Ramadan Naseehah: Use Ramadan to Achieve Allah’s Forgiveness

Ramadan 04, 1443AH

Assalamu alaykum warahamatullahi wabarakaatuh!

1. (Affectionately addressing Rasulullah (SAW) according to his dress at the time of revelation of the chapter, Allah says,) O you wrapped in a cloth (shawl)!
2. Stand up all night (in Tahajjud salaah) except for a little while (to rest).
3. (Stand in salaah for) half the night or slightly less (than half, such as a third of the night).
4. Or add some more (time to the half, making it two-thirds). And recite the Qur’an clearly (and steadily so that each letter is distinct and accurately pronounced). (Q73:1-4)

Dear brethren! The month of Ramadan provides the Ummah the opportunity to give effect to the above instructions sent through our Prophet (SAW) to us.

In trying to put into practice verses 3 and 4 above, Rasulullah (SAW) and the Sahabah found it tedious to precisely calculate two-thirds, half or one-third of the night Fearing that they should miscalculate and fail to stand for the stipulated periods, the Sahabahs therefore stood in salaah almost the entire night. As a result of this exertion, their feet used to swell and they grew extremely pale. Taking pity on them, Allah revealed the verse saying: Verily your Lord knows that you (O Rasulullah and a group of those Sahabah with you) stand (in salaah) close to two-thirds of the night, (sometimes) half the night and (sometimes) a third (of the night). Allah determines the (duration of the) night and the day. He knows that you are unable to precisely calculate (the duration of each portion of the night) so He has turned to you in mercy. Therefore, (instead of trying to recite too much) recite that part of the Qur’an (in Tahajjud) which is easy (stand in Tahajjud only as long as you can manage). Allah knows that some of you may fall ill, others will travel in the world in search of Allah’s bounty (to earn a living) and others will fight in Allah’s path. (In each case, they will be unable to perform Tahajjud as they do at home), therefore, recite (only) that of the Qur’an (in Tahajjud) which is easy. (Although Tahajjud is not obligatory, do not neglect to) Establish (the Fardh) salaah, pay zakah and give to Allah a good loan (spend in charity for Allah’s pleasure). Whatever good you send ahead for yourselves (as reward to the Aakhirah), you will find it with Allah in a better and more rewarding state. Seek forgiveness from Allah. Verily Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful (Q73:20).

Anas (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah, SAW, said:
Allah is more delighted at the repentance of His servant than one of you who lost his riding animal on a journey in a barren land while it carries his food and drink. He loses all hope as he comes to a tree to lie down in its shade, despairing over his animal, but suddenly he finds it standing over him. He takes hold of its reins and then he greatly rejoices, saying: O Allah, You are my servant and I am your Lord! He makes a mistake (by calling Allah my servant instead of him being the servant) due to his great joy. Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2747

Indeed, Allah – our Lord and Benefactor – does appear as if He is the servant. How else can man explain that the master, whom we owe every second of our existence to, is disobeyed (and instead of instant punishment), He restrains Himself and continues to provide fully for the erring servant and when the servant eventually returns repentant, Allah grants pardon without hesitations. Glorified and Praised is Allah beyond what the ignorant attribute to Him.

Abu Musa (RA) reported: The Prophet, SAW, said: Verily, Allah Almighty stretches out His hand by night to accept the repentance of those who sin by day, and He stretches out His hand by day to accept the repentance of those who sin by night, until the sun rises from the west. Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2759

O servants of Allah! Know that the first ten days of this Ramadan is a period when the Mercy of Allah is prevalent; obtain a share of this celestial mercy by genuinely repenting from all our sins. The benefits of repentance has been abundantly explained by Rasulullah – which is the acceptance of your good deeds, erasure of your bad deeds and conversion of all your bad deeds to good deeds and ultimately your acceptance into Jannah.

Other ahadith that should spur you to repentance are list thus:
1. Whoever repents before the sun rises from the west, Allah will accept his repentance (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2703).
2. If your sins were to reach to the heavens and then you repented, Allah would still accept your repentance (Sunan Ibn Mājah 4248).
3. All of the children of Adam are sinners, and the best sinners are those who repent (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2499)
4. Verily, when the servant commits a sin, a black mark appears upon his heart. If he abandons the sin, seeks forgiveness, and repents, then his heart will be polished. If he returns to the sin, the blackness will be increased until it overcomes his heart. It is the covering that Allah has mentioned: “No, rather a covering is over their hearts from what they have earned”. (Q83:14) Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3334
5. The one who completely repented of sin is like one without sin. (Sunan Ibn Mājah 4250)
6. Regret (being remorseful) is part of repentance. Sunan Ibn Mājah 4252

O servants of Allah! We should not await a miracle before we get closer to Allah and His Rasool. Allah is fully of Rahmah to the world and He specifically chose us to be part of the Ummah of His Most Beloved Messenger and a mercy for all the worlds (SAW). Waste no time to seize this moment to grab the mercy and forgive that is currently on offer.

O Allah, on this day, strengthen me in carrying out Your commands, let me taste the sweetness of Your rememberance, grant me, through Your graciousness, that I give thanks to You. Protect me, with Your protection and cover, O the most discerning of those who see.

Wassalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh.

Suleiman Zubair