Tips for the Last Ten Nights of Ramadan

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

1. Do not let your 'performance' until now affect your last 10 days. The moment of forgiveness could be today or anytime in the coming days! It is not all lost! If you sincerely wish it could have been better - chin up and get ready to make it your best yet! Start with a positive, sincere intention!

2. Today, take a little time to read the Tafseer (commentary) of Surah al-Qadr to understand what actually happens this night! You will feel its power and greatness so much more!

3. Do not wait for the 27th Night to give it your "all". The entire last 10 days should be your target. Stay up each night! Would you want to miss Laylatul Qadr even "by chance?"

4. Do not fall into any innovations/celebrations any masjid or culture might try to promote. Follow the Sunnah! The Prophet (saw) guided us simply: "Whoever stays up and prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

5. Memorize and keep asking the dua' taught by the Prophet (saw): Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni (O Allaah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).

6. Prepare a short dua' list. Remember this is as awesome as it ever gets for a servant of Allah! The Night of Qadr, of Destiny! Consciously pick each and everything you crucially wish for in this dunya, in your deen, family, and in your aakhirah! Don't forget to include the brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering and in grief!

7. Take brief naps during the day, if possible. Keep your stomach light and sleep as soon as you have prayed 'isha. Do not delay! After a brief nap, refresh yourself and get ready for worship.

8. Don't neglect your family! The Prophet (saw) made it a point to wake up his wives throughout these nights! And yes, your children are not too young to stay up some part of the night - if they can be allowed to play video games or watch TV, they can be inspired to be up at least for some time! Prepare them, make them excited, plan some activities for them to do! 

9. Look the Part: The way we dress and prepare has a big effect on our psychology. Wear your best, perfume yourself, and feel the energy!

10. Choose a spot, whether in the Masjid or in your home, where you can have peace and solitude. Keep your Quran, praying mat, and water at hand so that you are not distracted by constantly getting up for this or that.

11. This is not the night to tweet pics or update your Facebook status about how amazing the night is and how you are feeling and worshipping Allah! Let that be a secret between you and your Lord! So switch off those phones, wifi, laptops and computers. Disconnect with the world, and connect with al-'Afuww!

12. If you find yourself feeling sleepy, vary your acts of worship. Alternate between qiyaam, heartfelt dua'a, reading the Qur'an. Do not spend the night listening to lectures or recitations. Or do it only for a short while when you feel the sleep coming on!

13. Patience is the Key: The last 10 days might be tiring. You might still have work or school. This is the time to bear all that hardship, and have firm patience. Think how Allah has blessed you with this tremendous opportunity that might NEVER come again in your life again. If you knew for sure that this was your last Ramadan, if you knew certainly that Jannah was up for grabs, wouldn't you sprint for it no matter what it takes?

14. This is most important: Keep husn adh-dhann bi Allah (good expectations from Allah). When you ask, remember you are asking the Most Generous King. If you hope for the best, He will give you the best. Don't hold back. Trust in Him, pour out your heart in front of Him, and let no doubt, no barrier, no evil thoughts keep you away from ar-Rahman, ar-Raheem!

May Allah give us all the ability to make the most of these blessed nights - Ameen!

Wasalaam!

The Battle of Badr

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

The Prophet (saw) was in Madinah and he received the news that Abu Sufyan was returning to Makkah from Syria with a trade caravan. The value of the caravan was 50,000 dinaars. When the Prophet (saw) found out that the caravan was returning, then he thought that we should attack them. This will weaken their strength. Also, because the Muslims had moved from Makkah to Madinah, they had no wealth with them. They thought that if we attack them, then we will receive their wealth as booty, which will be beneficial for us. When the Prophet (saw) discussed this with his Sahabah (ra), it was the month of Ramadan and they had never prepared for any battle before. This is why some Sahabah (ra) showed courage and bravery whilst some did not. The Prophet (saw) had not made jihad compulsory on all the Muslims at this time. Some people went out with their riding animals to attack this caravan. When the Prophet (saw) reached a certain place, he gave the order to Hazrat Qais (ra) to count the number of the army. He gave the news that the number of the army was 313. Hearing this, the Prophet (saw) was extremely happy. The Sahabah (ra) had 70 camels with them, meaning that for every 3 men there was 1 camel to use. They used to take turns riding it. The Prophet (saw) shared his camel with 2 men: Hazrat Abu Lubabah (ra) and Hazrat Ali (ra). The army also had 2 horses.

Whilst the Prophet (saw) was making all these preparations, somebody told the leader of the disbelievers, Abu Sufyan, that the Prophet (saw) was coming to fight with them. Abu Sufyan worked with wisdom and he gave a man called Dhamdham, 20 mithqaal to go to Makkah and give the Quraysh the news that the Prophet (saw) is coming. Dhamdham made the announcement according to the custom of those times. He cut off the nose and ears of his camel and he tore his clothes from the front and back. This was the way to make the people scared. When he entered Makkah in this state, then all the people realised that there was danger somewhere. They all started to prepare for battle. More than a thousand people came out. They had 200 horses, 600 suits of armour and singing girls with them. They went out to Badr and there were so many of them that they had to stop at each place to eat and they slaughtered 10 camels at each place.

On the other side, the Prophet (saw) was thinking that they would only be attacking a trade caravan, and so they had only prepared for this much. According to the Christian calendar, it was 11 March 624. The Prophet (saw) and his companions went out towards Badr and the Prophet (saw) sent two men ahead to bring news of Abu Sufyans’ caravan. They came back and gave the news to the Prophet (saw) that an army of a thousand is coming.

At this time, the Prophet (saw) took advice from his Sahabah (ra) and Hazrat Abu Ayyub Ansari (ra) and other companions said, “O Prophet (saw) of Allah, we don’t have the strength to fight them.” Hearing this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) stood up straight away and said, “Whatever command you give, we will follow it.” Hearing this, Hazrat Umar (ra) and other Sahabah (ra) stood up. Hazrat Abu Miqdaad (ra) also stood up with them. They said, “O Prophet (saw) of Allah, we will not do with you what Hazrat Musa’s people did with him. They said to him that you and your Lord go and fight. We are not going to fight with you.” Hazrat Abu Miqdaad (ra) said, “We will fight with you”. Hearing this, the Prophet (saw) was extremely happy. At the same time, the Prophet (saw) saw that until now no one had stood up from amongst the Ansaar. But then Hazrat Saad ibn Muadh (ra) stood up and said, “O Prophet (saw) of Allah, we will also obey you.”

The Prophet (saw) then gave the glad tidings to the Muslims that Allah has told me that we will only face one group from the two – either Abu Sufyans caravan or the thousand strong army of youngsters from Makkah.

Then the Prophet (saw) said, “I swear by Allah, I can see the places where the disbelievers will be killed.” When the Prophet (saw) saw that they were about to face the army from Makkah, and they are a thousand strong and the Muslims are only 313, he raised his hands in dua.

It is well known that at the time of the Battle of Badr, Allah sent angels to help. The strength of the angels and be seen at the time when they had to overturn the nation of Prophet Loot (as), then Allah only sent Hazrat Jibraeel (as) to carry out the punishment, and he used only one of his wings to overturn the nation. At the Battle of Badr, if Allah wanted, He could have only sent one angel to help the Muslims but He sent a thousand angels. The reason why He sent so many angels was to make the Muslims happy.

The ayah in the hadith mentions a thousand angels when in Surah Aale Imran, three thousand are mentioned, and in some narrations, five thousand are mentioned. The outcome of all these narrations is that first Allah promised a thousand angels. Then He promised three thousand angels when the Muslims found out that other people are coming out to help the caravan. After this Allah said that if you people stay steadfast and you adopt taqwa, then your Lord will help you with five thousand angels. The hadith mentions that the angels in the Battle of Badr wearing white amamahs, and in the Battle of Hunanyn, the angels who came to help were wearing red amamahs.

When the disbelievers reached the place of Badr, they set up camp in such a place where there was water. The Prophet (saw) and his companions reached a place which was the lower part of the valley. Here, the earth was not soft but it was hard. The Sahabah (ra) were on foot so they experienced more pain. At this time, Shaytaan whispered to them that you people are praying Tahajjud salah and you are not resting, so how will you be able to fight? In this state, Allah gave the Muslims a special kind of sleep. (In jihad, when sleep overtakes the people then this is a sign of victory).

Hazrat Ali (ra) says, “On the night of Badr, every one of us was sleeping except the Prophet (saw). The Prophet (saw) was about to fall asleep but he stood up laughing and gave Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) the glad tidings that Hazrat Jibraeel (as) is stood by the hill. In one narration, it says that the Prophet (saw) showed Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) that this is where so and so disbeliever will be killed.

When all the Muslims were sleeping, Allah sent down rain which made the hard earth soft and they could walk with ease. But the disbelievers, who were on a higher ground, walking became muddier for them.

Eventually, the battle started between the Muslims and the disbelievers. At the beginning, there was a single combat between some Muslims and some disbelievers and then both armies got involved. It was here that Hazrat Ali (ra), Hazrat Hamza (ra) and Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra) attacked Utbah, Shaibah and Waleed.

It is also mentioned that Shaytaan was fighting in the form of a human but when he saw that the angels were also taking part in the battle, then he was the first one to run away.

There are many accounts which prove that the angels were present at the battle, for example, one of the Sahabah (ra) narrates, that when we moved forward to strike them, then we heard the sound of a whip which was proof that an angel was fighting on behalf of the Muslims.

In the end, the Muslims won, and what the Prophet (saw) had said that so and so will be killed here, this is what happened.

The Prophet (saw) had a discussion with the Sahabah (ra) about the prisoners of the disbelievers. Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) was of the opinion that fidya (compensation) should be taken from all of them. Hazrat Umar’s (ra) opinion was that they should all be killed and that each Muslim relative should kill his disbeliever relative. The Prophet (saw) chose Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) opinion but Allah preferred Hazrat Umar’s (ra) opinion. 

Wasalaam!

Quotes of the Week: July 19 - July 26

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

The Quran should do more than inform us; it should transform us.

Never forget Allah is always by your side. He loves you more than a mother loves her child so don't be shy to pour your heart out to Him and cry. 

No matter how difficult your struggles may be, no matter how sad your heart may feel, don't allow your grief to reach others and cause them distress.
Turn to Allah wholeheartedly and He will ease your pain. 
Be the one who makes others happy, the one who puts a smile on their faces. Allah may have mercy on you through this act of goodness. The joy you bring to others will bring joy to your own heart. 
Allah is the One who makes you laugh, and He is the one who makes you cry:



And that it is He who makes one laugh and weep.

(Surah An-Najm - Verse 43)

So, rely on Him and He will turn those frowns into smiles, inshallah.

Have a blessed week everyone!

Wasalaam!

The Gatherings that Remember Allah

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

 When you are in a gathering of remembrance, Allah speaks highly of you to his angels. Why is Allah talking about you? Why is Allah talking about us in front of the angels?

When Allah decided to create us, meaning humans, and specifically, Adam (as), the angels had a problem, and they said to Allah, “Why do you want to create these humans that will cause mischief and bloodshed in the world? Allah answered, “What I know, you do not know”.

Allah then created Adam (as), and all the other humans until now. Allah created us so that when we sit to remember Allah, when we sit to think about our position, when we sit and think about our lives, how close we have become to Allah, or the other way, how faraway are we from Allah? When we sit and do this, Allah uses this to prove the angels, who said that we would cause mischief and bloodshed on earth, and He says, here they are remembering Me!  The Prophet (saw) mentions, that one of the benefits of these kind of gatherings is that Allah talks highly about those people who are present in front of the angels. 

Wasalaam!

The Story of Prophet Yunus (as) and Ayat -e- Karimah

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Ayat -e- Karimah is in Surah Ambiyah, Verse 87.

 

There is no God except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrong doers.

To speak about the Ayat-e-Karimah, we have to tell the story of Prophet Yunus (as). He was also called Dhun-Noon. Why? Because it means the Companion of the Big Fish or of the Whale.

 Allah sent the Prophet Yunus (as) (Jonah) to people who lived near Iraq, to tell them about the oneness of Allah, and to warn them about the punishment of the previous people. But his people were not listening to him.

And so his patience with them started running out, and he decided to leave and go somewhere else in the hope that other people may accept his message. But Allah hadn't given him permission to leave. 

So, the Prophet Yunus (as) went so far that he reached the coast, and found a goods ship about to depart. He boarded it and it set off.

Whilst they were sailing in the sea, they were met by a large storm and the ship started to sink. The people decided to get rid of their goods to lighten the ship – so they threw everything out, and even then the ship was still sinking!

Then, they started to look at the people on the ship, and they said to be fair, we need to draw lots e.g. names in a hat. Whoever’s name comes out, must be thrown overboard to lighten the ship. The first name that came out was Prophet Yunus (as) but the people refused to throw him overboard because they knew he was a good and blessed man. They tried again, and his name came out again, and then they tried again and his name came again. So they told him that he had to jump out.

As he jumped out, Allah commanded a whale to swallow him. So a whale came and swallowed him whole. He was now unconscious in the belly of the whale. After a while, he gained consciousness.

Allah says in the Quran - Surah Ambiyah, Verse 87:

And [mention] the man of the fish, when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him. And he called out within the darknesses, "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers."

 Prophet Yunus (as) thought that he was going away for the right reason i.e. to call other people to Allah – but remember Allah hadn't told him to leave – he left by himself!

When he awoke, he realised where he was – in the stomach of the whale. He fell prostrate and did sajdah in the belly of the whale, in the darkness of the sea, in the darkness of the night, and he admitted that he was wrong to have left the people.

What dua did he make?

He made such a powerful dua that it is mentioned in the Quran, and we as Muslims are allowed to use this dua because Allah says about the dua “that is how we will save those who believe”.

So We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers.

(Surah Ambiya - Verse 88)

 Prophet Yunus (as) admitted he was wrong, and he humbled himself in front of Allah. This is a lesson for us today that whenever we commit a sin and we repent to Allah, we need to admit that we are wrong, and that we need Allah. We need to be humble in front of Him and realise that we are the slaves and He is our Master.

Allah says:

And had he not been of those who exalt Allah, 

He would have remained inside its belly until the Day they are resurrected.

(Surah As-Saffat - Verses 143 and 144)

This means that before this happened, Prophet Yunus (as) was always remembering and worshipping Allah, and that is why now that he called out to Allah, Allah helped him.

The lesson for us is that if you are close to Allah and remember and worship Him in times of happiness and ease, then He will be there for you in times of difficulty.

This is what happened to Prophet Yunus (as).

Allah says:

But We threw him onto the open shore while he was ill.

(Surah As-Saffat - Verse 145)

He was sick meaning that his skin had been affected by the inside of the whale, and he had no clothes.

And We caused to grow over him a gourd vine.

(Surah As-Saffat - Verse 146)

The plant grew, and so he covered himself with it and was cured through it.

And We sent him to [his people of] a hundred thousand or more.

And they believed, so We gave them enjoyment [of life] for a time.

(Surah As-Saffat - Verses 147 and 148)

Prophet Yunus (as) was then sent back to his people, and he was shocked when he went back. Whilst he had been away the punishment he had promised them started hovering above them as dark clouds, and they realised it was a punishment. So they all believed in Allah and in Prophet Yunus (as) This is one of the only prophets whose entire nation believed. Allah mentions the benefits of them believing – we diverted the punishment and we granted them joy for a little while.

So, the dua of the distressed is always heard and answered. Prophet Yunus (as) didn’t say cure me and get me out of here, he just said the Ayat -e- Karimah verse saying that he was wrong, and so Allah had mercy on him.

 The key is to admit your guilt. Allah knows what you want to say even though you can’t get the words out. He understands everything that you want even better than you do.

May Allah give us all the ability to act upon all the lessons that are learnt from the story of Prophet Yunus (as) - Ameen.

Wasalaam!

Tips for a Productive Ramadan

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Today is the 12^th fast, alhamdulillah, so we are near to half way. It’s quite common that after the initial enthusiasm of the beginning of Ramadan, our attention might be starting to slow down, and we may be feeling extra tired, not bothered and falling back into our regular routine. Here are a few tips to get you back on track, inshallah!

1.        As always, have a good intention. Here is given the example of person A and person B. Both want to have a good and productive Ramadan. Person A really sets his intentions – finish the Quran, pray all prayers on time, volunteer for charity, teach others about Islam, read Islamic books to build up my knowledge – so he has very concrete plans. Person B just says I want to have a good Ramadan. Who will have a more productive Ramadan? Person A will because he thought clearly and he planned what he was going to do.

The most important to do is to be sincere. Make sure your intentions are powerful – clear, think properly about what you want to do! Change and go over your intentions now even half way – its not too late to make a change!

2. Now, intentions alone are not enough – you need to take action! The way to do this is to do something called time blocking. All you do is make sure you block time out for anything you have to do, e.g. if you want to finish a Quran, then fix a certain time in the day for reading Quran. That will be like your appointment with the Quran. Do this with all other activities that you want to do – this will help you achieve your intentions. If something happens at the time of your appointment, then attend to that thing, and then carry on again the next day or later on in the day.

3.Many people when they look at Ramadan they look at it in a month view e.g. I want to pray a whole Quran in Ramadan etc. But we should look at things day by day – what will you do today? Don’t worry about tomorrow or the whole month.  In this way we will live in the moment. Focus on today so you can make the most of it. What happens if you don’t do this? Procrastination kicks in – you think oh it’s ok if I haven’t read Quran today; I’ve got the whole month to go – so take things day by day.

4. Do your Most Important Tasks early in the day. This is because this is the time when you have more energy. Figure out at least your 1-3 most important tasks (something you have to do), and get them out of the way early in the day, where possible. This is great to beat procrastination! Another benefit of doing things early in the day is because this time meaning the morning is a time of blessings for the Muslims as the Prophet (saw) made dua to Allah – “O Allah, bless my Ummah in the mornings”. He himself would carry out his most important tasks in the morning. So this is also a Sunnah of the Prophet (saw).

5.If you are productive in the early hours of the day, that will generate more energy later on in the day. And the same for the opposite – if you start off lazy, the whole day will end up being lazy! It’s like a chain reaction. E.g. if you read your daily portion of Quran, you’ll feel motivated to do other things as well.

6. We are creatures of habit, and we fall into a routine very quickly. Now, as it’s the 12^th day, we may already have a set Ramadan routine. So, think, what is our Ramadan routine? What do we do in the morning, afternoon and evening? It’s important that we review our routine and think is our morning routine the best it could be. Is there more we could be doing? Read Fajr and then sleep – is that the best I can do? Maybe I should pray Quran in that time, for example. But do not over whelm your routine, so that you can’t do anything or do too much in one go.

7. Next, how do we have a meaningful Ramadan? Have we become bored of Ramadan? The reason for this is that we are not using our time wisely and we are not striving towards anything. As humans, we have been created as slaves. We are the slaves of Allah, and a slave is supposed to work. Slaves are meant to serve their master. So, if we are sitting flicking through the channels and wasting away our Ramadan, then we will lose the meaning of Ramadan. We will become bored and tired of it. To have a meaningful Ramadan, we need to strive for it. Have our own routines and help others. Don’t let Ramadan pass you by just so that you can survive it – thinking if I do this it will kill some time. Instead have goals to focus on to make your Imaan stronger and to make you a better Muslim.

8.        Now, what happens when you don’t feel like it? How many of us wake up on a Ramadan morning and we don't feel like doing anything? Feeling tired, sleepless nights, struggling with getting everything done? What do we do? First thing to do is to slow down. Maybe there has been a lot going on and you’re trying to do too much. Slow down to regain your energy. Slowing down doesn’t mean missing out your obligations like missing your namaz or not praying Quran at all. It means that you reduce a bit – cut down on Quran or nafl prayers. This will help you be stronger. All you need is 2 or 3 days – sleeping a bit more and relaxing a bit more. This will help you especially for the last 10 nights. Most of us go through Ramadan and by the middle we start to struggle. If we don’t slow down, then by the last 10 nights we will be completely gone!

(Sourced from Productive Muslim)

May Allah give us all the ability to have a productive and blessed Ramadan - Ameen.

Wasalaam!

Quotes of the Week: July 12 - July 19

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

"O my heart! Do not become discouraged easily. Have faith. In the hidden world there are many wonders. Even if the whole planet threatens your life, do not let go of the Beloveds robe for even a breath".

(Rumi)

Rules for a Happy Life

1. Count your blessings, not your troubles

2. Live one day at a time

3. Be a giver not a taker

4. Seek good in everyone and everything

5. Pray 5 salah everyday

6. Do at least one good deed a day

7. Keep your priorities in line

8. Practice good habits

9. Fill your life with good

10. Fear nothing and no one except Allah

11. Let go and let Allah take over

"The twelve months of the year are like the twelve sons of Prophet Yaqub (as). And just as Prophet Yusuf (as) was the most beloved to Prophet Yaqub (as), the month of Ramadan is the most beloved to Allah. And, just as Allah forgave the eleven brothers by the dua of one - Prophet Yusuf (as). 

He can forgive your eleven months of sin by your dua in Ramadan.

(Ibn Jawzi ra)

Have a blessed week everyone - inshallah!

Wasalaam!

The Prayer of Umm Salamah (ra)

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Once while Umm Salamah was nursing her sick husband, Abu Salamah (ra), he said to her: "I heard the Prophet (saw) saying. Whenever a calamity afflicts anyone he should say, "Surely from Allah we are and to Him we shall certainly return." And he would pray, 'O Lord, give me in return something good from it which only You Exalted and Mighty, can give."

Abu Salamah (ra) remained sick in bed for several days. One morning the Prophet (saw) came to see him. The visit was longer than usual. While the Prophet (saw) was still at his bedside Abu Salamah (ra) passed away. With his blessed hands, the Prophet (saw) closed the eyes of his dead companion. He then raised his hands to the heavens and prayed:

"O Lord, grant forgiveness to Abu Salamah (ra). Elevate him among those who are near to You. Take charge of his family at all times. Forgive us and him, O Lord of the Worlds. Widen his grave and make it light for him."

Umm Salamah (ra) remembered the prayer her husband had quoted on his deathbed from the Prophet (saw) and began repeating it, "O Lord, with you I leave this my plight for consideration . . ." But she could not bring herself to continue . . . "O Lord give me something good from it", because she kept asking herself, "Who could be better than Abu Salamah (ra)?"

The Muslims were greatly saddened by the plight of Umm Salamah (ra). Both the Muhajirun and Ansar felt they had a duty to Umm Salamah (ra). When she had completed the Iddah (four months and ten days), Abu Bakr (ra) proposed marriage to her but she refused. Then Umar (ra) asked to marry her but she also declined the proposal.

The Prophet (saw) then approached her to ask for marriage, and she replied:

"O Messenger of Allah (saw), I have three characteristics. I am a woman who is extremely jealous and I am afraid that you will see in me something that will anger you and cause Allah to punish me. I am a woman who is already advanced in age and I am a woman who has a young family."

The Prophet (saw) replied: "Regarding the jealousy you mentioned, I pray to Allah the Almighty to let it go away from you. Regarding the question of age you have mentioned. I am afflicted with the same problem as you. Regarding the dependent family you have mentioned, your family is my family."

They were married and so it was that Allah answered the prayer of Umm Salamah (ra) and gave her better than Abu Salamah (ra). From that day became the mother of all believers, Umm al-Mumineen. This was the title given to the blessed wives of the Prophet (saw).

The dua`a’ (supplication) that the Prophet ﷺ (peace be upon him) had taught to the ummah (Muslim community) for times of difficulty: 

“If a servant of Allah is afflicted with a misfortune and says: ‘Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un, Allahumma ajirni fi musibati wa akhlif li khairan minha‘ (Verily we belong to Allah and truly to Him shall we return. O Allah! Protect me in this calamity that has befallen me and replace it with something better), Allah will accept his prayer, grant him reward for his affliction, and replace it with something better.

May Allah give us the ability to recite this prayer in times of difficulty - Ameen.

Wasalaam!

Tasbihaat To Recite

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

There are plenty of duas and tasbihaat for us to recite, that hold many virtues and rewards. They can be recited throughout the entire year; however what could be a better time to get into the routine than during the blessed month of Ramadan when the reward of all good deeds are increased immensely.

A few tasbihaat are mentioned below along with their rewards.

1. Recite abundantly the tasbihaat of:

Subhanallahi alhamdulillah la ilahi illah Allahu akbar la hawla wa la quwwata illah billah


It has been narrated in a hadith of Tirmidhi that saying Subhanallah 100 times in the morning and evening earns one the reward of 100 Hajj.

One who says Alhamdulillah in the morning and in the evening, it is as if he provided the Mujahideen (people going in Jihad) with horses or participates 100 times in Jihad.

One who says La ilaha illallah 100 times in the morning and evening, it is as if he frees 100 slaves belonging to the family of Hazrat Ismail (as).

While one who says Allahu akbar 100 times, nobody will be better than him on that day except one who says it the same number of times or more.

The above Arabic tasbih puts all the above together. Try and pray the above 100 times a day.

2. There is a more specific reward for reciting the Kalima:




La ilaha illallah

There is no God but Allah

Abu Darda (ra) narrates from the Prophet Muhammad (saw) that, "No person says La ilaha illallah 100 times without Allah raising him on the Day of Judgement with his face radiant like the full moon.
(Tabrani)

3. Sincere repentance (tawbah) should be done by either reciting:


Astaghfirullah

Or


Astaghfirullahal adheem aladhi la ila illah huwal hayyul qayyumu wa atoobu ilay

Set a daily target of how much Istighfaar to recite. 

Anas bin Malik (ra) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) was on his journey when he said, "Seek forgiveness". So, we asked for forgiveness. He said, "Complete it 70 times". So, we completed it. The Prophet (saw) then said, "No man and no woman seek forgiveness from Allah 70 times in a day without Allah forgiving him of 700 sins. A man or woman committing more than 700 sins in a day is certainly in loss".

4. Another tasbih to recite is:

 
Subhannallahi wa bihamdihi

Jabir (ra) narrates that the Prophet (saw) said, "He who says the above dua, a date palm is planted in Paradise for him".
(Tirmidhi)

5. Another tasbih to recite:



La hawla wa la quwwata illah billah

This tasbih is described as one of the treasures of Paradise in a Hadith of Bukhari.

Abu Hurayra (ra) narrates that the Prophet (saw) said, "He who says the above, it will be a cure for him from 99 ailments, the lowest of them being worry".
(Hakim)

To end, always try to keep the tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah - whilst standing, sitting and lying down. As we are told in the Ahadith, the only regret that the people of Paradise will have after entering Paradise is the time they spent in the world in which they do not remember Allah.

Remember, a true believer is he who speaks and deals with the people, he laughs and smiles with those around him yet his heart is always with Allah. His mind is never absent from the presence of Allah.

May we all reach such a stage - ameen.

Wasalaam!