“As-salámu ‘alaikum wa rahmatul láhi wa barakátuh!” Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Raheem 

WELCOMING RAMADHAN

Ramadhan is a very important part of every Muslim’s life. Ramadhan is the month of giving and mercy, and during this month Allah blesses the believers with forgiveness and great reward.

This is a time to stop and contemplate, to look inwards and out, it is a time to set our goals. We should ask ourselves what we want to achieve this month, - something we will carry into our futures.

Achievement is accomplished by change. ‘How’ and ‘what’ we change are as important to consider as ‘when’ we change. Ramadhan gives us a huge opportunity to improve ourselves and gain rewards for our actions.

Just consider how precious time is. Our time when used well can gain us much reward, but when wasted we lose something of unimaginable value.

Therefore, whoever is merciful and giving in Ramadhan, Allah will be even more Merciful and Giving towards them and will bestow upon them countless bounties and blessings.
All praises to Allah (SWT), Lord of the worlds. As revealed in the Glorious Qur’an, "Oh you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who came before you that you may keep your duty to your Lord" 2:185.

There are many actions we can take during the month of Ramadhan which will benefit us immensely. One of these would be to take Sahoor (the pre-dawn meal) as there is great benefit in it. The greatest blessing of Sahoor may be that Allah engulfs those who partake in it with His Forgiveness, showers His Mercy on them, while His angels ask of Him to forgive and pardon them.

Reciting the Quran has much benefit as it was in this blessed month that the Qur’an was revealed to prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him).

"Verily! We have sent you (O Muhammad) with the Truth, a bearer of glad tidings and a warner; and there is not a nation but a warner has passed among them," The Holy Quran (35:24).

"Surely this Qur’an' guides to the way that is straightest and gives good tidings to the believers who do deeds of righteousness, that theirs shall be a great reward.” The Holy Quran (17 : 11).

The importance of the Qur’an cannot be presented in a few words. It is not just another book on the shelf, but it is the words of Allah, speaking to every one of us. It is direct contact with Allah Himself. This is what we should keep in mind when we read the Qur'an or think about it.

The Giving of charity also carries much blessing and the rewards, giving during the holy month will increase your reward immensely. Zakah does not only purify the property of the contributor but also purifies his heart from selfishness and greed.
The following shows us the importance of charity:

The Prophet said:'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim'. He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity'. The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He should help the poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good'. The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said 'They should stop themselves from doing evil. That is also charity.

Charity is not only giving money but following the above example will ensure you are giving charity as well as receiving Allah’s blessing.

Finally here is a simple du’a (supplication) written by Shahid Athar, M. D:

• Give us the knowledge, the skills and the will to serve fellow humans.
• Give us the wisdom to comfort and console all toward peace and harmony.
• Help us to alleviate human sufferings.
• Give us the strength to admit our mistakes, amend our ways, and forgive others.
• Give us the devotion to serve the poor, the hungry, the destitute and the homeless with honour, love, dignity and piety, with patience and tolerance, with knowledge and vigilance, with Thy love in our hearts, compassion for Thy servants and desire for Thy mercy for all those who are instruments of Thy healing. (Amen)

If we look deep into our hearts we can see how blessed we are, with Allah’s blessing and your help Islamic Relief can help others.

http://www.ramadhanzone.com/welcoming_ramadhan.asp

“As-salámu ‘alaikum wa rahmatul láhi wa barakátuh!”
Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Raheem

Allah: The One
by Sabera Salam USA

Do you know Allah made the Universe and everything in it?
He is the One who owns it and looks after it.
Only He can make a planet or a star,
Make light from the Sun reach us from so far.

Allah is Perfect, He needs no one.
He has no father, no mother or son.
But we need Him totally. Have you ever wondered why?
He gives life to everyone and He makes them die.

Just so you can breathe he gives you air;
Eyes and ears to see and hear;
A tongue to taste and teeth to chew,
The yummy foods He gives to you.

Hands for holding and legs for walking;
A brain for thinking and mouth for talking.
Allah gave you a heart to love,
And many other gifts you can't think of.

Allah made people to worship Him every day.
He sent many Prophets to show them the way.
Peace be upon Muhammad; he was the last one.
Allah's Messenger (S) sent with the Holy Qur'an.

Glory be to Allah and all praise is for Him,
Only He is Great and there is no god but Him.
If you love the Qur'an and follow the Sunnah.
Allah has made you a Garden called Jannah.

Pray your Salah and be good to others too,
When you remember Allah, He remembers you.
Do you know when you hear or recite the Qur'an,
Allah is telling you that He is the One

http://www.islamicpoetry.org/viewpoem14.htm

 

As-salámu ‘alaikum wa rahmatul láhi wa barakátuh!” Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem.

Being Thankful to Allah
Sumayyah Bint Joan
Produced by the Alharamain Foundation

[Very slight change has been made to the wordings]

The other day while watching a network news program, I saw a Muslim woman in Kosova with her six-month-old infant, who was covered in sores and suffered from a malady of illnesses, all because it had not had a bath since its birth.

The mother explained that because of the heavy fighting, she and her family had been on the move constantly, and that luxurious such as decent food and clean water were not available to them. As the mother of a six-month-old infant myself, this struck to the very hart of me. Bath time for my son and I, is a very special time filled with play and laughter. It's a ritual we share everyday, and the fact that I would have clean water with which to bathe him, was something, until then, every time I bath my son, I try to remember to thank Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala (How far from imperfection is He and He is the Most High), for His Mercy to me. It also reminds me to be thankful for all the other "little things," that I take for granted everyday.

From the very beginning of Man's creation, the issue of gratefulness and thankfulness to Allah has been debated. After refusing to bow to Aadam (Adam), Iblees (Satan) said,

    "Then I will certainly come to them from before them and from behind them, and from the right-hand side and from the left-hand side, and Thou (Allah) shall not find most of them thankful." [Qur'an 7:17]

This statement from the worst of liars has proven to be true, not only among the disbelievers, but also among the Muslims. Unfortunately, we Muslims have fallen into the trap of Iblees, and have gotten so caught up in our comings and goings, that we very rarely take the time to reflect on the Favors of Allah, and to thank Him with the thanks that is due Him. We are so busy conducting our daily lives that we forget who is really in-charge, and from where our sustenance comes. This is not the way, for Allah says,

    "Therefore remember Me, I will remember you, And be thankful to Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me." [Qur'an 2:152]

The problem that most of us face is what I call the, "If I only…." Syndrome. If I only had a better wife, I would be grateful. If I only had sons instead of daughters, I would be grateful. If I only had a bigger house, a better car, more money, a better job, and the list goes on and on. We are constantly focused on the things we don't have, instead of being grateful to Allah for the things we do have.

This is a very serious illness, for which the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam (May Allah's peace and blessing be upon him), has given the cure. He, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, admonished us, in terms of worldly things to always look to those beneath us, for this will keep us thankful. Allah says about the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, that in him we have the best of examples. In terms of showing us how to be thankful to Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, he is as Allah says. It is narrated by al-Mughira that the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, used to stand (in the salaah (trans - prayer) or performs salaah until both his feet or legs swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable salaah) he said, "Should I not be a thankful slave?" [Bukhari]

As the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, advised us, the best way to stay thankful to Allah is to count His Favors in our lives everyday. For Allah says,

    "And He gives you all that you ask for. But if you count the favors of Allah, never will you be able to number them. Verily, man is given up to injustice and ingratitude." [Qur'an 14:34]

This statement of Allah is so true, yet we put so little value on it, and do not take heed.

The very fact that we got up this morning, that we can offer the salaah that we had breakfast, that we have clothes to wear, water to bathe ourselves, that we have homes to shelter us from the elements, that we have our health, our families, etc., etc., etc., are all favors from Allah, subhanahu wa ta'aala. We should take non of it for granted, or become arrogant enough to believe that we attained any of it because of our own efforts alone.

Thankfulness frees the heart from greed, jealousy and envy. When we are thankful to Allah, we remain mindful of Him and His continuous Mercy toward us, and this in return humbles us and improves our characters. The very fact that Allah has guided us to Islam and the sunnah of His Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, in itself should be a source of continual praise. Allah says,

    "Surely We have shown him the way: he may be thankful or unthankful." [Qur'an 76:3]

Allah also says that only few of His servants thank Him. Let us then strive to be among these few by keeping our tongues wet with His remembrance and our hearts soft with His praise.

 

http://www.sunnahonline.com/ilm/purification/0010.htm

 

As-salámu ‘alaikum wa rahmatul láhi wa barakátuh!” Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem.

Four Actions Towards Taqwaa

 

Notes from Hilyatul Awliya wa Tabaqat al Asfiya and Secondary References from Ibn al-Qayyim.
 
    "And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al Muttaqoon." (Surah al Imraan: 133)

1. BRINGING THE SELF TO ACCOUNT FOR HIS DEEDS

Allah subhana wa ta'ala says in the Qur'an:

    "O you who believe! Fear Allah and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what you do." (Surah al Hashr :18)

When a Muslim takes account of his own deeds he is able to realize his mistakes and correct them. Those who do not engage in accounting their own deeds, only condemn themselves in front of Allah subhana wa ta'ala. Allah aza wa jal said in the Qur'an:

    "So, by your Lord (O Muhammad) We shall certainly call all of them to account. For all that they used to do." (Surah al Hijr:92-93)

Ibn Qayyim rahimuh Allah said "Condemning oneself is a practice of the truthful. A servant draws closer to Allah in a moment (when he condemns himself) much more than he would do so through actions."

When a Muslim takes account of his actions, he is able to realize the right of Allah over him. Ibn Qayyim also said "A benefit of understanding Allah's right over the servant is  that it breeds condemnation of oneself and delivers one from showing off and vanity. It also opens the door of humbleness in front of Allah and closes the doors of conceit. It allows one to realize that salvation is only through Allah's grace and mercy. It is Allah's right that He should be obeyed and not disobeyed: that He should be remembered and not forgotten and that He should be appreciated and not unappreciated. Whoever thinks over these things will know with certainty that he cannot fulfill these conditions and, thus, has to resort to Allah's mercy. Such a person will be convinced that he cannot rely on his actions, lest he be destroyed. Many people think about their rights over Allah and do not about His rights over them. This is how there are detached from Allah and deprived of the desire to meet Him. This is the epitome of ignorance of their Lord and of themselves." (Ighathatul lahfaan 1/99-101; secondary reference)

A'isha radi Allahu anha was once asked about the verse,

    "Then We gave the Book the Qur'an) for inheritance to such of Our slaves whom We chose (the followers of Muhammad) Then of them are some who wrong their ownselves, and of them are some who follow a middle course, and of them are some who are, by Allah's Leave, foremost in good deeds. That (inheritance of the Qur'an), that is indeed a great grace." (Surah Fatir:32)

She answered "'My son! They are in Paradise. Those who raced towards good deeds are those who lived during the time of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam who testified to their sustenance and Paradise. As for those who were moderate, they followed him among his companions and caught up with him. And as for those who wronged themselves are concerned., they are people like me and you."

Abu Darda radi Allahu anhu said "No one can achieve complete understanding of Islam until he condemns people for the sake of Allah and then returns home and condemns himself even more."

Imam Ahmed rahimu Allah related from Wahab ibn Munabbah rahimu Allah "It is written from the family of Dawood alayhi salam "An intelligent person should not be distracted on four occasions; when he is supplicating to his Lord, when he is auditing himself, when he is being informed by his friends about his shortcomings, and when he is alone with himself."

Omar radi Allahu anhu said "Take account of yourselves before you are taken to account [by someone else], weigh your deeds before they are weighed [by someone else]."

Hasan al Basri rahimahu Allah said about the verse "No. I do swear by the criticizing self..." (Surah Qiyamah:2) : A believer will always be critical of himself in his food, his drink and his speech. A sinner will not criticize himself." He also said "A believer is a guardian over himself: he acounts himself for Allah. Those who take account of   themselves in this world will be audited lightly in the Hereafter. Those who take this issue lightly will find their auditing very difficult."

2. DISCIPLINING ONE'S SELF FOR ITS SHORTCOMINGS

We are not made perfect by Allah subhana wa ta'ala and we inevitably have our shortcomings. The pious predecessors differed with us in that they were harsh on themselves when it came to their shortcomings because they knew that obedience can be very difficult.

In the Qur'an we are told that (Iblis) said:

    "Because you have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them as thankful ones." (7:12-17)

The pious predecessors were always fully aware of this and did everything to their capability to take their souls into account for its shortcomings, all out fear, love and hope in Allah subhana wa ta'ala.

Tameem Dari radi Allahu anhu failed to wake up for Tahajjud one night and he stayed awake at nights in prayer the whole of the next year. Talhah radi Allahu anhu became preoccupied with a bird on his wall on his orchard while he prayed and he donated the wall as redemption for that shortcoming. Imam Muhammad ibn Sireen narrated that Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu said "Sometimes I fell unconscious in between the mimbar of rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and the chamber of A'isha. People would say "Maybe he is mad!" However, Allah  knows best that I am not mad, but my hunger made me fall." Omar radi Allahu anhu gave a piece of land when he missed 'Asr prayers in a group, and ibn Omar used to stay awake the whole night if he missed a group prayer and then he would free two slaves.

Allah said in the Qur'an "And those who kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups, till, when they reach it, and its gates will be opened (before their arrival for their reception) and its keepers will say: Salamun 'Alaikum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein." (Surah al Zumar:73)

3. BRINGING THE SELF TO DO ACTIONS OF OBEDIENCE

When a Muslim knows the value of the Hereafter, making an effort to have a pleasant abode is no longer difficult. This is why the pious predecessors acted upon the Qur'an and Sunnah. Abu Bakr Siddiq radi Allahu anhu said "Whoever enters his grave without any provisions is like the one who mounts the sea without a ship."

Bringing the self to do actions of obedience to Allah has a great deal to do with being content by Allah's subhana wa ta'ala decree. This state can only be attained by those who seek to have great knowledge and love. And so, by this it is possible to find pleasure in whatever they have been given by Allah whether it is a trial or a tribulation, JUST BECAUSE, it comes from Allah subhana wa ta'ala.

Allah said in the Qur'an "Whoever acts righteously, whether male or female, and is a believer, We will surely give him life with a good life, and We will surely give them their reward in accordance with the best of what they used to do..." (16:97)

Ahmad bin Bindar narrated that Abu Hurairah cried during his last illness, and when asked about it he said "Surely I am not crying being attached to your world, but rather for the long journey awaiting me, and the little provisions I have prepared for it. This morning, I am descending upon either paradise, or hell, and I have no idea towards which of the two I will be taken!"

Narrated Muawiya: I heard the Prophet saying, "A group of people amongst my followers will remain obedient to Allah's orders and they will not be harmed by anyone who will not help them or who will oppose them, till Allah's Order (the Last Day) comes upon them while they are still on the right path." (Sahih Bukhari: Volume 4, Book 56, Number 835)

Abdu Rahman ibn Abdullah bin Mas'ud narrated that someone asked his father "O Abu Abdu Rahman, teach me a few words that are all-encompassing and beneficial, so that I will need no further elaboration!" Ibn Mas'ud said "Worship Allah and associate  nothing with Him. Live by the dictates of the Qur'an and pursue its guidance. Accept the truth and justice even if they come from a stranger you do not recognize, or even from someone you disregard as despicable, and refute falsehood even if it comes from a sibling you love."

Yahya ibn Mu'adh rahimu Allah said "Congratulations to those who leave the world before it deserts them; to those who build their graves before they enter them; and to those who please their Lord before they meet Him."

Thus we should try to bring ourselves to the very best of our abilities to do actions of obedience to Allah subhana wa ta'ala.

In Sahih Muslim it has been related that on the authority of A'isha radi Allahu anha that rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said "Everyone of the children of Adam has been created with three hundred and sixty joints; so he who declares the Glory of Allah, praises Allah, and declares Allah to be one, Glorifies Allah, and seeks forgiveness from  Allah, and removes stone, or thorn, or bone from people's path, and enjoins what is good and forbids what is evil, to the number of those three hundred and sixty, will walk that having removed himself from hell."

Abu Dharr radi Allahu anhu reported "Some of the people from among the companions of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said to him: "O rasulullah the rich have taken away all the reward. They observe prayer as we do; they keep the fasts as we keep, and they give sadaqa out of their surplus riches. Upon this rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said "Has Allah not prescribed for you by following which you can also do sadaqa? In every declaration of the glorification of Allah there is sadaqa, and every takbir there is sadaqa and ever declaration that He is One is a sadaqa, and enjoining of good is a sadaqa, and forbidding of that which is evil is a sadaqa, and in man's sexual intercourse with his wife there is sadaqa." The companions said "Rasulullah is there  reward for him who satisfies his sexual passion among us?" He said "Tell me if he were to devote it to something forbidden, would it not be a sin on his part? Similarly, if he were to devote it to something lawful, he should have a reward." (Muslim)

Abu Dharr radi Allahu anhu asked rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam "Which action is best?" Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said "Faith in Allah and Jihad in the way of Allah." He asked "Which neck is best for emancipation?" Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said "That which is dearest of them in price and most valuable of them near its masters." He asked "If I cannot do it?" Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said "You shall help a laborer or work for one who is disabled." He asked "If I cannot do it?" Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said "You shall call the people from wrong doing, because it is charity which you bestow upon yourself." (Agreed upon/Riyadhus saleheen)

Allah subhana wa ta'ala said in the Qur'an "If anyone does a righteous deed, it is for his own soul." (45:15) And, He has promised us in the Qur'an "And whoso does good an atom's weight will see it then." (99:7)

4. SEEKING THE COMPANY AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE PIOUS

Unnecessary company is a disease that causes much harm. The wrong kind of companionships often afford one to be deprived of Allah's blessings Companionship in this life should be beneficial for one's akhirah. Ibn Qayyim rahimu Allah cites four different kinds of companionships:

a) People whose company is like food. It is indispensable, night or day. Once we have taken our need from this company we can leave it until we need it again. These are people with knowledge of Allah, who are pious, who wish well for Allah, His prophet and His servants. Associating with them is an achievement in itself.

b) People whose company is like a medicine. Their company is only needed when a disease sets in. When you are healthy you have no need for them, but mixing with them is sometimes necessary such as livelihood, business and consultation. Once what you need has been fulfilled, mixing with them should be avoided.

c) People whose company is harmful. Mixing with these people is like a disease, in all its variety and degrees. You will never benefit from them in this life or in the next life if you have them for company. You will lose either one or both of your deen and your livelihood because of them. If their companionship has taken hold of you and is established then it becomes fatal.

Among such people are those who neither speak any good that might benefit you, nor  listen closely to you so that they might benefit from you. They do not know their souls. Their words are like lashes, while all the while they are full of admiration for and delight in their own words. They cause distress to their company, while believe they are the center of attraction. Mixing with such a person will inevitably come to an end and is destined to be doomed. In such cases a person should just hold on to good behavior, only presenting such company with his outward appearance, until Allah subhana wa ta'ala offers him a way out of this company and out of its afflictions.

d) People whose company is evil in itself. This is like taking poison, its victim either finds an antidote for it or dies. Many belong to this category. They are people of shirk and misguidance who abandon the Sunnah and bring their personal beliefs as the truth. A Muslim should not sit in their company nor mix with them. The result of which will be a death of the heart.

With these kinds of companionships, we need to be more aware of what we choose to surround ourselvers with. In addition, Hasan al Basri said "The heart becomes corrupt in six ways: commiting sins in the hope of repenting, seeking knowledge and not applying it, practice without ikhlas (sincerity), eating the sustenance of Allah without appreciating Him, not being please with Allah's decree and burying the dead without learning from them."

Thus, in our effort to have increased taqwa we must surround ourselves with company who only seek to please Allah subhana wa ta'ala in speech and in actions. We must also take time to acquire knowledge from the pious of the past and of the present. And  finally, we likewise must make an effort to keep company of those who are hungry for knowledge about Allah subhana wa ta'ala and Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

 

http://www.sunnahonline.com/ilm/purification/0037.htm

 

As-salámu ‘alaikum wa rahmatul láhi wa barakátuh!” Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem.

Takhreej by Shaykh Alee Hasan hafidhahullaah with some summary

SUPPLICATION IS A CURE

Supplication is from the most beneficial types of healing, it is the enemy of illness and affliction - repressing it and treating it, preventing its occurrence, removing it or at least alleviating it. It is the weapon of the believer as is reported by al-Haakim in his 'Mustadrak' from the hadeeth of Alee bin Abee Taalib (RA) from the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam that he said, "Supplication is the weapon of the believer, the pillar of the religion, and the light of the heaven and earth."

[Abu Ya`laa [no. 439], ibn Adee [2/296], al-Haakim [1/492] and al-Qudaa`ee [no. 143].The hadeeth is maudu` as declared by al-Albaanee. Al-Haythamee says in 'Majma` az-Zawaa`id' [10/147], "the isnaad contains al-Hasan bin Abee Zayd and he is abandoned." Refer to: 'ad-Da`eefah' [no.179, 180].]

Supplication takes one of three positions against illness:

    It is stronger than the illness and therefore represses it.

    It is weaker than the illness and therefore the illness overcomes it and afflicts the servant, however it is still possible that it alleviate the illness.

    That they be of equal strength and prevent each other from happening in the servant.

Al-Haakim reports from the hadeeth of Aa`ishah (RA) that the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "Caution is of no avail against the decree but supplication benefits those things that have occurred and have not yet occurred. For indeed while the tribulation is descending the supplication meets it and they remain struggling with one another until the Day of Judgement."

[Reported by al-Haakim [1/492], at-Tabaraanee in 'al-Awsat' [no. 4615] and in 'ad-Du`aa' [no. 33], al-Bazzaar [3/29], al-Khateeb in his 'Taareekh' [8/453] and ibn al-Jawzee in 'al-Waahiyaat' [no. 1411] The isnaad to the hadeeth is da`eef but the hadeeth is hasan is due to witnesses. Refer to: 'Saheeh al-Jaami' [2/1279 no. 7739].]

He also reports the hadeeth of ibn Umar from the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam that he said, "Supplication brings about benefit to those things that have occurred and those things that have not yet occurred. So devote yourselves to supplication O servants of Allaah!"

[Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh [Eng. Trans. 1/472], at-Tirmidhee [no. 3548] and al-Haakim [1/493]. The hadeeth is hasan due to witnesses as declared so by as-Sakhaawee and al-Albaanee. Refer to: 'Saheeh al-Jaami' [1/641 no. 3409] and 'Maqaasid al-Hasanah' of as-Sakhaawee [pg. 255 under no. 486].]

He also reports the hadeeth of Thawbaan from the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam that he said, "Nothing but supplication averts the decree and nothing but righteousness increases the life-span. Indeed a person is deprived of provision due to performing sins."

[Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh [Eng. Trans. 2/1026]. Reported by Ahmad [5/277, 280], ibn Maajah [chpt. 10, no.90], al-Haakim [1/493], ibn Abee Shaybah [10/441], ibn Hibbaan [no. 1090], al-Baghawee [6/13] and al-Qudaa`ee [no. 831]. The isnaad is da`eef but the hadeeth has a support that strengthens it from the hadeeth of Salmaan with the words, "Nothing but supplication averts the decree, and nothing but righteousness increases the life-span." Reported by at-Tabaraanee in 'al-Kabeer' [no.6128], at-Tirmidhee [no.2139] and others.]

BEING EARNEST AND PERSISTENT IN SUPPLICATION

From the most beneficial of treatments is to be earnest and persistent in supplication. Ibn Maajah reports in his Sunan the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah from the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam that he said, "Allaah is Angry at whosoever does not ask of Him."

[Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh [Eng. Trans. 1/473]. Reported by at-Tirmidhee [no.3373], ibn Maajah [no. 3827], Ahmad [2/443], al-Haakim [1/491] and al-Bayhaqee in 'ad-Da`waat al-Kabeerah' [no. 22] with a good isnaad. The hadeeth has a witness with a da`eef isnaad from the hadeeth of Anas reported by at-Tabaraanee in 'ad-Du`aa' [no.24] and the hadeeth of Nu`maan bin Basheer reported by the authors of the Sunan.]

Al-Awzaa`ee mentions from az-Zuhree from Urwa from Aa`ishah (RA) that the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "Allaah Loves those who are earnest and persistent in their supplications."

[Reported by Uqailee in 'ad-Du`afaa' [1/198/2], al-Falaakee in 'al-Fawaa`id' [2/89], ibn Adee [7/163] and at-Tabaraanee in 'ad-Du`aa' [no. 20]. The hadeeth is maudu. Refer to: 'Silsilah ad-Da`eefah' [no. 637], 'Irwaa al-Ghaleel' [no. 677] and 'Talkhees al-Habeer' of ibn Hajr al-Asqalaanee [2/194 no.716]]

Imaam Ahmad reports in his 'Kitaab az-Zuhd' from Qataadah from Muwarraq that he said, "I have not found a deserving similitude for the believer except in the case of a person on the sea floating on a raft supplicating to his Lord, 'my Lord! My Lord!' so that perchance Allaah, the Mighty and Magnificent, may save him." ['Kitaab az-Zuhd' of Imaam Ahmad [2/273, chpt. 'Akhbaar Muwarraq al-Ijlee.'] and Abu Nu`aym in 'al-Hilya' [2/235]]

BEING IMPATIENT WITH SUPPLICATION

From the reasons that prevent the servant from attaining the fulfilment of the supplication is his being hasty and impatient, so when the answer is delayed or slow in coming he becomes frustrated and gives up supplicating. This person is like the one who sows a seed or plants a flower, watering it and tending to it, then when it is delayed in appearing or flowering he leaves it and neglects it.

In Saheeh Bukhaaree from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "Your supplications will be answered as long as you are not impatient by saying, 'I have supplicated to my Lord but He has not answered.'" [Saheeh Bukhaaree [Eng. Trans. 8/236 no. 352]]

In Saheeh Muslim from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "The supplication of the servant will always be answered provided that he does not supplicate for something sinful or supplicate to sever the ties of kinship and provided that he is not impatient." It was asked, "O Messenger of Allaah, what is impatience?" He replied, "he says: 'I have supplicated and supplicated but I have not received an answer' then he becomes frustrated and leaves off supplicating." [Saheeh Muslim [Eng. Trans. 4/1430 no. 6595]]

In the Musnad of Ahmad from the hadeeth of Anas that the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "The servant will always be in a state of good as long as he is not impatient." They asked, "how is he impatient?" He replied, "he says, 'I have supplicated to my Lord but he has not answered.'"

[Ahmad [3/193-210], Abu Ya`laa [no. 2865], at-Tabaraanee in 'al-Awsat' [no. 2518] and in 'ad-Du`aa' [no. 21], and ibn Adee [6/2219] Its isnaad is hasan and the hadeeth is also reported via another route from by al-Bazzaar [4/37].]

THE BEST TIMES FOR SUPPLICATION

When the servant combines in his supplication presence of the heart and its being attentive and devoting itself solely to Allaah, sincerely asking Him for the desired matter, doing so at one of the six times when the supplication is more likely to answered - these being:

    The last third of the night.

    At the time of the adhaan.

    Between the adhaan and iqaamah.

    At the ends of the prescribed prayers.

    From the time the Imaam ascends the pulpit to the time the prayer has finished on the day of Jumu`ah.

    The last hour after the prayer Asr.

Alongside this the servant appends to this fear and reverence in the heart, beseeching his Lord in a state of humility and submissiveness. He faces the Qiblah and is in a state of purity, he raises his hands to Allaah and begins by praising and extolling Him, then he invokes peace and blessings upon Muhammad, His servant and Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. He precedes mentioning his need by seeking forgiveness from Allaah and then he earnestly and sincerely makes his request as one who is needy and impoverished, supplicating to Him out of hope and fear. He seeks the means of getting close to Him by mentioning His Names and Attributes and making the religion sincerely for Him Alone.

Before making supplication he gives in charity. If all this is done then this supplication will never be rejected especially if the servant employs the supplications that the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam informed us would be accepted or if his supplication includes mention of Allaah's Greatest Name...

{Translators' notes: the proofs for the above times and recommendations

1) From Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "Our Lord, the Blessed and Most High, Descend every night to the lowest heaven when only the last third of the night remains and says, 'who is calling upon Me so that I may respond? Who is seeking My forgiveness so that I may forgive Him." Reported by Saheeh Muslim [Eng. Trans. 1/365 no. 1656]

2) From Anas (RA) that the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "When the adhaan is proclaimed, the doors to the heaven open and the supplications are answered."

Reported by at-Tayaalisee [no. 2106], at-Tabaraanee in 'ad-Du`aa' [no.485] and others with a hasan isnaad and is made saheeh due to supports. Refer to: as-Saheehah [no. 1413] and the notes of F. Zamrali to 'at-Targheeb fee ad-Du`aa' [pg. 76-77 no. 35]

3) From Anas (RA) that the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "The supplication made between the adhaan and the iqaamah will not be rejected."

Reported by Abu Daawood, at-Tirmidhee [no. 212, 3594], Ahmad [3/119], ibn Abee Shaybah [no. 8465] and others with a da`eef isnaad but the hadeeth has supports which make it saheeh. Refer to: 'Irwaa al-Ghaleel' [no. 244], the notes of F. Zamrali to 'at-Targheeb fee ad-Du`aa' [pp. 75-78, no. 35].

4) From Abu Umaamah (RA) that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam was asked, "When is the supplication most likely to be accepted?" He replied, "in the last depth of the night and at the end of the prescribed prayers." Reported by at-Tirmidhee who said that it was hasan and al-Albaanee agreed.

5) From Abu Musa (RA) that he heard the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam saying concerning the hour in which the supplications will be answered on the day of Jumu`ah, "It is between the time that the imaam sits (on the pulpit) and the time that the prayer is completed."

Reported by Muslim and Abu Daawood

Shaykh Alee Hasan said, "this (time) is problematic, however this is not the place to explain it."

6) From Jaabir (RA) that the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "The day of Jumu`ah has twelve hours, and during one of the hours you will not find a Muslim servant (of Allaah) asking Allaah for something except that He will give it to him. Seek it in the last hour after the prayer of Asr"

Reported by Abu Daawood [Eng. Trans. 1/270 no. 1043], an-Nasaa`ee and others.

7) Abu Daawood reports the hadeeth of Fudaalah bin Ubaid that the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam heard a man supplicating in prayer. He did not glorify Allaah and neither did he invoke blessings on the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. The Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "He made haste." He then called him and said to him or to those around him, "If any one of you prays, he should commence by glorifying his Lord and praising Him; he should invoke peace and blessings on the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam and thereafter he should supplicate Allaah for anything he wishes."

Abu Daawood [Eng. Trans. 1/390 no. 1476], at-Tirmidhee [no. 3476], an-Nasaa`ee [3/44], Ahmad [6/18] and others with a hasan isnaad. Refer to the notes of F. Zamrali to 'at-Targheeb fee ad-Du`aa' [pg. 11].

8) From Alee (RA) that the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "Every supplication is veiled until one has invoked peace and blessings upon the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam."

Reported by ibn Mukhlid in 'al-Muntaqaa' [1/76] and al-Asbahaanee in 'at-Targheeb' [2/171] and others. The hadeeth is hasan due to supports. Refer to: as-Saheehah [no. 2035] and Saheeh al-Jaami [no. 4523]}

SOME OF THE REASONS FOR SUPPLICATION BEING ANSWERED

Frequently we find the supplications that are answered to be those that combine dire need with the persons sincerely turning to Allaah Alone, or due to a good deed that the person performed before the supplication and Allaah made it to be the reason behind His answering the supplication as a way of showing appreciation, or the person supplicated at a time in which the supplication will be answered etc.

Someone may think that the reason of the supplication being answered lies in the wording of the supplication itself and he takes to this wording only, ignoring the other matters that this supplicator combined when supplicating. This is like a person who takes a medicine at a recommended time and in a recommended way and thereby benefits from it, another person sees this and thinks that taking the medicine on its own suffices to bring about benefit. This is incorrect and in fact this is an area in which many people have erred.

For example a person may supplicate at a time of dire need by the side of a grave and this supplication be answered. Now an ignorant person may see this and think that the reason behind the supplication being answered lay with the grave and not know that the reason actually lay in the person being in dire need and his sincerely resorting to Allaah. If this person, when being in this situation, had supplicated in a house from amongst the houses of Allaah then this would have been better and more beloved to Allaah.

SUPPLICATION IS LIKE A WEAPON

Supplications and seeking refuge are of the level of a weapon. The strength of the weapon lies in the strength of the one wielding it and not merely in its own natural strength. So when the weapon is complete having no defect and the arm wielding it is strong and any obstacles are absent - then the weapon will cause harm to the enemy, and when any of these three matters are absent then the desired effect of the weapon will also be absent. Similarly when the supplication, in and of itself, is corrupt, or the supplicator does not combine his heart with his tongue at the time of supplication, or for some reason there be an obstacle preventing the answer - then the desired outcome will not be achieved.

http://www.sunnahonline.com/ilm/purification/0080.htm