#ramadan2017

The purpose of this dunya is a test. “Whoever manages to save himself from the fire of hell, and is caused to enter Jannah. That is the one that has truly achieved success.”

Ten methods from the Quran and Sunnah, that can be used to save yourself from the hellfire.

Tawbah (Repentence): Tawbah is an action of the heart, literally meaning “to return yourself to Allah (swt),” because a sin distances you from Him. No sin can withstand Tawbah, Tawbah forgives everything and Allah can forgive all sins, but only if you submit to him. The Prophet ﷺ said, “The one who repents from sin is like the one who never sinned.” [Ibn Maja (3240)]  When Allah (swt) created humans, the angels asked him, “Why would you create an inferior species that sins? We are perfect and sinless.” Allah (swt) wanted to reveal his merciful side, that he will forgive even those who sin.  Conditions for repentance: - Leaving the sin - Remorse over having committed the sin - Resolve never to return to the sin

Istigfar (Verbal Repentance): The verbal act of tawbah. Tawbah is a state of mind and heart, while istigfar is manifesting tawbah on your tongue. The most common way is to say “Astagfirullah,” meaning “I seek forgiveness from Allah (swt). Make it a habit to say Astagfirullah100 times throughout your day.

Good deeds: Your good deeds will cancel out your bad deeds. Pray, help others, and give charity as much as you can.

The Dua of others: You can be saved from Jahannam when others make dua for you, especially by your name, but even generically as well. It is a command of Allah to seek forgiveness for all of your fellow believers. We pray for others, so that inshAllah, Allah (swt) will cause them to pray for us.

Hardships: Every physical and emotional pain you suffer will dissolve your sins. Allah (swt) is so merciful and understanding of our pain in this dunya. That is why we must say Alhamdulillah for any suffering, because it is to rid us of our sins. Allah is testing you, so that your sins will be forgiven.

Punishment of the Grave: For major sinners and those who deserve Jahannam, Allah (swt) will punish you in the grave, so that you do not go to Jahannam. Those are punished in the grave, will not know that it is their punishment. They will think that after the grave, they will go to Jahnnam. However, Allah (swt) is the most merciful and sends you to the gates of Jannah on judgement day.

Punishment of Judgement Day: The day of Judgement will not be easy except for those who Allah made it easy for. Allah (swt) will use the suffering of Qiyamah to forgive the major sinners of the suffering in Jahannam.

Good deeds gifted by others: The good deeds gifted by the living to the deceased. A son/daughter, relative, or friend, giving charity in your name, making dua for you, reading the Quran and asking Allah to pass all of the rewards to you. This is why it is important to help and benefit others as much as you can when your alive, because in return those people will remember you and think of you even more when your dead. Your friend will remember, “He gave me a loan last month, may Allah forgive him.” That one sentence will help you when you most need it. Narrated from Abu Hurairah that, “A man said to the Prophet ﷺ, “My father died leaving wealth but no will. Would he be pardoned if we gave charity on his behalf?” The Prophet ﷺ said: “Yes.” Let people remember you only for good and inshAllah they will ask Allah to forgive you. 

Intercession of the Prophet ﷺ: Make dua and say, “O Allah make me amongst those whom the Prophet ﷺ makes Shafa’a (intercession) for.” Whoever gets it, will go to Jannah. The Prophet ﷺ said whoever makes this dua sincerely, he will be the Shafa’a for on the day of judgement.

Assalaam Alaykum!

We have received many questions about fasting in Shawwal. So here are some guidelines that will cover your questions insha'Allah

Shawwal is the Islamic month that is immediately after Ramadan, the first day being ‘Eid al-Fitr.

What is the ruling on fasting six days of Shawwal? Is it wajib (obligatory)?

Fasting six days of Shawwal after the obligatory fast of Ramadan is Sunnah Mustahabbah, not wajib. It is recommended for the Muslim to fast six days of Shawwal, and in this there is great virtue and an immense reward. Whoever fasts these six days will have recorded for him a reward as if he had fasted a whole year, as was reported in a sahih hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Abu Ayyub (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Whoever fasts Ramadhan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime.”(Narrated by Muslim, Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nisa'i and Ibn Majah)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) explained this when he said:

“Whoever fasts for six days after ('Eid) al-Fitr has completed the year: (whoever does a good deed (hasanah) will have ten hasanah like it).”

According to another report: “Allah has made for each hasanah ten like it, so a month is like fasting ten months, and fasting six days completes the year.” [An-Nisa'i and Ibn Majah.]

The Hanbali and Shafi'i fuqaha’ explained that fasting six days of Shawwal after fasting Ramadan makes it as if one has fasted for an entire year of obligatory fasts, because the multiplication of the reward applies even to nafil fasts, because each hasanah brings the reward of ten like it.

Another of the important benefits of fasting six days of Shawwal is that is makes up for any shortfall in a person’s obligatory Ramadan fasts, because no one is free of shortcomings or sins that have a negative effect on his fasting. On the Day of Resurrection, some of his nafil deeds will be taken to make up the shortcomings in his obligatory deeds, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“The first thing for which people will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be their salah (prayer). Our Lord, may He be glorified and exalted, will say to His angels - although He knows best - 'Look at the salah of My slave, whether it is complete or incomplete.’ If it is perfect, it will be recorded as perfect, and if something is lacking, He will say, 'Look and see whether My slave did any voluntary (nafil) prayers.’ If he did some voluntary prayers, [Allah] will say, Complete the obligatory actions of My slave from his voluntary actions.’ Then all his actions will be dealt with in a similar manner.”

Narrated by Abu Dawud

When should a Muslim start fasting six days of Shawwal? When can I start fasting six days of Shawwal, since we have annual leave right now?

You can start fasting six days of Shawwal from the second day of Shawwal, because it is haram to fast on the day of 'Eid. You can fast the six days at any time during Shawwal, although the best of good deeds are those which are done soonest.

Should fasting the six days be done immediately after Ramadan, following the day of 'Eid or is it permissible to do it a few days after 'Eid in the month of Shawwal or not?

These days do not have to be fasted immediately after 'Eid al-Fitr; it is permissible to start fasting them one or more days after 'Eid, and they may be done consecutively or separately during the month of Shawwal, according to what is easier for a person. There is plenty of room for maneuver in this matter, and this is not obligatory, it is Sunnah.

Do the six days of Shawwal have to be fasted consecutively?

With regard to the six days of Shawwal after Ramadan, is it a condition that they should be fasted consecutively, or can I separate them?

It is not a necessary condition that they should be fasted consecutively. If you fast them separately or consecutively, it is OK. The sooner you do them, the better, because Allah says (interpretation of the meanings):

“So compete in good deeds.”(Al-Qur'an 5:48)

“And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord.”(Al-Qur'an 3:133)

“[Musa - peace be upon him - said:] … and I hastened to You, O my Lord, that You might be pleased.” )Al-Qur'an 20:84)

Can a person start fasting six days of Shawwal when he still has days to make up from Ramadan?

The precise rewards for the deeds which people do for the sake of Allah is something which is known only to Allah. If a person seeks the reward from Allah and strives to obey Him, his reward will not be lost, as Allah says:

“We shall not make the reward of anyone who does his (righteous) deeds in the most perfect manner to be lost.” (Al-Qur'an 18:30)

There are different opinions about this matter.

Majority of the scholars say that If someone has missed some of the days of Ramadan, he should fast them FIRST, then fast six days of Shawwal.

However, some scholars say that many of the companions would delay their Ramadan fasts until the month of Sh’aban. The proof for this is :

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): “It happens that I have to make up days of Ramadan and I will not make up (these days) but in Sh’aban.” (Imam Muslim)