Hadhrut Aa-ishah [radhiallaahu anhu] relates that the Nabiy once inquired from her: `Are you aware of the virtue of this night, (meaning the middle night of Sha-baan)?’ She asked: `What is the significance O Rasool of Allaah?’ He then said: `It is on this night that each one of the sons of Aadam who shall be born is determined, and each one of the sons of Aadam to die that year is fixed. It is on this night that the deeds of every person is presented, and their sustenance apportioned’.
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The blessed companion Usama ibn Zaid, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that he asked Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam: "Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the month of Sha'ban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in any other month." Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, replied: "That (Sha'ban) is a month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And it is a month in which an account of the deeds (of human beings) is presented before the Lord of the universe, so, I wish that my deeds be presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting."
The month of Sha'baan
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Reproach For Not Adding "In Sha' Allah" When Making a Promise
People of high rank are rebuked even for things that seem minor. Being the best of creation, Rasulullah ﷺ was chided by Allah even for omittin a non-obligatory act. A person can never be cartain of the duration of his life and can die before he can fulfil his promises. Even if he lives, he still cannot be certain whether he will be able to conclude the intended act. He should therefore add "Insha'Allah" to every promise. "Insha'Allah" should not be added because a person intends to breach the promise.
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RAMADHAAN TREATS
Although the soup is often a meal onto itself, other dishes are also traditionally present, making the meal a multi-course one. Fried foods, such as the Tunisian boreek which are spring rolls stuffed with chicken, eggs, cheese, potatoes and spices, are common almost every day for iftar. Zelabaya, much like the Pakistani and Indian jalebi, maqrood, which is made out of semolina and dates, and other donut-like sweets dipped in honey are desserts eaten only in Ramadhaan or other special occasions, such as Eid, Amr said.
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The month of Ramadhan is not like any other month; its purpose is to rid man of those habits which he has accumulated throughout the rest of the year. It is a month that prepares man for the remaining eleven months by teaching him discipline and self control. Thus, Allah has made some acts which are beloved to man, like eating, drinking and fulfilling one’s desires, Haraam. If man can control these desires in this month, which are usually permissible for him, then he can surely control himself from other desires which are not permissible throughout the remaining months.
The Purpose of Ramadan
In'aamiyyah
A WORD OF WARNING REGARDING SENSUAL LOVE (by Hakim Akhtar)
Falling in love with perishable beauty is our spiritual death,
It is in safeguarding one's heart wherein lies the secret of eternal life.
Ah! That cheek which was the envy of a hundred gardens in youth, Now due to old age, it has become a disgrace to a hundred autumns, in this perishing garden.
Those eyebrows and eyelashes that had become an altar for the lovers yesterday,
Now due to old age, they are like the eyelashes of a donkey, with flowing matter discharging from them.
That sweetheart of beauty who yesterday ruled the kings,
Today, due to old age, there is rebellion in her kingdom.
That glowing countenance which was being adorned by a volunteer love,
Because of its declined beauty, is ashamed of its admiration.
That pride of charm which, until yesterday, was the adornment of
Poetry and Literature, .
Why is it, that now, in old age it is subjected to criticism?
Now where is the veil of 'howdah' (of camel) and that deep sigh of separation?
That idolised doll is being humiliated in the dust of camel driving.
The charms of a young beauty is the dawn of a rose garden,
But look at the end of this rose garden in the eve of gardening.
That essence of the sweet love of lovers, and that inspiration for the love-song composition,
In old age has been reduced to a withering rose in the spring of the
Poet's meeting.
Thousands of Beauties portraits are buried in tombs
Yet the fools {lovers) are still subjected to vain imagination.
If there is any true love, then it is the eternal love of the ever-living
Lord, The love of a perishing beauty is always a temporary one.
O Akthar do not be deceived by any charms of this Universe,
Rather remain in love with (Allah) the Creator of the Universe in this temporary world.
LESSON
The lesson of the story is this: The seeker after Allah (the Mureed) became involved in sensual love and would not have found a way out of it. However, a saintly person's company saved him. Maulana Rumi (R.A.) says about this: The path towards Allah does not reach Him through reason alone. One will have to seek the company of saintly beings with whom one should reside with the intention of self-rectification and reformation. If one is going to avoid being obedient to those saintly beings, then one will at all times remain imperfect and will never be able to achieve complete results. Thus in this way Abu Ali Sina, who was the Master of the Philosophies, at the time of his death considered. 'Reason' as being of no benefit, calling it as being without benefit. He admitted that "we have ridden the horses of intellect and Reason in vain and having been deceived by the Reason and intellect, avoided the obedience and guidance of the saints of Allah and so continued to swim about in an imaginary world".
Maulana Rumi (R.A.) says: "It is completely useless to swim about in the sea of Reason and intellect. There is need for the ship of Nabi Nooh (A.S.) – i.e. The help of the friends of Allah. Look how Nabi Nooh's (A.S.) son – Kan'aan depended on Reason alone saying: "The high mountains shall save me from this storm". He considered the ark of Nabi Nooh (A.S.) as being despicable. The result was that the ship was saved during the deluge and reached the high mountain while Kan'aan was drowned.
Maulana Rumi (R.A.) says: "When you do not look with proper sight, then you look upon the love and company of the saintly ones and their obedience i.e. their ship as despicable, and you look upon your imitation of the people of Europe as the high mountains of Intellect and Reason. But, beware, do not look upon this ship as being of no value and a thing to be despised. It is true that the Ah-Iullah, the saints are usually dressed in old and tattered clothes and live simple lives, but do not look at the simplicity of their lives and consider them lowly and despicable. Instead look at the Grace of Allah that is with them. Look at the splendour of the one who arrives through the ship and do not look at the heights of the mountains of Reason.
The power of Allah is such that with one wave, He can turn the ship upside down. But the ship which travels in the shadow of Allah's Mercy, in spite of its outward weakness and the evil intention of Shaytaan, it will pass through all the trials in safety. If one is not going to follow this advise, then in the end one will have to admit the shortcomings of the intellect.
Hence, if a person needs to find safety from faults and sins, he will have to become closely connected in love with the saints of Allah. Then he will not suffer losses. People who wish to travel on the path of deen with only reason are breakers of their 'tobah'.
When Shaytaan gives one blow in their direction, their 'tobah' is broken down. Yet their arrogance is such that they look down upon the saints of Allah. Such people remain imperfect throughout their lives. So, 0 People! Seek for yourself a way towards Allah and consider the company of the saints as medicine.