah is not accepted from one who merely declares, “I repent.” There are a number of conditions which must be fulfilled before the acceptance of tawbah. These are mentioned below in the following hadith:

It is narrated that someone said: Astaghfirullah (I seek God's forgiveness) before Imam ‘Ali (a). He said to him. "May your mother mourn for you! Do you know what istighfar is? Verily istighfar is a degree of the 'illiyyun (people of high station) and it is a word that means six things. First is remorse over the past. Second, the resolution not to return to it ever. Third, to return to creatures their (formerly usurped) rights so that you meet God Almighty in a state of purity in which no one has any claim against you. Fourth, that you fulfil every duty that you neglected in order to satisfy your obliga­tion in respect to it. Fifth, that you attend to the flesh of your body that has grown on unlawful nourishment so that it melts away as a result of grief and mourning and your skin adheres to your bones, after which new flesh grows in its place. Sixth, that you make your body taste the pain of obedience in the same way as it earlier tasted the pleasure of sins. When you have done these things then say Astaghfirul­lah! [Nahj al‑Balagha, saying # 417]

This noble tradition mentions two prerequisites for tawbah (remorse and resolution), two important conditions for its acceptance (returning the rights of creatures and of the Creator), and finally two points for the perfection of repentance.



Sincere Tawbah (Repentance)/tawbatun nasuh

According to great researcher al‑Shaykh al‑Bahai (qs), there are several meanings of tawbatun nasuh (Sincere tawbah). A few of them are mentioned below:

# Tawbah that 'advises' the people, i.e. it invites them to simu­late him (the repenter) on account of the good effect produced in the repenter, or tawbah that ‘counsels' the repenter to root out sins and never return to them again.

# Tawbah that is done purely for God's sake, similar to the pure honey that is free from wax, and thus called `asalun nasuh. Sincerity requires that the remorse should be on account of the ugliness of sins and the displeasure of God, and not from fear of the hellfire.

The word nasuh is also related to nasabah which means tailoring, because tawbah sews together the body of faith which is torn by sin, and because it joins the penitent person to God's awliya' (friends) and His lovers in the same way that separate pieces of cloth are joined together by tailoring.

Yet another interpretation says that nasuh is an attribute of the penitent and tawbatun nasuh is a tawbah whose performer admonishes him­self to take part in a perfect repentance until the effects of sins are totally purged from the heart. This task is only attained by causing the soul to taste regret and grief and by clearing its darkness caused by past sins with the light of virtuous actions.

When should we do the Tawbah?

Successful tawbah is a difficult task. Indulging in sins, especially major and mortal ones, cause a person to become totally forgetful of tawbah. If the tree of sins growing in the orchard of the human heart reaches maturity and its roots become strong, the results are calamitous, causing a person to turn completely away from repentance. Even when the thought of tawbah occasionally comes to his mind, he postpones it from one day to another, and from one month to the next, telling himself, "I will make sound repentance at the end of my life and in old age." This is wishful thinking. Such a person cannot perform tawbah after the roots of sinfulness have grown deep into his personality. The best time for tawbah is youth when sins are fewer, the inner dark­ness of the heart is incomplete and all the conditions of tawbah are easier to fulfil. This God‑given opportunity should be availed at all costs and one shouldn’t pay heed to satanic whisperings to postpone tawbah. And therefore, one should do tawbah as soon as possible after a sin is committed. An intelligent person who realizes this fact, abstains from sins, and undoes wrong committed in the past. His penitent heart filled with remorse, develops a firm determination to quit sinful life. God helps him and if his tawbah is sincere, he becomes the beloved of God as mentioned in the holy verse: “Verily God loves the repentant” (2: 222)

Imam ‘Ali (a) said: “If you want to win His blessings in the next world, today is the day of preparation while tomorrow is the day of reward. The place to proceed to is Paradise while the place of doom is Hell. Is there no one among you to repent for his deeds before his death, compensate for wrongs he has done, and do good before the calamity of retribution descends upon him?” [Nahj al-Balagha, sermon #33]

Therefore The sooner, the better to do the Tawbah


How to awaken the heart for Tawbah

O man! How sinful and foolish you are not to know the worth of the bounties of your Provider. After having spent years in dis­obedience and after prolonged disloyalty to such a merciful Lord, Who has pro­vided all the means of your comfort and ease ‑ without there being, na`udhu bi Allah, any imaginable benefit to Him ‑ having vio­lated His sanctities and taken shamelessness and recalcitrance to their extreme, now that you are remorseful, penitent and repentant, God Almighty has taken you as His loved one. What an abundance of mercy and plenitude of bounty! O God! We are incapable of thanking You for Your bounties. Our tongues are unable to praise and extol You. All that we can do is to bow our heads in shame and ask Your pardon for our shamelessness. We don’t deserve Your mercy. Indeed, Your mercy is more abundant and Your bounties are more inclusive than can be described.

A wise man should endeavour to intensify the form of contrition and grief in the heart so that God willing, it sets aflame the fire of remorse. That is, through meditation about the terrible consequences of sin, remorse becomes stronger in his heart, thereby voluntarily kindling the holy fire, the fire about which Qur'an says: The fire of God kindled (roaring) over the hearts, a vault upon them, in outstretched columns (104:6-8). In his heart, burning the fire of remorse will incinerate all his sins and burn away all its rust and corrosion. He should know that were he not to kindle himself this fire in this world and were he not to open upon himself the door of this hell, he would inevitably pass from this world into the next world to face the terribly cauterizing fire prepared for him there. Thereupon the doors of Hell shall be opened and the doors of Paradise closed to him. A wise person thus realises the grave consequences of his sins.

O God! Give us a chest lit with the fire of remorse. Set our hearts aflame with the worldly fire and set it afire by throwing into it the sparks of remorse. Remove the rust of our hearts and take us from this world in a state of freedom from the consequences of sins. Surely You are the Lord of bounties. [Adopted from Al-Khumayni, Forty Hadith, chapter 17, ‘Tawbah’]


Ya Allah, grant me forgiveness for my faults...........
my ignorance........
my excesses in my affairs..........
and from what you know better than I........

Ya Allah grant me forgiveness for my sins............
committed seriously and jokingly.............
accidentally and deliberately as all these failings are in me......

Ya Allah grant me forgiveness for my past ...............
and future sins which I have done in secret or in public.......
and those you know better about than I...........

Ya Allah, You are the Advancer and the Delayer.......
and You are Able to Do all things..........

Amiiin Ya Allah..........

The children and Ramadan

Allaahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar

Alhamdulillah this year my two kids have practiced fasting in the month of Ramadan again. I try to encourage them to do so when they are in good health. Sometimes they fast half day sometime full day, and it depends how they feel about their body. I do not want to force them to do it, just encourage them to make a good habit and get used to it when they reach the age of puberty when they have to do it.

Children are born in a state of fitrah (purity) and then their parents teach them to be believers or unbelievers. According to the Musnad Ibn Hanbal, "The children of the unbelievers are better than you grown-ups. Every living creature is born with a righteous nature." It is our obligation and duty as parents to teach our children so that they grow up to be believing, practicing Muslims. Sending the child to an Islamic weekend school or to a full-time Islamic school is an important but minor part of their Islamic education. The major 'institution of learning' for each child is his family, and the major 'professors' of this institution are the parents.



What is the right age to get children used to fasting?

What is the age at which children are obliged to fast? How can we encourage them to fast and pray in the mosque, especially Taraweeh prayer? Are there any simple religious ideas which can be used to fill children’s spare time in Ramadaan?.

1. Fasting is not obligatory for young children, until they reach the age of adolescence, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The pens have been lifted from three: from one who has lost his mind until he comes back to his senses, from one who is sleeping until he wakes up, and from a child until he reaches the age of adolescence.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4399; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

Nevertheless, children should be told to fast so that they can get used to it, and because the good deeds that they do will be recorded for them.

The age at which parents should start to teach their children to fast is the age at which they are able to fast, which will vary according to each child’s physical makeup. Some scholars have defined this as being ten years of age.

Al-Kharqi said:

When a child is ten years old and is able to fast, he should start to do so.

Ibn Qudaamah said:

This means that he should be made to fast and told to do so. And he should be smacked if he does not do it, so as to train him and make him get used to it, just as he should be made to pray and told to do it. Among those who were of the view that a child should be told to fast when he becomes able to do it were ‘Ata’, al-Hasan, Ibn Sireen, al-Zuhri, Qataadah and al-Shaafa’i.

Al-Awzaa’i said: If he is able to fast for three consecutive days without interruption and without becoming weak, then he should be made to fast Ramadaan. Ishaaq said: When (a child) reaches the age of twelve I think that he should be made to fast so that he gets used to it.

The age of ten is more likely, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) enjoined smacking children for not praying at this age, and regarding fasting as being like prayer is better, because they are close to one another, and because they are both physical actions that are pillars of Islam. But fasting is harder, so attention should be paid to when the child becomes able for it, because some may be able to pray who are not yet able to fast.

This is what the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did with their children; they would tell those who were able to fast to do so, and if one of them wept because of hunger, they would give him a toy to distract him, but it is not permissible to force them to fast if it will harm them in cases of physical weakness or sickness. (Al-Mughni, 4/412)

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:

A young child should not be forced to fast until he has reached the age of adolescence, but he may be told to fast if he is able to do it, so that he may get used to it and it will be easier for him after he reaches puberty. The Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) – who are the best of this ummah – used to make their children fast when they were young. End quote.

Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 19/28, 29

And the Shaykh (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked:

My young son insists on fasting Ramadaan even though fasting is harmful for him because he is so young and his health is not good. Should I use force with him to make him break his fast?

He replied:

If he is young and has not yet reached puberty, he is not obliged to fast, but if he is able to do it without hardship, then he should be told to do so. The Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) used to make their children fast, and if the younger ones cried they would give them toys to distract them. But if it is proven that it is harmful to him, then he should be stopped from fasting. If Allaah has forbidden us to give youngsters their wealth if there is the fear that they may abuse it, then it is more appropriate that they be stopped from doing something if there is the fear of physical harm. But that should not be done by force, because that is not appropriate in raising children. End quote.

Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 19/83

2. The parents can encourage their children to fast by giving them a gift each day, or by exploiting the spirit of competition between them and their peers or those who are younger than them. They can encourage them to pray by taking them to pray in the mosques, especially if they go out with their father and pray in different mosques each day. They can also encourage them by rewarding them for that, whether that is by praising them or by taking them out on trips sometimes, or buying things that they like, etc.

Unfortunately some fathers and mothers fall far short in encouraging their children, and there are even some who stop their children doing these acts of worship. Some of these fathers and mothers think that mercy and compassion mean not making their children fast or pray. This is completely mistaken according to both the shar’i point of view and educational wisdom.

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Allaah has enjoined fasting upon every Muslim who is accountable, able to do it and not travelling. As for young children who have not yet reached the age of puberty, fasting is not obligatory for them, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The pen has been lifted from three” and he mentioned young children until they reach puberty. But the child’s guardian must tell him to fast if he reaches an age where he is able to do so, because that comes under the heading of training him to implement the pillars of Islam. We see some people leaving their children alone and not telling them to pray or fast, but this is wrong, and he (the parent) will be responsible for that before Allaah. They say that they do not make their children fast out of kindness and compassion towards them, but in fact the one who is truly kind and compassionate towards his child is the one who trains him to acquire good characteristics and to do righteous deeds, not the one who refrains from disciplining and training him in a beneficial manner. End quote.

Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 19/19, 20

3. The parents can fill their children’s time with reading Qur’aan and memorizing a small portion each day, reading books that are suited to their level, letting them listen to tapes which combine useful content with fun, such as nasheeds, and bringing them video tapes that are useful for them.

To start the kids to fast, and other duties, ie. shalat, parents should be a good model in this process. Therefore, the most effective way to teach anything to anybody is to be a role model. This is why Allah sent human beings as prophets to all peoples. Whether we willingly accept this job or not, it is a fact that your child learns how to function in life by watching what you do.

Every time we deal with our children, we are teaching them, whether we intend to or not. There is a famous poem by an anonymous author that depicts this vividly. It begins:

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

Therefore we must examine carefully how we deal with our child in order to have a desirable end result. This same poem continues:

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.

As the above poem indicates, negative comments and treatment result in negative attributes in our children, and positive comments and treatment result in positive results. The term 'positive and negative reinforcement' is popular in modern psychology, but it was advocated by the Qu'ran and the actions and sayings of Prophet Muhammad SAW, 1400 years ago. How do we use positive reinforcement to teach our children?

Young children are basically good. Furthermore they want to please their parents. When you praise them for their good behavior by telling them that Papa and/or Mama is happy with their action, you are using positive reinforcement. Unfortunately many parents ignore their child's good actions and only comment on the bad actions

We ask Allaah to help us to raise our children well, to make them love worship, and to help us to fulfil our duties towards them.


Wallahu A'lam bisshawab

The Signs of Laylatul Qadr

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu,

Subhaanallah walhamdulillah wa laa ilaaha illaallaahu.

All of us, of course, are looking forward to meeting with a special night. A night with a special power, the power of Allah SWT. Since I was small, when I was in madrasah, my teachers always talked about laylatul qadr. What is the laylatul Qadr?

There is a tradition in Indonesia, especially in my hometown, Padang, every 27th of Ramadan we have a candle light night (pasang lilin). This is done by children. What they do is lit up the candles all over their front yard, fences, gates, tree branches, and any kinds of rocks on the ground. I still remember when we finished shalat tarawih in the masjid, we came straight home to lit up the candles. In the front of our house looked so bright and beuatiful. But i did not understand why we did that. My mom told me that tonight is supposed to be the laylatul qadr, so we are greeting the night (malaikahs/angels) for coming down to us. By doing that, what I understand that to prepare us that get ready to welcome the laylatul qadr, and to remind us to do something good, qiyaamul lail, shalat, zikir, etc. I was still small at that time, around 9 years old or ten, so i did not have a chance to know and understand what to do and what to expect. I'm not sure if this tradition is still going on. Insha Allah I'll ask my sisters who have the children or my friends there.


Let's watch out for this to come. We pray to Allah All Mighty Most Merciful to bless us this Ramadan by witnessing Laylatul-Qadr


To understand how the laylatul qadr comes, The signs of laylatul qadr, here are some Hadiiths related to it:


1. Ubaadah bin Saamit (Ra) reports that he asked the Prophet SAW about "Laylatul Qadr". He replied: "It is in Ramadhan, during the last ten days, on the unevenly numbered nights, either the 21st 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th or the last night of Ramadhan. Whosoever stands in "Ibaadah" on this night, with sincere faith and with genuine hopes of gaining reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. Among the signs of this night is that it is a serene, quiet, shining night, neither hot, nor cold but temperate as if a moon is shining clear, and no meteors are shot at the "Shayateen" on that night; it lasts until the break of the dawn. Another sign is that at morn, the Sun rises without any radiant beams of light, appearing rather like the moon in it's fullness. On that day, Allah prohibits the "Shayateen" from rising up with the Sun."


2. The Prophet Muhammad SAW, described the morning after Lailatul-Qadr, so that the Muslim may know which day it is. From Ubayy, radhiya Allahu 'anhu, who said: that he, the Prophet Muhammad SAW, said: "On the morning following Lailatul-Qadr the sun rises not having any rays, as if it were a brass dish, until it rises up."[Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmithi and Ibn Majah]

3. Abu Hurairah, Ra, said : "We were discussing Lailatul-Qadr in the presence of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, so he said : 'Which of you remembers [the night] when the moon arose and was like half a plate?... [Muslim]

4. Ibn 'Abbaas, radhiya Allahu 'anhuma, said: The Prophet Muhammad SAW said: "Lailatul-Qadr is calm and pleasant, neither hot nor cold, the sun arises on its morning being feeble and red." [at-Tayaalisee, Ibn Khuzaimah and al-Bazzaar with a Hasan Isnad]


4. Aaisha (Ra) reports: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah (SAW), should I find myself the "Laylatul Qadr", hat shall I pray. The Prophet (Muhammad SAW replied: say, Allaahumma innaka afuwwun tohibbu al'afwa fa'fu anna "O Allah, Thou art the One who grants pardon for sins. Thou lovest to pardon, so O pardon me."

Part of what has been mentioned in this Hadith has already been dealt with. Some signs are here mentioned about the actual night. These signs are clear and need no further elucidation. Apart from these, there are other signs too, as mentioned in the Ahadith or in the experiences of those who had the good fortune to experience "Laylatul Qadr." The sign that is, however; most specific in the Hadith is the rising of the sun, 'without any radiant beams of light.' Other signs are not always there. One Sahaabi, Ab'da bin Abi Lubaaba (Radhi Allaho anho) says: "On the evening of the 27th , I tasted the water of the sea and it was sweet." Ayub bin Khalid said: 'I once had to bathe myself with sea water, and on tasting it, found, it sweet. This was on the 23rd night." Some of the "Mashaaikh" (religious divines) wrote that, on the evening of "Laylatul Qadr", everything prostrates itself before Allah, so much so that trees fall flat on the ground, then return to their normal position; these are however spiritual phenomena not visible to the ordinary person.

Let's hope we shall find the laylatul Qadr this year Amiin Ya Rabbil 'Alamiin.
'Allaahumma Innaka 'Afuwwun, Fa'fu 'Anni"

Mineola, 12 september, 2008
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Preparations For Laylatul Qadr (The night of Power)

What is Laylatul Qadr?

Laylatul Qadar is a night of great blessing in which Allah (swt) showers His Mercy
upon those of His believers whom sincerely and faithfully love and obey His Will. It
is a night which is commonly associated with the revelation of the Holy Qur’an but
also has other meanings which are all deeply rooted in Allah’s attribute of
Rahmaniyyat. And it is the best night among the nights of the whole year. No night, throughout the year, is on a level with this night. On account of its merits, surpassing excellence, superiority, and the superabundant bounties, benefits and favors this night bring for the mankind it leaves behind every night known for blessing.


As revealed in the Holy Quran in Surah al-Qadr (97:3-6):"Surely, We sent it down
during the Night of Decree. And what shall make thee know what the Night of
Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein
descend angels and the Spirit by the command of their Lord with Divine decree concerning every matter. It is all peace till the rising of the dawn", the Night of “Qadr” is better than a thousand months, therefore, acts done in these nights are better than the acts done in one thousands months. One of the most meritorious aspects of the month of Ramadhan is that it contains Laylatul Qadr, the most blessed night of the year. It is the night which Allah Taa'la chose to reveal the Holy Quran.

The Holy Quran has mentioned above that this night is better than one thousand months. It means that the worship performed in this night brings more reward than the worship performed in one thousand months. The authentic traditions of the Holy Prophet Allah's peace and blessings be upon him mention that, in this night, Allah Almighty directs his special mercy towards the people of the earth, accepts the supplications made by His slaves and forgives a large number of people who repent and pray.

Laylatul Qadr falls in one of the last five odd nights of Ramadhan i.e. 21 st , 23 rd , 25 th , 27 th and 29 th . According to authentic sources, Laylatul Qadr falls in any one of these nights alternately. The purpose of this alternation is that one should spend all five nights in worship and prayers, so that he may find Laylatul Qadr with certainty.

It is recommended to make a long Qiyaam prayer during the nights on which Laylatul-Qadr could fall. This is indicated in many hadith's, such as the following:
Abu Tharr (radhiallahu `anhu) relates:

"We fasted with Allah's Messenger (pbuh) in Ramadhan. He did not lead us (in qiyaam) at all until there were seven (nights of Ramadhan) left. Then he stood with us (that night - in prayer) until one third of the night had passed. He did not pray with us on the sixth. On the fifth night, he prayed with us until half of the night had passed.

So we said, 'Allah's Messenger! Wouldn't you pray with us the whole night?' He replied: 'Whoever stands in prayer with the imam until he (the imam) concludes the prayer, it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night.'…" [Recorded by Ibn Abi Shaybah, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmithi (who authenticated it), an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, at-Tahawi (in Sharhu Ma`an il-Athar, Ibn Nasr, al-Faryabi, and al-Bayhaqi. Their isnad is authentic.]

[Point of benefit: Abu Dawud mentioned: "I heard Ahmad being asked, 'Do you like for a man to pray with the people or by himself during Ramadhan?' He replied, 'Pray with the people' I also heard him say, 'I would prefer for one to pray (qiyaam) with the imam and to pray (witr) with him as well, for the Prophet (pbuh) said: "When a man prays with the imam until he concludes, it is recorded that he prayed the rest of that night." [Masaa'il]]

Abu Hurayrah (radhiallahu `anhu) narrated that the Messenger (pbuh) said: "Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylatul-Qadr [and it is facilitated for him] out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward), will have all of his previous sins forgiven." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim; the addition "and it is facilitated for him" is recorded by Ahmad from the report of `Ubaadah Bin as-Samit; it means that he is permitted to be among the sincere worshippers during that blessed night.]
Aisha reported that she asked Allah's Messenger (pbuh), "O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylatul-Qadr, what should I say during it?" And he instructed her to say:

"Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuh.ibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee - O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me." [Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmithi. Verified to be authentic by Al-Albani]

What do we therefore have to remind ourselves about Laylatul Qadr?

@ A unique once in a year opportunity to do a life times worth of activity.
@ A once in a year occasion for influencing our future destiny - "QADR" - Taqdeer.
@ Full of long lasting blessings.
@ The night of unsurpassed grandeur when the absolute Grand God revealed the Grand Quran through the Grand Wahy (revelation) - Jibreel into the heart of the Grand Prophet Mohammad (saw).

The Ma'sumeen have explained to us that God in his infinite wisdom had planned the system of the universe in such a way that every persons destiny will be determined on a yearly basis in the angelic spheres through the agency of the Imam of the age. Who is the leader and focus of the whole spiritual world this gives MANKIND a unique opportunity to influence his own future (gains, loss, health, sickness, richness, poverty, etc by performing certain acts, e.g. Dua, Salat, Sadaqah, Jihad, acquiring knowledge, Holy Quran recitation etc.
@ The night when the whole multitude of angels and the Great Spirit (Ruh) descend on earth, greeting and praying for the believers and conveying messages to the Imam of age.

What preparation do we need and What do we Do in that Night?

Undoubtedly, we must start our preparations way ahead of time, after all going by human fitra, there is more than profit that can be got from this feast of Laylatul Qadr unless out of sheer carelessness we end up amongst those negligent and idle ones, who do not achieve anything except tiredness, loss and eternal doom, who will gain nothing except regret and cry out aloud on the day of Reckoning:

"Ah! Woe upon me! In that I neglected (my duty) towards Allah"
What sorts of Pre-preparations are needed before the advent of this grand Qadr?
Jibreel was asked; "What has the Almighty Allah done on this night with the wishes of the believers among the nation of Prophet Mohammad (saw)?" He answered, "The Almighty Allah has looked upon them on this night and forgiven them, all of them, except the following: "One who is addicted to drinking, One who severs his ties with his kin, and One who is a trouble-maker."

We have been advised to beseech Allah (SWT) during the whole year before the arrival of the Night of Power or Laylatul Qadr, to keep us alive for this night:

1. To bestow upon us the Tawfiq to remain vigilant during this night and pray for blessings and forgiveness.
2.To bless us that we are able to do the best of deeds on this night.
3.To comprehend fully the importance of this night which is superior to one thousand months.
4. To pray that we can become one of the favorites of Allah (SWT) and be blessed with His love, learning, nearness, union, pleasure, together with health, happiness, and welfare.
5. To yearn and act so that Allah (SWT) be so pleased with us in such a manner, that after this night He would never be displeased us again.
6. Strive to keep Allah (SWT) at the fore of one's mind the whole night long.
7. All the Ibadah (worship) done should be recited in the state of being completely awake, aware, conscious, and with a live heart. If one feels that one will not be able to concentrate then start reciting from now "We are from Allah and towards Him is our return." - Holy Quran (2:156) for it is considered as a tragedy if one can not in this night receive the divine grace in supplications. "Their prayers ascend upwards and reaches Allah, their words are accepted, and Allah loves to listen to their prayers the way a mother likes her own child."

8.Paying alms during this night - to the people who really deserve financial support.
9. Follow the translation of the Duas in order to understand what you are reciting for lutf is only got when one knows what one is reciting.
10. Increase ones eagerness for receiving the promised bounties and blessings.
11. Select worships and deeds which are more in harmony with ones mood.
12. When one stands for prayer, or any other Ibadah, to briefly spare a moment to think about the wisdom of that action/its meaning etc for e.g. Why am I standing towards Makkah? To realize that when I stand on my two feet, it indicates my hope and fear about the acceptance of my worship.
13. Crying and Shedding Tears: that during these nights ones fear, humility, tears, crying, anguish and lamentation be increased as much as possible.

Then one should cry: "O' Thou are the most compassionate, and Thou Who are the shelter of unsheltered ones!" "Where is Your vast blessing? Where is Your infinite forgiveness? Where are Your love and benevolence?" Ask for forgiveness of past sins in the most appealing manner with a promise to try never to return to the sins again - a TAWBA in every sense of the word Present ones requests before the Almighty with full hope that they will be answered.

What are the signs of Laylatul-Qadar (the night of power)?

From amongst the signs of Laylatul-Qadar is that it is a calm night and the believer's heart is delighted and at peace with it, and he becomes active in doing good actions, and the sun on the following morning rises clearly without any rays.

Wallahu A'lam
< / span>

Some Great Ways to get Blessing in Ramadan

Assalaamu'alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuhu,


Here are a few ways to get great blessings in Ramadan and outside of Ramadan this year and all years to follow it inshallah Please read through it carefully and try to apply as many of these good deeds as possible inshallah:

1. Sitting after the Fajr prayer remembering Allah until sunrise: "whoever prays al-ghadaa (fajr) in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until sunrise, then prays 2 rakats of salat has a complete reward of Hajj and Umrah (the prophet s..a.w repeated the word 'complete' 3 times for emphasis) [at-Tirmidhi, classed as Saheeh by al-Albani


2. Praying the 12 sunnah prayers each day: " Allah will build house in Jannah for whoever is diligent in observing 12 sunnah rakat (as follows) 4 rakat before and 2 after Dhur, 2 after the Maghrib, 2 after Ishaa, and 2 before Fajr." [hadeeth is sahih narrated by at-Tirmidhi No. 379 and by others.

3. Attending lectures in the mosque. "Whoever goes to the mosque not desiring except to learn or teach what is good has the reward of a pilgrim who completed his Hajj" [at-Tabarani, classed sahih by al-Albani]

4. Visiting a sick Muslim. "There is no Muslim who visits a sick muslim early in the morning but 70 thousand angles send blessings upon him until evening comes, and if he visits him in the evening, 70 thousand angles send blessings upon him until morning comes, and he will have a garden in paradise." Classed as sahih by al-Albani in sahih al-Tirmidhi

5. Providing food for breaking the fast. "Whoever provides food for breaking of the fast for a fasting person receives the reward of the fasting person, without the reward of the fasting person being reduced in any way." -at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]

6. Standing in prayer on Laylatul Qadr. "Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months." Quran 97:3], that is, superior to approx 83 years of worship!

7. Remember Allah when you go shopping : "Whoever enters a market and says:
'Laa ilaha illallah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu yuhyi wa yumeetu wa huwa hayyun laa yamoot, bi yadihil khair, wa huwa 'ala kulli shayin qadeer'

[there is nothing worthy of wrship except Allah, alone without partner, to Him belongs dominion and praise, He causes life and feath and He is the Living and does not die. In His Hand is all the good, and He is over all things competent]

Allah will write for him/her a million good deeds and erase a million bad deeds and raise him a million levels." [at-Tirmidhi, classed as hasan by al-Albani]

8. Asking Allah to forgive your brothers and sisters. "Whoever seeks forgiveness for beleiving men and believing woman, Allah will write for him a good deed for each believing man and believing woman." [at-Tabarani, classed as hasan by al-Albani]

9. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (r.a) said "The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: 'Whoever says subhanallah wa bi hamdih (praise and glory be to Allah) 100 times, morning and evening, his sins will be erased even if they are like the foam on the sea." Narrated by al-Bukhari, 6042; Muslim 2691

10. If a person says "Subhanallah" (glory be to Allah) 100 times, a thousand good deeds are recorded for him and a thousand bad deeds are wiped away. Narrated by Muslim 2073


The following ahadeeth are from Saheehul-Jaami' of Shaikh al-Albani (r.a) pg. 1103-1104

-Abu Umaamah (ra) reported that Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: "Whoever recites Ayatul-Kursi following every obligitiry prayer, nothing will prevent him from entering Jannah except dying."

- Ibn Masood (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) "Whever recites the last 2 verses of Surah Baqarah in a night, they will sufice him."

- Anas (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allaaah (s.a.w) said: "Whoever recited Surah Kafiroon it will be equal to a quarter of the Quran for him, and whoever recites Surah Ikhlas it will be equal to a third of the Quran for him."

- Tameem as-Daaree (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: "Whoever recites (in prayer) with a hundred verses a night , it will written for him as devout obedience to Allah for the night."

- Abu Sa'eed (ra) reprted that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) Whovever recites Surah Kahf on the day of Jumu'ah, light will be made to shine for him between the 2 Jumu'ahs (that Jumu'ah and the one followingit)"

- Mu'aadh bin Anas (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: "Whoever recites Surah Ikhlas 10 times, Allah will build for him a house in Jannah."


Memorise these importnant dua inshallah

1. The authentic dua to sat when breaking your fast: "Dhahabath- dhama-oo wabtallatil-urooq wa thabatil ajru inshallaah" (The thirst has gone the veins are quenched and the reward is confirmed if Allah wills)

2. The dua to say when seeking the night of Laylatul-Qadr: "Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbil-afwa fa'fu 'annii" (Oh Allah You are the Forgiving snf Pardoning Who loves to forgive and pardon so forgive and pardon me) [at-Tirmidhi and it is saheeh)


'Uthman ibn 'Affan (radiAllahu anhu) said, "Worrying about the dunya is a darkness in the heart, while worrying about the akhirah is a light in the heart."

Ramadan Mubarak, September 1st, 2008

Assalaamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu.

Dear Muslims all:

Ramadan Mubarak to you all. I hope you're all making the most of it by engaging and increasing in reciting of the Qur'an, performing Salah, Zikr etc and not merely going round congratulating everyone about the arrival of Ramadan. Insha Allah I'll be writing about Ramadan and includes some of articles already available elsewhere in internet.

Inshallah you will ALL be remembered in my duas during this month and I request for the same also please. May Almighty Allah accept all our good deeds in this month and give us the ability to turn away from sins from now onwards, Ameen.

Wassalam

Aswita Taizir