Calendar April 2023
The night which is better than a thousand months
Undoubtedly, everything created by Almighty Allah has a value and significance, and time is no exception. But some hours, due to their prominent moments, are more valuable and superior. In the month of Ramadan, which is a season of worship, salvation, and forgiveness, there is a night which, as expressed in the Quran, is better than a thousand months. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says in the Quran: “We have sent it (the Qur'an) down in the Night of Qadr. And what may let you know what the Night of Qadr is? The Night of Qadr is much better than one thousand months. The angels and the Spirit [i.e., Jibril] descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is till the debut of dawn.” (Al-Qadr, 1-5)
Anas b. Malik (radiyallahu anh) narrates that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “When the Night of Qadr comes, Jibril descends with a group of angels. They offer prayers and greetings to every worshipper who is standing in prayer or sitting and remembering Allah.” (al-Bayhaqi, 3695)
Our beloved mother Aisha (radiyallahu anha) said about Laylatu’l-Qadr: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to perform i’tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan until he died and he used to say: ‘Search for Laylat-al-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan.’” (Muslim, Sawm 40)
For this reason, righteous people have consistently spent the last ten nights of Ramadan in worship, thinking that it could be Laylat-al Qadr.
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Abu Hurayra (radiyallahu anh) narrates that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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.” (Bukhari, Sawm, 6)
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Our beloved mother Aisha (radiyallahu anha) narrates: “I asked the Prophet: "O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Lailat-ul-Qadr, what should I supplicate in it?" He replied, "You should supplicate: Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun, tuhibbul-'afwa, fa'fu 'anni (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me)." (Tirmidhi, Da’awat, 85)
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Sadaqah al-Fitr
The root of the word “sadaqah,” the Arabic term for charity, comes from the word "sidq", which signifies "truthfulness" and "honesty in speech.” The reason why the term "sadaqah" is used to represent the idea of giving charity in Islam is to denote the loyalty of Muslims to the commandments of Allah. Hence, charity is regarded as a manifestation of being faithfully devoted to Allah.
Sadaqah, in its broadest sense, refers to every good deed, offering, and spending made for the sake of Allah. Sadaqah encompasses many obligatory and voluntary acts of worship, as well as acts of assistance and kindness. Therefore, the sadaqah al-fitr (charity given at the end of Ramadan) is a means of achieving acceptance of fasting, finding salvation from the agony of death, and protection from the punishment in the grave. In a hadith, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The fast of Ramadan is suspended between the earth and the heavens, and it cannot be raised to Allah the Exalted until the zakat al-fitr is paid.” (Ali al-Muttaqi, Kanzu’l-Ummal 23687)
The Joy of Eid
The Arabic word “eid,” which means festival, derives from the word “aada,” meaning to return. The term “eid” is used to refer to festive days because believers celebrate the Eid of Fitr after a month of fasting in Ramadan and the Eid of Adha after the Hajj pilgrimage. They repeat these acts of worship every year and perform them with renewed passion. As is the custom of His unfathomable grace, Allah the Almighty always rewards them with blessings. The return of these days means the return of happiness to believers.
Eid is when the human soul rejoices and finds peace with divine favors and shares it with others. That is why our eid means not only worship, but also unity, reconciliation, and sharing. These beautiful virtues are facilitated during these blessed times with divine wisdom. There is also a promise of greater blessings compared to other times.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “On the morning of Eid al-Fitr, Allah sends down angels. The angels descend to the earth and stand at street corners, calling out:
‘O Muhammad's Ummah! Run to the presence of your Lord, who is generous in His gifts and forgives great sins!’ All creatures except humans and jinn can hear their call. When people gather in mosques, they call out to Allah's presence and ask:
‘What is the reward for one who has fulfilled his duty?’ The angels reply:
‘O our Lord, his reward should be to receive his full payment without any deductions.’ Then Allah says to the angels:
‘O my angels, I bear you witness that I am pleased with them and have forgiven them.’" (Bayhaqi, Shuabu’l Iman, 3695)
The first Eid prayer performed by Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), was the Eid al-Fitr prayer in the second year after the Hijrah. He never abandoned this prayer after that year.
Ebu Hurayrah (radiyallahu anh), narrates that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Adorn your Eid with Takbirs (saying Allahu Akbar)." (Tabarani, al-Mu'jam al-Saghir, 1/215)
He also said: "Whoever says 'Subhanallah wa bihamdih' (Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him) three hundred times on the day of Eid and gives it as a gift to the deceased Muslims, a light will enter the grave of every believer, and when that person passes away, Allah will give a thousand lights to his grave. (Tabarani, al-Mu’jam al-Awsat, 1/357)
After the month of Ramadan
For us Muslims who fast for a month, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) recommended fasting for six days in the month of Shawwal. He announced that fasting in Shawwal would be a means of attaining a reward equal to fasting for a whole year. Therefore, the believers who observe the holy month of Ramadan also want to fast for six days in Shawwal to attain this grand favor of Allah.
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal will be (rewarded) as if he had fasted the entire year.” (Muslim, Sawm, 204)
