the state of the pious in ramadhan

The State of the Pious in Ramadhan

Source: “Haal al salaf fii Ramadan”, published by Daar Ibn Khuzaimah

The State of Pious in Ramadhan

Allaah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aala) specified that the month of Ramadhan has many attributes and virtues over the other months, such as


The devils are chained. The gates of Hell are closed, and the gates of the

Heaven are opened. The angels ask forgiveness for those who observe fast

till they break their fast. It contains the night of decree, which is better than a

thousand months (i.e worshipping Allaah in this night is better than worshipping Him in a thousand months, i.e 83 years and 4 months), whoever is deprived from the good of this night; he has been deprived from all good. [Nisaa'i and al-Baihaqi]


The smell coming out from the mouth of a person observing Saum (fast) is more pleasant to Allaah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aala)

Than the smell of musk [Muslim] Forgiveness of sins is amplified Allaah emancipates people from Hell-Fire

every day and night of Ramadhan. [Al-Bazzar and Ahmed]


Prophet (r) said: “Fasting Ramadhan followed by another Ramadhan will make amends for minor sins provided no major sins are committed in between.” [Muslim]


How should we receive a month that has such magnificence and virtue?

The righteous slave will receive it by sincerely repenting,

resolving to take advantage of it, and increasing in practicing good righteous deeds

during it, and asking Allaah’s help and support for

worshipping him in the way that pleases Him.


What Are the good deeds that are assured (affirmed) in Ramadhan?


1- Saum (fasting) The Prophet (r) said: “A man’s good acts are recompensed

many times, from ten times to seven hundred times. Allaah, the Exalted, says: ‘Except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it. He (the fasting person) has left his food, drink and desire for My Sake.’ There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of Iftar (breaking his fast) and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his Saum (fasting). His breath is more pleasant in the sight of Allaah than the fragrance of musk.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]


Also the Prophet (r) said: “whoever observes Saum ((fast) during the month of Ramadhan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allaah’s Rewards, will have all his past sins forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari]


The Prophet (r) said: “Whoever does not give up lying speech (false statement) and acting on these lies and evil actions etc., Allaah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink. [i.e Allaah will not accept his Saum (fasting)].” [Al-Bukhaari]

Note: this great reward is not for the one who abstains from eating and drinking only


The Prophet (r) said: “Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter from the Hell-fire), so the person observing Saum should avoid sexual relations with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should say to him twice, ‘I am observing Saum (fasting).’” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]


CAVEATIf you observe fast, let your hearing, eye

sight, tongue and all your limbs observe fast as well, and don’t make your fasting day and the day of your breaking fast the same!!!


2- Al-Qiyam [Offering late night prayer or Tarawih]

The Prophet (r) said: “whoever establishes (nawafil, voluntary) prayers during the night of Ramadhan, faithfully, out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allaah’s Rewards, all his past sins will be forgiven.” [Al-Bukhaari]


Allaah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aala) praised His slaves in Surat al-Furqan (25:63-64):

“And the slaves of the most Beneficient (Allaah) are those who walk on the earth in

humility and sedateness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words)

they reply back with mild words of gentleness. And those who spend the night before their Lord, prostrate and standing.”


Offering night prayer (al-Qiyam) was the behavior of Prophet Muhammad (r) and His companions.


Narrated Aisha (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) : “Don’t give up offering the night prayer (Qiyam-ul-layl). Allaah’s Messenger (r) used not to give up offering it, and if he became sick or tired, he would offer it while sitting.” [Abu Dawood, Ibn Khuzaimah in his Sahih, and

authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih at-Targhib wat-Tarhib no. 632]


Umar bin al-Khattab (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) used to offer the late night prayer till the midnight; then he used to awaken his family to offer the prayer, and he would tell them, “the prayer, the prayer,” and recite:


“And enjoin prayer on your family, and be patient in offering (i.e. the prayers). We ask not of a provision (i.e. to give Us

something, money, etc); We provide it for you. And the good end (i.e. Paradise) is

for the Mutaqqin (i.e. the pious and righteous persons who fear Allaah much

and love Allaah much].” (Taha 20:132) [Imam Malik in his Muwatta']


Ibn Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) used to recite the following verse from Surat az-Zumar:

“Is one who is obedient to Allaah, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)?” (39:9)


He (ibn Umar) said that is Uthman bin Affan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). Ibn Abi Hatim said: “Ibn Umar said that the person who is meant in this verse, is Uthman bin Affan, because he used to offer the night prayer and recite the Qur’an profusely, such that he might recite the whole Qura’an in one Rak’ah”


Narated Alqamah bin Qais: “I spent one night with Abdullah bin Masud (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) (in his house). He (Ibn Masud) woke up in the early portion of the night and offered the late night prayer. He used to recite the same recitation of an Imam (slowly with the Telawah) till a little before dusk (before dawn), then offered the Witr parayer.”


Narrated as-Saa’ib bin Zaid: “The Imam used to recite hundreds of verses in the late night prayer, such that we were supporting ourselves with sticks, out of long standing (in prayer), and they used to leave at dawn.”


Note:- It is incumbent on the Muslim who is offering the tarawih in congregation, to complete it with the Imam, in order to be counted it for him as a Qiyam Laylah (i.e full night prayer).


The Prophet (r) said: “Whoever offers the late night prayer with the imam till he leaves, it is written for him Qiyam-Laylah, I.e he will get the reward of establishing the whole night with prayer.”

[Ahmed, Abu Dawoud, an-Nisaa'i, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]


3- Charity The Prophet (r) was the most generous person among

all the men, particularly during the month of Ramadhan. He (r) used to be extra ordinarily benevolent and generous when he met Gabriel. During the month, the Angel Gabriel(‘Alayhissalaam) used to visit him every night and recite the Noble Qur’an to him. During this period, the generosity of the Prophet (r) used to be very much increased, faster than the rain – bearing wind. [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]


This Hadith induces us to do two good things frequently and with full preparation in the month of Ramadhan.

First, benevolence and generosity so that people get maximum time for worship and reduce their mundane affairs during this month.

Second, recitation of the Qur’an and reading and hearing the Qur’an from one another, as is done by two Huffaz in this manner.


The Prophet (r) said: “The best charity is the one which is given in Ramadhan.” [At-Tirmidhi]


Narrated Zaid bin Aslam on the authority of his father,’I heard Umar bin al-Khattab (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) say: “The Prophet (r) ordered us to give Sadaqah. It happened to coincide with some wealth I had just acquired and I said to myself,’This is the day I will surpass Abu Bakr.’ And so I came to the Prophet (r) with half of my wealth and he (r) said to me: “What have you left for your family?” I said: “The same amount.” Then Abu Bakr came with all his wealth. The Prophet (r) said to him: “What have you left for them?” “I have left for them Allaah and His Messenger” I (Umar) said: “I will never surpass you in anything.” [At-Tirmidhee and Sunan Abu Dawood]


Reported Talha bin Yaya bin Talha that my grandmother Sa’dah bint Awf al-Mariyyah told me that one day Talha (her husband) entered upon her and was tired. She said: “What’s wrong with you, you look gloomy and stern? Is there anything I can help you with?” He said: “No you are the best wife for a Muslim believer.” She said: “Then what’s wrong with you?” He said: “My wealth has increased and this makes me worried and distressed.” She said: “Don’t worry! Divide it (i.e. among the poor and the needy)!” Then she said: He (Talha) divided it until even one dirham didn’t remain.”


The narrator said: “I asked the keeper of Talha’s wealth how much was the wealth of Talha?” He said: “400,000 Dirhams.”

The charity in Ramadhan has a special significance.

Just hasten towards offering it according to your capability.


It (your charity) could be manifested in different ways:

Feeding (giving food): Allaah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aala) said in Surat al- Insan (76:8-12): “And they give food, inspite of their love for it (or for the love

of Him), to the poor, the orphan and the captive. (Saying): ‘We feed you seeking Allaah’s Countenance only. We wish neither reward, nor thanks from you. Verily, we fear from our Lord a Day, hard and distressful, that will make the faces look horrible (from extreme dislikeness to it).’ So Allaah saved them from evil of that Day, and gave them “Nadratan” (a light of beauty) and joy. And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken garments, because they were patient.”


The righteous ancestors eagerly hastened to give food while they preferred it over many acts of worship;

either by giving food to a hungry person, or feeding a righteous brother.


Poverty is not a condition for giving food:

Allaah’s Messenger (r) said: “O people! Spread Salam (greetings), give food, behave kindly with your kin, and offer prayers when others are asleep. You will enter Paradise in peace.”

[Ahmed, at-Tirmidhi, authenticated by al-Albani]


Some of the Salaf (righteous predecessors) were saying: “To invite 10 of companions and give them food that they like, is more beloved to me than manumitting (freeing) 10 slaves from the descendants of Ishmael.”


Many Salaf used to give their Iftar though they were giving food to their (Muslim) brothers while fasting and many served meals to them like al-Hasan and Ibn al-Mubarak.


Abu as-Siwar al-Adwi said: “The men of Bani Adi tribe used to pray in the Masjid. Never one of them breaks his fast alone. If he finds someone to eat with him, he will eat, otherwise he takes his food to the Masjid and eats it with the people and the people eat with him (i.e. share his food with the people.)


Narrated Umm Umarah al-Ansariyah(Radia-Allaahu ‘anha), the Prophet (r) visited her whereupon she placed some food before

him. He (r) asked her to eat also. Thereupon she said: “I am fasting today.” On this he (r)

remarked, “When non-fasting persons eat before a fasting person, the angels call for

Allaah’s mercy upon him till they have finished,” or he said, “Till they have eaten to

their satisfaction.” [At-Tirmidhi]


This indicates the merits of the person who is observing Saum, but serving meals to others.

Giving food is an act of worship, from which many acts of worship evolve, such as:-


To show love and try to seek the friendship of your brothers/sisters whom you feed. This might be a cause to enter Paradise, because the Prophet (r) said: “You will not enter the Paradise till you believe, and you will not believe till you love each other.” [Muslim]


Giving food will result in gathering with righteous people, and getting the reward for helping others to worship Allaah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aala) better (through fasting, prayers, etc.) because you helped in strengthening their bodies by feeding them.

It is important to have the correct intention for doing righteous deeds.


Providing food for the breaking of the fast of the person observing fast:

The Prophet (r) said: “Whoever offers a meal for breaking the fast of another person, earns the same merit as the one who was observing the fast without diminishing in any way the recompense of the fasting person.” [Ahmed, an-Nassa’i and authenticated by al-Albani]


4- Reciting the Qur’an:

We are reminded here of two matters regarding the state of righteous predecessors:


1. Reciting the Qur’an profusely.Weeping when reciting the Qur’an or

listening to it as a form of submissiveness and showing humility and humbleness to Allaah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aala)


The month of Ramadhan is the month of the Qur’an.

Allaah revealed the Qur’an in Ramadhan, a guidance and the criterion (between right and

wrong) , and a healing for (disease of ignorance, doubt,

hypocrisy and differences etc.) the breasts, a guidance and a mercy for the believers [as

Allaah said in Surat al- Baqarah (2:185), Surat Yunus (10:57) and Surat al-Isra (17:82)]


The Qur’an was sent down in the night of al-Qadr (Decree), as Allaah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aala) said in Surat al-Qadr (97:1)

“Verily! We have sent it (this Qur’an) down in the Night of al-Qadr.”


The Muslim should recite the Qur’an frequently, the righteous predecessors were taking care of Allaah’s Book in this month.

Gabriel (‘Alayhissalaam) used to teach the Prophet (r) the Qur’an in the month of Ramadhan.

Uthman bin Affan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) used to finish reciting the Qur’an once every day, and the other salaf would finish reciting the Qur’an every three nights in their Qiyam (late night prayer), while some were finishing it even seven nights, and others every 10 nights.

They used to recite Qur’an in their prayer and at other times.


Imam ash—Shafii’ used to recite the whole Qur’an 60 times, in other than his prayers.

Al-Aswad used to recite the whole Qur’an every two nights of Ramadhan. Qatadah used to recite the whole Qur’an every 7 nights and in Ramadhan every three nights, and every night in last ten nights of Ramadhan.

When Ramadhan would begin, az-Zuhri used to run away from reading book of hadith and didn’t attend the gatherings of scholars, instead he used to engage himself in reciting the Qur’an from the Mushaf.

Sufiyan ath-Thawri used to leave all (the voluntary) acts of worship and engaged himself in reciting the Qur’an.


Note: It is disliked to finish reading the whole Qur’an in less than

3 days. Ibn Rajab said: “It is prohibited to recite the whole

Qur’an in less than three days continuously [through the whole year] but in blessed times and places such as Ramadhan or Makkah, for those who enter it from other than its people, it is preferable to recite the Qur’an profusely taking advantage of the blessing of the time and place.” This statement is also agreed upon by Ahmed, Ishaq and the other Imams.


1. Weeping when reciting the Qur’an: It was not from the behavior of the

righteous predecessors to recite the Qur’an without contemplating or understanding its verses.

But they used to be affected by Allaah’s Words, and they used to recite it in a way that the hearts were moved and touched.


Narrarted Abdullah bin Masud (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) that the Allaah’s Messenger (r) said to me: “Recite (the Qur’an) for me.” I said: “Shall I recite it to you, although it had been revealed to you?” He said,”I like to hear (the Qur’an) from you.” So I recited Surat an-Nisa till I reached verse (41):


“How (will it be) then, when we bring from each nation a witness, and we bring you (O Muhammad (r) as witness against these people?”

Then he (r) said, “stop!” And behold, his eyes were overflowing with tears.” [Al-Bukhari]


Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “When verses (53:59-60) of Surat an Najm were revealed,

‘Do you then wonder at this recital (the Qur’aan)? And you laugh at it and weep not,’


The people of Saffa wept till their tears overflowed on their cheeks. When the Prophet (r) heard them weeping, he wept with them, and so did all the other companions. The Prophet (r) said: “The person who shed tears on account of fear of Allaah, will not go to Hell till the milk returns into the breasts (that is it is impossible).” [At-Tirmidhi and al-Baihaqi]


Once Ibn Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) recited Surat al-Mutaffin ((chapter 83) till he reached the verse (6), which says:

“A day when (all) mankind will stand before the Lord of the Alamin (Mankind, Jinns, and all that exists)?”

He then wept till he fell down and couldn’t continue reciting.


5- Sitting in the Masjid (after the fajr prayer) till the sun rises

The Prophet (r) used to sit in his praying place till the sun rose. [Muslim]


Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (r) said: “Whoever offers Fajr prayer in congregation, then sits remembering Allaah till the sun rises, and then offers two Rak’ah Nafl (voluntary) prayer; he will get a reward equal to that of performing a Hajj and Umrah complete, complete, complete.” [At-Tirmidhi and authenticated by al-Albani]


This is in all days, then what about during Ramadhan?

Seek the great reward by following the way of the Prophet (r) and make take the righteous ancestors as an example, and strive in Allaah’s Cause to attain the highest grade in Paradise.


6- Al-Itekaf (to confine oneself in a Masjid for prayers and invocations leaving the worldy diversions for a

limited number of days)Narrated Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu

‘anhu): The Prophet (r) used to perform Itekaf every year in the month of Ramadhan for ten days, and when it was the year of his death , he stayed in Itekaf for twenty days.” [Al-Bukaari]


Al-Itekaf is one of the acts of worship which includes many acts of worship such as reciting the Qur’an, prayer, remembrance of Allaah, Du’aa, Supplication, etc.


7- Offering Umrah in RamadhanIt is confirmed that the Prophet (r) said:

“Umrah performed during the month of Ramadhan is equivalent to a pilgrimage (Hajj) or equals the pilgrimage performed in my company.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]


8- Searching for the Night of Decree (laylatul-Qadr)

Allaah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aala) said in Surat al –Qadr (97:1-5)

The Prophet (r) said: “He who establishes (prayer during) the night of al-Qadr in Ramadhan with faith and seeking his reward from Allaah will has his past sins forgiven.” [Agreed upon]


With the start of the last ten days of Ramadhan, the Prophet (r) used to occupy himself with the worship of Allaah and confine himself (Ithikaf), and he used to leave his bed and his wives.

He (r) used to search for the night of al-Itekaf, and he used to leave his bed and his wives.


He (r) used to search for the night of al-Qadr and order his companions to do that. He (r) also used to keep his family awake for the Salat (prayer) (in order to get the blessing of Laylatul-qadar).

He (r) used to pray harder and earnestly in the last ten nights of Ramadhan than he did in other nights of this month. [Muslim]


9- Invoking and remembering Allaah a lot and invoking Him, especially at the

times of response, which are:-

a- At the breaking of fast.


b- In the last third of the night, in which Allaah, the Exalted, descends and says: “(Is there anyone) who invokes Me, (demands anything from Me) so that I may respond to his invocation? (Is there anyone) who asks Me for something so that I may grant him his request? (Is there anyone) who seeks My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?” [Al-Bukhaari]


IMPORTANT WARNING!!!Amusement in RamadhanBe careful about spending your time in

Ramadhan in other than worshipping Allaah, and don’t be one of those who Allaah said in Surah -at Ta-ha (20:124-127):


“But whosever turns away from My Remainder, verily for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection. He will say: ‘ O my Lord! Why have you raised

me up blind, while I had sight(before).’ (Allaah) will say: ‘Like this, Our Ayat came unto

you, but you disregarded them (i.e. you left them, and you turned away from them), and so this Day, you will be neglected (in the Hell-Fire,

away from Allaah’s Mercy).’


And thus do We requite him who transgresses beyond bounds [i.e.

commits the great sins and disobeys his Lord (Allaah) and believes not in His revealed Books, like this Qur'an, etc.]

and believes not in the Ayat of his Lord, and the torment of the Hereafter is far

more severe and more lasting.”


If you were one of those who used to commit a sin and couldn’t leave (abstain

from) it, then seek help from Allaah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aala), return to Allaah with sincere repentance and ask Him for

forgiveness


The Prophet (r) said: “There is none but has a sin which he used to commit from time to time, or a permanent sin which he commits (never leaves it) till he leaves this life (i.e. till he dies). The believer has been created forgetful, often turn to Allaah with repentance. If he is reminded, he remembers.” [At-Tabarani, and authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih al-Jamie no. 5735 and in al-Silsilah no. 2277]


Narrated Hudhaifa (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), the Prophet (r) said: “Whoever said ‘La ilaha illa Allaah‘ and it was the last thing said in his life, he will enter Paradise, and whoever fasted one day for Allaah’s sake and ended his life with it, will enter Paradise, and whomever gave charity for Allaah’s sake and ended his life with it, entered Paradise.” [Ahmed and authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih at-Targhib wat-tarhib no.985]

the state of the pious in ramadhan

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