Keeping the Spirit of Ramadaan Alive

An Inspirational Eid Message of 

Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi alayh)

In a world, which has become rather strange and peculiar, we find in the quest for peace, nations of the world are waging wars of devastation and destruction against each other. World governments look towards war as the solution for peace. Greed and selfishness are considered as the key to the success of man. ...In the clamour for justice, injustice towers over and above, in all its ugliness. Instead of peace, freedom, success and justice, man finds himself shackled under the yoke of more and more tribulations.

Despite billions of dollars being expended for all types of sophisticated technology to establish law and order, and eliminate crimes of theft, murder, bribery, corruption, rape, fraud, hijackings and so forth, crime has not been eradicated, nor reduced by any percentage; rather there has been and there is a daily escalation in all criminal offences.

Frequent get-togethers of the so-called master minds of the world, summit conferences and high level discussions have all failed to provide a solution to the economic, political, cultural and social problems of man.

Man is a created being and only Divine guidance can solve his problems. The reality is clear: The heavy arm of the law on its own, just legislation, the imposition of fines and jail sentences, cannot and will not solve problems that face mankind. The only sure deterrent to crimes of all kinds, is firm conviction and belief in our Creator, a life hereafter and a day of judgement, where complete justice will be meted out. These are long term solutions, and solutions that were proven to give the best results and create the best societies on the face of the earth.

The obligation of fasting in the month of Ramadaan for the Believers, men and women, who are sane and healthy, is a clear message to mankind that unrestricted indulgence in fulfilling the desires of one's base or animal self has to be curbed for some time, to give an upliftment to one's spiritual self. The object of fasting, as described in the Holy Qur’aan, is “so that you may guard against evil.”

During the auspicious month of Ramadan, a fasting person abstains from food, drink and sexual relations from dawn until sunset, in obedience to the command of his creator. The month is a training whereby the Believer's trait of God-conscious is nurtured. Even though he may be in place of total privacy and seclusion, on the hottest day of the year, he does not submit to the temptation of sipping even a few drops of water for he is convinced that he cannot evade the sight of the All-Observing Almighty.

If the spirit of fasting were to become a reality in the society of Muslims who have observed the fasts of Ramadaan and has advanced our piety, then mankind would see a society in which every person becomes the guardian of the respect, honour, property and possessions of others; a society in which the needy, the poor, the destitute, and the under-privileged are taken cared for; a society in which honesty, chastity, nobility, kindness, compassion, mercy and forgiveness shine forth like the midday sun; a society in which no harm is caused to any human or animal without a just reason; and a society in which material progress does not bring about a moral collapse.

Eidul Fitr signifies the end of this fasting period and is a day of joy and thanksgiving, but despite being a day of celebration, the day commences with an additional prayer after sunrise, reminding the believers that the object of fasting must be fully borne in mind even after Ramadan. A believer must be aware of the fact that he was made to observe the fast to become God-conscious, pious and self-restraining. His natural inclinations to eating, drinking and fulfilling his sexual passions were curbed for a month from dawn to sunset – the willpower to abstain from all evil and totally submit himself to the will of the Creator should now be easy for the months to follow.

Ramadaan was a golden opportunity for the Muslim community to bring about a total transformation in all spheres of their lives. Eid and the days to follow are opportunities to demonstrate the moral upliftment and spiritual elevation gained through fasting by showing compassion, mercy and kindness towards the creation of the Almighty.

Whilst conveying to the Muslim community best wishes for a happy Eid, I make a humble appeal to every Muslim brother and sister to keep the spirit of fasting alive – Let obedience of Allah Ta'ala shine forth from this day forward. Let the rest of mankind observe the effect that fasting has in changing the outlook of a believing Muslim. Let the world observe a community free from all sins, crime and vice and let us be an example which is worthy of emulation and of others accepting Islam.

Du'aa | Opening the Doors of Blessings

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

“AND YOUR LORD SAYS : CALL ON ME;

I WILL ANSWER YOUR (DU’AA)…”

[Surah Mu`min 40 : 60]

 “Anyone amongst you whose doors of Du’aa have opened, in reality, 

the doors of blessings have opened for him.”

[Hadeeth]

“Brimming with humility and seeds of sincerity, Hazrat Maulana’s Duas teaches one the manner of begging from Allah Ta’ala, and is a means of bringing about a transformation within the heart.

A treasure for those who supplicate in English.”

READ THE BOOK ONLINE OR DOWNLOAD HERE

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“When you are able to cry during your supplication, then realise that your prayers have been accepted. Tears are a receipt of the acceptance of your prayers.”

[Hazrat Maulana Abdul Ghani Phoolpuri (RA)]

Laylatul Qadr

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)

Allah Ta’ala’s love for His Messenger Muhammad (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa-Sallam) is clearly evident and manifest in many Aayaat (verses) of the Qur`aan Shareef. Additionally, whilst other Ambiyaa (Alayhimus Salaam) were gifted with exclusive titles, it was Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa-Sallam) alone, whose title was “Habibullah”  (The Beloved of Allah Ta'ala).

Due to this Divine love for Sayyidina Muhammad (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa-Sallam), his Ummah is recipient to special mercy, blessings and favours from Allah Ta’ala. It is only due to our connection and association with Nabi-e-Akram (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa-Sallam) that Allah Ta’ala has honoured us above all people.

Amongst many privileges, one Divine Mark of Distinction that has been granted to us, is the great privilege of being “Ummate Marhooma” – The Ummah upon whom Mercy is shown.

The explanation of this noble title, “Ummate Marhooma” is that forgiveness is secured and mercy is attained through our sicknesses, our hardships and other tribulations; through the Eesale Sawaab that people convey to us after our demise, and through blessed days and nights such as are found in Ramadaan, and other special days and nights outside Ramadaan (The first 10 nights and days of Zul Hijjah, the nights of Eid, the 10^th of Muharram, etc.), whereby we can easily gain forgiveness. 

The most special and most blessed of all nights is the Night of “QADR”. Laylatul Qadr is a night singled out by Allah Ta’ala, who granted it such magnificent virtues and such greatness that surpasses all other nights. The fact that Allah Ta’ala has gifted this Ummah, with this one night – year in and year out – highlights again the Divine mercy that is extended to this Ummah, as well as the Graciousness and Kindness of Allah Ta’ala in giving us opportunities to secure far more in rewards.

It is mentioned in Tafseer that one meaning of the word “Qadr” is “greatness, honour, dignity” and this is what the night of Qadr is – a night of greatness. It is also stated that the night is called so, because a person becomes a man of honour and dignity on account of his sincere repentance, and the noble deeds, prayers and supplications he engages in during this night. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa-Sallam) said: “Whoever stands in prayer and worship on the night of Qadr, with complete faith and with sincere hope of gaining reward, all his previous sins are forgiven.”

“Qadr” also means “pre-destination” and we find that this is also a night where the destinies of people are assigned to respective Angels in regard to life, death, sustenance, rain, and so forth – all of which will come to pass for the year that will follow.

Drawing from the different narrations, it becomes clear that the Night of Qadr should be sought in the last 10 nights of Ramadaan, specifically the odd nights. Its greatness and merit is described in the Speech of Allah Ta’ala, wherein it is stated that worship in this night surpasses the worship of 1000 months. Worship includes Salaah, Tilawah (recitation) of the Qur`aan Shareef, Zikrullah, Dua, etc.

The night is also a night for sincere repentance as attested by a narration, wherein Hazrat Ayesha (Radhiyallahu 'Anha) had asked Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa-Sallam) what prayer she should engage in if she finds Laylatul Qadr and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa-Sallam) advised her the following Dua: “O Allah, verily You are Oft-Pardoning, You love to Pardon, so do pardon me.”

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa-Sallam) said: “A month has verily dawned over you wherein lies a night better than a thousand months. Whoever misses such a night has indeed been deprived of all that is good; and none is deprived of it, except he who is really unfortunate.”

May Allah Ta’ala grant us appreciation of these beautiful opportunities, and grant us the experience and rewards of Laylatul Qadr.

It is not possible to do justice to a discussion of Laylatul Qadr but an excellent and detailed exposition is found in the book “Fazaa`il-e-Ramadaan” by Shaykhul Hadeeth, Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya (Rahmatullah ‘alayh), which offers tremendous inspiration, motivation and encouragement.