By Farhat Amin

It is now December, it seems that Ramadan was such a long time ago but this does not mean Allah does not forgive us for our sins. The month of dhul-hijjah is almost upon us. The first ten days of dhul-hijjah are more beloved to Allah than any other days during the year. Increase the zhikr (remembrance) of Allah by reading the Qu’ran, increasing your understanding of the religion, giving charity and other such good acts. Repent to the lord and surely he will forgive all that truly seek his forgiveness. Follow every sin with a good action as this eradicates the sin you have committed. I would like to remind everyone about the benefits of the blessed month. It seemed like such a long time ago but it will be a blessing if we see Ramadan next year. Ramadan is not just about fasting, yes we do struggle sometimes to give up food and water but remember the brothers and sisters who suffer poverty across many regions of the world. These people go without food and water for days. For all those who fast during the day Allah will forgive their sins and for all those who stand in prayer at night Allah will forgive their sins. But the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) said that the first ten days of dhul-hijjah are better than Ramadan, surely this is a time we should increase our love for Allah. Brothers and sisters ponder over this issue, the Qu’ran was sent to humanity as a guide on how one should lead their lives. Ensure that you intend to please Allah as he shall reward every good action. Ramadan is about the purification of the heart, feeling a connection with Allah that you forgot you could achieve. It is about doing something for the sake of Allah, at the end of the day if we wish to worship Allah it does not benefit him in anyway, if we do not worship him it does not decrease his bounty. Remember we need to worship Allah for the sake of this dunya and for the hereafter. Allah rewards all those who strive in the name of Islam and those who implement the guidance found in the Qu’ran and the sunnah.

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By Yasir Qadhi

Bismillah,

The topic of good akhlaaq is a very important topic. Consider that the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam said:“The only reason I have been sent is to perfect good manners.”Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala starts off Surah Al-Qalam, an early Makkan surah revealed to defend the status and honor of Prophet Muhammad sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam by saying:And indeed, you are upon a noble conduct, an exemplary manner (Al-Qalam 68/4).This exemplary manner is high akhlaaq. Of the things that Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala praised the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam for was that he had good akhlaaq, or good manners. This shows us the importance of good akhlaaq; in defending the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam, one of the first things that Allah mentions is his good akhlaaq.There are numerous Quranic aayaat referring to having good manners. Allah says:Worship Allah, and do not associate partners with him. And be good to your parents, and the relatives, and to the orphans, and to the poor people, and the neighbor that is close to you and the neighbor that is not close to you, and your companion

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’Aa‘ishah (radiyallaahu ’anhaa) reported that:

A Jewess came to her and mentioned the Punishment of the Grave, saying to her: May Allaah protect you from the Punishment of the Grave. So she asked the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) about it and he said, “Yes, there is Punishment in the Grave!” ’Aa‘ishah (radiyallaahu ’anhaa) said: After that, I never saw the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), except that he sought refuge from the Punishment of the Grave in every Prayer that he prayed. [Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 1372)]

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