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Allah Ta'ala says in the Quran: "The night of power is better than a thousand months." This means that the reward for engaging in ibaadah in this night is so great that if a person had to engage in ibaadah for a thousand months apart from this night, he will not receive the same reward as that of engaging in ibaadah in this one night.
In explaining the reason for the revelation of this verse, Imam Suyuti rahmatullahi alayh mentions in his book "Lubaabun Nuqool" that once Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam mentioned a person from among the Banu Isra'eel who had waged jihad in the path of Allah Ta'ala for 1000 months. Upon hearing this, the Sahabah were astonished and at the same time they became very despondent on the basis that how will they ever be able to accomplish such a feat. So Allah Ta'ala revealed the following verses: "Most certainly, We have revealed it (the Quran) in the night of power. And what will give you an understanding of what the night of power is? The night of power is better than a thousand months." In other words, this night is better than the thousand months which that person had spent in the path of Allah Ta'ala. It is mentioned in another Hadith that there was a person from the Banu Isra'eel who used to be engaged in the ibaadah of Allah Ta'ala from the evening till the following morning. And from the morning till the evening he used to wage jihad in the path of Allah Ta'ala. He did this continuously for a thousand months. So Allah Ta'ala revealed this verse: "The night of power is better than a thousand months." That is, this night is better than the thousand months which the person had spent in ibaadah and jihad. Dear brothers and sisters! Value this night and just imagine the great reward one receives for a little effort. Duas are readily accepted on this night. If you cannot remain awake the entire night, then stay awake for a part of the night. Do not deprive yourself completely through sheer laziness. 1. It is mentioned in a Hadith that this month of Ramadaan has dawned upon you. In it is a night which is better than a thousand months. The person who deprives himself of the blessings, obedience and ibaadah of this night has in fact deprived himself of all good. And no one will deprive himself of the blessings of such a night except an extremely bereft person. In other words, the person who does not receive any blessings from such a blessed night by not engaging in any ibaadah in this night is an extremely deprived person for foregoing such a golden opportunity. 2. It is mentioned in a Hadith that if Allah wanted, he would have informed us as to when this night will fall. But because of some wisdom known only to Him, He did not inform us. So search for this night in the last seven nights of Ramadaan. In other words, there is a high possibility of experiencing this night in one of these seven nights. Searching for this night means that we have to remain awake and engage ourselves in ibaadah in these seven nights, perhaps we will be blessed with this night. 3. It is mentioned in a Hadith that laylatul qadr occurs every Ramadaan. 4. It is mentioned in a Hadith that laylatul qadr occurs on the 27th night of Ramadaan. There are many differences in opinion as to when laylatul qadr occurs. The popular opinion is that it occurs on the 27th night of Ramadaan. However, if a person has the strength and determination to do so, he should engage in ibaadah in the last ten days of Ramadaan. When searching for laylatul qadr in these ten nights, it is not necessary that the person has to see or notice something. Whether he sees something or not, he should continue with his ibaadah and thereby gain all the blessings. This is the object of laylatul qadr, i.e. the person must earn all the blessings and rewards that have been mentioned. To see or notice something is not the aim and objective. |
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By Sohail Rahman August 19th, 2010 As our camera pointed towards the sky it was hard to believe that three weeks previously you couldn't see the sun. Then it was blocked out by a thick grey cloud. Within the coming hours the heavens would open and rains would fall. Nothing strange there, it was and still is the monsoon season. The alarm bells began to ring when the rains didn't stop. It soon became apparent that the rains were forming into floods and floods into a disaster zone. Why weren't the alarm bells heeded I wondered? As the helicopters, that had been dots in the bright summer sky, approached, I knew the prime minister had also asked the same questions of local authorities. No weather forecaster since the floods has said why the predictions weren't heeded. It's puzzling for a nation that relies so heavily on the rains not to take note of weather forecasts. Talking politics The reality is a fault in the way weather news is imparted over the airwaves despite there being a plethora of news channels available. Weather isn't taken seriously on any of the local channels here. They're too busy talking politics. Add to that Pakistan's main problem, it has for some years been a victim of the mismanaged politics and economics of water, drought and an ongoing dispute with India over water access from the north. Even when the rains have come and flooded streets in the principal cities, it's never been enough to worry the farmers as long as the fields see enough rain they're not too worried about the levels of the river.
Loudspeakers But there was another way to sound the alarm. In the Swat Valley people are warned by the municipal authority. They have an early warning system, loudspeakers attached to the top of trucks warn residents and farmers of excessive rain. On July 28, such a warning was given in Mingora. The residents apparently rarely hear this announcement and thought it a hoax. What a mistake to make ... but sadder still, the announcements were not made further up the valley. There, nobody was warned. How could such a spread of widely located rural villages be warned? Remember no TVs! Many people are too poor to afford them. The valleys of death were exactly that. Imagine several narrow channels. The rain runs into the river and off the mountains so fast that it takes the river bed, boulders and even the sides of mountains with it. This then rolls down the valley, picking up momentum as it goes. One valley opening meets another and the force and volume is exponentially increased. What you have eventually is a thunderous tidal wave of water up to 20 metres high ripping everything in its path free of their foundations. For anything to survive it had to withstand a force so fierce that most people had never seen the like of for over eight decades. Grim picture As the prime minister's helicopter finally landed in Khawza Khela he looked business like and ready to answer the many questions the hungry media pack had waiting for him. His address, like the ones we've heard during these past three weeks, was strong on support but weak on practicalities of how much, where and when the aid was going to arrive. I asked him afterwards what the point of this visit was and what he hoped to achieve? His reply: "To show that the government is with the people of the affected areas and we will do what we can to help." When will that help come? I asked. His reply: "As soon as possible." As soon as possible may not be soon enough. Having just returned from some of the most inaccessible areas of the northern territories, the picture is grim. The government can ill afford the death toll to rise, and with many ground transportation links destroyed, the majestic mountains that have attracted so many to see them may soon be the burial site for thousands if help does not come "as soon as possible!" | |
SANHA certifies over 1100 establishments ranging from large multi-nationals to many proudly South African enterprises including cottage industries. We congratulate the following for being awarded the coveted SANHA Halaal Mark of Assurance: * Al-Mehran Restaurant, 43 Corner Atlas & Top Road, Boksburg - Restaurant * Prima Bake, Elsenbroek Road, Potch Industria, Potchefstroom - Bakery Bulk * Botselo Mills, 15 Electron Road, Industrila Area, Delareyville - Bakery - Raw Material * The Kitchen, 5 Kajee Street, Manzilpark, Klerksdorp, 2570 - Home Caterer * Housewives Paradise, 6 Carr Street, Fordsburg - Caterer * The Flavour Lab, Unit 9, North Park, Bernie Street, Kya Sands - Spices & Sauces For a detailed list of SANHA certified establishments and other queries, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | |
HADITH (Sayings and Traditions of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him): Abu Saeed al-Khudri (radiyallahu anhu) narrates: "We waged battle at the side of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam when 16 days of Ramadaan had past. Some of us fasted and some did not. Neither did those who fasted rebuke those who did not fast; nor did those who did not fast rebuke those who fasted." Comment: The Battle of Badr was fought on the 17th of Ramadaan in the 2nd year of the Hijrah. This was the first Ramadaan when fasting was ordained. The 313 ill-equipped Muslims faced 1000 fully-armed foes. Some Muslims chose not to fast, as travellers are allowed to delay their fast to another time. Others felt strong enough to fast. Neither side rebuked the other. The best of Muslims respected each other's opinions even when they strongly differed. May Allah grant us the ability to implement such etiquette as well. | |
The Messenger of Allah Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “The reward of every (good) deed of a person is multiplied from ten to seven hundred times. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’aala says: ‘The reward of observing Saum is different from the reward of other good deeds; Saum is for Me, and I Alone will give its reward. The person observing Saum abstains from food and drink only for My sake.' The fasting person has two joyous occasions, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time of meeting his Rubb. Surely, the breath of one observing Saum is better smelling to Allah than the fragrance of musk.’”' (Muslim) | |
Alhamdulillah, the Council of Ulama Eastern Cape (CUEC) is distributing Zakaat in Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage this year Ramadaan as it has done in the last 12 years. The areas covered are: Schauderville, Korsten, Young Park, Holland Park, Central, Muslim refugees, all Old Age Homes, Gelvandale and all its extensions, Malabar and its extensions, Windvogel, Salt lake, Missionvale, Arcadia, West End, Salsoneville, Sanctor, Kleinskool, Bloemendaal and extensions, Timothy Valley, Jacksonville, Nxolo, Booysens Park and extensions, Zwide, New Brighton, Motherwell, Kwazakele, entire Uitenhage and Kwanobuhle. This year the CUEC is distributing 1,000 vouchers of R150 each totalling R150,000 This amount has been distributed every Ramadan for the last 12 years. Certain recipients also receive 5kg sugar and 10kg rice. We have need for a further 300 vouchers representing a shortfall of R30,000. The CUEC has a detailed database on Zakaat recipients. This list is monitored and verified before any vouchers are issued. For any Zakaat or Lillah donations, contact: | |
LOVE FOR THE PIOUS IS A KEY TO JANNAH |
