🌴Striving For Firdaws🌴

🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾 *Sheikh Al-Islaam said....* *Sins, during Times which are Sacred or at Sacred Places, intensifies and are more severe....* *The extent of the punishment, is according to the merits and virtue of the Time and the Place* مجموع الفتاوى ٣٤/١٨٠📚 t.me/striving4firdaws

hi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) as saying: Is any one of you incapable of reciting a third of the Qur’an in a night? They (the Companions) asked: How could one recite a third of the Qur’an (in a night)? Upon this he (the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him)) said:” He is Allah, One” is equivalent to a third of the Qur’an. [Sahih Muslim] Therefore let us recite as much of the Qur’an as we can during these 10 days and nights and aim to recite it from cover to cover if we can. After that we should continue reciting the Qur’an throughout the rest of the year, for it is one of the excellent forms of worship! Tip: Increase your recitation by adding a few minutes or pages to your usual recitation routine. If you don’t have a routine yet, maybe this is the time for you start forming the habit. Begin by committing to recite at least one or two pages (or for 10 minutes, if you are a slow reciter) and then work to increase on this. Carry a small pocket mus’haf with you or install a reliable Qur’an app on a mobile device so that Shaytan cannot discourage you when you are out and about! Note: It is also very relevant to read the story of Prophet Ibrahim 'alayhi'l-salām (peace be upon him) which will give one a deeper understanding of the rituals of Hajj and the qurbani. Showing exemplary character: The Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said, "Nothing is heavier on the believer's Scale on the Day of Judgment than good character. For indeed Allah, Most High, is angered by the shameless obscene person." [Tirmidhi] [1] Saheeh: Related by al-Bazzaar (1/234). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Saheehul-Jaami’ (no. 1133). [2] Refer to Zaadul-Ma’aad (1/56). [3] Saheeh: Related by at-Tabaraanee in al-Kabeer (3/110/1) It was authenticated by al-Mundharee in at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb (2/24). t.me/striving4firdaws

llah) during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. These words should be recited abundantly in the masajid, homes, streets and in every place where it is permissible to remember and glorify Allah. “That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (reward of Hajj in the Hereafter and also some worldly gain from trade), and mention the Name of Allah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice).” [Surah Al-Haj:28] Reciting the Takbeeraat-e-Tashreeq from the 9th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallahu Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa lillahil Hamd. Translation: “Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. There is no deity besides Allah and Allah is the greatest. Allah is the greatest and all praises are for Allah only.” Men can recite the above after every fardh salaat from Fajr of the 9th of Dhul Hijjah until Asr of the 13th of Dhul Hijjah audibly. Women should recite it silently. Tip: Remember and glorify Allah no matter what you are doing: This is particularly easy as one can remember Allah anywhere and at any time whether it is during work or any daily activity. 3. Offering the Qurbani (sacrifice of a livestock animal) The qurbani (also known as udh’hiya) is the sacrifice of a livestock animal during Eid ul-Adha. It is the sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim 'alayhi'l-salām (peace be upon him). It is a means of getting closer to Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He). It is obligatory upon every sane adult who is not a traveller and can afford it (wealth equal to or more than nisab). It is performed on the days of sacrifice which is the 10th, 11th or 12th of Dhul Hijjah. One may sacrifice a thousand animals on days other than these, but it will never be regarded or considered as udh’hiya. Therefore the qurbani is a sacred act which can only be done during the three days of Dhul Hijjah as specified. Regarding the qurbani, Allah says in the Qur’an: “It is not their meat, nor their blood, that reaches Allah, It is their piety that reaches Allah.” [Surah Al-Haj:37] Tip: It is best to go about the sacrifice the traditional way and offering it in your locality so that you obtain the lesson from the sacrifice and remind yourself of the emotions and test that Prophet Ibrahim 'alayhi'l-salām (peace be upon him) himself endured. 4. Doing more good deeds than usual The Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days (Dhul Hijjah).” [Sunan Ibn Majah] Therefore we should increase the amount of good deeds we do in order to take advantage of this blessed time where good deeds are increased significantly. Tip: Complete as many worldly tasks as possible beforehand and do not waste this precious time: Make arrangements to clear as many of your pending tasks as possible or make a plan for tackling them later. This way, one is free to worship during the 10 days and nights without being distracted by worldly tasks. We must make a firm intention that during these blessed 10 days that we will not take part in idle talk, play computer games or spend time on the social media. There are many more days in the year for all that – if you really cannot resist. This is just 10 days! Consider the utter loss and regret for those who waste these blessed 10 days. The following 7 deeds are amongst the best actions we can do during these blessed 10 days: Reciting the Qur’an abundantly: “Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “Alif, Laam, Meem” is a letter, rather I am saying that “Alif” is a letter, “laam” is a letter and “meem” is a letter.” [At-Tirmidhi] So if one letter of the Qur’an is equivalent to ten good deeds then imagine how much reward there is for reading each letter during these blessed 10 days which are said to be the best days of the year! Subhanallah! Abu Darda’ reported Allah’s Apostle ṣallallāhu 'alay

The Virtue of the first 10 Days of Dhul-Hijjah (From Riyaad-us-Saaliheen) The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are the best and most virtuous days of the year. They are the days in which Allaah the Mighty and Majestic – most loves the doing of good deeds. About this the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best days in the world are the ten days.” [1] Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim (d.751H) – rahimahullaah – said, “Indeed, its days are the most excellent of all the days with Allaah. And it has been confirmed in Saheehul-Bukhaaree (2/382), from Ibn ’Abbaas (radiyallaahu ’anhumaa) who said, that Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these (ten) days.” He was then asked, ‘Not even jihaad in the path of Allaah?’ So he replied, “Not even jihaad in the path of Allaah, except for a person who goes out with his self and his wealth, and comes back with nothing.” And it is these ten days that Allaah has taken an oath by in His Book, by His saying, “By the Dawn and by the Ten Nights.” [Sooratul-Fajr 89:1-2] This is why it is recommended to increase in making takbeer (saying Allaahu akbar), tahleel (saying Laa ilaaha illallaah) and tamheed (saying Alhamdulillaah) during these days …”[2] The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are no days that are greater with Allaah, and in which good deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days. So increase in making tasbeeh (saying Subhaanallaah), tamheed, tahleel and takbeer, during them.”[3] The following are recommended acts to do during the blessed 10 days and nights of Dhul Hijjah. 1. Fasting the 9 days of Dhul Hijjah It is recommended to fast on the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah, especially on the 9th which is the blessed day of Arafah. Allah’s Messenger ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) encouraged us to do righteous deeds in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah; and indeed fasting is one of the best of deeds. Almighty Allah says, “All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except fasting, which is for Me and I shall reward for it.”’ [Sahih Al-Bukhari] Note: The 10th of Dhul Hijjah is the day of Eid ul Adha and it is prohibited to fast on this day. Forgiveness for 2 years of sins (minor sins) for fasting on the day of Arafah: Abu Qatadah Al-Ansari raḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him) narrated, “The Messenger of Allah ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah (the 9th of the month of Dhul Hijjah). He replied, “Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation for the preceding year and the following year.” He was also asked about fasting on the day of Ashura (the 10th of the month of Muharram). He replied, “Fasting on the day of Ashura is an expiation for the preceding year.” The Messenger of Allah ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) was also asked about fasting on Monday, and he replied, “This is the day on which I was born and the day on which I was sent (with the Message of Islam) and the day on which I received revelation.” [Muslim] Therefore we should try our utmost to fast all the blessed 9 days of Dhul Hijjah – particularly the 9th of Dhul Hijjah which is the day of Arafah. If not then we should at least fast as many as we can possibly can as we may not get this opportunity again next year as life is uncertain and we should never procrastinate on doing good actions. Tip: Eat light and hydrate well. If you will be staying up until Fajr, then the more you eat, the harder it will be for you to stay up and the less productive you will be! Keep some water with you at all times during the night. This will help you stay up, feel energised and refreshed and have a clearer mind. Also encourage your family and friends to join in! 2. Reciting tasbeeh, tahmeed, tahleel and takbeer abundantly It is Sunnah to recite takbeer (Allahu Akbar), tahmeed (Alhamdulillah), tahleel (Laa ilaaha ill-Allah), and tasbeeh (SubhanA

*Advice Concerning the Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah* by Imaam Muhammad ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen, may Allaah have mercy upon him. In the name of Allaah, The All-Wise, The All-Knower, and may peace and blessings be upon the noblest of Prophets and Messengers, our Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions, as for what follows; Question: Oh noble sheikh, in a few days we will be entering into the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, so what is your advice for the people regarding taking advantage of them? I hope for an explanation of its’ virtues and the actions that should be performed in it. Answer: The ten days of Dhul-Hijjah begins with the entrance of the month and ends on the day of the ‘Eid. The Messenger, may peace and blessings be upon him, said about actions in these ten days: “There are no days wherein righteous actions are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days.” They said: Not even jihad in the way of Allaah? He said: “Not even jihad in the way of Allaah, except for a man who leaves out (for jihad) with his wealth and self and doesn’t return back with any of them.” [Ibn ‘Abbaas-Saheeh Bukhaaree] So with this I strongly encourage my Muslim brothers to seize this tremendous opportunity, to perform many righteous actions in these ten days from recitation of the Qur’aan, remembrance of Allaah, charity, fasting, etc, strive to perform many different acts of obedience. It’s very troubling to see that the people are heedless about these ten days. Do you not find them exerting themselves in the last ten nights of Ramadan? Na’am of course they exert themselves in them. However, with the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah you will be hard pressed to find one who differentiates between them and other than them. But if a person performs righteous actions in these ten days he revives that which the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, instructed with doing. Also if an individual intends to slaughter at the ending of these ten days then he shouldn’t remove anything from his hair, nails, or body. As for someone slaughtering on his behalf, then there’s nothing wrong with him clipping his own nails or cutting his hair. And if a person wants to slaughter for himself and his household with one sacrifice as is the sunnah, then it isn’t upon his family to abide by this principle. It only pertains to the one slaughtering, in this instance that being the father… [Posted by Maktabah Ibn Uthaymeen in Benefits] t.me/striving4firdaws

رِينَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ جَمِيعاً} Which translates as: *✨"And it has already been revealed to you in the Book (this Qur'an) that when you hear the verses of Allah being denied and mocked at do not sit with them until they engage in a talk other than that; (but if you stayed with them) surely you would be like them; surely Allah will gather together the hypocrites and the disbelievers all together in Hell."* [An-Nisa:140] So the one that sits in the midst of evil, he shares in the ruling just like those committing the act. For verily he joined them even if he wasn't pleased with them, he followed in with them. Since what is apparent is that he was with them. And the ruling is made based on what is apparent, not what is in one's heart. As it may be said, "this person was with these people and he didn't disapprove of what they were doing with his actions or with his speech. So he is with them and is pleased with what they are doing. He was sitting amongst them and he never stood up to leave, he never left them." As Allah the Most-High says: {وَقَدْ نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الْكِتَابِ أَنْ إِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ آيَاتِ اللّهِ يُكَفَرُ بِهَا وَيُسْتَهْزَأُ بِهَا فَلاَ تَقْعُدُواْ مَعَهُمْ حَتَّى يَخُوضُواْ فِي حَدِيثٍ غَيْرِهِ} Which translates as: *✨"And it has already been revealed to you in the Book (this Qur'an) that when you hear the verses of Allah being denied and mocked at do not sit with them until they engage in a talk other than that."* So just like that, the one that attends evil he was commanded, *"so do not sit with them"* until they leave off this evil for that which is permissible. And he (Shaikh Uthaimeen) also said, _"If you are going to be present at a wedding, for example, and you are not able to change the evil, then you you being present is not permissibile."_ End Quote. So if a person is present where evil is being done and he is not able to change that evil, his presence is considered forbidden. And Allah knows best. __ Translated by: Abu Yusuf Bilal ibn Howard Robinson Click on the link to subscribe: T.me/OfficialChannelShaykhBaajammaal

           بســـم اللــه الرحــمــن الـرحـــيــم      *▪️The Conditions of Hating Something in Your Heart▪️* Our Shaykh, Abu Abdillah Muhammad ba Jamaal - may Allaah preserve him - said in one of his lessons of Riyad Us Saliheen: 🔹▪️🔹▪️🔹▪️🔹▪️🔹▪️🔹▪️ ✨ Benefit: We are still speaking on the hadith of Abi Said al-Khudari (may Allah be pleased with him) and we stopped at the wording, *"And whoever is not able then with his heart."* And we mentioned that this is the lowest level of changing evil. *Question:* Is it sufficient in hating an evil in your heart to merely disapprove of it? A person, for example, sits with people singing and playing music, some get up and leave (disapproving of this) while he stays sitting. They later ask him, what happened why did you stay amongst them? And he says, I was disapproving of it in my heart. Is this sufficient for disapproving in the heart without separating from the place and distancing oneself from the evil?  This is the question. Imaam An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his explanation of Sahih Muslim, on the hadith of Umm Salamah where the Prophet ﷺ said, _"But whoever is pleased with and followed along."_ And this entire hadith will come later under this chapter of 'Commanding with the Good and Forbidding the Evil.' So the statement of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ *But whoever is pleased with and followed along,* means (he shares in) the sin and the punishment because he was pleased with it and joined in on the evil. And this is a proof that the one that is not capable of changing the evil, then it is not permissibile for him to be present. Because he will merely stay silent, and this points to his being pleased with it in his heart as he partakes in the evil." End Quote. So hating something in the heart is based upon two things, which must be present. *The First:* Displeasure and hatred for this evil in the heart. *The Second:* Not joining in with them, but rather separating from them. So this is from the types of Commanding with the Good and Forbidding the Evil. That you leave them, if you can not change it with your hands and you can not change it with your tongue then you disapprove of it with your heart, and the true sign of this is separating from them. Since if the people see you leave they will say, *"He is not pleased with this."* How did they know? *Because he left.* Did he change it with his hands? Did he change it with his tongue? The answer is No. And if the one who stood up and left is a person of position, someone they respect and listen to or someone of goodness and correctness and he stands up and leaves, others may leave with him. So this could be from a type of changing of the evil. Ibn Buta'al (may Allah have mercy on him) said: _"It is not permissibile to enter into the affairs of dawah which have evils in them from that which Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have prohibited while openly showing  pleasure for it."_ End of the quote as comes in Fath. The speech of Shaikh Al-Islam is coming that which will support this meaning in the second question, Insha Allah, and it will further strengthen what we previously mentioned. Shaikh Uthaimeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his explanation of Riyad Us Saliheen, _"Attending that which Allah has prohibited, even if the person disapproves of it in his heart, is as if he shared in it with those that were commiting the act. Because when the people say this is an evil, some will say, how is that when this distinguished person was present, he was right there. They won't say, oh but he disapproved of it in his heart and he hated it, No. They are going to judge based on him being present."_ And this is why Shaikh Uthaimeen said, *"it is as if he shared in it with those that were commiting the act."* From the statement of Allah the Most-High: {وَقَدْ نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الْكِتَابِ أَنْ إِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ آيَاتِ اللّهِ يُكَفَرُ بِهَا وَيُسْتَهْزَأُ بِهَا فَلاَ تَقْعُدُواْ مَعَهُمْ حَتَّى يَخُوضُواْ فِي حَدِيثٍ غَيْرِهِ إِنَّكُمْ إِذاً مِّثْلُهُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ جَامِعُ الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَالْكَافِ

From the Wonders of Sadaqah — Treat Your Sick and Ailing Ones With Charity A man once came to Imam ‘Abdullah Ibn Mubarak (rahimahullah) seeking advice about an ulcer that had appeared in his knee seven years ago. He had tried various treatments and asked doctors but did not benefit from it; so ibn al-Mubarak said to him: "Go and dig a well in a place where there is a need for water (for the people). For I am hopeful that water will spring up there and the bleeding will stop.” So he did that and he was cured (by the mercy of Allah). [Siyar ‘A’laam an-Nubalaa’, 8/407] t.me/striving4firdaws

If a servant finds that the good deeds are facilitated for him (and) made easy for him and he finds himself protected by Allah from deeds that harm him, (then he must acknowledge this) as this is the glad tidings (upon him from Allah) by which the believer can deduce (gauge) the outcome of his affairs, for Allah is the Most Honorable of Givers of those who give and the Highest, Most Perfect in Generosity of those who are generous (أجود الأجودين). [Imam as-Sa’dee (rahimahullah), Bahjatul Quloob al-Abraar, 213] t.me/striving4firdaws

*Thinking Good About Allaah* The Prophet ﷺ said, “Allah the Most High said,  _‘I am as My servant thinks (expects) I am. I am with him when he mentions Me. If he mentions Me to himself, I mention him to Myself; and if he mentions Me in an assembly, I mention him in an assembly greater than it. If he draws near to Me a hand’s length, I draw near to him an arm’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.’”_ [Sahih Al-Bukhari]📕 *Commentary:* When explaining this ḥadīth, Ibn Hajar (raḥimahu Allāhu) said, *"I am as My servant thinks I am"* means, I am able to do whatever he (my servant) expects I will do.”  *📕[Fath al-Bari]* Imām al-Nawawi (raḥimahu Allāhu) said: “The scholars say that expecting the best of Allāh is to expect that He will have Mercy on him and relieve him of hardship.”  *[Sharh Sahih Muslim]*📙 Imām al-Nawawi (raḥimahu Allāhu) further added: “… this means He will forgive him if he seeks forgiveness, will accept his repentance if he repents, will answer him if he supplicates, and will suffice him if he asks for something. It is also said that it refers to having hope and longing for relief, and this is more correct.” *[Sharh Saḥīḥ Muslim]*📗 Imaam Al-Qurtubi (raḥimahu Allāhu) said in"Al-Mufhim" (commentary on Sahih Muslim): "It is said that the meaning of *'I am as my servant thinks I am'* is to expect an answer when calling upon Him, expect acceptance when repenting to Him, expect forgiveness when seeking His forgiveness, and to expect reward when doing any form of worship in which its conditions are fulfilled, based on the belief that His promise is true. This is supported by his saying (ﷺ): *“Call upon Allaah while you are certain that you will be answered.”* Narrated by at-Tirmidhi with a saheeh isnaad. This attitude is also necessary in the case of repentance and seeking forgiveness, and striving to do what is required, being certain that Allah, may He be exalted, will accept one’s deeds and to forgive one’s sins, for Allah, may He be exalted, has promised to accept sincere repentance and righteous deeds. But if a person does these deeds believing or thinking that Allah, may He be exalted, will not accept them and that they will not benefit him, this comes under the heading of despairing of the mercy and grace of Allah, which is one of the gravest of major sins, and the one who dies in that state will meet the fate that he expected. As for expecting forgiveness and mercy whilst persisting in sin, that is pure ignorance and deceit, and it is similar to the way of the Murji’ah (a deviant sect). *📚Al-Mufhim Sharh Muslim (7/5,6).* t.me/striving4firdaws

*القُـلوبُ أَشَــد ••|* ‏✲ قال الشيخ ابن عثيمين رحمه الله : كثير من الناس يظنون أن العقوبة إنما تكـــون في الأمـور الظــــاهرة : كالأبدان والأموال والأولاد والحقيقـــــة أن العقوبة بمرض القلوب وفسادها أشد وأعظم من العقوبة بمثل تلك الأمور . 📚أحكام من القرآن الكريم ⁅٨٧/١⁆ On the hearts (it is) more severe ☆ Sheikh Ibn Utheymeen said, may الله have mercy on him : A lot of people think that (Allaah's) punishment (for one's sins) will befall one in the apparent things and matters : such as one's body (i.e. health), and wealth, and children But the reality of it is, diseases of the heart and its corruption, are a much more severe and grievous punishment , than the other ones (we generally think of). 📚 Rulings from the Quran al Kareem [87/1] t.me/striving4firdaws

The Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, Verily, if a servant is destined for a rank he has not achieved by his good deeds, Allah puts him to trial in his body, or his wealth, or his children. Then, Allah makes him endure it until he reaches the rank decreed for him. [Sunan of Abi Dawood (rahimahullah), 3090, Graded Saheeh by al-Albani (rahimahullah)] t.me/striving4firdaws

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin (rahimahullah) said: The test intensifies when the relief is close. [Sharh al-Mukhtasar ‘Alaa Buloogh al-Mar’aam, 376 and Sharh Riyadh as-Saliheen, 1/493] t.me/striving4firdaws

Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah): The door of success has been closed against the creation due to six matters: 1. Being preoccupied with grace without being grateful 2. Interest in knowledge and neglecting action 3. Rushing to sin and delaying repentance 4. Being attracted by the company of the righteous but failing to follow their deeds 5. Strongly desiring the worldly life, while it turns away from them 6. Turning away in heedlessness from the Hereafter, while it is drawing near to them [Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah), al-Fawaid, pg. 295] t.me/syriving4firdaws

*Seal The Month Of Ramadan With Seeking Forgiveness* Ibn Rajab [رحمه الله] said: ❝Seeking forgiveness is a seal for all righteous deeds. It seals the prayer, Hajj, Qiyaam Al-Layl the night prayer and it seals gatherings. Therefore, if it was a Remembrance of Allaah then it is like putting a stamp of seal on it and if there were mistakes and deficiencies then it would be an expiation for it. Likewise it is befitting to complete the month of Ramadan with seeking forgiveness. Umar Bin AbdulAziz wrote to the different regions commanding them to complete Ramadan with seeking forgiveness and giving Sadaqa Al-Fitr. Indeed Sadaqa Al-Fitr is purification for the fasting person from mistakes and evil deeds and seeking forgiveness patches that which is torn from the fast due to mistakes and evil deeds. This is why some of the previous scholars said: 'Indeed Sadaqa Al-Fitr for the fasting person is like performing the two Sajdas for forgetfulness for the prayer.' Umar Bin AbdulAziz [Died 101 A.H.] [رحمه الله] said in his book, say as your father Adam said: ﴿رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنْفُسَنَا وَإِنْ لَمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ﴾‏ «They said: 'Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers.'» [Ara’af: 23] Say as Nuh [عليه سلم] said: ﴿وَإِلَّا تَغْفِرْ لِي وَتَرْحَمْنِي أَكُنْ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ﴾‏ «And unless You forgive me and have Mercy on me, I would indeed be one of the losers.» [Hud: 47] Say as Musa [عليه سلم] said: ﴿رَبِّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي﴾‏ «My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, so forgive me.» [Qasas: 16] Say as Dhul-Noon [عليه سلم] said: ﴿سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ﴾‏ «Glorified [and Exalted] are You [above all that [evil] they associate with You]. Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers.» [Al-Anbiyya: 87].❞ [Lataif Al-Ma’arif, (Page: 383) ] t.me/striving4firdaws

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) said : When the veil has been lifted on the day of Judgement revealing the value of good deeds for the people, they will not see any action better in reward than The Remembrance of Allah (Dhikr), at that time a group of people who will sigh (because they missed out) and say: There was nothing easier for us than Dhikr (and yet we did not do it). [al-Wabil as-Sayyib, 11, Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah)] t.me/striving4firdaws

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (rahimahullah) said: *Slaves of Allaah! The month of Ramadhaan is determined to leave and there are but a few days left of it.* *Those of you who have done good should complete it (in goodness) and whoever has neglected it then let him end it in goodness since actions are according to their endings.* *So enjoy the few nights and days that are left and bid it farewell by performing good deeds which can be a witness for you with Al-Malik Al-‘Alam, and see it off by parting with the most pure greeting and salam.* 📘[Lata'ef al-Ma'arif, pg. 386] t.me/striving4firdaws

ake his family up. They would wake up and spend the night in the remembrance of Allaah. And I would like to draw your attention to a matter, and that is, after praying the night prayer- there is a break for roughly a hour. Use that break to draw near to Allaah and increase in supplications and remembrances during this hour. Meaning even during this period when you get a break the time is still very blessed. This time is called "As-sahr" during these days as well as other days. So utilize this time in the remembrance of Allaah, supplications, and seeking forgiveness. Ibn 'Umar -may Allaah be pleased with him- used to spend the night in prayer then he would say: "O Naafi, is it the time of Sahr"? and he would say yes. Meaning it is the false fajr, the first, which comes like roughly a hour more or less before the actual fajr. This is called the time of the sahr, so you may pray in it, supplicate and seek forgiveness. This is established from the Prophet ﷺ When the time before daybreak approached he would supplicate. This was transmitted by Ibn Kathir and others. He [Ibn Kathir] derived this from the statement of Allaah; *{كَانُوا قَلِيلًا مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ .وَبِالْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ}* *(They used to sleep but little by night [invoking their Lord (Allah) and praying, with fear and hope. And in the hours before dawn, they were (found) asking (Allah) for forgiveness.)* [Adh-Dhariyat, 17-18] 〰〰〰〰 Translated by Umm Yusuf bint Abi Bakr t.me/striving4firdaws

*I Encourage My Brothers Not To Be Negligent in Standing in Prayer During the Last Ten Nights of Ramadan* By: Shaykh Yahya bin Alee Al-Hajooree (may Allaah preserve him) Masjid As-Sunnah Al-'Umood Al-Jawbab Muraad, Ma'rib (may Allaah preserve it) Wednesday Night 10 Ramadaan 1440 H *Question:* Are the Angels present during Laylatul Qadar?* *Answer*: Yes, the angels and the Ruuh desend in it [Laylatul Qadr]. With regards to the 'Ruuh' it was said; [it is] Jibreel, and they [the Angels] record those who stand in prayer and those supplicating. Yes, in it [Lailatul Qadr] every matter of ordainment is decreed. 'Umar -رضي الله عنه- used to say: "O Allaah if You have written that I am of the wretched ones then change and write that I am from amongst the happy ones." *{فيها يفرق كل أمر حكيم}* *{In it [Laylatul Qadr] every matter of ordainment is decreed}* We ask Allaah to grant us success to be able to stand in prayer during it. We ask Him -سبحانه- to allow us to pray it with truthfulness and sincerity, and for everyone is that which they love and are pleased with. For this reason we encourage our brothers to not slacken during the last ten nights. Do not let anything occupy you from standing in salah. Do not allow anything to busy you from the salah during the last ten nights. Where are you going to get the opportunity for eighty or more years [worth of worship]? How many years will you live to be? It is just one night, my brother! They are ten nights, ten nights, and some people spend it in playing soccer and things to amuse themselves for limited period. Therefore set some time aside for these ten and finish whatever you have to do before it. And if you are able to perform i'tikaaf, then do so, so long as you have nothing from the obligatory or more important duties preventing you from performing i'tikaaf. Meaning i'itikaaf is only recommended and there are some things that are more important than it. And if you do not perform i'tikaaf during the day, but performed it at night instead, then this is permissible since you will be in the masjid when the sun sets. So you stay in the masjid until fajr and then you pray fajr and you would have spent the whole night in itikaaf and you will have obtained itikaaf for the night. 'Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) vowed to spend the night in itikaaf, so the Prophet ﷺ permitted him to perform itikaaf. Itikaaf is legislated in Ramaadan as well as in other months. Whether it's for the entire ten days or the nights or even if you were to spend one night in itikaaf or in any other time of the year, there's nothing preventing you from doing so. Or atleast spend the odd nights in itikaaf. Except that the only thing with that is that the odd nights, O my brothers, is not something that is known for sure in many cases. Perhaps it may be said that the month was less or more, and in this situation the odd may be the even and the even may be the odd. It changes. So then since this is the case seek Allaah's aid in the entire ten nights (the even and the odd) and set aside some time to increase in dua to Allaah to give you success. And we ask Allaah to grant us success. And also increase in your concern and lessen the amount of food you consume because eating too much results in sleep. And don't lessen it to the extent fatigue, but the food and drink has become much, the one who eats alot needs to drink alot and the one who drinks alot needs to sleeps alot, and with this the time departs. And the prophet ﷺ used to exert a lot of effort during the last ten nights more than any other nights. And he would strive in the month of Ramadan more than any other month, and likewise the last ten more than any other days, so that when the last ten arrived he would tighten his izaar, and he would wake his family up, and he brought life to the nights, not sleeping during the entire night. As for the other nights before the ten he would mix between sleep and wakefulness. Sometimes he would sleep and then wake up. As for the last ten nights he did not sleep and he would try to w

It was narrated from 'Ā'ishah -raḍhiyallāhu ‘anhā- that she said: "O Messenger of Allāh, what should I say in my supplication if I reach Laylatul-Qadr?" He said: "Say: 'Allāhumma innaka 'afuwwun tuḥibbul-'afwa, fa'fu 'anni (O Allāh, You are Forgiving and love to forgive, so forgive me).'" Reported by Tirmithī (8025) | graded "Ṣaḥīḥ" by Sheikh Albāni in Silsilah Aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥah ______________ There must be a reason why the Prophet ﷺ specified this du'ā, so let's reflect over the meanings contained in these concise words... The word ‘Afw (pardon/wellbeing) entails: 1⃣ - wellbeing in one's limbs 2⃣ - wellbeing in one's religion 3⃣ - pardon and forgiveness from Allāh Wellbeing in one's limbs is that the person is cured and saved from all sorts of illnesses. Wellbeing in one's religion is that the person is given success to perform righteous deeds. Pardon & forgiveness from Allāh is that He overlooks and pardons a person by erasing their sins and not punishing them. Additionally, from the linguistic meanings of "Al 'Afw" is: increment and abundance. So ‘Afw in wealth refers to it’s increment, just as Allāh ﷻ said: {یَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ مَاذَا یُنفِقُونَۖ قُلِ ٱلۡعَفۡوَ} “They ask you [O Mūḥammad ﷺ] what they should spend, Say, Al 'Afw” [Sūrah Al-Baqarah 219] i.e. that which is surplus to one's necessary expenditure. And Allāh's ‘Afw is that He grants a person what he asks for AND MORE. So let us increase in repeating this du'ā without slackening - especially during these blessed nights. ((اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي)) “O Allāh, You are the One Who pardons and loves to pardon, so pardon us.” Ibnul Qayyim -raḥimahullāh- said: ❝If He (the Almighty) grants you ‘Afw, your needs will be fulfilled without you even asking.❞ [Minhāj Al-Qāsidīn 1/343] t.me/striving4firdaws