"Keep Satan away from you in Ramadan"

Advising the great Sahabi Abu Tharr al-Ghifari, may Allah be pleased with him, regarding the fast being a protection against the fire, he (pbuh) is quoted saying, “Shall I inform you of a deed which, if you do it, will keep Satan away from you as much as the distance between the east of the earth and the west?”

People answered, “O yes, indeed, O Messenger of Allah!”

He (pbuh) said, “Fast darkens his (Satan’s) face; alms break his back; the desire to please Allah and the giving of assistance to do good deeds cut his tail off, and seeking Allah’s forgiveness cuts off his aorta.”

Then he added, “For everything there is purification (zakat), and the purification of bodies is the fast.”

He (pbuh) is also quoted saying, “One who fasts is considered to adore his Creator even while sleeping on his bed as long as he does not backbite any Muslim.”

He (pbuh) has also said, “There are two merry occasions for anyone who performs the fast: one when he breaks his fast: and one when he meets his Lord, the Exalted, the Almighty. I swear by the One Who controls Muhammad’s life, the excess on the mouth of one who fasts is better in the sight of Allah than the sweet smell of musk.” He (pbuh) has also said that the Exalted and Almighty has said (in a Hadithe- Qudsi) that all good deeds of a descendant of Adam are His (to reward) “except the fast, for it is mine, and I shall reward for it. All good deeds of the son of Adam are rewarded with ten to seven hundred times except perseverance, for it is mine and I reward for it.” So, the knowledge of the rewards of perseverance is with Allah, and “perseverance” means fast.

Regarding the interpretation of His saying (in the Holy Qur’an) “. . and seek aid with perseverance,” meaning the fast, it is reported that the person who fasts enjoys the gardens of Paradise and the angels keep praying for him till he breaks his fast. If a believer stands during a portion of the night to perform additional optional prayers, then he wakes up fasting, no sin will be recorded against him.

Whenever he takes one step, it will be recorded as a good deed for him, and if he dies during daytime, his soul will ascend the heights of heaven. If he lives to break his fast, the Almighty will consider him among those who often return to Him for forgiveness. In the book titled Thawab al- A’mal, relying on the authority of Abu Abdullah who quotes his forefathers, peace be upon all of them, the author, namely Shaikh al-Qummi al-Saduq, quotes one tradition indicating that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said, “The sleep of someone fasting is like adoration, and his breath praises the Almighty.”

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Kindness and Generosity

The Messenger’s social ties with his companions portray the most wonderful picture of Islamic brotherhood ever heard of. The following narratives give us a glimpse of his firm ties, with the society in which he lived:

Anas bin Malik, who used to frequent the Prophet’s assembly, says that whenever the Prophet missed any one of his companions for a period of three (3) days, he used to inquire about that person, would pray for him and if he happened to be ill, would pay him a visit.

Another companion Jarir bin Abdullah, says that once the Prophet entered a house, and soon it was full of people. When Jarir went in, he found no vacant spot and therefore sat outside. The Prophet observing Jarir took a piece of his clothing, rolled it up and threw it, indicating him to spread it underneath him. Jarir says he caught hold of the clothing, put it on his face and kissed it.

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THE PROPHET’S VISIT TO TAIF

Abu Talib and Khadija were the main supporters of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It was so destined that they passed away within a few days of each other, leaving the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to lament the bereavement. He had lost a caring uncle and a loving wife.

The enemies were now relieved, because Abu Talib was no more to protect. A few days after Abu Talib’s death, when the Prophet was once passing through a lane, a woman emptied her garbage from a window upon his head. He returned home with his head soiled. His young daughter Fatima (pbuh) sat beside him, consoling and washing off the dirt.

As things became intolerable in Makkah, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) decided to move to Taif where he thought he would convey the message of Almighty God to the tribe of Thaqeef. Taif was known for its pleasant climate and beautiful scenery.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) knew very well that people at Taif were no different from Makkans. They also worshiped idols and were in constant contact with the people in Makkah. But he (pbuh) did not despair, who dedicated his life for Islam by putting himself in danger like no other. As he entered Taif, and proclaimed his prophet hood, people jeered at him. One said: “God did not find anyone else for His message except you?” Another said: “I must be naive or a thief if I believed you to be a prophet.” And so it went on.

Then in order to prevent him from preaching Islam, people of Taif set a group of children and vagabonds behind him. They pestered him and threw stones at him. Tired, forsaken and wounded, he sought refuge in a nearby garden. It belonged to Atabah and Shaibah, two wealthy chiefs of Quraish. They were both there when the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) entered and sat under a distant tree. He was alone.

Then he raised his face towards heaven and prayed: “O Almighty! I raise unto you my complaint for my weakness, my helplessness, and for the ridicule to which I have been subjected. O Merciful of all the Mercifuls! You are the Master of all oppressed people, You are my God! So to whom would You consign me? To the strangers who would ill-treat me, or to the enemies who have an upper hand over me? If whatever has befallen me is not because of Your wrath, then I fear not. No doubt, the field of Your security and care is wide enough for me. I seek refuge in Your light which illuminates darkness and straightens the affairs of this world and hereafter, that Your displeasure and wrath may not descend upon me. For the sake of Your pleasure, I remain pleased and resigned to my fate. No change in this world occurs without Your Will.”

Atabah and Shaibah were watching. They sent for their servant named Adaas and gave him a plate full of grapes. “Take this to that man under the tree,” they ordered.

Adaas was a Christian. He brought the grapes to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and bid him eat. As the Prophet (pbuh) picked a bunch he said: “Bismillahir Rahmaanir Rahim” (In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate). Adaas had never heard this before. He was impressed by it, because the man was invoking mercy and compassion of Almighty in spite of his desolate state.

“Who are you?” Adaas asked. “I am the Prophet of God. Where do you come from?”

The servant said: “I am Adaas, a Christian. I come from Nainava.”

“Nainava? You come from a place where my brother Yunus bin Mati (Jonah son of Mati) lived,” the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said. Adaas was surprised to hear the name.

“What do you know of Yunus? Here no one seems to know him. Even in Nainava there were hardly ten people who knew his father’s name.”

The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Yes, I know him because just like me, he was a Prophet of Almighty God.”

Adaas fell on his knees before the Holy Prophet (pbuh), kissed his hand and embraced Islam.

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The Prophet’s (pbuh) preaching of Ramadan

The following incident has been narrated by al-Saduq on p. 84-85 of his Al-Amali:

Muhammad ibn Ibrahim says that Ahmed ibn Muhammad-al- Hamadani says that Ali ibn al-Hassan ibn Fadal quotes his father quoting al-Hassan’s father Imam Ali bin Musa al-Rida (pbuh) who in turn quotes his father Imam Musa ibn Ja’fer (pbuh) quoting his father the master of martyrs Imam al-Hussain ibn Ali ibn Abu Talib (pbuh) saying that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) delivered a sermon once in which he said:

O people! A month has approached you laden with blessing, mercy and forgiveness; it is a month which Allah regards as the best of all months. Its days, in the sight of Allah, are the best of days; its nights are the best of nights; its hours are the best of hours. It is a month in which you are invited to be the guests of Allah, and you are regarded during it as worthy of enjoying Allah’s Grace. Your breathing in it praises the Almighty, and your sleeping adores Him. Your voluntary acts of worship are accepted, and your pleas are answered. Ask Allah your Lord, therefore, in sincere intentions and pure hearts to enable you to fast during it and to recite His Book, for only a wretch is the one who is deprived of Allah’s forgiveness during this great month. And let your hunger and thirst during it remind you of the hunger and thirst of the Day of Resurrection. Give alms to the poor and indigent among you; surround your elderly with respect, and be kind to your youngsters. Visit your kin and safeguard your tongues, and do not look at what Allah has prohibited you from seeing, and do not listen to anything your ears are forbidden to hear. Be kind to the orphans of others so that your own orphans will equally receive kindness. Repent your sins to Allah and raise your hands to Him in supplication during the times of your prayers, for they are the best times during which the Almighty looks with mercy to His servants and answers their pleas when they plead to Him. O people! Your souls are pawned by your deeds; therefore, release them by seeking Allah’s forgiveness. Your backs are over-burdened by the weight of your sins; therefore, lighten their burden by prolonging your prostration. Be informed that the Exalted and Almighty has sworn by His Dignity not to torture those who perform their prayers and prostrate to Him, and not to terrify them by the sight of the fire when people are resurrected for judgment. O people! Whoever among you provides Iftar to a believer during this month will receive a reward equal to one who sets a slave free, and all his past
sins will be forgiven.

Having said so, people said to him: “O Messenger of Allah! Not all of us can do that!”

He (pbuh), thereupon, responded by saying, Shun the fire of hell even by half a date! Shun the fire of hell even by a drink of water! O People! Whoever among you improves his conduct during this month will have a safe passage on al-Sirat al- Mustaqeem, (the straight path) when many feet will slip away, and whoever among you decreases the burdens of his slave (or anyone who works for him) will be rewarded by Allah decreasing his reckoning. Whoever among you abstains from harming others will be spared the Wrath of the Almighty when he meets Him. Whoever among you affords generosity to an orphan will be rewarded by Allah being generous to him on the Day of Judgment. Whoever among you improves the ties with his kin will be rewarded by Allah including him in His mercy, and whoever among you severs his ties with his kin, Allah will withhold His mercy from him upon meeting Him. Whoever among you offers voluntary prayers, Allah will decree a clearance for him from the torment of the fire. Whoever among you performs an obligation will receive the reward of one who has performed (70) seventy obligations in other months. Whoever among you increases the sending of blessings unto me, Allah will make the balance of his good deeds weigh heavily when scales will be light. Whoever among you recites one verse of the Holy Qur’an will receive the blessing of one who recites the entire Holy Qur’an in another month. O people! The gates of heaven in this month are kept open; so, pray Allah your Lord not to close them against you, and the gates of the fire are kept closed; so, pray Allah your Lord not to open them for you; and the devils are kept chained; therefore, pray Allah your Lord not to unleash them against you.

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Du’a (prayer) in the month of Ramadan

The month of Ramadan is an opportunity given by the gracious Creator for His servants to come close to Him, seek forgiveness for their sins, and fulfillment of their needs. In the Holy Qur’an, amidst an important discussion on the month of Ramadan, the following ayat (verse), which apparently has no direct connection with Ramadan, is included: And when my servants ask you about me, then surely I am near. I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he calls upon me, so respond to me, and believe in me, so that they may be led right. (2:186) Commentators agree that this is the most poignant of all the verses on the Divine-human connection. The whole verse is based on the singular first person pronoun, which is repeated seven (7) times. It is a confirmation of the close relationship between man and His creator, and an assurance that he will be listened to when he calls upon Him.

That such a verse should be included among the ayats discussing the importance of Ramadan, and some of its rules (see 2:183-187), are an indication of the important role of Du’a in the month of Ramadan. Abstaining from fulfillment of physical desires stimulates an increase in spirituality, and creates an inclination for prayers and worship. Believers feel close to Allah, and Allah reminds them that He too is close, and will answer their prayers. The nights of Ramadan are spent in prayers and supplications. Even those believers, who normally do not have much time for prayers, try to do so during this month. This is because of the emphasis on the sanctity of the month, the promise of multiplied rewards, as well as the assurance of a favorable response.

Says the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) . . . do supplicate with your hands raised . . . as these are the best of times, during which the Almighty looks at His servants with mercy, answers if they supplicate, responds if they call, grants if they ask, and accepts if they plead . . . (Prophet’s sermon welcoming the month of Ramadan).

The best thing a believer can pray for during this month is forgiveness for his past sins. Many of the Du’as special to the month of Ramadan plead for forgiveness of the huge burden of sins which man carries. Ramadan is a glorious chance given to him to have his sins erased, and gain a higher position in the eyes of Allah. So many people are forgiven in this month that it is only the unfortunates who are deprived. Says the Prophet in the same sermon: Indeed, miserable is he who is deprived of Allah’s forgiveness in this great month. Other things to pray for include fulfillment of needs, removal of afflictions, and success in the hereafter.

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Kindness and Forgiveness

More than 1400 years ago in Arabia the people were living very much in fear. They feared their neighbors. They feared other tribes. They even feared their idols. For this was the time before Islam. The Arabs were worshiping idols. In their ignorance they would bury their newly born daughters alive. As Islam began to spread among Arabs such cruel practices stopped. Islam taught love and peace. It taught kindness and respect.

Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself was a very kind and loving person. He treated every one, young and old, with kindness and respect.

Because the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was spreading the word of God. And he was changing, for better, the lives of many Arabs and because some Arabs felt that by the teaching of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) their old idols were losing power. They disliked Holy Prophet (pbuh) and planned to kill him. Every time they tried to kill him, they failed. This angered the enemies of Islam even more. So they began to harass him in every way they knew.

One old woman made a habit of throwing rubbish on the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) whenever he passed from her house. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) had to pass that house daily on the way to the Mosque. Even when the old woman threw rubbish on him, he would pass silently without showing any anger or annoyance. This was a regular, daily event.

One day when the Holy Prophet (pbuh) was passing by the old woman was not there to throw the rubbish. He (pbuh) stopped and asked the neighbor about her well-being. The neighbor informed the Holy Prophet (pbuh) that the old woman was sick on bed. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) politely asked permission to visit the old woman. When allowed he (pbuh) entered the house, the old woman thought that he had come there to take his revenge when she was unable to defend herself because of sickness. But the Holy Prophet assured her that he had come to her, not to take any revenge, but to see her and to look after her needs, as it was the command of Almighty God that if any one is sick, a Muslim should visit him and
should help him if his help is needed.

The old woman was greatly moved by this kindness and love of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). By the example of greatness of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), she understood that he was truly the Prophet of God and Islam was the true religion. She accepted Islam at once.

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THE GIFT

Whenever they reaped their first harvest, they brought early, fresh fruits to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Then he would distribute them among those who sat around him. This morning, a poor man brought one fruit from his small farm and gave it to the Holy Prophet (pbuh).

He (pbuh) accepted the gift, tasted it and then went on eating it alone while the companions watched. One of those present meekly said: O Prophet of Almighty God, you have over looked the right of those who watch while you eat? The Holy Prophet (pbuh) smiled and waited till the man who had brought the fruit had gone. Then he (pbuh) said: I tasted the fruit and it was not yet ripe. Had I allowed you to have some of it, someone would have definitely shown his distaste, thus disappointing the poor man who had brought the gift. Rather than make him feel disappointing, my palate accepted the bitterness.

This is how Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught us best of morals and excellent manners. By living a simple and ordinary life and treating everybody alike with courtesy and respect, he was able to spread the light of Islam. His immaculate personality and lofty character, coupled with his honesty and wisdom, attracted multitudes of people towards truth and justice.

Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) pays great importance to the behavior of human beings amongst each other in a society. Hence, always seems advising the following:

1. Deal gently with people, and be not harsh; cheer them and condemn not.
2. The best of friends is he who is best in behavior and character.
3. One who does not practice modesty and does not refrain from shameless deeds is not a Muslim.
4. Much silence and a good disposition; there are no two works better than these.

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Modesty and Simplicity

He (pbuh) was the finest embodiment of modesty, and deeply abhorred arrogance and haughtiness. Almost all of his companions in the early days were poor and oppressed people, as he was the champion of the downtrodden and the defender of the deprived masses.

His house was simple and modest, built of clay bricks, palm leaves and trunks. His food was simple like that of the poor, consisting mostly of barley bread. There were occasions when he might skip that meager meal too. He socialized with his companions as one of them: talking, listening, smiling and displaying a sense of humor. Sometimes he might join in their laughter to cheer their spirits up. He would visit them when they fell sick or accept an invitation for a meal irrespective of whether the person concerned was poor, a slave or any other. In case a companion of his died, he used to participate in the funeral procession, walking alongside the bier.

The Holy Prophet of Islam immensely loved the ritual prayers, but on occasions when people demanded to talk to him about something, he would say his ritual prayers briefly and instead, pay attention to the demands and needs of the people. He would spare no efforts to fulfill the people’s needs.

The Prophet treated everyone with great respect and considered nobility and honor to be owing to faith, piety, and good behavior. He was not interested in wealth or status. He had no love for luxuries or the illusions of this mortal world, nor did he revere anybody for his riches or position. He was never enchanted by any worldly things, and he invariably looked upon this world’s life as a passing one. His behavior towards slaves was amazingly affectionate, and he would do his best to remove the troubles and sufferings of the slaves and the poor. His modesty was peerless. He was extremely patient, tolerant, and forgiving.

The Holy Prophet was justly angered when he observed a violation of God’s commands and of Islam and was most pleased at the good deeds. Both his pleasure and displeasure were for God.

“Say. Surely my prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.” Holy Qur’an (6:162)

Owing to his great modesty, he normally preferred riding a mule while moving around, using a saddle made of date-palm fiber. Sometimes he also rode his she-camel. If he was riding and somebody wished to accompany him on foot, he would ask him either to mount behind, and if the man declined out of respect, he would ask him to go ahead and await him at the fixed place, because he did not like the sight of people following him on foot, while he himself was mounted.

The Holy Prophet of Islam possessed the magnificent status of prophecy and divine leadership, but his manners in dealing with the people and his way of life were so simple and gentle that when he was among the people and a newcomer wanted to know about him, he had to ask, “Which one of you is the Prophet”?

The Holy Prophet of Islam did not care to sit down in the seat of honor in gatherings, and on entering any place would sit down in the first empty seat available, so that his companions might not think that he was sporting an air of superiority over them. He did not let anybody stand up before him and treated others most respectfully. Of course, the virtuous people were most revered by him.

His magnetic personality drew love and respect from all. He used to sit on the ground, even while eating, and slept on the ground with a simple mat serving as his bed. He greeted even small boys, as well as women. If some man shook hands with him, he would not unclasp his hand till the other did it first.

Once, a Christian chieftain named Adi bin Hatam al-Ta’i, came for an audience with the Prophet of Islam, who happened to be sitting on a cushion. On seeing the visitor he took the cushion from underneath and offered it to his Christian guest, himself preferring to sit on the ground. This admirable display of modesty by the great Prophet so deeply affected Adi bin Hatam al-Ta’i, that the Christian chief immediately embraced Islam.

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Contemplation and Wisdom

The Holy Prophet of Islam took lessons from watching the sky, the moon, the sun, and every other thing in nature, and these phenomena attracted him to their Creator more than to themselves. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) always used to contemplate the Greatness and Majesty of Almighty God, the Glorious and the welfare of the human race. He closely followed the affairs of his people and the spreading of the light of Islam. He talked only when necessary and when he did; his speech was devoid of any rhetoric and unnecessary words. It was precise, to the point and full of great meanings.

PUNCTUALITY AND DAILY SCHEDULE:

He (PBUH) was punctual, active and energetic, and led an orderly life in the strict sense of the word. He was so devout and pious that not even for a single moment was he enchanted by any luxury or pleasure of this mortal world. In short, the Holy Prophet of Islam was a perfect model of all excellent virtues and sublime human qualities.

His day was divided into four periods:

1. A time for worship.
2. A time for his household (Ahlul-Bait) and wives, during which he behaved like any ordinary family man giving the finest example of social behavior.
3. A time for rest and contemplation.
4. A time for public affairs such as receiving Muslims, looking into their needs and requirements, answering their questions, teaching them the tenets of Islam and expounding to them the glorious verses of the Holy Qur’an.

SOME OF HIS WISE SAYINGS ON “TIME”:

1. Blessed be my people for their early rising up.
2. Too much sleep does away with both religion and the world.
3. O People, you have certain (special) characteristics, so get to (emphasize) them and you have an end, so get to (be prepared for) it..., a servant of Almighty God should take (make provisions) for himself from his self: from his world (life) for his hereafter, during his youth before his old age, and in life before death. By the One in whose hand is Muhammad’s soul after death there will be no blaming, and after this world there is nothing except Paradise or Hell.

All praise belongs to Almighty God, and may salutations and benedictions be upon the Messenger of Almighty.

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THE HOLY PROPHET’S CLEANLINESS AND ORDERLINESS

And most surely you conform (yourself) to sublime morality. Holy Qur’an (68:4)

The Holy Prophet of Islam was fond of scent and spent more on buying perfumes than on food. His pleasant smell filled the air of any place he passed, so that whosoever passed there knew that the Holy Prophet of Islam had passed that way.

He used to brush his teeth frequently and washed his blessed hands and mouth both before and after meals. Whenever the Holy Prophet of Islam was about to leave his house, he would look into a mirror or into water; he always left home with a clean, pleasant appearance. His dress was always clean, though simple. He was very mindful of cleanliness.

“Keep yourselves far from envy, because it eats up and takes away
good actions, like the fire that eats up and burns wood.”

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