Assalamalikum readers… you may have noticed I havent posted in quite a while now. This hasnt been intended but life has been busy in a not so good way lately and Ive found myself not very connected with my deen. I am trying and I just want to let you know I am here.. please remember me in your duaa.
JazakAah khair
The Health Benefits of Fasting Will Carroll Source: http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/biology/b103/f02/web1/wcarroll.html There has been much contention in the scientific field about whether or not fasting is beneficial to one’s health. Fasting is an integral part of many of the major religions including Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Many are dubious as to whether the physiological effects are as beneficial as the spiritual promoted by these religions. There is a significant community of alternative healers who believe that fasting can do wonders for the human body. This paper will look at the arguments presented by these healers in an attempt to raise awareness of the possible physiological benefits that may result from fasting. Fasting technically commences within the first twelve to twenty-four hours of the fast. A fast does not chemically begin until the carbohydrate stores in the body begin to be used as an energy source. The fast will continue as long as fat and carbohydrate stores are used for energy, as opposed to protein stores. Once protein stores begin to be depleted for energy (resulting in loss of muscle mass) a person is technically starving. (1) The benefits of fasting must be preceded by a look at the body’s progression when deprived of food. Due to the lack of incoming energy, the body must turn to its own resources, a function called autolysis. (2) Autolysis is the breaking down of fat stores in the body in order to produce energy. The liver is in charge of converting the fats into a chemical called a ketone body, “the metabolic substances acetoacetic acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid” (3), and then distributing these bodies throughout the body via the blood stream. “When this fat utilization occurs, free fatty acids are released into the blood stream and are used by the liver for energy.” (3) The less one eats, the more the body turns to these stored fats and creates these ketone bodies, the accumulation of which is referred to as ketosis. (4) Detoxification is the foremost argument presented by advocates of fasting. “Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands, and skin.” (5). This process is precipitated by fasting because when food is no longer entering the body, the body turns to fat reserves for energy. “Human fat is valued at 3,500 calories per pound,” a number that would lead one to believe that surviving on one pound of fat every day would provide a body with enough energy to function normally. (2) These fat reserves were created when excess glucose and carbohydrates were not used for energy or growth, not excreted, and therefore converted into fat. When the fat reserves are used for energy during a fast, it releases the chemicals from the fatty acids into the system which are then eliminated through the aforementioned organs. Chemicals not found in food but absorbed from one’s environment, such as DDT, are also stored in fat reserves that may be released during a fast. One fasting advocate tested his own urine, feces and sweat during an extended fast and found traces of DDT in each. (5) A second prescribed benefit of fasting is the healing process that begins in the body during a fast. During a fast energy is diverted away from the digestive system due to its lack of use and towards the metabolism and immune system. (6) The healing process during a fast is precipitated by the body’s search for energy sources. Abnormal growths within the body, tumors and the like, do not have the full support of the body’s supplies and therefore are more susceptible to autolysis. Furthermore, “production of protein for replacement of damaged cells (protein synthesis) occurs more efficiently because fewer ‘mistakes’ are made by the DNA/RNA genetic controls which govern this process.” A higher efficiency in protein synthesis results in healthier cells, tissues and organs. (7) This is one reason that animals stop eating when they are wounded, and why humans lose hunger during influenza. Hunger has been proven absent in illnesses such as gastritis, tonsillitis and colds. (2) Therefore, when one is fasting, the person is consciously diverting energy from the digestive system to the immune system. In addition, there is a reduction in core body temperature. This is a direct result of the slower metabolic rate and general bodily functions. Following a drop in blood sugar level and using the reserves of glucose found in liver glycogen, the basal metabolic rate (BMR) is reduced in order to conserve as much energy within the body as can be provided. (2) Growth hormones are also released during a fast, due to the greater efficiency in hormone production. (7) Finally, the most scientifically proven advantage to fasting is the feeling of rejuvenation and extended life expectancy. Part of this phenomenon is caused by a number of the benefits mentioned above. A slower metabolic rate, more efficient protein production, an improved immune system, and the increased production of hormones contributes to this long-term benefit of fasting. In addition to the Human Growth Hormone that is released more frequently during a fast, an anti-aging hormone is also produced more efficiently. (7) “The only reliable way to extend the lifespan of a mammal is under-nutrition without malnutrition.” (5) A study was performed on earthworms that demonstrated the extension of life due to fasting. The experiment was performed in the 1930s by isolating one worm and putting it on a cycle of fasting and feeding. The isolated worm outlasted its relatives by 19 generations, while still maintaining its youthful physiological traits. The worm was able to survive on its own tissue for months. Once the size of the worm began to decrease, the scientists would resume feeding it at which point it showed great vigor and energy. “The life-span extension of these worms was the equivalent of keeping a man alive for 600 to 700 years.” (8) In conclusion, it seems that there are many reasons to consider fasting as a benefit to one’s health. The body rids itself of the toxins that have built up in our fat stores throughout the years. The body heals itself, repairs all the damaged organs during a fast. And finally there is good evidence to show that regulated fasting contributes to longer life. However, many doctors warn against fasting for extended periods of time without supervision. There are still many doctors today who deny all of these points and claim that fasting is detrimental to one’s health and have evidence to back their statements. The idea of depriving a body of what society has come to view as so essential to our survival in order to heal continues to be a topic of controversy. References 1)”Dr. Sniadach – True Health Freedom 3 2)fastingforbetterhealth 3)”Ketosis by Sue Reith” 4)”Nutriquest, March 11th, 2000 – Ketosis and Low Carbohydrate Diets” 5)”WebMD – Detox Diets: Cleansing the Body” 6)”Fasting” 7)”Fasting – Good Morning Doctor” 8)”The health Benefits of Fasting”
Assalamalikum everyone, I know some of you may have read this.. but I find it so refreshing to remember.. so many rewards for waking up that little bit earlier alhamdulillah… So how many of you wake up for fajr? Me? Everyday alhamdulillah.. Allah (swt) has made this little task easy for me, and insha’allah for the rest of my life so I can pass the gift on to my husband and family.
The key to spiritual and material success for Muslims
By Michael Young
“Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” – a famous maxim coined by the American scientist, writer and inventor, Benjamin Franklin. And he was not alone in these beliefs. The writer Samuel Johnson also warned that “nobody who does not rise early will ever do any good”.
This is not just opinion but proven scientific fact. A study by researchers at Brigham Young University in Provo in the American state of Utah found that:
“students who habitually go to bed late and sleep late the next day have lower grade point averages (GPAs) than students with early-to-bed and early-to-rise sleeping habits. The later students slept in the morning, the lower their grades tended to be. Out of all the factors studied, weekday and weekend wakeup times had the strongest association with students’ GPAs. Each hour over the average that students slept in on weekdays was associated with a 0.13-point drop on the GPA (0.0-4.0 scale).”
Source: Journal of American College Health 2000; 49: 125-130
Of course, we Muslims are well used to getting up not just at the crack of dawn but actually half an hour before it to begin the day with the ritual worship of fajr salat (and even earlier in Ramadan before starting the day’s fast).
Spiritual Success
What are the spiritual blessings of fajr salat?
According to a hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim, prophet Mohammed Image stated that the action which is dearest to God is salat at its proper times. On another occasion prophet Mohammed Image also said to his companions:
“The five set prayers may be compared to a stream of fresh water, flowing in front of your house, into which you plunge five times each day. Do you think that would leave any dirt on your body?’ When they replied: ‘None at all!’ Mohammed Image said: ‘Indeed the five prayers remove sins, just as water removes dirt.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
And once while standing beside a tree in autumn, he stated:
“When a Muslim observes his salat with due attention and devotion, he sheds his sins just like this tree is shedding its leaves.” (Ahmad)
Moreover, in the Quran we are told that prostrating (in salat) brings us closer to God (96:1).
Prophet Mohammed Image also tells us that fajr salat along with isha is particularly rich in blessings:
“If people only knew what blessings are in the fajr and isha prayers, they would come to them, even if they had to crawl.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
And according to Utham, (RA), prophet Mohammed Image said:
“To perform the dawn prayer, [fajr], in congregation is like keeping vigil throughout the night.” (Muslim).
Material Success
In Surah 23, ayats 1-2 of the Quran we learn that:
“Certainly the believers have succeeded, those who offer salat with devotion.”
Spiritual success certainly. But as Muslims we are also called upon not just to earn spiritual blessings for the next world but also to be materially successful in this one. Despite the obvious call to work hard and make the most of our abilities demonstrated in the parable of the talents, the Christian West has often had an ambiguous attitude towards wealth, sometimes glorifying poverty and misinterpreting Jesus’s gospel statement that “love of money is the root of all evil” to mean that money itself is the root of all evil. As a Muslim, I am more inclined to agree with the playwright George Bernard Shaw who is reported to have said that “lack of money is the root of all evil”.
[Shaw was an admirer of prophet Mohammed Image and in the 1936 book The Genuine Islam referred to him as "the wonderful man" and "the saviour of humanity".]
Prophet Mohammed Image himself stated:
“There will dawn a time over people when the destruction of a man will be at the hands of his wife, parents, and children. They will humiliate him because of his poverty and will make such demands which will induce him to engage in such activities (to gain more money) which will finally destroy his religion.” – Baihaqi. Narrated by Ibn Mas’ood (RA) and Abu Hurairah (RA)
The other side of the coin, so to speak, is:
“How excellent is the wealth of the Muslim”. – Sahih Bukhari hadith 4.95 Narrated by Abu Said Al Khudri (RA)
It is wealth which enables us to take care of our families, keep on the straight path and avoid doing wrong in order to make ends meet. It is wealth which enables us to meet our obligation to pay Zakat. It is wealth which enables us to help others and contribute to Dawah through additional charity. It is wealth which enables us to meet our obligation to go on Hajj.
It was wealthy Muslim traders who peacefully spread Islam throughout West Africa and the areas we now know as Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. And if we look at the first generation of Muslims, we find the shining example of Abdur-Rahman Ibn Awl. The eighth person to embrace Islam, he migrated twice to Abyssinia. Abdur-Rahman distinguished himself in both the battles of Badr and Uhud, suffering more than twenty wounds at the latter. Then starting with nothing, he went on to achieve tremendous success as a merchant, becoming the richest of the companions. From his great wealth, Abdur-Rahman financed the Muslim armies, contributed to the upkeep of the family of Mohammed Image after the prophet’s death and was universally renowned for his fabulous generosity.
So how can we turn getting up for Fajr to our material advantage? Certainly not by slinking back into bed again and snuggling up for another few hours. As prophet Mohammed Image said:
“The most excellent jihad is that for the conquest of self.” (Bukhari)
In the context of fajr, what this means is, once up, stay up! Stay up and do something useful. Work on your goals. If you don’t have any, set some. Decide what you want to achieve in life. Devise a plan to make those goals a reality then take action. You will be amazed at what you can get done in those few quiet hours when most of the rest of the world is still asleep. You can organise your day, learn a language, work on your degree course or get fit by going jogging in the coolness of the morning.
You can also turn staying up after fajr to your career advantage by driving into work earlier, beating the traffic then packing so much productive work into the next hour without interruption because no one is there to pop into your office and the phone hasn’t started ringing yet.
A further fajr advantage is that along the way you can listen on cassette to the wisdom and inspiration of motivational and business speakers. We spend hundreds of ours commuting in our cars every year, by some estimates the equivalent to two full terms of university tuition. Put this time to good use, especially first thing in the morning when you are relaxed and driving on a virtually empty road, when you are bright and fresh and can best take it all in. Turn your car into a university on wheels.
Each of our lives is different, but you know how to apply these ideas to your own situation.
Take action now!
“Ah, that’s too hard”, I hear you say. Well God assures us in the Quran that:
“We do not lay a burden on anyone beyond his capacity.” (Quran: 23:62)
It is possible to turn these early hours to great advantage. It’s desirable and it’s beneficial. We are obliged to get up for fajr anyway. From this we derive a spiritual advantage. Let’s stay up and get to work. Why have just one type of advantage when we can have two – spiritual and material. As Muslims we are uniquely placed. The next fajr is less than 24 hours from now. First thing tomorrow morning make sure that you take advantage of your fajr double advantage.
I have decided that once Im settled in a job and my own place… with or without a husband insha’allah there are a few things I would like to learn. One of these things has just been reaffirmed by coming across an article in Sisters magazine for ‘remedies from the sunnah’ One of these things is to learn how to do hijama, I mentioned it to h2b and masha’allah he would like to learn too.. so maybe it is something that we can learn and practise together insha’allah. I will look into classes and some books when Im a little more sorted insha’allah. Something else is to learn to wash and prepare a dead body, those who know me will know my forensic abilities 
so I have no fear that I wouldnt be able to do this. However I do know there are many rituals, duaa and a routine to follow that will need to be learnt, I have also read about the barakah received for this and I would like to be able to give something back to the community as I know there arent many helpers around for when a woman dies. I remember reading somewhere about a sister online was worried about who would prepare her body… I feel that we shouldn’t be wasting time in this dunya worrying about this.. but its something that is inevitable when we know how little women there are around to do this. Is it something we should accept? That a man might be doing it? or someone who doesnt know the proper way to do things… this is the state we will be in until the day of resurrection, surely we as sisters in Islam must fight to keep this practice going for our sisters around us when they are given back to the earth we were made from.
Allahu alim… these are just 2 of my intentions so far insha’allah
I know I have been away for awhile, things have been up in the air and lots of changes has happened alhamdulillah. Im now living back in UK, Ive been down to London for a month and now Im back up north in Liverpool looking for jobs in London.. does anyone know of anything in the science sector?? 
Anyways, while I was down there.. chatting about marriage and what not with a suitor We were late for the masjid at one point and I had a question about something. Im sure we are all aways coming across the hadith about the prophet (saws) saying that noone must sit down in the masjid before praying the 2 rakahs. So what happens if you get to the masjid late and the congregational prayer is already started?? Do you….
So? what would you do? someone reminded me fard is more important than sunnah, but does that mean we totally forget this strong hadith because of our timekeeping? I cant find anything on the net as I dont really know what to search for.
Can anyone point me in the right direction? Insha’allah
Having spent a considerable amount of time at the masjid this month, masha’allah, reciting with my sisters and praying with my community I have realised a few things about people and how they pray. Now Im not saying that I pray according to how the prophet Muhammed used to pray, far from it probably but there are a few things that I make sure I do. It isnt just about praying too… its about general etiquette… so I got thinking yesterday, yes my mind does tend to wander!! about a blog post.. ‘if I could post ahadith around this masjid, what would they be?’ .. just 3… and im going to make it into a tag post so here goes
Im tagging you.. so your masjid.. is it clean? tidy? well presented? do you have pictures to share? The main question, if you were given the ability and the push to post 3 ahadith around your praying area what would they be? feel free to give any reasoning behind your choices.
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, “Yawning is from Satan and if anyone of you yawns, he should check his yawning as much as possible, for if anyone of you (during the act of yawning) should say: ‘Ha’, Satan will laugh at him.”
Everyone is tired at taraweeh, whether you have stayed the whole night or just a portion and it bothers me to hear ladies yawning their heads off during the prayer. Its distracting and disrespectful to Allah
· Bukhari Volume 1, Book 10, Number 509:
Narrated Anas:
The Prophet said, “Do the prostration properly and do not put your fore-arms flat with elbows touching the ground like a dog. And if you want to spit, do not spit in front, nor to the right for the person in prayer is speaking in private to his Lord.”
I am constantly next to ladies who are of the ‘close your body in as much as possible because you are a lady’ mentality, but also those who arent and I see this all too often how do you tell someone whos been praying all their lives that they shouldnt do this? Its never liked coming from a new muslim La howla wala qwata illa bilah
· Bukhari Volume 2, Book 13, Number 23:
Narrated Ibn Umar:
One of the wives of Umar (bin Al-Khattab) used to offer the Fajr and the ‘Isha’ prayer in congregation in the Mosque. She was asked why she had come out for the prayer as she knew that Umar disliked it, and he has great ghaira (self-respect). She replied, “What prevents him from stopping me from this act?” The other replied, “The statement of Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) : ‘Do not stop Allah’s women-slave from going to Allah s Mosques’ prevents him.”
For my final ahadith I wanted to find something about people not talking during the khutbah which is hard to focus on as it is! However I couldnt find it, I came across this one though that Ive been struggling with with my h2b insha’allah I will show him this. I would like to post this around the mens section in my mosque and the other mosque where I live that doesnt allow regular access to ladies.
I am tagging Umm Ibs, Umm Hibaat, Rainbow, my spanish princess, the inquizative Aalya, my oh so beautiful pixie and my opinionist Aisha
Looking forward to reading your ahadith girls 
AUTHOR: ‘Abdullaah bin Saalih Al-Fawzaan
SOURCE: Ahaadeeth As-Siyaam (pg. 141-143)
Abu Hurairah (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever performs the night prayer on the night of Al-Qadr with Eemaan (firm belief) and seeking reward will have all his past sins forgiven.” [1]
This hadeeth is evidence for the virtue of the night of Al-Qadr as well as performing qiyaam (night prayer) during it. And it indicates that it is a grand night, which Allaah has honored and made better than a thousand months, with regard to its blessing and the blessings found in the righteous deeds that are performed in it. Thus it is better than the worship of a thousand months and that is equivalent to eighty-three years and four months. Due to this, whoever performs qiyaam (night prayer) with true faith and while seeking reward in it, will be forgiven his past sins. There were certain verses revealed concerning this virtue:
Allaah says: “We sent it (the Qur’aan) down on a blessed night. Verily We are Ever-Warning. Therein (on that night) is decreed every matter of ordainment.” [2]
Therefore, it is a “blessed night” meaning it possesses much good and blessing due to its merit and the great reward that awaits the one who does good deeds in it. Among its blessings, is that Allaah revealed the Qur’aan in it. Allaah says:
“Verily, We have sent it (the Qur’aan) down in the night of Al-Qadr. And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr is? The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (Jibreel) by their Lord’s permission with all decrees. (All that night) there is peace, until the appearance of dawn.” [3]
Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) said concerning Allaah’s saying: “Therein descend the angels and the Rooh”: “This means that the descending of the angels increases during this night due to the vast amount of its blessings. And the angels descend along with the descent of blessing and mercy, just as they descend during the time when the Qur’aan is recited and encompass the gatherings in which Allaah is remembered and spread their wings for the true seeker of knowledge, out of respect for him.” [4]
This night occurs only in Ramadaan, since Allaah revealed the Qur’aan in it. He informs us that its revelation occurred during the month of Ramadaan in His saying: “Verily, We have sent it (the Qur’aan) down in the night of Al-Qadr.” [5]
And His saying: “The month of Ramadaan in which was revealed the Qur’aan” [6]
This means that its revelation from Allaah to His Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) began in it.
Allaah’s statement: “The night of Al-Qadr” is either an indicative of the honor and station of that night, as it is said: “Such and such person has great Qadr”. The conjunction of “the night” to Al-Qadr is the joining of a descriptive feature to it, thus making it mean “An honorable night”. The word “Al-Qadr” may also be in reference to the ordainment and disposal of affairs. Thus, its being joined to the word “the night” would be in order to denote a place or time for it. So it would mean “the night in which all that will occur in the following year will be decreed.” This is similar to Allaah’s saying: “Therein (on that night) is decreed every matter of ordainment.” [7]
Qataadah said of this: “Therein is decreed every matter for the (upcoming) year” [8] and Ibn Al-Qayyim said that this is the correct opinion. [9]
What seems most correct is that there is nothing that restricts the possibility of these two understandings and Allaah knows best.
His statement: “with Eemaan” means with firm conviction in what Allaah has prepared for those who stand in prayer during this magnificent night. And “seeking reward” means looking for reward and the attainment of recompense.
Thus, this is a grand night, which Allaah has chosen for beginning the revelation of the Qur’aan. So the Muslim must acknowledge its weight in worth, by guarding it and spending it in worship whilst having firm conviction and seeking the reward of Allaah, in order that Allaah may forgive all of his previous sins. This is why the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) warned us about being heedless of this night and being neglectful of spending it in worship, for the Muslim would be prevented from its good.
Abu Hurairah (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Ramadaan has come to you – a blessed month. Allaah has made it obligatory upon you to fast in it. During this month, the gates of heaven are open, the gates of the Hellfire are closed and the evil devils are chained. To Allaah belongs a night in it, which is better than a thousand months. Whoever is prevented from its good, then he has been deprived.” [10]
The Muslim should supplicate much on the nights in which the night of Al-Qadr is sought. And he should supplicate with that which the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) instructed ‘Aa’ishah (radyAllaahu ‘anhaa) with, when she asked him: “What if I know on which night the night of Al-Qadr occurs, what should I say?” So he (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Say: O Allaah, indeed you are All-Pardoning. You love forgiveness, so forgive me.” [11]
Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) said: “It is recommended to supplicate a lot at all times and (to supplicate) more than that during the month of Ramadaan, its last ten days and its odd days. And it is highly recommended to increase ones invoking with this supplication: ‘O Allaah, indeed you are All-Pardoning. You love forgiveness, so forgive me.’” [12]
Footnotes:
[1] Al-Bukhaaree (4/2550 and Muslim (759)
[2] Surat-ud-Dukhaan: 3-4
[3] Surat-ul-Qadr: 1-5
[4] Tafseer Ibn Katheer: (8/465)
[5] Surat-ul-Qadr: 1
[6] Surat-ul-Baqarah: 185
[7] Surat-ud-Dukhaan: 4
[8] Reported by At-Tabaree in his Tafseer (25/65) as well as Al-Bayhaqee in his book Fadaa’il-ul-Awqaat (pg. 216). Its chain of narration is saheeh.
[9] See Shifaa’-ul-’Aleel of Ibn Qayyim (pg. 42)
[10] This hadeeth is reported by Ahmad and An-Nasaa’ee. See Ahmad Shaakir’s checking of the Musnad (no. 7148) and Saheeh At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb of Al-Albaanee (1490) as well as Tamaam-ul-Mannah (395)
[11] Reported by At-Tirmidhee and Ibn Maajah with an authentic chain. [Translator's note: The supplication transliterated from Arabic reads: "Allaahumma Innaka 'Afuwwun Tuhibbul-'Afwa Fa’affoo ‘annee." ]
[12] Tafseer Ibn Katheer: 8/472
“That is the grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He pleases. And Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty.” [57:21]
1. Perfecting one’s ablution
“No worshipper perfects his ablution except that his past and future sins are forgiven.” [Hasan, al-Bazzaar. Al-Haythami and al-Mundhiri agreed.]
2. Fasting the month of Ramadan with belief and seeking Allah’s reward
“Whoever fasts Ramadhan out of Iman and seeking Allah’s reward then his past and future sins are forgiven.” [Hasan, Ahmad. Declared Hasan by adh-Dhahabi, as mentioned in al-Mughni (5876).]
3. Performing the night prayer in Ramadan with belief and seeking Allah’s reward
“Whoever stands (in prayer) in Ramadan out of Iman and seeking Allah’s reward then his past and future sins are forgiven.” [Saheeh. an-Nasaa’i.]
4. Performing the night prayer on the Night of Qadar with belief and seeking Allah’s reward
“It (Laylatul-Qadr) is in Ramadan, and expect it in the last ten days; it is on an odd night: on the 21st, or the 23rd, or the 25th, or the 27th, or the 29th, or on the last night (of Ramadan). He who performs the night prayer on it out of belief and seeking Allah’s reward his past and future sins are forgiven.” [Narrated by Ahmad. There is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding this hadeeth, some declaring it weak and some Hasan. Al-Hafidh Ibn Hajr said in Al-Fath (4/116), "This addition – meaning, 'and future (sins)' – is also in `Ubadah bin as-Samit's Hadeeth, in (the Musnad of) Ahmad, in two narrations. Its chain is Hasan and it is supported by the previous chain."]
5. Praising and thanking Allah after eating and putting one’s clothes on.
“Whoever ate a food and then said, ‘Praise be to Allah who has fed me this food and provided it for me, without any strength or power on my part’, is forgiven his past [and future*] sins. And whoever wears a garment and says, ‘Praise be to Allah who has clothed me with this (garment) and provided it for me, without any strength or power on my part’, is forgiven his past and future sins.” [Ibn Majah, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa’i, al-Bukhari in al-Kabeer, al-Hakim, ibn Sunni and Ahmad. The addition marked by (*) is related by Abu Dawud. Shaykh Al-Albani declared the hadeeth Hasan in Saheeh al-Jaami` (6086) and in al-Irwaa’ (1989). He said in al-Irwaa’, “Such a hadeeth causes hesitation between making it Hasan (good) and Da`eef (weak). Maybe the first one is closer to be the truth, because those who made it weak didn’t explain it and didn’t explain the reason for its weakness. Allah knows best.”]
6. Getting old in Islam
“No one reaches forty years in Islam except that Allah protects him from madness, leprosy and leucoderma. When he is fifty, Allah makes easy his reckoning. When he reaches sixty, Allah grants him repentance. And when he reaches seventy, Allah loves him and the inhabitants of the heavens love him. And when he reaches eighty, Allah accepts his good deeds and overlooks his sins. When he reaches ninety, Allah forgives his past and future sins, he is named ‘the prisoner of Allah on earth’ and is granted intercession (for forgiveness) for his family.” [Hasan, Ibn `Asakir. Ahmad Shakir said in his notes to Al-Musnad (8/23,25): “Its chain is at least Hasan. It is supported with other chains which raise it to the level of Saheeh.”]
7. Leaving the following: performing ruqya (curing with Qur’an), seeking having ruqya performed on one, cauterization, believing in bad omens.
Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas, radhiallahu `anhu: Allah’s Messenger, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, said, “…I was told: ‘These are your people and amongst them there are seventy thousand who shall enter Paradise without being taken to either account or torment.’ …’They are those who do not make Ruqya nor seek it, nor believe in bad omens, but trust in their Lord (Allah).’” [Bukhari and Muslim]
8. Whose two or three children die and he remains patient
“Whoever buries three children, Allah will forbid the Fire for him.” [Saheeh, Tabarani in al-Kabeer, Al-Albani authenticated it in Saheeh Al-Jaami` (6238)]
“There are no two Muslim parents whose three children die before reaching puberty except that Allah will enter them into Paradise due to His mercy to the children. It will be said to them, “Enter the Paradise”, so they will say, “Not until our parents enter first”. It will be said, “Enter the Paradise you and your parents.” [Ahmad, an-Nasaa’i, and Al-Albani authenticated it in Saheeh al-Jaami` (5780)]
“’Whoever iHtasaba (remains content and patient after the death of) three of his offspring will enter Jannah.’ A woman said, ‘What about two?’ He said, ‘And two’”. [Saheeh, an-Nasaa’i, Ibn Hibban, authenticated by al-Albani in Saheeh al-Jaami` (5969)]
“To no woman three children die and she remains patient and content, except that she will enter Jannah. Or two (children).” [Muslim]
9. Who raises three daughters or sisters and is nice to them
“There is no one from my Ummah who takes care of three daughters or three sisters, and is nice to them, except that they will be a veil (protection) for him from the Fire.” [Saheeh, al-Bayhaqi and Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab, authenticated by Al-Albani in Saheeh Al-Jaami` (5372)]
10. Defending the honor of a Muslim
“Whoever defends the honor of his brother in absence has the right over Allah to be freed from the Fire.” [Saheeh, Ahmad, al-Tabarani. Authenticated by Al-Albani in Saheeh al-Jaami` (6240)]. Al-Manaawi commented, “’Whoever’ is limited to other than the disbeliever and public wrongdoer.” [Fayd al-Qadeer 6:136]
11. Sincerity to Allah
No servant who says ‘la ilaha ill Allah’, seeking the pleasure of Allah, will reach the Day of Judgment, except that Allah will forbid the Fire for him. [Ahmad, al-Bukhari] Hafidh Ibn Hajr said, “It’s not like that (i.e. not entering the Fire at all) for everyone who believed in tawheed and worshipped, but it is specific for the sincere, and sincerity (ikhlas) requires the realization of its meaning by the heart. One cannot imagine that the heart will reach that while persisting upon sins, as the heart would be filled with the love and fear of Allah, whereupon limbs will embark upon obedience and leave disobedience.”
12. Crying out of fear of Allah
“No man who cried out of fear of Allah will enter the Fire until the milk returns to the udder, and dust in the path of Allah (jihad) and the smoke of the Fire cannot go together.” [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasaa’i and Hakim who authenticated it. Authenticated by Al-Albani in Saheeh al-Jaami` (7778)]
13. Performing the prayer in congregation for forty days while reaching the opening takbeer
“Whoever prays to Allah for four days in congregation, reaching the opening takbeer, will have two written for him: freedom from the Fire and freedom from hypocrisy.” [Hasan. at-Tirmidhi, declared Hasan by al-Albani in Saheeh al-Jaami` (6365)]
14. Being consistent in praying four rak`ats before Dhuhr and after it
“Whoever is consistent in praying four units of prayer before Dhuhr and four after it, Fire will be forbidden for him.” [Saheeh. Abu Dawood, An-Nasaa’i, at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, al-Hakim who authenticated it. Al-Albani authenticated it in Saheeh al-Jaami` (6195)]
15. Being consistent in praying before sunrise and before sunset.
“No one will enter Fire who prays before sunrise and after sunset.” [Ahmad, Muslim, Abu Dawud, an-Nasaa’i] Meaning, Fajr and `Asr prayers.
16. Dust of Jihad
“The dust of Jihad and the smoke of the Fire will never coexist within a servant, and greed and Iman will never coexist in the heart of a servant.” [Saheeh. An-Nasaa’i and al-Hakim in al-Mustadrak. Authenticated by al-Albani in Saheeh al-Jaami` (7616)]
17. Killing a mushrik in war
“A kafir and one who killed him will never be together in the Fire.” [Muslim, Abu Dawud]
18. Good character
“Whoever is easy-going, easy to deal with and kindhearted, Allah will forbid the Fire for him.” [Saheeh. Al-Hakim in al-Mustadrak, al-Bayhaqi, at-Tabarani. Al-Albani authenticated it in Saheeh al-Jaami` (6484)]
19. Freeing slaves
“Whoever frees a believing slave it will be his salvation from the Fire.” [Saheeh. Ahmad, Abu Dawud, an-Nasaa’i. Authenticated by al-Albani (6050)]
20. Salat ut-Tasbeeh (Tasbeeh Prayer)
There is an unusual difference of opinion about this one. Scholars have greatly differed about the authenticity of the relevant narrations, with their rulings ranging from fabricated to authentic. In a narration, Al-Mustamir ar-Rayan relates, “Whoever prays it will be forgiven his past and future sins, what he did secretly and what he did openly.” [Mentioned by Ibn Hajar in Ma`rifat al-Khisal al-Mukaffirah, p. 48, who said it was Hasan due to supporting narrations. Allah knows best.]
my first contribution to the blog masha’allah, I pray for more opportunities to write on there insha’allah
Assalamalikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu,
so you are all (those few of you) are probably thinking.. wow, so many posts today but theres a reason.. they are all unrelated things that I have been meaning to blog about for some time now and with me working while not having much work its the obvious thing to accomplish Lately Ive been reading many blogs about Ramadhan and while trying to get myself sorted for this holy month I thought I would fill you in on my intentions and also what Ive been reading too. Insha’allah you enjoy and use the knowledge wisely.
What do you have intended for this year? Insha’allah this will be my last Ramadhan in Canada for awhile Allahu alim, so Im determined to make it memorable. Its been hard to go through these last few years over here on my own, although I have a few good friends who eat with me or spend the odd day, it isnt the same as having a husband by your side to break fast with, to go to the masjid with, to talk about your day with… Insha’allah next year will be different and although Im looking forward to the change, Im not looking forward to the challenge
Every year since converting I have fasted, including my first year when I converted just a few weeks before Ramadhan started masha’allah. I have always found it bareable and I feel for those who dread this time of year, it should be a time of peace and relaxation not stress and uncoordination. This year I will be hopefully doing some things different, but then also insha’allah keeping my routine in things I did last year to keep myself doing this for the rest of my time on this Earth insha’allah. I will be reading the quran over the month which I have done every year, in english I should probably add.. I cant yet read arabic 
I will pay more attention to the footnotes and maybe use my bigger quran this year to gain more knowledge. I will be praying more at the mosque insha’allah, last year is the only year I have really done in after finding ‘my mosque’ but I was still getting my bearings with practices there last year so this year insha’allah I will be able to go more often. Also, last year I was working 3-11 so by the time I finished work the prayers were over, this year I will spend half of the month on days so will definately be able to make it and even when Im on nights I will have more time off as Im on continental shifts (i work 15 twelve hour shifts per month) Im also intending on breaking my fast with more people, whether that means inviting people around or inviting myself to peoples places Im yet to figure out will see heehee. Im intending on taking Eid off (even though it is close to my leaving date) and driving over to Toronto to spend time with friends if they are going to the big Eid festival that is held there every Eid masha’allah. After Eid prayers in my mosque of course Might even buy myself something nice to wear too. After having cancelled my tv subscription from the beginning until I move out of this flat I will have more time to read my quran and a few other books I will be picking out of my vast library to read during this time, I also have recently started a cross stitching for myself of the holy kabaa so I look forward to posting a WIP photo at the beginning and end of the month insha’allah I am also looking forward to getting a start on a new surah too after having just learnt surah al-fil (at last I hear you say alhamdulillah)
This is going to be a hard one, I can feel it in my bones already. My mum has our next door neighbours from UK coming over the last 2 weeks of ramadhan, so Ill be expected to turn up and spend sometime with them which is going to be hard if Im fasting.. I just pray that timing all works out and I still get to fix my iman insha’allah.
So what about you? what are your intentions and goals for this sacred month? will you be making any differences to the month than previous ramadhans?
Thanks for reading, peace and salams
Ammena
