Sat 23rd Shawwaal 1439/ 7th Jul 2018

Lesson 16: The statements “Allaahu Akbar” and “laa ilaaha illallaah”
• The Takbeer (saying “Allaahu Akbar”) has a great standing and reward with Allah
• The takbeer is something mentioned often in the Quran: For exmample
o “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbir (Allahu-Akbar; Allah is the Most Great) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramadan and Shawwal] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” [Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) verse 185]
o “O you (Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)) enveloped (in garments)! Arise and warn! And your Lord (Allah) magnify” [Suratul-Mudathir (The one Enveloped in Garments) verses 1-3]
• Ibn Taymiyyah mentioned that the rtakbeer is pronounced in the prayer, the adhan, the eid and the high places (hills, mountains)
• The takbeer is one of the best of the statements and speech after the Qur’an along with
• Whenever the takbeer is mentioned it is always “Allaahu Akbar”, there can be no substitute for it
o Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib: The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)  said “The key to prayer is purification; its beginning is takbeer and its end is taslim” [At-Tirmidhi, Sunan Abi Dawud and Ibn Majah]
o This is the opinion of Imam Ahmed and others besides him, i.e. that to start the prayer with any othert statement other than “Allaahu Akbar”, then his prayer is invalid
• The takbeer is something that is always with a Muslim
• The takbeer is mentioned in the call to prayer (the adhan), the call to stand for the prayer (iqaamah), when opening the prayer as well as frequently during the prayer itself.
• In a 4 rak’ah prayer (e.g. dhur, Asr or Isha) the statement “Allaahu Akbar” is mentioned 22 times
o In every Rak’ah there are 5 times for saying the takbeer
o Based on this, the Muslim says “Allaahu Akbar” 94 times just from the five daily prayers
o Then how about the one who adds to this with the optional prayers as well as additional remembrance?
o The one who prays the five daily prayers, the optional rawaatib prayers as well as the optional night prayer will say the statement “Allaahu Akbar” 342 times!
• Therefore when a muslim guards over his/her five daily prayers as well as their optional prayers then this will earn him/her a great deal of reward!
• The fact that Allah has made the statement “Allaahu Akbar” as a key part of the prayer shows the importance of this statement
• However, how many times have we stopped to think and ponder about the magnificence of this statement!
• The takbeer is not something that has no meaning or substance to it. It has a great and lofty
• Ibn Jareer (may Allah have mercy upon him) said that the takbeer means to say the greatness of Allah and perform what Allah has commanded you and obey him in what he has commanded and prohibited (to show the greatness of Allah with both statements and actions)
• Shaykh Muhammad Al-Ameen As-Shinqeeti (may Allah have mercy upon him) said the takbeer is to show the greatness of Allah, and that the greatness of Allah will become apparent by you guard over the commandment of Allah and stay away from his prohibitions and that you are quick in those things that please Allah

• This indicates that all of the religion is an explanation of the statement “Allaahu Akbar”
• Therefore the muslim fulfils his obedience to Allah and that is due to him/her recognising the greatness of Allah
• Umar’s statement regarding the statement “Allaahu Akbar”

What does “Allaahu Akbar” mean?
• Some scholars have said that it means that Allah is the greatest, no matter how great anything is, Allah is always the greatest
• Shayk ul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said the takbeer’s meaning is that a servant recognises that Allah is greater than anything and everything

30th June 2018

Summary:
Summary of last week we looked at some of the form of dhikr: “Subhanallah”
Hadith of Umm Ba’s (may Allah be pleased with them): Regarding the speech which is the best which Allah has chosen for angels and servants

This indicates the great virtue of the above dhikr.

The narration of saying this remembrance 100 times in the morning and the evening: no one will come with a better reward on the day of judgement except one who comes with more.

In another hadith whoever says “subhanallahil Adheem wa bihamdihi” then a tree will planted for him in paradise

Saying “Alhamdulillah”:
First thing to notice is that the quran opens up with this tatement.
There are other parts of the Quran:

• Beginning of suratul An’Am
• Beginning of suratul Kahf
• Beginning of suratul Saba
• Beginning of suratul Fatir

Allah also mentions this praise in relation to the creation

At the end of anything, the last thing mentioned is alhamdulillah
The praise is for Allah from the beginning to the end.
Allah says: “And He is Allah; La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). His is all praise, in the first (i.e. in this world) and in the last (i.e. in the Hereafter). And for Him is the Decision, and to Him shall you (all) be returned.” Suratul Qasas (The Story) verse 70

Sat 9^th Shawwaal 1439/23^rd Jun 2018-06-23

Lesson 14: The Best of Speech and Remembrance after the Qur’an

• The best of Speech and Remembrance after the Qur’an itself are 4 statements:
  • Subhannallaah
  • Alhamdulillaah
  • Laa Ilaaha Illallaah
  • Allaahu Akbar
• Indeed there have been many texts and evidences in the Qur’an and the Sunnah regarding the greatness of these 4 statements
• These statements are the most beloved of speech to Allah
• Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with him] narrated that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “That I should say: ‘Glory is to Allah (Subḥān Allāh).’ ‘All praise is due to Allah (Al-ḥamdulillāh),’ ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah (Lā ilāha illallāh),’ and ‘Allah is the greatest (Allāhu akbar)’ is more beloved to me than all that the sun has risen over.” [At-Tirmidhi]
• It was narrated that Umm Hani’ said: “I came to the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, tell me of a (good) deed, for I have become old and weak and overweight.’ He said: ‘Proclaim the greatness of Allah (say Allahu Akbar) one hundred times, praise Allah (say Al-Hamdu Lillah) one hundred times, and glorify Allah (say Subhan-Allah) one hundred (That is) better than one hundred horses bridled and saddled for the sake of Allah, better than one hundred sacrificial camels, and better than (freeing) one hundred slaves.'” [Sunan Ibn Majah]
• Saying these statements expiate your (minor) sins
  • Abu Huraira reported: Verily the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: The five (daily) prayers and from one Friday prayer to the (next) Friday prayer, and from Ramadhan to Ramadhan are expiations for the (sins) committed in between (their intervals) provided one shuns the major sins. [Sahih Muslim]
  • Major sins can only be expiated with repentance
• Anas ibn Malik narrated that: the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) passed by a tree with dry leaves, so he struck it with his staff, making the leaves fall. Then he said: “Indeed, ‘all praise is due to Allah, (Al-Ḥamdulillāh)’ ‘glory to Allah, (Subḥān Allāh)’ ‘none has the right to be worshipped by Allah, (Lā Ilāha Illallāh)’ and ‘Allah is the greatest (Allāhu Akbar)’ cause the sins to fall from the worshipper, just as the leaves of this tree fall.” [At-Tirmidhi]
• Allah has selected these words and favoured them
• These words protect from the fire. They will come on the day of judgement as saviours for those who used to be upon the remembrance of Allah

The statement: “Subhaanallaah”

• It is mentioned more than 80 times in the Qur’an to say Subhaanallaah
• Sometimes Allah directly commands us to say Subhaanallaah, e.g. “O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance. And glorify His Praises morning and afternoon [the early morning (Fajr) and ‘Asr prayers]. [Surah 33 Al-Ahzaab (The Confederates) v. 41-42 ]
• In the Qur’an 8 Chapters begin with the tasbeeh of Allah [e.g. Surah Isra (The Journey by Night)]
• Subhaanallaah is mentioned in approx 30 different ways in the Qur’an:
  • 6 in relation to the Angles
  • 9 regarding the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)
  • 4 by the other Prophets and Messengers
  • 3 talking about animals and  Inanimate objects
  • 3 times about the Believers
  • 6 times about all of the Creation
• Everything in the heavens and earth glorifies Allah, this shows us therefore how great this statement is
• Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “Whoever says, ‘Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi,’ one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea. [Sahih al-Bukhari]
• Mus’ab b. Sa’d reported that his father told him that he had been in the company of Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) that he said: Is one amongst you powerless to get one thousand virtues every day. Amongst those who had been sitting there, one asked: How one amongst us can get one thousand virtues every day? He said: Recite: “Subhaanallaah” one hundred times for (by reciting them) one thousand virtues are recorded (to your credit) and one tbousand vices are blotted out. [Sahih Muslim]
• Abu Hurairah narrated that :the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “Whoever says: ‘Glory is to Allah, and with His Praise (Subḥān Allāh, wa biḥamdih)’ a hundred times, his sins are forgiven, even if they were like the foam of the sea.” [at-Tirmidhi]
• Thousand reward
• Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “(The following are) two words (sentences or utterances) that are very easy for the tongue to say, and very heavy in the balance (of reward), and most beloved to the Gracious Almighty (And they are): Subhan Allahi wa bi-hamdihi; Subhan Allahi-l-‘Adhim,” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
• Jabir narrated that: The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “Whoever says: ‘Glory is to Allah, the Magnificent, and with His Praise (Subḥān Allāhil-Aẓīm, wa biḥamdih)’ a date-palm tree is planted for him in Paradise.” [Jami` at-Tirmidhi]
• Narrated `Abdullah: We used to consider miracles as Allah’s Blessings, but you people consider them to be a warning. Once we were with Allah’s Apostle on a journey, and we ran short of water. He said, “Bring the water remaining with you.” The people brought a utensil containing a little water. He placed his hand in it and said, “Come to the blessed water, and the Blessing is from Allah.” I saw the water flowing from among the fingers of Allah’s Apostle , and no doubt, we heard the meal glorifying Allah, when it was being eaten (by him). [Sahih al-Bukhari]
• What is the meaning of Subhaanallaah?
  • Translate directly usually as “Glory be to Allah”
  • However this is not fully accurate
  • In reality it means that Allah does not have any imperfection or shortcoming, he is the mighty and majestic far above and removed and free from any imperfection.

Sat 28 Apr 2018

• Fasting is one of the Pillars of Islam
• Allah says: “O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious – see V. 2:2).” [Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) verse 183]
  • When a verse begins with “O You who believe” then listen carefully as it is going to be a commandment or a prohibition
  • This verse shows us that fasting has been obligated upon his Ummah
  • It also informs us that fasting was prescribed upon the previous nations who came before us
  • The verse also tells us the wisdom behind fasting: So that we may achieve piety (fearing Allah, fulfilling the obligations and staying away from the prohibitions)
  • The purpose and wisdom behind fasting is one of the most important things a Muslim needs to know
  • NOTE: Fasting is not just to experience hunger, although it is one important part of it.
    • Shaikh Al-Fawzan says when one experiences hunger he understands the position of those who are in poverty and do not have any food.
    • Also when one feels hunger, despite your strength and youth, you will experience what it feels to be weak.
  • To reach taqwa (piety) is the goal of fasting
  • Those who have the attitude “I just want to get it over and done with”, these will not experience the happiness and joy of the great opportunity Allah has provided to us to gain piety and a great deal of reward
  • Shaykh Al-Fawzan says when Ramadhaan finishes the Muslims are of 2 categories
    • Either someone who is happy that it is over, they could not wait for it to end, they have not understood the purpose of it. Someone who is like this needs to fix their attitude, fasting is a pillar of Islam.
    • Others feel happy that they have completed Ramadhaan, but are sad that it is now over, these people have understood its significance
  • Narrated Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “(Allah said), ‘Every good deed of Adam’s son is for him except fasting; it is for Me. and I shall reward (the fasting person) for it.’ Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better to Allah than the smell of musk.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
    • There is a great deal of reward in Ramadhaan
  • Allah says: “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbir (Allahu-Akbar; Allah is the Most Great) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramadan and Shawwal] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” [Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) verse 185]
  • On the authority of Abdullah, the son of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) say, “Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the salah (prayer), paying the zakat (obligatory charity), making the hajj (pilgrimage) to the House, and fasting in Ramadhan.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
  • A person aims to purify and cleans his soul from the degrading and lowly acts
  • Anas b. Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) as saying: The devil flows in a man like his blood. [Sunan Abi Dawud]
    • When a person fasts, his veins become less in volume due to lack of water and so this also limits the flow of the shaitaan
    • Fasting also strengthens your mind and your resolve in staying upon
  • Fasting teaches you patience upon the obedience of Allah and patience in staying away from the haraam
  • Fasting helps a person control himself
  • Within fasting, a person loses his desires for the worldly glitter and instead things more about the day of Judgement and therefore he better understands his purpose in life
  • Fasting helps you to sympathise with those who are in a poorer state than yourself
  • When a person is fasting he must refrain from certain things with an intention from before Fajr time until Maghrib time, this is the definition of fasting.
  • Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “If one does not eschew lies and false conduct, Allah has no need that he should abstain from his food and his drink.”[Al-Bukhari, Ibn Majah and others].
    • When fasting one must stay away from eating, drinking, intercourse etc, however one must also stay away from bad conduct (acting foolishly or upon falsehood) and must leave evil speech and false testimony.
    • The Salaf used to say the easiest part of fasting is to stop eating and drinking, whereas to control your tongue and your behaviour is the difficult part.
    • These days you may see a Muslim who does not offer five regular daily prayers, yet he fasts in Ramadhaan. This is a mistake in priorities.
  • Some of the Salaf used to make dua to Allah 6 months before Ramadhaan asking Allah for the opportunity to see the coming Ramadhaan and when it had ended they would make dua for Allah to accept their fasting and deeds during the month.
  • Ramadhaan is an opportunity for a person to connect with the Qur’an and pay more attention to it, read it and study it.
  • NOTE: A Muslim should set aside half an hour EVERY Day to read the Qur’an and this should be more in Ramadhaan
  • Before attending the Taraweeh prayers, one should read over what will be read that night and read the meanings of it so that when you come to the Taraweeh you can follow the Imam’s recitation and your mind will have a greater deal of focus
  • Q&A:
    • Is it permissible to read the Qur’an via mushaf or phone etc during the Taraweeh prayer and follow?
    • If someone has not memorised all of the Qur’an, and he/she is praying at home by themselves, can they pray Taraweeh while reading Qur’an via the mushaf or phone?
    • What if during taraweeh at a mosque the only Hafidh is the Imam, can someone behind him be appointed to follow along using the mushaf or phone?
    • What is the best way to correct the Imam during prayer?
    • What if I find it very useful to read the Qur’an along with the Imam using my phone and it improves my understanding/khushu/focusin prayer etc, can one do it then?