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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Ramadan: Victory of the Soul |
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| WhatDFish |
| 10/30/02 at 10:00:52 |
| Ramadan: Victory of the Soul [1] Shaikh Ibrahim Ad-Duwaish As for the Prophet , (and my father and mother) he used to give glad tidings to his Companions of the coming of Ramadan, like what is narrated from Imam Ahmad and An-Nisaai from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah , who said: “Allaah’s Messenger said to his Companions, [i]‘The month of Ramadan is coming, the blessed month wherein Allaah has made fasting binding on you. In it, the gates of Paradise are opened, and in it, the gates of Hell are locked, and the devils are enchained. In it is the beneficent night of a thousand months (i.e. Laylat ul-Qadr). Whoever denies goodness in it has indeed been deprived.’[/i]” Al-Albaani authenticated it like what is in Saheeh An-Nisaai. Ma’la Ibn al-Fadhl said about the Salaf (the pious predecessors): “[i]They used to call upon Allaah for six months until Ramadan reached them, then they would call on Him the other six months that Allaah may accept it from them.[/i]” And Yahya Ibn Abee Katheer said, “Their supplication used to be, ‘O Allaah, keep me safe until Ramadan, and make Ramadan faultless for me, and secure it for me as an accepted (month of virtue).’” Some people from the Salaf sold a slavegirl; so when the month of Ramadan came close, she saw them (those who bought her) preparing for it and getting their food, amongst other things, ready for it. So she asked them (about it); they said, “We are preparing to fast for Ramadan.” So she said, “And you don’t fast except in Ramadan! I was with a people and all their time was (like) Ramadan! Return me to them.” This is how the Salaf would meet Ramadan, for Ramadan requires special food, and superb delights for their souls, may Allaah ta’aala accept them. So, He searches in their souls for strong faith (Eemaan), courage, honour and dignity. For this (end), many of the battle campaigns of the Muslims were in Ramadan; why? Yes, why? Listen to the answer: Verily, it is the life of the soul, since the bellies are empty and the throats are dried up, so the life is the life of the soul; life of the hearts; life of victory over the nafs (self) and desires; and whoever can overcome his self can indeed overcome his enemy. [i]Verily, it is life of the connection with, and confidence in Allaah, be He glorified and exalted. And herein, the beauty of Ramadan and the splendour of this month hides. With that, the magnificent spirituality that awakens the companionship (with Allaah) and impacts upon the souls.[/i] So Ramadan – it is in the souls of the righteous and the truthful with a blaze; and in the hearts of the devout and sincere it is a happiness; for it is the month of obedience, and in it there are beautiful remembrances for us. Indeed, it augments the soul, and grants victory to the soul over the body and flesh. [1] Extracted from the booklet, "Ramadhaan war-Raheel al-Marr" [Ramadan, and the Departure of Bitterness] by Shaikh Ibrahim ad-Duwaish. |
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