By Asma bint Shameem

Yeah, sure we say this statement when someone dies. Also some of us may say this sentence when they lose something, suffer a setback or harm.
But………..do you know what it means?
Sure, everyone know that it obviously means 'To Allah we belong and to Him is our return.'But that's not what I am talking about.


I mean ….do you REALLY, TRULY understand these words and their implications in a Muslim's life?


It means …whatever we have is not really ours. It belongs to Allah.


Take a look around you; everything you see, all that you have and all that there is….in you, on you, around you….belongs to Allah, alone.
It is Allah Who has given you all the property and goods you possess, and that He is the true Owner of them all.
So the cars that you own, the houses that you live in, the businesses you possess all truly belong to Allah
The kids that He blessed you with, the health that He gave you, the time that He has allowed you are all Allah's property.
Even the bodies we live in and the life that we have belongs to Allah alone.


"And to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth…." (Surah Al-Imraan:180)

"The kingdom of the heavens and the earth and everything in them belongs to Allah. He has power over all things." (
Surat al-Ma'ida: 120)

"Say: 'To Allah belongs the East and the West…" (Surah al-Baqarah:142)

Now, since everything belongs to Allah, then we have to include even our souls in that list. The very souls that we think of as our "self"; our "nafs"; our "being" -- whatever you want to call it -- that very thing that distinguishes you from the rest of the world, belongs to Allah. It's not YOURS.
In fact, YOU are not YOURS.
You belong to Allah.
And this is the essence of the concept of slavery to Allah in Islam.


And since He is the true Possessor of everything, and everything is His property, He allots what He wills to whomever He wills…….and then He takes it away. After all, it was Allah's to begin with.

So He may give you some thing and then take it back after a while.
He will bless you with a precious child that you love dearly…and then He may take it away.
He will grant you money, honor and status….and then He may take it away.
He will give you youth, vitality and health and then surely He will take it away.
In fact everything you have will only be with you for a very short while.
And then the Owner will claim His Right.


So when Allah does reclaim what was rightfully His, WHY MOURN OUR LOSSES?


Just like a friend who lends you his book. And then after a few days, he wants it back and you give it back to him…no regrets…..no sorrow….no questions asked.

Similarly, if Allah takes back some of His blessings upon you for some reason….so be it.
Say Alhamdulillaah.
Don't grieve. Be patient. Submit to the will of Allah, being pleased with His decision for you. For surely He will only do what is best for you.
Just think…..The Owner came and took it back.
Remember….that you're not the real owner…..you were NEVER the real owner to begin with. You only had everything because it was Allah who gave it to you in the first place. If He didn't give it to you, you wouldn't have had it in any way…in fact, you couldn't  have had it.
Remember….man enters into this world empty handed…and leaves it empty handed.
Remember….that everything we have, all the blessings we enjoy, are gifts from Almighty Allah...gifts that we enjoy for a limited period until He takes them away whenever He deems fit.
They are a trust from Allah…a loan to you…to see how you respond to these gifts from Allah and how you use them….in the obedience of the Almighty, thanking Him and worshiping Him……OR……..to the disobedience to the One Who gave then to you in the first place.


Take note of the words of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) on the occasion of the death of his son, Ibrahim:
'Our eyes are filled with tears, our hearts with grief, but we say nothing with our lips except that which pleases Allah.... Verily, to Allah we belong, and to Him we return.' (Bukhaari)


And we all know the famous incidence about the companion Abu Talha and his wife when one of the sons died and Abu Talha was not at home. She washed and shrouded him and when Abu Talha came home and asked about his son, she said, "The child is quiet and I hope he is in peace…." (Bukhaari)
Subhaan Allaah….such patience!
And such Imaan in the statement "Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi Raaji'oon"!


She truly understood its meaning and the affect it should have on her life as a Muslimah,
submitting to him and being pleased with whatever He has decreed for her.
She knew that whatever she has, is not truly hers. Rather, it is Allah's….and He took back whatever He owns at its appointed time.
And it is because of this Imaan so strong, this understanding, that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) made dua for them and Allaah blessed them immensely.
"'They (i.e. Abu Talha and his wife) had nine sons and all of them became reciters of the Quran (by heart)."  (Bukhaari)



"Be sure we will test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives, but give glad tidings to those who are steadfast, who say when afflicted with calamity: 'To Allah we belong and to him is our return.' They are those on who (descend) blessings from Allah and mercy and they are the once that receive guidance."  (al-Baqarah:155)


1.Read Quraan

The blessed month of Ramadaan is the month in which the Quraan was revealed. Thus, this blessed month of Ramadaan is even more special in relation to the Quraan, because Allaah distinguished it by revealing the Quraan during it. Aside from recitation of the Quraan, learning the translation of the meaning, pondering over its Verses are also recommended and encouraged acts.[2]

Narrated Ibn Masood (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever reads a single letter from Allaahs book will receive a blessing and each blessing is worth ten times its value.”[3]

And he (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever reads one letter from the Book of Allaah, will receive one Hasanah (reward for a good deed), and one Hasanah comes with ten like it. I do not say that Alif – Lam - Mim is a letter. Indeed Alif is a letter, and Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter."[4]

Although the Quraan has been made easy to read and remember, it is also easy to forget, hence it is recommended to read it everyday. Narrated Aboo Moosa (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Keep on reciting the Quraan, for, by Him in Whose Hand my life is, Quran runs away (is forgotten) faster than camels that are released from their tying ropes."[5]

One should have realistic goals for himself, and read as much as he can, even if just a few lines per day. If a person wants the Prophets intercession on the Day of Judgment, then he needs to read and act according to the Quran.[6] Aboo Umamah said he heard Allaahs Messenger (may peace be upon him) say: “Recite the Quraan, for on the Day of Resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite It…”[7]

As the mentioned above, we should be realistic and not go in extremes. Moderation and consistency is also very important. Try to make a plan for your self. Perhaps you should read a page of the Quraan, followed by its translation, and then followed by its Tafsir. This way, the verses will have a greater impact on you. The Quraan was sent as a guided, and its imperative we read it with understanding.
Reading 4 sides of the Mushaf after every salah will help you complete 1 juz in a day!

If we look at the practice of the Salaf: Umar ibn al – Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him), is reported to have said, “Learn the Quraan five verses at a time, for verily, Jibreel used to descend with the Quraan for the Prophet (peace be upon him) five at a time.”[8]

For a good translation of the Quraan, I would recommend the one by Dr. Muhsin Khan. http://www.thenoblequran.com

For a good Tafseer (commentary and explanation), Imam Ibn Katheers is considered one of the best. http://www.darussalam.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_54&products_id=435



2.Dua

One should make as much Dua for himself, family and the Muslim Ummah as much as he can during Ramadaan. Narrated Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself."[9]

Umm Darda reported: My husband reported that he heard Allaahs Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: “He who supplicates for his brother behind his back (in his absence), the Angel commissioned (for carrying supplication to his Lord) says: Ameen, and it is for you also.”[10]



3.Family ties

Ramadaan is a time where a person who may have problems or disagreements between his family members should clear them. There is great reward for one who upholds kinship.

Allaah, the Most High, said: “Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? Such are they whom Allâh has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.”[11]

Narrated Jubair bin Mutim (may Allaah be pleased with him): That he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying, "The person who severs the bond of kinship will not enter Paradise."[12]

Narrated Anas bin Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him): Allaahs Apostle (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever loves that he be granted more wealth and that his lease of life be prolonged then he should keep good relations with his Kith and kin."[13]

Narrated Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The word Ar-Rahm (womb) derives its name from Ar-Rahman (i.e. Allaah). So whosoever keeps good relations with it (womb i.e. Kith and kin), Allaah will keep good relations with him, and whosoever will sever it (i.e. severs his bonds of Kith and kin) Allaah too will sever His relations with him.”[14]

Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported Allaahs Messenger (peace be upon him) as saying: “The earth will vomit long pieces of its liver like columns of gold and silver, and the murderer will come and say: It was for this that I committed murder. The breaker of family ties will come and say: It was for this that I broke the family ties; and the thief will come and say: It is for this that my hands were cut off. They will then leave it and will not take anything out of it.”[15]



4.Praying Qiyaam / Taraweeh/ Tahajjud (the Night Prayer)

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him): I heard Allaahs Apostle (peace be upon him) saying regarding Ramadan, "Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allaah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."[16]

Please note: Theres a trend (especially with the youth), of not praying the whole day, except Taraweeh. This is very odd and it would be like someone working over time, but not working during the normal time!! i.e. how can you have any benefit from voluntary actions, if you are not doing the obligatory?



5. Making Dawah

Ramadaan is a perfect time for Muslims to make Dawaah to those that are not practicing, as well as non-Muslims. One can do this by being a kind person and showing the right example of the good Muslim, or even reminding his fellow Muslims what the obligations of Islam are.



6. Nawafil / Voluntary Prayers

At-tatawwu, or nawafil or supererogatory prayers, have been legislated to make up for any deficiencies left in the performance of fardh Salah (obligatory prayers). In Salah, there are virtues that are not found in any other form of worship.

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The first of his deeds for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayer. If it is sound then he will have succeeded but if it is not sound then he will be lost and doomed. If anything is lacking from his obligatory prayers, the Lord will say: Look and see whether My slave has any voluntary (prayers), and the shortfall from his obligatory prayers will be made up from that. Then all his deeds will be dealt with in like manner.”[17]

->FAJR = 2 Rakahs Sunnah + 2 Rakahs Fardh
-> DHUHR = 4 Rakahs Sunnah+ 4 Rakahs Fardh + 4 Rakahs Sunnah
-> ASR = 4 Rakahs Sunnah+ 4 Rakahs Fardh
->MAGHRIB = 2 Rakahs Sunnah + 3 Rakahs Fardh + 2 Rakahs Sunnah
->ISHA = 2 Rakahs Sunnah + 4 Rakahs Fardh + 2 Rakahs Sunnah + 3 OR 1 Rakah Witr



7.Duha Prayer

The Duha Prayer is a voluntary Salah prayer between the time after Fajr (i.e. Dawn) and the time before the Dhuhr prayer (i.e. forenoon). Ishraq, Salat ul Awwabin (prayer of the penitent) and Duha are different names for the same prayer. The minimum Rakahs for Duha prayer are two and the maximum are twelve. The preferable amount among them is four, which is supported and approved by the ahadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him). It may also be remembered that this Salah was a tradition of the previous Messengers and they used to perform it during their times. Hence this prayer is Sunnah and Mustahab (desirable).[18]



8. Sitting in the Mosque Until Sunrise

Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said that he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: "That I sit with people remembering Almighty Allaah from the morning (Fajr) prayer until sunrise is more beloved to me than freeing four slaves from among the Children of Ismail. That I sit with people remembering Allaah from the afternoon (Asr) prayer until the sun sets is more beloved to me than freeing four slaves from among the Children of Ismail."[19]

Anas (may Allaah pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that, “Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits and remembers Allaah (makes dhikr) until the sun rises, then prays two rakahs, will have a reward like that for Hajj and Umrah, complete, complete, complete.”[20]



9.Make Dhikr Of Allaah

Allaah, the Most High, said in the Quraan, “O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance.”[21]

And He, the Most High, also said: “And remember your Lord by your tongue and within yourself, humbly and with fear without loudness in words in the mornings, and in the afternoons and be not of those who are neglectful.”[22]

Narrated Aboo Moosa (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The example of the one who celebrates the Praises of his Lord (Allaah) in comparison to the one who does not celebrate the Praises of his Lord, is that of a living creature compared to a dead one."[23]



10.Fasting

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allaah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allaah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."[24]

Narrated Aboo Saeed (may Allaah be pleased with him): I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying, "Indeed, anyone who fasts for one day for Allaah's Pleasure, Allaah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years."[25]

Narrated Sahl (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe fasts?' They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it."[26]



11.Itikaaf

Narrated Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to practice Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice Itikaf after him.[27]



12.Not Missing the Witr Salah

“Witr” literally means odd number. Witr has two different meanings in the Sunnah: The last one or three Rakahs of the night prayer, or it means all of the night prayers (because in essence they are odd – numbered). This discussion refers to the former meaning. We learn from the following hadith that Witr is not obligatory but desirable. But it would not be correct to show any slackness in performing it because every Muslim should do his best to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).[28]



13.Giving Charity

Allah, the Most High, says in His Noble Book: “O you who believe! Spend of that with which We have provided for you, before a Day comes when there will be no bargaining, nor friendship, nor intercession. And it is the disbelievers who are the Wrongdoers.”[29]

Aboo Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported Allaahs Apostle (peace be upon him) as saying: In the morning charity is due from every bone in the body of every one of you. Every utterance of Allaahs glorification (SubhanAllaah) is an act of charity. Every utterance of praise of Him (Alhamdulilah) is an act of charity, every utterance of profession of His Oneness (La ilaha illa Allaah) is an act of charity, every utterance of profession of His Greatness (Allaahu Akbar) is an act of charity, enjoining Maruf (good) is an act of charity, forbidding what is Munkar (evil) is an act of charity, and two rakahs which one prays in the forenoon will suffice.”[30]



14.Providing for one to open the fast

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, will have a reward equal to his, without it detracting in the slightest from the reward of the fasting person.”[31]

The rich reward of helping others break their fast can be achieved to one’s best ability, and is not required for a people to over burden themselves in this regard.[32]



15.Be Consistent and Moderate

Its very easy to have a sudden burst of energy and do a lot in one day and then not do anything during the rest of the month (due to tiredness). It’s Sunnah to be moderate and consistent. Dont over burden yourself, and dont look at what others are doing. You should do what you can to your ability (and properly) and be constant with those deeds.

Narrated Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her): Allaahs Apostle (peace be upon him) said, "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allaah's is the most regular and constant even though it were little."[33]

Narrated Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her): The Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked, "What deeds are loved most by Allaah?" He said, "The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few." He added, 'Dont take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability."[34]

Narrated Alqama: I asked Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), mother of the believers, "O mother of the believers! How were the deeds of the Prophet (peace be upon him)? Did he use to do extra deeds of worship on special days?" She (may Allaah be pleased with her) said, "No, but his (peace be upon him) deeds were regular and constant, and who among you is able to do what the Prophet was able to do (i.e. in worshipping Allaah)?"[35]



Oh Allaah allow us to make the most of Ramadaan. Oh Allaah, let us meet you with a clean heart, with all our sins erased. Oh Allaah grant us mercy, and make us from those that you have freed from hell fire. Oh Allaah allow us to be from those that you enter in heaven.

And It is Only Allaah Who grants success. May Allaah Exalt the mention of His slave and Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him), and render him, his household and companion safe from Evil, Aameen!



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[1] ‘Ramadaan: Excellent Merits and Virtues Deeds’, p. 6

[2] ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 12 – 13

[3] Sunan at – Tirmithee; Classes Saheeh by Sheikh al – Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan at – Tirmithee, Vol. 3, Number 2327

[4] Sunan at – Tirmidhi, 5/175; authenticated by Sheikh al – Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan at – Tirmithee, 3/9; and Saheeh - ul - Jami' As-Saghir 5/340

[5] (Agreed Upon); Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 6, Book 61, Number 552; Saheeh Muslim, Book 0004, Number 1727

[6] http://ahmadjibril.com/articles/ramadan.html

[7] Saheeh Muslim, Book 004, Number 1757

[8] Collected by al – Bayhaqi in Shu’ab al – Eemaan and quoted by as – Suyooti in al – Itqaan, Vol. 1, p. 124 – 5. As – Suyooti notes, however, that it is authentically reported that some passages were revealed ten passages as a time, and on some occasions only part of a verse would be revealed

[9] (Agreed Upon); Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 12; Saheeh Muslim, Book 001, Number 0072

[10] Saheeh Muslim, Book 035, Number 6589

[11] The Noble Qur’aan, Soorah Muhammad 47:22 – 23

[12] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 13

[13] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 15

[14] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 18

[15] Saheeh Muslim, Book 005, Number 2210

[16] (Agreed Upon); Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 3, Book 32, Number 226; Saheeh Muslim, Book 4, Number 1662

[17] Narrated in Sunan at-Tirmithee, Number 413; Sunan Aboo Daawood, Number 864; Classed as Saheeh (authentic) by Sheikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh Aboo Daawood

[18] Commentary Bulugh – Al – Maram (Englsih), published by Darussalam, Hadith: 310

[19] Sunan Aboo Daawood, Number 3667; Classed authentic Hasan by Sheikh al – Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan Aboo Daawood, 2/698

[20] Sunan at – Tirmidhi; authenticated in Saheeh al-Jaami’, Number 6222

[21] The Noble Qur’aan, Soorah Al-Ahzab 33:41

[22] The Noble Qur’aan, Soorah Al-A'raf 7:205

[23] (Agreed Upon); Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 8, Book 75, Number 416; Saheeh Muslim, Book 4, Number 1706

[24] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 125

[25] (Agreed Upon); Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 93; Saheeh Muslim, Book 006, Number 2570

[26] (Agreed Upon); Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 120; Saheeh Muslim, Book 006, Number 2569

[27] (Agreed Upon); Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 3, Book 33, Number 243; Saheeh Muslim, Book 006, Number 2640

[28] Prayer According to the Sunnah, compiled by Prof. Muhammad Zulfiqar, Darussalam publishers

[29] The Noble Qur’aan, Soorah al-Baqarah 2:254

[30] Saheeh Muslim, Book 004, Number 1557; Sunan Abu Dawud; and Musnad Ahmad

[31] Sunan at – Tirmithee, Number 804; Ahmad, 5/192; Sunan Ibn Maajah, Number 1746; ibn Hibbaan, Number 895; Imam Tirmithee declared it Saheeh and it is as he said; as quoted ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 62.

[32] ‘Ramadaan: Rules and Related Issues’, p. 15

[33] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 8, Book 76, Number 471

[34] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 8, Book 76, Number 472

[35] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 8, Book 76, Number 473