Taimiyyah Zubair – Welcome Ramadan 2022
AI: Summary ©
The importance of Islam fasting, personal health, and achieving spiritual health is emphasized, along with the benefits of reducing health risks and achieving better sleep. The speakers stress the importance of learning the Prophet's teachings and reciting the Bible, avoiding disrespect and discomfort in public, and being aware of one's actions. They also emphasize the need to learn from one's actions and not hesitate to make decisions on one's own.
AI: Summary ©
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu
Helen was Alan marhaba Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah that we are able to sit in a masjid a house from the houses of Allah and we are here to recite and listen to the verses of Allah. And we are here to remember Allah. May Allah subhanaw taala count this gathering among those gatherings which are for his sake, a gathering, that the angels surround a gathering that the angels witness and a gathering that is such that Sakina tranquility descends on it. Allah subhanaw taala mercy descends on every single one of us. And Allah subhanaw taala mentions us before His angels, Amin ro bIllahi min ash shaytani R rajim Bismillah R Rahman r Rahim wa Salatu was Salam ala Rasulillah Hill
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the verses that we just listened to our verses from Surah Al Baqarah. And these verses very comprehensively explained to us, the not only the obligation of fasting, but also how fasting is of benefit to us, the importance of the month of Ramadan, our connection with the Quran, and what we can do when we're not able to fast. Also the importance of dua, calling upon Allah subhanho, wa Taala and the length of fasting, all of these details are mentioned in these verses. Now, I would like to go over these verses very briefly, so that these verses serve as a reminder for all of us, because as the month of Ramadan approaches, you know, we know we're supposed to fast, but of course,
there's that fear, you know, or, or some some level of hesitation, or we lack that motivation, right? Or we're apprehensive about, you know, how, how things will work out. And the thing is that the verses in the Quran they serve as not only,
you know, information as in of course, they inform us as to what we are supposed to do. But they're also a means of encouragement for us. It means of motivation for us and all of us are in need of that motivation. So that we
you know, purify our intentions, and we are more eager and happy to worship Allah subhanho wa taala. Now, when it comes to fasting, it is well known that this is one of the pillars of Islam fasting in the month of Ramadan. And this is something that Allah subhanaw taala has obligated on us. And Allah subhanaw taala tells us in the first iron over here that yeah, you Alladhina amanu or you have believed quotevalet como psyllium fasting has been obligated on you come out cootie Varela, Ladino min publikum, just as it was obligated on those before you and why has it been obligated on you? La La Quinta cone, in order that you may develop taqwa in order that you may become pious in order that
you may save yourselves. And if you think about it, Allah subhanaw taala has given us different types of commands, right when it comes to fasting fasting is directly related to our lifestyle, right meaning what we eat when we eat, when we don't eat. Likewise, when it comes to fasting, you know we are refraining from eating and drinking, right. Then there are other acts of worship in which we are required to do something like for example, Salah, you don't just sit and think about salah right? Salah is not just an intention, Salah is an action, it requires that you go make wudu it requires that you see how you're dressed, it requires that you face a certain direction and you
perform certain actions. And it's not just actions, right? It's also words that you have to say, when it comes to Hajj, you cannot just to hydrate home, can you you can't you have to go, you have to travel all the way. Right? And you and you can even do Hajj just in in your hotel room in the city of Mecca. No, you have to go to certain places and perform certain rituals on certain days at certain times. Right? When it comes to the cat. The cat is not about an action that you go and help people out. The cat is about giving your money, right? The cat cannot be done by smiling at people. Right? You cannot do that you cannot give the cat by giving people a good word of advice by giving
them a pat on the back. No you have to give from your money. Right? So Allah subhanaw taala has given us different types of commands, so that we worship Allah or zoologia through every aspect of our existence, every part of our being. We use our restraint for the sake of Allah subhanaw taala we eat when Allah subhanaw taala commands us to eat, right? We give from our wealth, so that our spending also becomes an act of worship, we travel, we go to different places so that even that becomes an act of worship. And why is that? So? Because Allah subhanaw taala created us for what purpose?
For what purpose to worship Him right wema hola que tal Jinnah will ins in Lallier Boone, I have not created jinn and men except so that they should worship Me. The purpose of our existence is to worship Allah or xojo. So the month of Ramadan is a month of worship, when we are refraining from eating and drinking, and we are eating and drinking at times that we are not usually, you know, accustomed to, this is all a way of showing servitude to Allah showing complete surrender to Allah subhanho wa taala. So in this ayah, Allah subhanaw taala addresses us and He says, Yeah, au Alladhina amanu all you who have believed, and you know what, this is the most honorable way that a
person can be addressed. You know, for example, there, you know, there may be some people in your lives who call you mom. Okay. And the and the title mom is, is nice, right? Maybe there's some people in your life who call you teacher Miss, right. And that is also an honorable title. But you know, the the greatest, the most honorable title description that you can have is that you are a believer.
Allah subhanaw taala says, Yeah, are you Hello, Dina Manu. And this is why when Allah says this in the Quran, we should pay attention, because we want to be of these people. Right? We want to be of those people whom Allah subhanaw taala is talking to Allah subhanaw taala is addressing.
So yeah, you are letting me know, what is Allah telling us? cootie Ba La como Siyam fasting has been obligated on you. And who is the one who was obligated fasting on us? It is Allah. And the reason why Allah subhanaw taala has obligated things on us is not to make our lives difficult. Okay, because when you when you think about fasting, and you think about not eating, not drinking, and you know, you get these questions everywhere, every year, not even water. Right?
Really from from before sunrise until sunset, like the entire day. You know, when you when you think about that some people may may pity you, right. And it's possible that people at work people at school, they might look at you and they might feel bad for you that, oh, you're fasting. But fasting is not to make our lives difficult. It is not to torture us, it is not to burden us. Nor is any command of Allah subhanaw taala for that reason,
you know, every command of Allah subhanaw taala is for our benefit.
And it is for our joy,
for our happiness, real happiness. Because you know, when you eat something nice, and even if it's a big serving, and even if it tastes perfect, you enjoy it, but tell me afterwards, how do you feel?
How do you feel? For example, you eat at a fancy restaurant, right? You finish your meal. And when you get your bill?
Do you ever wonder? I don't know if it was worth it? Yeah. Does that thought ever come to you? Maybe not at that time. But then at the end of the month, when you see your bill, your visa bill or whatever, your bank account your bank statement? Right? You wonder, I don't know if those $50 were necessary. There's that heaviness, right. And let's not talk about the heaviness that our body feels right after we eat something heavy, or even something delicious. Right? But when you fast all day, and you break your fast, how do you feel?
You feel a sense of accomplishment, right? You feel real joy?
And then when 100 Allah you complete the month of Ramadan like that. How do you feel then you feel even happier? Right? And this is why it's amazing that the you know, Muslims do more than what Allah subhanaw taala has obligated on them. If you think about it, the five daily prayers that are obligated on us, do we perform only the football club? No, we do not fit as well. Right? And not just a Sunnah prayers, the Hajaj with the you know, the Hayate will will do right?
And other prayers. Likewise, when it comes to fasting, the the voluntary fasts are way more than the obligatory fasts. Right obligatory faster
How many 29 or 30? Right? But when it comes to voluntary fasts, if you fast three months, sorry, three days, every month, 11 months, how many is that?
33. That's just the three days. Add to that the Mondays and Thursdays add to that the fast of the hedger and the fast of Moharram, and so on and so forth. So many facets, right. And so,
the the things that Allah subhanaw taala has obligated on us, they, they're not for our hardship, therefore, our happiness. And this is why the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would say to be learn about salah, that arena Viharaya villa, that OB Lal, bring us comfort, bring us joy, meaning go and make the other than, you know, give the karma so that we can pray so that we can relax. We can relax, when people go for Amara Amara is tiring physically. But how do they feel?
Very good. And you envy them? Right? You envy them that oh, they went there going, I wonder when I will get to go. Alright, and if you think about it, this is not a vacation, that you go and do sightseeing and you go and just eat in a nice food and you relax. No Ramadan is about constantly being on your feet. Right? Your sleep schedule completely upside down. So fasting is not to make our lives difficult. Allah subhanaw taala has ordained it on us for our benefit. And before the benefit is told Allah subhanaw taala says Kamakoti varla Ladino and Kubla Khan, just as it was prescribed on those before you, meaning people before you used to fast, because Allah subhanaw taala commanded
them. This is how necessary and how beneficial fasting is that people from the beginning have been fasting in servitude to Allah. So you're being the best Oma? Aren't you going too fast? Aren't you going too fast and reap those benefits? Because the best Omar has been given the best law? Right? The best Omar has been given the best commands. So this means that fasting is excellent for us. And what is the benefit of fasting, look into the code in order that you may adopt the core?
And what is the core? The core is that a person protect themselves that a person puts a shield between themselves and what is harmful? You know, and these days, we have all been experiencing shields, isn't it for the past.
Little, not little while, it's been a while, where we put a shield on our face, or between our hands and the surface. Right? Why? Because we want to save ourselves, right? And we know how important it is to protect ourselves. So,
like that, it is important that we save ourselves from danger in the hereafter. Right? And that danger is, is far more serious than any disease in this world.
It is far more scary. You know, if you think about it, when it comes to this when it comes to COVID I mean, some
you know a person may be sick and they and they recover within a week, two weeks, 15 days. But then there are you know, lingering effects, like for example, fatigue, which just does not seem to go away for months and months, or or lingering cough that does not seem to go away. And you wonder, when am I going to feel normal again. Right. Now think about it. The punishment of the Hereafter
that is far more painful,
far more serious. And very, very long.
May Allah subhanaw taala protect us. So Laura, look on the Qun
fasting has been prescribed so that we are protected we are saved, because when we fast, we are constantly in a state of worship. Fasting brings forgiveness of Allah subhanaw taala so that the sins that we have been committing for the past year, they get erased. Right Ramadan to Ramadan. We learned in Hadith, that, that it is an expiation for whatever sins were committed in between. So Allah compacta Cohn fasting is for our purification, our forgiveness, our safety, our protection, we need to fast for our benefit and learn Lakota Takane also means that you may develop the core that heightened sense of awareness
This so that you shield yourself from disobeying Allah,
you protect yourself you stop yourself from doing anything that Allah subhanaw taala does not like.
So, how does fasting develop the core in us?
How do you think so? Because when we're fasting, we are constantly staying away from food and drink, right? We're, we're ever so careful, ever so careful. So just like that. When we fast, we become more conscious of Allah subhanaw taala My Lord is watching me, right? Allah is watching me. And, you know, fasting is an act of worship that that is
that has any that mainly depends on an intention. Okay, it's it's a hidden act of worship. All right, when a person is praying salah, you can see that they're praying. Right? But when a person is fasting, how do you know they're fasting?
You don't know. Right? Other people don't know. The only person who knows they're fasting is the person themselves. Because it's possible that in front of others they don't eat, but when they're alone, they eat. Right? So who Who knows whether you're fasting or not, it is only Allah subhanaw taala. So it becomes your direct connection with Allah azza wa jal, right, it becomes a secret between you and Allah azza wa jal and so it brings you closer to Allah. It brings you more, it makes you more conscious of Allah azza wa jal, Lara luck, Quinta de Khun and Taqwa is something that we all need. Right? Because Taqwa is a means of obtaining guidance from the Quran. And Taqwa is is a
means of success for a believer in this life and the next. And when a person observes Taqwa of Allah, then Allah subhanaw taala brings them ease in this life, Allah subhanaw taala brings them out of difficulty. Allah subhanaw taala provides them sustenance. So we all are in need of Taqwa. So fasting has been prescribed on your law comb, that the cone in order that you may adopt the COA, and then Allah subhanaw taala tells us that it is a yam and margu that it is just a few numbered days. You know, when it is said that it's just numbered days, it means that it's just a few, not, not many. You know, for example, about use of Alayhis Salam, Allah subhanaw taala tells us in the Quran
that the people sold him for four dyrham for a for a few dyrham meaning for some money, that was martyred Buddha Dada Hema Mar Buddha,
you know, that all him that you could count, meaning very few, something that you can count on your fingers is something little, right? Not much a number. So a Yemen Mardu that a few number days, Allah subhanaw taala has obligated us to fast and that is in the month of Ramadan.
Right. And Allah subhanaw taala tells us from an CanAm income Maria don our Allah suffering for the two men a yummy Aha. But then if a person is unwell, or they're traveling, then they can fast in other days, meaning if they're not able to fast in the month of Ramadan, then they will make up those fasts in other days, throughout the year, right any other days. Now, before we talk about that, I want to talk a little bit about the importance and the benefit of fasting.
First of all, we learned that fasting is a very unique act of worship. Okay, meaning there is nothing like it.
The benefits that you get through fasting are benefits that you do not get through other deeds.
In a hadith we learned the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said that our lake of is sown for in the hula Riddler, Allah, that you must fast because there is no equivalent for it. There's nothing like it.
In another Hadith, we learned that fasting is from the above, from the above or behind from the doors of goodness. Meaning it's it's not just one act of worship. It is a means of many other acts of worship and a means of many other you know things of benefit for a person.
And we also learned that fasting is a shield. In another Hadith we learned that fasting is a Hisun mineral Suneel movement. It is
A fortress from the fortress is of the believer. Meaning is something that you find refuge in. It is something that you find safety in. How, because when you're fasting, you're not going to be, you know, tempted to be watching movies or listening to things which are inappropriate or going to places or you know that you should not be going to, or saying things that you should not be saying. Right, it becomes a natural fortress for you. Right? It protects you. We also learned that fasting is a shield from hellfire. And it is also a shield against the punishment of Allah. And the reward of fasting is something that Allah subhanaw taala has kept hidden.
Right? Because Allah says, in a hadith we learn what an Zee be, I will reward for it. So what is that reward?
Don't know yet, a person will only find out in the hereafter.
So a Jamar do that. A few number days from an Kadam income Maria Don, oh Allah suffering for the Tomine, a German Aha.
And of course, every disease, every sickness and every travel is not such that a person should leave fasting. Rather, when a person is such that, you know, their sickness could get aggravated, it could get worse, recovery could get delayed, then they should refrain from fasting in the month of Ramadan. And they can make up those fasts at any other time of the year when they're feeling better. Likewise, when it comes to travel, just because a person is driving from, you know, from one end of the city to another, and or, you know, just two hours away, it doesn't mean that they should be you know refraining from fasting.
But if travel is such that fasting is hard, then a person should refrain from fasting. And if fasting will be a source of great difficulty for a person, then they must refrain from fasting while traveling. Because we learned in a hadith about how,
you know, some people did not break their fast and when the Prophet salallahu earliest and and found out he said, those are the disobedient ones. Those are the disobedient ones. In another Hadith we learned that once when people were traveling, there was a person who had fallen unconscious, right and people were providing shade to him. And when the Prophet sallallahu early sent him inquired, he was told that he's fasting. And he said, It is not of piety that a person fasts while traveling.
Meaning you don't need to make things extremely difficult for yourself in order to earn reward from Allah subhanaw taala. Right. So for the two men, a man a young man or her wirelend, Latina, UT Akuna, who video on time will miskeen. And on those people who find it hard to fast, because of a permanent condition, or a long term condition, then such a person can just give a video, write a ransom, and that is thermal miskeen, feeding someone who is needy, from an totowa Hieron for who are highroller. And the one who does anything good voluntarily than that is better for him. somewhat random, I say what this means is that if a person fasts and gives Vidya both, then this is excellent
for him. And this is actually an encouragement to us, that we fast in the month of Ramadan. And we also feed those in need in the month of Ramadan.
Because what is fasting, make you experience?
Hunger, right. And hunger is something that especially you know, those of us living in the West do not experience that much. In fact, we have the other problem, right? Where we have too much to eat. So it becomes difficult for us to choose what to eat, what not to eat. And we have to kind of force ourselves to stop eating, we have to count our calories, we have to see our portions, things like that. Right. But the main thing is that while we're fasting we experience hunger. And when we experience hunger, we think about people who don't have any choice but to feel hungry, they have nothing to satisfy their hunger with. So in this is an encouragement that in the month of Ramadan,
as you're fasting, also think about feeding others. And we learned that some are Lama. What they would say is that the month of Ramadan is about recitation of the Quran and feeding people
feeding people and not just feeding those who are experiencing poverty, but also those who are around you. Right because one of the most, you know, beneficial acts of worship is that you feed people in a hadith we learned that.
That in paradise there
are special homes and the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam describe them very beautifully. Right? And he said that those homes are for, and he listed many different good qualities. Among those qualities are that those people who pray in the night and, and feed people. And if you think about it in the month of Ramadan, these two acts of worship are combined, right. Another quality that he mentioned is that those who are good in their speech, and this is also something that happens in the month of Ramadan, while you're fasting, you just become more careful. Right? If typically, you're used to yelling at your kids in the month of Ramadan, while you're fasting, at least you're going to
try not to yell, alright, if you are used to being, you know, harsh with your siblings, while you're fasting, you're going to at least try to be a little bit more gentle. Alright, because that's what we have been advised to do. So all of these good qualities are combined together in the month of Ramadan. Right.
So, Fremantle, we're hiring for highroller, we're under sumo highroller come in quantum talamona, if you fast that is better for you, if you only new meaning, fasting is definitely beneficial for us. And there are numerous benefits for the believer, when it comes to fasting. There are of course, benefits in this world, right that you experience when you fast, for example, you realize how much you eat on this unnecessarily, right? That when you see that you can survive easily on a good meal.
You know, in the morning, I mean, at Soho time, and then a proper meal, when you break your fast, then you don't need to graze all day. Right?
Likewise, you become more careful about what you eat. Because you know that you can only eat a limited amount of food, right and you can only eat at certain times you cannot eat just any time of day. So then you become more careful. You know, for example, in the month of Ramadan, I am so
particular about having salad with every thought
and otherwise throughout the year. I don't bother in Sunday's Yeah, you know, when you're feeling healthy. And you know, you want to make sure you're eating properly, yes, you'll make sure you you'll have a salad. But in the month of Ramadan, I make sure every day there's some kind of salad. Why? Because I want to make sure we're putting good stuff in the body so that the body can you know, function good, right, you have energy throughout the day and things like that. So there are worldly benefits associated to fasting, right. And fasting is also a way of showing gratitude to Allah subhanaw taala for the blessings that He has given us
that and you know, the gratitude that you experience when you break your fast that sip of water, right how, how grateful you feel,
right. And in general, you develop the attitude of sugar. Likewise, we learned that fasting because of fasting a person develops the habit of self control, self restraint, which, in general, you know, we struggle with, we really do struggle with
you know, for example, we will tell our children, you can only use a screen for one hour.
Right? You can only play a you know, on on your gaming station, whatever for two hours, hour and a half. One hour we timed them, we set timers. What about ourselves? Do you ever set a timer for yourself? That I'm only going to spend one hour in WhatsApp all day long? Only one hour?
Do you do that? No. Our children, we have so many rules. You can only chat with your friends once in the morning, once in the evening. And how often do we check our WhatsApp?
Really, if we're honest with ourselves, we don't impose the same restrictions on ourselves. Right? We have a very different standard SubhanAllah.
So when you're fasting, what happens is that you develop the habit of self control because you're constantly saying no to yourself, right? You want to drink another sip, you want to drink another cup, but you're like, No, time's up.
Right? You you want to say something that is negative but you're like, No, I can't. Because it's going to ruin my, my fast. Right? You want to just sit down and do nothing or maybe just watch TV but then you tell yourself No, I should be reciting Quran I should be making some liquid. Right? So you are constantly
controlling yourself while you're fasting.
And if a person is married
Again, they're controlling themselves in terms of their relationship with their spouse. So, fasting develops, develops in a person the habit of self restraint, self control.
And fasting also breaks a person's Shahada. You know, shower,
the carnal desires that we have the desires that we have, which are technically normal, because we're human, we are from this earth, right, but we are depriving ourselves of food and drink and, and physical intimacy with one spouse, we are depriving ourselves of that, we are taming our desire,
right we are,
we are breaking that
and that is necessary.
Likewise, when a person fasts, then they also break the power of Shaitaan over them, because in the month of Ramadan, Shayateen are locked away anyway. Right. And then throughout the month of Ramadan, you are doing things that shaitan does not like you to do shaitan typically stops you from so you are going against the work of shaitaan, you are breaking his influence on you. So these are all the benefits of fasting.
The benefits in the Hereafter, are, are of course, many as well. In a hadith we learn
that the person who fasts even one day, seeking the face of Allah, and then he ends the fast like that meaning from the beginning till the end, the fast was sincerely for the sake of Allah subhanaw taala, then the halogen, such a person will enter paradise.
We also learned that in the grave, fasting will shield a person from punishment. Because when a person is laid in the grave, and people walk away, and then a person is questioned, right by the angels, and then punishment begins to approach a person from the side of his head from the side of his arms, from the side of his feet from his right side, his left side, then his good deeds come and become a shield.
Right? They become a shield, they say, No, you cannot come through my way. So fasting is also a means of protection against punishment of the grave.
Then, fasting will also intercede for a person on the Day of Judgment.
Have you ever been in a situation where you feel very alone, where you feel like you cannot advocate for yourself, and you don't even know how to bring yourself out of that difficulty and then someone just comes and they advocate for you.
Maybe you've heard stories like that. Maybe you you've experienced this yourself, that you are, you don't know how to help yourself. You are unable to help yourself. And Allah subhanaw taala just send someone out of His mercy, to advocate for you.
Right to to make sure that you are no longer in difficulty. And imagine on the Day of Judgment, a person's fasts will come and intercede for him that yeah, ALLAH forgive him. Yeah, Allah make this person enter paradise. Yeah, Allah overlook this person's mistakes.
So fasting will be a means of intercession for a person on the Day of Judgment. Then Allah subhanaw taala tells us that shahada Ramadan and levy on zero feel Quran, the month of Ramadan is the one in which Quran was revealed. Why is this mentioned over here? This is showing us the significance of the month of Ramadan how the month of Ramadan is so special, and why Allah subhanaw taala has chosen this month for fasting. Anything about it fasting could have been at any time of the year right? Could have been in Chihuahua could have been in the you know, the Hijjah the corrida could have been in Haram, there's 12 months, but out of all those months, Allah's pontardawe chose Ramadan. why
Ramadan because it is the month in which the Quran was revealed.
And the the revelation of the Quran began in the month of Ramadan on the most blessed midnight. Right. So Allah subhanaw taala tells us that from and Shay them in comas Shafilea some who whoever witnesses that month among you, then he should fast during that month. So the fasting that is obligatory is the fasting in the month of Ramadan. Now how special is the month of Ramadan? First of all, remember that the month of Ramadan is Shahara mobile rock. It is a blessing month
A month of Baraka,
a month of blessing
and you experienced that blessing. Because on on other days, maybe sleeping five hours will not suffice you
within the month of Ramadan.
Even four hours sometimes somehow you survive, right? You you sleep little in the night, you managed to get a nap during the day and somehow you survive and you don't just survive. You actually accomplish a lot, be it Nilla some people Masha Allah, they managed to recite the entire Quran in the month of Ramadan.
Sometimes some people want some some people two times they managed to recite the entire Quran. Some people do even more than that, some people less than that, but the amount of recitation that people typically do in Ramadan is more than the amount of recitation they do the rest of the year, isn't it and this is wild fasting
and wild prank that are we in the night and while going to Masjid to the masjid every single night.
So, this is the baraka right? This is the time of getting so much done, right. So, it is a blessed month. And it is a month in which
a person can receive a lot of goodness, a lot of goodness. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam mentioned the virtues of the month of Ramadan and he also said that it is a night that is better than 1000 months. That is a little cut. Right? And this is a time when people are eager to do good. And we are invited. There is an announcer who announces that yeah, Belial Hady, upcoming, right that all seeker of goodness, advance, accelerate now, come forward. Now.
Come and do all the good that you can. And in the month of Ramadan, like I mentioned earlier, different types of good deeds are are gathered for you. Right You're able to fast you're able to pray in the night you're able to speak good to people, many people intend to go for Umrah in the month of Ramadan, that is equivalent to the reward of Hajj. Right. So, so many good deeds are combined together. And this is a month in which people also receive forgiveness from Allah subhanaw taala This is a month when the gates of the sky are opened up, which means that we should send as many good deeds up as possible. And we should also send as many requests meaning make as much dua as
possible.
Right? You know, for example, if someone says that you can call between this time and this time, right anytime, as many times as you want, right, we will take as many calls as as we can. So that's an open invitation that go ahead and call right.
Sometimes, you know, professors will open up their office hours. What does that mean? You can go and sit there for five minutes you can go and talk to them for half an hour for one hour. Within those hours you can take advantage.
The gates of the sky are opened in the month of Ramadan. This is an this is an encouragement to us. Ask make dua ask Allah subhanaw taala and don't just ask once a day, okay, or once in Ramadan, make dua every single day Every single night, sitting, standing, walking. You know all of the worries and concerns you have and all the wishes you have your bucket list. Whatever your dreams, you know your goals, no matter how crazy they seem to people, or no matter how far fetched they seem.
Ask Allah subhanaw taala. Make dua for yourself make dua for your loved ones make dua for your family, your friends, and ask Allah subhanaw taala for different things. If you look at the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, he was the most successful human being.
Right? The most successful human being, even in worldly standards he accomplished what people are not able to accomplish.
And what resources did he have at his disposal? Not many. If you think about it, he wasn't he didn't have a lot of wealth. He didn't have a lot of free time.
Right? He wasn't such that he didn't have any family obligations. He had many wives. Right? So think about it with so much in his life and he also had many many haters many enemies
Subhanallah still he was able
To accomplish so much, of course, that's because he had the help of Allah. But one thing we see in the life of the Prophet salallahu Alaihe Salam is that he, he called upon Allah a lot. He was the best worshiper. He was the one who worshipped Allah the most. Right? And what is the essence of worship?
What is it? It is there up? So, and if you look at the, you know, different books of Dora, in which Muslim dogs are collected, how many are there?
I mean, those books are not just a few pages long, I mean, thick they are, they're big. So many doors, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam made, and I'm sure if you set a goal for yourself that every day, I'm going to read this book of Muslim doors, right? I'm sure there are days when you're not able to complete the whole book. Right? You intend to but you don't get to the last page, isn't it? The prophets Allah who are new cinnamate so many doors, so we should do the same, especially in the month of Ramadan. And you know, if you set a target for yourself, and I would encourage you that actually use a physical book, don't just use an app, because what will happen
with an app you will think about oh, I should be making errors you will pick up your phone notifications
even if you've turned off all notifications, you know, it's your the pattern that you have developed over months and years is that instantly your finger will go to a certain app and then swipe and then another app and then swipe and then another app even if you checked it like five minutes ago isn't it and then you forget why you picked up your phone. So in the month of Ramadan create a distance between yourself and your phone. Okay, a physical distance do some physical distancing, right and keep your books with you.
The bookstore is open yeah Alhamdulillah so you can purchase for yourself and for your loved ones. Small books, right and cards even have daraz this Behat vicar right and set a goal for yourself that today between you know this time and this time I'm going to read these many pages right or I'm going to make this much draw at the time of Iftar make dua in the night make dua you know, sometimes when you go for taraweeh between the two prayers, there is a gap and sometimes people will you know, just sit and stare sometimes people will chat and it's okay you need a break. But if there is a long break, you could literally take that book out and start making Dada
Alright, so take keep a book and a bookmark okay a physical bookmark so that you know where you are stopping so that you can pick up from there next time you open the book. Right? So
Oh excellent, you can get a bookmark with with Da on it as well. Mashallah. So in the month of Ramadan, the gates of the skyr opened up so send up your good deeds and your daraz in the month of Ramadan, the gates of paradise are opened, right and the gates of hellfire are closed Shayateen are locked up this is the month in which people are freed from from hellfire. Meaning if a person is destined to go to hellfire given how their record is, then this is a time for transformation and changing your trajectory. Your Future. This is literally a time where you can change who you are. This is a transformative month.
And Allah subhanaw taala says in this is that the month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was revealed and the Quran is who the leanness was a unanimous and who that would focus on the Quran is guidance for all people.
And it is also clear evidences meaning the Quran contains clear evidences of guidance and and criterion meaning the Quran contains verses which are which bring healing
to the heart. You see, there are two diseases of the heart. There are diseases which are related to Shubo hat doubts, doubts about Allah
questioning God's wisdom, questioning his actions. Okay. People have a lot of such questions. Why does evil exist?
Why did such a terrible thing happen in the world? How come a child so little so young, so pure? You know, in our eyes, he has died? You know people have these questions. And these questions eventually lead to doubts about Allah subhanaw taala his wisdom, His actions, his knowledge, his power.
His decisions, right? Sometimes people have doubts about the Quran about the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam.
And then the other diseases are those which are related to shahada desires IFRIC. So for example, a person really
enjoys talking bad about certain individuals.
Okay, this is a shower of the heart, okay, where a person only finds satisfaction when they have
done some backbiting of a particular person that they dislike.
When they've eaten their flesh, then they feel satiated. This is a disease of the heart, this is a shower.
So, both of these diseases, you know about disease, it can, it can be fatal.
Right, so these diseases are very dangerous, and we need to cure them. And we also need to build our immunity, right, so that we don't get affected by these diseases, right when there's exposure. So, the Quran, the verses of the Quran, they are a healing for these diseases, because the verses of the Quran are a unit clear evidences. So if a person has doubts, those doubts are dispelled. And if a person has a strong inclination to disobey Allah, then again, the verses of the Quran are such that they will destroy that inner inclination, they will fill you with fear.
Right, they will become a strong deterrent, that you don't even think about going towards those acts of disobedience. So this shows us that it's very important for us to stay connected with the Quran. Right? Because the Quran is healing.
So, this is mentioned within these verses, because in this is
a hint that we need to connect with the book of Allah in the month of Ramadan. And how did the Prophet salAllahu alayhi wasallam. Connect with the book of Allah in the month of Ramadan?
How did he do that? He would review it. Right? He would recite it to Djibouti, and then he would listen to it from Djibouti. So think about it. Are you going to recite the Quran in sha Allah make that intention every single day, every single night, you're going to recite some portion of the Quran, whatever Allah subhanaw taala gives you trophy to do. And, you know, sometimes the recitation of the Quran at the beginning is difficult.
Meaning it's it's hard to convince yourself to sit down and open the Quran and start reciting. Okay. For some people, it's hard to recite more than a page.
And some people, what happens is that the moment they pick up the most often they open it up the counter lines.
Okay, they look at the clock, the counter lines, and then they see, okay, if I read the Surah, how many pages is it? And then they're constantly checking, okay, this many pages left this many pages like this many pages left. It's hard for them, it's difficult. And the thing is that at the beginning, you may experience difficulty, but then there comes a point where you start enjoying and you don't want to stop.
You want to keep reading.
Alright, so,
you know, assure yourself that it's okay. Okay, it's hard. It's, it's okay, you can do it, you can do it, you know, like how you encourage your children. It's okay, better, you can do it. Keep setting. I see that you're working really hard. Right? You you, you pump them up, and the same way encourage yourself, I'm working hard. Right? And inshallah I can do this. I want to do this and remind yourself that there is reward for every letter.
Right for every letter and think about it. Some people Masha Allah, they can recite the entire Jews in 20 minutes, Mashallah. Some people can barely get through a page in 20 minutes.
Right? Some people they're so fluent, that they can recite easily without stopping anywhere.
Meaning the entire IO without stopping anywhere. Some people after a few words, they stop and then they go back and they repeat the word or they repeat half the if they repeat half the line, they're reading more
and if you reading more, that means you are getting
more reward because there's reward for every letter.
Right? So be eager to recite Quran and also listen to the Quran.
Listen to the Quran, that is also helpful. That is also rewardable and not only recite and listen but also
also reflect on its meanings. Learn its meanings if you don't know them, or at least review them, even if you've studied them before, because the Quran is for the purpose of the debate, not just recitation, but also reflection. And the debate is what brings change in our in our actions in our lives, you can only implement something when you understand it.
Right? And you know very well that theory alone is not sufficient. Along with the theory, you also need the
the practical, right? So you need to relate it with your life, and how will you relate it with your life when you reflect on it. So if there's a class that you can join, if there is a lecture series that you can listen to something that will remind you about what the Quran is telling you to do.
Because knowledge alone is not enough. reminders are needed. Motivation is needed. So, let's connect with the Quran in the month of Ramadan. So Houda li NASCI, Woba unity min and Buddha well for Khan, from an Shahida min, coma chakra failure, Soho, and then it is said woman Kanima yield on Oh ALLAH suffering very determined a yam and Oka. And if a person is unwell or they're traveling, then they will make up the days they will make up the number in other days of the year. UD the law who become Olusola What are you ready to be cooler? surah Allah wants ease for you. He does not want difficulty for you.
Can we remember this rule in life, this principle
that Allah wants ease for you, he does not want difficulty for you.
And this is mentioned over here especially because look at how Allah subhanaw taala is telling us about fasting in these verses. First of all, Allah subhanaw taala addresses are so beautiful. Yeah, you Alladhina amanu
then Allah subhanaw taala tells us that fasting was prescribed in the people before you too. So you're not alone. You're not the only one, you're not being given something that's, you know, extremely difficult. Right? It's, it's humanly possible for you, it's actually beneficial for you.
You know, for example, when you find out that someone,
when you see when you meet a person
who has done something that you also intend to do, or you want to do,
then just seeing them, meeting them talking to them. That brings you
not only inspiration, but also that realization that you know what, I think I can do it.
Right? If they can do it, I can also do it in sha Allah. So Allah subhanaw taala wants ease for us. And this is why he's, you know, he mentions over here how fasting is something that people before you also did. And then Allah subhanaw taala reassures us that fasting is just for a few days, right? And then Allah subhanaw taala has chosen the best month for fasting. So Allah wants ease for you. He does not want hardship for you, while he took military. Allah wants you to complete the number.
Meaning the number of fasts in Ramadan, that number should be complete. So if for some reason you're not able to fast in Ramadan, like for example, if a woman is menstruating, she's not going too fast in those days, then she's going to make up those days later on. The number has to be complete. When he took a beauty Allah Allah Maha dotcom and so that you glorify Allah because he guided you.
Allah subhanaw taala has guided you by sending the Quran by commanding you to fast by teaching you how to fast by giving you the ability to fast this is all Allah subhanaw taala has guidance. So what should you do then?
glorify Allah and this is why on the day of read, what do we say?
How do we celebrate? Allahu Akbar? Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allahu Allahu Akbar. All right, so the day of wreath is the day of tuck Pirot while Allah contact Quran and so that you all are grateful, meaning, be grateful, be grateful for what that Allah wants ease for you. Be grateful that Allah subhanaw taala does not want difficulty for you. Be grateful that Allah subhanaw taala has given you the command to fast because the fasting was not obligatory would we fast?
Think about it. You know, there's many things which are not, which are rewardable but they're not obligatory. Some people do them some people don't.
So isn't it a blessing of Allah that He has made fasting and obligation on us and hamdulillah
But we're then able to perform this act of worship. Otherwise, the way the knifes is the the way the shaitaan has influence on a person, we would fall really behind.
Right? So be grateful for that. And and how should we be grateful by fasting in the month of Ramadan by completing the number of fasts if we're not able to fast in Ramadan. And at the same time, refraining from any acts of disobedience or things that Allah subhanaw taala has forbidden?
Because sugar
is the opposite of Marosi. Right? It's, it's the opposite of disobeying Allah.
Right? You know, for example, this is understood, if your child says, Thank you, mom.
And then the next moment, they do something that you have explicitly told them not to do.
What kind of thanks? Is that? Is that acceptable?
No, you you wouldn't accept it. i This is not real. Thanks. This is just lip service.
Right? So gratitude is with obedience, it is not with disobedience.
So show gratitude to Allah by obeying Allah. And this means that in the month of Ramadan, we need to be very careful about the kinds of things we're doing. Be careful about what you are watching on your phone, what you were doing, what you were writing, what you were listening to what you were saying, what kind of language you're using.
Right? Because sugar is with obedience. And then Allah subhanaw taala tells us what either set a lock or a body or a knee for inequality. And when my slaves ask you about Me, than indeed I am near.
When my slaves ask you or prophets, Allah who doesn't know about me, then I am near. It hasn't been said that tell them I am near for all in the Corrib know Allah subhanaw taala gives the answer himself
which means that there is nothing between you and Allah.
Okay, Allah subhanaw taala is that close to you? That you can talk to him directly? You can call upon him directly. You don't need someone in the middle.
You are worthy of calling upon Allah subhanaw taala for any Corrib Indeed, I am near and Allah subhanaw taala is near how that he listens to our doors, even when we whisper them.
You know, Zachary alayhis. Salam, how did he make God? Neither and coffee? Yeah.
His dog was coffee. It was a secret. Okay. It was hidden from the people. No human heard that dog. Why? Because if he would say it in front of other people,
people would look at him and say, Are you okay?
Because what was he praying for? In his old age with white hair and weak bones? What was he praying for? A child with a wife, who was barren who had never had any child who was also old.
That's the draw that he made. So he made a coffee. Yeah, he made it very secretly. Because you know, people judge you, isn't it? They judge you for your wishes for your goals, your dreams, your desires. You know, the things that you want to do in life. People immediately judge you they look down at you. They they say they give you the message that you're not worthy. This is not possible for you. You're never going to get this you're never going to be able to do this.
But you can always ask ALLAH because ALLAH subhanaw taala is a Rahman and Rahim and he is Corrib. So he is Kareem. He is close. He is near how that he listens to our doors. Whether we make them quietly or loudly, and then he is Kareem. Kareem also means that he is near in terms of
answering the door.
Okay, answering the door and for any Karim. Allah subhanaw taala says that Wu Ji boo Dawa dairy either done I respond to the call of the caller when he calls upon me. So what kind of a diary are we? How do we make dua to Allah subhanaw taala because you know, there are etiquette related to the door. There is other,
right?
You know that, for example, if one person comes in requests you for something in a certain way. Me
You want to help them?
And then there are other people who when they come and demand things from you, and they think that you are some kind of Amazon account or you know, something like that, then you're like, Excuse me, you know?
You, you, you make them realize what they're, you want to teach them a lesson. You know, like some children, they will come and demand money from their parents.
Right? They don't ask that. May I please?
They say, Where's your bank? Where's your Visa card?
Some some children. They're so daring. They don't even ask. They don't even tell. They just go and take it
where they've taken a picture of it. And now Subhanallah with the phone, you can just save the card on your phone and you don't even need anyone's permission.
So
how do we call upon Allah subhanaw taala.
There are some etiquette related to that. And there's also etiquette related to when to call upon Allah subhanaw taala. Right to ensure that our Da is accepted, there's greater chances of being accepted. And insha Allah in the Ramadan program this year, the Ramadan program which is Karima Majeed, that my Lord is near my Lord is responsive. In sha Allah, we're going to be going over the etiquette related to the the importance of how we should be making dua, we'll be looking at the examples of the prophets and the righteous how they called upon Allah subhanaw taala and how Allah subhanaw taala answered them, how Allah responded to them, and then inshallah every day we will go
over a theme.
So for example, the theme of knowledge so there was related to what kind of doors are mentioned in the Quran, what kinds of hours the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam made there was related to family alright, what doors are mentioned in the Quran, and what kind of doors the Prophet salallahu already was telling me. So, in sha Allah, this is the the Ramadan program this year, and make sure that you attend yourselves and also spread the news inshallah. So, og Buddha with a dairy either gone, fell yesterday Bulli? Well, you mean OB, Laura Loomio, should own so they should also respond to me, meaning if we want our daughters to be answered, we should respond to Allah with obedience.
And we should have faith in Allah, we should believe in Allah, law Allah whom you should own so that they are rightly guided in either our guides you through your life.
Okay? When you when you call upon Allah, you're able to navigate through your life? Isn't it difficult to make decisions on your own? And to know that you are solely responsible for the decisions that you make?
Right, and that fear is what makes us so indecisive, and so hesitant that we're not able to do anything? And we're always confused, should I should I not? And even while we're doing something, we're confused, should I should I not? Should I stop? Should I just quit and go back?
So how do you come out of this confusion, by making dua to Allah by asking Allah, that Allah you'll guide me to what is best for me, you show me the best way. So Allah whom you should own.
So we learned from this that in the month of Ramadan, we should especially be making the as we learned in the Hadith, that in every day and every night of Ramadan, for every slave is Dawa, to muster java is a is a dog that is certainly responded. So while you're fasting and you are in a state of worship, that is an excellent time to make dogs and in the night also excellent time of making dog because that that is a time of closeness to Allah azza wa jal
and we also learned that the person who was fasting their their art is is not rejected.
So in the month of Ramadan, we should be making gods and really plead with Allah, ask with humility, and ask again and again, you know, some things that you're really eager for, make a list and you can you know, hide that list in your da book so that nobody can see it if you want. Right.
And, and keep that list with you and ask Allah subhanaw taala for those things, every single day, every single night, and and don't don't hesitate. I remember many years ago, I did this that I put a few things I listed them and I made it
sure that I made those dollars every single day. And one of the things that I prayed for every single day was a school building for a home school for another elementary. And at that time older Elementary was operating out of this building. Now, I don't go to elementary, I don't study there. My kids do, right but at but at that time, they were very little and school was fine. But you know, when when there's hide, when there's goodness, you want that goodness to increase.
And I remember I would make that door every single day. And I left that list in my da book. Okay. And somehow you know, I did not see it until next Ramadan that list because it was in the book, you know, as as a bookmark and I didn't bother to you know, read it again. And the next Ramadan, I was just making sure that my book was clean, I was removing all the post its and you know, because I wanted to start fresh. And I saw that list and I was like, Allah,
I had forgotten that I had making the offer that and 100 a lot the school is now operating out of a new building. This was many years ago, but I had forgotten that I was making the offer that and
you know, Allah subhanaw taala is treasure is our best.
So ask, ask a lot when when we ask people, that's not nice. Alright, but when we ask Allah, that is actually very, very nice. Allah subhanaw taala loves it.
May Allah subhanaw taala give us all the ability to worship Him with excellence in this month. I mean, rugby or in near Isla de Rica, we're shook Rica. We're hosts nary biotic, oh my Lord helped me to remember you to be grateful to you and to worship you
in an excellent way.
Make dua for yourself and veg Allah that Allah gives us the ability to reach Ramadan,
reach Ramadan and experience it and make the most of it that we are able to fast. If we're not able to fast then we're able to you know, do other deeds that will also increase us in our ranks so that we don't get left behind.
Inshallah, I mean, just Akuma located and cathedra Subhanak Allahumma will be handed a shadow a La ilaha illa. Anta esto Furukawa Toby Lake wa salam Wa alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh