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Tue 2 Ramadan 1445AH 12-3-2024AD at 11:22 am #91215
A piece of advice on the occasion of welcoming the month of Ramadan by Shaykh Ibn Baz رحمه الله,
Q : Your Eminence, what is your advice to Muslims as we prepare to receive this sacred month?
A : “I advise all Muslims to fear Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) and to receive this great month with sincere repentance from all sins and to understand more about their Din (religion). One must learn the rulings of fasting and night prayer as the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) stated, ”If Allah wants to do good to a person, He grants him understanding of Islam.” The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also says: “When the month of Ramadan arrives, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of the (Hell) Fire are closed, and the devils are chained.”
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also says: “On the first night of the month of Ramadan, the gates of Hell are closed, the gates of Paradise are opened and the devils and rebellious jinn are chained up. And a caller cries out: ‘O seeker of good, proceed; O seeker of evil, desist. And Allah has those whom He redeems from the Fire, and that occurs every night.”
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also said to the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet): “Ramadan came to you as a month of blessings in which Allah showers His Mercy upon you, obliterates sins from your records, and responds to supplications – so show good deeds to Allah as the deprived person is the one who is deprived of Allah’s Mercy.” The meaning of “So show good deeds to Allah” is to hasten to do good deeds, obey Him, and refrain from misdeeds.
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) stated: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven; and whoever observes the Night Prayer during Ramadan, because of faith and seeking his reward from Allah, his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever stands in the prayer on the Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Decree) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.”
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also says: “Allah (عز وجل) states: “Every act of the son of Adam is for him; every good deed is multiplied from ten to seven hundred times except for fasting, for it is exclusively for Me and it is I who give reward for it. A fasting person leaves his desire, food, and drink for My sake; thus a fasting person has two joyful occasions: One when he breaks his fast, and another when he meets His Lord. Indeed, the unpleasant odour of the mouth of the fasting person is better, in the sight of Allah, than the smell of musk.” The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also says: “On a day that anyone of you is fasting, he should neither indulge in obscene language, nor raise his voice. If anyone abuses him or tries to fight with him, he should say: ‘I am fasting’.” Also, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) stated, “Whoever does not give up false statements (i.e. telling lies), and evil deeds, and speaking bad words to others, Allah is not in need of his (fasting) leaving his food and drink.” Related by Al-Bukhari in his Sahih. …
… So I advise all Muslims to fear Allah and protect their fasting from all misdeeds. They should do their best to do good deeds and compete in giving more alms. Recite the Qur’an as much as possible, pronounce more Tasbih (saying: “Subhan Allah [Glory be to Allah]”), Tahlil (saying: “La ilaha illa Allah [There is no god except Allah]”), Tahmid (saying: “Alhamdu lillah [All praise is due to Allah]”), Takbir (saying: “Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]”) and Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah), as this is the month of the Qur’an: “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’ân.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2: 185]
It is prescribed for believers to do their best in reciting the Qur’an throughout the day and night. By articulating every letter of the Qur’an, a good deed is added to one’s record and a good deed is multiplied ten times as the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) stated: “They should also keep away from doing all misdeeds or sins, advise one another to the right, and enjoin the good and forbid the evil.”
This is a great month in which deeds are multiplied and sins are weightier. Hence, believers should do their best to fulfil what Allah has made obligatory, keeping away from what Allah forbids, and pay more attention in Ramadan. They should also do their best to do good deeds such as giving charity, visiting the sick, attending funerals, strengthening the ties of kinship, reciting the Qur’an as much as possible, reciting more Tasbih (saying: “Subhan Allah [Glory be to Allah]”), Tahlil (saying: “La ilaha illa Allah [There is no god except Allah]”), Tahmid (saying: “Alhamdu lillah [All praise is due to Allah]”), Takbir (saying: “Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]”), Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah), supplications, and other good deeds expecting Allah’s Reward and fearing His Punishment. May Allah guide Muslims to what pleases Him and make us and all Muslims fast it and offer night prayer believing in Allah and expecting His Reward. May Allah make us and all Muslims comprehend the Din, keep fast to it, and to be away from the causes of His Wrath and Punishment. I also ask Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) to guide all Muslim leaders and rulers and improve their status and guide them to judge by the Islamic law in all matters of worship, work and all affairs. May Allah guide them to this, as Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says, “And so judge (you O Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)) among them by what Allâh has revealed.” [Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5: 49] Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) also says: “Do they then seek the judgement of (the days of) Ignorance? And who is better in judgement than Allâh for a people who have firm Faith.” [Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5: 50] Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) also says: “But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.”[Surah Al-Nisa’, 4: 65] …
Allah also stated, “O you who believe! Obey Allâh and obey the Messenger (Muhammad (صلى اللهعليه وسلم)), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allâh and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم), if you believe in Allâh and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.” [Surah Al-Nisa’, 4: 59] Allah (سبحانه) also says: “Say: “Obey Allâh and obey the Messenger” [Surah Al-Nur, 24: 54] Allah (سبحانه) also says: “And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it).” [Surah Al-Hashr, 59: 7] All Muslims, Muslim leaders, scholars and Muslims in general must fear Allah, submit to the Islamic law and judge by it as it is the law that leads to reform, guidance and a good end. It also leads to the pleasure of Allah. It is the way to the truth of what Allah commands and by which one will keep away from injustice.
May Allah guide everyone, grant them success, and improve their intentions! Peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions.”
[Majmu ’al-Fataawa Ibn Baz, Vol. 15, pg. 50 – 55]
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