[RogHammon]

''O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that ye may ward off (evil); (Fast) a certain number of days; and (for) him who is sick among you, or on a journey, (the same) number of other days; and for those who can afford it there is a ransom: the feeding of a man in need - but whoso doeth good of his own accord, it is better for him: and that ye fast is better for you if ye did but know''.(Surah Baqarah Ayat-183,184)

The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful. '' (Surah Baqarah Ayat-185)

''They are those who repent, who worship who praise, who fast constantly, woo bow down, who prostrate themselves, who command the reputable and restrain from the disreputable and who keep the ordinances of Allah; and bear thou glad tidings to the believers.''(Surah Tawba 9:112)

Verily the Muslim men and Muslim women, and the believing men and the believing women, and the devout men and the devout women, and the men of veracity and the women of veracity, and the persevering men and the persevering women, and the men of humility and the women of humility and the almsgiving men and the almsgiving women, and the fasting men and the fasting women, and the men who guard their modesty and the women who guard their modesty, and the Allah-remembering men and the Allah remembering women: Allah hath gotten ready for them forgiveness and mighty hire.(Surah Ahazaab 33:35)

It was narrated that 'Abdullah said:"We went out with the Messenger of Allah and we were young men who could not afford anything. He said: 'O young men, you should get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and protecting one's chastity. Whoever cannot afford it should fast, for it will be a restraint Wija, for him."' (Sahih) (Sunan Nasai English reference: Vol. 3, Book 2, Hadith 2241; Sunan Nasai Arabic reference: Book 22, Hadith 2251)

Narrated Abu Huraira:The Prophet said, "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven." (Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 1901; Sahih Bukhari In-book reference: Book 30, Hadith 11; Sahih Bukhari English translation: Vol. 3, Book 31, Hadith 125)

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah said:"Whoever fasts one day in the cause of Allah, the Mighty and sublime, Allah will remove his face away from the fire in return for the day (the distance of) seventy autumns. (Sahih) (Sunan Nasai English reference: Vol. 3, Book 2, Hadith 2246; Sunan Nasai Arabic reference: Book 22, Hadith 2256; Sunan Nasai English reference: Vol. 3, Book 2, Hadith 2247; Sunan Nasai Arabic reference: Book 22, Hadith 2257)

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah said:"There is no good deed that the son of Adam does, but between ten and seven hundred Hasanahs will be recorded for him. Allah, the mighty and sublime, said: 'Except fasing, for it is for me and I shall reward for it. He gives up his desires and his food for my sake. Fasting is a shield, and the fasting person has two moments of joy. One when he breaks his fast and another when he meets his Lord. And the smell that comes from the mouth of the fasting person is better before Allah than the fragrance of musk." ' (Sahih) (Sunan Nasai English reference: Vol. 3, Book 2, Hadith 2217; Sunan Nasai Arabic reference: Book 22, Hadith 2227)

Abu Hurairah narrated that :The Messenger of Allah said: "On the first night of the month of Ramadan, the Shayatin are shackled, the jinns are restrained, the gates of the Fires are shut such that no gate among them would be opened. The gates of Paradise are opened such that no gate among them would be closed, and a caller calls: 'O seeker of the good; come near!' and 'O seeker of evil; stop! For there are those whom Allah frees from the Fire.' And that is every night." (Hasan) (Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 682; Tirmidhi In-book reference: Book 4, Hadith 1; Tirmidhi English translation: Vol. 2, Book 3, Hadith 682)

It was narrated from 'Ali bin Abi Talib that the Messenger of Allah said:"Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, says: 'Fasting is for me and I shall reward for it. The fasting person has two moments of joy: When he breaks his fast and when he meets his Lord.' By the One in whose hand is my soul, the smell that comes from the mouth of the fasting person is better before Allah than the fragrance of musk." ' (Sahih) (Sunan Nasai English reference: Vol. 3, Book 2, Hadith 2213; Sunan Nasai Arabic reference: Book 22, Hadith 2223 ; Sunan Nasai English reference: Vol. 3, Book 2, Hadith 2214; Sunan Nasai Arabic reference: Book 22, Hadith 2224 ; Sunan Nasai English reference: Vol. 3, Book 2, Hadith 2215; Sunan NasaiArabic reference: Book 22, Hadith 2225)

It was narrated from Sahi bin Sad that the Prophet said:"For those who fast there is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayyan, through which no one but they will enter. When the last of them has entered it, it will be closed. Whoever enters through it will drink, and whoever drinks will never thirst again." (Sahih) (Sunan Nasai English reference: Vol. 3, Book 2, Hadith 2238; Sunan Nasai Arabic reference: Book 22, Hadith 2248)



1.5 billion Muslims of the world celebrate their holiest month of Ramadan every year. Ramadan is the 9th month in the lunar year. During this month, healthy Muslim adults observe Fasting during the daylight hours. Muslim Fasting is a total abstention from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from dawn to dusk for 29 or 30 days of the month of Ramadan. Also, avoiding immoral behavior and anger and showing compassion is part of the requirements of the fasting. The purpose of fasting is manifold. Allah (the God Almighty) mentioned in the Holy Book of the Muslims, Quran, that the fasting is prescribed for the believers as it was prescribed for the people before them, so that they may acquire self control and God-consciousness. Therefore, the purpose of the fasting is to develop God-consciousness, self-control, improvement of health by reducing or eliminating impurities from the body, and to become aware of the plight of the poor, hungry, and the sick. Ramadan is a month of spiritual consciousness and high sense of social responsibility. The fulfillment of one's obligations during the month is rewarded by 70 times. Fasting is one of the 5 pillars of Islam including Announcement of Faith, Salaat (praying 5 times a day), Zakaat (the right of the poor on the wealth of the financially able), Fasting during the month of Ramadan, and Hajj (once a life time pilgrimage to Kaaba).

It is an obligation on every adult and healthy Muslim to fast during the month of Ramadan. The month of Ramadan is also the month in which the Holy Quran was sent down from 7th level of heaven to the 1st level, from where it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in piecemeal basis over a period of 23 years. It is a very joyous occasion for the Muslims of the world. Muslims fast during the day and pray and read Quran during the part of the night. There is a special night called the Night of Power, which is mentioned in the Quran, as a night of mercy and light and worshiping during this night is better than 1,000 months. During this night Quran was sent to the 1st level of heaven. Allah (the God Almighty) send down special angels during this night to pray for the mercy of Allah (the God Almighty) and salvation for the believers.

Unlike common calendar, which is Solar based, Islamic calendar is Lunar based. It does not mean that Muslims worship moon. It is simply another way to count days of the month and the year. Like all Islamic months, Ramadan, the 9th lunar month, begins after sighting Crescent, and not the birth of the new moon. All healthy Muslim adult including homemakers, school-going kids around the age of 13, factory workers, businessmen and others among them will be fasting. Muslim get up very early to take their sahoor, a pre-dawn meal before starting their fast.

At the completion of month of Fasting, Muslims all over the world celebrate their holiday of Eidul-Fitr. It is a true thanksgiving for a Muslim believer for having the opportunity to obey Allah (the God Almighty) by observing Fasting. It is celebrated on the 1st day of 10th lunar month, Shawwaal. The holiday begins with Muslims putting on their best preferably new clothes and going to the Eid congregation. Eid congregations are very large gathering of Muslim men, women and children across the world. Afterwards, people greet each other with hugs and handshakes. The children receive gifts. After the congregation, Muslims visit each other at their homes and hold lunches or dinners for family and friends.



Ramadan, the month of Holy Quran

Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Quran, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful. Holy Quran (Al-Baqara, 2:185)

As a result of associating this month of Ramadan to the Holy Quran, Allah (SWT) wants us to read His Book in this month. It is not merely reciting its words but trying to understand them and learn the wisdom lying in their concepts. Do they not then meditate on the Quran? And if it were from any other than Allah, they would have found in it many a discrepancy. (Surah An-Nisa, 4:82), so that it will guide us in all our affairs, whether in worship on in social and business dealings. We should learn, guided by Holy Quran, the difference between Right and falsehood, Good and evil, justice and wronging, devia

tion and following the straight path. Thus, Allah (SWT) wanted this month of Ramadan to be a month of calling, through asking the people to study Holy Quran, and the scholars to educate the people on Holy Quran, since it is worthless to read Holy Quran if one is not going to appreciate and comprehend it.

And we have seen how Imam Zainul Abideen (as) has described this month of Ramadan as the month of Allah (SWT), The Most Exalted, wants man in to change himself in this month. He should study himself to learn his weak points and strong ones, and then train himself on the good

, the right and justice, as opposed to evil, falsehood and wronging. Allah (SWT), The Most Exalted, wants man to stand before Him in a sound mind that embraces truth, a sound heart that beats with mercy and love and a sound body that obeys Allah's commands in what to take and leave. It is, according to Imam Zainul Abideen (as), the month of purification from all the evil ideas Satan might suggest to man, like making his relations with others based on harming them and deviated from the straight path. Man should purify himself from the inside; the outside cleanne
ss of the body is not what purification actually implies. The real purifications are that of the mind, heart, tongue, goals and relations, so as to stand before Allah (SWT) - when nothing does one any good except his good deeds - with a heart void of disbelief and hatred. Imam Zainul Abideen (as) stresses too that the month of Ramadan is the month of Islam. In the month of Ramadan, all Muslims should uphold the responsibility of Islam by leaving all what Allah (SWT) has ordained, revealed or conveyed to His Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) so that it will be a month in which man lives a spiritual and humanistic life. O you who believe! Answer (the call of) Allah and His Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life; and know that Allah intervenes between man and his heart, and that to Him you shall be gathered.

This month of Ramadan is also the month of peace, in which the Muslim should prove that Islam is the religion of peace. Allah (SWT) has made the greeting which the Muslim says to others to be: "peace on you". And the tradition has related that a greeting has 70 rewards, 69 of them are for the one who says it first. Allah (SWT) wants our greeting to others to be one of peace. They should train on this greeting in this world to move to Paradise, having been accustomed to it, because peace is the salutation of the people of Paradise. The angels also will greet the believers in Paradise with the word of peace, the gardens of perpetual abode which they will enter along with those who do good from among their parents and their spouses and their offspring; and the angels will enter in upon them from every gate: Peace unto you for that ye persevered in patience! Now how excellent is the final home!



Increased Rewards & Forgiveness

What are the rewards of good deeds in the month of Ramadan? The reward of every Fardh (compulsory) act is multiplied seventy times while every Nafl (optional) act earns the reward of one Fardh out of Ramadan. (Ibn Khuzaymah). It is important to understand the latter aspect in its proper perspective. Tahajjud (Nafl Salah in the last third of the night) is an extremely great ibadah (worship). Great virtues have been narrated for this Salah. However, a lifetime of tahajjud cannot equal one Fardh of Fajr Salah! Yet in the month of Ramadan Almighty Allah grants us the reward of a Fardh action for every Nafl performed.

The fish in the sea seek forgiveness for those fasting until they break their fast . Allah decorates His Jannah (Paradise) every day and then says, “The time is near when My pious servants shall cast aside the great trials and come to me.” (Musnad Ahmed)

When Ramadan arrives, the gates of Paradise are flung open, the doors of the Hellfire are closed and the Shayateen are imprisoned. (Bukhari)

Fasting

All good deeds are for the one who renders them, but fasting. Fasting is exclusively for me (Allah). (Bukhari)
The odour of the mouth of a fasting person is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk.(Bukhari)
Fasting is a shield, as long as the fasting person does not tear it up (by disobedience) (Nasaee).

Iftar

Not a single prayer made by a fasting person at the time of breaking the fast is rejected. (Ibn Majah)

The Nights of Ramadan
Whoever stands in prayer and worship in (the nights of) Ramadan, with Iman and with sincere hope of gaining reward , all his previous sins are forgiven. (Bukhari, Muslim)

Laylatul Qadr (The Night of Power)

Whoever stands in prayer and worship in the night of power with Iman and with sincere hope of gaining reward , all his previous sins are forgiven. ( Muslim)
Look for the night of power among the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. (Mishkat)

I’etikaf

The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) observed I’etikaf for ten days every year in the month of Ramadan. In the year he passed away he observed it for twenty days. (Bukhari)

The Last Night Of Ramadan

On the last night of Ramadan the fasting Muslims are forgiven. (Musnad Ahmed)



EVERY SECOND IS SO PRECIOUS THIS RAMADAN! SO LETS GET GOING AND PRAY THESE NAFLS THROUGHOUT THE DAY EVERYDAY THIS RAMADAN AND BEYOND AND OUR GOOD DEED ACCOUNTS WILL FILL WITH GOOD DEEDS INSHALLAH!!!

1.TAHIYATUL WUDHU (Nafl prayer after doing Wudu)

Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that once Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam asked Bilal (Radiyallahu 'anhu) at Fajr Salat:

O Bilal!

Tell me that deed of yours
which is most hopeful (for reward)
after embracing Islam,
for I heard your footsteps in front of me in Paradise
(in my dream).

Bilal (Radiyallahu 'anhu) replied:

I have not done anything extroadinary except that
whenever I perform Wudu during the day or night,
I Salat (Tahiyatul-Wudu) after that,
as much as was written or granted for me.(Bukhari)

Abu Huraira Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that Allah’s Messenger Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said to Bilal Radhiallahu ‘anhu “Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise.” Bilal said : “I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer.” Narrated by Al-bukhari and Muslim.

After completion of the wudhu of two Rakaats is full of blessings (sawaab). It is related in the Hadith that performance of the two Rakaats of Tahiyatul wudhu Namaaz makes paradise obligatory (wajib) for the performer (ref:Muslim Sharif) There are also many other benefits.

It should not be performed during the Improper (makruh) times. (When the sun rises, when it is at Zenith and when it sets.)

2. Prayer of Ishraq (Sunrise prayer)

The beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has said: Those who perform the Fajr prayer in congregation (Jamaa’at), read the Zikr (remembrance of Allah) till the sun has completely arisen (length of a spear from the horizon, after 20 minutes of sunrise) and read 2 Raka-at Nafil prayer, will have the benedictions (sawaab) equal to those of Haj-Umrah. It is recommended to read the Surah Fateha and Ayyat-uk-Kursi till Khaalidoon, in the first Raka-at, and in the second Raka-at to read, after Surah Fateha, Aamanar Rasul till the end of Suratul Baqarah. In the case that this verse cannot be read from memory, one can recite any other verse and then ask Duas. Woman should read all prayers of Farz and Nafil at home and will derive the same benefits (sawaab) that accrue from prayer performed at the Mosque (Tirmizi Shareef).

The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) is reported to have said that Whoever, after finishing Fajr salat, kept sitting at the place of prayer, and prayed the Ishraq salat before getting up from there, provided he did not engage in any worldly act or conversation during that time, and instead, remained in Allah's Zikr (remembrance), then all his sins are forgiven, even if they are as much as the foarn of the ocean. [Abu Da'ud] The scholars have written that during this time, the person should take care to sit facing the Qiblah. Sheikh Shahabuddin Soharwardi (R.A.) used to say that the action whose reward is obtained right away in this world, is that a person, after Fajr salat, facing Qiblah, does Zikr of Allah until Ishraq. After a few days the person will gain inner spiritual light (Nuraniyat).

Rasulullah is reported to have said that Allah Ta'ala says, 'O son of Aadam, perform 4 Rakaats of Salat (Ishraaq) in the early part of the day. I shall help you in accomplishing all your responsibilities during the rest of the day.' (Mishkaat pg.116)

In another narration of Tirmidhi, Rasulullah is reported to have said, 'He who performs Fajr Salat with Jamaat and remains seated in the same place while engaging in Dhikr until after sunrise and thereafter performs 2 Rakaats Nafil Salat, (Ishraaq), he will obtain the Thawaab of one Hajj and one Umrah.' (Tirmidhi).


From the above Ahaadith, we learn that the number of Rakaats to be performed are 2 or 4 Rakaats, and the Mustahabb method of performing it is to remain seated in your place of Salat after Fajr and engage in Dhikr, etc. until sunrise. Then, approximately, 10-15 minutes after sunrise perform 2-4 Rakaats. 'If a person gets occupied in some worldly activity after the Fajr Salat, and after sunrise he offers Ishraaq Salat, this will also be permissible although the reward will be less.' (Bahishti Zewar part2 pg.30)

3. Dhuhaa Salaat (Breakfast prayer)

When the sun has risen high and there is heat in its rays, the performance of 2,4, 6,8 or 12 rakaats is called Namaaz-e-Chaast. This is full of countless rewards.

The Traditions says that the performance of 2 rakaats wipes away all ones sins. There are 360 joints in our body and to pay Sadakah for each is Wajib (obligatory) The 2 rakaaats is enough to pay all the Sadakah. Performance of 4 rakaats places the performer's name among the Abids and is the Sunnat of Saliheen and promise the performer protection until the evening. The performer of 6 rakaats is relieved of his day's worries. Performance of 8 rakaats places his name among the Parhezgaars and the performer of 12 rakaats ensures a Golden Mansion or castle for himself in Paradise. (Ref : Tirmizi, Ibne Majah, Ahmad and Abu Yala)

The Mustahabb (preferred) time of performing Salat al-Dhuhaa is after 1/4 of the day has passed. This is deduced from a Hadith of Muslim. (Halabi; Sharah Kabeer pg.390). From many Ahaadith, we understand that Salat al-Dhuhaa should be performed after the sun has risen quiet high. Because the Fuqahaa and Muhadditheen are of the opinion that the commencement of the time of Salat al-Dhuhaa is the same as that of Ishraaq (i.e. immediately after sunrise), the Ulama have stated that 'if due to lack of time, one performs the Salat of Ishraaq and Dhuhaa together at one time, that too will be correct.' (Our Namaas pg.44)

Rasulullah is reported to have said, 'Whoever offers 2 Rakaats of Salat al-Dhuhaa, all his sins will be forgiven even though they are as much as the foam of the sea.' (Ibid)

It is reported that Sayyidna Aaisha (Radhiallaahu Anha) used to perform 8 Rakaats of Salat al-Dhuhaa. She said that even if her parents arose from the grave, she would not leave Salat al-Dhuhaa to go and meet them. (Ibid).

'Salat al-Dhuhaa consists of 2 - 12 Rakaats and it is preferable to perform 8 Rakaats.' (Raddul Mukhtaar vol.1 pg.505)


The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) is reported to have said that Whoever prayed twelve rakaats at the time of Chasht, then Allah will, as reward, prepare a palace of gold for him in Paradise. [Mishkat, Tirmizi, Ibn Majah]


4. Virtues of the Four Rak'aah Sunnah of Zuhr


The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) is reported to have said that Whoever performs the four rakaats before and after the Zuhr salat with constancy, Allah Ta'ala makes the fire of Hell haram (forbidden) for him. [Mishkat, p. 104; Tirmizi, Abu Da'ud, Nisai, Ibn Majah]


The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) is reported to have said that after the worshipper prays the four rakaats of Zuhr salat, the doors of heaven are opened, i.e. the salat becomes accepted by Allah, and the cause of its acceptance comes down on the worshipper as rays of mercy. [Mishkat, p. 104]

5. Virtues of the 4 Rak'aah Sunnah of Asr

Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said: "May Allaah have Mercy on the one who offers four (rak'ahs) before 'Asr prayer." (Abu Dawud)

6. Salatul Awwabeen(Nafl prayers of Maghrib)

After the Farz and Sunnat of Magrib, performance of the minimum of 6 to a maximum of 20 rakaats is called Salatul Awwabeen.

Rasulallah (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) has said that the one who performs six Rak'aahs after Maghrib without uttering an evil word between these rak'aahs, then these six rak'aah's will be equivalent to 12 years devotion for that person.

7.Prayer of Tahajjud (Night prayer)

Our Master, the beloved Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has said: In Paradise there is a castle reserved for those who read Tahajjud and the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) further adds, those who pray at night will enter paradise without having to account for their acts in this life.
The Nafils of Tahajjud are read after the Esha prayer, but it is important to sleep before performing Tahajjud. The prayer consists of a minimum of 2 Raka-ats, and a maximum of 8 or 12 Raka-ats (to be read according ones capacity).

After Esha prayers sleep for some time, then wake up any time during the night before the rise of morning for Tahajjud prayers. With the performance of 2 Rakats you have duly achieved your Tahajjud. However, the performance of 8 Rakats in Sunnat, and complying with the practice of the Holy Saints of Islam and performing 12 Rakats is commendable.

It is recommended that you recite in your prayers as much of the Sacred Quran as you know. If you happen to know by heart the whole of the Sacred Quran you may, in at least 3 nights or most 4 nights of Tahajjud effectuate the complete reading of the Sacred Quran.

Otherwise, you may recite 3 Surah Ikhlas (Qul Hu Allahu Ahad) after your "Alhamdu..." in every Rakat and you will thus derive full benefits of the full recital of the Sacred Quran in every Rakat.

During the month of Ramadan one should awake a little earlier for Sehri and make time to pray Tahajjud Salaah for the reward is magnified so much more in Ramadan and duas are even more readily accepted than at any other time of the year.

The dua's at the time of Tahajjud are very readily accepted by Almighty Allah and one should repent and ask of Allah and try to cry in their dua's at this time, if one cannot cry due to the hardness of ones heart due to sin then at least one should make the face as if one is crying. Just as a mother tends to her baby quickly and promptly when it cries the same way Allah attends to his servant quicker when they are crying.

8.Salaatul Tasbih

Our beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) had taught this Nafil prayer to his Uncle, Hazrat Abbas (RA) and told him; He who performs this prayer will have his past and future sins forgiven.
The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has recommended to read this prayer daily on each Friday or once a month or once a year, in case of this not being possible, to read it even once in one’s life. This Nafil prayer provides limitless benefits both in the material and spiritual life.

How to perform this Nafil:

After having pronounced one’s intention (Niyat), say Allaho-Akbar, read "Subhanaka-Alla humma" completely (Sana), read now 15 times "Subhaanallahi wal hamdu Lillaahi wala illaha Illallah Wallah-o-Akbar." Then read Aoozu billah and Bismillah (completely) and Surah Fateha. Then recite 10 times the Tasbih mentioned above and go to Ruku. Here also recite 10 times the Tasbih before raising yourself to read another 10 times the same Tasbih, this time in a standing position. Then prostrate (Sajdah) and read 10 times the Tasbih, sit now and read again 10 times this Tasbih (Jalsa) and prostrate again, Tasbish 10 times in the 2nd Raka-at begin by reading 15 times this Tasbih before reading "Bismillah" and Surah Fateha. After that read 10 times the Tasbih and then proceed as in the first Raka-at. To end the second Raka-at, read as usual "Attahiyat", "Durood" and "Duas".Then read 2 other Raka-ats. As in each Raka-at the Tasbih is recited 75 times, it means that in all 4 Raka-at the Tasbih is read 300 times. In the other 2 Raka-at, after "Subhana Rabbiyal-azeem",read the Tasbih 75 times and in the Sajdah (prostrations after Subhaan Rabbiyal-ala) read again 75 times the Tasbih.

Note: No fixed time has been prescribed for this prayer, a fact, which means that besides any time prohibited this prayer, can be read at any time.


The Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) addressed us (i.e. the companions) on the last day of Sha`baan, saying, “Oh people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than a thousand months; a month in which Allaah has made it compulsory upon you to fast (by day), and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allaah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Paradise. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer’s sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all”. They said: “Not all of us can find that which (we can provide to) the fasting person to break his fast.” He said: “Allaah ????? gives this reward to anyone who helps the fasting person in breaking the fast even by a (single) date or provides him with water to drink or gives him milk. And it is a month the beginning of which is Mercy, its middle is Forgiveness, and its last is emancipation from the Fire. Whoever reduces (the burden) on his slave, Allaah will forgive him and will emancipate him from the Fire. And increase in it the four things: Your Lord is pleased with two things, and with the (other) two He will enrich you. The two things with which your Lord is pleased are bearing witness that Laa ilaaha illallaah (there is no one worthy of being worshipped except Allaah) and that you seek His forgiveness. And the two things with which he will enrich you are when you ask for Paradise from Allaah and that you seek His refuge from the Hell. And whoever feeds a fasting person till he is satisfied, Allaah will give him the drink from my Cistern, the drink after which he will not feel thirsty till he enters the Paradise.”



Virtues of walking to the Masjid

Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Anyone who purifies himself in his house and then goes to one of the houses of Allah to fulfil one of the obligations of Allah, one step removes an error and the other raises him a degree." [Muslim]


12. Virtues of Praying in the Masjid

The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) is reported to have said that The person who, from morning to evening, goes towards the Masjid to perform salat, every time he goes to the Masjid, Allah Ta'ala prepares the Paradise for his welcome. [Mishkat]

13. Tahiyyatul Masjid (Nafl prayer when entering Masjid)

Abu Qatada Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said : “If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two raka’ats before sitting.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

This is a 2 Rak'aah Nafl prayer which one should perform as one enters the Masjid. It is very rewarding.


14. Reward of Salaah multiplied 70 times or more by use of Miswaak

‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) has reported that,

“The prayer before which the Miswak is used is seventy times more excellent than that before which it is not used.”

Ibn Abbas, ‘Ali and Ata (may Allah be pleased with them all) state that,

“But it increases to 99 or 400 times.”

Reward for every action is based on sincerity, the more sincere we are the the more reward we'll get! It may be that we could get 70, 99 or even 400 times or more rewards for every action depending on how sincere we are in doing the action. Subhanallah!


Allah swt’s Twelve ways of Forgiving in the Month of Ramadan:

We can also think it like this that one of the dominant traits of Allah swt is Forgiveness. And throughout the year He wants to forgive the mo’mineen but some of us may not be able to earn that forgiveness that is according to His Justness, His ‘adal. So, He made this month of Ramadan a means for us to earn His forgiveness. But, another way to look at this is that Allah swt made this month of Ramadan a means for Him to send down His maghfirah.

Now, let us look in detail in these twelve different ways that Allah swt has made this month Shahr ul Ghufran, so its is the month of Forgiving, the month of Forgiveness, the month of the Forgiver

1. Chaining of Shaytan & the Shayateen.

I’ve already mentioned this earlier, but how does it help? if there is a person, who has somehow been attacked or effected by their enemy, the best help that you can give them is to remove that enemy of your friend; to completely prevent his enemy from doing anything to him whatsoever. So, not for just laylatulQadr, or the last 10 days, but for all each and every day and night in the month of Ramadan, Allah swt has directly intervened and Allah swt has directly prevented Shaytan and all of the Shayateen from doing any single thing to any and all of His believers.

And sometimes you may find this, an example that I will give you is what we normally feel i.e laziness. Sometimes our laziness is due to Shaytan. So, You may find that there has been a Muslim who is lazy about their prayer or lazy about regularly reading the Qur’an-e-karim, all of a sudden he will say that I find it so much easier to pray in the month of Ramadan, I find it easier to read the Qur’an, I find it easier to go to the Masjid, I find it easier to stay in the Masjid. Well, the reason for this sudden ease is because what was making it difficult before was the waswasa, was the whisperings of the Shayateen and now Allah swt has removed that and we are going to be able to experience what is it like to be effected from these waswasa. But what we really want to do in this month of Ramadan is make ourselves so strong that even when this protection is removed, when the month ends, we have made ourselves so strong that we are ourselves immune to Shaytan, so we can live our entire year like that this whisperings would have no effect on us, anyway whatsoever.

So, this is the first way that Allah swt created for us a means so that we earn His forgiveness.

2. Opening of the Gates of Jannah

It comes in the Hadith by RasulAllah saw that Allah swt throws open all of the gates, the doors to Jannah in this month of Ramadan. And this is a special gift that He gave to the Ummah of Sayyidina Mustafa saw. Now, why is Allah swt doing this? And this is both literal and symbolic. Literal means that there are literally gates; they may not be the gates the likeness of the gates that exist in this world but there are gates or portals or paths to Jannah that otherwise are closed and will be opened on the Day of Judgement after all of the hibaab and Judgement has taken place – but in this month Allah swt casts them open literally.And it also means figuratively: that in this month, Allah swt is going to populate Jannah is going to be colonizing Jannah by forgiving people.

Because Allah swt has opened the gates of Jannah and He wants to populate Jannah, you can imagine that He wants to allot different plots of Jannah to the believers then He is going to do that through His forgiveness and through His Mercy. And that is why Sayiddina RasulAllah saw used to make this dua that:

Allahuma innee asalukal Jannah, wa a’oodhubika minan naar

that: O Allah swt! I ask You that You bestow upon me Jannah and ya Allah swt I ask from You that You grant me refuge and sanctity from Jahannam.

So, in this month we should repeatedly make this sunnah dua. We should repeatedly think about Jannah, think about our aakhirah, think that our aim and our goal is to reach this place which is our ultimate destination in the hereafter.

You can imagine it like this that when there is a big sale in a store, they throw open their gates. What does it mean? It means that its open house, this is the open season for you to come in and buy as much as you want. So, here Allah swt has actually opened the doors of Jannah in this way as well that O my beloved mo’mineen in this month it is open house for you; it is an open for season for you to earn as much as you can; make as many ‘amal, good deeds, acts of worship as you can in this month to earn His Jannah.

3. Allah swt increases the reward of our righteous deeds in this month

The third aspect that Allah swt has endowed this month of Ramadan with is that Allah swt has increased the ajar the sawab the reward of the ‘amaal, the acts of worship and other righteous acts that the believers do in this month of Ramadan. So much so that it comes in a Hadith that if a believer does anything that was previously optional/voluntary/recommended – what we call Nafl or Mustahab or Mundook., then that person would get the reward of a Fardh of an obligatory/ mandatory act. So, if you give voluntary Sadaqa, you get the sawab of fardh sawab. If you pray a nafl prayer, you get the sawab of a fardh prayer. If you help someone – some of us may not have a mother or father or sibling who needs our help or who is in such a state of need that it becomes incumbent or fardh upon us to help them – but if we help somebody else; maybe somebody else’s mother or somebody else’s father or somebody else’s children; so then we will get sawab as if it was our very own mother or father or child. So, any optional act that we do we get the reward of a fardh. And the second part of this hadith is that if somebody does something that is fardh then Allah swt will give the reward of seventy faraidh or 70 obligatory acts. That means, if we pray 5 times a day in Ramadan, we would get the reward of having prayed 350 tims outside of Ramadan. If we pray Jumma’ once in Ramadan, it will be as if we prayed 70 Jumma’s.

And this is how Allah swt makes a person catch up. If you imagine a person who is so distant from Allah swt that through out the year they never went for Jumma Salah and now in this month of Ramadan they go and pray the 4 Jummas or maybe they are lucky and in those 30 days it happens to be 5 Jummas, so then they would get the reward of 350 Jummas. Otherwise, they would get the sawab of 280 Jummas if there are 4 jummas. Now, how many Jummas are in a year? There are about 52. Normally, they are about 52. Every person who prayed them in Ramadan will get a reward of 280 jummas. So, that person who did not pray Jumma all year long, in the month of Ramadan goes to Jumma; not just for the sake of going but in a state of tauba; in a state of complete repentance to Allah and complete intention that they will continue going to Jumma throughout the rest of their life so with these 4 jummas they get the reward of about 6 years of jummah! Allahuakbar, incredible maghfirah; incredible maghfirah.

So, Allah swt increases the reward of these actions about 70 folds. Somebody had neglected paying zakat for 2, 3 years for 10,20 years and in this month of Ramadan they decided to pay their zakah then Allah swt increases that as if they paid 70 years worth of zakat. Allahuakbar kabira. And all of us know that these ‘amal and acts of worship and righteous acts and charity and kindness is something that earns the maghfirah, the forgiveness of Allah swt. A person had not been that good to their wife; in the month of Ramadan they treat her well; it will be as if they treat her well for 70 months- that means almost 60 years and they may only have been married for 5 years! Allahuakbar

So, Allah swt increases the reward the sawab of all of our acts that we do for His sake and in His name; be they formal acts of worship or be they kindness and gentleness to members of His creation. If it was something that was optional He gives us the reward of that which is mandatory and if it is something that is mandatory; He gives us the reward of 70 such mandatory acts.



Allah swt has made the entire creation make dua for the person

It comes in Hadith that syeddina RasulAllah saw said that Allah swt has made the entire creation all of makhlooq make dua specifically for the maghfirah of the fasting believer Allahuakbar, it comes in hadith that the ‘birds in the air, the fish in the oceans and the animals on the land all of them are perpetually, constantly it means 24/7 making dua for the maghfirah of that believer who is fasting Allahu akbar so we may only be able to free ourselves up for dua for our own forgiveness at the time of suhoor and iftaar and then we maybe busy so what Allah swt did to maximize the benefits of this month, so He said okay you are going to go back to your dunya what I am going to do is that I will make my entire creation a jamaat of dua for you Allahu akbar all of creation we can’t even imagine it, All of creation makes dua for the maghfirah of the fasting believer, subhanAllahi wabihamdihi subhanAllahilazeem.

If we just take for e.g. one creation it would be amazing for instance if we just take the birds who knows how many billions of birds there are, and every one of them making dua for us personally. subhanAllah.

And if we take the other example: all of us know marine life or ocean life is just phenomenal that is billions and billions, hundreds of billions of life forms live in the oceans of this world and each and every one of them is making Dua for us, subhanAllahi wabihamdihi subhanAllahil azeem.

6. Gates of Jahannum are closed in this month of Ramadan

Allah swt, in addition to opening the gates of Jannah, has closed the gates of Jahannum in this month of Ramadan. Again that means both literally, just like Jannah has entryways and portals, Jahannum also has entryways and portals. It also means figuratively that the means and ways and attractions of Jahannum for the soul of the believer are closed in this month of Ramadan.

7. Every single night in Ramadan, Allah swt frees people from Jahannam

Nabi saw gave the example of a particular valley, this is known as the valley of the people of bani kalb, and this tribe was known to have a very large amount of goats; thousands and thousands of goats used to graze in this large valley of the people of bani kalb and sayyidina RasoolAllah saw in the hadith gave this as an example and said that in every single night in Ramadan not just the last 10 nights, In every single night of Ramdan as mnay people are freed form Jahannam as the number of hair in all the goats of the tribe of banu kalb. Now if there are 1000 goats, all of them will have lets say 100o small small hair will be there on every goat, this means millions of fasting believers are freed every night in the month of Ramadan. This means throughout the month or Ramadan maybe billions of hundreds of billions will be freed from Jahannam in this month.

What does it mean to be free from Jahannam?

It means prior to the month of Ramadan they had lead such a life that had lead them to deserve Jahannam, their names were written in the ranks of the people of Jahannam, If they had died on 30th of Shaban they might have gone to Jahannam but they turned to Allah swt in Mujahaddah and kept the fasts in Ramadan, they turned to Allah swt in taubah in the month of Ramadan and repented from all of their sinful ways that had led them to Jahannam due to that every night Allah swt accepts the taubah of thousands and millions of fasting believers. So, every single night millions of people are freed from the registers of Jahannam. Allahu akbar kabira