Originally Posted on August 26th, 2011

By Shaykh Muhammad Jebril | Translated by Shazia Ahmad

Many of us spend a good portion of our Ramadan nights with our hands raised in du`a’ (supplication), listening to the heart-felt words of our imam or shaykh calling on Allah in the witr prayer.  For those of us who don’t speak Arabic, it is a time when we often long to understand the meaning of the words being said with such evident intensity and feeling.  It is for this reason that we would like to present a beautiful du`a’ of Shaykh Muhammad Jebril of Cairo, Egypt – said at the completion of his recitation of the Qur’an in Ramadan ((This du`a’ was performed at Masjid Amr ibn al-‘Aas in Cairo, Egypt in Ramadan 1410/1990. Original audio can be found on the shaykh’s official website:  http://www.jebril.com.)) – accompanied by an English translation.

Please remember us in your du`a’s as Ramadan draws to a close.  May Allah help us make the most of these last few precious days and nights of this blessed month.  Ameen.

Audio: Download (Duration: 34:55 — 4.3 MB)

Translation | PDF Version | Doc Version

Indeed, Allah speaks the truth. Indeed Allah speaks the truth, the One who is unique in His majesty by the perfection of His beauty, glorified and exalted.

He who sent down the clear Criterion (the Qur’an) to His servant ﷺ (peace be upon him) in order to make him a warner to the worlds; He who sent His noble messenger to the two mighty races of jinn and mankind to give glad tidings and to warn; and we are to this (truth) from among those who bear witness.

O Allah, guide us along with those whom You have guided aright; and grant us well-being along with those whom You have granted well-being; and protect us with those whom You have protected. Bless for us all that You have given us; and save us and keep away from us any evil that You have decreed. O Allah, save us and keep away from us any evil that You have decreed. O Allah, save us and keep away from us any evil that You have decreed, for verily You decree in truth, and none can decree over You. And none is abased whom You befriend, and none is honored whom You oppose. Blessed are You, our Lord, Exalted. To You, O Allah, all praise is due for what You have decreed, and to You, O Allah, is due all thanks for Your blessings and bounty. We seek forgiveness from (You) Allah, and we repent to You. We seek forgiveness from Allah, and we repent to You.

We seek forgiveness from You, O Allah, for every sin and every misstep (we have taken), and we turn to You in repentance. We believe in You and rely on You. You are the Rich, the Self-Sufficient and Free of Needs (al-Ghaniyy), and we are poor and bereft before You. You are the Strong (al-Qawiyy), and we are weak and vulnerable before You.

You are the Rich (al-Ghaniyy), and we are poor and bereft before You.  You are the Strong (al-Qawiyy), and we are weak and vulnerable before You.

You are the Rich (al-Ghaniyy), and we are poor and bereft before You.  You are the Strong (al-Qawiyy), and we are weak and vulnerable before You.

O Allah – You who connects with those who are cut off (from hope) – connect us to You.

O Allah, gift us with righteous action from You that will bring us closer to You.

O Allah, conceal (our faults) and protect us while we are on Earth, and when we are beneath the Earth, and on the Day when our deeds are presented to You.  [Repeated three times]

O Allah, beautify our standing before You.

O Allah, do not disappoint us on the Day we are presented before You to be judged. [Repeated three times]

O Allah, accept our prayers, our fasting, our standing in worship, our bowing and our prostration.

O Allah, accept our prayers.  O Allah, accept our fasting.  O Allah, accept our standing in worship.  O Allah, accept our bowing.  O Allah, accept our prostration. [Repeated three times]

O Allah, make us among those who are freed from the Fire this Ramadan. [Repeated three times]

O Allah, save us from the Fire. O Allah, save us from the Fire. O Allah, save us from the Fire. O Allah, protect us from the shame and disgrace of the Fire. O Allah, protect us from any deed that draws us closer to the Fire. O Allah, enter us into Paradise with the righteous, by Your mercy, O You Who is Most Noble (al-`Azeez), Oft-Forgiving (al-Ghaffar).

O Allah, make us, our Lord, in this month of ours, on this day of ours, on this very night, from those who are freed from the Fire, and make us from those who are accepted by You, the successful.

… By Your mercy, O Most Merciful of those who show mercy…

By Your mercy, O Most Merciful of those who show mercy…

By Your mercy, O Allah…

O Master and King (al-Malik), O Allah… O You Who is Sanctified and Pure (al-Quddus), O Allah… O Source and Giver of Peace (as-Salaam), O Allah… O Inspirer of Faith (al-Mu’min), O Allah… O Guardian of All Things (al-Muhaymin), O Allah… O Honorable and Mighty (al-`Azeez), O Allah…O You Who Compels His Servants and Mends the Broken (al-Jabbar), O Allah… O Grand and Majestic (al-Mutakabbir), O Allah… O Creator of All (al-Khaliq), O Allah… O Creator of All, O Allah…

O Maker of Order (al-Baari’), O Allah… O Shaper of Forms (al-Musawwir), O Allah… O Oft-Forgiving (al-Ghaffar), O Allah… O You Who Subdues His Servants (al-Qahhar), O Allah… O Giver of All (al-Wahhab), O Allah… O Sustainer (ar-Razzaq), O Allah… O Opener (al-Fattah), O Allah…

O All-Knowing One (al-`Aleem), O Allah… O You Who Restricts (al-Qaabidh), O Allah… O You Who Expands and Relieves (al-Baasit), O Allah… O You Who Abases (al-Khaafidh), O Allah… O You Who Exalts (ar-Raafi`), O Allah… O Bestower of Honor (al-Mu`izz), O Allah… O You Who Lowers (al-Mudhill), O Allah… O You Who Hears All (as-Sami`), O Allah… O You Who Sees All (al-Baseer), O Allah…

O You Who is the Absolute Judge (al-Hakam), O Allah… O You Who is Absolutely Just (al-‘Adl), O Allah… O Gentle and Subtly Kind (al-Lateef), O Allah… O All-Aware (al-Khabeer), O Allah… O Most Forbearing (al-Haleem), O Allah… O Magnificent (al-`Adheem), O Allah…

O You Who Forgives and Conceals (al-Ghafur), O Allah…  O You Who Appreciates and Rewards Thankfulness (al-Shakur), O Allah… O Knower of All Things (al-‘Aleem), O Allah… O Great One (al-Kabeer), O Allah… O Preserver (al-Hafeedh), O Allah… O Nourisher of All Things (al-Muqeet), O Allah… O You Who Calls to Account (al-Haseeb) O Allah…

O Mighty and Majestic (al-Jaleel), O Allah… O Most Generous (al-Kareem), O Allah… O Most Generous, O Allah… O Ever-Watchful (al-Raqeeb), O Allah… O You Who Responds and Answers (al- Mujeeb), O Allah…

O Vast and Omnipotent One (al-Wasi`), O Allah… O Glorious One (al-Majeed), O Allah… O You Who Perceives and Finds (al-Waajid), O Allah… O Unique One (al-Waahid), O Allah… O You Who is Self-Sufficient and Free of Want (as-Samad), O Allah… O You Who is Capable and Strong (al-Qadir), O Allah…

O Creator of All Power (al-Muqtadir), O Allah…  O You Who Brings Forward (al-Muqaddim), O Allah… O You Who Delays (al-Mu’akhir), O Allah… O You Who is the First (al-Awwal), O Allah… O You Who is the First, O Allah… O You Who is the Last (al-Aakhir), O Allah… O You Who is Manifest (adh-Dhahir), O Allah… O You Who is Hidden (al-Batin), O Allah… O Close Protecting Guardian (al-Waaliy), O Allah… O Most High (al-Muta`aliy), O Allah… O Living, Eternal One (al-Hayy), O Allah… O Self-Subsisting One (al-Qayyum), O Allah… O Self-Subsisting One, O Allah… O Nourisher (al-Muqeet), O Allah… O You Who Gives Death (al-Mumeet), O Allah…

O Most Gentle and Gracious Bestower (al-Barr), O Allah… O Ever-Relenting One (at-Tawwab), O Allah… O Avenger (al-Muntaqim), O Allah… O Avenger, O Allah… O You Who Pardons (al-`Affuw), O Allah… O Most Kind (ar-Ra’uf), O Allah… O Most Kind, O Allah…

O Owner of All Sovereignty (Maliku’l Mulk), Lord of Majesty and Honor (Dhu’l Jalali wa’likram), O Allah… O Just and Equitable One (al-Muqsit), O Allah… O Gatherer (al-Jaami`), O Allah… O You Who is Rich and Free of Needs (al-Ghaniy), O Allah… O Enricher (al-Mughni), O Allah… O Witholder (al-Mani`), O Allah… O Distressor (ad-Daar), O Allah… O Guide (al-Haadi), O Allah… O Light (of the heavens and the Earth) (al-Nur), O Allah…

O Originator of All Things (al-Badi`), O Allah… O Infinite and Everlasting (al-Baaqi), O Allah… O Inheritor of All (al-Waarith), O Allah… O Guide to the Right Path (ar-Rasheed), O Allah… O Most Patient (as-Sabur), O Allah…

O Allah… O Allah… O Allah…

O You Whom there is nothing like – the Hearing (al-Sami`), the Seeing (al-Baseer), O Allah.

O You who are the best of protectors and the best of those who give help. Glory be to You. We cannot account for the praises that are due to You; You are as You praise Yourself. Sublime is Your Countenance; Exalted is Your position. You do as You will by Your Power and Ability, and You decree as You want by Your Honor. O Living, Self-Subsisting One (al-Hayy al-Qayum); Originator of the heavens and the Earth; Possessor of Majesty and Honor (Dhu’l-Jalali wa’l-Ikram).

O Allah, beautify us with the beauty of the Qur’an. O Allah, enter us into Paradise by the intercession of the Qur’an. O Allah, ennoble us by the nobility of the Qur’an. O Allah, dress us with the honorable mantle (khil`ah) of the Qur’an. O Allah, dress us with the honorable mantle of the Qur’an. O Allah, honor us with the honor of the Qur’an.

O Allah, have mercy on the entire community of Muhammad ﷺ, by the sanctity of the Qur’an, O Most Merciful (al-Raheem), Loving One (al-Rahman).

O Allah, guide us and lead us to the truth and to the straight path, by the blessings of the magnificent Qur’an; and by the sanctity of the one You have sent as a mercy to all the worlds ﷺ. And forgive us, O Most Generous (al-Kareem), and grant us well being, O Most Merciful (al-Raheem).

O Allah, make the Qu’ran the blossoming spring of our hearts, and the light of our chests, and the dispeller of our sadness and grief. O Allah, make the Qur’an a proof for us, and not a proof against us.

O Allah, make us those who read the Qur’an and become elevated… and do not make us those who read it and become wretched and humiliated.

O Allah, bestow on us, by every letter of the Qur’an (that we have read) a sweetness, and by every word (from its pages) magnanimity and generosity, and by every verse happiness and joy, and by every chapter peace and security, and by every section reward.

O Allah, bless us with contentment, and make beloved to us prayer in congregation, and help us to remember death, Our Lord, in every moment (of our lives).

O Allah… Resurrect us, Our Lord, with the Prophet ﷺ, the Chosen (al-Mustafa), the one to whom you have granted the right of intercession.

O Allah, we seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit; and from a heart that is not humbled in devotion to You; and from an eye that does not weep (out of love and awe of You); from an eye that does not weep; from an eye that does not weep; and from an ego that is never satisfied; and from a supplication that is not heard.

O Allah, we seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit; and from a heart that is not humbled in devotion to You; and from an eye that does not weep (out of love and awe of You); and from an ego that is never satisfied; and from a supplication that is not heard.

O Allah, we seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit; and from action that is not elevated (to the heavens and accepted); and from an eye that does not weep (out of love and awe of You); and from an ego that is never satisfied; and from a supplication that is not heard.

O Allah, we ask you for knowledge that benefits; and for a heart that is humbled in devotion to You; and for a tongue busy with remembering You and expressing gratitude to You; and for actions that are righteous and accepted by You; and for a certainty (in You) that is genuine and true.

O Allah, we seek refuge in You from death and its agonies; and the grave and its distress; and the Sirat and its perils; and the Day of Rising and its terrors. [Repeated three times]

O Allah, make us fearful and conscious of You as if we see You; and grant us happiness through reverence of You (taqwa); and grant us the pleasure of seeing You (in Paradise); and gather us in the company of Your Prophet and Chosen One ﷺ (al-Mustafa). [Repeated three times]

O Allah, grant victory to Islam and honor the Muslims. O Allah raise high, with Your Grace, the two words of truth and religion.  O Allah, destroy the disbelievers who show hostile enmity to You and Your religion.

O Allah, bring the Muslims back to Your religion in a beautiful return (in repentance). [Repeated three times]

O Allah, grant success and victory to those striving in Your cause, wherever they may be. [Repeated three times]

O Allah, grant us success and victory over (the weaknesses of) of our own selves. [Repeated three times]

O Allah, respond to our du`a’, and heal our sick, and have mercy on our dead, and defeat our enemies. Do not disappoint us in our hope (in You); and let the last of our deeds be the best of them.

O Allah, fulfill from our hopes whichever please You; grant authority over our affairs to those who are the best of us, and not to those who are the worst of us.

O Allah, lift Your displeasure and anger from us. O Allah, lift Your displeasure and anger from us. O Allah, lift Your displeasure and anger from us, and do not call us to account for what we have done; and do not hold us accountable for what the foolish among us do; and do not place upon us, due to our sins, an authority who does not fear or revere You and who will not have mercy on us.

O Allah, purify our hearts; divest us of our faults; relieve our worries and troubles; protect us in the best way; and gather for us the best of the hereafter and the best of this life.

O Allah, rectify our condition. O Allah, join together and unite our hearts.

O Allah, allow our end to be concluded with righteous deeds.

O Allah, encompass us in the vastness of Your mercy.

O Allah, avert the harms and evils that concern and trouble us.

O Allah, allow us to pass away with sound faith, (faithful to) the Book and the Sunnah, and in a state in which You are pleased with us, O You Who is the Most Generous (al-Kareem).

O Allah, allow the Qur’an to be our close companion in this life; and in our graves a comforting friend; and a light on the Sirat; and an intercession at the time of resurrection; and our companion in Paradise; and make it a protection and barricade between us and the Hellfire; and a guide and leader to all good works, by Your Grace, O Most Generous of those who show generosity.

O Allah, distance us from our mistakes as You have distanced the East from the West. O Allah, purge our sins from us the way a white cloth is purified from filth; O Allah cleanse us from our sins with the (purity of) water, snow, and hail.

O Allah, You are the Forgiving (al-`Affuw), and You love to forgive, so please forgive us.  O Allah, You are the Forgiving (al-`Affuw), and You love to forgive, so please forgive us. O Allah, You are the Forgiving (al-`Affuw), the Generous (al-Kareem), the Forbearing (al-Haleem), the Great (al-`Adheem), and You love to forgive, so please forgive us.

O Allah, grant us well being and safety; pardon us; accept our deeds; accept us; accept our repentance, and excuse us, by Your loving Grace, O Most Merciful of those who show mercy.

Our Lord, accept from us (our deeds), You are the All-Hearing (as-Sami`), the All-Knowing (al-`Aleem).  Accept our repentance, Our Lord, You are the Oft-relenting (at-Tawwab), The Merciful (ar-Raheem). Forgive us and have mercy upon us, Our Lord, You are the Forgiving (al-Ghafur), the Merciful (ar-Raheem). Save us from sorrow and worry and the greatest distress (of punishment in the Hereafter). Save us from sorrow and worry and the greatest distress (of punishment in the Hereafter).

O Allah, bestow on us the gift of seeing Your Noble Countenance. [Repeated three times]

O Allah, make us from among those who have running beneath them the rivers of Paradise… “Their prayer therein will be, “Glory be to You, O Allah”; and their greeting (to one another) therein is, “Peace.”  And the conclusion of their prayer will be, “Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds.” (Qur’an, 10:10)

“Our Lord, condemn us not if we forget or fall into error.  Our Lord, lay not on us a burden like that which you laid on those before us.  Our Lord, lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear.  Pardon us, and grant us forgiveness, and have mercy on us.  You are our Protector.  Help us against those who stand against faith.” (Qur’an, 2:286)

“Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You; for You art the Grantor of bounties without measure. Our Lord, surely it is You Who will gather mankind together on the Day about which there is no doubt, for verily, Allah never fails in His promise.” (Qur’an, 3:8-9)

“Our Lord, forgive us our sins and anything we may have done that transgressed our duty.  Establish our feet firmly, and help us against those that resist Faith.” (Qur’an, 3:147)

“Our Lord, indeed whoever You admit to the Fire – You have disgraced him, and for the unjust wrongdoers there are no helpers.  Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, [saying], ‘Believe in your Lord,’ and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous.  Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in [Your] promise.” (Qur’an, 3:192-194)

“In Allah do we put out trust. Our Lord, make us not a trial for those who practice oppression; and save us, by Your mercy, from those who reject You.”  (Qur’an, 10:8-9)

“Our Lord, In You (Alone) we put our trust, and to You (Alone) we turn in repentance, and to You (Alone) is (our) final return.  Our Lord, make us not a test and a trial for the disbelievers, but forgive us, our Lord, for You are the Exalted in might, the Wise.” (Qur’an, 60:4-5)

“Our Lord, forgive us and our brethren who came before us into the faith, and leave not, in our hearts, ill feeling against those who have believed.  Our Lord, You are indeed full of kindness, most merciful.” (Qur’an, 59:10)

O Allah, to You we lovingly submit; and in You we believe; and upon You do we rely. To You we turn (in repentance), and by You we argue (and advocate). Forgive us for what we have sent forth (in deeds) and for what we have held back; for what we have made known, and for what we have hidden; and for (our deeds) which You have more knowledge of than we ourselves.

O Allah, be compassionate with us, for You are the One who shows us mercy. Do not punish us for our sins, for You are the Powerful over us. Be gracious and kind to us, Our Lord, for what has come to pass in our time and place; and (we ask You, O Allah) to conclude our lives for us with a beautiful and joyful ending. 

“Exalted is Your Lord, the Lord of Might and Honor, above what they describe; and peace be on the messengers (of God); and all praise is due to Allah, the Lord and Cherisher of the worlds.” (Qur’an, 37:180-182)

Send peace and blessings, O Allah, on our master Muhammad, and upon his blessed family and noble companions.  Ameen.

Many of us are likely looking forward to fasting the day of Arafah due to the immense blessings associated with it, particularly the forgiveness of two years worth of sins. All of the favors relevant to fasting also apply, such as the acceptance of the supplication of a fasting person.

For some people though, they cannot fast. Some may be ill, others might be essential workers during these difficult times, and many more women will be exempt from fasting due to menstruation.

Does that mean that the blessings are lost?

Before going into the specificity of the blessings for the non-fasting, we need to connect to Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He) and turn to Him through His names and attributes, which are revealed to us so we may know Him. Allah (swt) is al-Karim and al-Akram, meaning He is the Most Generous and the Supremely Generous. If a person offers you a gift and tells you to pick it up at 5pm, but because you got off late from work or were stuck in traffic or fell ill and could not not pick up the gift – all these things are outside of your control – one would accept if a fair person denies you that gift because you did not fulfill the conditions for picking it up. A generous human being, however would not deny you the gift at all. They may give you another chance to pick it up, or they may send the gift right to your home because they understand your circumstance.

Allah (swt) is far above any analogy and His generosity far supersedes human generosity. So why do we feel that He would exclude us from such immense blessings when the reason we could not partake in the blessing was outside of our control?

If you had the intention to fast, and you would have fasted were it not for the condition you are in, Allah (swt) rewards you as though you did it! The Prophet ﷺ tells us of a person who has a sincere intention, “and he says: ‘If I had wealth, I would have acted like this person [one who has wealth and spends it in the way of Allah].’ If that is his intention, he will have the same reward as the other,” (Tirmidhi). The Prophet ﷺ also said, “If a servant falls ill or travels, the likes of what he used to do when he was settled and healthy will be recorded for him,” (Bukhari). Finally, the Prophet ﷺ told us, “Whoever intends to perform a good deed but does not (or cannot) do it, Allah will record it as a complete good deed,” (Bukhari). This is all to remind us that Allah (swt) appreciates what you are going through and your love for worshiping Him, and He knows what is in your heart. None of that is wasted, and you are rewarded for your sincere intention as though you completed the deed.

Moreover, the essence of worship is obedience to Him, not to our whims, however noble they might be. If you are not fasting for a prescribed reason, such as menstruation for women, you are rewarded for not fasting because you are obeying Him. How generous is al-Karim: you are spared the hardship of fasting, rewarded for not fasting, and rewarded as though you fasted!

More importantly, our worship should not be limited. Just because we cannot fast, it does not mean we just sit back. These are blessed days regardless of whether we can fast on Arafah or not. The Prophet ﷺ said: “No good deeds are better than what is done in these first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.” (Bukhari) This includes on the Day of Arafah, which is on the 9th day. We should be constantly remembering and praising Him, because these are days of remembrance. We are told to “… increase in them your declaration of the oneness of Allah, your exaltation of Him, and your praise of Him,” (Ahmad). The The Prophet ﷺ also said, “The best supplication is that which is made on the day of Arafat. The best of it is what was said by myself and the prophets before me: There is no God but Allah alone, without any partners, unto Him belong the dominion and all praise and He has power over all things,” (Tirmidhi).

Specifically with fasting, we are rewarded for feeding a fasting person just as though we ourselves fasted. So, we can support those fasting in our family or community. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever helps break the fast of a fasting person, he will have the same reward as him…” (Tirmidhi).

Finally, it is so important to have hope in the mercy of Allah (swt) and focus on what we can do, rather than lament what we cannot. For those fasting on Arafah, may Allah (swt) accept your fast and worship. For those who cannot, may Allah reward you as though you did and accept your other deeds.

But some of us will not be able to take part in all the things that make this month so special.

Some of us may have to take medicines or are anemic or are going through a difficult pregnancy and cannot fast.

Some of us may be bedridden for a large part of the month and will not be able to pray taraweeh (Ramadan night prayer).
And some of us may be so ill that we cannot even lift the Qur’an to recite it.

But it is easy to compare ourselves to others, or to our old selves, and it easy to confuse means for ends. What makes fasting, praying taraweeh, and reciting the Qur’an so special are not the actions in and of themselves, but rather that they are done in obedience to Allah (swt) and in hope of His mercy, love and rewards. They are the means, and God’s pleasure is the ends.

For example, fasting is forbidden on the days of Eid. An act that has so much virtue as both an obligatory act during Ramadan and a voluntary one outside of Ramadan actually becomes a sin on the days of Eid. Not fasting during those days becomes an act of worship and obedience, and thus an action that brings us closer to the Most High.

Remember that at the very essence, it is your intention that is important. Had you been in good health, you would have fasted and done all the things that your health permitted. The Prophet ﷺ described two men: one man whom God has bestowed upon wealth and knowledge, and he acts upon that knowledge and gives from his wealth; and another man whom God has given knowledge but no wealth, and that man says, “If I had the wealth he had, I would do the same”. The Prophet ﷺ said “And they are rewarded the same”. (Ibn Majah)

So when you see the people and think, “If I was ok, I would be fasting this month,” or when your family leaves the house to pray taraweeh and you say, “I wish I could have been with you,” you are rewarded exactly the same as those who are doing the actions. In the eyes of God, you are just as special as the person praying all night; as the person completing the Qur’an; as the one who is thirsty and tired from his fast.

Moreover, you have a special relationship with Allah (swt) through your illness. The Prophet ﷺ tells us, “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that,” (Bukhari). In another narration, a companion visited the Prophet ﷺ when he was ill. The Prophet ﷺ told him: “No Muslim is afflicted with any harm but that Allah will remove his sins as the leaves of a tree fall down,”  (Bukhari).

Thus you are in the realm of God’s forgiveness as you are ill. Moreover, there is a different type of need for God when we fall all. The Prophet Job called to Allah (swt) in his illness:

“Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful.” (Qur’an, 21:83)

Your calling to Him in your illness is a form of worship, one that many others may never experience. Moreover, any patience that you show is appreciated by Allah (swt). He tells us in the Qur’an: “Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.” (Qur’an, 39:10)

Remember that the point of worship is not to break you, but to build you. Once the Prophet ﷺ walked into the mosque and saw a rope hanging in between its two pillars. He asked, “What is this rope?” The people said, “This rope is for Zainab who, when she feels tired, holds it (to keep standing for the prayer.)” The Prophet ﷺ said, “Do not use it. Remove the rope. You should pray as long as you feel active, and when you get tired, sit down.” (Bukhari)

Whatever actions you are able to do, no matter how small they appear to be, can only be truly quantified by God Himself. Allah (swt) will not judge you for the actions that you were not able to do, and it would be a distraction to focus on them. Rather if you can do other things – supplications, remembrance, charity – God will reward you for your seeking alternative ways to come close to Him. And even if you cannot do anything at all, Allah (swt) knows; the Most Generous rewards you for what you would have done.

And if your heart still aches because you actually love to worship Allah (swt) through fasting or taraweeh or Qur’an and you are unable, your love for that act of worship is loved by God, who rewards you for that love. A man was asked why he recited Surat al-Ikhlas in every prayer – something that we might criticize him for because it is a ‘short’ surah (chapter) – but he responded that, “It is because this surah describes the Most Merciful, and therefore I love to recite it.” Upon hearing the man’s reply, the Prophet said: “Tell that man that Allah loves him.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Your love for certain acts of worship is appreciated and loved by God.

So if you are going through this Ramadan in illness, remember that you, too, are loved by Allah (swt). Even when you cannot take part in the actions of this month, Allah’s mercy, love and forgiveness descend upon you like they do for the fasting person, the one in night prayer, and the Qur’an reciter. You are with them in rank.

Say, ‘In God’s grace and mercy let them rejoice.’ That is better than all they accumulate. (Qur’an, 10:58)

Today is one of the happiest days for millions of Muslims all over the world. While we’re sad to see the blessed month of Ramadan go, we’re so grateful for having completed a month of intense fasting and detoxification; a month meant to cleanse our hearts, minds and bodies so we can be closer to God with our souls and spirits. We experienced a special sweetness of faith during this past month, and now we celebrate with family and friends, fun festivities, delicious food and sweets of all kinds.

As we rejoice and celebrate, we can also remember that we have another happy camper celebrating too. He was locked up during Ramadan, and he just gained his freedom. For the last month, he’s been watching millions of Muslims fill up the masajid, pray intensely during the night, supplicate fervently to Allah, give abundantly in charity, and feel more motivated to do good than ever before. He saw Muslims who would drink often now stopped drinking; people who didn’t feel like praying before want to pray regularly; believers who never opened the Qur’an throughout the year choose to read it and contemplate its meanings. He saw Muslims who envied and hated one another stand side by side in prayer and become the closest of brethren. Before, they were held back by his whispers and their sins, distractions, temptations. Now that weight is lifted, so they picked up speed and worship became easier and more enjoyable. So, he was chained and they were freed. He was restrained so we could be liberated.

Have you seen people who live for a cause? They eat, sleep, breathe and die for their work. Imagine if these people were prevented from living their passion; and not only that, but imagine that they watched all their life’s efforts being destroyed right before their eyes. They have no control and can’t change what happened. It would probably make them sad, frustrated and angry. If they were given the power and freedom again, they could at least rebuild what was destroyed and fix what was broken.

Of all non-human creation, Satan is probably the most passionately committed to his cause. Yet, his mission in life is not to build, but to destroy. His sole purpose is to mislead and deviate and burn, as is his nature. Speaking to God, he said, “I swear by Your might! I will tempt all of them, except Your sincere servants,” (Qur’an, 38:82-3). So now that he’s liberated, he’s not just walking towards us casually; he’s coming back with a vengeance.

Fasting is designed by God to increase our taqwa. While taqwa is often translated as God-consciousness, its linguistic root connotes protection from harm. Fasting is a shield that protects us from harming ourselves and others, that protects us from the harmful effects of our sins. It’s a shield that protects us from getting burned by Satan’s tricks, and ultimately, from getting burned by the Fire. One of Satan’s tactics is to make us indulge in our physical pleasures, cravings, and desires in the most unbridled way.  He wants to ignite the animalistic tendencies within us and make us pursue these pleasures as ends in and of themselves, not as means for livelihood and lawful well-being.

Out of God’s mercy, He restricts our access to these two pleasures during fasting so that they don’t consume us and define our being. Through fasting, our relationship with these desires becomes less obsessive and animalistic, and more tamed and disciplined. So, when the month-long training is over and we’re back on the battlefield with Satan, his avenues to our hearts and minds are tightened and restricted. If we choose to broaden those pathways and re-indulge in our desires again, we invite him back into the very veins that run through our bodies; but if we feed these instinctual appetites in moderation and through the proper channels, we loosen Satan’s grip and become freed to nurture a deeper spiritual relationship with God throughout the year.

God says in the Qur’an, “O Believers, do not follow in Satan’s footsteps—if you do so, he will urge you to indecency and evil; and if it were not for God’s grace and mercy towards you, not one of you would ever have attained purity. God purifies whoever He wills; and God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (24:21)

During the blessed month of Ramadan, we may have gained more spiritual awareness, clarity and focus, and even felt a deep desire to become better Muslims, believers, and worshipers. Let’s not allow those feelings to dissipate and disappear just because Ramadan has passed. While the shade of Ramadan has left, the shade of God’s Mercy is everlasting. If God purifies whomever He wills, let’s also do our part in pursuing and recommitting to the path of purification. As Khurram Murad says, “The initial desire and ensuing effort to do and become good, is part of the continuing process of self development, a process that may begin at any point in life that you choose and continue till your last breath.” ((In the Early Hours: Reflections on Spiritual and Self Development, p. 10.))

So, before we get caught up in our busy lives and demands of family, work, or school again, now is the time to inculcate the good practices and habits we gained from Ramadan—no matter how small. Perhaps you didn’t used to pray sunan and voluntary prayers, and now you do. Maybe you would pray late often, and you found yourself praying more on time. Perhaps you would flirt a little much with the ladies, and during Ramadan you had some self-control. Maybe you were used to hearing or seeing shameful things, and you found it improper to do so during Ramadan. Perhaps you tried performing night prayers for the first time, and you absolutely loved it. Or maybe you didn’t feel the need to make du`a’ (supplication) before, but you poured your heart out to Him one night and felt an amazing, healing effect. Or maybe, like many people, you would think about food most of the day and fasting made you focus on more important matters like nourishing your soul.

What else? What other positive changes did you experience? Keep reflecting on your special moments and changes during Ramadan and hold on to those. Keep nurturing these feelings, habits and practices. Continue to fast, pray, read Qur’an, and forgive. Continue to shine with love, patience, and empathy. Give a little more than before, and don’t give up on yourself or on God’s mercy. Remember that Satan wants to take you away from God’s remembrance and bury you under layers of darkness and fleeting pleasures, but God is calling you to purity and peace, and to what gives you life.

So make this Eid a memorable one. Be happy and rejoice in God’s bounties and blessings, and start pursuing the endless opportunities for rising to greater spiritual heights.

Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV

To the Eyes that Weep,

Ramadan is almost over. It feels like it just flew by. Where did the time go?

Maybe you are sad because this holy month is coming to an end too soon. Perhaps you are heartbroken because you did not make the most of this blessed time. Either way, it is upsetting.  If only you had more days, more hours.

While most of us feel some sadness, we may also be overburdened with guilt. Another Ramadan has come by, and still no major changes in your life.

Ramadan is, of course, designed to be special; but it is special for a number of reasons: it is supposed to bring us to taqwa (God consciousness), to reflect on the Qur’an, to purify ourselves through fasting, to increase our worship, and to rectify our character.

The beautiful thing about Ramadan is that Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He) shows us what is possible – He reveals to us our potential. Even if you disappointed yourself, the Day of Judgment has not come yet, meaning it is not the end – you can still make up the shortcomings. As long as there is time, there is hope. So what prevents us from doing these things outside of Ramadan?

Remember that you can still worship Him. You can still be close to Him. God is there – with the same attributes – inside and outside of Ramadan. Do not define your relationship with Allah by your mistakes during this Holy month. If you do, you are the one moving away from Him, He did not push you away. As for God, He is al-Baqi – the Everlasting – and He remains. His attributes remain as they are.

The Lord whom you begged for mercy during Ramadan is the same Merciful Lord outside of Ramadan – indeed, “Your Lord has decreed upon Himself mercy.” (Qur’an, 6:54)

The Creator whom you pleaded to for forgiveness and pardon during this month – His forgiveness is open to you 365 days a year; He Himself says, “But indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance.” (Qur’an, 20:82)

God, whom you expressed your fears and hopes to, whom you asked to give you the good of this world and the Hereafter – He tells you, “I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.” (Qur’an, 2:186)

Whenever your guilty soul or satan want to trick you into thinking you are too far to be rectified, God Himself tells you, “I am near.” (Qur’an, 2:186) That is all you need to know, and that is all you need to remind yourself of when you feel far.

If you want to continue your good deeds or make up for your shortcomings, you can do that. You can follow Ramadan by fasting the six days of Shawwal, fasting twice a week (Mondays & Thursdays) or you can fast three times a month (the Bright Days). The Prophet ﷺ tells us, “Every servant of God who observes fast for a day in the way of God, Allah would remove his face farther from the Fire to the extent of seventy years’ distance.” (Muslim)

You can give charity any time of year. The Prophet ﷺ said: “None gives charity from what is good, for Allah only accepts what is good, but that the Merciful takes it with His right hand. Even if it is a date, it is nurtured in the hand of the Merciful until it becomes greater than a mountain, just as one of you nurtures his young horse or camel.” (Muslim)

You can volunteer. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Allah will aid a servant [of His] so long as the servant aids his brother.” (Muslim)

You can wake up for qiyaam (the night prayer), even if you only do it on the weekends or even once a month. The Prophet ﷺ said, “The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.” (Muslim)

You can make it a point to help to uplift people. The Prophet ﷺ said, “The most beloved of deeds according to Allah the Mighty, the Magnificent, is that you bring happiness to a fellow Muslim.” (Tabarani)

And you know what? If you do these things, you will find that by next Ramadan insha’Allah (God willing), your heart will already be softer, ready to soak up the blessings of the month. So intend to continue to do good after Eid, and make a plan for that. It is easy to slip back into bad habits, so follow up your intentions with concrete actions.

And if your heart is still broken by the last iftar (meal of breaking fast) of this month, turn to Him. Make time before you break your fast to be alone with Him and pour out your heart and soul to God. Tell Him all of your hopes for this month, and how you feel about not having been able to fulfill them. Express to Him your fears about coming out of Ramadan and losing that connection with Him. Talk to Allah. He hears you, at every second of every day.

And as long as you still breathe, you can turn back to Him and make the most of wherever you find yourself. It could be that you are accepted because of your sincere worship in one of these remaining days. Do not let your connection to God stop at Ramadan – let your connection be to the Lord of Ramadan.

Sincerely,

From eyes that weep remorse

(And find hope even after Ramadan)

Imam al-Razi stated,

“Allah (subhanahu wa ta`ala – exalted is He) concealed this night like He did with many things: He concealed His pleasure with acts of obedience so one will strive towards them all, the answer to supplications so one will work towards making every supplication matter, His greatest name so people will magnify all of His names, His acceptance of repentance so one will repent for every sin, the time of one’s death so one will use his entire life for worship and He hid this night so people will worship Him every night [from the last 10 nights of Ramadan].” [Tafsir al-Kabir]

To the limbs that are busy,

As you pick up your Qur’an in order to begin reciting, you are bombarded with a barrage of WhatsApp messages. Your job needs urgent work done now; your babysitter cancelled, meaning you cannot attend taraweeh (Ramadan night prayers) at the mosque tonight; your mom needs help with making iftar (the meal of breaking fast).

You put your Qur’an down. There is always something keeping you away.

Ramadan might be the month of the Qur’an, but to you, it is a month like any other – with the added abstention from food and drink. It might be that you have to take care of your family, and so have no time to do those things that make Ramadan so special to other people. It could be that you have work, and so cannot focus on connecting to His book. Or it could just be that your mind is distracted because of your studies and essays, and so even when you do manage to pray the night prayers, you are thinking about the paper that you have to submit.

It is frustrating. And this makes us want to give up on Ramadan altogether – barely any taraweeh, Qur’an or any of those things that make Ramadan so special. Could you be the person described in the hadith (tradition) of the Prophet ﷺ:

“Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness” (Darimi).

If we think that our Ramadan does not matter because we cannot do all that we hoped for, or all that other people are doing, we have misunderstood God Himself. That hadith refers to people who do not even attempt to rectify their bad actions or do extra good.

God is so Generous that He rewards you for your intention. If you had big hopes in Ramadan but things got in the way, you are still rewarded for your sincere intentions. The Prophet ﷺ taught us that:

“Whosoever intended to perform a good deed, but did not do it, then Allah writes it down with Himself as a complete good deed. And if he intended to perform it and did perform it, then Allah writes it down with Himself as from ten good deeds up to seven hundred fold, up to many times multiplied. ” (Bukhari)

This hadith applies outside of Ramadan, and we know everything is magnified in Ramadan, so imagine the appreciation and reward by God for your sincere intention.
Moreover, those few deeds that you do matter. The fact that you made the effort to read Qur’an for ten minutes before you were called to do something else is great in the Eyes of Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He). We are told in countless sayings of the Prophet ﷺ that a person might give something little and be rewarded more than a person who gave a lot, simply because of the effort put in and the intention. God cares about the quality of your deed, not simply the quantity.

Also remember that tending to your responsibilities can be regarded as worship when your intention is in the right place. If you cannot change your actions, then change your intention. If you have work deadlines that prevent you from praying the night prayers, then make your intention the fulfillment of your responsibilities and of practicing ihsan (excellence), which we are commanded to do. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Verily, Allah loves that when anyone of you does a job he should perfect it” (Bayhaqi). So when you work hard at your job trying to excel for the sake of God, that is something that Allah (swt) loves. If your children keep you away from reciting Qur’an, then intend that you are raising your children for Him, like the mother of Mary `alayhaa as-salaam (peace be upon her) when she said: “My Lord, indeed I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated [for Your service], so accept this from me. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.” (Qur’an, 3:35) What was God’s response to her when she gave birth to Mary (as)?

“So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner…” (Qur’an, 3:37)

And Mary (as) went on to be an example for all those believe (Qur’an, 66:11-12).

So your intention can magnify all of your deeds. It matters to Allah (swt).

Remember to make Ramadan beneficial for you. It could be that you listen to a tafseer (explanation of Qur’an) podcast on your way to work, or read the Qur’an with translation when your kids are having a nap, or even steal some moments to make a sincere du`a’ (supplication) when you have a five minute break from your studies. Make this your Ramadan of charity, if you are able, and give more because you are busy. Use the time to work on your character. And be concerned about the quality of your deeds, not the quantity.

The best thing that you can do is talk to Allah (swt). Tell Him all of your intentions and how you were not able to fulfill them. Talk to God about your hopes and fears. Remember that He hears every word, even when it remains un-uttered in your heart.

All of that will be counted for you. And even if Ramadan is not all you hoped it would be, God the Generous will bless you more than you could have hoped, inshaAllah (God willing).

Sincerely,

Limbs that are busy

(and still trying)

Originally published in August 2010.

Its Blessed Name: Laylat al-Qadar

• Night [Layl]: indicates the time from sunset till dawn.
• Power [al-Qadar]: This word carries a number of different meanings such as honor, serenity, judgment, and power. The scholars differed over the meaning of this word when used in relation to that special night that takes place during the month of Ramadan. Here are the most common interpretations:

1. Magnificence and Honor.

This meaning is obvious because it is the night that the Qur’an was sent, Prophethood was announced and the angels descend. Other scholars held that the one who revived this night with worship would become honorable because Allah (swt) would raise rank.

Lessons

As Muslims we should feel honored because Laylat-al-Qadar was the night that the Qur’an was sent and the Prophet ﷺ was chosen by Allah. However, this was also the night that witnessed the birth of a new religious nation – the nation of the Prophet ﷺ – and we are blessed to belong to that nation. Do you feel humble? Do you feel blessed to be a part of that nation? Do you feel and share the greatness of this night? Do your actions reflect that humility? If one wants to be honored, then let him do so by worshiping Allah.

2. Something Restricted or Difficult to Attain.

The exact date of Laylat al-Qadar is unknown; the knowledge of its occurrence is restricted from men. The only way to find it is to put forth effort and seek it. It is also said that the earth becomes full with the presence of an infinite number of malaikah (angels).

Lessons

When something is hidden, it is a sign of its value. One who truly understands this will work to find the hidden treasure in this night.

3. Judgment and Decision.

This is the night when the angels will distribute what is destined for Allah’s servants with regards to those servants’ provisions and lifespan for the next year. Some scholars contended that the night which ones provisions and life were to be given is during the middle of the month of Sh’aban (the month preceding Ramadan). However, the majority of scholars hold that it is this night, the Night of Power.

THE SIGNS

When Does it Occur?

Laylat al-Qadar takes place in the last ten nights of Ramadan. The Prophet ﷺ said, “I witnessed the Night of Power, then I forgot [which night it was]. It happens in the last ten nights (of Ramadan).” (Ibn Hiban)

The Night:

• The night is mild, as stated by the Prophet ﷺ, “The night of power is a mild night neither hot nor cold.” (Ibn Khuzaymah, authentic.)
• The number of angels out that night are too numerous to count. The Prophet ﷺ said, “The number of angels present that night on earth cannot be counted.” (Ibn Khuzaymah, good hadith)
• It is a clear night and the stars are visible: The Prophet ﷺ said, “The night of power is a clear night… as though its moon uncovers the nights’ stars.” (Ibn Hibban)

The Morning After

• The  sun rises in the morning after the Night of Power “red and weak.” (Ibn Khuzaimah, authentic)
• The Prophet ﷺ said about the sunrise, in another hadith, that it is “white, having no rays”. [Muslim]. Having no rays is explained by the narration above as being “weak.”

Things to do:

• Pray.
• Read Qur’an.
• Make dhikr.
• Engage in worship in its strict sense.
• Be kind to others.
• If you’re in the Masjid, be clean.
• Avoid being rude.

Things not to do:

• Talk and waste one’s time socializing.
• Commit sins.
• Sleep the night away.
• Making the Masjid untidy.

What if I Have Commitments the Next Day?

Scholars noted that one does not have to stand the entire night to experience it. One could worship for a short while and still receive the blessings of the night. Thus those who have to work, take care of the kids, or other responsibilities need only worship for a short while. [See Fath al-Bari of Ibn Hajar.]

May Allah grant us guidance to experience this night.

A Letter to the Heart that is Numb

To the heart that is numb,

Standing in taraweeh (Ramadan night prayers) while everyone is weeping – except you. Your friends talk about how exhilarating fasting is for them – but all you feel is irritation; and that is if you feel anything at all. Your du`as (supplications) are just words you repeat – without heart.

What is the point of all of it? Your actions are robotic. Monotone. Without soul.

You wish you could be like that person praying next to you in taraweeh who sobs during every prostration. You want to be the one passionately pleading with Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He) with humility. Your hope is that you can be that person whose heart is broken before God.
You know what, though? You, too, are special to Allah (swt).

You who recites the Qur’an because you know it is good.

You who prays because Allah (swt) commanded you to.

You who attends lectures on Islam because you want to feel closer to Him.

The Prophet ﷺ told us that the person who recites the Qur’an and struggles with the recitation receives twice the reward: for their recitation and for their effort and struggle. Ibn Al-Qayyim used this hadith (tradition of the Prophet ﷺ) as the basis for his statement that the person who struggles to be devoted in prayer gets twice the reward: for the parts that he was devoted, and for his struggle to stay focused.

As long as you are trying, Allah (swt) is with you.

The fact that you get up to pray qiyaam (night prayer) even though you feel nothing is appreciated by Allah (swt). When you mouth the words to your du`a even when your heart is numb, Allah (swt) knows how you feel. And you are rewarded for that. Do not think that this will go to waste.

Allah (swt) gets it.
Because you are not worshiping a feeling. You do not bow down solely for that ‘high’. You prostrate only to the Lord of the feelings and the One who is the Most High. You submit to Him – through your prayers, fasting and supplication – because you know you have a Merciful, Just, Appreciative, Forgiving God, Who has the power to give life to everything that is dead.

Including your heart.

You know you have a Nurturing, Patient, Generous, Subtle and Kind Lord who is can bring back whatever is lost.

He can bring you back.

So to the heart that is numb: Do not give up just yet. Your heart is on a journey. You are first and foremost worshiping your Lord. And He has promised you:
“And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.” (Qur’an, 29:69)

As long as you are doing good, Allah (swt) will guide you and He is with you. Do you know what that means?

Imam Ash-Shawkani stated that Allah (swt) being with someone means more care, honoring and preference for the person.

And you what else? Allah loves what you do. He tells us:

“Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds – the Most Merciful will appoint for them affection.” (Qur’an, 19:96)

Allah will not only love you, but He will show that love for you. He will bestow His affection upon you, and your heart will feel it.

So keep trekking. Your heart will open – He is, after all, al-Fattah. Al-Fattah is He who opens whatever is closed; your heart included. You might wonder when and how, but just know that it will happen. It could be on the last night of Ramadan or it could be a month after Ramadan – your heart will open, God willing. The daily exercise you do might not look like much, but you will inevitably see the results if you persevere. Similarly, your good actions slowly chip away at what has been hardening your heart and, eventually, you will feel.

And if it gets too much, just talk to Allah (swt). Tell Him how you feel, and tell Him how you want to feel. Do it every night, and every time you feel empty. God is there; never underestimate your turning to Him. ‘Turning to Him’ does not just mean prayers and supplications; you can just tell Him what is in your heart.

On the Day of Judgment, you will be grateful for your perseverance and your hope in Him, because it will matter more than you will ever know. So push yourself and exert all the effort you can muster. The tiniest ray of light can brighten the darkest of places.

Love,

A fellow heart that is* numb

(*was)