Gems from Salaf 📚

كَتَبَ عُمَرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ إِلَى الْأَمْصَارِ يَأْمُرُهُمْ بِخَتْمِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ بِالِاسْتِغْفَارِ وَالصَّدَقَةِ ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azīz wrote to the regions, instructing them to conclude the month of Ramadān with seeking forgiveness and giving charity. [Latā’if al-Ma‘ārif]

The Last Ten Nights Imām Ibn al-Qayyim (‎رحمه الله) writes: ”If the Night of Qadr was some night during the entire year, I’d stand in night prayer the entire year to get it. So what do you suppose should be done for merely ten nights?" [Bada’i al-Fawaid 1/55]

Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) on Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Decree): "The Night of Decree occurs in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. This is how it is authentically reported from the Prophet (ﷺ), He said it is one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, and it happens on one of the odd nights [of these 10]. However, the odd nights can be in terms of what has passed, so it is sought on the night of the 21st, the 23rd, the 25th, the 27th, and the 29th. And [odd nights] can also be in terms of what remains [of the month], as the Prophet (ﷺ) said: '[Seek it in the last ten nights], when nine [nights] remain, when seven remain, when five remain, or when three remain.' Based on this, if the month is 30 days long, these (odd remaining nights) correspond to the [last ten] even nights (from the beginning of the month): the 22nd is when nine remain, and the night of the 24th is when seven remain. And this is how it was explained by Abu Saʿid al-Khudri in the authentic hadith. And this is how the Prophet (ﷺ) held the night prayers during the month. And if the month is 29 days long, [counting the nights that] remain of the month [produces the same result as counting] what has passed. That being the case, the believer should seek [the Night of Decree] on all of the last 10 nights, as the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Seek it in the last 10 nights.'" [Majmuʿ al-Fatawa, 25:284, 285.]. All of the above Hadith mentioned are recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and or Sahih al-Muslim.

Last Ten Nights of Ramadan | 20 Ramadan 1447 AH السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ Dear Noble Brothers and Sisters, we have now entered upon the blessed last ten nights of Ramadan. Even if you feel you have not had the best start to this blessed month, do not be disheartened. What really matters are good endings, not flawed beginnings. These nights that remain before you, they are a mercy and blessing from Allah. So be sure to make use of them! What to increase in these remaining nights: Increase in du’a. Recite often the dua that was taught to us by the Prophet ‎[ﷺ]: اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun, tuhibbul-'afwa, fa'fu 'anni “O Allah, indeed You are the Forgiving One, You love to forgive, so forgive me" Increase in istighfar. Increase in your Quran recitation. Increase in Qiyam al-Layl. If you are unable to pray the night prayer in full, then at the very least ensure you attend the congregational prayers for ’Isha and Fajr. Imām Ash-Shāf‘ī (رحمه الله) said: “Whoever offers Ishā and Fajr in congregation on Laylatul Qadr has indeed taken his share from it.” [Laṭā'if Al-Ma‘ārif] Increase your time in the masjid, if you are unable to make i’tikaf. Increase in charity. Increase in secret deeds between yourself and Allah ﷻ Adorn yourself for these nights Ibn Rajab رحمه الله said: "During the nights which are hoped to be Laylatul Qadr cleanliness, dressing up, taking a bath (or shower), applying perfume, and wearing one's best clothing is preferred. Just as it is legislated to do so for Jumu'ah and Īd, it's also legislated to wear nice clothing to the other prayers; as Allāh said: "Take your adornment while praying." [8:31] Ibn 'Umar said: "Allāh is more deserving of being adorned for." Additionally, it is narrated from him and attributed to the Prophet ﷺ that, "outward adornment is not complete except with inner adornment; by repentance and turning back to Allāh Ta'āla." [Laṭā'if Al-Ma‘ārif] For this could be your last Ramadan. How many from amongst us who were standing last Ramadan are now gone? Time is short. Do not let these nights pass without care…

Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) on Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Decree): "The Night of Decree occurs in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. This is how it is authentically reported from the Prophet (ﷺ), He said it is one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, and it happens on one of the odd nights [of these 10]. However, the odd nights can be in terms of what has passed, so it is sought on the night of the 21st, the 23rd, the 25th, the 27th, and the 29th. And [odd nights] can also be in terms of what remains [of the month], as the Prophet (ﷺ) said: '[Seek it in the last ten nights], when nine [nights] remain, when seven remain, when five remain, or when three remain.' Based on this, if the month is 30 days long, these (odd remaining nights) correspond to the [last ten] even nights (from the beginning of the month): the 22nd is when nine remain, and the night of the 24th is when seven remain. And this is how it was explained by Abu Saʿid al-Khudri in the authentic hadith. And this is how the Prophet (ﷺ) held the night prayers during the month. And if the month is 29 days long, [counting the nights that] remain of the month [produces the same result as counting] what has passed. That being the case, the believer should seek [the Night of Decree] on all of the last 10 nights, as the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Seek it in the last 10 nights.'" [Majmuʿ al-Fatawa, 25:284, 285.]. All of the above Hadith mentioned are recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and or Sahih al-Muslim.

Imam Malik رَحِمَهُ اللَّـٰهُ said : ‎“Allah will take revenge on the oppressor with an oppressor, and then He will take revenge on both of them.” ‎[Manh Al-Jalil, 9/195]

Deprived of the Mercy of Allah in Ramadan Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrated: The Prophet (ﷺ) ascended the pulpit and he said, “Amīn, amīn, amīn.” It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, you ascended the pulpit and said amīn, amīn, amīn.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Verily, Gabriel came to me and he said: Whoever reaches the month of Ramadan and he is not forgiven, then he will enter Hellfire and Allah will cast him far away, so say amīn. I said amīn. Whoever sees his parents in their old age, one or both of them, and he does not honour them and he dies, then he will enter Hellfire and Allah will cast him far away, so say amīn. I said amīn. Whoever has your name mentioned in his presence and he does not send blessings upon you and he dies, then he will enter Hellfire and Allah will cast him far away, so say amīn. I said amīn.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān, 915]

‎The Virtue of Friday ‎Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله ‎"Friday is the day of worship, its comparison to other days like the comparison of the month of Ramadan to other months and the hour in it is like the Night of Decree in Ramadan." ‎[Zaad Al-Ma’aad | 1398]

The Special Hour on Friday بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Making Du’a before Maghrib is a very good habit to have in the evening of your Friday. When the time came for making Du’a in the evening of Fridays, a number of the distinguished early pious scholars would not even converse to people because they were so preoccupied with remembering Allah and making Du’a. For example, when al-Mufadhdhil ibn Fudhalah would perform ‘Asr on Friday, he would seclude himself in one corner of the masjid and would subsequently engage in du’a until the sun would set. (1) Similarly, when Tawus ibn Kaysan would perform ‘Asr on Friday, he would face the qiblah (engaging in worship) and would not converse with anyone until the sun would set. (2) Ibn Asakir, an author from the sixth hijra century, mentions in his book: “Al-Salt ibn Bustam, one of the righteous people, was afflicted with blindness, so his brothers sat down and began making du’a for him at the time of ‘Asr on Friday. As sunset approached, al-Salt sneezed, and his sight returned.” (3) — (1) - [Akhbar al-Qudhat] (2) - [Tarikh Wasit] (3) - [Tarikh Dimashq]

Indeed, we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. This morning, The Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, returned to the mercy of Allah. May Allah forgive him, have mercy on him, raise him to the highest ranks of Paradise, and reward him for his service to Islam and the Muslims. O Allah, grant us patience in this loss and replace it with something better

Hasan al-Basri رحمه الله said: ‎"Sin on top of sin, sin on top of sin until it blinds the heart and then it becomes dead." ‎[المخلصيات ١٧١٢]

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "The best of your days is Friday. On it Adam was created, on it he died, on it the trumpet will be blown, and on it the blast will occur. So send many blessings upon me on that day, for your prayers will be presented to me."

Aisha [‎رضي الله عنها] reported: The Messenger of Allah, ‎[ﷺ], said: إِنَّ مِنْ أَكْمَلِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِيمَانًا أَحْسَنُهُمْ خُلُقًا وَأَلْطَفُهُمْ بِأَهْلِهِ Verily, the most complete of believers in faith are those with the best character and who are most kind to their families. [Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2612]

Abdullah Ibn Mubarak رحمه الله says: “The most knowledgable from you should be the most God-fearing; how can a man claim to be very knowledgable all whilst he is the least fearing in regard to Allah.” ‎[صفة الصفوة]

Imām Ibn Al-Qayyim رحمه الله said: ‎“When I was in Makkah and couldn’t find a doctor, I instead read al-Faatihah over a glass of Zamzam-water several times. I thereafter drank it and noticed how I became all well.” ‎[at-Tibb an-Nabawi | Pg. 164]

Ibn Abdil-Barr رحمه الله said: ‎”They should not prevent the youth, if he knows something, from speaking about what he has knowledge of. Perhaps a person may be young in age, but elder with regards to his knowledge. And Allah blesses whom He wills through wisdom and mercy.” [At-Tamhid, 23/150]

‎Shaykh Muqbil رحمه الله said: ‎“Happiness cannot exist between a husband and wife except by their combined efforts; remaining patient with one another; working closely towards goodness and displaying teamwork whilst nurturing their children.” ‎[Anaqeed al-Karāmah, p. 7]

Allah ﷻ said: لَّا يُحِبُّ اللَّهُ الْجَهْرَ بِالسُّوءِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ إِلَّا مَن ظُلِمَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ سَمِيعًا عَلِيمًا إِن تُبْدُوا خَيْرًا أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ أَوْ تَعْفُوا عَن سُوءٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا قَدِيرًا "Allah does not like negative thoughts to be voiced, except by those who have been wronged. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. Whether you reveal or conceal a good or pardon an evil, surely Allah is Ever-Pardoning, Most Capable." | Surat al-Nisa’ 4:148 Ibn Abbas (‎رضي الله عنه) explained: Allah does not like for anyone to supplicate against anyone else, unless they have been wronged. He has granted them a concession to supplicate against his oppressor, but being patient is better for him. | Tafsīr Ibn Abī Ḥātim 4/1100

Merely having the intention to commit a sin can have consequences, even if you did not commit the sin! Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله mentions that Sufyan Ibn Uyaynah رحمه الله was asked about sadness that afflicts a person and he doesn't know the reason. He replied: "That is due to a sin which you contemplated doing but didn't; you were given, as a recompense for it, sorrow." [Al-Majmũ' 14/111]