Blessings of Sehari (Suhoor) in Ramadan

 Below are the few Blessings of Sehari (Suhoor) in Ramadan. May Allah bless each of us with his blessings. Aameen

» Eat Sahari because it is a blessed (food). [Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, Page 633, Hadith 1923]

» The distinguishing factor between us and the people of the book (Ahl al-Kitab) lies in eating Sahari. [Sahih Muslim, Page 552, Hadith 1096]

» Allah and His angels send mercy upon the people who eat Sahari. [Sahih Ibn Hibban, Vol. 5, Page 194, Hadith 3458]

» Eat Sahari to gain strength for fast and take rest (siesta) in the afternoon to gain strength for worshipping at night. [Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol. 3, Page 321, Hadith 1693]

» Sahari is a blessing Allah has granted you (therefore) do not miss it. [Sunan al-Kubra, Nasai, Vol. 2, Page 79, Hadith 2472]

» There are three people who will not be held accountable no matter how much they eat, provided the food is Halal: (a) A fasting person at the time of Iftar. (b) The one who eats at Sahari and (c) A warrior that protects the Islamic border in the path of Allah. [At-Targhib wat-Tarhib, Vol. 2, Page 90, Hadith 9]

» Sahari is full of blessings, so do not miss it even if you drink just a sip of water. Allah and His angels send mercy upon the people who consume Sahari. [Musnad Imam Ahmad, Vol. 4, Page 88, Hadith 11396]

» Sayyiduna Irbad bin Sariyah [Radi Allahu Anhu] has narrated that once the Beloved and Blessed Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) called him to eat Sahari with him during the month of Ramadan and said: ‘Come for a blessed breakfast.’ [Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol. 2, Page 442, Hadith 2344]

Continue Reading

Fruits of Ramadan - Its Merits and benefits

1) Month of Mercy
Ramadan is for the Muslims a very great favour from Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. The reality of this favour can only be felt in our lives and heart if we appreciate it, otherwise this blessed month of Ramadan will come and go without gaining anything.
2) Fasting
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah Radi Allahu anhu reports that Beloved Nabi Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said, "The dua of a fasting person is not rejected until he breaks his fast." Beloved Nabi Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said, "Whoever eats during one day of Ramadan without a valid excuse, shall never be able to recoup that day even by fasting for the rest of his life."


3) Sehri
Ibne Umar Radi Allahu anhu) relates that Beloved Nabi Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said, "Verily Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala and his angels send mercy upon those who partake of Sehri."


Fourth Pearl - The Qur’ân
There is a very great link between Ramadan and the Quran. Ramadan is the month of the Quran. Therefore read as much Quran as possible. Hadhrat Abdullah Ibne Umar Radi Allahu anhu narrated that Rasulullah Sallallâhu Alayhi Wasallam said, "The hearts become rusted as iron rusts with water." When someone asked, "What could cleanse the hearts again?" Rasulullah Sallallâhu Alayhi Wasallam said, "Frequent remembrance of death and recitation of the Quran." The month of Ramadan and the Quran is with us. Let us use it to cleanse our hearts of rust.

Fifth Pearl - Tarâwîh Salâh


Nabi Sallallâhu Alayhi Wasallam said that Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta'ala made fasting fardh for the day and Tarawîh sunnat for the night. Let us realize that through our fasting we kill the desires of our Nafs (carnal self) and through our Tarawîh we can reach Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. What a blessing!

6) Itikâf

Rasulullah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said, "Whoever performs Itikâf for the final ten days of Ramadan, for him is the reward of two Haj and two Umrahs .

7) Laylatul Qadr

Amongst the nights of Ramadan, Laylatul Qadr is one of the most blessed. The Quran describes it as being greater in spiritual virtue than a thousand months,. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah Radi Allahu anhu reports that Rasulullah Sallallâhu Alayhi Wasallam said "Whoever stands in worship on the night of Qadr with complete faith and with sincere hope of gaining reward, all his previous sins are forgiven.

Continue Reading

Dua during Breaking Fast (Iftar) in Ramadan

The Lawgiver has recommended that the fasting person take the opportunity on this occasion and beseech Allah during the period of fasting, especially around the hour of breaking fast, iftaar. He should request diligently, whatever he or she desires, from the Owner of creation, Rabbil Alameen.

In the book of Ibn Maja, Abdullah bin 'Amru bin 'Al-As (raa) reported that the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: “Indeed, as to the faster, about the time he breaks his fast, his du'a, (supplication) will not be turned away by Allah.”

This hadith reveals a special privilege afforded only to the ser­vant who observes fasting and at the hour he brings his fasting to a close. Each fasting person has the right to supplication(Dua) and the right that it will be answered, a promise from the One who never reneges on His promises.

However, granting the faster's du'a request falls within the conditions of du'a. That is, whatever you ask Allah (SWT), He will grant it in His own time, and when he knows that granting your request will not lead to your ruin. Do not ask of Him something unlawful.

In a report by Tirmidhi (raa), the Messenger of Allah (saas) has been reported as saying:
“There are three categories of people whose du'a (sup­plications) will not be rejected:

the person who observes the fast until he breaks,
a just ruler,
and the person who has been wronged.”

This citation supports the previous one, while adding that when prayers are offered during fasting, supplications are highly en­couraged.

In addition to the faster, a ruler's acts of justice weigh heavily on the scale of good deeds (mizaan). This is the person whose pronouncements, orders and decrees affects the lives of others. The ruler may be a political leader, a judge, or a community leader who does not abuse the power and authority invested in him. If any one of them makes a request, Allah (SWT) will swiftly grant it.

Conversely, on the reverse side, if the faster did not observe fasting properly, or the ruler abuses the power invested in him, their supplications will not only be turned away unanswered, but will incur the wrath of Allah.

The third person in the Hadith is al-mazluum. This is an indi­vidual who has been wronged, such as a victim of a crime against himself or his property, or if his civil rights have been violated, or he is a victim of fraud or white collar crime. If such a person raises his hands and asks Allah (SWT) for help, his or her prayer will be granted.

Examples of Supplications During Ramadan

It has been reported that the Messenger of Allah (saas) used to say the following:

“Allahumma Inne as aluka birahma -tikal Latee wasi'at kulla shain an Taghfirale”
(O Allah, I request You by Your mercy that encompasses eve­rything in the creation to forgive me.)

Also:

“Dhahaba Zamau, wabta lati'uruq, wa Thabatal Ajru In Sha Allah.”
(The thirst is gone and the throats are wet again and the reward is established, Allah willing.)

Also:
“Allahumma laka sumtu wabika a mantu wa 'alaika Tawakaltu, wa'ala rizquka aftartu.”
(O Allah, I fasted for Your sake. I believed in You and relied on You and I break my fast on your provisions.)

The above supplications have been reported from the Messen­ger of Allah (saas). Anyone of them may be said before you put the date or water in your mouth. Speaking of iftar, it is rec­ommended to be in a state of purity, (wudu) before iftar, so that when the adhan is called for Maghribprayer, anyone who hears the adhan should breakfast immediately at the sound of Allahu Akbar and should not wait until the adhan is completed. The caller will break after adhan.

Continue Reading

What Constitutes Suhoor?

Suhoor can be achieved by a large meal, a small meal, or even by a sip of water or soup.
In a report by Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri (RAA) the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,
“Sahuur is a blessed meal, do not neglect it even if it is a mouthful of drink. For Allah and the Angels bless those who observe it.” (Ahmed)

You see, what reaches Allah is the intent that you have made a genuine effort to obey Allah in fasting. This is why it is rec­ommended to make intention with the sahuur, to emulate the Prophet, and to eat the food to gain strength and energy during fasting, so as to get the reward from Allah. The hadith also contains the information that during the course of this meal the faster receives a special blessing that cannot be found else­where: that Allah (SWT) blesses your meal and that the angels seek on your behalf forgiveness for you during sahuur. Thus, with sahuur you receive both physical and spiritual blessings.

Time of Suhoor

The time for sahuur begins from midnight until the break of dawn. It is recommended, however, to delay it till shortly be­fore the time of Subh (morning) prayer.

In a hadith by Zaid bin Thabit (raa) he related that:
“We ate sahuur with the Messenger of Allah (saas) then we went to pray Subh. I asked the Messenger ‘What was the time period between sahur and prayer?’ He re­sponded ‘The time period between them is the equiva­lent of the time it takes to recite fifty verses in Al-Qur'an.’ ” (Bukhari and Muslim)

This citation is instructive in that it settles the question of whether one should stop eating before morning prayer (Subh/Fajr), or before sunrise, as we see in certain prayer times tables showing the so-called shuruq (the sunrise, which some think is the time to stop eating). The hadith is explicit. The rec­ommendation to delay Sahuur is only to the hour or so before (Subh). The mentioning of the period of recitation of fifty verses (ayats) is a cushion or a grace period in which food or drink should not be taken. All the reports that recommend de­lay of Sahuur must be understood in this way.

During the time of the Messenger of Allah (saas), the tradition of two adhans (or call to prayer) was established, and it has continued up until now in some Muslim countries. The first adhan is to indicate the beginning of sahuur: the adhan of Ab­dullah Ibn Umm Maktum (raa). The second is the adhan of Bi­lal Ibn Rabah (raa): the adhan of Salaah, a morning prayer.

However, if you hear the second adhan while you are eating or drinking, you should immediately stop eating in preparation for fasting.

Continue Reading