Assalaamu alaikum
Alhamdulillah and may Allah forgive all of us
in this month of Ramadhaan. We have just entered the last ten days of Ramadhaan,
the best period of the month with the best night of the year, Laylatul qadr.
Please take advantage of this period and increase worship. The best du'aa is to
keep repeating everynight, Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa afwannee'.
Please listen to Radio Qur'aan also and get live recitation
from Ka'aba. http://www.kacst.edu.sa/ithaa.ram
How to take full advantage and
benefit from the last part of Ramadan ?
Though all parts of Ramadan are full of
blessings and rewards, its last ten days hold a special status reflected in the
recommendations and practices of the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa
sallam, and his companions. I will focus here on three major practices of the
Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, and his companions during these days.
1-Praying in the last ten nights of
Ramadan
Al-Bukhari and Muslim record from 'Aishah that during the
last ten days of Ramadan, the Messenger of Allah would wake his wives up during
the night and then remain apart from them (that is, being busy in acts of
worship). A narration in Muslim states: "He would strive [to do acts of worship]
during the last ten days of Ramadan more than he would at any other time."
Aisha reported that With the start of the last
ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard)
and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the
prayers. [Bukhari]
2-Performing I`tikaf in the Masjid
(seclusion in the Mosque)
Before going to the essential of this last
section, let us stop by one of the great Imam of ahl Assunnah wal jama`ah, one
of the greatest revivers of the Da`wah and the methodology of the Salaf,
Shaikhul-Islam Shamsuddeen Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah who will give us a brain
storming admonition.
He says (rahimahu Allah) in Zaad al Ma`aad fi
hadyi khairi al `ibaab :
"Since the hearts' rectitude and firmness upon
the path towards Allah the Most High, rests upon directing it solely upon Allaah
and causing it to turn and give all its attention to Allaah the Most High. Since
the disorder of the heart cannot be rectified except by turning to Allaah the
Most High, and its disorder will be increased by eating and drinking too much,
mixing with the people excessively, speaking profusely and sleeping too much.
These will cause it to wander into every valley, and cut it off from its path to
Allah, weaken it, divert it or put a halt to it.
>From the Mercy of the Mighty and Most
Merciful is that He has prescribed for them fasting , which will cut off the
excesses of eating and drinking, and empties the hear of its desires which
divert it on its journey to Allah the Most High. He prescribed it in due
proportion as will be appropriate and will benefit the servant, with regard to
this world and the Hereafter, and does not harm him, nor damage what is
beneficial for him.
He also prescribed i`tikaf for them, by which
is intended that the heart is fully occupied with Allah, the Most High,
concentrated upon Him alone, and cut off from preoccupation with the creation.
Rather it is engrossed with Him alone, the One free of all defects, such that
remembering Him, loving Him and turning to Him takes the place of all anxieties
of the heart and its suggestions, such that he is able to overcome them. Thus
all his concerns are for Him. His thoughts are all of remembrance of Him, and
thinking of how to attain His Pleasure and what will cause nearness to Him. This
leads him to feel contented with Allah instead of the people, so that prepares
him for being at peace with Him alone on the day of loneliness in the grave,
when there is no one else to give comfort, nor anyone to grant solace except
Him. So this is the greater goal of I'tikaf"
The book Zaad al Ma`aad as well as all other
books of Ibn al-Qayyim are just peaces of art that every Muslim should read.
Al-hamdu liLLAH there is a great effort among the followers and revivers of the
methodology of the Salaf in translating these books into English. Some of them
or part of them are already available. You may want to contact the bookstore of
al-Qur'an was-Sunnah Society of North America [USA] or al-Hidaya Publishing in
UK.
I`tikaf is the seclusion and staying in the
mosque with the intention of becoming closer to Allah. This was the practise of
the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, during the last ten days of Ramadan
especially. He would do it during other months as well.
'Aisha reported that the Messenger of Allah,
salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, used to practice I`tikaf in the last ten nights
of Ramadan and used to say, "Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights
of the month of Ramadan" [Bukhari]
Abu Hurairah, radiyallahu 'anhu said: "Allah's
Messenger, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, used to perform i`tikaf for ten days
every Ramadan, then when it was the year in which he was taken (died), he
performed I`tikaf for twenty days. [Bukhari]
'Aisha reported that the Prophet,salla Allahu
alaihi wa sallam, used to practice I`tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till
he died and then his wives used to practice I`tikaf after him. [Bukhari]
`Aishah radhiya Allahu `anha also reported
that the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, "Used to perform i'tikaf in the
last ten days of Ramadan until Allah the Mighty and Majestic, took him. [Bukhari
and Muslim]
Al-Bukhari records from Abu Said that the
Prophet (S) said: "Whoever makes I`tikaf with me is to make I'tikaf during the
last ten [nights]."
This Sunnah of the Prophet, salla Allahu
alaihi wa sallam, has been abandoned by many Muslims and it is worth reviving it
in this era.
Sayyid Sabiq says in Fiqhus-Sunnah :
The sunnah or preferred i`tikaf has no
specific time limit. It can be fulfilled by staying in the mosque with the
intention of making i`tikaf for a long or short time. The reward will be
according to how long one stays in the mosque. If one leaves the mosque and then
returns, he should renew his intention to perform itikaf.
Ya'la ibn Umayyah said: "I secluded myself in
the mosque for some time for I`tikaf." 'Ata told him: "That is I`tikaf, as long
as you secluded yourself there."
One who is performing Sunnah (like in Ramadan)
i'tikaf (i.e. not the obligatory one that is made after a vow) may end his
i`tikaf at any time, even if it is before the period he intended to stay.
'Aishah related that if the Prophet intended
to make itikaf, he would pray the morning prayer and begin it. One time he
wanted to make i`tikaf during the last ten nights of Ramadan, and he ordered his
tent to be set up. Aishah reported: "When I saw that, I ordered my tent to be
set up, and some of the Prophet's wives followed suit. When he [the Prophet]
prayed the morning prayer, he saw all of the tents, and said: "What is this?"
They said: "We are seeking obedience [to Allah and His Messenger]." Then he
ordered his tent and those of his wives to be taken down, and he delayed his
i`tikaf to the first ten days [of Shawwal]."[Bukhari]
The fact that the Messenger of Allah ordered
[his and] his wives' tents to be struck down and [he himself left and] asked
them to leave the i`tikaf after they have made the intention for it shows that
they discarded the i`tikaf after they had begun it. ([] in this small paragraph
are some additional comments to clarify things).
It is preferred for the one who is making
I`tikaf to perform many supererogatory acts of worship and to occupy himself
with prayers, reciting the Qur'an, glorifying and praising Allah, extolling His
oneness and His greatness, asking His forgiveness, sending salutations on the
Prophet, upon whom be peace, and supplicating Allah - that is, all actions that
bring one closer to Allah. Included among these actions is studying and reading
books of tafsir and hadith, books on the lives of the Prophets, upon whom be
peace, books of fiqh, and so on. It is also preferred to set up a small tent in
the courtyard of the mosque as the Prophet did.
Permissible Acts for the Mu`takif (the person
performing I`tikaf)
The following acts are permissible for one who
is making I'tikaf
(1) The Person may leave his place of I`tikaf
to bid farewell to his wife and a Woman can visit her husband who is in I`tikaf}
Safiyyah, radhiya Allahu `anha said : The
prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, was making i`tikaf [in the last ten
nights of Ramadan], so I came to visit him at night [and his wives were with him
and then departed]. I talked with him for a while, then I stood up to leave, [so
he said:"Do not hurry for I will accompany you",. He stood along with me to
accompany me back -and her dwelling was in the house of Usaamah Ibn Zayd [until
when he came to the door of the mosque near the door of Umm Salamah], two men of
the Ansaar were passing by, when they saw the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa
sallam, they hastened by, so the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, said :
"Be at your ease for she is Safiyyah bintu Huyayy." So they said:" 'SubhanAllah,
O Messenger of Allah! [we did not have any doubt about you].' He said: "Indeed
Shaytan circulates in the son of Adam just as blood circulates, and I feared
that he would insert an evil thought" -or he said : "something - into your
hearts" [Bukhari and Muslim, in [] are additional narrations from Abu Dawud]
(2) Combing and cutting one's hair, clipping
one's nails, cleaning one's body, wearing nice clothes or wearing perfume are
all permissible. 'Aishah reported: "The Prophet was Performing itikaf and he
would put his head out through the opening to my room and I would clean [or comb
in one narration] his hair. I was menstruating at the time." [al-Bukhari,
Muslim, and Abu Dawud].
(3) The person may go out for some need that
he must perform. 'Aishah reported: "When the Prophet Performed I`tikaf, he
brought his head close to me so I could comb his hair, and he would not enter
the house except to fulfill the needs a person has." [al-Bukhari, and Muslim].
Ibn al-Mundhir says: "The scholars agree that
the one who performs itikaf may leave the mosque in order to answer the call of
nature, for this is something that he personally must perform, and he cannot do
it in the mosque. Also, if he needs to eat or drink and there is no one to bring
him his food, he may leave to get it. If one needs to vomit, he may leave the
mosque to do so. For anything that he must do but cannot do in the mosque, he
can leave it, and such acts will not void his itikaf, even if they take a long
time. Examples of these types of acts would include washing one's self from
sexual defilement and cleaning his body or clothes from impurities."
(4) The person may eat, drink, and sleep in
the mosque, and he should also keep it clean.
Actions that Nullify the I`tikaf
If a person performs one of the following
acts, his I`tikaf will be nullified:
(1) Intentionally leaving the mosque without
any need to do so, even if it is for just a short time. In such a case, one
would not be staying in the mosque, which is one of the principles of I`tikaf.
(2) Abandoning belief in Islam, as this would
nullify all acts of worship. If you ascribe a partner to Allah, your work will
fail and you will be among the losers.
(3) Losing one's reason due to insanity or
drunkenness, or the onset of menstruation or post-childbirth bleeding, all of
which disqualifies a person for itikaf.
(4) Sexual intercourse. Allah says [in
meaning]: "But do not associate with your wives while you are in seclusion
(I`tikaf) in the mosques. Those are Limits (set by) Allah. Approach not nigh
thereto. Thus does Allah make clear His Signs to men: that they may learn
self-restraint. [al-Baqara; 2:187]
I`tikaf is not restricted to men only, women
also can do it :
'Aisha (the wife of the Prophet) reported that
the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, used to practice I`tikaf in the last
ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice I`tikaf
after him.[Bukhari]
Dear Sister! when reading this do not forget
the modesty and the Hijab of the wife of the Prophet (S) that you should observe
if you intend to perform I`tikaf.
3-Seeking Laylatul-Qadr (the Night of
Decree)
It is the greatest night of the year like the Day of `Arafah is the
greatest day of the year. It is a night about which Allah reveled a full Surah,
Suratul-Qadr [97:1-5] and the 3rd to the 6th verses of Surat ad-Dukhan [44:3-6]
It is the night when the Qur'an was reveled.
It is the night when the Message (the Final
and seal of all messages) sent to Mohammad, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam,
started
It is the night when the light, that would
illuminate mankind to the end of life, started
It is the night when every matter of
ordainment is decreed
Allah says in what can be translated as :
"Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'aan) down
in the Night of Decree (Lailatul-Qadr). And what will make you know what the
Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.
Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (ie. Jibreel [Gabriel]) by Allaah's
Permission with all Decrees, Peace! until the appearance of dawn." [97:1-5]
and in Surat ad-Dukhan :
"We sent it (this Qur'aan) down on a blessed
Night. Verily, We are ever warning (mankind of Our Torment). Therein (that
Night) is decreed every matter of ordainment. Amran (i.e. a command or this
Qur'aan or His Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the
Messenger). (As) a Mercy from your Lord. Verily! He is the All-Hearer, the
All-Knower. [44:3-6]
A person who misses Laylatul-Qadr is really a
deprived person!
Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet, salla
Allahu alaihi wa sallam, said " The blessed month has come to you. Allah has
made fasting during it obligatory upon you. During it the gates to Paradise are
opened and the gates of Hellfire are locked, and the devils are chained. There
is a night [during this month] which is better than a thousand months. Whoever
is deprived of its good is really deprived [of something great]. [Ahmad,
an-Nisa'i and al-Bayhaqi]
One who misses this blessed night then he has
missed much good for no one misses it except one from whom it is withheld.
Therefore it is recommended that the Muslim who is eager to be obedient to
Allaah should stand in Prayer during this night out of Eemaan and hoping for the
great reward, since if he does this, Allaah will forgive his previous sins (1).
What happens to the person who witnesses
Laylatul-Qadr? and what should one do?
Abu Hurairah Radhiya Allahu `anhu reported
that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, said : "Whoever
stands (in prayer) in Lailatul-Qadr out of Eemaan (faith and sincerity) and
seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven". [Bukhari]
It is recommended to supplicate a lot during
this night, it is reported from our mother 'Aishah radhiya Allahu `anha, that
she said: "O Messenger of Allah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was,
then what should I say in it?" He said.- "Say.- (Allahumma innaka 'affuwwun
tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee.)
"O Allaah You are The One Who pardons greatly,
and loves to pardon, so pardon me.". [at-Tirmithi and Ibn Majah with a Sahih
Isnad]
When is Laylatul-Qadr ?
It is preferred to seek this night during the
last ten odd nights of Ramadan, as the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam,,
strove his best in seeking it during that time. We have already mentioned that
the Prophet would stay up during the last ten nights, would wake his wives, and
then would remain apart from them to worship.
Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet,salla
Allahu alaihi wa sallam, said, "Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten
nights of Ramadan ,' on the night when nine or seven or five nights remain out
of the last ten nights of Ramadan (i.e. 21, 23, 25, respectively)." [Bukhari]
`Aishah radhiya Allahu `anha said: "Allah's
Messenger used to practice I`itikaf in the last ten nights and say: 'Seek out
Lailatul-Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten of Ramadan." [Bukhari and
Muslim]
However if the servant is too weak or unable,
then he should at least not let the last seven pass him by, due to what is
reported from Ibn 'Umar, who said: Allah's Messenger said: "Seek it in the last
ten, and if one of you is too weak or unable then let him not allow that to make
him miss the final seven.' [Bukhari and Muslim]
This explains his saying: "I see that your
dreams are in agreement (that it is in the last seven) so he who wishes to seek
it out then let him seek it in the last seven.' [Bukhari and Muslim]
It is known from the Sunnah, that knowledge of
the exact night upon which Lailatul-Qadr falls was taken up because the people
argued, 'Ubaadah ibn as- Saamit, radiyalloahu 'anhu, said: The Prophet came out
intending to tell us about Lailatul-Qadr, however two men were arguing and he
said: "I come out to inform you about Lailatul-Qadr but so and so, and, so and
so were arguing, so it was raised up, and perhaps that is better for you, so
seek it on the (twenty) ninth and the (twenty) seventh and the (twenty)
fifth.'[Bukhari]
Some of the ahadeeth indicate that
Lailatul-Qadr is in the last ten nights, while others indicate that it is in the
odd nights of the last ten, so the first are general and the second more
particular, and the particular has to be given priority over the general. Other
ahadeeth state that it is in the last seven - and these are restricted by
mention of one who is too weak or unable. So there is no confusion, all the
ahadeeth agree and are not contradictory.
In conclusion: The Muslim should seek out
Lailatui-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten: the night of the twenty-first,
the twenty-third, the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh and the twenty-ninth. If
he is too weak or unable to seek it out in all the odd nights, then let him seek
it out in the odd nights of the of seven: the night of the twenty-fifth, the
twenty-seventh and the twenty-ninth And Allah knows best. (1)
What are the signs of laylatul-Qadr?
Allaah's Messenger , salla Allahu alaihi wa
sallam, 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, salla
Allahu alaihi wa sallam, said: "On the morning following Lailatui-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]
Abu Hurairah, radhiya Allahu 'anhu, said : "We
were discussing Lailatul-Qadr in the presence of Allah's Messenger so he said :
'Which of you remembers [the night] when the moon arose and was like half a
plate?... [Muslim]
Ibn 'Abbaas, radhiya Allahu 'anhuma, said:
Allaah's Messenger, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, 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]
We pray to Allah All Mighty Most Merciful to
bless us this Ramadan by witnessing Laylatul-Qadr
Allahumma salli wasallim alaa Nabiyyina
Muhammad. Wasalaam.
Modou Mbye