The Final Days of Ramadhan

The month of Ramadhan brings with it a spiritual intensity driven by the zeal of a believer. This zeal and spiritual presence is a blessing from Allah تعالى to aid every believer reach the zenith of worship through which one can taste the pleasure of Islam and the worship which one performs for the sake of Allah alone.

It is through His infinite mercy that He increases our physical strength in two folds; by relieving us from our physical strength, hence reducing our desires, and by also chaining the Shayateen (satans) during this sacred month.

The month of Ramadhan is a well known topic which is discussed by many individuals from many different angles to highlight its many attributes and significances.

At the same time, many people also highlight the importance of refraining from sin and ensuring the fast does not become void of blessings and rewards through the imperfection caused to it through sinning.

The last ten days of Ramadhan are also mentioned specifically as they carry great merit and rewards. It is during these nights that the Sunnah I’tikaah (seclusion) is performed in the Masaajids (Mosques) in order to further dedicate the short period left in the worship of Allah. It is also during this time that the majority of the scholars have stated, through references of the Ahadith, that Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power) is found.

These are great topics to discuss which I would have been honoured to write about had time allowed me to do so. However, the month of Ramadhan is now coming to an end and the weekend brings us closer to the final days of Ramadhan.

In this moment I would like to reiterate the purpose of Ramadhan and the main objective that is to be accomplished during this month:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

O You who believe! Fasting has been obligatory upon you as it was made obligatory for those before you, so that you may become God-fearing

The purpose of this month is to ensure that a person who is fortunate to be present within this month progresses spiritually to a level which is superior to that than which he started. By doing so, he should have created a bond and link with Allah that would sustain until the following Ramadhan and years to come.

A person who neglects the above purpose, despite having fasted and committing to worship, may find that his Ramadhan will not only be deemed purposeless but will also descend upon him as a curse. This is clearly proven from a lengthy Hadeeth of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم in which it is stated:

اِنَّ جِبْرَئِيْلَ عَرَضَ لِيْ فَقَالَ بَعُدَ مَنْ اَدْرَكَ رَمَضَانَ فَلَمْ يُغْفَرْ لَهُ قُلْتُ آمِيْنَ Jibraeel عليه السلام came to me and said, ‘Curse be upon him who acquired the month of Ramadhan and did not have his sins forgiven.’ To which I said ‘Aameen’

[Mustadrak al-Haakim]

It is clearly evident that a person who fails to acquire the forgiveness of Allah تعالى in this month will be deprived from the proximity of Allah and in turn Allah’s curse will be upon him and he will be distanced from Allah and His mercy.

Therefore, although the fasting has been made an obligation in this month and other prayers have been advised and encouraged; one should never fail to remember that the true purpose of Ramadhan is to better ourselves and gain Allah’s love and affection and through these gain His forgiveness.

It is never too late to acquire this affection of Allah and His forgiveness, even if the majority of this month has been wasted and spent in a manner not suitable for such a sublime month. The blessings of Ramadhan remain till the end of this month, in fact, it’s blessings increase in the last portion of this month within which the Night of Power is most likely to occur.

Therefore, whether we have spent these days of Ramadhan in concrete dedication to Allah or whether we have waivered in this month, it is essential to ensure and check and scrutinise our actions during this month and come to a conclusion as to whether Allah تعالى would be pleased with us and our actions. Whilst doing this we need to continuously seek His forgives and ask Him to pardon our shortcomings for indeed we can never do justice to His majesty.

As a final note, we should increase our recitation of the following Du’a (supplication) as it has been mentioned on the authority of Hadhrat Aisha رضي الله عنها that she asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم as to what she should recite if she was to acquire the Night of Power. Our Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم answered with the following Du’a:

اللّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُوْ عَنَّا O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me.

May Allah give us all the inclination and understanding to monitor our actions and assess as to whether we have achieved the purpose of Ramadhan. May He give us the strength to make amends to the extent of our ability and thereafter forgive our weaknesses and shortcomings through His blessings.

O Allah, save us from your curse which was conveyed through Jibraeel عليه السلام and sealed with acceptance by our Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم. Give us the courage and strength to turn towards you in a manner which you have described as توبة نصوحا. Aameen.

Source: zain121 Forum - Ramadhan Section

The Greatest of Worships in the Month of Ramadhan - Post 6

Alhumdulillah, the month of Ramadhan has once again dawned upon us; a month which requires no introduction or whose benefits and virtues have been discussed in great detail in many places and are well known by the mass.

It is a month which required a great level of attention and dedication towards the worships which have been prescribed, advised and recommended by Allah and His Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم.

There are many acts of Ibaadah that can be performed and implemented in this month. It is a month where each act is generously rewarded; the obligatory acts are increased seventy times in reward and the optional acts receive the same reward the obligatory acts would in a month other than Ramadhan. Therefore, no deed is small or insignificant. In actual fact, effort should be made to remain in constant worship through this month even if it be through the verbal recitation of Istigfaar, Durood or any Tasbeeh.

Insha Allah, over the month I will aim to post articles relating to the month of Ramadhan so that each reader is able to take some benefit, Insha Allah, and reap rewards in this blessed month through various acts that pleases Allah سبحانه و تعالى.

Therefore, any Ibaadah which is performed in this month should not be undermined. But at the same time it should be noted that without abstaining from sins all of our rewards are washed away and cancelled out. The greatest of worships are those which are performed regularly and with the correct intention; acts whose rewards are retained are the ones which will truly benefit people. Thus the greatest act would be:

1. Refraining from Sins.

This act of worship is essential and by far the most important in the month of Ramadhan, the month of purification. The aim and goal of this month is to teach us self control and to strengthen our will power to refrain from the forbidden acts. Our will power and self control is fortified by refraining from those things which are normally permissible for us; such as food and drink. This is a simple message to show us that in reality we can refrain from pleasurable things such as food and drink when we set our minds to it then surely if we focus our will power and energy in refraining from ‘pleasurable’ sins we can surely accomplish it.

If we complete the month of Ramadhan and have not learnt self control and acquired the power to refrain from sin then we have completed the course without acquiring the certificate; we have not achieved the blessings and have not completed the goal of Ramadhan.

So much importance has been placed into acquiring this self restraint that our Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم states:

مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ

“Whoever does not give up lying and evil actions, then Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink”

In the same manner, it is narrated in another Hadeeth:

كم من صائم ليس له من صيامه الا الظمأ و كم من قائم ليس له من قيامه الا السهر

“Many of those who fast receive nothing from their fast except thirst and there are many who stand (in prayer) who receive nothing from their standing (in prayer) except sleepless nights”

So this fast is deemed unworthy in the site of Allah if its purpose is overlooked and not acquired for Allah is in no need for a slave to leave his food and drink.

The person who acquires many rewards in this month but at the same time commits sins or does not refrain from the evil habits he has become inclined towards then it is like that person who carries water in his bucket but at the same time creates a hole in the bucket (for each sin he commits).

It is better for a person to learn self control and use this month to rid himself from his evil habit of sinning than to complete the month of Ramadhan with many blessings and revert back to sinning after its completion.

Thus, the greatest act of worship in this month is to refrain from sinning and implementing a lifestyle that does not have scope for displeasing Allah; if this requires a whole month, then so be it.

It is no myth that a person who does not refrain from sinning in this month is deprived from forgiveness. It is therefore mentioned that the first portion of this month is dedicated to the 'Mercy and Blessings of Allah سبحانه و تعالى'. Whilst the second portion is dedicated to 'Forgiveness and Reformation'. Finally, the last portion of this month is regarded as 'Freedom from the Fire of Hell'

It is stated by the scholars that those who became worthy of Allah's mercy through doing virtuous acts and refraining from sin in the first portion of this are the same people who become subject to His forgiveness in the second portion. This forgiveness is then a means of salvation for them and becomes freedom from the fire of Hell in the third portion of this month.

Therefore, it is no myth that a person who does not refrain from sinning is in actual fact deprived from the forgiveness of Allah تعالى and therefore subject to punishment. This is emphasised in a Hadith where Allah تعالى sends down Jibra'eel عليه السلام to our Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم to seal the decision of Allah تعالى by saying Aameen to the following supplication:

ان جبرئيل عرض لي فقال بعد من ادرك رمضان فلم يغفر له قلت آمين

“Jibreel came to me and said, ‘Whoever reaches the month of Ramadan and does not have his sins forgiven and so enters the Fire, then may Allah distance him, say ameen” So I said “Ameen”

[Mustadrak Haakim]

May Allah تعالى save us all from His punishment and wrath which takes form of deprivation in this month and being overlooked when His slaves are pardoned and given salvation from the fire of Hell. May Allah تعالى make the leaving of sin a greater pleasure then the 'pleasure' of sinning and may He make the bitterness of sinning known to us through experiencing the sweetness of Imaan. Aameen.

Possible Method 1:

This act of worship can be achieved through firm intention as well as physical effort. Daily we can sit and make a list of the sins that we commit on a regular basis and cross of these one by one or as many as we can at a time. We should then ensure that we seek the forgiveness of Allah and never revert to these sins again.

Possible Method 2:

Along with the above list, or as a separate method we should make a list of all the sins we committed during the day and ensure that an effort is made to eradicate ourselves of these sins. At times we commit sins through mere habit and boredom and don’t even realise that these sins are being committed. At many a times, these sins do not even benefit us and in fact cause us harm and inconvenience.

Different Sins:

Sins are addictive and come in different natures. Therefore, it may not be as simple as making a list and crossing out one after another; some sins require time whilst others require special aid and support.

For example, sins relating to monetary aspects such as interest based loans and having taken the div align=“right”s of others will require time to repay. However a firm intention should be made and every effort should be made to repay these loans and rights.

Similarly, some sins will require help from the ‘Ulamaa or Shuyookh (Spiritual Guides). These can be sins which we cannot overcome ourselves and require a method and monitoring to ensure its elimination. Sins such as forbidden glances at the opposite gender, the leaving of Salaah, lying, anger, pride and arrogance are just a few that may require assistance from another. Increase the reward in leaving the sin by ensuring help is sought; the greater the effort the greater the reward and pleasure or ridding from the sin.

There is never enough time in Ramadhan to worship and therefore people are reluctant to sit by the computer and read through articles and articles and would rather dedicate their time to reading Qur’an or Nawafil (optional prayers). Therefore, Insha Allah, I will aim to keep articles concise and mention one deed at a time so that implementing is easier and much time isn’t taken.

Finally, your Du’a is requested during this blessed month. May Allah accept our efforts in this month. Aameen.

Ramadhan - The Purpose of Fasting

شـهـر رمـضـان

The month of Ramadhan is approaching and the majority of us will have to continue our usual lifestyles to some extent; we will have to attend school whilst others will have to go to work; the women in the house will also have their daily household duties of cooking and cleaning.

However, the month of Ramadhan necessitates and demands a change in our day-to-day life; a change which will enforce upon us self control and spiritual recognition.

Ramadhan brings with it opportunities for a fresh start; it is a cocktail of mercy, forgiveness, salvation and blessings. This cocktail contains all the ingredients that are required for spiritual increment and fortification.

Therefore, a person is required, by Shari’ah, to ensure that preparations have been made to fulfil all the requirements for an uplifting Ramadhan, and that a person continues to strive in the month of Ramadhan to gain the salvation from the Fire of Hell.

As mentioned above, these preparations are an obligation upon each and every man who is present in the month of Ramdhan:

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَنْ كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

[Surah al-Baqarah 2:185]

The month of Ramadhan is that within which the Qur'an was sent down, (it is) a guide for mankind and (contains) clear signs of guidance and differentiating (between right and wrong). Therefore, whosoever is present during this month should fast; and whosoever is ill, or on a journey, then the prescribed period (should be made up) in other days. Allah intends ease and He does not intend any difficulties (upon you). (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him In that He has guided you; and so that you may be grateful.

In the above verse Allah states that Ramadhan is the month within which the Qur’an was revealed; the book of Allah, which contains the qualities of guidance and differentiating between right and wrong. It can be depicted from this portion of the verse that the month of Ramadhan also contains the same qualities as the Qur’an and therefore it was revealed within this month to emphasise these qualities.

Ramadhan is a month of guidance, it endeavours to make man realise the path he is upon and what he can do to rectify errors in this path; effort in this month will allow an individual to manoeuvre from the path of worldly desires and satisfaction to that which leads to Allah and His pleasure.

Similarly, the month of Ramadhan improvises in increasing the judgement of an individual in a manner that it stimulates the thinking of a believer towards the commandment of Allah during the month of Ramadhan. In this month, the main prohibitions, during fasting, are of eating, drinking and intercourse. However, these are activities which are not prohibited for mankind in any other month. Thus through this prohibition we are taught a greater level of self control for an entire month. We strive to strengthen this self control in such a manner that along with those things which are impermissible in all twelve months, we also refrain from other activities which are impermissible specifically for this month.

One our will power has been strengthened, our spiritual status elevated, our self restraint fortified, our attitudes changed, our lifestyles dedicated and our vision and aim contains nothing but the pleasure of Allah through the hard work and effort placed within this month we will have achieved the true blessings of this month and will be able to continue throughout the remaining eleven months worshipping and pleasing Allah.

In the above Qur’anic verse, Allah clearly states that a person who is present in the month of Ramadhan is required to fast the obligatory fasts; this order entails the requirement to maintain the etiquettes, manners and necessities for of the fast; for fasting literally means “to abstain.” This meaning of abstention and refraining has been mentioned in the Qur’an in the following words:

فَكُلِي وَاشْرَبِي وَقَرِّي عَيْنًا فَإِمَّا تَرَيِنَّ مِنَ الْبَشَرِ أَحَدًا فَقُولِي إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لِلرَّحْمَنِ صَوْمًا فَلَنْ أُكَلِّمَ الْيَوْمَ إِنْسِيًّا َ

[Surah Maryam – 19:26]

So eat and drink and be consoled, and if you see any human being, say: ‘Indeed I have vowed a fast unto the Most Beneficent (Allah) so I shall not speak to any human being this day.’

In the above verse the word صوما is indicating that Hadhrat Maryam عليها السلام had intended to refrain from talking as opposed to eating and drinking which is evident from the beginning of the verse, ‘eat and drink and be consoled.’ Therefore, refraining from eating and drinking alone cannot be regarded as صوم but there are other criterions which have to be taken in consideration and upheld also.

The above has also been emphasised in a Hadeeth:

ليس الصيام من الأكل والشرب، إنما الصيام من اللغو والرفث، فإن سابك أحد أو جهل عليك فقل: إني صائم.. إني صائم

[Ibn Hibaan]

صيام is not the name of forsaking food and drink, in reality, it is the forsaking of idle and shameless talks. Thus if someone swears you of acts in an ignorant manner with you, then say, ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.’

Similarly, it has been mentioned in another Hadeeth:

كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ لَهُ اِلاَّ الصَّوْمَ فَإِنَّه لِيْ وَ اَنَا اَجْزِيْ بِهِ، والصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ، فَإذَا كَانَ يَوْمَ صَوْمِ أَحَدِكُمْ فَلاَ يَرْفُثْ وَلاَ يَصْخَبْ؛ فَإنْ سَابَهُ أَحَدٌ أوْ قَاتَلَهُ، فَلْيَقُلْ: إنِّي صَائِمٌ، إنِّي صَائِمٌ؛ وَ الَّذِيْ نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٌ بِيَدِهْ لَخُلُُوْفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ اَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللهِ مِنْ رِّيْحِ المِسْكِ؛ لِلصَّائِمِ فَرْحَتَانِ يَفْرَحُهُما: اِذَا اَفْطَرَ فَرِحَ بِفِطْرِهِ، وَاِذَا لَقِيَ رَبَّهُ فَرِحَ بِصَوْمِهِ

Every (good) deed of the son of Adam is for him except for fasting; for indeed that is for me and I shall recompense for it. And fasting is a shield (from sins and consequently Hell Fire). Therefore, when any one of you is fasting, let him not utter obscenities or raise his voice with immoral talks, and if anyone should insult him or desires to fight or argue with him, then he (the fasting person) should say, ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.’ By Him within whose hands lies the life of Muhammad, the smell from the mouth of a fasting person is more pleasing to Allah than the fragrance of Musk. For the fasting person there are two times he will be pleased; When he breaks his fast he will be pleased and (the second time) when he meets his Lord, he will be pleased with his fasting.

[متفق عليه]

It is clear from the above Hadeeth that the fast has been made obligatory upon a person so that it can act as a shield from sins and through its blessings and honour a person refrains from any act of sin and, by doing so, attain Taqwa (piety).

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ َ

O you who believe! Fasting has been made an obligation upon you as it was (made obligatory) for those before you, so that you may acquire Taqwa (piety).

[Surah al-Baqarah – 2:183]

So what is Taqwa? It is a term that can never be easily translated into English; it is a compound of many characteristics, the most common are the fear of Allah and the refraining from sins.

سَأَلَ عُمَرُ كَعْبًارَضِيَ الله عَنْهُمَا فَقَالَ لَهُ: مَا التَّقْوى؟ فَقَالَ كَعْبٌ: يَا أَمِيْرُ المُؤْمِنِيْنَ أَمَّا سَلَكْتَ طَرِيْقًا فِيْهِ شَوْكٌ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ. قَالَ: فَمَاذَا فَعَلْتَ؟ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ : أَشَمِّرُ عَنْ سَاقَيَّ، وَانْظُرُ إِلى مَوَاضِعِ قَدَمَيَّ وَأُقَدِّمُ قَدَمًا وَأُؤَخِّرُ أُخْرى مَخَافَةً أَنْ تُصِيْبَنِيْ شَوْكَةٌ. فَقَالَ كَعْبٌ: تِلْكَ هِيَ التَّقْوى.

Hadhrat Umar once questioned Hadhrat Ka’b رضي الله عنهما, so he said, ‘What is Taqwa’, in reply Hadhrat Ka’b questioned, ‘O leader of the believers! Have you ever treaded upon a thorny path?’ Hadhrat Umar replied, ‘yes’. Thereafter Hadhrat Ka’b asked, ‘What did you do?’ In reply, Hadhrat Umar stated, ‘I gathered my clothing and lifted it up to my shin, thereafter I kept my glance towards my feet and I put one foot forward followed by the other whilst fearing that a thorn should prick me.’ Hadhrat Ka’b responded, ‘This is Taqwa’.

Meaning that we should become such that our gaze is constantly upon the path we are walking, the path leading to Jannah, ensuring that we take full precautions whilst upon this path that Shaytaan does not deviate us from this path. This is the purpose of Ramadhan, to instill Taqwa within the hearts of the believers so that every month, be it Ramadhan or not, we are constantly aware of the presence of Allah and respond to that awareness in the correct manner, by observing our obedience to Him and refraining from matters that will displease and anger Him.

However, in order to acquire this Taqwa we have to ensure that our fasts are in accordance to the teaching of the Shari’ah, that we observe the commandments placed by Allah in regards to our fasts and our daily lives and avoid those matters and actions which will classify our fasts as void or devoid us from obtaining the benefits of the fast. Our beloved Messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم has indicated towards these criterions in the following words:

مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّوْرِ وَ الْعَمَلَ بِهِ فَلَيْسَ للهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَن يَّدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَ شَرَابَهُ

[Bukhari]

Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need of his giving up his food and drink.

And in another Hadeeth it is mentioned:

رُبَّ صَائِمٍ لَيْسَ لَهُ مِنْ صِيَامِهِ اِلاَّ الظَّمَأُ

[Bukhari??]

There are many who fast but who do not gain anything from their fast except for thirst.

In the first Hadeeth the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم has mentioned two qualities that deems the rewards of a person negated; the act of lying and acting upon these lies. The Muhaditheen (commentators) have mentioned that the by قول الزور the meaning is that of every sin committed through the tongue whilst عمل به refers to any sin which is carried out. A person who commits such atrocities in the month of Ramadhan will deprive himself of the rewards of fasting and its benefits and consequently the purpose of the fast will not be achieved; and if this is the case then Allah is in no need of Him leaving his food and drink for the leaving of the eating and drinking is not the aim but to achieve control over our Nafs (Self Desire) is the actual intent.

In the latter Hadeeth there is further emphasis on this notion within which our Beloved Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم mentions the state and rewards of those people who outwardly perform good deeds in Ramadhan by fasting whilst neglecting the actual purpose of these fasts, he صلى الله عليه و سلم states that there are many people who fast during the month of Ramadhan but they achieve nothing from these fasts except for hunger and thirst. Meaning that their fast does not bear any reward neither does it elevate their ranks or increase their spiritual status; instead the only achievement is that which they observed and took consideration over, the leaving of food and drink.

Our days of fasting and our days of not fasting should never be the same:

وَ لاَ تَجْعَلْ يَوْمَ صَوْمِكَ وَ يَوْمَ فطْرِكَ سَوَاءٌ

Make not you days of fasting the same as the days you do not observe a fast.

We should remember that just as the month of Sha’baan is a month for the preparation for Ramadhan, similarly, the month of Ramadhan is for the preparation for the remaining eleven months, which in turn are for the preparation of the grave and Hereafter. A person who fails to prepare for Ramadhan may lose the blessings of the month of Ramadhan and the person who misses the blessings of Ramadhan will falter through the eleven months and in turn will destroy his Hereafter. It is for this reason that Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه و سلم states in the famous Hadith where he ascended the Mimbar and said Aameen:

إن جبريل عليه السلام عرض لي فقال : بعدا لمن أدرك رمضان فلم يغفر له .قلت : آمين

[Haakim]

Indeed Jibraeel عليه السلام approached me and said, ‘Destruction be to that person who attains the month of Ramadhan but is not forgiven. I replied, Aameen.

May Allah give us all the inclination to acquire Taqwa through Ramadhan and reap the benefits of this blessed month. Aameen.

Source: Zain121 Forum

Repentance...

As mentioned in the previous post, Insha-allah I will be posting on every Monday. With advice from a friend, I have decided to post some Fiqhi Masail as well as a short topic. Insha-allah I will also post some Dua's and supplications from time to time... Before I actually begin posting these topics, I think it is vital that we make an intention to act upon all that we read, to bring into practice what is read... so that these words are not left black and white, but flourish into beautiful colours thriugh our actions.

The first steps to success is a clean slate & and a clean intention... We all need to seek and practice this knowledge for the sake of Allah, and so that we can make a connection between us and Him. To achieve a good connection with Allah, we also need to have a clean slate, meaning, we have to ask forgiveness for our previous wrong-doings and be firm on making a new start. To learn knowledge and sin is similar to filling water in a bucket with a hole. It will eventually empty out. But Insha-allah if one makes an intention to leave sin, then the knwoledge and actions will save one from commiting sins also. May Allah give us the Taufique.

It is vital for a person, in order to change in life, to repent and ask forgiveness from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.

The gift of repentance is such that it gives man a second chance, a chance where he can make the difference of being a dweller of the hell-fire or the dweller of the garden of paradise.

The mercy of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala can in no way be expressed when we talk about his forgiveness and acceptance of those who seek repentance.

Allah states:

Allah is very forgiving towards those who return (to Him)
(17:25)

Scholars say that this verse is referring to those people who sin and then ask for forgiveness, thereafter they sin and ask for forgiveness again. However, it is vital that this repentance is one that is sincere.

O you who believe, repent towards Allah, a sincere repentance
(Hud:3)

Sincere repentance in the words of scholars is 'to uproot oneself from sin at present, to resolve no to repeat it in the future and to feel remorse over its occurrence in the past. Then if someone's right has been violated, one should return his due.'

The benefits of repentance are countless, the one who repents is automatically drawn towards Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. His repenting creates a fear of Allah in his heart and opens his eyes towards the hereafter. The black marks of sins that had been placed on his heart are also removed and it leaves one's heart ready for the Noor (divine light).

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala is also pleased with that person who repents. It is narrated in a Hadeeth, the gist of which is, that Allah is more pleased towards his repenting servant than a traveller who loses his camel in the desert and has no hope of finding it. He thus sits down and accepts his death. However, when he awakes he finds his camel and all his provisions standing in front of Him, and due to the extreme pleasure he utters 'Oh Allah I am your lord and you are my servant.' Such is his happiness that he utters incorrect words, being lost in his new given life.

Similarly, a person who seeks forgiveness was one that had a life ended, but through seeking forgiveness he has found a new, meaningful life, a life of hope and success.

So repent all together O you who believe
so that you may acquire success
(Tahreem:8)

Our success lies in following the Sunnah and ways of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. Like all prophets, a Prophet who was immune from sins, a Prophet who's every step was in accordance to Allah's desires, a Prophet who was guaranteed a place in paradise.

Nevertheless, this Prophet who had no sins would also seek forgiveness from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala over a hundred times a day. And this number of a hundred is not a limit, but just a way to express the immensity of his seeking forgiveness.

This action of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, of seeking forgiveness, shows us how vital and necessary it is for us to seek forgiveness from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala every night, for the sins we are aware of and those which we have no clue about.

I pray to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala that he gives us the ability to seek His forgiveness and that He accepts us and makes this repentance a start to a new life, a life that is lived for His pleasure and in accordance to His Shari'ah. I also ask Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala that he clears our hearts so that we can accept the truth and we can practice on all that which we read. Ameen.

Finally, an advice from Hadhrat Sulaiman Alayhis Salaam to his son:

My son! Do not delay repentance, for death comes all of a sudden.

Wasalaam

LEARN TO WRITE IN THE SAND

A little story, one that people may have heard...

Sometimes people do things that are really painful, things that make us wonder and think about all the horrible things we'd love to do to them. We sometimes go to extremes to try and cause pain to people without realising that at times we hurt ourselves more...

The story is about two friends, one of which contained wisdom and understanding.

The story tells us that two friends were walking through the dessert. At a specific point of the journey they had an arguement and one friend slapped the other one in the face.

The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, he wrote in the sand:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE

They continued walking until the found an oasis (fertil spot of water in the desert), where they had to take a bath. The friend that got slapped started drowning and his friend saved him. When he recovered from the fright, he wrote on a stone:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE

The friend who saved and slapped his best friend asked: "why, after I hurt you, you wrote in the sand, and now you have written on a stone?"

His friend, smiling, replied: "When a friend hurts us, we should write it down in the sand, where the winds of forgiveness take charge of erasing it. And when something great happens, we should engrave it in the stone of the hearts memory, where no wind can erase it."

So my friends, let us take learn to forgive and forget... let us learn to write in the sand.